The Church @ South Alliance

Thinking: I'm only 37

2005-09-01T07:09:00.000-07:00

I am 37 years old.

I read the newspaper each day.

In the past 3 months, I've read the obituaries of three of my Richland HS classmates.

Though I'm aware that the promise of eternal life in Heaven is not the "carrot" to the post-modern generation that it was to previous generations, I wonder if we're doing enough to remind folks of the shortness of this life. I wonder if we're focused so much on "Your Best Life Now", that we are forgetting that in the bowl of eternity, this life is just a drop. Don't misunderstand me....it's not that we shouldn't live life to the fullest now (I believe that God wants us to have that), but that we should remember that there is an eternity of time waiting for us after this vapor of life disappears. C.S. Lewis refers to our lives now (indeed, all of all our lives) as just the cover and title page to the real story (eternity).

Some personal recollections:

Sue Sommermeyer--Class of 84...I just read Sue's obit yesterday. Diagnosed with cancer last December. Sue was also in band with me; she played flute. I never knew her as a friend, but being in band together gave us an intangible bond. Her picture on the Star Telegram obituary web site looks just like I remember her.

Karen Kimsey--Class of 84....Also died of cancer. I didn't know her personally (we met a few times), but I remember her well in that funny Falcon head mascot suit in junior high, then later as a Rebel mascot at Richland. I always remember her smiling.

Joe Spurlock--Class of 86....Joe and I also went to junior high and high school together. Did the band thing together (I can't remember if he played all through HS). Joe was smart--a real techie in those pre--computer-in-every corner/internet/cellphone/GPS/high def times.

Over the years, I also remember the loss of Gina Tidwell, Paul Bowers, and Jill Gallegly. I know there must be others, but I don't look forward to discovering whom. I'm sure I'll hear about some at my upcoming 20 year reunion.

Carpe diem.....but don't forget to also sieze eternity.

Why men don't go to church

2005-08-13T09:52:00.000-07:00

I've just been reading a book called "Why Men Don't Go to Church" by David Murrow. It's a pretty good read so far! It looks like he's building on John Eldredge's "Wild at Heart" thoughts about men and church. It was even somewhat telling to read about some of today's popular worship songs--and about how they can sound like a Top 40 Love Song--and how that can come across to a man today. Such as:

from Breathe: "And I'm, I'm desperate for you"

from The Power of Your Love: "Hold me close, let Your love surround me"

from Draw Me Close: " You are my desire, No one else will do, 'Cause nothing else could take your place, to feel the warmth of Your embrace"

All songs that I love to sing in praise of God, but I sure can understand how Joe-unsaved-hunter-man would feel about coming into church and hearing lyrics like those!

Just some food for today's church to think about if they're serious about reaching men today.

Back from Florida

2005-07-30T15:03:00.000-07:00

We have returned! Sarah and I spent 3 days in Ocala, Florida learning about launching a Purpose Driven Church. It was EXCEPTIONALLY good!!! :) Look for some exciting thing in the upcoming months as things are beginning to CRYSTALLIZE for The Church @ South Alliance Church!!!

By the way, I have also set up a new email for the church that we will use until our domain and website are up and running. The address is southalliancechurch@charter.net. Feel free to ask any questions you may have about the plans over the next 9 months!!

If you are interested in being part of the LAUNCH TEAM (working in areas such as sound, video, music, children, guest services, etc.) please drop me an email!! Launch date will be Easter Sunday of 2006, and we will hold 3 preview services leading up to that date. Email me for more information!!

Purpose Driven in Florida

2005-07-24T17:19:00.000-07:00

Sarah and I will be leaving tomorrow morning for Ocala, Florida and a "Launching a Purpose-Driven Church" conference (Go check out http://www.purposedriven.com/en-US/Events/LaunchingAPurposeDrivenChurch/Overview.htm) . We would welcome your prayers for safety and for a rich, meaningful time in Florida--with no surprise hurricanes! We'll be back around midnight on Wednesday. (my mother is staying at our house with the girls--better pray for her too!!)

Since I possess next to zero knowledge of HTML, this next thing may not work, but I'm going to try and upload the message I shared at FBCFW this last Sunday. Here's hoping . . .

Transition at FBC Ft Worth

2005-07-14T20:35:00.000-07:00

Well, the transitions for me at FBC Ft Worth have begun this week. I'm excited to have Russ Tapp (www.russtapp.com) on staff with us now, taking my place as Worship Pastor. For the next several months, leading up the launch of THE CHURCH @ SOUTH ALLIANCE, I will continue to serve as an associate pastor at FBCFW, but with more time now to prepare for the new church.

If you're going to be near FBC Ft. Worth (www.fbcfw.org) this Sunday morning, come on in! I will be doing the morning message at both 8:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. The message will be a simple word of encouragement--especially for those of you who may be struggling with "life issues." I hope to just give some reassurement that 1.) God is FULLY in control of EVERYTHING; 2.) God is INFINITE in wisdom and makes no mistakes; and 3.) that God LOVES us all very much. Come for some encouragement!

2005-07-01T09:18:00.000-07:00

Richard and Sarah Thomas, with our twins Rachel (blond) and Rebekah (brunette).

The Very Beginning!

2005-07-01T08:54:00.000-07:00

Very first post (!) :

It's going to be a great ride! Over the next several months, we will be laying the framework for a brand NEW church! We are in the process right now of clarifying our vision and values, gathering potential charter families, identifying potential ministry leaders and volunteers, and searching for potential meeting sites.

The church will be one that seeks to eliminate barriers erected for why people don't normally come to church--while at the same time, being a church that believes passionately in the authority and pre-eminence of the Bible and Jesus Christ.

Becoming a Christian, and living a Christian life is often compared to the idea of a being in a RACE. Well, we're going to be just a few miles from TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY, so we thought we'd follow up on this idea, and you will see much from The Church @ South Alliance that reflects the nature of life being a race. First things first....the need to be on the right racetrack! We're ALL running life races right now--but we're not all at the same race track! I invite you to bookmark this blog as we "race" together over the next several months (and years) and discover how to tell if you are on a track that will lead to VICTORY LANE, or on one that will simply have you running in circles, with no victory in sight.

I invite you to join us in The Race!