Excerpt from April 18, 2010 edition of "THE LOOKOUT"
"Christian young adults need to understand they will have a full-time ministry regardless of their profession--to be ambassadors for Christ. They need to know this type of ministry is valued by the church as vocational ministry. The church can help by connecting them with a campus ministry at the school they are planning to attend (Or with a local church if it has a similar vision for students). Through involvement in a campus ministry, they will receive further training and experience for their life long ministries."
I am extremely thankful for my experience in campus ministry at the University of Kentucky. I had the opportunity to spend 8 weeks in Russia as a summer missionary and lead church camps for students in grades 7-12. A "shout out" goes to my awesome campus minister "H.K. Kingkade" and his wife Betty for their dynamic leadership and friendship throughout the years.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
GRADUATION
I am so proud of my students who are graduating college and high school! Student Ministry is so rewarding because I get to see so many students mature in their faith.
As I reflect on the privilege I've had to influence the lives of these students, I'm brought to my knees. Christlikeness is a journey, not a destination. I pray that as these students graduate; I hope these students choose an attitude of Optimism...Excellence...Confidence...Joy...Integrity...Enthusiasm...Perseverance...Humilty...Generosity. The following quotes by Charles Swindoll help us understand why attitude is very important.
Choose an Attitude of Optimism:
Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you respond to it.
Refuse to let your situation determine your attitude.
People who inspire others are those who see invisible bridges at the end of dead-end streets.
Choose an Attitude of Excellence:
Those who achieve excellence are faithful in the details of life.
Only by letting God reign in your life can you experience true excellence.
Choose an Attitude of Confidence:
God has not only created each of us as distinct individuals, He also uses us in significant ways.
Choose an Attitude of Joy:
Every day you can find at least one thing to laugh about.
Choose an Attitude of Integrity:
The marks of integrity include an excellent attitude; faithfulness and diligence at work; personal purity of the highest caliber & a consistency in your walk with God.
Choose an Attitude of Enthusiasm:
Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Choose an Attitude of Perseverance:
When I have a wrong attitude, I look at life humanly. When I have a right attitude, I look at life divinely.
Choose an Attitude of Humility:
Humility is the discipline of putting others ahead of self, the choice to value others above self--is, at its core, a matter of faith.
Choose an Attitude of Generosity:
Money can buy medicine, but not health.
Money can buy a house, but not a home.
Money can buy companionship, but not friends.
Money can buy entertainment, but not happiness.
Money can buy food, but not an appetite.
Money can buy a bed, but not sleep.
Money can buy the good life, but not eternal life.
As I reflect on the privilege I've had to influence the lives of these students, I'm brought to my knees. Christlikeness is a journey, not a destination. I pray that as these students graduate; I hope these students choose an attitude of Optimism...Excellence...Confidence...Joy...Integrity...Enthusiasm...Perseverance...Humilty...Generosity. The following quotes by Charles Swindoll help us understand why attitude is very important.
Choose an Attitude of Optimism:
Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you respond to it.
Refuse to let your situation determine your attitude.
People who inspire others are those who see invisible bridges at the end of dead-end streets.
Choose an Attitude of Excellence:
Those who achieve excellence are faithful in the details of life.
Only by letting God reign in your life can you experience true excellence.
Choose an Attitude of Confidence:
God has not only created each of us as distinct individuals, He also uses us in significant ways.
Choose an Attitude of Joy:
Every day you can find at least one thing to laugh about.
Choose an Attitude of Integrity:
The marks of integrity include an excellent attitude; faithfulness and diligence at work; personal purity of the highest caliber & a consistency in your walk with God.
Choose an Attitude of Enthusiasm:
Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Choose an Attitude of Perseverance:
When I have a wrong attitude, I look at life humanly. When I have a right attitude, I look at life divinely.
Choose an Attitude of Humility:
Humility is the discipline of putting others ahead of self, the choice to value others above self--is, at its core, a matter of faith.
Choose an Attitude of Generosity:
Money can buy medicine, but not health.
Money can buy a house, but not a home.
Money can buy companionship, but not friends.
Money can buy entertainment, but not happiness.
Money can buy food, but not an appetite.
Money can buy a bed, but not sleep.
Money can buy the good life, but not eternal life.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
FAVORITE BIBLE VERSES
Jeremiah 29:11
Galatians 2:20
Joshua 1:9
Zephaniah 3:17
Micah 6:8
and lots more.
These have been on my mind lately!
Galatians 2:20
Joshua 1:9
Zephaniah 3:17
Micah 6:8
and lots more.
These have been on my mind lately!
PROUD OF MY BOYS
I'm so proud of my boys! They have great report cards! I'm so glad they got their Dad's smart gene.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Indianapolis Children's Museum
The boys and I went to the Indianapolis Children's Museum yesterday and we had a blast! We loved the Take Me To Egypt Exhibit! I would recommend going to visit if you've never been!
Where do you find authentic community?
How do we enjoy Authentic Community?
Romans 13:8-14 and Matthew 18:15-20
In this fragmented and individualistic culture, my suspicion is that the deep longing of a majority of people - whether they know it or not - is to experience authentic community. But, where is this authentic community to be found? As a follower of Christ, I would love to say that this community can only be found in the church, for such is the ideal that is presented in our Scriptures. Too often, however, this is not the case.
What is more often the case, in my limited experience, is that church is a "place" people go because it has become "the thing they do on Sunday morning." They trickle in, find their normal seats amongst others of the same color, listen or watch the show and go home, without uttering more words than the proverbial "good morning" to an usher or the collective "amen." In bigger congregations - the so called mega churches - the sanctuaries are more like movie theaters. You come in and take your seat near the aisle, making sure that you leave several seats between you and the nearest fellow worshipper, without realizing how foreign this mentality is to the historic People of God. My friends, this is not authentic community.
Although I have seen true authentic community take place at St. Matthews, I wish I could see more of it. I say this because I see just as much authentic community taking place at Panera on Dutchmans Lane. A precious lady named Rosemary usually checks me out and gets me a cup of coffee and my normal Blueberry Bagel extra toasted with butter. One day I heard a business man asking Rosemary how her treatments were going and she said, "fine, thank you" and then they chatted a bit. So, when I got to the counter I asked her "what" her story was about. She told me she had breast cancer and was on chemotherapy. She is very gracious for all those who ask about her because she clearly doesn't always feel like coming to work. At Panera, it is clear that people know each other. Most people who come through the door are greeted warmly, not only by the employees but by several patrons. The employee hands them their favorite drink and asks how they are doing, genuinely interested in the answer. There are people of all races, and diverse languages can be heard spoken in adjoining tables. For many, it is like coming home to family. Shouldn't church always be like this?
Romans 13:8-14 and Matthew 18:15-20
In this fragmented and individualistic culture, my suspicion is that the deep longing of a majority of people - whether they know it or not - is to experience authentic community. But, where is this authentic community to be found? As a follower of Christ, I would love to say that this community can only be found in the church, for such is the ideal that is presented in our Scriptures. Too often, however, this is not the case.
What is more often the case, in my limited experience, is that church is a "place" people go because it has become "the thing they do on Sunday morning." They trickle in, find their normal seats amongst others of the same color, listen or watch the show and go home, without uttering more words than the proverbial "good morning" to an usher or the collective "amen." In bigger congregations - the so called mega churches - the sanctuaries are more like movie theaters. You come in and take your seat near the aisle, making sure that you leave several seats between you and the nearest fellow worshipper, without realizing how foreign this mentality is to the historic People of God. My friends, this is not authentic community.
Although I have seen true authentic community take place at St. Matthews, I wish I could see more of it. I say this because I see just as much authentic community taking place at Panera on Dutchmans Lane. A precious lady named Rosemary usually checks me out and gets me a cup of coffee and my normal Blueberry Bagel extra toasted with butter. One day I heard a business man asking Rosemary how her treatments were going and she said, "fine, thank you" and then they chatted a bit. So, when I got to the counter I asked her "what" her story was about. She told me she had breast cancer and was on chemotherapy. She is very gracious for all those who ask about her because she clearly doesn't always feel like coming to work. At Panera, it is clear that people know each other. Most people who come through the door are greeted warmly, not only by the employees but by several patrons. The employee hands them their favorite drink and asks how they are doing, genuinely interested in the answer. There are people of all races, and diverse languages can be heard spoken in adjoining tables. For many, it is like coming home to family. Shouldn't church always be like this?
Thursday, April 1, 2010
ABOUT ME...
Full Name: Tomara Fox Brown (use to be Tomara Dawn Fox)
Birthday: December 29
Husband: Wallace Sean Brown
Kids: Elliott (born 1999) and Max (born 2004)
Hobbies: Chauffer for Elliott and Max, University of Kentucky Basketball, University of Alabama Football, Biking, Aerobics (yes…to 80s music..haha), Hanging out at Panera with Students and Friends, Reading, Eating Chocolate
Favorite Food: Authentic Mexican Food – Qdoba is pretty close…
Pets? Elliott and Max really want a dog – maybe one day
Loved Sports Teams: University of Kentucky, University of Alabama, University of Texas, SEC
Disliked Sports Teams: Duke Puke…yeah that’s about it…
If you could hang out with anyone alive today: Rob Bell, Billy Graham, David Crowder, Steve Martin or Carrie Underwood
Favorite person in the Bible (other than Jesus): Moses and Stephen
Weapon of Choice: Pepper Spray
If you had to change your first name right now, what name would you choose for yourself? Yesterday…haha
Favorite Books: Bible, Pilgrims Progress, Prayer by Philip Yancey, Ragamuffin Gospel, Desiring God, Holy Discontent, To Kill A Mockingbird
Recently Read Books: The Narcissism Epedemic, The Reason for God, Know Your Worldviews
What was the last song you sang when no one else was around? Thriller
Croutons or bacon bits? Bacon bits baby…
What is your preferred ice cream? Mocha from Graeters…
Which single store would you choose to max out your credit cards? Macys, Ashley
Furniture and Home Depot
Favorite Movie(s): Legally Blond, Braveheart, Sound of Music
What is your favorite Holiday other than Christmas? Thanksgiving
If you could travel to any country in the world where would you go? Tanzania…to see my Compassion Child
What is your biggest pet peeve? When people are passive aggressive…
What is your favorite Bible verse? “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Birthday: December 29
Husband: Wallace Sean Brown
Kids: Elliott (born 1999) and Max (born 2004)
Hobbies: Chauffer for Elliott and Max, University of Kentucky Basketball, University of Alabama Football, Biking, Aerobics (yes…to 80s music..haha), Hanging out at Panera with Students and Friends, Reading, Eating Chocolate
Favorite Food: Authentic Mexican Food – Qdoba is pretty close…
Pets? Elliott and Max really want a dog – maybe one day
Loved Sports Teams: University of Kentucky, University of Alabama, University of Texas, SEC
Disliked Sports Teams: Duke Puke…yeah that’s about it…
If you could hang out with anyone alive today: Rob Bell, Billy Graham, David Crowder, Steve Martin or Carrie Underwood
Favorite person in the Bible (other than Jesus): Moses and Stephen
Weapon of Choice: Pepper Spray
If you had to change your first name right now, what name would you choose for yourself? Yesterday…haha
Favorite Books: Bible, Pilgrims Progress, Prayer by Philip Yancey, Ragamuffin Gospel, Desiring God, Holy Discontent, To Kill A Mockingbird
Recently Read Books: The Narcissism Epedemic, The Reason for God, Know Your Worldviews
What was the last song you sang when no one else was around? Thriller
Croutons or bacon bits? Bacon bits baby…
What is your preferred ice cream? Mocha from Graeters…
Which single store would you choose to max out your credit cards? Macys, Ashley
Furniture and Home Depot
Favorite Movie(s): Legally Blond, Braveheart, Sound of Music
What is your favorite Holiday other than Christmas? Thanksgiving
If you could travel to any country in the world where would you go? Tanzania…to see my Compassion Child
What is your biggest pet peeve? When people are passive aggressive…
What is your favorite Bible verse? “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
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