Who is in Control?

There are some things that really bug me … like:

1. People who have had their turn signal on since July.
   

   I guess we need to increase the "ticker" volume!
   

2. People who use the cell phone in the public restroom.
   

   Don't they know they have voice mail? Some things really can wait 5 minutes!
   

3. People who put on make up, shave, or text while driving.
   

   I watched as a lady was using the eye lash curler as she drove down the street. Disaster is just around the corner – she could be eye lash bald!
   Watch at any 4 way stop, someone will be on the phone not paying attention to who is next.
   

4. People who don't know that, in the case of a tie, the person on the right at a 4 way stop goes first.
   

   Who taught these people who to drive? Did Sears really sell drivers licenses?
   

5. People who drive the wrong way on parking lots.
   

   Even if there are no arrows, the lanes are marked – slanted away from you, so you know you're headed the wrong way …duh!
   

6. People who "back-in" to a "head- in" only parking spot.
   

   See number 4. Yes, I know that is the only way you can park when going against the flow. You are Parking and Exiting dangerously!
   

7. People who can't park between the lines.
   

   It should be a requirement for people to buy small cars if they can't park the big ones. Did you know that you can back up and re-align your car? Just a thought!
   

8. People who never put back a cart, they leave it in front of your car, or against it.
   

   Where's Gomer when you need him? He'd say "Shame, Shame, Shame." I just call it LAZY!
   

9. People who don't turn their phone on vibrate at meetings.
   

   I know YOU are important, but give the guys who are holding the meeting your full attention. That means NO texting too. NO reading of texts or sending texts. See number 10.
   

10. People who text.
    

    I know you think it saves time. But it doesn't. Just call me and we'll talk. When I hear your voice, I'll know if you are happy, sad or angry with me. That beats adding exclamation points!
    

    And learn how to SPELL will you?
    

    
    

You can see that most of my frustration is people related. And I didn't even get into the people who think that bathing should happen only once a week or the others that think that deodorant is for special occasions.

(I wonder what it would be like to live on an island?)

I know that life is filled with unknowns and things that come unexpectedly. And it's really up to me to figure out how to deal with them. I can spend all of my travel time talking to these discourteous, unthinking, idiots who are driving to work at the same time as me, or I can spend the time listening to an Andrae Crouch CD. I'm sure that my health and attitude is improved with Andrae and then the idiots don't know I'm even on the road with them. The phone company will just have to come up with some Courtesy plans for the rest of those tecky freaks. Whew! I'm glad I got that off of my chest.

I've learned that things really fall into one of three categories:

UMC - Under My Control

These are the things that are Under My Control:

• What I eat.
  
• How much I eat.
  
• How much I exercise.
  
• How many showers to take.
  
• What clothing to wear.
  
• When I go to bed.
  
• What entertainment to watch or listen to.
  
• Who I hang out with.
  

OMC – Outside My Control

These are things are Outside of My Control:

• The Weather.
  
• Building/Repairing Roads and Bridges.
  
• Driver Training for the State.
  
• Other people's choices.
  
• Taxes
  

UHC – Under His Control

These are the things that are Under His Control:

• The Weather.
  
• The World.
  
• Birth and Death.
  
• Eternity.
  
• Anything that I have given Him permission to control.
  

I am learning that when I give Him control over an area, I must release it completely. And when I totally let go, there is a PEACE that moves in and takes over. That's when I think, "Why didn't I do that before?"

His promises are TRUE. I can cast ALL of my cares upon Him. He is the Author and Finisher of my Faith. He will guide my every step and lead me in righteous paths. No weapon formed against me will prosper.

He is for me, so who can be against me? When I give Him control, those things that are Under My Control and Outside My Control are reduced. The categories move. When I release them, they all move Under His Control.

Why would I want to hold on to any of them? I don't know, but I'm still working on a few of the left over discourteous drivers and cell phone users. And He still hasn't given up on me. That's GRACE.

Help me Lord to share it more freely!

This really is our new car.

At least it's a JEEP and the same color as Daisy's!

I bought it for me. You know something to go
hunting and fishing in. But Jan put her claim
on it. Now there will be no blood stained carpets
or fish perfumes added.

I'm looking for rubber mats and liners to protect
it from the critters.

Quite a thought ... Jan in a JEEP.
Who knows maybe next, she'll mow the lawn?
These boots are made for walking!

Our NEW Car!

How do you like it? It reminds Jan of our first
'72 Nova ... the exterior color was close.

Bo and Luke were running into some tax problems
and had to sell the General. All I can say is Ya hoo!

Now I just have to figure out how to get Jan into the
car through the windows. Remember those Duke
boys welded the doors shut for racing?

I'm looking for a dog named Flash.

FREE "Live" Webinar September 5th

I want to invite you to be apart of my "live" half hour webinar on Saturday, September 5th at 1:00 Pm Central Time. I will be sharing information that will benefit you and your volunteers.

You can sign up for this FREE webinar by clicking on http://discipleship.ag.org/Christian_Education/Training_and_Helps/Online_Training/index.cfm?targetBay=0f6af55d-6e99-4155-bcc0-518519e56386&ModID=24&EventDetail=60301b57-e9c2-4180-8a46-f3eb4294e4c7&Process=EventDetail

I have based the webinar on the book "What Every SS Teacher Should Know" by Dr. Elmer Towns. There will be an open discussion time at the end for Q & A.

Subjects Included:
- Retention Rates
- Learning Styles
- Improving your Lectures
- Improving your Discussions

FYI: The session will also be recorded for your use following the event.
TJB

Moving to Nixa

We have finally found a new home in Nixa, Missouri. God has provided a house that is very close to our floor plan in Madison. Jan is with the inspector now and checking out all of the room sizes. She is picking out paint chips and planning the usual move-in upgrades. The "honey do's" have just begun. Thanks for the prayers, now it's time to find some guys with muscles to help us load in Madison and unload in Nixa.
T&J

Changing Adresses Again.

Yeah, you heard it right we are moving to Springfield. We still have to sell our home in Madison and pack a few more boxes. I am in a new position at HQ with the Discipleship Ministries Agency. I will be their new Adult Resource Consultant. We plan to be at General Council and hope to see you at the RT Reunion and at the CBC Reunion. So for now we will only be using our cell phones and you will have to send snail mail through 1445 Boonville 65802.

Here are some thoughts I had on "Change"

Change is part of life that is never on the want list. And change continues to jump right in front of you when you least expect it, kind of like an armadillo on a 2 lane Texas highway!

Without change, GROWTH is stopped or at least it slows to a crawl. So adjust, re-adjust, re-configure, re-focus, and re-alize that change is so much better than finding your name in the obituaries!

Yes, it's time to start all over again.

God is still in control and the ride isn't over. I'm asking for a front seat this time and I'm requesting fewer bumps in the road.

I plan to listen much more carefully to the Words God speaks and follow them directly.

Whatever time is left, needs to be used effectively for the Kingdom.
I've built too many sand castles along the way.

It's time to build His way and on His schedule - I guess that's REAL CHANGE .... anyway!

Faith Hero Graduates!

I have many people who have influenced my life. I am thankful to God for each one.

But today, I want to thank God for allowing me the priviledge of being a tenor in Revivaltime Choir. We were all so blessed to be able to minister while we were in Central Bible College. RT made that happen and Brother Cyril McLellan was always at the helm. He has just passed away - funeral to be held on Tuesday, May 27th at 11:00 AM. Jan & I just arrived in Springfield today (Monday) to be able to attend.

His style of ministry and desire to glorify God came through every arrangement and every broadcast. RT was heard on over 600 ABC radio stations - "Across the Nation and Around the World" (that is just one of the sound bites by narrator Lee Shultz.)

There are over 800 choir members around the world who were influenced by Brother Mac. He made serving God fun while letting us know that quality was never to be sacrificed.

We know that thousands of lives were being changed at that long, long altar. At every concert and every broadcast we were always instructed that eternity was in the balance. And there was always Room at the Cross for another broken heart to be healed, another life to be forgiven.

And while all of that was going on over the radio waves, God was placing part of Brother Mac's heart into each of ours.
Cyril McLellan, always loved always remembered.
T

Change and Hope

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Change and Hope

Change:Yes, change is before us. In case you haven’t heard we are returning to pastor. After almost 6 years here in Madison/Huntsville Alabama area, God has released us to resume the role of lead pastor.

We have served here in Huntsville, as Small Group Pastors, helping our relatives in their “start up” church of now over 3500! (They will celebrate 10 years as a church, this May.)

God is good and has blessed them over and over. Our special thanks to Rusty & Leisa for allowing us to serve on their staff these last 4 years. If you’ve never heard of The Rock, you can check them out at therockfwc.org.

Back to us. After serving as a Field Rep for GPH for 2 years, that position closed and that closure lead to us becoming the Small Group Pastors here. Last year GPH called and asked me to take on a 75% assignment of a new type of Field Rep working mostly from my home via the phone. After much discussion the ELT has decided to end that trial program due to poor projections of the economy. That led us to our current status and search.

Hope:
We are trusting God to open the right door, quickly. The process is very tedious, but that is the process that is before us. We hope to relocate soon in a city that needs our encouragement. We are praying for a congregation of people who are ready to touch their city for God.

We want to help equip them for service. (My heart is to see God turn spectators into servants.) FYI: Maintaining the status quo is not in my make-up.

Your prayers and ideas are appreciated.
Blessings,
Tom & Jan