Camp Testimony

I'll just be honest here, spending my vacation at church camp was NOT on my "to do" list this year. Work has been very hectic this year and I wanted a week of "me" time. I initially had told Bro. Todd that I wouldn't go but I kept hearing a still small voice tell me to GO. I finally conceded and decided to go.

My camp experience actually began two days before everyone else's as Bro. Todd and I left on Saturday to minister at Abundant Life Church in Nocona, TX on Sunday and what a time we had in that service and it just set the stage for a great camp.

I was feeling really nervous about doing worship for a bunch of teens because, unknown to most people, I am not a confident person when it comes to leading worship. As the services started though, and the teens started worshipping, you could feel the Spirit and the anointing in the service and a spirit of freedom was in the house.

Watching the youth get into the services was a true blessing and seeing the change in their lives over the course of 4 nights was amazing. I also received a touch from God on the final night and also received a word from God that was much needed. Adults can get something from camp as well I learned.

My prayer is the kids keep the fire burning in their lives and that the adults will also join suit. It's incredible what God can do when we all enter into the service in one mind and one accord like we did at camp.

I have come to the realization

Two weekends in a row of “Winter Jam” madness has made me finally come to the realization that I, Terrill White, am OLD!!!!

 

A week ago this past Saturday, our church took about 25 youth to the “Winter Jam” in Tulsa at the BOK Center.  If you don’t know what “Winter Jam” is, it’s basically the largest touring contemporary Christian concert in the world.  On the program this year was Chris August, Sidewalk Prophets, KJ-52, Francesca Battistelli, Kutless, David Crowder Band, NewSong, Red and The Newsboys.  Now, mind you, I have grown up around Southern Gospel music my WHOLE LIFE.  My church used to actually have a house bluegrass band.  We didn’t scream when we sang and we didn’t throw drumsticks in the air and jump off of stages and fire didn’t shoot out of our stage.  (Even though I am Pentecostal…I promise these things didn’t happen.)  I am the promoter of a local Southern Gospel music festival and also have sang with several southern gospel groups on both a regional and national level.  I AM A SOUTHERN GOSPEL PERSON.  If I was Marie Osmond and “Winter Jam” were Donnie, the two of us would be singing, “I’m a little bit country…I’m a little bit rock and roll”.  I wanted to get out of the box that I have put myself in though and decided to go to “Winter Jam”.

 

When we arrived at the BOK Center, I quickly realized that I was about 18-20 years older than their target audience.  I was literally old enough to be the father of 75% of those in attendance.  I was definitely feeling out of my element.  We climbed all the way to next to last row in the center (it was seating in the round – the entire arena was packed).  We were so high that the people on the stage looked like little dots.  When “Winter Jam” starts, they do a countdown on the screen and I soon found out that eardrums are very sensitive things.  Before the first note was played, my ears were already ringing and I was in pain.  Then….the music started….I couldn’t understand a word anyone was saying.  We were so high and the speakers were turned away from us but…I couldn’t definitely hear the music….very clearly….VERY CLEARLY.  I finally decided that I could either be miserable or I could try to enjoy the show.  I chose to do that latter.  I began to get in to the music (even though I still couldn’t undertand the words…I could still fill the anointing).

 

As I was getting in to the concert, I began to hear this racket behind me that sounded like maracas.  I finally decided that it was some kids behind me with a box of Nerds.  I love Nerds but I don’t like having to hear them shake around in a movie theater sized box for an hour.  I prayed that the kids would finally finish them because, even though I was enjoying myself, I am still Terrill White which means that I’m still crotchety and hateful…it’s the soul of me.  Well, my prayers were quickly answered.  I soon found half a box (I’m serious, it was the size of box that you get at the movie theater) of Nerds down the back of my shirt.  The stinking brats had spilled them and then they proceded to laugh and not even apologize.  Stinking little heathens and their demonic box of Nerds.  But, at least they stopped shaking them.  When I got home and took off my shirt, Nerds fell out.  (I’m dead serious).

 

Well…I’m SUPPOSED to be enjoying myself so I’ll stop complaining (for now).  I thoroughly enjoyed a few of the groups including NewSong and the David Crowder Band.  I learned from the band Red that a flame throwing machine can quickly make your praise and worship service even more exciting and I learned from the Newsboys that getting on a cherry picker and swinging over the audience can make a lot of people excited.  I also learned from the Newsboys that when you add a catwalk out in the middle of the audience, a lot of girls want to touch your leg.  Not necessarily appropriate for church but, hey, we’re not at church I guess.

 

We had to leave early so I didn’t get to see the end of the show but…

 

Week 2…OKC

 

I got the wild idea that I wanted to make the 2.5 hour drive to OKC the next week to attend the Winter Jam that they had there.  Same bands, same songs, same jokes, same everything.  I made a vow though that I would get a much better seat so we decided to arrive at the Ford Center 3 hours before the doors opened (it’s festival seating basically which means when they open the doors, you throw your money at someone and then run to your seat).  Well, when we got there, we realized we weren’t the only ones who had this bright idea.  There was already about 1,000 people in line and we managed to push ourselves up towards the front of the line because you just find an empty spot and fill it.  If you have to pee, you hold it…you don’t get out of the mass of teenagers or you will lose your spot and be sent to “Winter Jam Line Hell” (the back of the line).  I quickly realized that teenagers don’t wear deodorant or just have a natural smell about them.  We were surrounded by thousands of kids suddenly and it stunk…STUNK!!!!!  We had a good little wait and met some nice people but we so wanted the doors to open.  Every time someone came to the door and looked out there was a big cheer and then everyone started pushing.  After 3 hours of this I was ready to sit down.  The doors opened and we began the mass exodus towards the money takers.  Finally, we threw our money at SOMEONE and just hoped it was the right person and then ran to our seat.  (I don’t run…that’s why we took some younger ones with us to get us a good seat).  We got a much better seat and could actually make out the faces on people this time.  The words in the music could actually be understood this time but Kutless…seriously guys…why are you so loud?  My ears still hurt from their music.

 

We got to stay for the entire show and one thing I learned from this weeks concert was that I want our drummer to learn how to play drums sideways while spinning on a turntable.  People scream loud when you do that.

 

After making the 2.5 hour trip to OKC then waiting in line for 3 hours and then driving to Shawnee and stopping to eat and then driving the rest of the way home, it was 2:30 AM with a 9:30 AM church bus route to run.  I was exhausted.  I was feeling every bit of my 32 years and 330lbs.  It was a blessed two weeks though as we got to see, not only our church kids blessed but also my daughter who had never been to a real concert before.  She had a blast.  Christie (my wife)…not so much.  (She’s 30 now so she’s old also.)

 

Next year, I’ll be a year older but I’ll probably be out in the middle of that mess of kids again.  I will, however, probably have to only attend one “Winter Jam”.  My Southern Gospel ears probably can’t handle much more than that.   

 

 

 

Show Me Your Glory

Show me Your glory, Send down Your presence,

I want to see Your face.

Show me Your glory, Majesty shines about You.

I can't go on without You, Lord

~Third Day – Show Me Your Glory~

 

The word “glory” has been defined as a state of great splendor, magnificence, or prosperity.  Have you ever thought about this word?  The word stirs up a lot of things in my mind.  I think of flashes of lightning, claps of thunder and wondrous signs and miracles.  We, in the Pentecostal faith, are often caught praying for God to show us His glory but I wonder if we ever think about what we are praying for.  The truth is, if we take the time to look about us, we can see the glory of God on all sides.  We can see the mighty hand of God in the clouds in the sky, the Sun shining down on us and we can even feel it when the wind blows through our hair.  The magnificence of God can be seen when we look across a mighty ocean that, to us on the shore, just looks like a violent churning mass, is actually full of life just under the surface.  We can see His splendor when we look up at the night sky and see the infinite number of stars and know that each one, according to Psalms 147;4-5 is named (He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.)  We can recognize His glory in a newborn child that, no matter what science may tell us, is a creation of God.

His glory is everywhere.  In each breath we take, in each step we take, in each life we touch.  It doesn’t take a flash of lightning or a clap of thunder to make this known.  Sometimes His glory is exhibited in the quiet, peaceful moments of life.  Sometimes however, it is more evident but, it is always there.  We just need to open our eyes and recognize it.

 

 

 

Who Am I?

Many of you either don’t know me at all or, if you do know me, you probably just know a few basic things about me from time you spent with me in school or at church.  There are few people who actually KNOW me.  I’m am looked at as many things.  Some people think I’m the funny one while other view me as TOO serious.  Some think I’m the sweetest thing this side of a honey bun while others see me as cranky.  I don’t know how you view me but, one thing is, you don’t know me probably as well as you think you do.  I’ve decided to put together 50 fun (or not so fun) facts about myself to let you get a deeper look into my life and my world.  Here goes:

1.            I originally went to college seeking a Bachelor of Science in Funeral Directing.

2.            I spent 2 years working in the funeral industry.  I have either embalmed or assisted with the embalming of about 200 people.

3.            I play the piano but also can pick out some on the guitar, mandolin, fiddle and bass.  I can also play the harmonica, trombone and clarinet some.

4.            I have recorded one solo project and two projects with groups that I’ve sang with over the years.

5.            I have performed on stage with Shirley Jones of the Partridge Family.

6.            I can fold my tongue into thirds.

7.            I was out of high school for about 3 years before I had my first “serious” relationship.

8.            I was originally supposed to be named Devin but my mother decided to name me Terrill after a weatherman on KOTV.

9.            I am a clothes hoarder (well, not clinically but I do have a ton of clothes) but never can seem to find anything to wear.

10.        I flunked my drivers test the first time I took it.

11.        I am a former county spelling bee champion.  (Can’t remember what year)

12.        I have lived in about 22 different houses.

13.        I attended 8 different schools before graduating.

14.        I have lived in 4 different cities…Tahlequah, Fort Gibson, Muskogee and Edmond.

15.        I graduated in 2006 from NSU with my Bachelors of General Studies Degree.

16.        I am a sex ed teacher.

17.        My job requires me to work with condoms, dental dams, lubricant and plastic anatomical models.  I never planned on doing this for a living.

18.        I am going to return to school in the fall and get another degree.  This time it will be a mass communications degree.

19.        I am married to Christie (Drain) White.

20.        I have a 9 year old daughter that I adopted on her 7^th birthday.

21.        My voice is in the baritone range.

22.        I have written several songs and published 2.  One has been recorded.

23.        I am a member of the National Coalition of STD Directors, The Oklahoma HIV Planning Council, The Green Country AIDS Coalition, the Oklahoma Drug & Alcohol Professional Counselor Association and the American School Health Association.

24.        I am a registered writer and publisher with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).

25.        I love all types of music but my favorite genre is probably classic rock (believe it or not).\

26.        My favorite bands are Jefferson Airplane; The Mama’s and The Papa’s; Crosby, Stills and Nash and just to make it interesting….Peter, Paul and Mary.

27.        My favorite singer in the whole world is Michael Buble.  He is followed closely by Dean Martin and Perry Como, Janet Paschal and Jimmy Swaggart (yes…the preacher).

28.        My favorite song is actually a brand new song by Third Day called “Follow Me There” which just so happens to be on my favorite CD of all time called “Move”.

29.        My favorite church hymn is “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”.

30.        Yes, I love southern gospel music.  Ok…I know that this is a shocker but I figured I would go ahead and say it.

31.        My favorite southern gospel group (right now) would probably have to be The McKameys.  (they’ve been a favorite for years)

32.        I am a born and bred Pentecostal Church of God member.  Have attended PCG churches since I was 2 months old.

33.        I was saved in 1989 at Masena Holiness Church.

34.        My favorite TV shows (right now) are Grey’s Anatomy, CSI, Dirty Jobs and Frasier.

35.        I honestly can count the really, really close friends I’ve had in my life on one hand.  Good, close friends are hard to come by.

36.        I haven’t seen one person that I graduated high school with in probably over 2 years other than just in passing at the store or something. 

37.        I secretly want to be a deer hunter but…shhhhhhhhh….don’t tell anyone.  I hate deer meat though and think it is the most disgusting thing to eat in the world.

38.        I love fishing.  I’m not good at it but I love it.

39.        I hate football.  Just because I’m fat and like to sit in my recliner doesn’t mean I like football.  I loathe it.  Basketball comes in a very close second of sports I hate.  My favorite sport to watch is baseball or softball and boxing.  My favorite sport to play is volleyball (although I stink at it).

40.        I have performed in a professional opera company before.

41.        I have an artificial septum in my nose.

42.        I broke my xyphoid process (the pointy bone on your sternum) during some point in my life.  It sticks straight out and swells up from time to time.  I need to have it removed according the doctor.  (NO THANKS)

43.        My jaws pop and crack…very loudly.

44.        I can blow air out of my eyes and make bubbles come out of my tear ducts.

45.        I can make authentic Cherokee double-wall baskets.

46.        I am a pretty good amateur photographer.

47.        My dream home would be a log cabin in eastern Tennessee.  If I couldn’t live in Eastern Tennessee, Western Arkansas would suffice.

48.        I have no desire to travel outside of the country.  I would, however, love to go to Alaska.

49.        Boxers…..just in case you were wondering.

50.        I have seriously lost every debit card I’ve ever owned.

Ok…50 random facts about me.  Now we know each other a little more and hopefully your life is a little more enlightened.  Leave me a comment and tell me what you think that most fascinating fact is about me!  I’d love to hear what you think.

Terrill