stephen wayne hammond

Caedmon's Song (Part 1)

One of the most famous musicians of the Celtic era was Caedmon.  Even through he was illiterate, he would have someone read to him the Scriptures and then spend the night trying to form those thoughts into the words and music of a song that would tell the story of Jesus.  Everyone was amazed at the great beauty, power and elegance of those songs.

The following is a poem I recently learned about from Caedmon called "Caedmon's Song (Part 1)" that has really touched my heart today.

Caedmon's Song (Part 1)

Teach us again the greatest story ever told.

In time, the Carpenter began to travel

In every village challenging the people

To leave behind their selfish ways, 

Be washed in living water,

and let God be their  King.

You plundered death,

And made the jailhouse shutter-

Strode into life

To meet your startled friends

I have a dream,

That all the world will meet you,

And know you, Jesus, in your living power.

That someday soon all the people will hear your story

And hear it in a way they understand.

I have some great friends who have a son named Caedmon.  All along I thought they named him after a band.  No I know they named him after a hero of our faith.  

May we as followers of Christ long to introduce Jesus, in a way that everyone can understand, to our family, friends and greater world.

AHS Sports Chaplaincy

This was the scene just 10 minutes ago at our AHS pep rally this afternoon. Tonight at 8pm the AHS Colts will play the Trinity Trojans in an area round high school football playoff game at Texas Stadium. I couldn't be prouder of our head coach, Scott Peach, his staff and our young men as we head out to play the number #1 ranked team in the country!

For 8 years my friend Doug and I have served this team as the FCA chaplains. Today at chapel one of our coaches mentioned that the boys have probably changed our lives as much as we have tried to help change theirs. That's probably true. I serve this team because I can and they desire my presence around them. I can only hope that the love of Christ is coming through me and in the end He is able to make a difference in the lives of others.

Here are some of the the things I love about my role as a servant to this team:

-sharing a message of hope each week at chapel or listening to Doug's talks (his are actually much better than mine)
-spending time reminding our coaches to stay focused on things that really matter like family and friends
-learning from our coaches how commitment, discipline and unity can move an organization forward
-being there for kids and coaches who need a listening ear without judgment
-watching my son serve the team as a ballboy and watching him learn about life from these older boys
-wearing my coaches shirt
-watching film
-bus rides home....after we win of course
-celebrating with the team in victory
-helping them process and stay focused when we are defeated

The list could go on. It's been a special ride with AHS over the past few years. I can only pray that God allows the ride continue, at least one more week this season!

Go COLTS!!!

(2nd photo is of Coach Peach speaking to our team last Saturday in Abilene after we defeated Odessa High 28-27).

The best burger on earth!

These are the servants who prepared my lunch today at In and Out.

By far In and Out is the freshest burger in America. Only problem is that they aren't in Texas. So when I am in California or Nevada I have to make a point to stop here.

God bless the family that has given such a quality fast food burger!

First Time Ever

This was the site of a local CiCi's pizza that my family visited recently. I had never seen such a sight at CiCi's, especially at 6pm (height of the dinner rush).

In all fairness to CiCi's, they did have a 40 pizza take out order they had to cover for a local Jr High.

What have you seen recently that is abnormal?

Go Ahead...Wreck Your Life

As I approach 40 (many months from now) I am coming to realize that here are 3 things that will derail you and I from fulfilling God's best for our lives-

Pride

(Sexuality falls under this one for me)

Money

Legalism

This Sunday at Mosaic we will be discussing the Money issue.  Probably nothing has a great daily influence on your character than how you view, handle and give away money.  It's a tough topic for me to speak on but I am growing up. :-)  

I hope that this Sunday will be a time of both encouragement and challenge as together we remember that you can't take it with you, but you can sure send it on ahead of you.  

Join us this Sunday at 10am at CATS to learn more about what the world would look like if "Everyone Gave" as we conclude our EVERYONE series.  (Start reading the scriptures in Ephesians as we jump into our "Verve" series starting next Sunday) 

Happy Birthday Michael!

Today Michael Jackson turns 50!

I have been a Michael Jackson since I was 7 years jamming to the Jackson 5.  Then Michael took the world by storm with "Off the Wall" and I guess you could say I was hooked (big nose and all).  The dude could sing, dance, write, dance and did I say dance?  In the 80's we were treated the the single greatest album (according to sales) of all time in Thriller.

No matter what you think about MJ, the guy changed the way music was done.  He took music to levels people still dream about.  From the videos to the Neverland ranch this dude was always 'over the top.'  

And now to think of him as a 'fifty-something' is just flat out weird for me.  Man I am getting old.

Happy Birthday Michael.  Enjoy some cake, with your older friends!

Welcoming a new member to the Mosaic Family

Beginning this month I have decided to start using the English Standard Version as our primary Bible in our main Sunday Gatherings at Mosaic Arlington.

From the beginning of church we have used the New Living Translation and it continues to be a great resource for us.  Yet over the past 18 months or so I have grown to appreciate the ESV as a tool that will help us uncover more of the richness of the scriptures.

It's hard in a short blog post to explain why we have made this move but a great leader has some great reasons for their church shifting to this version that you can read here.

For those of you who have grown to love the NLT like I have don't get rid of it.  It's a trustworthy resource that will continue to help shape your journey with Christ for decades to come.  For others of you who have asked about a more 'literal word for word' translation your wish has now been granted.  

But let's not fool ourselves.  No matter what version of the Bible we choose to use as a church, if we don't do what the scriptures ask of us it really won't matter will it?  So if you are a KJV guy, awesome!  If you will die with your NIV, good for you.  If you are like me and are excited about the ESV, great!  But however we read the scriptures let's remember to 'be a doer of the word and not merely a hearer only.'

It's Called 'Tejas' not Texas

I have read for the past few years how it will just be a matter of time before Texas (the great Lone Star State that I proudly live and serve in) will change and that our Hispanic friends will be the majority. We know that this is already true from San Antonio and everywhere south of there. It has been said by 2020 the rest of the state will get to experience what it looks like to live in the minority (if you are African-American, Asian or Anglo).

Today I awoke to read here that my city (Arlington) now has more Hispanic students in our school district than any other background.

I personally could care less about who is the majority race or who isn't. Issue to me isn't race, but whether I will treat all people with the love, respect and dignity they deserve (no matter what their color). I also greatly desire to make a difference. To have influence. What I am learning however is that if I am truly going to have the biggest influence possible on helping our city and state love Christ I probably need to speak some decent Spanish.

Thankfully I have some great friends who are willing to help me in this desire (shout out here to Juan, Pilar, Parke, Jorge, Corrine and a host of others!). Pray for me that among all the other things I would like/need to do, learning Spanish would be a high priority.

Adios Amigos!