Just some thoughts

Sooo...I didn't win the lottery. Oh, well, I guess the next time it gets up around 200Million or so I'll try again, because anything less than that really isn't worth winning anyway, I mean who could live on only a measly 8 million or so? Although, if there are any multimillionaires out there who want to give me a measly 8 million or so, I'll gladly make the stretch and accept your generous gift to me and my family.

So, thinking onward, I want more and more to get out of retail work altogether. I enjoy what I am doing, and am in a good job with a good company, but my desire and longing is not for retail. There is just so much in retail that is all about things..."how can we maximize sales?", "how can we make better margins?", "how can we build our business?", etc. it mainly boils down to how can we get more money for the company? Money, while it would be nice to have in large amounts, is not the main goal of my life (in spite of previous posts). My life's desire is to know God intimately and to teach others to do the same. Am I there? I think it safe to say that by any stretch for the imagination the answer is a resounding "NO" but it is still my desire, and being in retail I am having a hard time accomplishing either my own goal of knowing God more intimately, and also my further goal of teaching others to do so. So, I find my self more and more wanting to get out of retail altogether. I really want to be in ministry and fulfilling the calling that God has on my life.

That being said, I was reading about a new book for youth ministry the other day. Those of you who do know me know that I have a passion for youth ministry, and for those of you who do not know me, well, I have a passion for youth ministry. The book was written by Steve Wright and it is called ApParent Priviledge. This book is a follow up to Steve Wright's book reThink which challenges pastors and student ministers to rethink the approach to youth ministry. This book is critical in that it deals with the parental aspect of youth ministry. I truly believe that in order for a youth ministry to really live and grow, you need the support of parents, not just as volunteers and leaders, but as home bases reinforcing the things you talk about at church. So many youth I have seen that are shallow in their faith because their parents have never taken time to talk to them about it. It is one thing to see that from a family that is unchurched or unsaved, but quite another to see that from a family whose heads (mom & dad) are plugged into the main church. It's like the parents have simply left the kids to float and "find their own way" as it were. This is just not right. Now I have also seen kids whose parents take and active role in developing their kids' walk with God and have seen what kind of exceptional results occur in such and instance. So, anyway, In his new book ApParent Priviledge Steve Wright conducted a study across the country involving hundreds of teenagers. They were asked to fill in the blank in the following phrase "I wish my parents _______". So, here are the top responses (keep in mind these come from teenagers):

• would take my Christianity seriously.
• would pray with me every night.
• would start family devotions.
• read the Bible with me more.
• helped me understand the Bible.
• would stay faithful to each other and God.
• would spend time together.
• would relate problems in life to Christian stories.
• would read the Bible with me more and pray with me more.
• did more things with the family.
• would stay the same forever.

Surprising? I think it should not be so surprising. God created us for growth and created the family as a way to care for us as we grow. We need families and we need to foster our kids to grow in God. Look at their top responses, these teens are literally begging for their parents to take and active role in their growth as a Christian. They want authenticity in the professed faith their parents say they have, and they want their parents to be the spiritual leaders that God designed them to be. So, as I said, I want to be able to help families grow in their collective walks and help kids and teens become all that they are created to be in Christ. Too often the church (and by extension parents) think of youth as "future" church members, rather than the active members they are in the Body of Christ.

So anyway, I was just thinking today about how much I would like to be in the calling that God has designed me for and out of retail. As I said, God has blessed me with a good job in a good company, and is providing for us and meeting our needs. Just join with me in prayer that He would open doors into ministry that would allow me and Jessie to move into what our calling is so that we can see that fulfilled. thanks all and I'll TTYL,

In Christ Alone,

Thomas

Quick Post

It has offcially been a month now since I last posted, so I thought that I might post something before I went to bed.

I had some thoughts after Thanksgiving that I really wanted ot put out there and possibly still will at some point, but not at the moment, as I am very tired. Been up since 5:30 am, it's now 11:30 pm, I'm going to turn in soon. But, I just wanted everyone to know that as of Friday night at whatever time they draw the Lotto, I will be a multi-millionaire. I've squared it with God, He's cool with the idea, I can live with it too. Okay...maybe He didn't tell me in one of those "audible voice from Heaven" moments, but I think He's on my side on this one...or I'm at least speaking in faith...that sounds good.

Jes and I have talked several times about how we would use money like that for God's glory. We would of course tithe on it first. So, 10% of appx. $124M (the roughly 60% cash value of the $207M Mega-Millions Jackpot) is about $1.25M. Then we'd get us and our families completely out of debt, and plan for the future for the children. So, lets just say another $2M just to make totally sure everyone is set up good from now on. That leaves us a in the neighborhood of $121M. Can you imagine the impact that $121M could have for the Kingdom of God? How many missionaries could be supported by that, how many churches built, how many Bibles is that into China and Turkey and the like? How many needs could be met with no need for repayment or kickbacks, just something to say, "There is a God in Heaven who loves you, knows your needs and wants to provide for them all. As this physical need is met through His blessings, let me tell you about His plan to provide for your greatest need of all...". We would just be looking for ways to meet needs and transform lives. This is truely one of my heart desires, and Jessie's too, that out of the abundant blessing of God on us we could pour out on others. Not so that we can get any reviews or praise, but because God calls us to meet needs. I'd actually much rather be able to go the Pastor and say..., "God has given us blessings so that we can pour out into others. As you hear of needs, let us know and we'll get you funding for them through the church so noone knows who did it."
People say, "You wouldn't use any of it for yourself? Yeah, right." I respond, "I never said I wouldn't use it on myself. In fact I readily admit that yes, I want to be able to stay home and raise my children without any worry of bills or working ever again. Yes, I'd probably build a dream home and probably buy a nice new car. Yes, I might buy a few things here and there, but most of all, my passion is to see needs being met, and God's Kingdom growing, and being able to be used as a part of that."
We desire to be able to do that. SO, pray and agree with us that when they draw the Mega-Millions Jackpot, there will only be one winner of the Grand Prize Jackpot. The winner is: Thomas & Jessie Head of Lubbock, Texas.
People have told me before that playing the Lottery is a sin, because it supports crime and such things. I respond that God said He would pour the wealth of the wicked into the hands of the righteous. We are not perfect by any means, but we are the Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. So agree with us in prayer. I speak in faith that it is already done, and plan to post praises to God once it comes to pass.

Thanks all and talk to you later.

In Christ Alone,
th