I'm interested in hearing what you think...post your answers to the comments for the following questions: all, some or none...well, I hope you'll answer some!
1. Do you have a large number of close friends or do you prefer to keep your circle of close friends to a small amount? Why?
2. Do you go to a traditional church or to a contemporary church?
3. Is church for the believer or those who don't believe yet?
4. Are you too busy? Do you have time for relationships?
Feel free to email your response to tuckerspeaks@gmail.com
Thanks!
Written by,
JAMES AVERY TUCKER at Sometimes Hallelujah
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
In the Hallways
My name is James. I'm a pretty normal guy. I'm 5' 10," ten years ago...on a good day I was 5' 11." Ten years ago...on any day, I was thirty pounds lighter. I usually wear jeans and a T-Shirt...at least when I have a choice. I drive a fuel efficient vehicle, but I would rather drive a truck. Lately, I don't get enough sleep. Lately, I eat better, but still way too much. I live an average life. I hang on. I have dreams and I make small steps to achieve them, but the reality is...at 42...I'm a desperate man...fighting for life. I am fighting a war, in a battle for my soul...in a fight for my life.
Years ago, I would have lost this war, but with Truth I'm beginning to see the battle in ways I have never known. Today, I see the way my enemy entangles me. He fights to keep me out of the hallways of life. The places that lead to my life touching others. The place where conversations are fun and friendly...where photos hang to remind me of those that love and pray for me! He doesn't want me in the hallways. He wants me hidden. He wants afraid and alone. He wants me in the attic...remembering the past...going through the things of the man I used to be...playing in the clothes of a younger man. He wants me confused and lonely. He wants me isolated so I'll never know the truth about the lies that have formed deep within me, deep in my bones. I've built so much life around them that they feel part of me. But my God...is a God that can raise bones from the dead. He can take what was dead and create life! He can restore a heart positioned to receive Him.
Today, I fight this war a wiser man, scarred by a lifetime of war. To some, I will never win this battle. They believe I should surrender, but I chose to be an uncommon man. I chose to stay in this fight until this battle is over and I can walk in the truth that God has promised me.
I'm a desperate man. Who often runs...weakened by the fight. Sometimes I find myself in my enemies camp...among my enemies. Sometimes I feel their call in the loneliness of battle. Sometimes I ask why...why do I fight...when it seems like I will always be in the presence of war. The truth is that sometimes I want to give up, surrender and run to things I've known along this journey. But my God, He has ransomed me...my God has saved me, my God is changing me!
He reminds me of the person he created. He brings the truth to me and it redefines the battle...it redefines my life! I'm a desperate man! I'm 5'10." My name is James.
Written by,
JAMES AVERY TUCKER at Sometimes Hallelujah!
DESPERATE MAN
I know I just display my foolish pride
When I try to be an island to myself
You must be tired of all the stuff that I still hide
Because I just can’t seem to trust anyone else
It’s a lonely way to live
Such a lonely way to live
I’m a desperate man
I’m in desperate need
Of your saving hand
To come and rescue me
You’ve been more than patient all this time
If it were me I would have given up long ago
The first time that you pulled me from the mire
And I brushed you off to dig another hole
It’s a sad way to live
Such a sad, sad way to live
I’m a desperate man
I’m in desperate need
Of your saving hand
To come and rescue me
I used to be the strong one
The self-sufficient fool
I thought I needed no one
But the plain and simple truth
Is I’m a desperate man
I’m a desperate man
I’m in desperate need
Of your saving hand
To come and rescue me
Written and Sung by Andy Gullahorn
Years ago, I would have lost this war, but with Truth I'm beginning to see the battle in ways I have never known. Today, I see the way my enemy entangles me. He fights to keep me out of the hallways of life. The places that lead to my life touching others. The place where conversations are fun and friendly...where photos hang to remind me of those that love and pray for me! He doesn't want me in the hallways. He wants me hidden. He wants afraid and alone. He wants me in the attic...remembering the past...going through the things of the man I used to be...playing in the clothes of a younger man. He wants me confused and lonely. He wants me isolated so I'll never know the truth about the lies that have formed deep within me, deep in my bones. I've built so much life around them that they feel part of me. But my God...is a God that can raise bones from the dead. He can take what was dead and create life! He can restore a heart positioned to receive Him.
Today, I fight this war a wiser man, scarred by a lifetime of war. To some, I will never win this battle. They believe I should surrender, but I chose to be an uncommon man. I chose to stay in this fight until this battle is over and I can walk in the truth that God has promised me.
I'm a desperate man. Who often runs...weakened by the fight. Sometimes I find myself in my enemies camp...among my enemies. Sometimes I feel their call in the loneliness of battle. Sometimes I ask why...why do I fight...when it seems like I will always be in the presence of war. The truth is that sometimes I want to give up, surrender and run to things I've known along this journey. But my God, He has ransomed me...my God has saved me, my God is changing me!
He reminds me of the person he created. He brings the truth to me and it redefines the battle...it redefines my life! I'm a desperate man! I'm 5'10." My name is James.
Written by,
JAMES AVERY TUCKER at Sometimes Hallelujah!
DESPERATE MAN
I know I just display my foolish pride
When I try to be an island to myself
You must be tired of all the stuff that I still hide
Because I just can’t seem to trust anyone else
It’s a lonely way to live
Such a lonely way to live
I’m a desperate man
I’m in desperate need
Of your saving hand
To come and rescue me
You’ve been more than patient all this time
If it were me I would have given up long ago
The first time that you pulled me from the mire
And I brushed you off to dig another hole
It’s a sad way to live
Such a sad, sad way to live
I’m a desperate man
I’m in desperate need
Of your saving hand
To come and rescue me
I used to be the strong one
The self-sufficient fool
I thought I needed no one
But the plain and simple truth
Is I’m a desperate man
I’m a desperate man
I’m in desperate need
Of your saving hand
To come and rescue me
Written and Sung by Andy Gullahorn
Friday, April 16, 2010
Uncommon with Road Side Wrestling Matches
Are You Motivated? I’m not naturally motivated. I’m a dreamer, but rarely get beyond the wishing. I want to lose weight, but don’t really know how to get motivated to the point of having substantial weight lost (I‘ve recently lost 20 pounds, but I‘ve been here before.) I have a guitar, but don’t know how to play it. (I still have 8 months…this is the year!) I’ve always thought I would be a songwriter…I’ve even penned a few lyrics, but have never taken anything beyond the page. I’m not naturally motivated.
When I need motivation, I usually find a song that helps me be BRAVE (a song from Nicole Nordeman.) My son inspires me to be a better man…my faith inspires me…,both motivate me to live better. Words inspire me…motivate me. I love going to the movies and have often been inspired by actors who bring life to someone’s words. Do you know this scene?
Coach: You think you can win on talent alone-Gentlemen you don’t have enough talent to win on talent alone. Again. (The team is running suicide drills.)
Coach: You think you can come in here and play the Norwegian National Team and tie them then go to the Olympics and win…you got another thing coming. (Whistle) (Team skates another drill.)
Coach: You better think about something else, each and everyone of you. When you put on that jersey you represent yourself and your teammates. And the name on the front is a hell of a lot more important than the one on the back. Get that through your head! Again. (Team skates another drill.)
Coach: Win, lose, or tie you’re gonna play like champions! Again.
(Team skates another drill.)
Coach: All the way to the line and back-it’s not that difficult. Again.
(Team skates another drill.)
Doc comes out… Doc: The Ring Manager wants to clean the ice and go home.
Coach: Tell him to leave me the keys…I’ll lock up. Again. (Nothing happens.) Again! (Team skates another drill.)
Coach: You keep playing this way and you won’t beat anyone that’s good, let alone great. You wanna make this team then you better start playing at a level that’s gonna force me to keep you here. Again. (Team skates another drill.)
The lights go out and the players begin to skate off the ring…
Coach: Where you going? Back on the line. Again. Send them. (Whistle)
(Team skates another drill.) Again. (Whistle) (Team skates another drill.) Again. (Team skates another drill.)
Coach: Alright…whose gonna be the first to go home? Send them. (Nothing happens.) Send them. (Whistle) (Team skates another drill.) Again. (Whistle)
(Team skates another drill.)
Coach: THIS CANNOT BE A TEAM OF COMMON MEN, CAUSE COMMON MEN GO NOWHERE. YOU HAVE TO BE UNCOMMON. Again. (Team skates another drill.)
Coach: Everyone on the line. Get on the line. Again. Again! (Nothing happens) Come on, blow the whistle. Again.
Michael Eruzione: Michael Eruzione , Wheatfield Massachusetts.
Coach: Who do you play for?
Michael Eruzione: I play for the United States of America.
Coach: That’s all gentlemen.
I'm not naturally motivated! I don’t want to be common…I want to be uncommon. I want to be uncommon!
I don’t want to just go to work. I want to love what I do. Even if I don’t love what I do, being uncommon would mean to still work as if I love what I do. I’m a serious guy. Those of you who know me…I know it’s hard to believe, but I am. (Poor attempt at humor…they know I’m serious.) One night I was driving with my son and we were having a serious talk about school and how important it is to do well. How we have to have excellence and integrity. I asked him if his grades reflected excellence and integrity…he hung his head and said no.
I continued…how did you have integrity if your grades don’t reflect excellence? He almost started to cry…we had been talking about his grades for 15-20 minutes. Friends-he’s 11. He had gotten what he was going to get in the first few minutes, but I wanted this to be a defining moment…I wanted him to be inspired…to be motivated…to realize the bigger picture…to realize the name on the front of the shirt is more important than the one on the back.
John Ortberg writes in his book “The Life You’ve Always Wanted:” I want to create moments of magic, I want them (his children) to remember laughing until the tears flow, I want to read to them and make the books come alive so they love to read, I want to have slow sweet talks with them as they’re getting ready to close their eyes, I want to sing them awake in the morning. I want to chase fireflies with them, teach them to play tennis, have food fights, and hold them and pray for them in a way that makes them feel cherished.” These are things he wants to do with his children.
I want the same for my son, but how it really goes is very different. So, I realize after talking to my son for 15-20 minutes…okay…probably thirty…oh gosh I hope it wasn’t more than 30 minutes…I see he’s defeated. So I stop. I physically stop the car on the side of the highway. I told him that if he didn’t smile…I would stop the car…and make him smile. Now-remember…I’m a serious guy…so he didn’t know what was going to happen. We started to wrestle…then we took it to the side of the road…simple and safe, but brief. It worked-he smiled. Now we have side road wrestling matches. I want to be uncommon! His grades and conduct continue to improve…they’re getting back to the As and Bs we’ve always known. I want to be uncommon.
This is only one area of my life, I want to be uncommon, but not only as a father. I want to be an uncommon man. I want to learn to love-when I want to hate. I want to help others-instead of getting that new vehicle. I want to die, so that I can truly live. Hmmm, wouldn’t it be great to be uncommon! How can you…be uncommon? What could you do…in your world…to be uncommon?
I hope it starts with road side wrestling matches…or driving to Dallas to be with a Friend on their birthday…or taking a new friend a special drink in hopes of her knowing it matters, she matters! Let’s be uncommon. Let’s be the change we want to see. Mahatma Gandhi says “We must become the change we want to see.” Will we change? Will you change? Will you be uncommon?
Written by,
JAMES AVERY TUCKER at Sometimes Hallelujah
Inspired by life and the movie “Miracle,” an old favorite!
Miracle is a 2004 American biographical sports film about the United States men's hockey team, led by head coach Herb Brooks, that won the gold medal in the 1980 Winter Olympics. The USA team's victory over the heavily favored Soviet team in the medal round was dubbed the Miracle on Ice. Miracle was directed by Gavin O'Connor and written by Eric Guggenheim.
When I need motivation, I usually find a song that helps me be BRAVE (a song from Nicole Nordeman.) My son inspires me to be a better man…my faith inspires me…,both motivate me to live better. Words inspire me…motivate me. I love going to the movies and have often been inspired by actors who bring life to someone’s words. Do you know this scene?
Coach: You think you can win on talent alone-Gentlemen you don’t have enough talent to win on talent alone. Again. (The team is running suicide drills.)
Coach: You think you can come in here and play the Norwegian National Team and tie them then go to the Olympics and win…you got another thing coming. (Whistle) (Team skates another drill.)
Coach: You better think about something else, each and everyone of you. When you put on that jersey you represent yourself and your teammates. And the name on the front is a hell of a lot more important than the one on the back. Get that through your head! Again. (Team skates another drill.)
Coach: Win, lose, or tie you’re gonna play like champions! Again.
(Team skates another drill.)
Coach: All the way to the line and back-it’s not that difficult. Again.
(Team skates another drill.)
Doc comes out… Doc: The Ring Manager wants to clean the ice and go home.
Coach: Tell him to leave me the keys…I’ll lock up. Again. (Nothing happens.) Again! (Team skates another drill.)
Coach: You keep playing this way and you won’t beat anyone that’s good, let alone great. You wanna make this team then you better start playing at a level that’s gonna force me to keep you here. Again. (Team skates another drill.)
The lights go out and the players begin to skate off the ring…
Coach: Where you going? Back on the line. Again. Send them. (Whistle)
(Team skates another drill.) Again. (Whistle) (Team skates another drill.) Again. (Team skates another drill.)
Coach: Alright…whose gonna be the first to go home? Send them. (Nothing happens.) Send them. (Whistle) (Team skates another drill.) Again. (Whistle)
(Team skates another drill.)
Coach: THIS CANNOT BE A TEAM OF COMMON MEN, CAUSE COMMON MEN GO NOWHERE. YOU HAVE TO BE UNCOMMON. Again. (Team skates another drill.)
Coach: Everyone on the line. Get on the line. Again. Again! (Nothing happens) Come on, blow the whistle. Again.
Michael Eruzione: Michael Eruzione , Wheatfield Massachusetts.
Coach: Who do you play for?
Michael Eruzione: I play for the United States of America.
Coach: That’s all gentlemen.
I'm not naturally motivated! I don’t want to be common…I want to be uncommon. I want to be uncommon!
I don’t want to just go to work. I want to love what I do. Even if I don’t love what I do, being uncommon would mean to still work as if I love what I do. I’m a serious guy. Those of you who know me…I know it’s hard to believe, but I am. (Poor attempt at humor…they know I’m serious.) One night I was driving with my son and we were having a serious talk about school and how important it is to do well. How we have to have excellence and integrity. I asked him if his grades reflected excellence and integrity…he hung his head and said no.
I continued…how did you have integrity if your grades don’t reflect excellence? He almost started to cry…we had been talking about his grades for 15-20 minutes. Friends-he’s 11. He had gotten what he was going to get in the first few minutes, but I wanted this to be a defining moment…I wanted him to be inspired…to be motivated…to realize the bigger picture…to realize the name on the front of the shirt is more important than the one on the back.
John Ortberg writes in his book “The Life You’ve Always Wanted:” I want to create moments of magic, I want them (his children) to remember laughing until the tears flow, I want to read to them and make the books come alive so they love to read, I want to have slow sweet talks with them as they’re getting ready to close their eyes, I want to sing them awake in the morning. I want to chase fireflies with them, teach them to play tennis, have food fights, and hold them and pray for them in a way that makes them feel cherished.” These are things he wants to do with his children.
I want the same for my son, but how it really goes is very different. So, I realize after talking to my son for 15-20 minutes…okay…probably thirty…oh gosh I hope it wasn’t more than 30 minutes…I see he’s defeated. So I stop. I physically stop the car on the side of the highway. I told him that if he didn’t smile…I would stop the car…and make him smile. Now-remember…I’m a serious guy…so he didn’t know what was going to happen. We started to wrestle…then we took it to the side of the road…simple and safe, but brief. It worked-he smiled. Now we have side road wrestling matches. I want to be uncommon! His grades and conduct continue to improve…they’re getting back to the As and Bs we’ve always known. I want to be uncommon.
This is only one area of my life, I want to be uncommon, but not only as a father. I want to be an uncommon man. I want to learn to love-when I want to hate. I want to help others-instead of getting that new vehicle. I want to die, so that I can truly live. Hmmm, wouldn’t it be great to be uncommon! How can you…be uncommon? What could you do…in your world…to be uncommon?
I hope it starts with road side wrestling matches…or driving to Dallas to be with a Friend on their birthday…or taking a new friend a special drink in hopes of her knowing it matters, she matters! Let’s be uncommon. Let’s be the change we want to see. Mahatma Gandhi says “We must become the change we want to see.” Will we change? Will you change? Will you be uncommon?
Written by,
JAMES AVERY TUCKER at Sometimes Hallelujah
Inspired by life and the movie “Miracle,” an old favorite!
Miracle is a 2004 American biographical sports film about the United States men's hockey team, led by head coach Herb Brooks, that won the gold medal in the 1980 Winter Olympics. The USA team's victory over the heavily favored Soviet team in the medal round was dubbed the Miracle on Ice. Miracle was directed by Gavin O'Connor and written by Eric Guggenheim.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
A Song From My iPod
This is the cry of my soul!
I Am Nothing
I am nothing without You
Only a fly upon the wall
Listening in, hoping to find something about You
That will keep me from this fall
And sometimes I catch a glimpse
And my heart begins to beat
Day by day awaken me
You put the wind beneath my feet
I long for the water
That brings life to me
'cause I long for the truth, oh
That sets man free
I am nothing without You
Only the dirt beneath Your nails
My heart is bruised and it's broken
And my soul is very frail
Please give me a reason
I need to name this man
And no longer this broken treason
Only on You I will stand
I long for the water
That brings life to me
'cause I long for the truth, oh
That sets man free
Please mend these broken wings
And take the scales from my eyes
Without You I am nothing
I will not survive x2
I long for the water
That brings life to me
'cause I long for the truth, oh
That sets man free
lyrics by Shawn McDonald
I want more. I want more than just being a Dad, a speaker, or a writer. I want to be Hidden in HIM-YOU. I want to be so deep in relationship with Christ that who I am CHANGES! This song represents the cry of my soul, the ache in my bones, the desire to die so that I can truly live!
Am I really this scared man, who chooses this life instead of TRUSTING? I am…that’s who I am. I fumble in the darkness. I run from God. I don’t even trust when the safety net is securely in place. Surrender-raid my heart. I want treason. I want to no longer be loyal to the things I always choose: the life I trust. I want to be stripped of all my layers…I want to be seen and not hidden. Not in front of man, but in front of HIM-YOU GOD. God I want the rain. Holy rain. Your rain. “I long for the water that brings life to me. Cause I long for the truth, that sets man free!” I want freedom.
My cell looks different today, but I’m still jailed. Unable to completely trust Him. Okay-unable to really trust at all. Why God…why…I so desperately want to run in FIELDS OF TRUST with YOU. That isn’t true. I’m lying.
What I want is assurance that I’ll be okay. That I’ll be happy and satisfied. That my life will include what I love and have the AMERICAN DREAM neatly tucked inside for my enjoyment. I don’t trust you, because sometimes the life of JOB happens. Sometimes You allow the locusts to come…and I don’t want that. I don’t want public humiliation or financial ruin. I don’t want separation from my son or a training job. I want to speak and write…USE THE TALENT YOU GAVE ME, but will I ever trust YOU to do it? Will I ever trust the darkness again? Will I ever trust what I can’t see? Will I ever step from the safety of the lie…from what I know? Heart treason would be good.
I want to walk on the water…not the still calm waters, but the raging sea…I want to have the faith to get out of the boat and walk on the water…raging seas. When I’m scared…I want to know you have my back…you will protect me! I want to know it in a way that produces change. That changes me…that changes this crazy heart.
I AM NOTHING, ransom me...again and again and again.
Written by JAMES AVERY TUCKER
Sponsored by Sometimes Hallelujah...one of those days!
PS-His blood was/is enough...it's just been a long week!
I Am Nothing
I am nothing without You
Only a fly upon the wall
Listening in, hoping to find something about You
That will keep me from this fall
And sometimes I catch a glimpse
And my heart begins to beat
Day by day awaken me
You put the wind beneath my feet
I long for the water
That brings life to me
'cause I long for the truth, oh
That sets man free
I am nothing without You
Only the dirt beneath Your nails
My heart is bruised and it's broken
And my soul is very frail
Please give me a reason
I need to name this man
And no longer this broken treason
Only on You I will stand
I long for the water
That brings life to me
'cause I long for the truth, oh
That sets man free
Please mend these broken wings
And take the scales from my eyes
Without You I am nothing
I will not survive x2
I long for the water
That brings life to me
'cause I long for the truth, oh
That sets man free
lyrics by Shawn McDonald
I want more. I want more than just being a Dad, a speaker, or a writer. I want to be Hidden in HIM-YOU. I want to be so deep in relationship with Christ that who I am CHANGES! This song represents the cry of my soul, the ache in my bones, the desire to die so that I can truly live!
Am I really this scared man, who chooses this life instead of TRUSTING? I am…that’s who I am. I fumble in the darkness. I run from God. I don’t even trust when the safety net is securely in place. Surrender-raid my heart. I want treason. I want to no longer be loyal to the things I always choose: the life I trust. I want to be stripped of all my layers…I want to be seen and not hidden. Not in front of man, but in front of HIM-YOU GOD. God I want the rain. Holy rain. Your rain. “I long for the water that brings life to me. Cause I long for the truth, that sets man free!” I want freedom.
My cell looks different today, but I’m still jailed. Unable to completely trust Him. Okay-unable to really trust at all. Why God…why…I so desperately want to run in FIELDS OF TRUST with YOU. That isn’t true. I’m lying.
What I want is assurance that I’ll be okay. That I’ll be happy and satisfied. That my life will include what I love and have the AMERICAN DREAM neatly tucked inside for my enjoyment. I don’t trust you, because sometimes the life of JOB happens. Sometimes You allow the locusts to come…and I don’t want that. I don’t want public humiliation or financial ruin. I don’t want separation from my son or a training job. I want to speak and write…USE THE TALENT YOU GAVE ME, but will I ever trust YOU to do it? Will I ever trust the darkness again? Will I ever trust what I can’t see? Will I ever step from the safety of the lie…from what I know? Heart treason would be good.
I want to walk on the water…not the still calm waters, but the raging sea…I want to have the faith to get out of the boat and walk on the water…raging seas. When I’m scared…I want to know you have my back…you will protect me! I want to know it in a way that produces change. That changes me…that changes this crazy heart.
I AM NOTHING, ransom me...again and again and again.
Written by JAMES AVERY TUCKER
Sponsored by Sometimes Hallelujah...one of those days!
PS-His blood was/is enough...it's just been a long week!
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