I spent part of my thanksgiving day in the Emergency Room at St. Francis Hospital.
A group of friends, that were not traveling for the holidays, decided to get together for the Thanksgiving meal at 2pm. Each of us had a certain dish or food item to bring.
My roommate brought apple and carmel for dipping. As he started cutting the apples, the knife was a lot sharper than he expected and he cut a gash about 1 1/2 inches long in his upper palm. The fact that the kitchen was very warm, he hadn't eaten anything all day, and the sudden blood loss, caused him to pass out and my friend to freak out and call 911.
2 hours and 8 stiches later, I got to partake of the feast.
Disclaimer: This is a transcript from AIM, completely disregard spelling/grammar/mechanical errors. The other person's name was changed to protect the innocent...
“teacher friend”: one more “paper to” grade...and then I can type faster
“teacher friend”: you can tell me a story
“teacher friend”: while I finish
semperlanier: Once upon a time...
semperlanier: There were three little friend that loved to play down by the pond. They had a tire swing under a huge weaping willow...
semperlanier: And a rope swing to jump into the water...
semperlanier: The summer's were lazy and free. Hours and hours spent talking about anything and everything that little friends talk about...
semperlanier: The eldest was barely 8 and just a couple months older than the other two, but still he was the leader...
semperlanier: His name was mike, but he was know as mighty mike, but that's a story in and of itself. The other two were ryan and joey.
“teacher friend”: this is fun
semperlanier: They were born two days apart and look very much alike, so everyone considered them the twins...
semperlanier: So mighty mike and the twins loved to climb the tree and pretend that it was a rocket ship to the moon...
semperlanier: When they would get to the moon, they would bound off the ship and jump around prettending it was low gravity.
“teacher friend”: are you really makig this up or are you reading something?
semperlanier: For hours on end they would jump and jump around the forest.
semperlanier: (I'm really making this up, shhh...)
“teacher friend”: sorrry
semperlanier: :)
“teacher friend”: :P
semperlanier: lol
semperlanier: (don't do that, you'll make me loose my place...)
semperlanier: And when they would tire, they would all lay down in a little clearing, breathing hard and staring up at the clear blue sky. After a time, they would race each other to Mr. Bill's house and beg for popsicles.
semperlanier: Mr. Bill would pretend that he didn't have any, or say that he was busy... But the boys knew that he always kept grape and lemon popsicles just for them...
semperlanier: After Mr. Bill finally gave in, they would sit on the porch and swing back and forth on the bench. And Mr. Bill would tell them stories of bravery back in the good 'ole days of WWII.
semperlanier: If Mr. Bill was tired, they would just swing and watch the wind blow through the tall grass and bushes... Other times they would tell jokes till their sides hurt...
semperlanier: But of course, dusk would come and they would have to say goodbye to Mr. Bill and go home.
“teacher friend”: :)
semperlanier: Long ago they had figured out the exact center point between their homes, with the help of Mr. Bill of course.
semperlanier: At this exact location they would do their secret hand shake and promise to be friend for ever. Then Mighty Mike, Ryan and Joey would walk in their seperate direction and at the last place where they could see each other would turn and wave goodnight...
semperlanier: The end...
I teach 2nd grade children's church and the bible lesson for K4-5 children's choir. They are the cutest!!
I teach the 2nd grade children's church every other week. A couple of months ago, on my off week, I had one of my little girls run up to me and give me a big hug and say: "I miss you Mr. Tom, when are you coming back?" It was so sweet!
For our children's choir, the teacher has a little time where she asks how their week went. We get some of the funniest stories... Keaton, the pastor's kid, told us all about the World Series and how the Red Sox won. Another little boy always wants us to learn John 3:16, because that's the one verse that he knows.
During verse time, it's awesome to hear a kid stand up and recite Psalm 100 straight through without help.
Last night we had a fellowship because it was anniversary Sunday. There is a family that have 4 young girls and I teach 3 of them. I was keeping the kids entertained while the parents were talking. We did piggy-back rides, we talked about veggie-tales, spanish, drinking water, singing, and bunch of other young kid talk. It was a blast!
Lord willing I will have a few of my own some day. I can hardly wait!!
I love to sing praise and worship to our King. I like CCM, not all of it... as in all things (hymns also) we need to be discerning and pick out the bad apples. (I'm using these terms, hymns and CCM, just as general categories for conservative and contemporary).
I also love hymns, they have become even more special to me as I sing more and more CCM. CCM is in the emotional and easily understood spectrum whereas hymns have heritage and very rich verbage. I also believe that CCM is better tool to reach contemporary people that come from such a worldly emotional high.
Story...
My sister sings in the Lyrics choir at BJ. I had the privelege of going to their concert last night and hearing my sister sing her soloists parts (She was an angel... I know... I'm biased). But what I wanted to communicate, was that despite the fact that I couldn't understand all the words in the Latin mass, I couldn't help but worship God. Not only for Sanctus, Benidictus, and Gloria in Excelsis. I worshiped Him for the wonder of His creation and for giving us the ability to sing and create music to glorify him.
Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.
What do you think?
This past Sunday, in our study through 1 Timothy, Pastor spoke on contenment from this passage:
1 Tim. 6:6-12
"But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."
Phillipians 4:10-13
"But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
In our Sheparding Group (small groups) yesterday, we focused especially on the aspect of contentment in our finances. Our leader asked us to raise our hands if we were content with our financial situation. I have to admit that I couldn't raise my hand...
The Lord is working.
After a discussion with Mr. Doug Young over coffee yesterday morning, he agreed to take me on as an apprentice/intern! I'm so excited! I'm going to be learning from the master. I'm also going to try to help him with marketing, reproductions, and various other projects. I start today and I will meeting up with him 2-3 times a week for a few hours.
Did I mention I was excited? The reason I'm excited and that I'm doing the apprenticeship in the first place is that I will be going back to school within the next couple of years to get a MFA in Ceramics. I want to teach at a university level and I would need the degree plus it would be great to have experience in sculpture. And the credentials are always good.
From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
You are amazing God
These word were written by Laura Story and sung by Chris Tomlin in his new album called "Arriving."
This song has been an huge reminder of how worthless we are and how worthy He is. You are amazing God!
My Dad, a faithful missionary for the past 27 odd years, recently handed me a little nugget of wisdom… We were just talking about life in general and he suddenly said; “That’s what it is to be a man, just being consistent in life.” We talked on about that and many other subjects… But that idea took hold of me and I’ve decided I needed to blog about it.
What is that? What is a man? What does it take to be a man?
(I’m not going to get too in-depth here, just skimming the surface. Feel free to expound on this topic).
First of all, a man is not “Macho Man.” A man doesn’t have to be 6 foot 200 lbs. of muscle to be a man. He doesn’t have to be a sports fanatic. He doesn’t have to be a lot of things that this world portrays as an ideal man and sadly many Christians accept.
Secondly, it doesn’t make a man less of a man to be sensitive, caring, respectful, loving, and faithful.
A man does have to be, as my father put it, consistent in: his walk with God, bearing fruit, love, honor, service, ministry, going to church, going to work, paying the bills, everything...
When it comes down to it, a man is a faithful steward.
What’s really cool is the picture of Jesus as the Rock of Ages in relation to this topic. He is consistent and unchanging. He is the man and the God.
Thanks Dad!
Yes, I am tall.
I am actually 6’4” and thin which accents the fact.
(I avoid vertical strips on clothing and try to wear horizontal, but it doesn’t seem to help much)
Why would I choose this as my blogging site name? Just because of a couple of memories…
-I had a good friend in college that took sign language and my sign name was the letter T raised above her head.
-I recently went to visit my cousin's 4th grade classroom. As soon as I walked in the door, this little girl piped up: “Oh my goodness, he’s tall! he’s taller than Mt. Everest.” So for the rest of the day I was Mr. Tall and by the end of the day all the little girls had a crush on me.
So... who is Mr. Tall?
My name is Tom Glass. I grew up in Uruguay, South America; my parents have been missionaries there for the past 27 years. I graduated from BJ in 2003 with a business degree. And now, I live and work in Greenville and attend North Hills Community Church. (No personal bias here… but North Hills is the best!)
I love… Jesus, family, church, friends, teens, teaching children, pottery/art, tea, coffee, books, and photography…