I was happy to be within driving distance of home after weekend ministry in Gentry, Arkansas. Getting home was even better when Pam informed me that Monday would include dinner and the BCS Championship with her parents and our son’s family. Little did I know how special it would be to be home on this Monday night.

Sunset brought about a series of tornadoes. By 4 o’clock the next morning, there were six waves of multiple tornadoes. Nine of us remained in our home with several gatherings in the stairwell closet throughout the night. What proved to be a night of adventure, memories, and even a few laughs for our family was actually a nightmare for some very dear friends of Light for the Lost.

One of those many tornadoes struck the home of Southern Missouri LFTL Coordinator Don Jacques, as well as the home of his mother-in-law who lived next door. I am pleased to report that Don and Jan survived safely. However, Rachael Lawson, Jan’s mother, lost her life due to sustained injuries. This loss is especially significant in that Sister Lawson was the widow of Hollis Lawson, one of the seven men who organized LFTL under the direction of Sam Cochran.

Scripturally, this dear saint did not lose her life, she gained it! Even in the joy of this knowledge, please pray for Don, Jan and their family as they heal from their memories of this January storm.

These next two weeks are the most incredible time of the year. It is the opportunity to practice what we preach throughout the rest of the year. In Men’s Ministries, we devote much of our pulpit time to challenging men to provide more for their family than a roof over the head, clothes in the closet, a car in the driveway and food in the cupboard.

In my three decades of youth ministry, we expressed it this way, “Children spell love t-i-m-e.”  I must confess that I have often felt that I do a better job of preaching this truth than living it. As much as I love football (I am a college football maniac), the festivities of Christmas (the most wonderful time of the year) and the food, I am determined to not miss the best of Christmas.

I will spend the personal time with my Lord, the dating time with my wife and the fun time with my children and grandchildren. With the years remaining, I plan to improve the practical part of spelling love t-i-m-e. And not just at Christmas. In the words of old Ebenezer Scrooge, “I will keep the spirit of Christmas throughout the year”.

Anyone who knows me will not believe this is happening. Tom Greene with a blog. Here I am, one of the most technologically challenged men in America, committing himself to the world of bloggers. As I have stated many times, I’m still trying to figure out how e-mail saves me time.

I suppose I should place the blame on my team. James Pauls and Darian Amsler are always attempting to drag me into the 21st century. This just may do it. But as I blame these guys, I must also thank them. James has been a faithful right hand for five years and a very special friend even longer. And Darian, thank you for the idea, the design, and the management of this project. Your gifts are a gift to me.

I must admit that my biggest resistance to this was not the fear of technology or the time involved, but the appearance that I would even suspect anyone would be interested in my personal life, family and ministry. But the guys convinced me that my travels, experiences and thoughts just might encourage or better equip others in their life and ministry.

So here it is, welcome to my blog…and my world.