stephen wayne hammond

2008- a look back

As we get ready to tackle the new year that is called 2009, I wanted to step back into time and remember some great things that happened for me and my family in 2008.

• January our family met some new friends that would change how we view suffering, friendship and hope.  Although our lives aren't connected physically any longer we are eternally grateful for the journey with them through the year.
• In February Lanette and I celebrated 10 years of marriage!  Our church was very cool and took up some funds to help us get to Cancun (a dream of ours since we were married). We love one another and look forward to the next 10 years. 
• Mosaic continued to grow up in some really cool ways.  We lost a few close friends during the year but God provided our church with the greatest 'increase' we had seen in our 3 short years. Our attendance in small groups doubled and our Gathering attendance hit an all time high.  Add to that the fact that we commissioned another elder, drilled 3 wells in El Salvador, committed to partnering with an orphanage in Mexico, came alongside the Arlington Life Shelter to help take practical steps to eliminate homelessness in Arlington and gave away a bunch of our money to help the needs of the poor and it was by far our greatest year ever as a community. 
• We had our first emergency room visit when our dog bit our youngest son Bryson and it required 14 stitches to repair him.  Needless to say we lost a dog as well.  We still miss Cali but it was the best for us.  And Bryson now has a 'war scar' to go along with his warrior's heart and spirit.
• I got to go to El Salvador to help dig a well with a team from Mosaic.  Very cool.  
• I coached Harrison in 2 seasons of baseball.  He's a little stud.  Made the All-Star team (again) and represented Arlington in a local tournament.  I love hanging with that dude! Despite him being a great athlete, he is an even better leader to his peers.  (Plus he loves to swing business deals in the Butler cafe during lunch by selling items he gets at Target to his friends for an upcharge of 50%.  Hope he is tithing!)
• Madison continues to bless us with her ability to create.  She is the artistic one.  She dances and colors in ways that amaze us.  
• Bryson is the athlete.  The tough kid.  Nothing fazes him.  Just yesterday he came bragging that he is going to have to get fillings.  "Bring it on" is his attitude.  
• Square One, our church planting arm, had it's ups and downs.  We lost some major donor support (so if you want to fund new church starts let's talk) but our planters are doing a heck of job changing cities.  It's fun to coach these guys to great things in the future. 
• I am learning how to lead better.  Starting with learning how to say "No, I can't do that" to "You are wrong and here is why."  I need to learn more about humility and grace no doubt, but for the most part if you are in my life I hope to continue to be a better leader for you in the future. 
• Holidays are always great.  This year we were blessed in so many ways.  We finally paid off ALL our debt!  We were able to lease a new vehicle for myself.  We grabbed another large dog (welcome our golden retriever, Lady, to the world) for the kids.  Upgraded our home computer (Lanette got a Mac desktop for Christmas) and to top it off found a brand spankin' new Wii on our doorstep on Christmas Eve. Someone from Mosaic (we think) dropped it off as a blessing for all our family does for others.  WOW!   

That's a snapshot of our year.  God was good through it all.  We are a blessed family, doing everything we can to be a blessing to others.  

The best is yet to come! 

Beginning of a New Year

First let me begin by apologizing for not keeping up this blog more than I have over the past 2 months.

I have found TWITTER and I am trying to determine what's the best resource for me to use as I try to network with others as well as help encourage others in faith, love and hope.  My screen name at Twitter is PHENHAMM so feel free to follow if you desire.

It's hard to believe 2008 is over and 2009 is well underway.

I love this time of year because there seem something magical about doing things 'right' this year, but to be honest each seems that whatever struggles I faced last year usually seem to show their ugly face in the new year.  I think that's because old habits could care less what the calendar says.  If there is an area of my life that is out of whack do you think that part of me cares if it's November 13th, April 8th or January 1st of a new year?  Didn't think so.

No, it's your own commitment to doing whatever it takes to get yourself to the place where your dreams can come true.  Whether it's the first day of a New Year or the middle of the summer.  

If you want to see changes in your life this year, it won't come easy.  But if you make yourself accountable to some friends, write down some desires (and how those desires are going to be met) and commit to making great choices every day you will find success.

Have a great 2009, and remember this can be the greatest year of your life.  It's all up to you!

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).

Not 1, but 2!

This past week Mosaic sent a team of 7 people to El Salvador to help dig a water well for those in poverty who have been drinking muddy water all their lives.

I just got word that our team not only succeeded at drilling the first well, but they had time to drill a second well also!  

I sit today in awe of a God who cares about people drinking dirty water.  I sit in awe today that this God would allow me a chance to help serve and lead such a great community like Mosaic of Arlington to help others see the value of giving up their vacation time and their hard earned money to go and do something as noble as drill water wells.  I sit in awe today of what the human mind, spirit and body can do if we simply try.  I sit in awe today of such a good grace and good gift.

Today celebrate with me that hundreds of children and their parents will drink clean water for possibly the first time in their lives.  Celebrate the fact that we all can probably do more than we think, if we simply allow God to use us.

(Here is Brandy and Denise celebrating as the team hits water, the first time!)

Things that make you go "Huh?"

I just read this and began to ask myself so many questions it's not even funny.

Any thoughts?

Catching Up

Sorry for the lack of post recently.  There is plenty to share but carving out the time to share it is another story.  Here is a very brief rundown on some of the things happening in our lives right now. 

Enjoy!

• Arlington High Colts continue to roll!  Our team has won 4 games in a row and we are picking up steam.  It's been a great season so far.  Our coaches do a great job preparing the boys, the kids are really coming together as a team and our chapel times have been awesome.  We are seeing about 85% of the kids come to this voluntary chapel where we are discussing truths from the scriptures on a high school level student-athletes can understand.  But probably the greatest experience for me is being able to watch my son, Harrison, work as a ball boy for the Colts.  I love being involved in his life as he grows up.  (And the after game Sonic meal, win or lose, is a big hit for us too!)
• New faces everywhere I seem to turn!  Our Sunday morning Gathering at CATS is continuing to have more new friends come and experience the worship of Jesus with us.  It's exciting to meet new people every week and to hear their stories on life.  Our Connection team at Mosaic continues to 'deliver the goods' when it comes to welcoming these new friends and making sure they feel at home. Great job Eric in leading the way with this team.
• Angels lose, again.  No not the MLB Angels (although that is happening a lot as well) but our North Arlington Little League Angels.  Harrison is playing on a 'younger' team this fall and our record is a bleak 1-4 but we are having a blast none the less.  Not that I am keeping stats on my son or anything but he is 15-17 with 11 RBI, 6 Runs Scored, 2 Triples, 3 Doubles and 2 Home Runs.  :-)   But what I am most excited about is how he doesn't know any of that and just plays the game for fun, with his friends.  "Have Fun, Play Hard and Yell Loud" is our team motto on what it takes to 'Win' so maybe we are winning more than I think. 
• Have you tried reading 3 books at a time?  It's pretty exciting, albeit confusing, stuff. 
• If I haven't said it recently, I love my family!  Lanette continues to do a great job making our house a home (big cliche I know, but it's true).  Our kids love each other and for the most part they obey their parents.  Our pets are even having good attitudes lately (Superman the hamster and BlackJack the poodle).  Life is good....real good...at the Hammond home!  

Hope you have a great start to your new week.  Remember that what comes at you that may be difficult this week can usually be overcome by having a good attitude or a great set of tools.  :-) 

Peace,

Stephen

Friday Night Lights in Texas

If you are in the Arlington area and want to see a great high school football game show up tomorrow night, Friday September 26th, at 7pm at Cravens field in North Arlington as the Lamar Vikings host the Arlington Colts.

Scott Peach (head coach of AHS) will go up against his father, Eddie Peach (head coach of LHS), in the annual PEACH BOWL.  This is the first game of our district schedule and should be a great one.

And if you come, look for my son Harrison on the AHS sidelines.  He is a ball boy for the Colts!

Today I am Thankful

*for the fact that God moved first, then I responded

*for a wife that loves me despite my crap and for her becoming less stressed in the near future

*for a son who says he loves me at least 5 to 6 times a day

*for a daughter who just learned how to plie (plee-ay) and areobesce (arrow-besk)...french words that mean she is becoming a better dancer!

*for my youngest son who is learning how to throw a football....very hard!

*for Mondays (my sabbath day of rest and family)

*for the physical ability to mow the yard with a lawn mower that works

*for my EKG coming back normal and for a friend who was willing to do this for me as a gift (I guess he was concerned about my heart due to my stress lately)

*for a friend who just moved into a new home in Dallas

*for another friend who has done more than expected to get our friend to that new home

*for a new pastor, and a friend of mine for the past 7 years, to come to Parkview Fellowship (a church down the street whom I have grown to love)

*for a men's group where guys show up, want to be changed and leave different

*for an exciting Presidential election

*for The Office (American Version)

*for the opportunity to 'work' in a 'job' I love 

*for the internet

*for leaders I trust

*for the City of Arlington and the men and women who lead us

*for a great Monday Night Football game (hope Cowboys can pull this one off)

*for the future (we can make this pretty exciting if we all want)

No matter how I feel, I am blessed man.  

I need to be thankful more, actually thankful always.  

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) 

This thing just got really interesting

McCain just announced his Vice Presidential candidate and I think the entire country said "Who?"

But doing a little research it looks like the war hero knows what he is doing.  

This race for President of the US just took a great turn in my mind.  

No matter who you love or what party you support I hope you take the time to 1) learn about the candidates and how their lives and policies will affect our culture and 2) pray for them and their families as they move into the future.  It's going to be a daunting task for both the Obama and McCain camps over the next 2 months.  Then the winner of this 'fight' gets to really work as the next President of our country.

Godspeed to both these camps as they continue to lead us into the future in the areas of politics.