No, I’m not asking if you’re a bird – I’m asking if you tweet!

Though I had found Twitter (http://www.twitter.com) a number of months back (more than a year ago if I recall correctly) I never really saw a lot of need for it.  I still don’t see a “lot” of need for it, but it does seem like an interesting technology that may be useful.

I’m going to start trying to tweet (post a status on Twitter) and since I’ve found a new application called “TweetDeck” (http://www.tweetdeck.com/beta/) I may actually try to stay up with it for a while.

Twitter lets you post a quick status of what you’re doing, what you’re thinking, where you’re headed, etc – and allows folks to follow you.  It’s sort of like a grown-up version of Facebook – allow you to follow friends without all of the “If you were a dog, what breed would you be” silliness.

I’ll start posting a short verse or reference from my daily reading when something strikes me as significantly appropriate to anyone who may be following me.  If you’re on Twitter, look me up.  You can find me either at http://twitter.com/tom_tracey Start following me and let’s see where we wind up.

Stay tuned – more to come…

For the last few weeks, I’ve been watching people at work drop like flies.  We’ve seen so many folks out for cold / flu symptoms that it’s literally been a bit alarming.  I’ve been taking “Airborne” at least daily for the last few weeks and really felt like it was helping…

Perhaps it was – but it didn’t totally prevent what I feared… I woke up on Saturday feeling like I’d been run over by a bus.  What started as a headache, quickly spread to a seriously heavy-duty head cold.  What was a seriously heavy-duty head cold, is now settling in to one of the nastiest looking throats I’d seen in quite some time.  It looks like something from a Sci-Fi special features extra reel.  The sore throat is also spreading south (maybe it’s gravity…perhaps hanging inverted for a few days?) into a good chest cold / bronchitis / pneumonia, but it’s not quite there yet.

I still think that Airborne has helped – I don’t believe I’ll be out for a week like a lot of folks at the office have been, but I definitely don’t think it’s a good idea to head in tomorrow.

At least I made it through the holidays, huh?

Stay tuned – more to come…

Well, 2008 is over and we have, once again, the chance to “start fresh”.  Every year people take time to think about what has happened in the last year and try to decide how to change what the new year is bringing.  This can be any number of things.  Some of the most popular are:

1. Quit smoking
2. Quit drinking
3. Lose weight
4. Save money
5. Change jobs

All of these things are good – for the body.  But what about changing the things that are good for the soul?  A list of these items might look like this:

1. Go to church regularly
2. Go to mid-week services regularly
3. Read the bible daily
4. Increase my prayer life
5. Decrease my sin life

This year, I’m not making any resolutions, promises, goals, or any other targets for the year.  Instead, I’m agreeing to rely more on Christ and the Holy Spirit’s direction in my life.  I’m not spending too much time looking back, but am following the advice of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:12-14 - “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

My challenge for you is this:  Don’t worry so much about what last happened year (Philippians 3:13) or get caught up in planning what you’ll do this year (Matthew 6:33-34) but simply yield yourself to the leading of the Holy Spirit (James 4:7) and turn back from the things in your life that separate you from God (2 Corinthians 6:17).  God has a plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11) – let this be the year it comes to fruition.

Stay tuned – more to come…

Well, it’s Christmas Day, the presents are unwrapped, the Ham is in the oven, making the house smell wonderfully like a smokehouse, Rebecca is napping on the couch and Rachel is making her internationally renowned Yams.  All is well.  At least for now.

We’ve kept things simple this year.  Rebecca wasn’t home until yesterday afternoon (after an eventful trip over the pass – but I’ll let HER tell that story).  Jenny is still in a sling (and will be for another month) after what seems to have been very successful shoulder surgery.  The weather has been incredibly nasty here this year, so Rachel wasn’t able to do a lot of running around for the last two weeks.  All-in-all, it’s been a pretty quiet holiday.

Our decorations this year are simply the front window and our stairway.  We’ve been putting the tree in the front window for years and saw no reason to change this year.  We have several houses on our street that go all out for decorations…we’re not one of them.

After all, Christmas is about CHRIST – not lights.

Well, time to check the ham.  I pray that our Lord blesses you as you honor and celebrate His day today.

Stay tuned – More to come…

In 1999 when I was talking with Rachel about moving to the Seattle area from Pittsburgh, one of the selling points about the move was that though it does rain here for the majority of the winter, it doesn’t snow.  Then when she came to visit (later in 1999) she was greeted with 3 inches of snow.  I should have taken that as an omen – but alas…

After we moved out here in 2000, we again made the statement that “it doesn’t snow here much”…Well, after this past week, I may have to revise that statement.

I know that to many of you eight inches of snow is not a major concern, but since we don’t have the equipment here to adequately remove it, we’ve had quite a time out here.  In the last week we’ve had snow and sub-freezing temperatures daily.  I believe that today is the first day that we’ve not had snow in at least a week.  It’s also forecast to go above freezing for the first time in about a week as well.

Though our family has fared well, many others in the area are not so fortunate.  There have been many, many accidents and injuries from the weather.  The boyfriend of a young woman that works for me had an accident yesterday (no injuries, thank God!) and damaged his truck.  I’ve seen a car underneath a tractor trailer (left, below), a bus in a ditch (right, below) and more fender benders than I care to count.

I’d made it in to work safely every day (though I’m on vacation until the 26th now) but many others were stranded at home.  The issue is not the volume of snow, but the lack of equipment, planning and resources to clear and treat the roadways.  Most of the primary roads are in good shape, but the secondary and surface street remain treacherous even now.  The roads melt out and get slushy, then re-freeze and make the roads worse off than they were to start with.

So – as the final (???) storm of 2008 passes, I reflect back to 1999 – and the bliss that came from ignorance…

Blessings to all – and I pray you each have a Wonderfully Blessed Christmas.  May God keep you all safe, warm, happy and well fed throughout the remainder of the year.

Stay tuned – more to come…

Just for a day...to visit! :-)

I will be on the Microsoft Campus on Wednesday, October 8^th for the entire day.  I’d love to be able to say hello to you while I’m there! 

Why I will be there is why I made this post, and is MUCH more important than the fact that I am there...

During the week of Monday, October 6^th through Friday October 10^th, World Vision will be presenting a special “Step into Africa” exhibit.  The details, including a link for volunteering (Sorry - Microsoft employees only), are below.  This is being put on by an internal DAC (Africans at Microsoft) and is part of Microsoft’s annual Giving Campaign for this year!

I really wanted to make sure that everyone I know has the opportunity to check out this amazing exhibit.  I’ll be there on Wednesday spending a vacation day volunteering.

This exhibit is a modified version of the “World Vision Experience: AIDS” exhibit that is and was touring the area.  I went through that exhibit right after I left Microsoft and it shook me to the core of my soul.  I want to personally encourage each of you to take an hour out of your day (Wednesday would be really cool – I’d love to be able to spend a few minutes with you!) at some point during that week.  If you can’t make it on Wednesday, PLEASE find another day to go.  I assure you – this will impact you like you won’t believe.

I hope to see you at some point on Wednesday.  Feel free to give me a call or drop me a mail if you have any questions.  I don’t have all of the answers, but I’ll certainly be able to find them for you.

I hope this mail finds each of you in great health and continuing to do the amazing things that Microsoft is known for!  I look forward to seeing you there!

Step Into Africa: Charity Fair and Interactive AIDS Exhibit
** If any of your members are interested in volunteering, we need people to help with the exhibit - Microsoft Matching applies! **
Dates: Monday October 6^th (noon) through Friday October 10^th (noon)
Venue: Microsoft Conference Center, McKinley Room  
Follow an African Child through the award-winning “World Vision Experience: AIDS” exhibit and learn about to local and international initiatives to solve hunger, health, and human rights issues impacting Africans. This fair will provide attendees with opportunities to learn about how they can contribute by donating, volunteering or participating in creative capitalism.

Since we've closed Faith Chapel, things have been going a bit weird.  It feels odd to sit in a church service and not have things to do.  I find myself thinking of the topics that the pastor is trying to present and wondering if I would present it differently.

I know that God is alive and working in my life - and I FULLY and undoubtedly trust Him and am simply waiting for the next season of my life to begin.

Actually, as I think it through, the season is already underway.  This is a season of change - of learning again to be patient and wait on the Lord.

I draw strength these days from Isaiah - "Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength...".  As I wait on God, I know that He is preparing me for the new work which he has in store for me.

Today we visited "Celebration Church" in Puyallup.  This is a new neighborhood church that is right up the road from our house.  It was a nice service and a very cool facility.  The congregation was friendly and reached out to us as we visited.  I don't know much about the church (denominational affiliation, doctrine, etc) but what we experienced was solid, Godly and good for the soul.

I think Jesus for his continued hand on my life - and look forward to serving Him more fully.

In His Spirit,

Tom...

As seasons approach, they bring with them a sense of excitement and expectation.  We look forward to what each season has to offer.  Maybe it's hiking or biking in the summer.  It could be playing in the leaves in the fall.  Some people look forward to skiing or snowshoeing in the wintertime.  But the reality is that we all have seasons that we look forward to.

Seasons are not just calendar event.  We also have seasons in our life.  I had a season where I worked at Microsoft.  I had a season where I did youth ministry.  I had a season of returning to school.  We had the season of the birth of our first child.  I had a season of leading Faith Chapel as pastor.

But as with all seasons, they end and lead to others.  Fall is fast approaching in the Northwest and some of the trees are already changing colors.  That means colder days and rain are soon to come.  I left Microsoft and began working at World Vision.  I'm no longer considered "the new guy" there and that season is well under way!  And the season of Faith Chapel has come to an end.

For the last month or so, I've been feeling the pressure from God to end this season, but I've been hesitant and fought it.  I've prayed for a sign from God that there was still life in the church, and found none.  I've prayed for God to reveal to me - without any doubt - that it was time to end it.  I believe he has done just that.

To say that it's time to close a church after only a year and a half, when you've waited 15 years for God to tell you to start is difficult.  This was not a decision that I made quickly and without counsel and prayer - but I believe it is truly what God had asked.

I know that this season is come to an end - but I also know that God has another season lined up and ready to start!  To say that this process hurts would be an incredible understatement - but to say I don't have some excitement about what is next would be a lie!  I'm fighting the human side of me that wants to slip into depression so deep that I'll never climb out - and leaning on the God side of me that is pulling me through.

None of this has caught God by surprise - and truth be told, it hasn't caught me by surprise either.  God reveals things to us constantly - it's whether or not we choose to see them that is the key.  God spoke the end of this season to me weeks ago - but like Gideon, I needed to keep "putting out the fleece" and ask Him to confirm it.

As I look forward to this new season, I ask for your prayers to help me past the previous season.  Part of me wants to simply start over - now.  But I know that God has ordained something different.  I'm not totally sure what the next step is, but I know that God will reveal it when He - and I - are both ready.

'Til then, I continue to seek after Him and His will.

Stay tuned - more to come...

It doesn't seem possible that it really has been three and a half months since I've posted anything here?  Time sure seems to fly.

Let me start with following up from my last post.  I'm now fully entrenched in my new job at World Vision!  It is definitely the coolest place that I have ever worked.  We share in leading and participating in devotions on a daily basis.  One day a week is celebrated with a full church service which we are actually paid to attend (we're given paid time from our schedules to go!).  The services there have always been interesting, though not always my preferred "style".

Work has been pretty brutal, all tolled.  I've been working an excessive amount of overtime trying to get fully up to speed with my new role.  I've also had some staff transitions which have led to some difficulties, but thanks to God's faithfulness, we now are back to full staffing and things are looking better.  I have some vacation time scheduled for July and plan on reducing my hours when I return.

Now on to the Church!  The Lord had told me that there would be a great "pruning" of our body several months ago and it has definitely been pruned.  This is all for Jesus' glory though!  The body is healthy and has simply been trimmed to allow more growth.

Jesus reminded me of a rose bush before the trimming began - if you grow roses, you know that each year they must be cut back to nearly nothing to enable them to grow more vibrant and healthy the following year.  I firmly believe that is what happened at Faith Chapel.  God has removed parts of the church so that the remaining "pillars" can be made stronger.

Along with the pruning, God has been drawing us towards a new neighborhood - the Parkland area of Tacoma.  This is an area that truly needs God in a mighty and powerful way.  It reminds me of McKees Rocks in Pittsburgh where I began my journey with Christ.  He has also opened a building for us to begin using on Saturday evenings.  Our first service is scheduled for July 5th at 6:30 PM.

Much has happened in three short (long?) months - but this will have to suffice for now.  I pray God continues to reach out to each and every one of you that stumbles - accidentally or intentionally - on this page.

Stay tuned - more to come...

Many of you know that I have been increasingly frustrated with my secular job.  I've been working at Microsoft for just over three years now, and have been commuting more than 40 miles each way.  On a good day (a REALLY good day) the commute takes about an hour each way.  On an average day, I spend nearly three hours a day commuting to and from the office.

I have had a lot of flexibility in my schedule (I work from home one day a week and go in later and leave early to miss traffic and work from home to make up the time) and it has helped, but the simple fact is that Microsoft, though a very interesting place to work, will never fully embrace my core values.

Microsoft is a company that is built on the worlds standards.  They embrace many different ethnic backgrounds, religions, sexual orientations.  Though the world sees this as being "inclusive", I've found it - as a Christian - to be all but demoralizing.

To daily walk through the halls and see fliers for Swamis, Gurus. New-Age teachings and the like is frustrating.  To work in an environment where every "All-Hands" is accompanied by alcohol (bought and paid for by the company) and alcohol is permitted in personal offices (and is often consumed during the work day) is difficult for a Christian - and a bit harder for a non-drinking Christian.

Not to say that I have a right to complain.  I've never filed a complaint (I've simply dealt with it) and I've not allowed it to get to me...until recently.

Most recently, during a meeting with my current manager (I've had three in the past six months) and one other peer, my manager opened the meeting by pouring himself several fingers of bourbon into a cup (a Microsoft coffee cup just to add some irony) and topping it off with coke (also from the Microsoft kitchen).  He actually had a second drink before the one hour meeting was concluded.

At the time, it didn't really bother me too much...I was used to just dealing with it.  But as I continued to reflect on the actions of that day, I started to see the following:

1. This is an environment that I cannot endorse
2. This places me in situations that I would choose not to be in, had I been given a choice
3. His actions were not only disrespectful of me and my peer (though he did ask if we objected) but showed a lack of respect for the work that was being discussed.

With all of that in mind, I made a decision.  A change was required.

As I continued to pray for a change, God opened a door.  A door to a place that not only supports my Christian values, but is well known, reputable and is, as far as I have found, above reproach.  Not only is the company a great fit, but the position is perfect as well.  The offices are located about 30 minutes from home and are very accessible.

I have applied for, interviewed for and am being offered the position of Help Desk manager at World Vision.  This opportunity was definitely orchestrated by God.  The position I've been offered is not even the position that I originally applied for.  In fact, when I applied for a position, the Help Desk manager's position was not even listed on the web site!  The corporate recruiter offered to have me considered for it, and after a short discussion determined that I was a good candidate.

My new manager seems to be a great woman of God.  From the few comments I've garnered (during the interview process) she is greatly respected and well liked.  In my last interview, she asked how she could pray for me (and of course my answer was "Pray that God opens this door for me!) which shows a true interest in her people - not just a concern for their ability to do their job.

One of the qualifications is that I must be willing to participate in and potentially lead daily devotions with or for my staff.  Are you kidding me??? I get PAID to do my devotions EVERY DAY!?!?  Thank you Jesus for opening this door.

The final details are being worked out (they may already be complete by the time you read this) but as it stands now, my first day at World Vision will be on April 3rd.  Again - God's timing is always perfect (I will try to work for Microsoft through March 31st - which is a scheduled vacation day).  I have a Senior Pastor's retreat in Seattle from March 30th through April 1st.  This will give Rachel and I a day off on April 2nd before I start the new job!

I have never been so excited about any job that God has provided.  This is the first time that I remember pleading with God to open a door.  I am looking forward to March 3rd with anticipation of great things.

Stay tuned - more to come...

A truck driver with a lumberjack?  No?  Well the results are quite interesting, actually...  How do I know?  Well - let me explain why there was no message uploaded for March 2nd...

We have a nice trailer full of gear (lots and lots of gear) that we use on Sunday's to setup our church.  The trailer has everything from a shelving unit full of nursery stuff to our sound equipment, amps, microphones, seat cushions, poles and curtains, etc.  Okay - you get the point - the thing is FULL.

Well, we had decided to store the trailer on the side of my house since I have an RV parking area there.  What we didn't take into account is the fact that the trucks that I have always used to push and pull my trailer in and out of there have all been four wheel drive - and the one we're using now is TWO wheel drive.

Well, the trailer went in okay - sort of.  The truck bogged down a little bit while it was pulling the trailer in.  That should have been my first clue that something was amiss.  But the trailer and truck finally found their home along side of my house.  No problem.

The following Sunday (March 2nd) our regular driver was unavailable, so I decided to take the trailer to the school to setup.  When I got in the truck, I realized that when we parked it, we had left it on a slight angle towards the right side of the truck.  Not a problem, I'll correct it while I'm backing down the driveway.

So off I go... As I start down the driveway, I realize that I'm going to need to correct a bit more than what the gate allows room for, so I'll need to pull forward again.  That's where the problems started.

The trailer is full - and I mean full.  It is incredibly heavy and a bit difficult to maneuver under good conditions.  This was FAR from good conditions.  The ground was a little bit soft, and the weight of the trailer was headed down the slight slope away from my house.  The truck on the other hand was right at the crest of the slope - with the front tires on the level ground and the rears just starting over the hump.

As I tried to go forward, the truck started slipping into the soft ground.  It didn't take long to realize that the truck wasn't going forward with the weight of the trailer on it, so again I decided to try and push the trailer back down the hill - at least to some harder ground where I can start pulling forward again...

As the trailer continued it's journey backwards down the hill, it also continued (despite my efforts) to drift to the side of the driveway...which is lined with (or should I say WAS lined with) some skinny evergreen trees.

Okay, so you're tired of reading, and I'm tired of typing.  To make a long story short, the trailer wound up against the trees, totally beached and not budging.  Try what we may, we couldn't get the beast to move.  Others came over to help, but the message was the same.  "She ain't movin' the way she is..."

So - off to the school we go.  We had a bass amp, a guitar amp, one microphone and a bunch of chairs!  What more do you need?

As I got to the church, my attitude was far from perfect.  God, however, showed up.  Conviction of my attitude fell like a ton of bricks so I went to talk to the Father about it.  The prayer time that I had that day was absolutely amazing.

And so was the service...

Though I had a complete set of notes ready to continue our series, I really felt that this entire incident was nothing more than God reminding me that all I need is Him...and all He needs is me - as a willing vessel.  We don't need to worry about the trappings of the "church".  We are His church - and that's all that is needed.  This also meant that we couldn't record the message - which is what this entire post is about.

I know that most of you reading this already recognize the fact that you don't need much - but until you actually get there, in that situation, and experience it first hand, you may not realize just how un-important the "things" of the church truly are.

To close out the story, we had a few folks come by after service and they actually had the trailer freed by the time I got to the house.  They unloaded about half of the equipment from the trailer (which thankfully was mostly on wheels) and the truck was able to pull the lighter load back up the hill, get a better run at it and come back down.

From now on, the trailer sits out front.  Until we can find a paved - or at least level - parking space for it...

Stay tuned - more to come...

I know that I've been hosting my blog as well as some on-line sermons on my "Spaces" page, but I've found a much better site for hosting the sermons.  A friend (thanks Danny!) introduced me to http://www.sermoncloud.com which will allow me to host up to one year's worth (52) messages on-line for FREE.

Anyone that knows me realizes two things:

1. I'm not usually at a loss for words.  I'll fill up the 52 entries quickly!
2. FREE is not good...it's GREAT!

I've registered Faith Chapel there as http://www.sermoncloud.com/faith-chapel-fsc and have uploaded this year's messages already.  I may do some of the previous as time allows, but the third thing that anyone who knows me realizes is I don't have much free time.

The site is really cool - it will allow you to stream online (through their own player) as well as download, podcast, and syndicate via RSS.  All in all, it looks to be a great service.

Give a message or three a listen and let me know what you think.  If enough people "Amen!" a sermon, it get's promoted to the main screen as a featured message.

You will need to register before you can listen, but the service is free and simply needs you to have access to an e-mail account.  Drop some comments here or there or send me a mail and let me know what you think.

Stay tuned - more to come...

I re-read my post from yesterday, and it didn't even touch on the area that I really wanted to address.  I wanted to talk about how prevalent that television (or video entertainment) has become in our society but somehow I never got there.

As I ride to and from work, I continue to be amazed at the number of people that have in-car video systems running.  You can just about watch a movie in the time it takes me to get home some days and I'm concerned about the current mentality of not being able to go anywhere without a TV.

Many houses have a TV playing anytime there is someone home.  I see more and more products that let you watch your favorite shows on your cell phone.  More and more applications and hardware devices are designed to let you watch shows that you've recorded from other rooms in your house as well as other parts of the world.  With a Slingbox device, you can tie into your home DVR and watch your recorded shows, as well as live TV as it plays in your home from anywhere with an Internet connection.

So - these devices are, well, cool.  But the question boils down to "why"?  When I was taking a class called "Critical issues of the 90's" (guess when the class was?) we had a paper to write on critical issues.  The topic I chose was "Just because we can, should we?".  I tried to address whether or not technology should be used in various ways:  Cloning, prolongation of life, etc.  The same has started to pull at my spirit with television.  Why is it that we feel we MUST have television with us everywhere we go?

My concern is not only with the availability of television, but the current content.  Shows like "Family Guy", "The Simpsons" and others do nothing but damage our perceptions of reality.  These shows are insulting at best and downright humiliating.  With these two "cartoons" being some of the most popular shows on TV, why would we bother carrying this stuff around with us?

The spiritual degradation that we experience while watching television has become overwhelming.  The content in the shows has degraded but is nothing compared to the content of some of the commercials.

As I mentioned yesterday, Rachel and I enjoy watching some old "Star Trek Voyager" episodes, which we record and watch at our leisure.  Having a DVR means we can skip past the commercials, but even at four times normal speed where you can't really see all of what's happening, the commercials are enough to make me cringe.

I guess what's really bothering me is just how ingrained we've allowed television to become in our lives, while at the same time we continue to allow God to take a back seat.  As Christians, I ask you to not only question, but re-evaluate your priorities in life.  Let's make certain that we have our personal relationship with God first, our family second...and everything else somewhere further down the line.

Stay tuned - more to come...

How much television have you watched in the last 30 days.  Think about it for a second and try to actually count the hours.

Wow - that many, huh?  Do you realize that you actually have less brain activity when you watch television than when you sleep?  Really - it's true.  There were a number of studies done in the '90s that showed that you actually used more of your brain when you slept than when you watched television.

Now - think of all of the things that are on your to-do list.  You know you have one...don't deny it.  Why aren't they done?  Okay, so there's a number of reasons:

• No money
• No resources
• No TIME

Yet you just realized you spent HOW many hours watching television?  Okay, so that's relaxation.  It's good to come home after a hard day of work and just unwind.  Relax.  Settle down. Unplug for a while...

But let me ask the next question:  How much time have you spent reading your Bible in the last month?  What?  That's all???  Come on now - surely reading your bible is more important than watching Star Trek re-runs, right?

We claim, as Christians, to want a relationship with Jesus Christ, yet we spend more time "unplugging" and watching television than we do "plugging in" to the source of our power - Jesus - through the power of the Word of God.

Now I'm not saying that I'm better than anyone else here.  I certainly spend my fair share - and more - of hours curled up watching Star Trek Voyage, Jericho and a couple of other favorite shows.  But God has been dealing with me to ensure that I keep my priorities right.  Spending time in His word, getting my SELF ready - not just studying for the word on Sunday.  Personal time with Jesus - not just preparatory steps for services.

My times of prayer on the way to and from work have deepened as of late, though in all honesty, today was a struggle.  Perhaps it was the thick fog and the temperature in the low 30s that kept me more attentive to the road than prayer.  Maybe it was a continuation of the spiritual battle that has been raging around me for the last week or more.  Could it even be just - exhaustion?

Yes - to all of the above.  But I redoubling my efforts effective immediately.  I will begin spending more time in God's word.  As Philippians 3:12 says "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." I will press on.

Stay tuned - more to come...

Well, it appears that Microsoft's stock isn't the only thing that fell overnight... We've had what I'm certain the local media will refer to as "Snow-Storm 2008".  We've got about 3-4 inches locally.

Reality (which has nothing to do with the media around here) is that we did get some snow, schools were closed (much to Jen's delight!) and that's about it.  I chose to work from home today not due to the snow, but due to the way people around here drive.  Eek.

Back in the 'burgh, this may not have even hit the news with more than a brief mention.  I'll bet it takes the first five to ten minutes of the nightly new coverage.

Sure is pretty though.  'Course that's easy to say from my house.  It would be a different matter if I were out driving around in the stuff - or worse still, if I had been out on my bike and gotten caught in it!

Stay tuned - more to come...

Many of you know that I was in the process of not only bringing our church (Faith Chapel) under the covering of the Foursquare Church, but that I was also in the process of obtaining a "Provisional License".  Well, as of Thursday January 10th, both have happened.

I am now officially appointed as the pastor of Faith Chapel - a Foursquare church!  We have been in process for this since sometime in August or September and it is great to finally have this, the first phase, completed.  The church is officially established and I now have six months to complete an on-line polity course as well as survive an interview process.  At that point I will receive a full license from the Foursquare.

I'm thrilled to be moving forward and to have such awesome covering from such a wonderful organization.

Busy day ahead so I'll end for now.  Be blessed in all you do - and as always...

Stay tuned - more to come...

I'd have thought this was something of an "Urban Legend", but I know the woman involved here and feel comfortable sharing this story.

First the background.  This young lady and her husband have been coming to our church pretty much since the beginning.  She has been a faithful attendee and is doing what God is directing her to.  Her husband has also been coming and has been diligent in the job he has at the church - never failing, always doing well.

They are also in a marriage that by all accounts was nearly dead.

But God has other plans.  God ordained marriage and hates divorce.  The enemy, on the other hand, loves to see marriages fail.  By the time these two came to me, I was concerned that it was too little, too late.  But God is, as always, in control.

Though they have a LONG way to go yet, and they are far from out of the woods, God sent TWO miraculous encounters to boost this young woman's faith.  I post them here, mostly in her own words with next to know editorial liberties.  I pray that these two stories bless you.

They are in chronological order.  This one was received first thing Monday Morning.:

Pastor Tom,

I just got goose bumps on my goose bumps!!! I just got into work this morning and read your emails. This is the last comment you made in your last email.

"I pray that you have a great night - and that God grants you a special revelation tonight!"

I have been itchin' to get to work and shoot you an email. The most incredible, and I do mean the absolute most incredible thing happened last night!!!!

We were sitting here in the office last night, it was quitting time and it was just the three of us girls left. One of them has been going through some pretty rough stuff with her relationship (seems to be in the water these days) well she was talking about it last night and completely broke down. I seen me for a brief moment, she is exhausted emotionally and at her ropes end.

She was sobbing, my boss stepped up to her to hug her and I stepped beside her and put my hand on her shoulder and began to pray (not out loud, just to myself) I began asking that the Lord just take her pain away and wrap his arms around her. My arm got heavy, I can't describe it, but I felt sorrow funnel through me (and this is outside of my own feelings) and I got the chills. At that moment her sobbing stopped all the sudden and she laughed and turned around and looked at me and said "You just prayed for me didn't you" me being a little overwhelmed with the feeling at the moment looked at her and just said "yes" and she said "I felt it". I said "Good!! and kinda laughed" She said "no seriously I felt it...when you touched me I felt a surge and then without realizing it my tears stopped immediately and I felt warmth like I was being hugged"

All I could say was "Thank You Lord" She continued and said "I use to have what you have, that light, that love, I have seen it bright in you since when we first met, but the world has drug me down and knocked me out and I have no care or hope anymore" and me, I said "There is always hope!!" (I, Me, I said this in the midst of my attitude lately these words came out of my mouth) It is crazy but I felt like God was talking to ME through ME, I heard my own words very loudly.

I looked at her and said "I know you live a little far away, but would you like to come to church with me on Sunday?" She said "No, I am not ready for that, i have too much fixing in me and my life to do and I am not ready to commit to doing them" (I instantly heard your words in my head) I said "That's ok, God doesn't want you to come to him fixed, he wants you to come to him broken, so HE can fix it, so HE can take it from you" she kinda chuckled and said "You are crazy" I said "No, I know the love God has for each and everyone of us and I know what he can do in and for our lives if we just surrender and let him do it" (again I hear my own voice to myself)

She gave me a big hug and told said Thank You and she will think about it.

When I got to my car I sat there for a minute, stunned, and realized that I myself felt better...empowered...relieved. I just sat there and began praying...I prayed and prayed and prayed and then just sat there in silence. I seen myself in my head at my up times, the person I know that I can be, the person God wants me to be. I felt my spirit, I felt the words "I am always here even when you think I'm not, I always hear even when you think I don't" I began to cry and then felt soothed, I wiped the tears away and knew that I have to Stand Up...Stand Up and Fight.

Now I am not saying that I am not still angry, hurt..bitter, but I am not just going to lay on the ground and continue to let let the situation...the world... kick me while I am down.

I have some cool things happen to me before, but last night was beyond words. I have prayed for people before and I have talked about God with people before, I have even felt people's feelings or people's aura before, but last night was a whole new level, something I have never experienced before.

It's great feeling renewed...on top of the world..and knowing that you have the best friend there is to have!!!!

This was received the same Friday shortly after lunch:

The Lord has blessed me in so many ways so many times, but this is an extra "special" time.

I tell you last night was absolutely amazing!! Although it's hard to believe there is now another piece to story.........get some tissues ready......

I don't usually do anything on my lunch break, just drive around or go sit at the park and lately that has been my crying time.

So today I went down to Fred Meyers to wonder around and waste time. I found myself trying to get ideas about what to get my husband for Christmas (which I haven;t even considered doing until now) I was walking through the floral section on my way out, and I stopped to look at a flower that caught my eye.

There is an old, and I mean really old, guy standing there. He looked like he could barely standup. He had a cart FULL of flowers and chocolate. I smiled when I seen him. He reached over and touched my arm and said "75 years and I still can't get it right" I just looked at him and smiled, thought maybe he was a little off his rocker and I went to walk away.

He said "Are you married?" I said "Excuse me" he repeated "are you married" I nodded and said "yes". He asked "Do you think this is good enough?" I said "I am sorry but I am not sure what you are talking about" he said "I have been married 75 YEARS today, and I want to make it special as this is the last year she will be with me" "Do you think this is enough...75 different kinds of flowers and 75 different pieces of chocolate...I can't think of anything else these are her favorites"

My eyes welled up with tears and being dumbfounded I said "Did you say you have been married for 75 YEARS" he said "Yes that's right and he launched into his story about how they got married when they were 15 and so on and so on" I stood there listening in complete disbelief. He said "You can't believe it can you....How long have you and your husband been married?" I told him "2 1/2 years" he laughed and said "Oh those are the rough times when you can't imagine being married another day let alone a year or 72 more years" "but it is possible if you can stick it out...believe it or not us men do grow up eventually...it might take him 25 more years, but he will grow up"

I laughed and was trying to keep the tears from spilling over I was so touched by this little old guys story I said "Thanks for the encouragement it comes at a much needed time" He reached over and gave me a hug and said "So do you think this is good enough?" I smiled and said "I think it is perfect!!" he said "Yeah I just hope the rest home lets me bring all these flowers into her...if not I will take them outside and put them against her window so she can still see them and maybe if she ever wakes up she will remember even for a moment how much life we have had together and how much she means to me" Needless to say the tears spilled over I gave him a big hug and I said "Thank You so much for sharing your story with me...you have touched my life in away you can't imagine" He said "Everyone needs a special touch to make it through sometimes and you will make it through and look back on it someday and laugh" "I have to get to my sweetheart now, you have a wonderful day...and....just tell him you love him as soon as you can" and he walked away.

I couldn't move I am standing there by myself with tears running down my face and completely touched clear to the very depths of my soul.

How absolutely moving is that....incredible... I am still shocked by the whole scene. That is definitely a moment that will never be forgotten. Don't think I need anymore signs...clues..whatever the word may be.

I am in this whole heartedly...scared to death...but I am in the game to win from this point forwards. I have no clue what moments tomorrow...Monday....next month may hold....I don't know how things are going to work, but I know now that they can.

I have been blessed and loved far more than I am deserving of and I will not take that for granted, I will not let God down in this. Our marriage won't fail because of my poor attitude or my lack of trying, I will go out or win knowing that I gave it everything I could give. The Lord has not given me a choice of turning my back right now, not after these two spectacular, awesome, truly amazing events. This is the type of stuff you wish you could share with the entire world!!!

Praise God!!!

Why is it that the more we push God out of our life, the more confused we get as to why we can't feel His presence?

Stupid question, eh? I thought so.  But to the person that asked me why he couldn't feel God's presence any more it was a serious problem.  As we dug into it a bit more (and it didn't take much digging) it became obvious that it's not God who has turned away...

While we walk on this earth, we have two choices to make at every moment:

1. Do we do what we know God would have us do?
2. Do we do what we, as sinful creatures want to do?

The answer to those of us walking with Jesus through this life know the answer is simple.  But to someone who has either never met Jesus - or in the case of the man I spoke to tonight - has slowly drifted away, it is sometimes a difficult choice.

The analogy I used was:

If I was your friend, and you invited me to your house, but when I got there you chose to ignore me and carry on as if I hadn't met you, how long do you think I would sit there and wait for you?

The good news is that God is ever patient, and waits for us much longer than we would ever wait for Him.  But what is REALLY cool, is that even if He leaves us to our own devices, He is always ready to come back and dine with us.  All we have to do is call Him back.

I've been a bit wounded by things I've heard and seen in the past few weeks.  It's been a bit rough.  I've heard comments that have staggered me and made me question people.  But never - even for a moment - has it shaken my faith.

My love for the Lord is sufficient for me to just soldier on.  To "press on towards the goal".  I must continue - and I cannot do this alone.  I rely solely on God for strength and wisdom.  It is He who guides and directs me by His Holy Spirit.  It is He who comforts me when I cry for the people I counsel.  It is He who, when I feel like I've reached the end of my rope, simply tells me to let go, and gently catches me.  It is He, who gives me that special bit of encouragement - at just the right time.

God gave me just that encouragement today in the form of an e-mail from an old (young) friend.  A man I truly liked and am glad I'm back in contact with.  His comments of "Dude! You're a church planter!!! That's the greatest thing I've heard in like forever!!!!!" will be enough to keep a smile on my face for the rest of the week.

God knows what we need.  When we allow Him into our life, He will provide.  I trust that at just that time that I feel like I can't go any further, He'll show me that I can.  And I will.  Through His strength.

Stay tuned - more to come...

I have bought personal computer equipment from Dell for quite some time.  Right now I'm typing this on a Dell, my oldest daughter's laptop is a Dell, my wife's laptop is a Dell, my youngest daughter's aging desktop is - yes, a Dell, and since it is time to upgrade that aging desktop, we called Dell!

Though the equipment that we've bought has always been good, lasted well past it's normal technological life and served us without a whimper, the shipping company that Dell employs - DHL - has consistently failed to meet even modest expectations.

Okay - so when it comes the the delivery of my newest, latest and greatest toy (in this instance, my youngest's new laptop to replace the outdated desktop system) I'm not always the most patient.  But when I'm promised a delivery date via a tracking number, I expect it to be there on that date!

DHL has consistently missed its delivery dates and this is no exception.  I know that Thanksgiving was Thursday, but the package first showed as "With Delivery Carrier" on 11/20.  I was excited!  It wasn't due until the 21st on the original shipping estimate!  Then at about 6:30 PM the status changed back to "Scheduled for delivery".

I called DHL on the 21st to make sure the box was on the truck - and sure enough - I was assured that the package would be here before 5:00.  Well, again at 6:30 or so the status changed back to "Scheduled for Delivery".  Another call to DHL indicated that they had no idea why the package wasn't delivered.  It should have been, but rest assured, on we would see the package on Friday (Thanksgiving was the 22nd).

Wrong.

Friday starts with a call to DHL first thing in the morning (okay, it was about 9:00).  They actually called the local center (or claimed to) and were assured that the package would absolutely, positively be there by 5:00 PM.  I checked on the status again about 3:00 and was PROMISED "Absolutely, sir - that package is on a truck and will definitely be delivered before 5:00 PM tonight."

Wrong.

At about 5:05 PM, I once again call and talk to a DHL representative - and even asked to have the call escalated to the manager of the local facility.  Though the gent on the other end of the line appeared to be trying, he came up empty.  There wasn't even an answer at the local hub!

He said there are no notes in the tracking system to show why the package hasn't been delivered since Tuesday (when it was originally scheduled) but he actually saw that the package was put BACK on a truck at 4:45 (or so) Friday night.  He stated that perhaps there was an issue with the truck or the driver (too much turkey perhaps?) and the truck had to be reloaded.  He again tried for a second time to actually speak to someone at the local center, but he could not get an answer.  He was confident that the system would be at my house sometime Friday evening.

Wrong.

So - where do we go from here?  I've requested that a formal complaint be filed "with headquarters".  We'll see what that does.  I've also been told "Oh yes - I'm sure that package will be there on Monday".  I guess we'll see.

I'm also going to place a call to Dell and file a complaint with them as well, though I don't expect that to do much either.  I'm thinking of refusing the delivery when it comes and canceling the order.  I guess I'll let Dell tell me whether that is a viable option or not.

I've considered trying to contact the BBB for the area here since this is now the 4th time (if I recall correctly) that DHL has missed it's date, but I doubt there is much THEY can do either.  In all honesty, I think I really only have one option...

Start buying Compaq... :-(

Stay tuned - more to come...

No, that's NOT the way I feel, but it is the way my blog has been described!

Much has happened since the last post - I'll try to keep it brief but you know how preachers can get long-winded.

First and foremost, the most drastic thing that happened in the recent past was the passing of my dad into the arms of Jesus.  My dad was diagnosed in May with terminal cancer (which prompted the long-distance motorcycle trip this summer.  Jenny and I were able to go back and visit with him before he became too ill.  He was doing well on his own, but the disease really started to take its toll in the first part of October.  He was becoming frail and asked for a wheelchair to take him from the car to the doctor's office for the first time (in his life, that I know of).  He had fallen the weekend before and had scratched himself up pretty well.  He fell again on his way into the house after the doctor's appointment.

To make a long story short, he had been admitted to the hospital on Wednesday the 10th (I believe) and we discovered on Friday that the results of his latest scan showed that the cancer had metastasized fully through a lot of his body.  He was discharged from the hospital on the 17th and seemed stable.  By 11:30 PST on the same day, we received the call and were told we needed to go to Pittsburgh.  Despite getting on a flight the next morning at 8:30 AM, he had gone to be with Jesus before we got there.

We spent two weeks in Pittsburgh to tend to "things" as well as to allow ourselves to "decompress" a bit.  His death came as relief and a shock at the same time.  I was shocked that he passed so quickly, but was relieved that I was able to use his passing as a testimony to God's faithfulness.  I had been praying - and asking others to pray - that God would take him quickly, gently and with dignity.  My God did all of these!

In the other side of the coin, Faith Chapel now has a new logo, some new banners, a new location and a new spiritual covering!  WOW!

First, the new logo:

The "Welcome Home" at the bottom is reflective of the way we really believe that God desires this church to be a home for His family.  When we get together, it isn't just a matter of showing up for church - it's getting together with the family of God!

The new banners are hung and removed from our new location:

Our new location is in the Multi Purpose room of Woodland Elementary school on 112th St and Fruitland Avenue in Puyallup (midway between Costco and Canyon Road).

Now - for the spiritual covering:  We are now a member of the Foursquare Church!  I am operating under a "Provisional License" while I finish up a class and some paperwork and should have everything finalized within six months at which point the "provisional" classification will be removed.

Joining with the Foursquare Church is a great benefit to Faith Chapel as it primarily provides a spiritual covering and accountability for me.  It also allows us to have a ready source of support when needed - as in the two weeks I was out for my dad's funeral.  It will also allow us to participate in larger scale functions for Men's Ministry, Women's Ministry, Retreats, etc.  All-in-all, it is great to be aligned with such great organization!

Other changes?  Wow - if that wasn't enough for you, I've also been moved to a new group at Microsoft.  I am now working as a Service Manager for the Network Access Protection (NAP) team.  This is a new role that I am filling which has ties back to my previous role in IPsec.  The changes are pretty significant, and just as I felt as though I were back on my feet, we needed to fly out of town for two weeks.  With the speed of which this project is moving, by the time I got back I not only had over 2,000 unread e-mails in my inbox, but I also felt totally lost again.  I'm ramping up much quicker now, but still feel like I'm behind the power curve.  Another week or so should get be back on the ball again - or firmly underneath it...

Well, I did say that I would try to keep it brief - this is about as brief as I get!  Drop me a line and let me know that you actually read this stuff!  pastortom@tomtracey.com

Stay tuned - more to come...