stephen wayne hammond

Beginning of a New Year

First let me begin by apologizing for not keeping up this blog more than I have over the past 2 months.

I have found TWITTER and I am trying to determine what's the best resource for me to use as I try to network with others as well as help encourage others in faith, love and hope.  My screen name at Twitter is PHENHAMM so feel free to follow if you desire.

It's hard to believe 2008 is over and 2009 is well underway.

I love this time of year because there seem something magical about doing things 'right' this year, but to be honest each seems that whatever struggles I faced last year usually seem to show their ugly face in the new year.  I think that's because old habits could care less what the calendar says.  If there is an area of my life that is out of whack do you think that part of me cares if it's November 13th, April 8th or January 1st of a new year?  Didn't think so.

No, it's your own commitment to doing whatever it takes to get yourself to the place where your dreams can come true.  Whether it's the first day of a New Year or the middle of the summer.  

If you want to see changes in your life this year, it won't come easy.  But if you make yourself accountable to some friends, write down some desires (and how those desires are going to be met) and commit to making great choices every day you will find success.

Have a great 2009, and remember this can be the greatest year of your life.  It's all up to you!

AHS Sports Chaplaincy

This was the scene just 10 minutes ago at our AHS pep rally this afternoon. Tonight at 8pm the AHS Colts will play the Trinity Trojans in an area round high school football playoff game at Texas Stadium. I couldn't be prouder of our head coach, Scott Peach, his staff and our young men as we head out to play the number #1 ranked team in the country!

For 8 years my friend Doug and I have served this team as the FCA chaplains. Today at chapel one of our coaches mentioned that the boys have probably changed our lives as much as we have tried to help change theirs. That's probably true. I serve this team because I can and they desire my presence around them. I can only hope that the love of Christ is coming through me and in the end He is able to make a difference in the lives of others.

Here are some of the the things I love about my role as a servant to this team:

-sharing a message of hope each week at chapel or listening to Doug's talks (his are actually much better than mine)
-spending time reminding our coaches to stay focused on things that really matter like family and friends
-learning from our coaches how commitment, discipline and unity can move an organization forward
-being there for kids and coaches who need a listening ear without judgment
-watching my son serve the team as a ballboy and watching him learn about life from these older boys
-wearing my coaches shirt
-watching film
-bus rides home....after we win of course
-celebrating with the team in victory
-helping them process and stay focused when we are defeated

The list could go on. It's been a special ride with AHS over the past few years. I can only pray that God allows the ride continue, at least one more week this season!

Go COLTS!!!

(2nd photo is of Coach Peach speaking to our team last Saturday in Abilene after we defeated Odessa High 28-27).

Some Things I have Learned in Church Planting

Through the first 3 years of our church plant in Arlington (Mosaic of Arlington) I have learned a great deal from my friends, my co-leaders, the culture we are trying to impact and of course from the Spirit of God.

By no means is this list complete but I thought I would jot a few of these things down, in no particular order.

• My family both suffers and is blessed from my time as a church planter.  They are blessed because I get to make my own schedule so if they want me they can have me.  They suffer b/c my nights are filled with meetings, my mind is constantly preoccupied with the health of our church and even when we are 'away' on vacation I tend to think more of Mosaic than them.   
• Make sure you communicate with your wife first before we communicate with your elders, leaders and general community of your church plant.  There is nothing worse than having your wife hear/learn something from someone else, when she should have learned it from you.
• Read the Scriptures more than any other book (no matter how 'hot' that book is) and listen to the Holy Spirit in your prayer times more than any other podcast.  Believe me, if you don't do this you will be building on another leaders vision, not the vision God wants to give you for your city and the people He wants you to lead.  
• Guard your prayer time and your study time.   
• Exercise.  Don't look to me for the poster child of this but believe me.  The more you exercise the better you feel.  The better you feel the better you will lead.  (Plus it's hard to preach on Gluttony when you are 30 pounds overweight)  
• Be yourself.  Not the opposite of what you don't want to become.  Learn from Jesus and lead like Jesus. 
• Trust God for the growth you desire.  Pray and work hard.  Stay pure.  Lead as a servant.  But in the end it's God who will give the increase.  

More to come later, I am sure. 

Not 1, but 2!

This past week Mosaic sent a team of 7 people to El Salvador to help dig a water well for those in poverty who have been drinking muddy water all their lives.

I just got word that our team not only succeeded at drilling the first well, but they had time to drill a second well also!  

I sit today in awe of a God who cares about people drinking dirty water.  I sit in awe today that this God would allow me a chance to help serve and lead such a great community like Mosaic of Arlington to help others see the value of giving up their vacation time and their hard earned money to go and do something as noble as drill water wells.  I sit in awe today of what the human mind, spirit and body can do if we simply try.  I sit in awe today of such a good grace and good gift.

Today celebrate with me that hundreds of children and their parents will drink clean water for possibly the first time in their lives.  Celebrate the fact that we all can probably do more than we think, if we simply allow God to use us.

(Here is Brandy and Denise celebrating as the team hits water, the first time!)

The best burger on earth!

These are the servants who prepared my lunch today at In and Out.

By far In and Out is the freshest burger in America. Only problem is that they aren't in Texas. So when I am in California or Nevada I have to make a point to stop here.

God bless the family that has given such a quality fast food burger!

Sierra Nevada

This is my brother Kevin and two of his good friends. Today the 4 of us found ourselves in the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountains. This is a picture of this beautiful place.

On this min-vacation/sabbactical I have learned much about humility, honesty, seeking God, asking hard questions and overcooked prime rib. I am really enjoying my time with these guys and I pray that I am encouraging them to greater things in life concerning faith, love and hope.

I am blessed to have a generous brother who can afford to pay my way to such an awesome place. It's been fun having some of his co-workers/friends with us as well.

Pray for Kevin, KC, Randolph and myself that we all continue to meet with God as we celebrate life together this week in Lake Tahoe.

First Time Ever

This was the site of a local CiCi's pizza that my family visited recently. I had never seen such a sight at CiCi's, especially at 6pm (height of the dinner rush).

In all fairness to CiCi's, they did have a 40 pizza take out order they had to cover for a local Jr High.

What have you seen recently that is abnormal?

ESV Study Bible

I just received my new ESV Study Bible in the mail the other day, and man this thing is loaded up with great insights, maps, commentaries and of course the trust-worthiness of the English Standard Version.

If you are looking for a great new tool to help make the scriptures more applicable in your life then let me suggest you go grab one of these guys.

LifeWay is selling them for $40 but you can order them on Amazon for $30 (I think).  Or you can come by my office and buy a brand new copy for $25 (I found the best deal out there but can't give you the name or they promised me they would blow up my dog).  I have 2 copies left for the $25 price.

Check this out for more information on this great new resource for the emerging generations.

The Good Life

Today I learned some not too encouraging news regarding people and money. But my lunch buddy reminds me that God is still good and He has everything in control. God, my son Bryson and Sonic Ice Cream- Life is Good!

AHS Ballboys

Harrison and Bryce gearing up for the big game tonight.

Go Colts!