For a long time I have been reflecting on my Seminary days and how they have impacted my life. Its interesting because as I am now in the ministry, I rarely call upon my seminary education. The reason for this is because in seminary they don't have classes called "How to Deal With People Who Think Your a Jerk 101" or "Nobody Likes Your Music, Now What 303." This is disappointing. However, yesterday it all came together and it was made clear to me why I went to seminary...

I now know where all of the funny stuff is in the Bible!

That's it...That's what seminary is for. My brother-in-law Jared is now in seminary and soon enough he will unlock the secrets of Bible humor. For instance, there are a few words in the Bible that may not be looked upon as words to be used for polite conversation (see Numbers 22 and the pretty much all of Deuteronomy). And, every time a Youth Pastor decides to dress up like a girl, you can get him with the passages in Deuteronomy that says he will burn for cross-dressing (especially if he's a Baptist).
Try reading some of the guidelines for using the restroom when in the camp as a transition from one worship song to another. That will shock some people.
Anyway, now I know that I didn't waste two years of my life at Paige Patterson Seminary...I mean Southwestern Seminary, and that makes me happy enough to dance around in my underpants like good ole' David.

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I didn't actually stop reading but I forgot to let you guys know. My parents got on to me about it so here it is. I'm currently reading two books. The first is called "God's Blog" by Lanny Donvan. This is a look into what God might right if he had is own blog. He probably wouldn't get all busy and forget about posting stuff like I do. The other book is called "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell. He sounds British but is probably from Des Moines or something. This book basically outlines the idea that every big fad, disease, and trend are started at one critical time by a small group of people. This is the tipping point. I thought it really would apply to how we can reach people with the message of Christ and I am learning some really cool stuff. For example, me blogging about "The Tipping Point" will not be "The Tipping Point's" tipping point. Got it? Good.

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What I'm Reading

2006-10-19T12:10:00-04:00

TJ

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I hope this doesn't offend anyone but I really thought it was funny. www.whiteboydj.com

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Baby Got Book (WhiteboyDJ.com)

2006-09-29T16:54:00-04:00

TJ

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What a long week. I can't believe how much such a small thing can affect my life. You know how they say that you don't know what have until you lose it. Well, I didn't know what I had. I've spent my entire life with this thing and I took it for granted. It was always there waiting for me to look up at it in wonder, but to me it just faded into the background of my life. How selfish and shortsighted of me to forget such an important part of my life. I could have done more, I could have said something...At least goodbye, but did I? Of course not. I just sat there while they took it away from me, unknowingly, I had to read about it in the paper. How will I go on? How will I continue to live knowing that it is no more. Now, its just as insignificant as any other piece of dust. No one asked me what I wanted. No one asked me how I felt about it. They just took it away. One day, it will be back. They will realized the error of their ways, the huge mistake that they have made.

I guess I'll just go on living my life. Soon I'll probably forget about it like I had so many times before when it was right there in front of me like a light shining in my face. It will probably be alright. Most people from here on out will be fine without it. My daughter will grow up not even knowing it existed. Unless...Unless I spread the word...Unless I tell her and everyone else about it. Then it can never go away. Then it will never die no matter how much they want it to. They might make the rules but they don't rule me. I'll show them...

That Pluto is a planet!

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Over the past few weeks I have really been thinking about my approach to worship. I've actually been working to decrease my role on Sunday mornings. The temptation for any worship pastor is to make it about themselves. This is generally done subconsciously...If not said worship pastor should probably find a new job...but its easy to fall into this trap. I too was beginning to fall into the trap of making it the TJ show. So I am now making a concerted effort to make it about God and to deflect some of the attention away from myself.
While considering ways to do this I came across a concept that, while it may not be new to you, its new to me. There is a difference between having a heart to worship and a heart for worship. A heart to worship, in my opinion, is the category into which most people fall. If you enjoy singing, listening to worship music, spending intimate time with Christ, and giving Him the glory (all good things and things we should do), you have a heart to worship. I fall into this category and hopefully most Christ followers do as well. However, in order to lead people in worship, whether as a pastor, worship leader, or any other position, one must have a heart for worship.
In my opinion, having a heart for worship means that you have a passion to see God's people worship Him. A heart for worship is a rare thing but I believe it is something we have to strive for. It is wanting other people to have that personal, intimate experience with Christ that you have. I believe this is what God wants for us...to know Christ in such a way that we cannot stand for others not to know Him as well. I love God and I love to worship Him. Now it is my hearts desire to see those around me love God and love to worship Him.

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Heart For Worship

2006-08-28T15:04:00-04:00

TJ

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Well, its time once again to break out the Auburn flag and fly it proudly at my front door. Unfortunately no one around here really cares except maybe the Va Tech fan that lives down the street...boy would I like to trash talk him about the 2003 Sugar Bowl. We are really excited because our friends Ryan and Emily are getting ESPN Gameplan and said we could come watch Auburn games anytime. I'm not sure that they realize the consequences of such and offer. Anyway, I saw this picture and thought it was perfect for some trash talk. Unfortunately, most Alabama fans don't know how to use computers or read even, so it might go unnoticed. Anyway, War Eagle!

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Who's Your Daddy?

2006-08-25T22:24:00-04:00

TJ

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Its been a while since the last post but with Bay Hills moving to a new facility I've hardly had time to eat or sleep, much less write witty, inspiring posts on my blog...At least that's how I like to think things work.

This weekend was crazy. It started off really well. Because the school we meet in decided to wax the floors on Friday, we were not able to get in to do any work. So instead of what has become my customary "Friday night till eleven work day," Beth, Karoline and I were able to spend some quality time together at one of our favorite places. That was great because they had been out of town for nearly three weeks and had just got in that morning.

So Saturday morning came early and I got to the school at about seven after making a Starbucks run only to find that the container in which we were storing everything had been broken into. They took our projectors, sound board, sub-woofers, lightboard, and our velour drapes (I assume to cover up their loot). This really kind of threw a kink in things. After a lot of phone calls and some really good people helping out we were able to get the stuff we needed to do church the way we had planned.

Sunday was another early day. I arrived at the church at seven to put in the finishing touches and prepare for the morning. You wouldn't believe it. We had parking issues in our new facility that should have been able to hold the cars of our congregation. We were adding more chairs in both services and are now having to think about buying more. The band sounded better than ever before. The singers were great. The energy in the congregation was great. It was probably the best worship service I have ever been involved in.

God was there and we all knew it.

It was great seeing how God works, in spite of the circumstances, through his people. We could have easily said "let's just go down the street to the old building and wait until we can replace our equipment," but we know that Satan would be patting himself on the back if we did that. We are beginning to reach our community in new ways and at a much faster rate. We realize that we have invited him to oppose us in new ways now but we know that He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world!

Keep praying for Bay Hills! This is not a God friendly area and its not an easy place to take a stand for Christ, but He is our strength and His purposes will be accomplished.

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I know what all of my super-conservative friends are thinking right now..."newsweek is a liberal sounding post, I'm not reading that"...what has Bill O'Reily done to you? Anyway, there is a great article about Billy Graham, in fact it is the cover story. They don't even marginalize his Religious beliefs. It's really cool. Anyway, check it out.

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Great Newsweek Article

2006-08-11T14:38:00-04:00

TJ

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Okay, so I forgot to tell you but the books I read last month were "The Long Walk" by Slavomir Rawicz and "I Am Not But I Know I Am" by Louie Giglio. "The Long Walk" was a random pick. I literally went through Barnes and Noble and picked a random book. It, however, turned out to be really cool. Its about a Polish man who escapes from a Soviet prison in northeastern Siberia with a few other inmates and walks to freedom in India...that's right India. It is a true story. Check it out.

"I Am Not but I Know I Am" is by one of my favorite author/speaker/Auburn fans, Louie Giglio. You might recognize some of his work like the song and book "The Air I Breathe." not to mention the song "We Fall Down" and the college movement "Passion" that produced such personalities as Chris Tomlin, David Crowder, and Matt Redman to name a few. Anyway, this book is about how insignificant we are and how great God is...sounds depressing, but the cool part is that God still takes time out to love us and to know us. This book is about understanding that this life is not about you, its about God and what He can do through you. Happy reading.

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New Book

2006-08-08T21:27:00-04:00

TJ

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BayHills.net is up! The moment all four of you have been waiting for. Check it out even if you don't live in the Bay Area which by the way won't back down. Its pretty cool.
Haven't you been waiting for a place to hear David Fasold streaming every week, not to mention my CD that you still haven't told your friends and family about. But really it is cool. Also, you can subscribe to the E-Newsletter. Anyway, I'm excited about it because I've been working on it for months. But I can't take credit it was all about Bill Jones at UDFD Design. He's really good. You should all hire him.

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Maybe I'm not used to real work but I really got worn out this past week. We are all busting our humps (pardon my French) trying to get the big Bay Hills move done these next few weeks. I learned how to pull wire, and do some other pretty cool stuff though. I think that when I look back on this whole experience though I won't remember the 13 hour days or the 7 day weeks...I know what you're thinking: "aren't all weeks 7 days?"...Not in my world weeks begin on Tuesday and end on Sunday, Monday is something other than a day of the week usually. Anyway, what I'll remember is the people God put me alongside to work with. I really have enjoyed getting to know guys like Sal Castro, Larry Willitzer, Dave Lewis (who is insane), and getting a little closer to guys I already kinda knew before this whole deal. Now, to anyone outside of the greater El Sobrante area...Basically if you can't hear me shouting right now...You have no idea who I am talking about. However, I urge you that when you are doing stuff you don't like or maybe you even hate it, look around for why God has you there. Its really cool.

Hey by the way, check out the new bayhills.net, its really cool.

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Have you heard about her? She is wonderful and she never ever gets mad at me. Oh wait, she's mad because I didn't write enough about her. Crap!

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This past week in Relevant magazine, one of my favorites, I read a very clever editorial. The point that the guy was trying to make was basically that maybe, just maybe, my generation has a problem with thinking we're always right. No way I thought, I don't think I'm always right, this guys an idiot. But then I thought about it for a while. Could it be? Do I constantly look at what other people are doing and judge them, those poor saps. If only they new how I did it, how I lived, my viewpoints, and my opinions. Surely they would realize the errors of their way.

Honestly, I spend a lot of time criticizing, being cynical, and judging people according to how I think things should be. It can be a little bit tiring always knowing what's best and wondering why everyone else doesn't.

Why is it that we think that our way, our lifestyle, and our opinions are always right? Its because we don't want to admit that maybe...just maybe we're wrong. Maybe the way we live, the way we do things, or our opinions are not absolute truth. There are many ways to do things, ways to live, and ideas to believe in. Although I know that God's word is absolute, I also know that man tends to twist the truth to fit their viewpoint. So next time you decide to drink that hater-ade (that's a word from high school) stop and take the time to consider the merits, maybe what works for you doesn't work for someone else. Maybe what works in your community, doesn't work in another community. Maybe you're wrong.

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I Might Be Wrong

2006-07-12T11:47:00-04:00

TJ

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I am reading two books this month. First of all, I am the last person on earth to read "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller. I think this is one of the smartest Christian books I have ever read and I think that even non-Christians might enjoy it. It basically makes you rethink the whole Christian sub-culture. Check it out.

I'm also reading "Night" by Elie Wiesel. This is not a feel good book. It is about the author's experience in Aushwitz during the Holocaust. It allows you to see that this stuff was real and that in any way we can we must prevent anything that even could become what the Holocaust was from ever happening again. This book will impact you more than most you will read.

I think that both of these books have changed the way I look at God and the world for the better. I hope you will take the time to read them both.

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My Two Books for June

2006-06-26T19:09:00-04:00

TJ

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Yes, I realize that we're half way through the year 2006 but I am still making New Year's resolutions.

For the 6 people who read my blog, most of whom are related to me, I am sorry for not writing anything new in a while. However, I resolve to write at least one blog a week from here on out. Since my off day is Monday, expect them on Tuesday.

I am also resolving to read one Christian book a month and one secular book a month. You probably don't care but I'll let you know what I am reading and perhaps you'll take a look at them and tell me what you think. Have a great week.

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New Years Resolution

2006-06-26T19:04:00-04:00

TJ

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I was thinking about some things that have been going on in my life and around me in the past few months and I thought that some of the insights God has been teaching me would be an encouragement to the few people who read this little blog.

In the small group I am leading we are going through the "Experiencing God" study. This has been really eye opening even for someone who is doing it for the second time. In the study, they talk a lot about Abraham. He is a great example of someone who rearranged his life to join the work God was doing in and around him.

One of the points the authors make about Abraham has really stuck with me more than any other, perhaps because of how it applies in a few situations I am very familiar with. The point they make is that even though God promised Abraham a son, it was many excruciating years before the promise came to fruition. Why is this? Why does God tell us what he is going to do, and then make us wait for it?

Abraham was pretty messed up, he pimped his wife off on two different occasions, had sex with his daughters, had a son by his wife's maid, not to mention all that went on with his protege' Lot. Now I'm not saying that you are that bad, I'm also not saying you're not. To God, sin is sin, there is no degree, no points for greater sin like on your driver's license, its just sin. What I am saying is Abraham needed some work. He was let's say...a little rough around the edges. If he was going to be the "father of many nations," he needed to be molded into a great man. It took a lot of work by God to create Abraham out of Abram.

We are the same way. God has plans for us, great plans! He has made promises and He will keep them. But don't expect that you can just do these great things He has planned for you as you are. No way buddy. You have to adjust your life to Him. It goes beyond excepting Christ, it goes beyond taking the first step toward change. You have to be the man or woman He wants you to be in order to accomplish these goals. Once you reach that level of relationship with God, He will have something else for you and you will have to adjust again. He is refining us all. There is too much sin in our lives for us to ever reach "totally refined" that's where the sacrifice of Christ comes in.

So, don't worry if what God has promised you isn't happening. He is working in your life to make you better at whatever He has planned for you. Whether you are to be a parent, songwriter, evangelist, missionary, successful businessman, or whatever He has promised you. "The Lord is faithful and He will do it." Now we just have to trust that He does what He says.

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Hey everyone. Just wanted to let you know that if you don't have my CD it is now available online at http://cdbaby.com/cd/tjgoff. So be sure to go on and buy it. It will also be available digitally on itunes and other digital downloading services very soon. This is a pretty cool thing that's happening so if you have any friends or family who haven't been able to purchase the CD, be sure to let them know.

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Buy My CD

2006-05-18T12:50:00-04:00

TJ

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Wow, it seems like its been a while since I have written anything in here. I have to admit, blogging has not been the first thing on my mind the past two months. With my daughter Karoline's birth, I have been spending all of extra time I've had with her and Beth. It has been such a great two months. I love being a dad. Anyway, I was right a few months ago. Being parents, while a big responsibility, has not been the end of our lives. This might be because Karoline is extremely durable. Beth has been pretty tired, but she's been pretty tired ever since we've been married...doesn't say much about me huh? Babies poop is a lot better than doggie poop and she's been a pretty good sleeper. I think Beth and I should stop with this one because the chances of getting another angel like Karoline, much like the chances of getting another Whisper (our perfect dog), is slim to none. Well, I hope you've enjoyed the pictures the last few weeks. I'll start writing a little more now that things have settled down.

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Why, why, why do we have to be involved in politics. My mom will probably be really disappointed in this blog but hey, its how I feel.

I was recently watching "The O'Reilly Factor" and they had the organizer of a large Christian youth gathering on and a woman who had opposed the group in San Francisco. Just last weekend the kids from our church attended the very gathering they were discussing. Those who opposed it had protested, yelling fascist, gay rights, and what not at the over 30,000 students gathered. Apparently a lot of left wingers are starting to protest anything Christian because they say Christians impede upon others right (gays, pro choice, etc.). Anyway, the debate was quite interesting, but I was disappointed.

The organizer of the event kept saying that the culture is throwing all kind of sin in the faces of kids and his gathering is to encourage Christ followers to let their voice be heard. That's great, but I ask you, what should those voices be saying? He believes that they should be saying no to the secular progressive movement, no to gay marriage, no to abortion. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't support any of that, but isn't there something more important they should be saying.

How about sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If he would have said on the show, "we aren't a political organization, we want people to know the grace, power, and love of Jesus Christ," what could the girl have said back. Nothing... My point is, we as Christians continue to give people reasons to hate us and not give them reasons to love Christ. It seems to me that being a Christian is more about politics than it is about following Christ.

"You are the light of the world, a city on a hill cannot be hidden. Shine your light upon man that they might see your works and praise your Father in Heaven."

What that verse doesn't say is "convert them to your politics so they can be saved."

All I'm trying to say is that the Bible tells us (to quote Pastor Scoggins @ FBC Opelika) "its gonna get a lot worse before it gets any better." We are not going to change this country into a Christian Theocracy. However, we can change lives by telling people about Jesus Christ. Besides, Jesus had long hair, wore sandals, and wasn't a homeowner. Sound like any Republican you've ever met?

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Politics Shmolitics

2006-03-28T18:13:00-05:00

TJ

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Believe it or not, a couple at my church asked me when I was going to write a blog about having a new daughter. I didn't really think that anyone outside of my immediate family read this silly little thing. Anyway...its long overdue. I have been a father now for a little over two weeks and its probably been the best two weeks of my life. Beth and I have a healthy and adorable little girl named Karoline Belle and we could not be happier.

The only problem is that people keep coming up to me saying, "wow, you look tired." Don't say that to anyone! No matter how tired they look. The words "you look" should be followed only by the words "nice, buff, handsome, hot, and hungry." Never by a negative adverb. Someone told me I looked tired the other day and I had had 10 hours of semi-uninterrupted sleep the night before. What do you want from me?

Look, here's the deal. I haven't brushed my hair in about eight years and I haven't been out in the sun for about three years. I probably always look tired. I'm sorry that I offended you.

No matter what the haters say, I don't care. If I look tired then that's my new look. I probably also look a little bit taller as well, and that's because I am a proud new father.

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Walking A Little Taller

2006-03-21T18:07:00-05:00

TJ

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