Shay Thomason – Page 42 – everything beautiful in it's time

A Web Pioneer’s Wild Dream

Post author By Shay
Post date December 21, 2012
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For some of you a story about a computer guy starting a Web site might sound a little dull. But this isn’t just any story. This is the story of the man who had a vision of sharing with the world the preaching ministry of John Piper through a Web site that is today known as DesiringGod.org. As of 2009, Desiring God was getting a million visits a month (which I’m sure has grown a lot in 3 years) and continues to provide almost limitless resources for free to the world. Our family has greatly benefited from their resources and we’re even currently reading a free e-book by John Piper on Advent which we have been enjoying. Watch the video below to hear about how Moe Bergeron helped start Desiring God’s Web ministry and provide resources the entire world.

One of the roles that I will take with Josiah Venture will be in the area of communications and more specifically trying to find innovative ways of using technology to reach people for Jesus Christ. In areas like Central and Eastern Europe the need for good resources and Bible training is great and the Internet continues to be a driving force to be able to get resources into people’s hands. The Church needs to continue to use these kinds of tools to spread the Good News and connect people in order to take the Gospel to every nation. Stories like Moe’s remind me that the Lord can and will use technology for His glory and I’m excited to see what the future holds.

Tags Christianity, Desiring God, social, web

Family

Out of My League

Our wedding

It was just seven years ago today that Bethany walked down the aisle to a tall and teary-eyed me. It was Yakima, Washington in December and it was the perfect day. A little snow on the ground, but sunny. It was cold outside, but everything was warm inside. I was a scared twenty-one year old with really no money in my pocket, but that was the last of my worries because here came my bride arm-in-arm with her daddy. Pastor Scott joked as Bethany and her dad stopped at the front of the aisle when he said, “There’s just a lot of emotion up here right now!” We all laughed, but it was true.

I remember someone telling me, “Now Shay, you have to tell yourself in your head what you’re doing during the ceremony so you’ll remember it.” I took their advice and it helped. I told myself, “Here she comes” and “We’re saying our vows” and “I’m putting on the ring.” But that all stopped when I grabbed my guitar. I had prepared to sing a song to Bethany but all I can remember was the feeling that my legs were going to give out any second. Playing guitar and singing in front of people wasn’t the issue–I had done that before. My main problem was that I was singing to Bethany and I was out of my league… way out. With wobbly legs, a shaky voice, and the help of one of my groomsman who played the piano I somehow made it through the song and I couldn’t help but think back on that today.

The lyrics to the chorus say simply “…she’s all that I see and she’s all that I need, And I’m out of my league once again.” That was true seven years ago and it’s probably more true today: she’s out of my league. Bethany is a selfless, Christ-honoring wife that any guy would kill to have. It doesn’t take people we meet very long to begin to wonder why the heck she’s with me. Trust me, I don’t know either! We’re not even in the same league. If this was baseball she would be a first round pick on the Dodgers and I would down playing co-ed slow pitch soft-ball in the church league. But despite my deficiencies, my failures, and my silliness she continues to love me. I’m so thankful the Lord blessed me with an amazing wife. As Pastor Scott still tells me today, “Shay, you definitely over married!” He’s right. I did.

I love you, babe. I’m praying for another 7 years.

Tags marriage, wedding

Christianity Family Friends

Refreshed

Thanks to my roommate from college who invited us and the graciousness of his in-laws who watched our kids, Bethany and I had the unexpected blessing of attending the Shane & Shane Christmas Tour with Phil Wickham concert right here in our own town. We’ve been blessed by the music of Shane & Shane and Phil Wickham for a long time and seeing them live was a double blessing. The concert was Christ-centered and worshipful as we sang Christmas hymns and worship songs as loud as we could. I was brought to tears a few times during the show mainly because the music was beautiful and it was refreshing to have a focused time of singing with a thousand other people.

One of the blessings of being a Christian is that we sing. We sing in our homes, in our churches, and when we gather together. We are commanded to sing (Ephesians 5:19) and we do this as an expression of worship of our great and merciful God. God has given us the gift of music to a blessing to our souls and that’s exactly what it was for us last night. The final words we sang last night were perfect. To the melody of “O Come Let Us Adore Him” our hearts and voices sang loud:

We’ll give You all the glory
We’ll give You all the glory
We’ll give You all the glory
Christ the Lord

Tags concert, music, Phil Wickham, Shane & Shane, singing

Christianity

JOY

Post author By Shay
Post date December 13, 2012
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If there’s one thing that permeates our house around Christmas it’s music. Sure, we enjoy our egg nog and peppermint bark as much as the next person, but there’s just something fun about turning up some new or classic Christmas songs. Each year Bethany and I spend a couple bucks on one or two new albums and this year the favorite has to be Steven Curtis Chapman’s new Christmas album JOY.

It’s full of the classics like “Joy to the World”, “Do You Hear What I Hear,” and “What Child is This?” And he’s thrown in some fun ones like “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow” which has a cool jazzy vibe to it. But what I think I appreciate most about Steven Curtis Chapman in general, and which comes out strong on this record is honesty. His song “Christmas Card” is written like a message to those who may be without the hope of Christ this year. In a season where we celebrate the birth of our Savior there are still many who don’t know Him. It’s an honest song with a clear message to Christians: people are broken, they need Jesus, and Steven reminds us why we’re celebrating: “So every lost and lonely broken heart would get found.”

Thank you Steven Curtis Chapman for reminding me that there’s still work to do. Let’s celebrate our Savior and then let’s tell everyone about why He came.

Tags Christmas, music, Steven Curtis Chapman

Family

Support Letters And Marriage Building

Post author By Shay
Post date December 10, 2012
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For the past two weeks we have been putting together our support letters and sending them out to friends and family. Since it’s impossible to do with the kids awake, our process always starts a little after 8pm and we do as many as we can before our hands can’t fold anymore. Though it might seem boring to some, we actually find it a great time to talk and dream about ministry and life in Czech Republic. Who ever thought that sending out support letters could strengthen a marriage?!

Here’s Bethany getting that perfect fold

A few folded letters before they get put in an envelope.

Tags folding, support letters

Family Videos

Christmas Tree 2012

Every year for the past 4 years we have put together a video of our family decorating our Christmas tree. It’s been a fun little tradition that we’ve enjoyed doing together. This year’s video is up and you can watch it below. For past years, you view them here: 2009, 2010, and 2011.

Christmas Tree 2012 from Shay on Vimeo.

Tags Christmas, Christmas tree, fun, video

Quotes

Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God

Post author By Shay
Post date November 30, 2012
No Comments on Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God

Bethany and I both enjoy reading. I recently started J.I. Packer’s Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God and I can not recommend it enough.

The first chapter alone is worth the book, but as I continue to read I’m finding that each chapter brings old truth to a new light for me. Often as Christians we struggle to find a balance between God’s sovereign work and our human responsibility, especially as it relates to evangelism. I believe J.I. Packer has provided us a great resource in understanding these often difficult truths. Though I feel I’m well taught in church on the sovereignty of God, I’m blown away at Packer’s simplicity and ease of writing on the subject as it pertains to the work of evangelism. This is a great resource. Go get yourself a copy–you will be encouraged.

A few quotes that have stood out to me already:

You have never for one moment supposed that the decisive contribution to your salvation was yours and not God’s. You have never told God that, while you are grateful for the means and opportunities of grace that he gave you, you realize that you have to thank, not him, but yourself for the fact that you responded to his call.

For where we are not consciously relying on God, there we shall inevitably be found relying on ourselves.

The truth about salvation has been made known to us, not for us simply to preserve (though we must certainly do that), but also, and primarily, for us to spread. The light is not meant to be hidden under the bushel. It is meant to shine; and it is our business to see that it shines. “You are the light of the world,” says our Lord (Mt 5:14-16). He who does not devote himself to evangelism in every way that he can is not, therefore, playing the part of a good and faithful servant of Jesus Christ.

Tags book, evangelism, J.I. Packer

Family Friends

A Little Full

We’re full, and no, I don’t mean from all the turkey. We’re just full from life.

We spent the Thanksgiving holiday with Bethany’s family this year in Washington. It was a great time away and it’s really fun to see our kids get to know their grandparents more and more. Most of our time was spent just being together at home, and it was nice to have a change of pace (like getting to bed early!).

It’s impossible anymore to not think about the fact that us leaving for Czech Republic means (at least partially) that our time with family will be much different in the future. These are the kinds of things I think about when I consider “counting the cost” of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. Leaving family will definitely be hard, but we hope and pray that the time we do have together is as much a blessing as it was this past week.

A few photos (more can be seen here):

We also gave Avery a little mini 1st birthday party a few days early.

Tags family, Thanksgiving, vacation

Family

Christmas In November

My (Shay) parents drove out from Kentucky for a visit this week and they came bearing gifts. We didn’t have a tree, but we had Christmas music playing and enjoyed watching the kids tear into gifts from grandma and grandpa. Here’s a few photos:

Tags Christmas, grandma, grandpa, grandparents, November, presents