Here's that picture I wrote about yesterday. I haven't had a place to publish our orders of worship each week, and haven't really felt a need to. But, I think I might start doing that. I am certainly not doing this in a spirit that says...hey look what we're doing. I've just had a couple of people ask if there was a place where it was published each week and thought I'd just do it here.

Welcome--Tim Woodroof
Family Prayer--Phil Gibbs/ Phillip Duncan

Worship Leader--BST
--Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
--Come Thou Almighty King
--We Will Worship You

Teaching--Tim
--Guided Meditation

--Still
--The Lord is in His Holy Temple
--Be Still and Know
--We Fall Down

Supper/Offering--Bill Lokey
--Be Still and Know

Reach Campaign News--George Buck
Ministry Moment (top 10 reasons not to miss fall festival game show)--David Rubio
Shepherd's Charge--Ed Rucker
--We Will Worship You (chorus)

Yesterday, as I mentioned, was so powerful. It was an example of how the Holy Spirit is truly the main worship leader and worship planner. Tim's guided meditation time really ministered to me. At one point he invited us to step outside our broken, human selves and into the perfect holiness of the Lord to hear what He has to say. I realized that I have not been able to get past my brokenness to hear God in recent weeks.

Then, Bill Lokey completely spoke to me during the supper. He talked about Jesus in the boat with the storm all around and then went on to refer to the time when Jesus appeared and asked Peter to step out. He talked about times when we feel as if we're drowning--HELLO??? Powerful stuff. I was a mess. It was such a day of ministry to my heart--by some of the things people said, but more so by the power of the Holy Spirit in our midst. I am so grateful to God for what He gave me yesterday. It was a warm hand, a tight embrace saying to my heart, "I hear you. I am with you. Don't be afraid. I have all things in my hand. Trust me." I needed to hear that yesterday.

We leave for Abilene in the morning. I will probably blog while I am out there as I can, but if I am silent, just know we're having a great time.

One last little funny--last night Maddie and I were laying in her bed talking. Sometimes she'll say, "I wanna talk." She was propped up on her elbow and just rattling on. I told her I was so glad she was my daughter and she said "Dr. 'Leader' (Leeper) is my daughter." I laughed and said, "No, Maddie, Dr. Leeper is a doctor not a daughter." She got this funny teenager look on her face and said, "I know, I know, they're all the same words and colors to me!" and sighed and laid down. I was cracking up. We both just laid there laughing and laughing. I love those kinds of moments!

From the sublime to the ridiculous...

This morning was really amazing. I think it goes down as one of my favorite Otter Creek mornings. Tim did a great job and really "pastored" today. We had a time of guided meditation that was really great. It is amazing how just stillness before the Lord can be such a blessing. After the morning I felt calm and a peace that could only be of the Holy Spirit.

We went to eat at the Chinese buffet we love so much in Green Hills. At lunch, Maddie asked about the power point background to one of the songs this morning. It's an old art piece showing Jesus on the cross with the wound in His side. I used it for the background to "We Fall Down". Maddie was concerned. She kept asking about the blood and his wound. It was a really cool thing to talk about. How he went through that because he loves us. She was even more concerned at this point. She wanted to get him a "boo-boo" (bandaid) and asked if she could blow Him kisses while He was on the cross. It may sound a little off, but I know He must have thought it was so sweet. It was her best offering.

Of course, we left the buffet and the conversation went right back to "poop", "poo-poo". Alas--aren't we the same?

Last night we had the most excellent "Supper Soup". On a brisk November evening back in 1969 our good friend, Pat Phillips, brought it to our house as my parents were bringing me, in infant form, home from the hospital. Ever since then I've been enjoying that soup. Here's a list of ingredients and a loose recipe. It's really great!

--small head of cabbage
--bunch of onions
--2 stalks of celery
--package of baby carrots (the regular sized one)
--3 long skinny potatoes
--1 1/2 lbs of ground beef
--can of green peas (14oz)
--2 large cans of whole tomatoes (the largest can)
--1 can tomato paste (the tiny little can)
--1 can beef broth

Chop the onions up into the green part and cut the celery. Brown the meat with the onion and celery added. Add the other ingredients into a large pot. (Core and cut the cabbage, peel and cut the potatoes into wedges.) Cook for about an hour and a half. About midway through add a couple of table spoons of parsley. Salt and pepper to taste. Makes about 8-10 servings.


I went over to Ryan and Sarah's last night to paint some. It was fun getting to talk. Painting like that is rarely enjoyable, but the thing it affords you is concentrated time in one place with people you love, therefore making it extremely enjoyable! Things are really looking great over there.

I am staring down the barrel of the shotgun called Christmas at Otter Creek. I have had this program planned out for a while. However, I have doubted what I am doing as of late. I ordered a few scripts from a company in London and have been waiting to see if I like any of the stage plays better. It's time to start--past time. This morning, I am listening to my original idea and am thinking maybe that's the way to go. It's a cool worship concert--just almost too similar to what we did last year. For those of you who were in the worship leader track of the ZOE Leadership Conference, the song "I Hunger and Thirst for You" is the first song in the show. I like that it starts like that. It quickly moves on to more upbeat songs like "Resonate" and Avalon's "Everything To Me". It's published through Benson for you music ministry types out there.

We leave Tuesday for Abilene. We've been trying to prepare Maddie for the Homecoming parade and our ride in the convertible. I told her that she'll get to throw candy to all the kids along the way. Her response... "Can I just eat it?"

Ella is talking so much! In fact, she and Maddie have learned to crack each other up by Maddie saying "poo-poo!" and Ella responding, "poop!" Geez...these are surely my children.

Have a great morning as we all worship. It's cool to think that we are connected in so many ways. I'll be thinking of you as we gather around the table that makes us siblings in Christ.

O'Charlie's--where kids eat free--simply rocks. Free commercial message there. Those sour dough rolls...mmmmm. Oh yeah-- gym, eat less, cut back, no candy corn and hot chocolate after 9pm. sheesh. Does that include sour dough rolls? What if they're drowning in butter? Thought so.

Today is clean sweep day. We've been a cleaning machine at the Thomas house. It's amazing how awesome it feels to have things neat and clean...virtually impossible with two kids 3 and under. Maddie does a fairly good job of helping pick up, but the concept is lost on Ella. She's getting there though.

I am about to go participate in Greg and Jana's wedding. It should be really nice. However, if you know me well, my favorite part of any wedding or reception, any anniversary or birthday---the cake. You simply cannot beat a bakery cake with that frosting. Kroger will not do. Baskin Robbins? Please. Give me the wedding cake. When I was in college I used to order birthday cakes just randomly for my roommates and me to enjoy. The reception today is at the home of Doug and Nan Smith. Where's the cake? More on that later.

Tomorrow morning we are talking about being still and listening for the Lord. What a needed message in our time. I especially need that reminder. Have a blessed and peace-filled day!

I am still shaking this cold that I have had for weeks. Something is weird. Melissa Kirby is suggesting I go see an ENT specialist about my sinuses. Maybe that would give me some relief.

Ella was so cute last night. She was singing parts of "Forever" using a toy microphone. Actually, it was the mic and then it was a toy radish which seemed to work just as well. She can't just sing it--it has to be with the pretend mic and she has to move and sway. "Sing Paaaays, si paaaaayys" So precious!

Maddie informed me last night that there was a scary monster living in her room. I said, "Oh Maddie, you know there's not really a scary monster in there." She replied, "Yes there is! I had to get up last night and hit him with my shoe to make him leave!!"

Then she informed me that there was also a scary monster in the play room upstairs. However, according to Maddie, he's not quite so scary since he is red, purple and orange in color. Apparently, when scary monsters are multi-colored, it just doesn't play well with the scare factor.

Sheryl and I are staying in tonight. I think we're just so thankful not to have a million activities going that we're loving the stillness of just being home together. I'm looking forward to it.

This weekend, our good friend Jana Ross from Otter Creek is marrying Greg Perry--long time Abilene guy. We are so pumped that they are getting married--they just seem so perfect for each other. It was worth the wait for Greg. I'm not giving away anyone's age, but when I was in 7th grade, I played a child role in the ACU Homecoming Musical "Shenandoah" and Greg was one of the leads--at least in his senior year at ACU. He has moved his World Wide Youth Camps office (which many of you are probably familiar with) to Nashville and it will be fun to get to be around Greg again. I am leading worship in their wedding tomorrow--such a joyous occasion for those families and all of us who love them.

Have a great weekend!

Thanks for such kind comments yesterday. It's cool to be family through the blog, huh? Reminds me of a good friend who came up to me at the ZOE conference and proudly proclaimed she had been reading my "blob". Trust me, there's enough blob to read these days, but I knew what she meant.

Speaking of blob--I've begun the long road back to working out. UGH. Honestly, I have eaten my weight in great foods this year. It's time to put a stop to it and try to regain some ground in the physical fitness department. Why is it always so hard to go BACK to the gym?

Sheryl and I watched the debates last night. I thought they were pretty good. I agreed with one random woman after the debates were over who said that Kerry's plans sound good but how he can do all of that and pay for it is a mystery to everyone--maybe even him. I cannot tell you how ready I am for this to be over.

My favorite part of the night was when the candidates answered the last question, "What have you learned from the women in your lives?" We all saw both men soften and it seemed like we saw the real men there. They answered with honesty and seemed to let their guard down a bit. I almost expected one of them to say, "You said you learned this, but that wasn't true at all, what you really learned was..." which would have been fitting with the rest of the evening.

Other interesting notes--Bush saying something about Laura's mastery of the Engligh language. I really like that he can make fun of himself. Did he say something like "Laura speaks the English more better than me?"

Another great moment was Kerry talking about how he "married up". He was cracking me up. I thought it was interesting how he chose to talk about his mom over what he's learned from the women in his immediate life. What he said was good, but he might hear about that one later!

I wrote bills today. Can I just say how much I hate that experience? I really hate it. I know it's a part of life, but yuck.

We are getting really excited about our trip to Abilene next week. It will be fun seeing friends and getting to help my mom clean out stuff. I am certain there will be many things to toss. Mom has never had a problem tossing things. Dad and I were usually more of the pack rats. When Mom moved from my childhood home out in the country several years ago (not bitter), I cleaned out the attic. There were check stubs from the 1950s. Hilarious. It will be hard, but I know we'll be tossing or "yard selling" tons of stuff. Think anyone'll want check stubs from the 1950s? Kidding.

Have a great Thursday.

Sam A. Thomas
13 years ago on this date the day was Sunday. I was beginning my senior year at ACU and my dad was sick. I went to pick up a friend for church, Shelly Braddock. Shelly had been a prayer warrior for my father during his illness with cancer. I knocked on the door that morning and she opened it looking really sick. She told me she'd been throwing up all night and felt like something was wrong with my dad. Shelly had the gift of intercession...and I mean that literally. I knew something was wrong.

Dad was in the hospital again. He'd been in and out and always seemed to muster up strength and energy to move ahead. In fact, he'd had a hair cut on Saturday and was giving the nurses a hard time, as he enjoyed doing. He was a live wire most of the time. His personality lit up any room he was in. He was a practical joker. Months of chemotherapy and the cancer in his bones had certainly weighed him down. But, through his suffering you could still see that spark in his eyes. Whatever made him who he was was still alive and well in there. In fact, I had not yet come to terms with the fact that cancer was eating him from the inside out. I fully expected him to recover as he had so many times before. He would get very sick and then go back to work pulling his legendary pranks as the kids' favorite principal.

After talking with Shelly, I sped to the hospital. I ran to his floor and walked in the room to find him looking so completely different than I had ever seen him. He looked so pale. He did not seem himself. There were nurses around him tending to him. I was afraid. I almost didn't wan to walk in the room. I was afraid he was gone.

I had prayed one constant prayer (besides "HEAL HIM, LORD!) throughout his illness. I had a weird fear of something happening to him and getting a phone call or something. This had caused me to pray time and again that God allow me to be there with him when he died. (which seems weird because I wasn't convinced he WOULD die.)
The thought of either made me sick to my stomach, but being with him and experiencing that with him seemed the better option for my young and frightened mind.

I walked in the room and was relieved to see his chest moving. He was so out of it. I had never seen him look like that. It was almost like he'd had a stroke or something. He just appeared to be near the end. I stood there looking at him wondering what to do, how to feel, who to call. Was this happening? Could it really be that God wasn't going to heal him after all? I'd had one or two moments where that possibility had hit me and had had to pull the car over to scream and cry. But, this appeared to be more than a possibility. The reality in that room at that moment was cold, impersonal, and depressing. I felt like I was looking down on myself in amazement that any of this was happening. It would be a feeling that lasted most of that day.

I called our church building to have someone locate my mom. (This was before the prevalence of cell phones.) She came as quickly as she could. I was there with Dad for a good while by myself. Dad gradually came out of his coma state for a while. We talked a little. Mostly, he listened and squeezed my hand. At one point he asked me to go get this little package on the shelf. It was one of those stupid rattle snake egg packages. The dumbest practical joke ever. I, of course, fell for it as it went off in my hand (my aversion to snakes has EVERYTHING to do with my father!) My dad laughed out loud. It seemed fitting for that to be one of the last exchanges we had. We also said "I love you" to each other as we had almost every day. I was also able to tell him that it was ok to go on. He'd fought really hard and we all knew he was tired. I think that helped him--but it was good for me to say it out loud too... to remind me that it was really ok.

The day wore on. Mom got there. Gradually, the word got out and friends began to spill into the room. By that evening, we had college students up and down the corridor praying, singing, whispering and sometimes laughing. So many faces are etched in my memory.

Around my dad's bed were people like my crazy aunt Dot (his sister), my grandmother, my mom, Sally Gary, Paula Agnew, Shane Holland, and others. I was at the foot of his bed watching his labored breathing and rubbing his feet. We were all telling stories and laughing. I know Dad could hear and was probably loving every minute--AND wishing he could interject.

That night, a little after midnight, he took his last breath. I just stared at him. I couldn't believe it was over. He was definitely gone. It was both a deeply spiritual moment and also a little frightening. I didn't feel ready.

We left the hospital and the Harold and Jeannette Lipford met us at our house. Brent McCall drove me there and stayed that night. We sat around and talked and I kept feeling like I was outside myself just looking and watching everything going on.

The next day, my roommates and I cried together. Stephen, Craig and Chris had walked with me through much of his illness. I wouldn't have made it without friends like them. Kyle, Shane and Brent had listened to me and eased my fears many times. Paula, Shelly and Trish had prayed so ferverently for him. Mom and I were surrounded with community. The Lorenzes were closer than family to us. They held our arms up.

Days and weeks went by. I dove even deeper into school, covering my pain with trying to make a 4.0 and doing every social activity possible. I had no context for how to deal with something like that. Eventually, it caught up to me. There was community then too. Praise God.

As I look back over the last 13 years, I see men who've stepped up to be fathers to me, I see friends who have literally been brothers and sisters to me, and I see how God walks with us--even through the valley of the shadow of death. Even on days when my lack of faith wouldn't allow me to say "I'm not afraid", he was STILL with me. His rod and staff comforted me. He has led my mom and me beside still waters and allowed us to drink from the bounty of His goodness. He has warmed our hearts and filled our emptiness in ways we could never have dreamed. I don't like it when this date comes around every year, but it forces me to remember how God walked us through such a difficult time. He is good. And...maybe the best thing I learned, He is PRESENT. His presence does not depend on whether we feel Him there or not. He's there. His goodness is not dependent on how we feel about life. He's always good. His faithfulness is not contingent on our faithfulness. He's always faithful. Death is not the final chapter. There's more. He is the Father of the fatherless and He writes our names on the palms of His hands. I am a rich man because of the love He's allowed me to know.

Thanks Dad (and MOM!) for pointing me to Him. You layed a foundation that He has strengthened even through hardship. I miss you, Dad. I wish you were here today. There'd be so much to talk about. So much to laugh about. You'd love Sheryl. She's so you in so many ways. You'd love Otter Creek. You'd adore these girls. We miss you and thank God for the legacy of faith you left for us.

After Dad died, the Abilene Independent School District built a school and named it after him. Here's a picture-

It hasn't really been a newsworthy week. We saw plans for the inside of the new building in staff meeting today. They were really cool. It's wild to think that by the time we get in, it might already be too small. I guess God knows how to best lead this process.

We went to the Williamson's tonight and made pizzas. We were going to help them hang pictures but the girls pre-empted us by spreading finger paints all over the carpet upstairs in the play room. Sheryl is there steam cleaning as I write. I brought the girls home to put them in bed. They were ready.

I lead worship at Lipscomb University's chapel tomorrow. I have really enjoyed doing that this semester. It's a completely different experience than the last time I did it several years ago.

I am so ready for this election to be over. If I get one more forwarded email proclaiming to know the inner thoughts of either candidate, I might have to scream. Honestly, I am taking them with a grain of salt now--coming from both sides. Today I got one proclaiming George Bush the anti-Christ. Please. Recently, I read a blog picking apart W's appearance--ears, eyes, etc. The comments were equally critical. I hate what politics does to people. How can we be salt and light in this without using rhetoric, anger, and throwing a spin on everything we say? Please, Lord, soften our hearts and help us listen to You. It seems as if we're spinning ourselves out of control.

I've had weird dreams this week. I won't go into them here, but I typically don't have dreams that I remember--at least not frequently. I'm praying for peace tonight. I've got a lot on my mind. It's good to remember that the Lord invites me to lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters.

Things I have learned over the course of one weekend:
1. I don't really like the single life.

2. Ladder 49 is too long and the same scene repeated about 15 times.

3. Walking downtown was pretty cool. One t-shirt worn by a group of men from a gay community church read "Church shouldn't be the place you go to catch hell". As I mentioned, there was a noticeable lack of church involvement in this AIDS walk...aside from the churches like the one I just mentioned. Does support for those suffering with that horrible disease mean you have to embrace the lifestyle? I certainly don't think so, but it seemed kind of polar to me. One good thing--Jars of Clay was performing before the walk began. Dan had some really good comments and came across as someone who really cared. I wanted to stand and cheer. Praise God! It was an interesting day. I was really glad to be with Amanda and Geof.

4. I am extremely blessed by the friendships God has given me.

5. Friday Night Lights was AWESOME! I really loved this movie. It was really cool to see a lot of it filmed in Abilene at Shotwell Stadium. It brought back a lot of memories.

6. People seem to use sports and, perhaps, especially football to either bring good things into lives or to belittle. It's always been that way. How many fathers did we know who were like Tim McGraw's character? I thought Coach Gaines was portrayed in a positive light although his personality wasn't nearly as cool as the real Coach Gaines.

7. This point was proven after the movie when we ran into a friend who made some smart remark about sports to me that was neither funny or cool. He has since apologized.

8. Sometimes, I fear, Christians do the same thing. We use the cause of Christ to either bring good or to belittle.

9. I cannot watch any TV show or movie where little kids get hurt (ER re-run). It literally makes me sick to my stomach.

10. I am not sure we can apply business principles to Kingdom. And yet, we do it and put a Christian spin on it and make ourselves feel good about it.

11. The Church is a body--based on the Corinthian letters and every body, like it or not, has a sphincter. (Tim preached this morning on the power of the Church as a body of believers and said, "not everyone is a hand or an arm...some are sphincters and some are toenails." I wanted to die--laughing.)

These seem random. That's probably because I had a lot of random thoughts this weekend. Sheryl and the girls are driving even as I write. Hurry home!

Sheryl and the girls come home tomorrow. I am really ready. They have had a good time seeing Sheryl's parents and some extended family, but it will be nice having them back.

Watched the debates last night with some friends. "Can someone please answer the question?" That is what I wanted to say almost every 5 minutes. Politics. Geez. I cannot pretend to even know what it would be like to run for President. The pressure. The expectations. The temptation to put a spin on just about everything that's uttered. I thought both men did a pretty good job, considering. But--the skirting, the posturing, the spin--all of those things are part of what makes these elections so hard on everyone. I miss Karen Hughes. I wish she was still on the Bush Administration. However, she made the better choice in going home to be with her family. Enough said. There've been enough cans of worms opened this week. The thought of worms served with creamed corn is enough to make me want to hurl.

Finally, I have someone to recommend to you. Phillip Duncan is in the market for a ministry job. He has been singing with us at Otter Creek for 5 or more years. He has been leading quite a bit over the last 2 years. I love what God has done and is doing in his life. He has a passion for worship and ministry. I have been in the room as he rehearsed the praise team while beginning by preparing them for MINISTRY. There are a lot of people out there who enjoy music and leading, etc. There are far fewer people who really "get" it. Phillip gets it. His heart is in the right place and God is sculpting and molding him into a powerful force for the Kingdom--not just the church as we know it. He and Mary Alice (and baby Jack) have definitely had their share of difficulty over the last year. What it has produced in him is Spiritual fruit. It's so amazing to see God work in peoples' lives right before your eyes. I am not sure if any of you reading know of a worship leading position, but please let me know. While I feel selfish about losing Phillip, it's just gotten to the point where I believe we need him out there serving in this way. He will be a blessing wherever God sends him.

Have a great day--more later on my experience to come this afternoon.

Creamed Corn

Ingredients:
- 3/4 vegetable broth
- 3 cups corn kernels (fresh, cooked; canned, drained; or frozen)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons margerine
- 2 tablespoonss all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper


Directions:
In a 1-quart sauscepan, bring the broth to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the corn and simmer, covered, 7 minutes. In a 1 1/2-quart saucepan, melt the margerine over medium-high heat. Stir in the flour until absorbed. Add the corn-broth mixture, the cream, and pepper; stir until mixture comes to a boil and sauce is thickened, about 1 minute.

Update on Jennifer Goodman--came through surgery without any complications. She is talking a lot, looks good and hopes to go home tomorrow. Praise God! We also continue to lift up thanks for the good results from the bone and organ tests this week.

Two more questions--and I am not trying to open cans of worms. Trust me, anything even nearly resembling a snake is off limits to me. Just thought it would be good to hear from some of you on this.

1. I am considering doing a Nashville Cares AIDS walk on Saturday. My co-worker, Phil, shared this article from Christianity Today with me. Click here
How does this article strike you?

2. Any of the McLaren stuff that didn't resonate with you?

OK--I ranted a bit about Corporate Church yesterday and then had an amazing experience last night. As I have said, I love this place. I love the diversity. I love the freedom. I love the expressions that are so genuine and unique. I am a blessed man to be on staff with people passionate about the Lord. I am blessed to serve under an eldership who hungers for God. MAN! Seriously!! I am so blessed.

So, last night, at the emergent type service we have on Wednesdays, Scott talked about fruit. He encouraged us to think about the fruit we were producing for the Master. The stations included one where you take a seed and consider whether our seed is good or bad and then plant it in a pot of dirt essentially putting to death all that is not holy in us.

There was another station that was covered in fruit. We were invited to take some fruit and eat as we wrote down on a card what kinds of fruit we wanted more of in our lives. What kinds of fruit do you desire more of? I know it was an easy thing for me to write. There are a couple I long to have in more abundance.

The other station was an encouragement station where we were invited to write encouragement notes to people and leave them in a bucket to be mailed.

There were also Shepherds there to pray over people if they desired. I never made it that far, but always love that.

It was nice to sit an meditate for a while. It was even strangely nice to hear a college student struggle through leading a couple of songs at the beginning. As hard as it was to listen to, it was certainly authentic. One of our college students, Amanda Henry, read a passage from the Psalms. It was wonderful! Sonya Colvert and her husband Bobby sang and played guitar for the final worship set and it was the perfect way to end.

Speaking of scripture reading, Adam and Donna Hester did a class on drama in worship services at the conference last weekend. They talked about scripture reading at one point. My mom was telling me some about their comments. I wish I could have all of our public readers listen to the CD of their class. It's so important as we read scripture aloud to read with understanding, inflection, and passion. I cannot stand it when people get up to read scripture and sound like they are reading an obituary (and poorly, I might add). Many times as we have congregational readings I will stop mid sentence and have everyone begin again and "this time, let's read it like we really mean what we're saying". It's not that people don't mean it, it's just that sometimes we worship leaders have to help people think about what we do in corporate assemblies so as to not just trudge through. I am not saying we have to read everything with a dramatic flare--that could even be worse. I'm just saying how important it is for us to take everything we're doing in that context and make it the most real, genuine, heartfelt offering we can.

Good comments on McLarin. Clearly, he has some great ideas. We must be able to translate and, as someone said, do the harder job of allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us boldly as we forge new ground and honor God. Isn't it ironic..as Phil mentioned that "new ground" isn't really new at all. It might mean just a return to the Great Commission. While missional churches might be redundant, it's a sad truth that many of our churches have to begin to think differently and adopt redundant terminology in order to wake us from our long term, navel gazing daydream.

In other news, while we grapple with "churchy- churchikin" stuff, many of our families in our churches are walking difficult roads. We cannot lose sight of those hurting in our midst. While we had an amazing testimony Sunday by Maria Creech about Julia who has been cleared of Cystic Fibrosis (PRAISE THE LORD!!!!), I looked out into faces of others who were literally waiting on life or death test results to come in, a divorce to finalize, a parent to breathe their last breath, or waiting for the moment to finally confess and lay down addictions. My heart is heavy this week for Jennifer Goodman. Please be praying for her. Her husband, Randy, is the president of Lyric Street Records (Rascal Flats, etc) and they have two small kids. Jennifer found out a few weeks ago that she has breast cancer. They also found it in 17 lymph nodes. She got great news this week that her bone scan and organ scan came back clear, however she is in surgery right now. Please lift this family up. They are very special to all of us at Otter Creek. Jennifer is one of our Ministry Coordinators (what we call our deacons).

Father, for all those hurting, we ask your hand of grace and healing. For all those searching, we ask that we find YOU over systems and methods. For all those discouraged, give us your eyes. For all those ready to give up, please remind us that you have not left us as orphans. For all those in in leadership, give us soft and moldable hearts. You are so good to us.

Well, the world of Corporate Church work never stops. The term corporate church work probably brings both positive and negative things to mind. I mean it in all those ways.

We're in the middle of our building fundraising campaign. It involves a lot of time. It's hard not to feel like there's a "spin" put on certain things. The good news is, I think our leadership has a sincere heart towards seeking the Lord in all these things. It's just so hard to know what to do with the corporate American church and all the things I've been reading and hearing from people like McClaren. The issue isn't buildings, it's more philosophy. I find that I am in complete inward turmoil over how to be the "new kind of Christian". I am immersed in modernity. I love this place and the freedoms we have here. I love our leaders. I just want to know how to build the Kingdom in ways that are lasting for this and future generations. Thankfully, the Lord knows how and, I am convinced, will show all of us.

There's so much on Tim right now. I am worried about him. Please pray for his strength and spirit right now. He's got a lot on his plate. His eyes seem tired. It's not an easy job to lead. Most of us know that. Would you mind just mentioning him by name and asking that the Lord empower him with wisdom, energy, and boldness from the Holy Spirit?

I am staring down the barrel of another deadline. We are supposed to begin Christmas rehearsals next week. I have an entire program mapped out, but am still questioning whether it's the right thing to do this year. We have done everything from a simple candle light service to a huge Broadway style, two act musical (Two From Galilee). The past few years we've gone more the concert route. It's Nashville, after all. Here are a few pictures of last year's show. It was based off the City on a Hill Christmas CD. It was so much fun--I think I am worried that nothing we find will be as fun as that was!









Pray for wisdom for me in planning. I always have a blast once it's going, but the planning part can sometimes be the hardest.

Anyone out there chewing on what McClaren said?

WOW--thank you so much for the comments yesterday. How very encouraging! I still feel full--yes, tick full. I will never live that down. Sometimes my west Texas farm raising comes out, as you saw Saturday night. I still think it was a good analogy. TICK, TICK, TICK!

Yesterday was spent resting and just enjoying being with family. My mom was still here (she left this morning) and the girls were just so thrilled that we were both home. They are so gorgeous! I know I am biased as their daddy, but I am just so in love with those girls. Actually getting to talk with Sheryl about the weekend and family was great too. I am such a blessed man!


The conference began with a bang with McClaren. How can anyone top McClaren? He was rocking my world. I just wish each of us could sit our entire church down and listen to him talk about that stuff and then discuss. How convicting!! I was especially convicted by the part about us living in our Christian bubbles. If we aren't actively bringing people into the Kingdom of God (which, by the way, doesn't necessarily mean getting them inside the church doors) can we truly call ourselves disciples? Reference the great commission in the end of Matthew.

While McClaren rocked our world in the main hall, the worship leaders' track was doing about the same thing. It began with Stephen being so open about his year. Isn't it incredible how vulnerability breeds that in others?? Satan is so tricky in telling us to keep things to ourselves--don't over share. BUT--the impact of openness is INCREDIBLE! It was only continued by Nino the following day as he so boldly shed light onto dark places while we all looked on. It was POWERFUL. The song he sang over us was a highlight of my entire weekend. Hearing Jeff Nelson read about the struggles these ministers are dealing with, seeing people worship with such passion, overhearing small groups really breaking through the surface stuff and talking deeply, and having some pretty amazing conversations with people over the weekend just made me feel like I was in heaven. The video Saturday night set to "I Can Only Imagine" was the thing that finally broke me emotionally. Seeing pictures of my dad was such a surreal experience. It was so special. Then--seeing Joe Smith's face. It's been such a tough year with his loss.


I am not sure what it was--except the Spirit--but this conference was my favorite one ever. I actually had good quality time with people. One night I got to go to dinner with my friends, Stephen Bailey, Nino Elliott, Val Durrington, Ryan Christian, and my mom. Being with those guys was such a blessing. Such dear friends--all involved in worship now. Honestly, we all sang together in college and to think that so many are now in ministry is so amazing (Chris Seidman was also in our graduating class!)

The time with the ZOE team was extra special this year too. I think we all had a clear sense of God doing something and were just in complete amazement at His work.


I am so grateful for the connection I feel with so many of those who come to ZOE. It's just like a sweet family reunion. I was sorry to see it end.

Now, how to process all that happened, all that McClaren said, all the stories I heard from struggling ministers, and everything God did!! What a glorious time.

Cope and Walling hit it out of the park as usual. Thanks, Mike, for your encouragement. I always love being with you. How great was it to see Diane this time??!! The pic below was of a comedy moment from the weekend. Like Walling and Cope could EVER put any of us to sleep!!


I am now diving into Christmas...yet, convicted to take another look at my schedule and commit to people like "April" out there. The Kingdom of God is so much larger than what we can see. I want to embrace it all.

Have a great week, everyone.

Words simply fail in describing what we've just been through. What a powerful weekend. I think I was at max capacity in my brain and heart after the leadership conference. McClaren completely rocked. Then the weekend kicked off and it was almost like a Spiritual and emotional binge! Mercy!

I am completely worn out. I have a lot I want to say about the conference, but it must wait until tomorrow or Tuesday when I can be a little more coherent.

This morning we'll have many guests at our place from the conference. We've already been extremely crowded. It will be interesting to see if we can squeeze people in. Phillip is helping me lead today. My cold got better but decided to settle in my throat over the weekend. I am feeling fine, but just a little froggy.

Wow--can I say that again?! This year was special. Sheryl and I were discussing it. There was something about it that seemed more authentic, down to the nitty gritty, and honest than other years. I even feel like I got good QUALITY time with people--unheard of in settings like that. I just praise the Lord. He is so good to us. THANK YOU, Lord for your provision and feeding this week. I love belonging to You!

"Let Your steadfast love come to me, O Lord, Your salvation according to Your promise." Psalm 119:41

Last night I had some good prayer and think time. Most of it was in the middle of the night, but hey, it's cool with me. I struggle with perfectionism. It pervades many areas of my life. I have been working to overcome the negative implications of that. Spiritually, it can be debilitating. In marriage, it can be just as hurtful. There's nothing wrong with giving it your best, but God has been teaching me over the last 15 years that I am completely powerless without Him. I am not sure I believed it. I tried it on my own for a while and still have the scars to prove my stupidity. I am nothing without Christ. I cannot work my way into His heart. I cannot perform in such a way to win His love. He doesn't forgive my sin if I am extra creative. He doesn't call me His son if I plan the most moving worship service. The deal is sealed. Just like Maddie and Ella are mine. I am His. It's a tough concept and I find myself having to be reminded of it over and over again.

The girls have had colds for a week. Sheryl and I are now the proud owners of them. Please pray for quick healing. For whatever reason--actually, I think we all know the reason--the colds have settled in our throats. We're just praying that God will banish them from our bodies.

Our Father offers His steadfast love in abundance. His salvation is a gift because of the great price Jesus paid. Take a moment today to thank Him and then put it into action in some way. Extend a hand. Stop and engage someone in conversation in a way that let's them see you care for them. Offer a cup of cold water--figuratively or literally. Renew your saltiness today.

Sometimes creativity gets me in trouble. Sometimes it means I get a little too creative for people's comfort zones, but usually it just means that it creates more work for me in the long run. I've been so fired up about the leadership track of the conference this year. I think it will be the best yet.

We basically have 3 sessions together. Session one will begin with Kip Long and his youth praise team leading us in worship. We'll go on to talk about marriage and relationships in the context of ministry hearing from a couple spouses and my best friend who is a worship minister in TX and has gone through some very difficult stuff this year. We're going to spend some time afterwards writing a note to our mate or significant other. Then we'll split for small group time to discuss Brian McClarin's presentation that day.

Friday we will begin with Nino leading a time of worship with his guitar--something he is doing at Southlake, where he ministers. From there, Jeff Nelson and I will address some needs brought up in the email correspondence we've had with the worship leaders. It should be a time of real sharing and honesty. We'll have small group time again and talk about McClarin's presentation.

That afternoon, and here's where I've gotten myself in trouble, we are going to talk Emergent Church stuff. As I thought more about talking about Emergent stuff. I thought, why talk about it when we could just have an emergent service like we've done at OC? What a great idea--last week! I'm kidding--it's still an energizing idea. It's just consumed my prep time for the last week. I am really pumped about it though! I will lead, JV will play keys, TJ (whom I blogged about last week) will sing and play guitar and Amanda will sing too. We've got a team of folks who help make those services happen here working to help me pull this off. Lee Camp, one of our OC members and author of Mere Discipleship, will share a little. Scott Owings, my dear brother and staff mate, will also help guide thoughts. We will have several different stations representing the desert, desperation, renewal, and community. I am really pumped about it! This picture was taken at one of our emergent services.

I know it will be a real stretch for some. However, we can't really talk about being an emerging church without providing a laboratory for people to see what kinds of services we're talking about. Jesus brought the Word to life. He was the Word made flesh. He was a story teller. Can you imagine if he never told a story, or never talked in metaphor? Can you imagine if he were only 2 dimensional? These services try to take the Word and bring it to life. Instead of just hearing a sermon, it attempts to bring fresh life to the message through meditation, experience, spiritual exercises, and community.

Please pray about that for me. I want it to be a rich experience for those present. I want it to be a time of ministry without people getting hung up in the way things are done. Hopefully, by that time in the week, people will have heard some convicting things from Brian and be more open. Would you just pray for open hearts and for Godly discernment for me? Thanks!

I've already written too much. I need to go back and hit it hard. Lots left to do. Last night we had wonderful fajita quesadillas at a Mexican food place near our house and then went to the playground for some fun and frolic. It was so great. Sheryl and I met another couple there who go to West End Community Church. We know some of the same people and had the most encouraging conversation with these "strangers". Isn't family wonderful? We share the blood of Christ. It was amazing how close we felt to these people.

God is good. I imagine we'll be saying that a lot this week. Have a great Tuesday!

This is probably how Sheryl feels right about now. Mondays are my day off, and yet I am here working trying to prepare for the fast approaching conference. It's hard to turn off at night. My mind races with everything left to do. Sheryl and the girls are so patient and giving. I'll be back in body AND MIND soon, my dear ones!

The countdown has begun! 3 days left.

Phillip Duncan is leading this morning. I am involved in the service, but taking a vocal break. For that, I an grateful. Phillip will do a great job!

I got an email from the ACU alumni office saying I am supposed to send photos, memorabilia, etc for the glass case in the student center. That freaks me out. However, it's caused me to think and search through stuff. Seems like I have been doing a lot of that lately.

I am a blessed man. Although I am an only child, God has gifted me with many siblings. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ. My college roommates, who are still my dearest friends, and I have shared 15+ years together of life, death, marriage, children, you name it. We still talk regularly and share humorous stories as well as very deep prayer needs. They have been brothers to me through many trials and victories. Here are some funny pictures of us through the years--Stephen Bailey (wife Stephanie), Craig Fisher (wife, Beth Ann), and Chris Doggett (wife Karen). Affectionately known as SAB, Fish and Dog.




Another dear family to me who I'll get to see--the Dicksons. Kyle and I have pictures of each other at our 5th birthday party. It's been a long friendship. Again--a brother given by God. Kyle and Camille (and Kyle's extended family) are deeply woven into my memories. Here's a great picture of them taken this year.


We are all blessed. We are a part of a family much larger than we realize. Today we celebrate FAMILY with each other. We will eat and drink of the body and blood of Christ. What a feast! What a family reunion! We share that blood between us--taking into account for all our failings. We are connected. What a blessing! Commune in joy today, dear blog family.