July is our month for family vacations.

Trudy and I celebrated 27 years of marriage in July.  For a number of years now, the two of us have gotten away for our anniversary.  I love our daughters, but I really believe that it is important for a strong marriage to have that together time.   At times we have flown her parents in or my parents to watch the kids, and although it was more expensive, it was definitely worth it.  Now our children are older, so it is a little easier to get away.  Our favorite vacation spot is Colorado.  Below are a couple of pictures from our trip.

Trudy and me in Rocky Mountain National Park

Cycling on Trail Ridge Road (12,000 feet)

We also planned a July family trip to see my Mom and Dad in Pennsylvania.  They live just outside Valley Forge, PA  (I spent many cold winters there growing up!!!)  Thank you for your prayers for my dad.  He is out of the hospital and doing much better.

At the Phillies game with my dad and my brother, Scott

Sara, Mom, Michelle and Trudy on the boardwalk in Ocean City, NJ

Riding bikes with my Jr. High Radio Advisor (WSFR), Mr. Gary Spohn. He was the one who first got me into radio.

The ultimate treasure hunt - I cleaned out my dad's garage!!!

Yes, my parents live not too far from this famous house. Recognize it? (Hint: 8 children live here). Our daughter, Sara, prayed for them as we drove by their home.

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I love trivia.  In fact, during our family devotions on Sunday night, we have started playing a little game of “trivial pursuit” before we dive into the Bible lesson for the night.  My wife Trudy, who says she didn’t do well at tests in school, won our McDermott game for the month of May.  You should have seen the excitement on her face when we added up the scores.  Now she wants to have her name put on a certificate to commemorate this moment!  Trudy McDermott, May Trivia Queen; I will have to plan a short ceremony soon… with a small marching band, confetti, balloons and free food.  If you see her, please congratulate her on this accomplishment!

Enter His Gates turns ten this year.  And since school is out for the summer and I know that you want to keep your mind sharp, I thought I would give you a quiz - ten trivia questions about Enter His Gates.  See how many you can get correct.

1.  The first song we ever played on Enter His Gates was:
a.  Hungry – Kathryn Scott
b.  Shout to the Lord – Darlene Zschech
c.  Rise Again – Dallas Holm
d.  Open the Eyes of My Heart – Paul Baloche

2.  Which one of the following did not sing with the Passion band?
a.  Chris Tomlin
b.  Desperation
c.  Christy Nockels
d.  David Crowder

3.  We have had many Enter His Gates co-hosts over the years. Who has not co-hosted Enter His Gates?
a.  Darlene Zschech
b.  Paul Baloche
c.  Israel Houghton
d.  Joel Houston of Hillsong United
e.  Michael W. Smith

4.  People often don’t know that “I Can Sing of Your Love Forever” was actually written by:
a.  Sonic Flood
b.  Billy Sprague
c.  Delirious (Martin Smith)
d.  Kurt Carr

5.  When Enter His Gates first began ten years ago, this person and I took turns hosting the program.  Who was she?
a.  Lisa Kappen
b.  Stacy Brooks
c.  Amanda Carroll
d.  Lori Thompson

6.  Before it was played on KSBJ during the week, this song(s) first debuted on Enter His Gates:
a.  Shackles – Mary, Mary
b.  Grace Flows Down – Christy Nockels
c.  Waiting – John Waller
d.  Friend of God – Israel Houghton
e.  All of the Above

7.  This famous singer is also a worship pastor in his home church outside Nashville:
a.  Brian Doerskson
b.  Michael W. Smith
c.  Robin Mark
d.  Steven Curtis Chapman

8.  This worship leader used to lead worship at his church in the Woodlands.  He now makes his home in Atlanta.  His name is:
a.  Al Denson
b.  Brandon Heath
c.  Eduardo Coronado
d.  Chris Tomlin

9.  Which of the following worship leaders (groups) that we play on Enter His Gates does not have Texas roots?
a.  Gateway Worship
b.  Cindy Cruse
c.  Mercy Me
d.  Shane and Shane
e.  Matt Redman

10. The primary person who inspired the idea for Enter His Gates and encouraged me to launch it was:
a.  Buddy Holiday
b.  Jon Hull
c.  Susan O’Donnell
d.  My wife, Trudy

Answers.
1.  A.  “Hungry” was the first song on Enter His Gates.  If you said “Rise Again,” that was first song ever played on KSBJ.

2.  B.  Desperation is part of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

3.  E.  We have been blessed with many worship leaders who have helped co-host with me on Sunday mornings.  Israel has co-hosted the most.  Michael W. Smith helped do the EHG free brown bag, but he has never co-hosted.

4.  C.  Delirious (Martin Smith).  Martin has said that he still gets comments from people who don’t know that he wrote that song.  They think that Sonic Flood did.

5.  B.  Stacy Brooks and I took turns co-hosting.  That was the plan – one Sunday on, one Sunday off for each of us.  Then Stacy became a mom and despite our begging and pleading to stay, she chose the better path – full-time motherhood.

6.  E.  All of the above.  That is just some of the list.  When a song is real popular on Enter His Gates, we will also play it during the week on KSBJ.

7.  B.  Michael loves to lead worship in his home church.

8.  D.  Chris used to come by the station and even lead worship with our staff.  He moved from here to Austin, TX and then to Atlanta.

9.  E.  Matt is from England.  There are many others who have at one point or still do – call Texas home.

10.  D.  Yes, my wife Trudy.  She really sensed that KSBJ should launch this praise show and she encouraged me to do it.  Other voices also spoke into the process, but she was the first.  Next month we celebrate 27 years of marriage.  She can really intercede and hear from the Lord.  I am blessed to be married to her.   But not just for that, but because after all, she is our May Trivia Queen…

Trivia Queen Trudy, at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, England. That is where all the Queen's are!!! :)

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I am giving away Delirious Tickets this weekend and next weekend.  As you know Delirious is on their Farewell Tour.  They are making Houston one of their stops on the tour.  This is your last opportunity to see them, worship with them and thank them for all of their great music.

This Sunday and next Sunday, I am giving away a pair of Delirious tickets and a couple of pre-show meet and greet passes for the June 12 event.  Caller number 10 at 832.644.5725  (For 10 years of Enter His Gates) will win!  And just for my blog readers - I am giving the prizes away in the morning approximately at 6:20, 7:20, 8:20, 9:20 and 11:20!

Also, at the concert will be Sonic Flood and John Waller.

If you don’t win, you can get tickets at TicketServant.com

See you at the concert!

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I went to college when I was 17 - leaving Pennsylvana and moving to go to school in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Later I would meet the lady of my dreams, Trudy and we would get married in Tulsa almost 27 years ago now.  Over those years I have been back “home” to Royersford, PA about once a year and I talk with my parents on the phone every week.  But you know what is really strange?  Although I haven’t lived with my parents - or even been in the same town for all of those years - I find that I have a lot of qualities of my parents in me - especially my dad.

As I write this blog this afternoon, my heart is a little concerned.  My dad - who is 84 years old - is in the hospital after nearly passing out yesterday evening.  My mom called 911 and they rushed him to the hospital.  His blood pressure is very low and he may have something wrong with one of the valves in his heart.  They are doing a heart catherization today. When my mom called last night, she told me that she thought dad was gone.

I have been thinking today how much of my dad is in me.   Although he still has a full head of hair, there are so many qualities that are in me because of him.  We weigh about the same, have the same (brilliant!) sense of humor, and are men who are always on the go.  When I see him, I see so many things about me.  I also see things about him that I wish I was more like.  My dad has always been a sacrificial giver. Even when his company was “on-strike” and we had no income, dad would give to the church and to others.  It brought him joy.  My dad is the ultimate handy-man.  He can fix anything.  Apparently, that ability skipped me because even the people at the home improvement stores can’t help!  If a small screw can be dropped during a repair and then lost, I can do it.   I still wear swim trunks when I do plumbing at home - just in case!   My dad also served during WW II and was shot while out scouting the enemy. He got a purple heart.  My dad sure was brave and I wonder to myself if that courage is in me - somewhere.   My dad is proud of me and I am proud of him.

My dad & the two-piece rubber-banded camera & flash he invented!

I will keep you updated on my dad. 

Love,
Tim

Update: Wednesday, April 29 4:15 PM.  I called my Dad last night at the hospital.  We talked about the Phillies, Arlen Specter and other stuff.  He seemed in good spirits.  It was good to hear his voice.  This morning, Mom called our house and said that Dad’s stent failed and they would do the heart cath again.  My brother, Scott,  texted me later this morning that procedure went well and that Dad’s report was good.  Thanks for your prayers.

Update Sunday, May 3  8:30 AM  My dad is back in the hospital.   I talked to him for a long time on the phone last night.  He said that when he lays on his left side, he has chest pain.  The doctors don’t know what is wrong, but they said that they will figure it out.  They are exploring several options.  Please keep praying for him.

Update Wednesday, May 10  11 AM.  It has been days of good news and not so good news.  Today good news.  Dad is finally leaving the hospital.  The doctors believe that they can treat him with medicine.  Surgery is too risky.  Please keep him in your prayers.

Update, Thursday May 28  2 PM.  Like Rocky getting off the mat, my dad has dramatically improved.  He had valvo-plasty - a procedure to unclog his valve.  It worked and he is doing much better.  He is currently in a nursing home due to some type of infection, but that location should be temporary.  We are expecting him home soon.

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The MS 150 Ride is now a one-day event.  Rain washed out Saturday, so we will begin on Sunday at 8 AM from LaGrange.  I was really looking forward to the Saturday ride and Church on Saturday in LaGrange with Matt Brouwer.   We are talking with some of the leadership from the Lone Star Chapter about KSBJ being more involved in the service next year.  I will be Twittering as I ride on Sunday.   Updates will be on this web blog, too - in the upper left hand corner.  Remember to keep us all in prayer.

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Sometimes a truth will go from your head to your heart.  When it does, I really think God smiles.  I have learned that when I am blessed, it is not just for me, but for me to bless someone.  Worship is the same way.  I worship to bless God which fills me up — and compels me to serve.  This weekend I am riding in the MS150.  And yes, although I love to cycle, it really is not about cycling, but serving others.  

Three of our KSBJ staff have immediate family members who have Multiple Sclerosis.  I have friends in our church who have MS and even some of the artists we play on KSBJ have MS.    I don’t know why it happens, but I do want to help make a difference for them.  That is why I am riding in the event.   12,999 others are riding along with me this Saturday and Sunday on the two day 180 mile event that goes from Houston to Austin.   If you could, would you please pray for those who have MS this week?  Pray that the research that is being conducted will lead to a cure.  Also, pray for our ride this weekend - safety for all those that are riding and for good weather (a strong southeast wind).  If you want to donate to help, you can go to the MS 150 website and make a donation.  http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/bp-ms-150/support-the-ride/index.aspx You can make an anonymous gift or give under the support a rider option and type in my name (Tim McDermott).  Thanks for praying and giving.

Jim Beeler will be hosting Enter His Gates for me this Sunday.  I will call in some reports from the route. 

They do have a worship service in LaGrange that I will be attending Saturday night - and probably doing a lot of standing.

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I never saw this before.  The same question was asked to Jesus by two different people and he gave two different answers.  The question “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?”  In Luke 18:19, he told the rich young ruler to “sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.”  A few chapters before in Luke 10:25, a lawyer asks him the same question, but the answer was different.  The lawyer was to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” If he did this, Jesus said that he would live.

Why do you suppose that Jesus gave two different answers to the same question?  Why not just give one pat answer?  I think this is because he knew the one thing in their life that was keeping them from completely serving God.  He knew what the barrier was and he addressed their question head on.  He gave them a specific answer for their specific situation.  For the lawyer, he obviously knew the law well, but did he know what it meant to love?  For the rich man, he had wealth, but it was wealth that kept him from completely serving God.  I also find it interesting that even though Jesus later says it is hard to have riches and serve God, that it wasn’t long before Jesus finds Zaccheus, who was very rich.  Zaccheus, a rich person responds to Jesus appropriately while the first rich young man does not.

Have you asked Jesus to show you what is keeping you from serving Him completely?  This is Holy week - the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.  This is a week to remember what Jesus Christ did for us - giving Himself completely for you and me.  Ask Jesus to show you what that block is and then listen to what He says (We need to pause more in prayer to hear God speak).  Whatever it is, lay it down at the Cross and let Him take control of that area. Perhaps He will give you something specific to do. As long as that direction lines up with the Word of God, then do it.   Don’t hold back giving God 95 or even 98 %.  Commit during this holy week to being wholly His.

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Last night we had our second Enter His Gates Brown Bag Concert - with Israel Houghton and New Breed.  I wish I had said it from stage - but the audience there - that is what I want KSBJ to look like, because that is what the church looks like.  We had people from different denominations and cultures there - as one - glorifying our God.  It really is what KSBJ is all about - bringing the body of Christ together.  Whitney Harrison, KSBJ Special Events Manager e-mail the staff today with a recap and I thought I would share it with you.

Enter His Gates 10^th Anniversary Brown Bag Series, Sponsored by Chick-fil-A, Featuring Israel Houghton & New Breed

The March 23^rd Enter His Gates 10^th Anniversary Brown Bag Series, Sponsored by Chick-fil-A (Eldridge & 1960), Featuring Israel Houghton & New Breed was nothing short of a chilling event.  From the crowd, which began with approximately 1000+ attendees (gathering and securing seats during Israel’s 4:30PM soundcheck) and grew to 4500-5000 by mid-concert, to the band, which included over ten musicians and vocalists with perhaps the strongest musical skills the KSBJ portable soundstage had ever hosted, one could not help but get goosebumps!

One might even say that the message of salvation and unity presented by Israel was the strongest seen yet at a brown bag, which was testament to one individual’s willingness to follow the steps laid out for him by the Lord.  “This man is a bridge…,” said KSBJ President & General Manager and creator/host of Enter His Gates, Tim McDermott, of Israel Houghton and the racial barriers Israel continues to break.  The breeze, which whipped through the concert banners and wrapped around the KSBJ tents, also carried a message to all within earshot of the show, regardless of race: One, alone, has the power!

What if my only responsibility was to change the world…

Let me be the one to start a revolution,

Let me sing my song to the people of the world,

It all begins with the power of One,

Joining the hundreds of millions of people believing in One,

THE POWER OF ONE.

The Enter His Gates 10^th Anniversary Brown Bag Series, Sponsored by Chick-fil-A (Eldridget & 1960), Featuring Israel Houghton & New Breed, celebrated the March 1999 launch of KSBJ’s Sunday morning show program, Enter His Gates, and an early CD release for Israel Houghton, whose 14-song project,The Power of One, released nationally on Tuesday, March 24^th.  Israel signed autographs at Wal-Mart (Eldridge & 1960) immediately following the show.  The Houston Chronicle & HoustonBELIEF were both present at the concert, garnering immediate online coverage of the show on Chron.com & HoustonBELIEF.com (story & photo gallery).

Thanks, once more, to all who were able to attend the concert, and a special thank you to all who prayed for and supported the show!

Below are some additional pictures our staff took:

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This month we have two Enter His Gates Brown Bag concerts to help celebrate 10 years of Enter His Gates on KSBJ. Below is a recap from the event along with some pictures (thanks to KSBJ Special Events Promotions Manager  Whitney Harrison for summarizing this for us).

Enter His Gates 10^th Anniversary Brown Bag Series, Sponsored by Chick-fil-A Featuring Michael W. Smith

Thank you so very much to all who attended (and all whose hearts were with us at) the Enter His Gates 10^th Anniversary Brown Bag Series, Sponsored by Chick-fil-A (Westheimer & Kirkwood) Featuring Grammy and Dove Award-Winning Artist Michael W. Smith!  The free concert, which was held at 12/noon on March 18^th, attracted over 5600 spring break attendees and celebrated the anniversary of KSBJ’s Sunday morning worship program, Enter His Gates.  “I thought maybe 2,000 people would show up today, but now I hear that over 5600 arrived!  I’m just amazed,” said an overwhelmed Michael W. Smith from his autograph tent after the concert.  Enter His Gates’ host Tim McDermott, who was honored for launching the worship program in March of 1999, kicked the free event off with a Name that Tune-like game, highlighting many of the artists played on Enter His Gates.  89.3 KSBJ also utilized the event to distribute over 300 Easter Crosses for the Easter Cross Witness program.  From stellar weather to the phenomenal music, it was an all around amazing afternoon filled with both celebration and worship!  Visit KSBJ.org for a link to view a story and photo gallery from the event, as prepared and hosted by HoustonBelief.com and the Houston Chronicle.

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Israel Houghton hosted Enter His Gates this morning.  In case you missed it, here is some of what he shared:

- The new project, Power of One, is just Israel Houghton, not Israel and New Breed.  Israel said they are expanding the brand, sometimes it’s Israel, sometimes it’s New Breed, sometimes it’s both.  (By the way at the free KSBJ Brown Bag on March 23 at 6:30pm, it is both!)

-The new CD comes out on March 24.  The CD has musical flavor for everyone!  Toby Mac, Mary Mary and Martin Smith are on the CD.  Also, while Israel was in California, he did a cameo on the Mary Mary video.

-The Chris Tomlin Hello Love tour still has two weeks left.   He said it is great to see people from all backgrounds come together to Worship. This tour has been arranged so that he can still be back in Houston on Sunday’s when it is his turn to lead worship at Lakewood Church.

-Israel shared how God has blessed him and how much Romans 15 meant to Him.  From the Message it says that “Strength is for service, not for status.”

-Above all the awards that he has gotten, what he says matters most to him is his family, Meleesa and his children.  Israel said Sonny Boy has done a great job dancing on stage during the tour.

10 Years for Tim (EHG) and Israel (New Breed) - We're Still Standin'

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