I know where Tommy comes from. He comes from the land of rocky soil and has spent time in the land of thorny ground. He hates good soil. As Jesus was explaining the parable he said this about the rocky and thorny soils (Mark 4). The seed falling on rocky soil is like the one who, "receive it (the gospel) with joy. But since they have no root they last only a short time." in regard to the thorny soil he said this, the seed falling on thorny soil is like the one who, "hears the word but the worrries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word making it unfruitful."

If you recall a few blogs ago (the first Links Man blog) I shared that Tommy was a result of indulgent living. Indulgent, self serving living leads to a life not rooted in Christ. My lack of rootedness in Christ - that is getting with him daily - led me to be joyful in my service to the lord - as long as everything was going well. But when the trials of life came I was quick to rely on the flesh. Happy when life was good, but instantly grumpy when the rains came. No roots. I also shared that I got lazy in all kinds of areas in my life. Over sleeping, over eating, slothful at work... That was Tommy asserting his origins coming from the land of thorny ground. Money, worry, other things chocking out my ability to be fruitful.

Tommy must go. The only way he goes is if we work our tails off at becoming the good soil. And you know that good soil is dirty, smelly, has some fertilizer (read dookie). It takes time to cultivate it. Thorny and rocky ground are easy and even a bit less messy. Yet for the fruit to come we gotta be good soil. Work and effort are required. The apostle Paul would say in Phillippians 2, "work out your salvation with fear and trembling." Notice he doesn't say work for your salvation. He says work it out. Here's how I am working it out these days (wondering if you might be led to join me in my efforts).
1. With Jesus daily
2. Move Daily (some form of excercise)
3. Eat in a God honoring way each day (balanced healthy eating, avoiding extremes

Tommy must go and he only goes if we smoother him wiht good soil.

Peace and Joy
Rob