T.L. Gray's Blog, page 82
October 13, 2010
I Am A Writer
I pour a bit of my soul into every character, every line and every scene I write. What I pour into me -my thoughts, my experiences and my hopes - comes out of every pore including my mind. I am my best friend and my worst enemy, the greatest hero and most vilest villan. I am a writer!
October 3, 2010
A Tap Water Girl in a Bottled Water World – Book Review by T.L. Gray
Author: Dr. Shirley Garrett
Published: ©2002 – The Speaker Group
From Dippity Do Da to Tree Houses and Tomato Sandwiches, I was hooked. Though I've only recently met Shirley Garrett, her writing brought back so many of those forgotten childhood memories, but especially for me… that childhood fantasy of what I wanted in a family.
I didn't have the loving, caring family that Shirley had and portrayed in this book, but it was exactly the family I dreamed about having, the one I'd lay out in the grass, stare up into the clouds and fantasized about , and while I read this lovely memoir… I got to visit those fantasies once more.
Growing up all over the Deep South, from Georgia to Texas, Shirley reminded me of many of my favorite things like tomato sandwiches, youthful energy, tree houses, bicycles, empty lots and cereal box prizes. Shirley's recount of saving Blue Horse coupons to get a bicycle brought back memories of my own quest. I once saved Coke caps and sent them in to get a 'director's chair'. The joy of collecting, saving, counting, sending it in and waiting on the prize to arrive in the mail brought a smile to my face.
While reading A Tap Water Girl in a Bottled Water World, I didn't get to just know the heart of Dr. Shirley Garrett… I got reminded of my own heart. Though not an orphan, but having an orphan complex, Shirley's thoughts on being separated from her brothers and adopted touched me deeply. I felt I could relate.
I think this book has something for everyone, both young and old. I loved the style in which it was written, each chapter being able to stand alone, yet had a single heart-thread sewn throughout the whole piece. It's touched me so much, and given me so many ideas for the memoir I'm currently working on; she'll perhaps never know how much it's affected me.
I wouldn't recommend reading this book in one sitting. I'd advise that you take it one chapter at a time. Let each one soak into your spirit and touch your heart the way it's touched mine.
Till next time,
~T.L. Gray
Published: ©2002 – The Speaker Group
From Dippity Do Da to Tree Houses and Tomato Sandwiches, I was hooked. Though I've only recently met Shirley Garrett, her writing brought back so many of those forgotten childhood memories, but especially for me… that childhood fantasy of what I wanted in a family.
I didn't have the loving, caring family that Shirley had and portrayed in this book, but it was exactly the family I dreamed about having, the one I'd lay out in the grass, stare up into the clouds and fantasized about , and while I read this lovely memoir… I got to visit those fantasies once more.
Growing up all over the Deep South, from Georgia to Texas, Shirley reminded me of many of my favorite things like tomato sandwiches, youthful energy, tree houses, bicycles, empty lots and cereal box prizes. Shirley's recount of saving Blue Horse coupons to get a bicycle brought back memories of my own quest. I once saved Coke caps and sent them in to get a 'director's chair'. The joy of collecting, saving, counting, sending it in and waiting on the prize to arrive in the mail brought a smile to my face.
While reading A Tap Water Girl in a Bottled Water World, I didn't get to just know the heart of Dr. Shirley Garrett… I got reminded of my own heart. Though not an orphan, but having an orphan complex, Shirley's thoughts on being separated from her brothers and adopted touched me deeply. I felt I could relate.
I think this book has something for everyone, both young and old. I loved the style in which it was written, each chapter being able to stand alone, yet had a single heart-thread sewn throughout the whole piece. It's touched me so much, and given me so many ideas for the memoir I'm currently working on; she'll perhaps never know how much it's affected me.
I wouldn't recommend reading this book in one sitting. I'd advise that you take it one chapter at a time. Let each one soak into your spirit and touch your heart the way it's touched mine.
Till next time,
~T.L. Gray
20 Year Annivesary/Pastor's Appreciation
Pastor Dan & Carla Patrick - How You Have Impacted Our Lives
Coming from the mess that was our lives, you accepted our mixed-up family into your family with no questions and no expectations. Being wary because of our past experience of being hurt and disappointed by our previous pastor, we watched you both with caution and curiosity in order to check your character. What we found were two of the most humble and honest people we knew, or even know today. It wasn't a simple thing turning over the leadership and spiritual welfare of our lives to someone else, at least it wasn't something Rick and I considered simple, but one of the greatest decisions we ever made.
Before even coming to the Lord on November 9, 1995, Rick and I were very faithful people; faithful to our family, faithful to each other, but most of all -faithful to our own hearts. Once we met Jesus, it was only natural to turn that faithfulness toward Him. But, as babes in the understanding of God… we needed to find shepherds that were also 'faithful'. Honesty and faithfulness are very important to us, probably what we esteem as the two most important traits a person should have. It's what binds us together in our marriage, and we consider our walk with God like a marriage. Honesty and faithfulness is what keeps our spiritual marriage strong. So, it only makes sense that our shepherds would also possess those very same traits.
From Ricky:
When we got saved in 1995, we learned a lot of religious do's and don'ts. It was more about 'what' I did, and not 'why' I did things. So, in the spirit of faithfulness, Tonya and I changed our lives and in the mindset of not wanting to offend or disappoint God, we religiously cut out everything in our lives that we were told were offensive - such as allowing our children to trick-or-treat at Halloween, not allow them to believe in Santa Claus or not allow them to participate in the Easter tradition of hunting colored and candied eggs because we could not in good faith advocate the Easter Bunny. So, instead of offending God, we offended our families and children by being 'above' such idolatrous activities. But, one day I heard a message titled, "It's not about religion, it's about relationship," and a new seed of revelation was sown into my heart. It still took several more years after that revelation, but I learned that my walk with God wasn't so much 'what' I did, but the intent and heart behind my decisions. God wanted my heart, not my blind obedience to worldly religious dogma. When I concentrated on Him, I really didn't have to think about what to do or not do, because as I changed on the inside… my actions changed on their own. Some of the happiest times in my life as a child included trick-or-treating, hunting Easter eggs and sitting on Santa's lap. I took those things away from children, and it caused bitterness toward the things of God in their hearts. But I can't wait to share these things with my grandchildren, because I'll teach them 'it's not about religion, it's about relationship."
From Tonya:
One of the first statements of revelation I heard preached from the pulpit was, "Condemnation of new information, without consideration, is ignorance and arrogance of the highest order." This revelation hit my spirit like a ton of bricks and breathed life into my spiritual being. I posted this saying on the door of my office, I thought about it every day. It became a part of my being. To this day I don't automatically condemn what I hear – I consider its meaning, its intention, its motif, its history and its definition. When I see 'religious' condemnation made by other believers of a name, a person, an opinion, an event, a decision, a book, a title, or an appearance, I cringe. I can hear this saying pop into the forefront of my mind. I've written several books now whose titles alone would cause controversy only as a victim of this mindset and way of thinking. However, with considered contemplation, they'll find a true treasure.
From Johnathan:
Deeper Life is the only church I really remember, and Pastor Dan and Carla are the only pastors I really know. I love you like grandparents. Since my mom didn't really have any parents, you both stepped into that place for her, and become like the parents she needed, and I got another set of grandparents.
The teaching that really stands out and means a lot to me is: Kid's can't live off their parents' relationship, they have to develop one of their own. I know my mom and dad have a good relationship with God. I also know you, Pastor Dan and Pastor Carla, have a good relationship with God. Even though you pray for me, along with my grandma Virginia, I know that I have to develop my own relationship with God. I am blessed because of your faithfulness to my mom and dad, and their faithfulness to me. But, the way I see it, if serving God makes me like them and like the two of you, then I can't go wrong serving Him.
Oh, and one more thing that really means a lot to me, is that you both believed in me and my playing the drums. You let me as teenager, when no other teenagers did the same, play in the adult praise team. Even though I had to start on the congas, you still let me play. Believing in me helped me believe in myself.
From Kelly:
I like the way Pastor Dan preaches, he's funny and he's got some really funny sayings like: I might be a nut, but I'm screwed on the right bolt. Pastor Carla's a mush-ball. She thinks just because she calls us "Baby Darling" she can get all in our business and give us a tongue-lashing. I love that you're both real. You don't look like 'preachers', you look like people. I probably would never talk to preachers.
I'm sure if Meagan was here she'd tell you what you meant to her, and with her vocabulary and whit with words, I'm sure it would have been profound. We may not ever know what she thinks about in the middle of the night, on a rainy day, on a cold winter afternoon. But, we can only imagine it contains many of the words of life and wisdom that flowed through the both of you over the many years she sat under your teaching. Even if we never hear it acknowledged on this side of eternity, she was loved and that love is much appreciated.
We appreciate and love you both. Thank you for the 20 great years of service you have given to this church and to our family. May God bless you and keep you in the palm of His hands.
The Gray Family
Coming from the mess that was our lives, you accepted our mixed-up family into your family with no questions and no expectations. Being wary because of our past experience of being hurt and disappointed by our previous pastor, we watched you both with caution and curiosity in order to check your character. What we found were two of the most humble and honest people we knew, or even know today. It wasn't a simple thing turning over the leadership and spiritual welfare of our lives to someone else, at least it wasn't something Rick and I considered simple, but one of the greatest decisions we ever made.
Before even coming to the Lord on November 9, 1995, Rick and I were very faithful people; faithful to our family, faithful to each other, but most of all -faithful to our own hearts. Once we met Jesus, it was only natural to turn that faithfulness toward Him. But, as babes in the understanding of God… we needed to find shepherds that were also 'faithful'. Honesty and faithfulness are very important to us, probably what we esteem as the two most important traits a person should have. It's what binds us together in our marriage, and we consider our walk with God like a marriage. Honesty and faithfulness is what keeps our spiritual marriage strong. So, it only makes sense that our shepherds would also possess those very same traits.
From Ricky:
When we got saved in 1995, we learned a lot of religious do's and don'ts. It was more about 'what' I did, and not 'why' I did things. So, in the spirit of faithfulness, Tonya and I changed our lives and in the mindset of not wanting to offend or disappoint God, we religiously cut out everything in our lives that we were told were offensive - such as allowing our children to trick-or-treat at Halloween, not allow them to believe in Santa Claus or not allow them to participate in the Easter tradition of hunting colored and candied eggs because we could not in good faith advocate the Easter Bunny. So, instead of offending God, we offended our families and children by being 'above' such idolatrous activities. But, one day I heard a message titled, "It's not about religion, it's about relationship," and a new seed of revelation was sown into my heart. It still took several more years after that revelation, but I learned that my walk with God wasn't so much 'what' I did, but the intent and heart behind my decisions. God wanted my heart, not my blind obedience to worldly religious dogma. When I concentrated on Him, I really didn't have to think about what to do or not do, because as I changed on the inside… my actions changed on their own. Some of the happiest times in my life as a child included trick-or-treating, hunting Easter eggs and sitting on Santa's lap. I took those things away from children, and it caused bitterness toward the things of God in their hearts. But I can't wait to share these things with my grandchildren, because I'll teach them 'it's not about religion, it's about relationship."
From Tonya:
One of the first statements of revelation I heard preached from the pulpit was, "Condemnation of new information, without consideration, is ignorance and arrogance of the highest order." This revelation hit my spirit like a ton of bricks and breathed life into my spiritual being. I posted this saying on the door of my office, I thought about it every day. It became a part of my being. To this day I don't automatically condemn what I hear – I consider its meaning, its intention, its motif, its history and its definition. When I see 'religious' condemnation made by other believers of a name, a person, an opinion, an event, a decision, a book, a title, or an appearance, I cringe. I can hear this saying pop into the forefront of my mind. I've written several books now whose titles alone would cause controversy only as a victim of this mindset and way of thinking. However, with considered contemplation, they'll find a true treasure.
From Johnathan:
Deeper Life is the only church I really remember, and Pastor Dan and Carla are the only pastors I really know. I love you like grandparents. Since my mom didn't really have any parents, you both stepped into that place for her, and become like the parents she needed, and I got another set of grandparents.
The teaching that really stands out and means a lot to me is: Kid's can't live off their parents' relationship, they have to develop one of their own. I know my mom and dad have a good relationship with God. I also know you, Pastor Dan and Pastor Carla, have a good relationship with God. Even though you pray for me, along with my grandma Virginia, I know that I have to develop my own relationship with God. I am blessed because of your faithfulness to my mom and dad, and their faithfulness to me. But, the way I see it, if serving God makes me like them and like the two of you, then I can't go wrong serving Him.
Oh, and one more thing that really means a lot to me, is that you both believed in me and my playing the drums. You let me as teenager, when no other teenagers did the same, play in the adult praise team. Even though I had to start on the congas, you still let me play. Believing in me helped me believe in myself.
From Kelly:
I like the way Pastor Dan preaches, he's funny and he's got some really funny sayings like: I might be a nut, but I'm screwed on the right bolt. Pastor Carla's a mush-ball. She thinks just because she calls us "Baby Darling" she can get all in our business and give us a tongue-lashing. I love that you're both real. You don't look like 'preachers', you look like people. I probably would never talk to preachers.
I'm sure if Meagan was here she'd tell you what you meant to her, and with her vocabulary and whit with words, I'm sure it would have been profound. We may not ever know what she thinks about in the middle of the night, on a rainy day, on a cold winter afternoon. But, we can only imagine it contains many of the words of life and wisdom that flowed through the both of you over the many years she sat under your teaching. Even if we never hear it acknowledged on this side of eternity, she was loved and that love is much appreciated.
We appreciate and love you both. Thank you for the 20 great years of service you have given to this church and to our family. May God bless you and keep you in the palm of His hands.
The Gray Family
