Last Days

I have been so fortunate to have a church job since 1982.  Initially, I was hired as a janitor to clean the church and keep the floors shiny and spotless.  When the choir director became sick due to cancer, I became the choir director in 1985.  I have been directing choirs consistently since that time.  God has been good, and blessed me with many opportunities.

One opportunity I thank God for in my career of choir directing is my time with First United Methodist Church in Columbia.  I started January 1998.  Dr. Keith Moore left things in very good shape, so the start of my time with Columbia First was fertile soil for my efforts with the choirs and church folk.  Now, it is my turn to leave things in good shape for the next choir director.  I pray that I have cultivated the soil during my time as choir director so that the next leader will reap an even greater harvest than I was able to reap.  I have no regrets.  I did the best I could with what I knew, had the talent to do, and the situations and resources I was given to work.  God often took my worst and made the best for the church.

So, I will leave my dream job on Sunday, June 10 for another opportunity to serve.  I have loved my time with “my people” at Columbia First.  God was in the journey in 1998, and God is in the journey in 2012.  I will be the pastor of St. Luke United Methodist at the end of June.  I look forward to learning to love them as much as I have grown to love those at Columbia First.  I’m in the “last days” of my tenure as Director of Music at Columbia First.  It will be hard to say goodbye or see you later.  But, “last days” at one place mean “first days” at another.  The hymn states it best:

O God our help in ages past, our hope for years to come.  Our shelter from the stormy blast and our eternal home.

God is Good…All the time!

I recently discovered this phrase originated in Nigeria. It is a greeting used to affirm that God is always doing good for us. If you look around with your spiritual eyes, you’ll see that God is working “divine surprises” in your life all the time and all around you.

God has been working so beautifully in my life since I gave it all over to God in October of 2010. Although, my daily walk with God might have moments that my physical eyes could not see the “divine surprises,” looking back, I see all of the grace God was giving me all along the way. Those times I thought God was far away, God was actually with me sustaining me always.

So, God is good…all the time! I pray I will always remember, when times are tough or things are running smoothly, God is present with me. I need to remember and claim Romans 8:28, ” We know that God works all things together for good for the ones who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

I Love to Tell the Story

Recently, a friend of mine, and member of our church, wrote me a note explaining the first time he sang in choir it was the old hymn “I Love to Tell the Story.”  We shared the experience of singing a fresh arrangement of the hymn in our choir in worship.  He and I never tire of the song.  I suppose it strikes a chord that brings all things familiar about the life of Jesus Christ we’ve heard all of our lives.

The hymn points to the essence of Discipleship and the Great Commission of Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:19.  Essentially, Jesus is sending his disciples out to tell the story of his life.  When we are committed to Jesus Christ and truly love him, we “love to tell the story” he has asked us to tell.  ”What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet!”

Check out the lyrics to the hymn.  Is the story of Jesus a sweet thing to tell for you?  Do you reflect fondly on the love of Jesus for you?  No matter if it is someone that has never heard or “those who know it best,” I love to tell the story!

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true;
It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.

Refrain

I love to tell the story, ’twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.

I love to tell the story; more wonderful it seems
Than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams.
I love to tell the story, it did so much for me;
And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.

Refrain

I love to tell the story; ’tis pleasant to repeat
What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God’s own holy Word.

Refrain

I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,
’Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.

Refrain

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My boys

brothers forever!

Full House

When I was about six years old, I had a revelation of sorts.  I truly felt that God revealed to me that I would be married and have a family.  My mother was a stay-at-home mom, so I guess she planted the idea of a happy home, full of love and warmth, as the ideal for everyone.  I just knew I would be married with kids.

I thank God that I have found the love of my life in Claire.  We have committed our life to each other and have been blessed with two wonderful young men.  My early revelation has come true.  I love being a husband and father.  Family is the main thing in my life.  My life feels worth living because I have a family surrounding me.  Through the good and bad, the ups and downs, I am fulfilled  being blessed with family.

Scott has been away at college.  Hunter is home, but the house is full when everyone is there.  This weekend, I have a full house.  We are all together.  It is a satisfying feeling.

There is something sacred about family.  God ordains it.

Love your family and hold them close.

Tommy

My first blog!

Dear Friend,

I have wanted to blog for a while, but just never thought I had anything anyone anywhere wanted to read.  Now, that I have a few more miles behind me, I’ve got some comments I’d like to share.  Here are some things that I’ll be commenting or reflecting on:

• my life in music and song,
• my life as a Vanderbilt Divinity School student,
• my life as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
• and my life as a husband, father and friend.

Thank you for reading and, perhaps, commenting on my blog.  I pray that it will enrich your life, and mine, as we journey together in the Christian faith.

Tommy