Tom Allen

The staff has spent the last two days hunkered down in my Living Room.  Staff Retreat, minus the Retreat. (saving money while sleeping in our own beds...rather genius).  When you're with seven other people in the same room sitting face-to-face for 9 hours straight, you get to know them a little better. (good or bad) We have a good staff.  We like each other.  We respect each other.  We work as a team.  We tell each other the truth.  Sometimes we agree.  Sometimes we disagree.  Sometimes we encourage one another. Sometimes we tell each other that their idea sucks or that an area of their ministry needs an overhaul or that they are just wrong.  That includes me.  By that I mean, I tell them and they also tell me.  Sometimes it feels like they mostly tell me....but, probably not. We're just a church staff, like any other church staff.  No big deal.  We just are. We have some new members to our staff.  They've served at other places before serving here.  In the course of

I know it's the biggest story in America right now (except for, possibly Hurricane Sandy...and that's because those Northeasterners don't have a clue how to handle a hurricane.  Seriously, they don't even know when to have one.  When's the last time you saw a hurricane bring snow?  That's just wrong...but I digress).  Back to the ELECTION. Are any of you suffering from what I like to call, ELECTION FATIGUE?  That point where you have been so inundated, so over-stimulated, heard so many opinions, watched so many commercials (seriously,....are there still any people sitting on the proverbial fence who need just one more commercial to help them to decide who to vote for?) I have my opinion.  I have chosen my candidate.  I've already voted for heaven's sake.  I hope my guy wins.  However, I know a few things: 1.  If my guy loses, I will be disappointed 2.  If my guy wins, I will, at some point, be disappointed 3.  Neither candidate is the answer for

Yesterday at Church, I really was moved in my heart and spirit during the time of congregational singing.  I know, most of us call it the worship time, but I'm one of those people who believe worship, even though it can very much happen during the time when we sing to the Lord, is in no way limited to music.  Here's my take: 1.  Worship can happen when we sing to the Lord. 2.  Worship doesn't automatically happen when we sing. 3.  Worship extends beyond music to include anything we do that makes God smile and says to Him, "I love you". 4.  Worship can just as easily happen during the message, following the message, at lunch or during the Texans game. 5.  Worship is much more about the attitude of our heart than about the actions we are engaged in. Let's get back to that singing part again, because that was the part that really moved me yesterday.  It was all I could do not to stand up on my chair with my hands lifted as high as possible and shout a

Read any good Bible lately?  Notice what a big deal God's Word makes out of the concept of REST ?  It's a BIG DEAL.  The whole book starts off with God creating the cosmos in 6 days and then resting. REALLY?   Was He worn out?  Did He...the God of the universe, who never sleeps, need a nap?  I'm thinking ... NO.   So, what's the big deal with with all this rest  business?  Yes, our bodies need rest...sleep, a nap here or there, a little R&R.  But, I think God's talking about that, but so much more than that.  I sleep every day, but I'm not sure I rest.  When God talks about the absolute necessity of rest, I believe He's talking about taking off MENTALLY & SPIRITUALLY.   Today, I'm playing golf.  That could be  rest.  However, if I'm preoccupied all the time with what I need to get done and how that message is going to go on Sunday and my credit score and how my retirement account is doing and why I have this little pain in my whatever tha

As you prepare to vote in this election, please be aware you are doing more than voting for one man over another man.  You are endorsing the entire agenda and platform on which that candidate stands. As you know, I'm a little technically challenged, but I'm attempting to share a link to a video that I think really sums up what I see this election being about.  Hopefully, I can get it in and hopefully you will watch it...and ask yourself what vision of America is yours. http://youtu.be/v-Zm10BCyxc

1.  I wish I had seen more Rapture Charts. 2.  I wish you had worn a tie (or cooler jeans). 3.  Why didn't you teach me how to make more money? 4.  Why didn't we have more Business Meetings? 5.  The services were way too relevant.  Not enough nostalgia.  We didn't remember the Good Old Days. 6. You should have made it harder for lost people to come in. 7.  You shared way too much about your flaws.  We really needed you to be the perfect example. 8.  I needed more theology and less practicality. 9.  You bugged me too much about inviting lost people.  They really messed up our church. 10. I wish I had given less and kept more for me.

I watched the Presidential Debates last night. (completely forgot about Monday Night Football!)  Before you either click the delete button or wait with great anticipation to see who I thought won, let me say, "Whoa Padna".  That's not my intention at all. It was amazing to me, that God had chosen a little nothing people called the Jews, mainly based on the fact that they were a little nothing of a country, to be His people.  Not because they WERE anything, but because they WEREN'T.  That from this nothing country He brought a savior into the world and began to write his story of His glory through history. Now, 2000 years later, this little nothing of a country is stealing the show on the US Presidential Debate on Foreign Policy.  Why do they even matter?  What's their greatest import...export?  Are they rich?  Are they powerful?  Are they big?  Do they buy our stuff?  Do they owe us money?  Nope.  Negative to all of the above.  They are important for one reaso

You can't choose your kids and you REALLY can't choose your kid's spouses.  Mine have done well in that department.  Here's some great parenting wisdom for raising boys from my lovely Erin... 1. You will set the tone for the sexual relationship, so don't take something away from her that you can't give back. 2. Play a sport.  It will teach you how to win honorably, lose gracefully, respect authority, work with others, manage your time and stay out of trouble.   And maybe even throw or catch.   3. Use careful aim when you pee.  Somebody's got to clean that up, you know. 4. Save money when you're young because you're going to need it some day.      5. Allow me to introduce you to the dishwasher, oven, washing machine, iron, vacuum, mop and broom.  Now please go use them.   6. Pray and be a spiritual leader. 7. Don't ever be a bully and don't ever start a fight, but if some idiot clocks you, please defend yourself. 8. Your knowledge and

I LOVE what I do.  I love being a pastor.  I love pastoring Crosspoint Church.  I walked into my Bank the other day and the guy behind the counter said, "Mr. Allen, I've never seen you in a bad mood".  (He obviously hasn't seen me that much)  But, my answer to him was, " Dude, I'm living the dream.  I've got a great wife, great kids and awesome grandkids, and I pastor the most awesome church imaginable...and they pay me to do it!  Why shouldn't I be smiling!".   I love what I do.  Well, most of it.  Some comes natural.  Some skills I've had to work hard at.  But, even after 32 years of pastoring, I'm still learning.  Learning my strengths and weaknesses.  Learning what comes natural and what I have to work the hardest on.  Learning what I love and what I hate. So, I know what you're asking... What do you hate the most?   Well, it might surprise you.  It's not the hours, (I know, you think I only work one day a week.  How can I

I'm writing this because some people may not have grown up in the south or may have lived under a rock or have somehow mistaken a football game for the ballet and strangely don't know these things.  I'm only here to help.  Follow these rules and you'll have a wonderful experience. 1.  Arrive Early.   Nothing is worse than a late arriving crowd to a football game.  If you miss the National Anthem, you've blown it.  You can't cheer for your team from the parking lot.  I like to be in my seat for warm-ups, but definitely by kick-off, or you're  NOT a real fan. 2.  Tailgating is suggested.   That's when you get there early enough to eat with friends outside the stadium.  This is the relational part of the experience and allows you to get that much more excited for what you're about to experience. 3.  Get into the game.   This is not the time to swap recipes and talk about your root canal.  It's game time!  Pay attention.  Get into it.  If you d

God blesses us in many ways.  Some of His greatest blessings come in the form of people.  Family, friends, co-workers, the list goes on.  Not many years ago, it was me and a secretary.  Today, I have the opportunity to work with some of the most amazing people on earth.  My secretary, Debbie, has served me for the last 100 years.  She deciphers what I pass off for writing and never complains.  She makes me look good, in spite of me, and is my memory when mine fails. Sandy does....heck, I have no idea what Sandy does, but she does it very well, and wears really cool jeans.  She keeps everything organized way behind the scenes.  Chelsea is part mascot, part adopted daughter and the quiet, but surprisingly competent first face of Crosspoint.  You call...you talk to her. Katie and Chase are ridiculous.  They are two of the most talented people on the planet, Katie graphically, Chase videographically.  And they are just babies. They have all the creative genes I missed out on. Dean br

That's probably one thing I'm going to ask God when I see Him (which I really hope isn't too soon).  You made us...just like you wanted us to be...in your image...blah, blah, blah.  So, what's up with these emotion things.   Yeah, yeah, I know they're important and good....like when someone gets married or a child is born or your team wins a big game.  Also, when someone you love dies, or evil seems to win the day or when a heart gets broken.  I understand they have their place.  But, I've observed people long enough to know that some folks appear to almost have none, while others seem to have nothing but emotions.  As someone who tends to gravitate more toward the former end, I sometimes wonder what God was thinking...or how his plan has gone so incredibly array. Emotions are good things. They make us feel, they make us human.  However, like everything else, we need to remember that every bad thing is a good thing perverted.   So, there's a few things we

It feels like Monday.  Monday on steroids.  I think my Sunday, plus the TEXANS NEVER SHOWED UP hangover is still giving me flu-like/manic depressive symptoms.  Quite the combination.  I even broke out my new JJ Watt jersey.  Lot of good that did.  Then there's the nasty note I got from someone who chose to remain nameless calling me out for asking people to show up to church on time.  ( Glad I didn't ask them to do something shameless like bring their Bible or tithe or speak to guests!) In between all that, I had a breakdown within my family.  I won't go into any details, because the details aren't important...and they're private.  It was a breakdown in a relationship between a parent ( me ) and a child. ( I have four, and 3 daughter-in-laws.  Don't put together an office pool to figure out who)   Mainly, because that's unimportant.  My point is this...and I think you can learn from this...whenever you take a stand for something, expect Satan to attack t

Today we're packing up the car and driving to San Antonio.  Actually, right outside San Antonio, to a little town (that's not so little anymore).  That's where my wife grew up and where she played basket ball, on a close-knit team that was undefeated until the final game of the season when they lost in the state finals. That was 35 years ago, so tonight they're decided to all reassemble for a celebration of that accomplishment and reunionize (never understood that word.  Did they have a union?  Has the contract run out?  Are they asking for more money or better working conditions?  Tell you all about it when I get back.)  Any way, it's happening.  Susan hasn't seen most of these girls in 35 years.  I, on the other hand, have not seen most of these girls in 57 years...which translates to NEVER. I am by nature an introvert.  Translation: This is my closet concept of what Hell must be like.  While Susan relives her exploits of past glory with people who are tot

THAT'S AN INTERESTING QUESTION.  Probably one you never ask yourself.  In fact, if there's something going on in your life that you can't explain, you, most likely either want to explain it or figure a way to get rid of it.  That's just WEIRD.  OR...that's the Holy Spirit.  Have you read the Bible?  Crazy book.  Very practical.  Very helpful.  Very challenging.  But, then there's that stuff that happens that transcends our comprehension...axe heads floating, blind people seeing, dead rising, someone getting transported from one place to another supernaturally, people somehow knowing stuff they have no business knowing, but being equipped to meet needs they had no idea even existed.  That's CRAZY! That's the HOLY SPIRIT.  The Bible tells us... *If we are Christians, we possess the Holy Spirit *Actually, more than us possessing the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit actually possesses us *The Holy Spirit is sent to lead us and direct us *The Holy Spirit fi

This is not fun.  I don't want to write about this, but feel compelled.  I believe racism is alive and well in our country, and possibly more powerful than at any time.  Certainly, you may question that.  How can I say it is more alive today, when not that many years ago certain races of people had no rights at all, no power at all, were treated shamefully and excluded from society as much as possible?  Yes, our nation has a sad history when it comes to this story.  As a white man in America I cannot claim to fully understand it, but I can be embarrassed by it and mourn it and own it. As a Christian man in America, I grew up singing, "red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight" and being taught that God "is no respecter of persons" and that "The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."   Yet, I learned those things at church, where the only black face ev

The Bible...you know, the B-I-B-L-E, says that laughter is good medicine .  I've seen a lot of pictures of Jesus.  Seen him healing and praying and casting out people from the Temple and dying...but never laughing.  Somehow we think that to be beneath Jesus.  He was the perfect man, but somehow that doesn't include a sense of humor.  I know the Greek term for that.   HOGWASH! I think Jesus told a mean joke.   "OK boys, have you heard the one about the pharisee and the traveling salesman?"   When he talked about the guy with a log in his eye,  I think he had some of them rolling.  Or how about the camel going through the eye of a needle.   Priceless!  I know, we read them with a straight face and get very theological, but Jesus had to be cracking up on the inside. That's one reason we schedule COMEDY EVENTS .   YOU NEED A LAUGH!!!   Have you been watching the news lately...following the campaign....paying attention to the national debt?   YOU NEED A LAUGH!!!

Well, we started our new series yesterday, UNDER MY ROOF.   There was some great take-aways from the message, I thought.   As VISION becomes clearer, OPTIONS become fewer and DECISIONS become easier.  You must begin with VISION and work BACKWARDS.  VISION always begins with a BURDEN.   That's pretty powerful stuff. But, for many, those things got lost underneath the one statement I made about ECAs ( Extra-Cirricular Activities ).  Some got the idea I was against them.  I am absolutely NOT .  Actually, I believe, that at least by the High School years, they should be mandatory.   Every child should be expected to find their niche. What I see however, are children being placed into highly-organized, highly-competitive and high time demanding activities much too early.  Multiply that by 2 or 3 kids, then multiply again by 2 or 3 activities, some overlapping, and what you have is the beginnings of a performance-based, dysfunctional family, where the first thing to go is usually any

Have I mentioned just how excited I am about this new series, UNDER MY ROOF.  It's all about getting a grip on this parenting thing.  Tomorrow we're starting off HUGE .  We're not easing into this slowly and cautiously.  We're jumping off headlong into the whole ball of wax.  I want to help you set-up a plan for parenting, not just through this season of life or for the next year, but for a lifetime.  I want to share some things with you that you can use with your toddler, your teenager or your adult son. It's practical stuff.  See you tomorrow!

In 1996, we built our first home.  We'd had homes before that, but they were built by other people and lived in by other people and made to look like other people.  Now, we were building one that would be just ours, from the ground up.  It was exciting and scary and fun and new and a lot of other things all rolled into one.  We would load the kids into the van and make the trek out to Pearland several times a week, just to see if we could tell if anything was different.  We had a blast watching the structure go up little by little. I remember one day receiving a frantic phone call from Susan.  She had snuck out that day at lunch to check on the progress, only to find that this particular day they were installing all the ceramic tiles on the floor.  With terror in her voice she said, " Tom, we didn't pick out pink tile, did we ?" I assured her there was not a chance that I had picked out pink anything for anywhere in any house  I'd be living in.  I raced out to t

Today's blog is not my own creation.  It's by Scott Cochrane and I just couldn't resist sharing it.  I've got several to ad to the list, but for now... Here is my top 5 list of things we think but never say: 1. The way things were done in your former church really doesn’t interest me. “You know, Pastor, at my old church, our pastor always had a special story time for the children before dismissing them to Sunday school.” What are we thinking that we simply can’t say? “So what…” 2. The reasons I fired your favorite staff person are none of your business. “Pastor, you fired one of my favorite people. Why did you do that?” What are we thinking that we simply can’t say? “I’m not about to disclose the details of someone’s personnel file with you.” 3. I just finished preaching—I just can’t deal with your problem right now. “Nice sermon, Pastor. But I need help with a marriage issue.” What are we thinking that we simply can’t say? “I don’t have an ounce o

I don't know exactly what it's going to be like when we get to Heaven.  There's going to be a lot of us there, not as many as I wish there were, but a lot.  Not sure if God will hold a Press Conference when we arrive, maybe go from neighborhood to neighborhood and hold Town Meetings, or we can just schedule an appointment with him and meet at the local Starbucks? (seriously, you didn't think there'd be Starbucks?  It's Heaven for Pete's sake!) I guess we'll find out when we get there.  But, whatever the format, I've got some questions for Him that have been bugging me for a long time.  You probably have your own list.  Here's a sample of mine: *Why mosquitoes?  Were they around before the Fall of Man, or were they a last-minute addition once the apple got eaten? *The appendix .  Oversight?  Last-minute addition?  Practical joke?  Seriously, are you guys up in Heaven laughing that one off? *Allergies.  OK, this is just mean.  We sit arou

Over my 57 years of life, I've had the opportunity to experience a lot of wonderful things.  Life has been good.  On the other hand, I've experienced a lot of things that stretched me beyond my stretching point and almost literally scared me to death. Usually, things fall into one of these two categories...joy or terror...except for one...PARENTING.  There's an entirely separate category for PARENTING.  Dickens writes in A Tale of Two Cities , " It was the best of times.  It was the worst of times."   That pretty much sums up parenting perfectly.  It is one of the greatest joys imaginable.  But, at the same time, it scares the snot out of you. Look at it this way: If you mess up your job, you can always get another.  If you mess up your finances, you can get back on track and get them fixed.  Even if you mess up your marriage, there's at least a chance that you can repent, seek counsel and put it back together.  BUT, if you mess up your kids, they're m