My Weekend Adventure

What a weekend! Through a great planning process of mine, I had one of my former students from Harrison, AR and my parents at my home from Thursday till Sunday (just kidding on the great planning...)b. On top of that, I made a LifeHouse video (a program at church) and finished message preparation for Sunday's service at TSC.

Well, Sunday morning, I woke up and it felt like death had come over me. I was sick. I felt like I was gonna throw up at any minute and I had a headache...then I realized something. I had butterflies in stomach. Not literal butterflies, but I was nervous. Below, I want to tell you what I learned from my experience of preaching at TSC for the first time.

I woke up and was at the church by 7:00 am to make sure I had my mind right and to make a final printout of the message. I started the "sick sweat" as soon as I printed it and I prayed, "Lord, take this feeling away." I told Reagan, "Dude, I think I am nervous." At 8:05, I went into the worship center to make sure that my PowerPoint was working properly and it was. That was a relief. Chip was in there, and said, "You ready, little one?". I said that I was...I sat down and started to listen to the choir rehearse.

As I sat there, I felt God say, "Look at the stage". I looked up and God said, "That stage is for me. TJ, It is not for you." You talk about being very humbled! I can only imagine the spiritual oppression that Pastor Tom feels each week. I sat there and said, "God, I can't do this. You want me to lead these leaders. I am nothing compared to them. I am so dirty and unholy." My mind was all messed up. I was hearing a voice on one side saying, "You can't do this" and God saying "TJ, I will do this. You are my messenger this morning. Stand bold, yet humble. Speak with passion, but not with arrogance. TJ, do you trust me?".

Right then, Pastor Duane saw me and came over and said, "Let me pray for you..."

WOW! God is so perfect in His timing of everything! I learned that no matter how small we feel, that we serve a big God and we are in Him. We must learn to live BIG for the KING!

I have heard many compliments about the message. I am grateful for those, but it is our King's stage and message, not mine. I struggle with compliments, yet my love language is words of affirmation. I love when someone gives me a compliment, but I struggle because I know that the compliment should go to the Lord and not me.

This weekend was an adventure from entertaining guests, making video's, and preaching in front of one of the largest groups I have ever spoken to. I am honored that God used and uses someone like me to bring Honor and Glory to himself.

Today, my mind is like, "Uh.......what?" I am pretty much a dysfunctional human at this moment. I believe God gave me just a glimpse of what my Pastor and Friend goes through every week. I will pray for him more than I ever have.

On top of all that, Trey is no longer a cat...but...my daughter is and Trey is now as he says, "An Alien Boy that Daddy's Son..." I absolutely love my kids!!

In closing, thank you, God, for letting me live my dream!! I have a beautiful wife and family. I cannot think of anything in the world I would rather do than serve here at TSC!! Thank you, God, for you perfect plan!!