Second Baptist Baytown

As Christmas day fast approaches there is one word that keeps rumbling around in my head... memories. Susan often kids me about my lack of memory, but if there are memories that have stuck in my head, there are several about Christmas. 

{Disclaimer} Now I realize I am about to date myself with some of the things I am about to share, but it’s my age and I’m okay with it. At least that what my therapist has told me to say. (ha)

Back to my memories... I remember we used to have one of those “foil” Christmas trees, see I told you I was going to date myself. You know, the kind that you would light up with a spot light that had a multi-color wheel that went around to change the color of the tree.

I remember some of the “big-time” gifts I received. Please remember this was back in time when people didn’t spend crazy money on Christmas. I remember the bike I got with the banana seat or the year I got my first skate board (I was going to be a professional trick rider) or the year I got several 8-tracks with such contemporary Christian artists like the Imperials or Amy Grant. By the way, if you don’t know what an 8-tack is... ask your grandparents or Mark Stafford.

I remember all the family being there and the awesome Christmas dinner.... turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beens and the list could go on. And the pies.... oh my, those pies! Can I just have a moment? Thanks!

But one of my favorite memories of all was after all the gifts were opened and the lunch was eaten and the football games were watched, later in the evening we would gather in the living room as a family and worship together and tell stories of how God had blessed us in the past year and what we were excited about in the year to come. Those were some great times.

And somewhere in the midst of our family time together my Dad would read the original Christmas story found in Luke 2.  I have to admit, as a kid I thought he was going a little overboard with reading from the bible on Christmas because we went to church all the time, after-all he was the pastor. But as I got older and particularly now in my somewhat older age I understand. He was pointing us all back to what should be the greatest memory of all... Luke 2:11 “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

You see, that’s the greatest story that reveals the greatest gift! I hope this Christmas you might take the time, as a family, and read Luke 2. Let’s create some memories!

Tommy

Susan and I have some life changing news to share with you.... No we are not expecting and we are not moving. And I'm sorry if the "not moving" part is a disappointment to you.

I am going to be brief but God has done some amazing things in our lives lately.

Since summer of 2010, Susan and I have been privately praying about adoption. After Susan went to Haiti and saw all the orphaned children, we began praying about what our part might be. Of course that process is very long and expensive.

Fast forward to this past summer 2011,  Susan and I learned of a baby that was open for a private adoption right here in the Houston area. We started that process, but once born, there were issues and CPS took custody of him. (yes it was a boy) Well, to make a long story short, we still have paperwork filed in the court for adoption of him but there has been many complications and we are not sure if that is really ever going to happen.

As a part of that process we went through training to become a licensed foster/adopt home. And boy were our eyes opened! There are over 1600 children in the Houston area alone needing to be placed in foster care.

Anyway, we went through training with a local organization called Arrow Family Services. This is a Christian based foster/adopt organization. And several weeks ago, we were officially licensed as a foster/adopt home.

Well, to get to the news of today. It's a girl!!! Yes, today we had a new-born (one week old) baby girl placed in our home to foster. We don't really know what the long term is, but for now... we are fostering a very cute baby girl.

Needless to say, Susan and I are beside ourselves. We don't know what the future holds, but we know the One that holds the future and we are trusting that He has it all worked out. We are just so grateful that God has chosen us to be a part of this baby girl’s life.

We are just one of many families at Second that have made the choice to be used by God in this arena. I just stand in awe that He has allowed us this opportunity.

So, the next time you see us we will be toting around our new bundle of joy. And we can’t think of a better place than Second for her to experience unconditional love.

Yes, we are crazy! But we figured we only have one life so we better make the greatest impact while we can.

With Much Love,
Tommy and Susan plus Jeremy, Jordan, Jonathan, Kirstin +1

I received a letter today from a good friend. Yes, I said, a letter. I realize that in today’s day actual letters are rare. Most of us communicate today through text messages, e-mail, Facebook messages and so on.
I don’t know about you, but there is something special about a letter. The information shared, of course, is important. But letters communicate more than that to me. To me, letters seem more personal and real. They don’t have to be written on fancy paper or letterhead, just a simple piece of notebook paper is fine with me. My friend didn’t have “breaking news” to share, he was just checking in with me and sharing what has been going on in his life lately. Call me weird, but I really felt special that he would take the time to write to me.
Which brings me to a thought that crossed my mind after reading my letter. I actually have a book of letters. In fact I have several of them. Written just to me and for me. The person that wrote those letters was thinking of me. He wanted to share with me things that he knew would be a blessing to me and my life.
I’m sure, by now, that you know what I am talking about. But just in case you are not able to follow my ramblings, I talking about my Bible. The Bible is basically a letter that God has written to me and for me. And the good news is, He wrote it to you as well.
So, let me ask you... “Have you read what God has written to you lately?” I caught myself opening the letter from my friend as soon as I received it. I didn’t wait for “just the right time” or I didn’t wait till after I wasn’t so busy. I opened it and immediately started reading. And you want to know something... I was encouraged by it and challenged as well. (My challenge came from the fact that it’s been a while since I’ve written someone).
Back to my book of letters (aka. the Bible). I have to admit that sometimes I wait to read it when I’m not so busy or when I think it might be “just the right time”.
If you haven’t noticed it already, I’m so glad I got that letter today. Yes, because it gave me the chance to reconnect with my friend. But it was a great reminder that God has written me and I should desire to read His letter just as much as I read my letter today.
Let me encourage you... stop for just a moment. Take out your Bible and read it. In fact let me give you a suggestion, read Psalm 20. Wow, what is God saying to you today?

Tommy

School started back today and as my son, Jordan, walked out the door he said... “This is the first day of my last year in high school”. Wow! My first thought was... “Someone is getting old”... not sure who, but someone is.

But then I remembered something I had just read in a book by Wayne Cordeiro called “The Divine Mentor” and I quote.... “By the time you graduate from high school, statistics say you will have watched more than sixteen thousand hours of television. You will have spent fourteen thousand hours in an educational institution. And if you go to church for just two hours a week, you will have spent under two thousand hours getting spiritual help. So, to draw on, when it comes time to make a decision, you’ll have eight times as much TV and seven times as much “world and culture education” as you’ll have of church.”

That’s why we have really been challenging you to get into the Word, “the Bible”. It is vitally, spiritually and eternally important that you are getting Godly advice for the challenges you will face in this life. And the only way that you can swing the pendulum in the right direction is by being in God’s Word on a daily basis. God has given us one of the most relevant books that we could ever have in this life. The only problem is... we have to use it!

I hope you have been spending time daily in your bible. I hope you have been journaling (using the S.O.A.P method). And if so, I want to congratulate you and wish you well in your journey. Let’s all become “self-feeders”!

Tommy