mexican food...

i just have to take a moment to say that each of you should be aware of the name rick bayless if you like mexican food at all. this is his website (not the greatest website, but there is some good stuff there).

anyway, he's also got a show on pbs called, "mexico: one plate at a time," which is just about my favorite tv show ever. if you've got it on the pbs in your area, make sure your tivo or dvr is set to record it!

lessons from 5th & 6th grade (intro)...

one of the best parts of my job since september has been to teach the 5th & 6th graders every wednesday evening. it's been a great challenge and very formative for me in my teaching abilities.

i believe this is because teaching this age level forces you to understand faith and theology to the point that you can explain it simply, clearly, and relevantly. questions like, "how do i share the gospel?" and "what does it mean to accept Jesus?" sound like simple questions with sunday school answers. but when you really seek to explain those answers biblically and without confusion to 100 or so 5th & 6th graders, the challenge is profound.

also, i remember a theology class one time at wheaton in which i was arguing for a particular theological perspective. my prof and classmates began to push me on why i held the particular view, and i realized that it was not because of something i read in the Bible. rather, i held that view because my youth pastor held that view! so, i've really been burdened (in a good way!) with the realization that my teaching is helping to form each students' understanding of the Gospel, theology, and the Christian life.

i've mostly taught about the foundations of the Gospel, which has been really refreshing to me, personally, even though i've been a Christian for many years.

all this is to say that i'll be doing a "blog series" based off these talks that i hope will be refreshing to you, as well. look for part 1 of this series soon!

racism & tiger woods...

i wish america would follow tiger woods' lead when it comes to racism. someone made a stupid, racist comment towards him, they apologize, and he simply says, "it was wrong to say that. you're forgiven. let's move on."

meanwhile, nobody else can let it go. jim brown has to critique tiger for not getting more upset, while golfweek magazine puts a noose on the cover, thinking it will help stimulate healthy discussion.

it seems to me that we'd be closer to seeing racism die if the grace that characterized tiger's response also characterized the people trying tell him how they think he should respond.

i know this is a little simplistic, but i think tiger's response is on the right track. i hope more in the public eye will follow his lead.

welcome!

well, i've been feeling convicted that if i'm to be a good steward of the gifts and training the Lord has given me, then i need a venue to do some writing. so, even though i never thought i'd succumb to the world of blogging, i've decided to dive in, although this feels more like a belly flop for some reason.

i've titled this blog "tom at 930..." because y'all know that if you were to talk to me at 9:30pm, we'd likely cover a lot of different topics--faith, theology, sports, wii, kettie, mexican food, charleston--all sorts of stuff. so, for an eclectic blog as i intend this to be, "tom at 930..." seemed about right. (and also, my street address is 930...ooooh, double meaning, hopefully a foreshadow of all the wit this blog will contain.)

i also hope this will be a way for me to keep up with each of you a little bit better, as it's my sincere goal to update this at least once a week, if not more.

anyway, on to the blogging...