John Albert Thomas Solo Piano

A Prayer To Remember

I copied this prayer off a friend’s refrigerator.  Don’t know who wrote it, but it sums up my heart in my newfound direction with music, career, life.

Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes, all my own desires and hopes and accept Thy will for my life. I give myself, my life, my all utterly to Thee to be Thine forever. Fill me and seal me with Thy Holy Spirit. Use me as Thou wilt, send me where Thou wilt, work out Thy whole will in my life at any cost, now and forever.

An Executive Summary of Life

This was my dad’s first sermon after being ordained as missions pastor at First Baptist Church in Helen, GA.  It is one of the most powerful presentations of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that I have heard, and he gave me permission to share it with you.

An Executive Summary of Life

At least two people gave their lives to Christ.  They were under such conviction that they left the church, went to their car, and came back.  They said they just couldn’t leave and wanted to be saved.  They were baptized the next Sunday.  It was all of God.

Go Fly a Kite

Today I met George, an old man with a large green box and a lawn chair.  I was at the park during lunch hour because I had to get away to talk with God about some very difficult issues.  On the first lap around the park I noticed him walking out to a nearby field.  I thought, “Oh, he’s a painter!  I wonder what he’ll paint.  I’ll check it out on the second lap.”

After the first lap, and much discussion with God, I proceeded to walk over to the man.  To my surprise he wasn’t painting; he was flying a kite shaped like a hawk.  The wind would start and stop and the kite would rise and fall to the ground.  I tried to muster the courage to walk up to him, but I decided to go for a second lap first.  I really felt that I needed to talk to him, so I resolved to do so and introduced myself to him and asked him about his love of kites.

“Well,” he said, “if it won’t fly today I’ll come back tomorrow.”  A book could be written about that statement right there.

George told me that his love for kites began when he took his sons and grandsons camping.  They would fly kites together; today he was alone.  He talked about how the kids would be amazed when adding weight to the tail fixed everything.  For a moment I wanted to be his grandson and let him teach me the fine art of kite flying, but I had to get back to work.

Then we talked about kids.  I told him I had four and listed their ages.  He said he regretted not having more kids.  He said he only had two kids because he thought that’s all he could afford to bring up and educate.  One of them died at age 49 and now he wishes he had more to love.  I told him I felt blessed.

I also told him that I didn’t fly kites with my kids, but that I should.  He smiled.  We shook hands and wished each other a good day.  I went back to the car and wrote and prayed and wept.

Lord, change me.  I’ve lived a kite-free existence.  Thank you for my many children; now please help me fill our lives with kites, and don’t forget to send the wind.

I bought kites today…four of them.  And boy was it fun!

When you forget what’s important…go fly a kite.