jumpstart

Life is accelerating in Wisconsin.

Now that we've been here a year, I feel as though we are truly starting life and ministry. It's been a long road full of lots of wilderness, but we're starting to see a bit of clearing. If you looked at our schedule, you'd probably say, "Yeah right, Thomas. You're going to be nuts in August." I disagree. I'm really looking forward to the mission trip, confirmation, and camp coming up. But I think in late July when we get to start planning for the next year, things will be absolutely golden. I'm a big picture thinker. It's easy for me to lose details as I'm thinking through ideas. Being able to sit down with calendars and brainstorming about the coming school year will be marvelous! I'm really excited to get cracking on the new year. This will be the time when things actually shift from the previous "Jesus through Robby" paradigm into a more "Jesus through Thomas" paradigm. I say "Jesus through..." because this ministry isn't and hasn't been about either me or Robby, but about Jesus meeting students where they are. My hope is that we can become a place without doors, walls, and windows. Something that is more about life than Wednesday nights. I'm not sure what the details are, but I think it will be great when we get there.

Free iPod

I know these mostly seem like a scam, but I saw this offer through another youth pastor. He had the link for the referral and everything from his end seemed legit.

If you want to get a free iPod touch (up to 32GB), click on this referral.

Thanks, guys!

ESV Study Bible

I was snooping around the Bible Study magazine and saw that the ESV was coming out with a new study Bible. I looked into it, and just had to buy the thing. It is huge and exhaustive (but by no means exhausting). It has so many notes, maps, and articles that are super helpful in understanding the Bible and the faith in a deeper way. I got it on sale at Family Christian Store, and I absolutely love it!

Love them... then everyone will know

I was reading Blue Like Jazz last night as I waited till I was tired enough to go to sleep. I came across a great thought by Don. He talks about how he used to hate all the super conservative Christians who he thought was giving Christ a bad name. I can totally relate to this! I've had my fair share of experiences when I've disagreed with another Christian and I've let that build enmity between us. I've been guilty of hate towards my brothers and sisters because I didn't think they were doing what Christ wanted. I was convicted of it last night. I don't want to become the bitter Christian guy who no one likes because I've let my way get in the way of Christ's Way. The message of the Gospel is that God loves us even though he hates what we've become. Why should I do anything less?

Truly Epic Fail

I blogged about ordering NT Wright's New Testament for Everyone set of the Gospel commentaries from Amazon. I received another email from Amazon saying that none of their distributors were able to fill my order. This makes me super sad on so many levels. I've started reading through the backup copy I ordered from Family Christian Store, and these commentaries are truly great literature. I'd recommend them for anyone who wants to go to further understanding in their faith journey.

Amazon, you failed again. Tom Wright, you've succeeded on so many levels.

The Singing Lady Moved

A few weeks ago, I blogged about the lady living in our apartment building who would sing loudly in the morning. Apparently, she moved away. It seems that a hip, young, twenty-something guy moved in over there. I overheard him talking to the movers through the paper-thin door say that his name was Will or Dave. One of the movers has the other name, so that's why I'm confused. This will hopefully mark the start of a quieter wing without tons of passionately bad singing. Plus, we might meet the dude in hopes of striking up friendships.

The Lord's Prayer

I pulled this from Jon Foreman's solo EP Spring. The song is called Your Love is Strong. It's a powerful and moving song that I can't help but sing at the top of my lungs and get teary.

Heavenly Father, you always amaze me
Let your kingdom come in my world and in my life
Give me the food I need to live through today
And forgive me as I forgive the people that wrong me
Lead me far from temptation
Deliver me from the evil one

Our God in Heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Above all names
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us weary sinners
Keep us far away from our vices
And deliver us from these prisons