Pastor Tom's Community

Reflections

  • Where Is Tom? Who is Oden E. Lockhart?

    It is the sort of question that you hope people will ask when you "go missing" for a few days. "Where is he?" Well, I’m here, checking in and having nothing to say – at least until now. I start… Continue reading

  • I Just Felt Like Giving You All a Gift

    Here is some happy candy just because I love and appreciate you all.   Growing up is tough when it is good. It helps to have a friend and a prop or two. At some point we have to leave… Continue reading

  • Write It Down

    I have boxes of notes. Some are disorganized, mis-categorized, and undated, but they have had and may continue to have a function in my life. You see, somewhere in the maze of thinking that occupies the landscape of my muddled… Continue reading

  • Some Enemies of Success

    It has been my practice and spiritual discipline for several years to read a chapter of Proverbs each day that corresponds to the day of the month. That landed me in Proverbs 23 today. It is also become a discipline… Continue reading

  • Justice for All

    These words and ideas are mine and reflect only my opinions, but  they are deep convictions and they have led me to forms some relationships with organizations that address some of the inequities I have observed in society. Is the… Continue reading

  • Oh See, Can You Say?

    If, with star spangled enthusiasm one might gasp, "Oh say, can you see," might one also find an opportune moment to ask, "Oh see, can you say?" I am most likely to speak what I see and express what is… Continue reading

  • Don’t Pan the Plan

    There is a seemingly disingenuous urge on the part of practitioners of spiritual things to shun strategic planning as something outside the realm of the Spirit. It is as if we do not believe God cannot enter into the process… Continue reading

  • Therefore … Keep On

    People have differing views of work ranging from dread to excitement – but very view people relish working in vain. We want something to show for our efforts. In the fifteenth chapter of his first letter to Corinth, the Apostle… Continue reading

  • Judge William Kent Hamlin on Getting a Life

    I had an occasion to sit in Judge William Kent Hamlin’s court for half a day this week as an observer. He did what most judges do, moved agenda, shuffled papers, read obligatory minutia over and over, and granted requests… Continue reading

  • Do You Know?

    I imagine that you know this, but in case you have forgotten, you are a very important part of something that is far bigger than yourself. You are integral to something that without you is not complete and without which… Continue reading