Tom Allen

OK, I'm not trying to be Mr. Smarty-Pants.  Using a big word like koinonia.   It's a Greek word that simply means " to share".   In other words, to share a meal, to share time together, to share what one has with what another needs...to share life . There are many places and many people with which we can share koinonia .  No place is better than LifeGroups.  I've been together with a group of people for a while now.  Some longer.  Some just recent additions.  We gather on Wednesday evenings and share life.  Some are better at it than others.  Some are worse.  Some are terrified of the sound of their voice.  Some, not at all.  Some share deeply.  Some, not so much.  Some are an open book.  Some are closed, locked and hidden under the couch.  But, together, we share life. Last evening, we watched our video (handsome gentleman) and answered the questions.  It was all very neat, nice and polite. ...

Numbers are funny things.  I'm more of a word guy than a numbers guy.  At elder's meetings, when they pull out the Financial Reports, I pretend to understand, care and pay attention.  Sometimes I pretend to be in prayer mode.  It's just that my eyes are rolling back in their sockets and I don't want anyone to notice. What's amazing to me are the numbers we (I) choose to focus on.  For example, Numbers from this weekend: Super Bowl Bash:  575 men Sunday Attendance:  1087 Baptisms:  5 New Members:  30 Giving;   $ 21,715.78 Lots of numbers there.  Lots of really good numbers.  Lots of numbers to celebrate, be excited about, praise God for, high-five all around the room for.  But, those aren't the numbers I'm staring at.  Maybe I'm just a Negative Nellie, a Debbie Downer.  Maybe just the eternal pessimist.  A cup half-empty with a small leak and fear of evaporation guy.  Wow, that sounds bad! ...

This is something I've never learned.  I took naps when I was a baby, so I'm told.  Since then, not a napper.  Even when I've decided it sounds like a good idea, I just lay there with my eyes shut for a long time, then get up and think to myself, " I just wasted 30 minutes of my lifetime that I'll never get back".   Bummer. So, if I go to sleep during the daylight hours, there's got to be something terribly wrong.  Even then, I tend to fight it.  Seems like such a waste of time.  There's so many things I could be doing.  So much productivity I'm missing out on.  I think I even feel guilty when I even think about it.  I need  to be working.  I need to be producing.  I need to be doing.  Yep, I've drank the Kool-Aid.  I'm a Human Doing rather than a Human Being. I've been sick, and after many attempts to deny and postpone the obvious, I succumbed to slumber.  Yep, right there in the middle of the day...whi...

What a great event we had this weekend.  This was Crosspoint's FIRST ANNUAL SUPER BOWL BASH!  And, what a great start.  We fed 575 men breakfast, then moved to the auditorium for a great, entertaining and insightful program.  John McClain is one of the most knowledgable football minds in the country, Butch Alsandor is local celebrity leading Channel 11 Sports, Ted Johnson has played in 4 Super Bowls and come away with 3 rings, and Spencer Tillman had a great college career with a national championship, a Super Bowl ring with the 49ers and an even greater career in television.  These guys were awesome.  It was a GREAT event. We threw out tons of miniature footballs, and the guys hung around and signed autographs for as many as wanted them.  Ted even took off his ring and put it on a young man in a wheel chair and it made his day.  How awesome was that?! One surprise...a man approach me and asked if I would sign his football.  I thought he ...

Q:   How many times can a 2-year old watch the same movie? A:   Trick question.  No one's lasted long enough to find out. My grandson, Cash Allen, is here.  He brought his mom and dad and sister with him, as well.  On the road from OKC, he watched The Sandlot 3 times.  Last night, he and I started it together.  We finisher it this morning. We just finished lunch.  What did he want to do?  Watch The Sandlot.   What are we doing now?  Watching The Sandlot.   How many times will this go on?  No one seems to have that answer. Seeking the answer, Tom (Big Papi) Allen

The other evening, prior to an elders meeting, Robby Aylor, our staff member in charge of facilities, and, thus, in charge of our building project, decided to take us all on a tour of the new site.  We walked, single-file, out onto the construction site.  Basically, wooden forms where that had been filled with concrete.  In other words, the foundations of the buildings.  Or, at least, that's what we all assumed. Then, Robby, shared a piece of information with us that was missing from our understanding.  We weren't standing on foundations, as we thought.  We were standing on the walls.  Sure, the foundations were under there. But, that's not what we were standing on.  He explained, they pour the foundations, then rebuild forms on top of the foundations, spray them with a special non-stick substance, then pour the wall right on top of the foundation.  Then, they repeat that process again and again, sometimes with several layers of walls on to...

Yesterday was Inauguration Day.  Our country inaugurated President Barack Obama for his second term of office in the highest position in the land.  I find it interesting that our first African-American president is inaugurated for his second term of office as President of the United States on the same day we honor Dr. Martin Luther King.  Most would think how appropriate it is that history has blessed us with honoring these two men on the same day.  Dr. King fought, and even gave his life for equal rights for men and women of all colors.  And, on the day we honor him, we celebrate our first African-American President.  The stars have aligned. May I offer a different view?  While I believe Dr. King, like myself, is proud that his nation has come to the place where a black man can be elected to the highest office of leadership possible, I believe that these two men could not be more different. Our President, who I honor as my President and the leader...

I do not struggle with addiction.  I've seen those that do, and it's a sad sight.  I am sure I don't struggle with addiction.  I was  certain that I didn't, until this morning, when Susan announced that the coffee maker was on strike, that it refused to make any coffee until it had vinegar run through it, followed by water twice!   The vinegar took several lifetimes to make its way through, then the water and the water again. BOTTOM LINE:  I've been up for over an hour, and awake for....well, the coffee's not ready yet, so the awake part is still on hold.  I'm even having trouble running two sentences together.  I guess I'm an addict.  Although, I'm still pretty much in denial that the coffee has any real affect.  So, I'll just finish  this blog and dmck844 glg89ehmws09..mdio9376^%8ne9.....Sorry, guess I dozed off. Maybe a 12-Step Program is called for.  Better yet, a new coffee maker.  It's not an addiction.  It'...

That's where we went yesterday...the MARRIAGE COUNSELOR .  Guess I have your attention now. You thought this was your pastor's blog.  Doggone...it is!  Did you misread what I just said?  Nope.  You read it right.  Susan and I have been seeing a Marriage Counselor for the last month.  Are we getting a divorce?  Is our marriage in big trouble?  Was there infidelity?  No to all questions. Marriage is not a static thing.  It's always changing.  We've never been at this juncture of our marriage, and we found that our marriage was OK.  But, we knew God's plan wasn't for OK and we loved each other way too much to settle for OK, so we swallowed our pride, (OK, I swallowed MY   pride) and we contacted a marriage counselor, for one reason...we weren't satisfied with OK.  We wanted GREAT.   We wanted AWESOME.   We wanted nothing less that EARTH-SHATTERING.   We refused to settle for OK. Unless one of us c...

I'm over 50 (way over).  That means several things are added to you life, among which is a semi-annual visit to your Urologist.  (I will not be graphic.  I'll just say this guy sees you in a whole new way)  Yesterday was the day.  I go to a big-shot in the Medical Center. (We live in a city with the greatest Medical Center in the world, so why not take advantage of it?)  So, you hardly see the big guy.  He sends in one of his fellows to do all the dirty work.   So, I make nervous conversation.  " Where you from originally?"  "North Carolina", he says.   "Oh, where?"  "Chapel Hill".  "So, you a Tar Heel?"  "Sure am".  "I have some Tar Heels in my church.  Got a kid who played football there".  "Really?  What's his name?"  "Pelc".  "I know of him.  He was a lineman, wasn't he?"  "Yeah"  "And, where's he from?"  "Pearland."  "Really, ...

Yesterday, I told you the things I'm going to stop doing in 2013.  The last thing I noted was that today I would share with you the WHY behind the WHAT.   The rationale behind my decisions to stop some things is not based on the fact that I just want to do less...sit around and eat bon-bons and watch everyone else work around me.  It's based on the fact that I believe I have elevated the URGENT above the IMPORTANT.   That, in some ways, I have become like the display at the Texas State Fair many years ago, with bells and whistles and belts and pulleys and gears, etc.  It ran like a top.  But it also had a sign posted beneath it that read, Doesn't Do Anything, But Doesn't It Run Well.   Oftentimes, I feel like that sign should be posted front and center on my desk.  But, that's still no answer for the "TO-DON'T" List.   My reasoning has nothing to do with a desire to stop doing anything (I actually REALLY enjoy everyone of the things th...

I mentioned some time back that I was really convicted to have a "TO-DON'T" LIST this year.  I am famous (or infamous) for my "TO-DO" Lists.  But, at some point, it becomes apparent that the only way to continue adding things to your list of "DO'S" is to scratch off some things and label them "DON'TS". The main reasons I haven't done this already have already been discussed.  Basically, I want to be SUPER-PASTOR, I fear disappointing anyone, and I feel guilty ever saying "no" to anyone or any thing (that's pathological and has devastating results). In other words, every "good" thing I say yes to, means there is a corresponding "great" thing that I say "no" to.  So, with great fear and trembling and knots in my stomach, I present to you my list of things I feel I must stop doing. 1)  COUNSELING .  Does that mean I'll never sit and listen to anyone and provide counsel for them?  ...

     Were you like me?  Did you perch yourself in front of the television and await, with anticipation, hope and extreme trepidation the Texans now-annual attempt at greatness.  Hey, this is not a bash-the-Texans exercise in catharsis.  I got my gear.  I root loud and strong.  I remember 2 years ago, and 3 years ago, and 4 years ago, etc., etc., etc.  I know what it's like to wish the season would just mercifully end, and I know what it's like to go to the play-offs...and I'll take the play-offs any day.  Great job, guys.      There are so many differences between the two teams that played yesterday.  Coaching, play-off experience, schemes, home-field, ....we could go on and on.  But, bottom-line, the most glaring difference between those two teams boiled down to who was standing behind the center.  Who was the on-field general.  Who was directing the team.  Who was making the mid-course correctio...

58 years ago today I made my arrival on Planet Earth.  Very little pomp and circumstance was associated with that event.  Hopefully, even less will be today.  However, my entry was not without some drama.  (I'm sure that comes as quite a shock to many)  My mom was a single woman from St. Louis.  In 1955, if you were single and pregnant, it was certainly not something to be celebrated.  In fact, there was a great deal of shame and disappointment associated with such a predicament.  Although abortions were illegal at the time, they were still readily available.  However, my mom chose to "go away", to save herself and her family the embarrassment and ridicule that accompanied such an indictment of her morality. For some reason, unknown to me, she ended up in the Houston/Galveston area.  Her intention was to give birth, place the child for adoption, and, I suppose, head back to St. Louis like nothing had ever happened.  On January 10,...

Yesterday, we talked about DRIFT, how it happens without us being aware of it.  We don't notice it, and suddenly, we find ourselves somewhere we never intended to be, totally unaware of how we managed to get there. So, if these currents that want to slowly take us far away from where we thought we were and intended to be are invisible...beneath the surface...if we don't know when we're drifting until it's too late...then what do we do?  How can we combat an invisible foe? Here's some suggestions: 1.  Have a REFERENCE POINT:   If you were off shore in the Gulf, you might have a landmark of a house that would mark where you started out and where you should be.  In every area of our lives we need these landmarks, these reference points.  In our marriage , it may be our communication, our intimacy, the priority we put on time together.  In our spiritual life,  it might be the regularity of the time we spend in God's Word, the regularity and dept...

Ever been in a boat on a lake, or maybe just chillin' in a inner tube, not paying attention to anything but the fish you aren't catching or the the rays you are catching?  Suddenly you realize, "Where am I and how did I get here?"  The landmark you expected to see is now clean out of sight.  You didn't see it coming.  You didn't mean for it to happen.  You never felt a thing, but suddenly, without notice, you're somewhere you never intended to be and totally puzzled as to how you got there.   What happened?  You DRIFTED .  You didn't even notice until it was too late.  The surface of the water may have seemed totally still and serene, but below the surface, out of sight, there was a current that carried you where you never intended to go. Unless you are aware of it and take steps to consciously combat it, DRIFT happens in almost every area of our lives.  The diabolical aspect of DRIFT is that it is almost unrecognizable.  We ...

I'm a list guy.  Right now if you were to look in the notes section of my iPhone, you'd see a collection of lists.  There's the WEEKEND list (all the things that I should accomplish the following weekend).  There's the STAFF MEETING list (things to cover with my staff).  Goals for 2013.  My measurements.  Message Series.  Systems.  Church Goals.  Home Goals.  Personal Goals.  Other lists I'm not sure what to entitle.  Are you getting the picture?  I LIKE LISTS! Well, this year I'm adding one more list...The "TO-DON'T" List.  Most of my lists, although varied, fall under the heading of things "TO-DO".  I'm convinced, however, for me to have any chance of achieving my growing lists of things to do, there needs to be a corresponding list of things I need to quit doing.  One problem:  I've found this list to be, by far, the most difficult list I've ever had to make. Why?  Several reasons: 1. ...

Today we have our final step …and it’s a good one…in fact…it’s my favorite…. Possibly yours too! The last step in our life plan is to…. CELEBRATE THE WIN! In fact, you must! It’s critical to any long-term success. Build a reward in for the completion of each of your goals… The size of the reward can be based on the size of the goal and the size of your budget, but it should be enticing enough to keep you motivated. It’s been said that what gets rewarded gets repeated…and that seems to be true from my experience. Find a way to celebrate achieving your goals this year. Here’s some examples of what this might look like: Lose 20 pounds - Buy a new outfit…or two… Improve my marriage communication – Plan a special vacation together or eat at your favorite restaurant… Pay off my credit card – Buy a new couch…but pay cash for it… Read through the Bible - Give a Bible to someone who needs one. These are just hypothetical. You can come up with something bette...

Today we add another step in the process… Accountability … If you want to see your goals become reality, you need to build a system of accountability into your plan. If you are confident you want to complete the detailed goals you’ve set, and you believe the action plan you have written will help you meet them, then you must find a way to hold yourself accountable to completing the action steps. You’ll need to add accountability you are comfortable with and makes sense for your goals and action steps, but here are some suggestions to consider: Put action items on your calendar for the next year….I have some items that repeat throughout the year. Print your life plan and share it with someone….give them permission to check in with you throughout the year. Find a partner…this is especially helpful when exercising or in weight loss. (This is what makes Weight Watchers successful.)  It is impossible to overstate how important this step is.   Use an applic...

Today we add another step.  Let me be honest.  This step is not as fun as setting goals…at least for people wired like me.  This is a little more difficult and will take a little more time to complete, but it is a vital step to the success of your plans.  Chances are good that if you fail to keep your New Year’s resolutions, not doing this step well is the more likely reason. In this step, we will write some action steps, which will help us reach our specific goals.  The question you should attempt to answer here is: What specific action steps do I need to take to ensure I reach my goals?  Be specific here.  The more specific the action step the greater chance you have of completing it.  Below you will see the specific goals followed by the action steps. Lose 20 pounds – I want to lose 20 pounds by June 1, by eating less and exercising more. Exercise on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays Limit eating fast food at lunch t...

Yesterday we talked about setting some goals for the coming year.  Goal-setting is a great thing...a great first step.  But, if that's as far as it goes, most likely, that's as far as you'll get as well. That's the problem:  We usually stop right here.  We state 5 or 6 things we HOPE will mysteriously happen during the coming year.  Inherently, we know we have to make some changes to make it happen, but we're not really sure what, when or how. OK, let's move on to STEP TWO:  MAKE THEM MEASURABLE Here's some examples.  If you want to lose 20 lbs. this year, why not make it more measurable and specific? Instead of this:  LOSE 20 LBS. Try this:  LOSE 20 LBS.  I will do this by changing my diet, exercising 3 times a week and averaging                                           1.5 lbs. of weight loss each month. Here's another...