We had a great night last night. (God works in spite of us sometimes...last night was one of those nights.) We did a toast for change, an idea from the movie, "Freedom Writers." I wish I could share everything that was shared (confidentially) but what I walked away with was this...students are hurting, just like adults. Students want to experience the power of God and a changed life. I walked away so thankful that I was there. So thankful that I gave them an opportunity to toast (share). It was a good reminder that everyone has a story they want to share. Life change doesn't necessarily happen when I talk but rather when I allow others to speak about their walk with God. Humbling but true.
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Toast for Change
Jon Thomas - Tuesday, March 02, 2010
I'll start with a confession...it is good for the soul after all. I didn't want to come to the Student Ministry L-team last night. It's not that I don't love the students, I do...or that I don't enjoy our series, based on the movie, To Save a Life, I do. It was just that I had about 3 hours of sleep on Sunday night. Not sure why...just couldn't get my mind to slow down enough to sleep. So I was up at 1:30a. And I was cranky. Enough for the confession.
My morning with the IRS
Jon Thomas - Wednesday, February 24, 2010
I got a late e-mail Friday night from the IRS saying there was a problem with my tax return and thus there would be a delay in the refund and would I please contact an IRS representative referencing a certain code. So with that hanging over my head all weekend I called at 8a Monday morning. After a 15 minute hold listening to tax music, I got a live person, who after listening to my story, put me on hold. More music...then nothing. The call dropped. Back to the 15 minute wait, new person...again on hold only to be dropped again. The third person I spoke with that morning promised me he wouldn't put me on hold and after 30 minutes with him, concluded that the problem was not several terrifying alternatives but rather due to the fact that because Margaret's name was listed first, they couldn't find the estimated taxes that I had claimed on the return. He transferred them over and said it should be processed in 2-3 weeks. So all that weekend anxiety for nothing. It seems that we tax payers have a tendency to do that a lot...worry about something that turns out to be nothing. Perhaps that is why "Fear not" was a favorite phrase for many angels.
Do Over
Jon Thomas - Friday, February 19, 2010
I can remember this same refrain shouted by various friends throughout my childhood..."DO OVER!" Usually, it was a ball that hit a tree limb, a wire or something that, in their estimation, should constitute starting over from scratch. There are many times I wish life were that easy. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a reset button like the old Atari game system in which we could begin again without any consequences, other than a few lost minutes?
I was working out with a friend at the gym and we began talking about some people that we know that have left church for various reasons. As I thought about people who have left here and those that left other churches to come here, sometimes I hear something along the lines of "I just wanted a fresh start." I can appreciate that. But I also know that in the age of church shopping or church jumping, we miss out on the goal of long-term relationships...dealing with issues. Sure, we can pretend to "do it over" but the same issues are still inside of us needing resolution. Which is why I have used this refrain, "don't leave (come) with unresolved issues. Settle things in person first."
I pray a lot for our L-teams. That people would find the kind of deep relationships where they can be open, honest and challenged to be all that God created you to be.
Two Things that Now Go Together
Jon Thomas - Friday, February 12, 2010
I spent part of my day off yesterday at the pool at my gym. I wanted to do 80 laps and as I started, partly due to a lack of sleep the night before and part due to the tediousness of swimming back and forth, my motivation was lacking more than the Detroit Lions offense line...or defensive line...or...
So I prayed for some focus and determination to get through the work out. Then, with each touch of the wall, someone would come to mind and I would spend the lap praying for them. I was amazed at how many people and different situations came to mind. A student waiting to hear if they got into the University of Florida, a family who had a pipe burst in their home, a relationship torn by divorce, people I know that are struggling financially. There was also a lot of praises. Our new worship coordinator, a great conversation that I had Tuesday night with a brand new believer, great confirmation mentors, just to name a few. Not only did I swim in record time (at least for me), it made for an enjoyable start to a day off.
I need to find other unique places to begin conversations with God.
World Premiere Video
Jon Thomas - Friday, February 12, 2010
I have always had a love for service projects. Perhaps it is the joy that comes from helping someone or maybe it is the re-focus away from selfishness that happens when you help someone else. One of our L-teams that has been active since October 2009 is our Helping Hands team led by Tom and Lyn Easton who share the same passion for service. They have completed thus far an extreme makeover on Country Club Road, two bathroom
projects at the request of Seminole HEART and three home repairs for the Senior
Intervention Group. They most recently called the team to action over the last few weeks to repair a home of a single mother who lived in Sanford who was going to be fined by the city if the tarp wasn't removed. There is a longer story that I could tell but suffice it to say that she has tried hard to take care of the problem. She has been denied by her insurance company, twice and was turned down for refinancing when the market went south. One of our members heard her story and in a wonderful example of teamwork, her church and Holy Cross completed a new roof on two Saturdays. She wanted to come and say thank you in person. We thought a video message would be a nice gesture.
Do you have a passionate pursuit? Have an idea for a new L-team? The new season starts March 7. Contact Pastor Jon to start a new team. Want to join the helping hands team? Skilled people as well as those wanting to learn are welcome. Go to the website to sign up.
Decision 2010
Chris Johnson - Thursday, February 04, 2010
A blog post by Pastor Jon
Pardon the title. I understand that it may not be that big a deal for some but for me, it certainly has consumed a great deal of my thoughts and prayers over the last several months. I thought I could give you just a glimpse of the process of calling our worship coordinator.
We were so fortunate to have Eddie Kaufholz with us for three months which enabled us to take our time in preparing for this next staff position. What a great gift to not have to rush this important process. In October, we drafted our job description, laying out our dreams for this position. Then came November and the traditional “beating of the bushes” which meant meeting with worship leaders and pastors, getting the word out that we are looking, in a word, networking. In all, I had 23 different people apply for the position. After speaking on the phone to almost all of them, I met personally with 8. Excuse the March Madness reference, but we took the 8 and prayerfully made it down to the final four.
Each of those individuals had the opportunity to lead worship in January. Each of them also spent an hour with Pastor Paul, Betty, Eddie and I answering the same questions. I then spend more one on one time with them, talking about how they fit into the ministry of Holy Cross. Taking the input from the interviewing team, listening to the music team as well as a number of members who wanted to share their thoughts, we bathed the final four in prayer and after discussion at our Executive Team and Worship Team meeting, we felt unanimously that God was calling Daniel Robison to be our Worship Coordinator. I am truly humbled that God brought so many wonderfully, talented people from which to select. Many people said, “I am glad I don’t have to make the decision.” I am glad that the decision has been made but even more thankful that I can see God’s hand throughout this process.
Some may not realize that this is starting as a part-time position. While the time may be limited, I am excited to see the things that God will do through his leadership. Please take a moment to welcome Daniel this Sunday.
TGIF?
Jon Thomas - Friday, January 29, 2010
So it's Friday...a typically happy fun day for people as they look forward to the weekend ahead. Here is a quick glimpse at mine. My pool pump has been practically inoperable for the last month which cuts down on the power bill but does also make for a nice swamp effect. I had worked on it over and over until I finally broke down and called someone who knows what they are doing. The good news...it even took HIM three hours to work on it. The bad news...it took him three hours to work on it. Then it was off the the doctor for my physical. Granted, I'm not a doctor (although I did marry one), but do I REALLY need to have my prostate checked? So all things considered, it hasn't been an especially fun Friday.
Then I realized that one, I'm healthy (yes, I passed my physical). Two, the guy only charged me $154 for three hours of work (including supplies and he was miraculously able to turn by pool blue again. If you need a good pool guy, let me know.) And three, God continues to be good to me regardless of my attitude. Quick lesson...my attitude needs to change...and it will be a while before I go to the doctors again.
Vengeance
Jon Thomas - Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Last Monday I got a call from a couple that I had married just over a year ago. Her mother had been murdered in St. Pete (a community to which she had recently moved to). The killer was a very troubled man who killed his sister, her mom and shot two others who were at the house. He later killed a police officer in the standoff. He was shot 6 times and lived. Because the mom wasn't connected yet with a church body, they were just going to have a funeral at the funeral home by a stranger. The Holy Cross staff (Chris thanks for a great chapel for the Pre-school) was gracious enough to pick up my tasks that day and gave me the day to be with the family and do the service.
As I prepared late Monday night and read through the articles on-line, I was mad. The more I read, the more angry I became. It just doesn't seem right that a killer gets to live but a young mother dies. There was a part of me that cried for justice and vengeance even as I was reading Scripture to those in attendance.
Then I wondered if I have the same sense of justice and vengeance for my own mistakes. Am I quick to scream justice when I have wronged someone? Do I cry for vengeance when I have hurt someone? I know it sounds simplistic, but I am just as guilty in God's eyes. Judgement day is coming for everyone. Fortunately for me and for all believers, judgement day happened on the cross. It was a nice reminder of me to bask and to share that forgiveness and grace with others, even a murderer.
Christmas according to 4 year olds
Jon Thomas - Wednesday, December 16, 2009
I just finished watching our pre-school class present the Christmas story to a room full of parents, grandparents and siblings. There are times that I am amazed at just how unbelievable the Christmas story, even the whole story of Jesus sounds. God becoming a man, born of a virgin, lives, is crucified for our sins and rose again victorious. It could be a Disney tale. I have friends that don't believe it. In watching children, I am reminded that faith itself is a gift of God. So I am spending some time in prayer for friends of mine that do not believe. May God grant them to gift of faith this Christmas. And I am thanking God for the gift of faith that I am so fortunate to enjoy.
Why is it?
Jon Thomas - Friday, December 11, 2009
I had the opportunity this week to meet with several people in various difficult life situations. There seems to be two types of people. Some have a wonderful support network of friends and family to support and encourage them and they turn to them in their time of need. Then there is another type that seems to isolate themselves from everyone and everything. You don't have to be a therapist to realize that the latter have a tendency not to fair well. Which leads to my question, why is it that some people, in their time of need, keep to themselves? Is it embarrassment? Is it a fear of being vulnerable? Is it not wanting to be considered a burden? Whatever the reason, one of my prayers is that people would start opening up to each other EARLY. It seems that by the time they have followed a path that finally broke them to the point that they come to me, they are completely lost. Wouldn't it be wiser to stop and ask for directions before you arrive at desperation? I would love to hear your insights.
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