Sunday Reflections

Sunday was unusual! Here's a quick review of our series: In the Name of Love...Say it! (Declare you will be a home that has Christ @ its' center) Live It! (Choose to love, forgive and be counter-cultural) and lastly Fight It! Before I spoke I was apprehensive about being that transparent! God has allowed me to hear some feedback & evidently He challenged all of us to step it up in our marriages & Fight Right (in a way that honors Him)!

I also addressed a void I have noticed...as one old pastor put it: "Too much dust on the altar!" I believe it should be full every time the Word is given! Full of people praising God for His goodness, praying for others and themselves, repenting of sin, etc...When we do this and have this attitude, I believe the power of God will be upon us! More to come...

Blessings to each of you...

I like big...

My friend Dave Adams reminded me recently that there are ebb and flows in ministry. Sometimes you're in the "flow" (things are going good!) and other times you're "ebbing" (all you want to do is run and hide!) I have found myself in the ebb lately. I was bummed. Down. Had no desire to push on! My creative juices were dry. This was for many reasons but the fact is I was in a low place!

Then my wife steps in! She is a woman with big faith! Her attitude, support and vision for God to do the impossible has re-energized me! She has fed my faith fire! I love my "big faith" wife!

Life 2gether

Last night our LifeGroups started again. We had gone on "hiatus" for a while to revamp the strategy of our small group ministry. It was a great time!

Here's a few thoughts on why these are so important in the life of a believer:

a.) We Strengthen each other. The book of Acts, describes the early church and the priority they placed on meeting together. They actually met daily in each other's homes! (wonder how much fried chicken they threw down? B/c everyone knows fellowship = fried chicken, right?) Anyway...I was thinking, in that culture where faith in Jesus was not "ok" - they willingly risked persecution, simply to be with each other. Could that have been one of the catalysts for the early church's explosive growth? Their strength of "togetherness?" Here's the point: Don't we live in an ever increasing anti-JEsus culture? We may not be jailed or persecuted yet for following Jesus...but don't we need each other just as much? Since God did not design his church to be "isolationists" but rather "invasionists" (invading culture w/ the light & hope of Jesus) don't we need regular times of strengthening to invade FULLY? You bet!

b.) We Sharpen each other. Here's what I mean, one of my LifeGroup members, shared an intimate struggle last night with us and as they spoke, I realized, "That's me!" I own that, too! In these stetings, when we become real & drop the facade of "church-ianity" (All is well...bless you!) we realize, we're all busted & broken! Then, we can come alongside each other, share the struggles, (which let's you know you're not a freak!) & hold each other accountable so that we overcome & experience the victory Jesus brings! The writer of Proverbs wrote, "iron sharpens iron!" I want my knife to be razor sharp, don't you?

c.) We Laugh Together! We need to laugh! There is enough bad news to go around! However, you put a group of Jesus Followers in a home setting with food - the laughs start coming! I love this aspect of LifeGroup.

Thanks LifeGroup! I look forward to our journey together!

Blessed beyond reason!

Here is a life changing thought...a shift in thinking, God's blessings' defy reason many times. Let me show you what I mean. Genesis 48 tells the story of Jacob's (Israel) final moments before he dies. As the custom was he gathered his sons' together and blesses them. But in vs. 17, the Bible tells us what Jacob was doing "displeased him." Why? It defied his reason. Jacob was blessing the wrong son, or so Joseph thought! Jacob was blessing the younger son, instead of the older one as was the custom. So this ticked Jo off.

Ever been there? Ever gotten mad because God didn't work like we thought or expected Him to? I have. But here's what I am learning, many times, the unexpected blessings of God defy reason. Defy the norm. Defy the way the "handbook" lays it out. So, here's the deal: These reason defying blessings are the ones that God uses not only to "surprise" bless us, but more importantly, He uses them to advance His kingdom & make Jesus famous!

You know when I think about it...my salvation is the biggest blessing that defies reason. There is no way that I should be saved. I am a sinner. I violated God's law...guilty! Yet, b/c of Jesus' willingness to climb on the cross and receive in Himself the wrath for MY sin...I am able to receive the blessing of being one of God's Kids!! That defies my reasoning...but I am so thankful God doesn't bless according to my reasoning!

Fire!

This week I hung out with the "wild child's." I went to LIFT Camp @ Cedarville University with the students in our student ministry. It was amazing! The worship experiences are unbelievable. The auditorium had a balcony and during the worship and message, I went up and found a place that I could see both the speaker and our kids. I wasn't spying!! The truth is I love to watch teenagers praise God and get excited about Him! It is a contagious thing! When a student wraps his/her mind around the fact that God loves them, wants to talk and get to know them, has a plan for their life and can save them...it is awe inspiring! I wish that adults could have a "camp" of their own. Not a couple's retreat or seminar or outing...but camp! A no holds barred, in your face, rock your foundation, never gone be the same time that we get away from the world to get close to our Father. If teens need this - how much more do we? Jesus regularly pulled away into the wilderness to get alone with God.

Hmmm...ideas are brewing in my mind, stay tuned, there's more to come!

Listening...

I am reading a book on how to be a better listener and so far the conclusion about myself that I have come to realize is that I am pretty lame at this. I (most of us do) thought that I am a good listener. Heck, it's my job to "hear" people!! But what I have noticed is that many times, unknowingly, I want to jump in & solve problems for people - also what I do, a problem solver! This may or may not be the best thing in that moment when someone is opening up & pouring themselves out. They simply may need me to listen and hear them. They may actually want to reach a solution or conclusion on their own without the help of my infinite, vast, deep, and always pertinent knowledge!! (Crazy, right??)

So this week, let the discipline of listening begin! I'll let you know how I do!

Much love,

T.

Got FAITH?

Hey everybody! Check this out: Wednesday June 14th, we are launching our FAITH Evangelism Strategy! I am super stoked (that's excited for all you old schoolers!) about this. I firmly believes God honors His Word and his people when we are faithful to proclaim the life giving hope of Jesus Christ. This is what FAITH is all about. WARNING: This will change you from the inside-out...in a good way! God is going to move mightily in this ministry & I want you to be a part of it. Soooo....you don't want to miss this wednesday night b/c I will be unwrapping FAITH in detail. Come hear the who, what, how & why of this ministry and get ready to celebrate what God is going to do in Ft. Wayne through our efforts at BBC!

See you there! Much love,

Todd

Jekyll and Hyde Vs. a Stone - Round 1

In Joshua 3-4, the Bible tells the story of the Children of Israel finally going into the Promised Land that God had promised to give them as their home. They cross over the Jordan River, on dry ground, (a miracle in itself!) and camp out at Gilgal. Then God tells them to take 12 stones and set up a memorial, so that all their kids, grandkids and future generations would know of how God brought them to this land and planned to make them a mighty nation. Then Joshua tell the fathers to teach their families this amazing story.

As I was thinking about this, the question that I had to ask myself is, "Why do I tend to be more like "Jekell and Hyde" instead of a rock? Do you ever feel that way? Here's what I mean, Joshua was a rock to the nation of Israel but more importantly to his family. He made a life defining claim when he said, "But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord." Then he lived it! He believed God, lived out his life LIKE he believed God...and as a result, God honored him in the "sight of all Israel." So much so, that they were in awe of him just like they had been in awe of Moses. That's a legacy! That's being a rock! Strong...unmovable...always knowing what to expect...like a chevy truck tough...rock!

Man, I want to be that way. But to be honest, at times there's a dark side of me that more resembles Dr. Jekell and Mr. Hyde than I care to admit! I can be a strong spiritual leader for my family one day and then the next, when life gives the jab, cross, hook & uppercut combo - shazam! I can easily turn back to a dirty and defeated poor excuse of a leader!

God has lovingly given the answer for this...Focus. (Cue Rocky music or Mr. Miaggi telling Daniel-son to "Focus Powah!") Walking with and consistently looking to the "author and finisher" of our faith - JESUS - will cure this change that tempts us and will "harden" us into a steady, strong and dependable rock who is ready for whatever is thrown our way! Why? B/c the more we walk with Christ, the more we become like and model Him...who is our Rock.

So don't be defeated. It's time to rise up! Let's BE who God designed us to be!

Bring it on!

T.

The worst look I've ever seen!

It was the look on her face that I will never forget! A look of complete fear, despair and helplessness. Last night, after midweek motivation, Joann, myself, Todd and Timmy jumped into the truck to head out to our favorite restaurant, Chili's.. We said the usual goodbyes and started to pull out of the parking lot. There was only one problem: no Desiree. We had a breakdown of communication. We thought she was riding with someone else, she thought she was riding with us. The next thing I know, I hear screaming! (above the sound of the engine) I stopped the truck, looked behind us and that's when I saw the look on Desiree's face that broke my heart. Complete terror. She thought we were leaving her. So did we! She was running toward the truck, tears flowing like buckets! I opened the door and she climbed in - in record setting pace I might add. I assured her we would never leave her. (on purpose anyway!)

But it was that look! I can't forget that look. It spoke volumes to me. It defined to me what brought her meaning. What brings her happiness. What she wants most right now...To be with mommy and daddy.

Here's the really simple but profound point to this story. There are times in my life when I'm tempted to give that look to God. I start to think He has left "the building and is heading out the parking lot of our lives." It could be that I've moved away from Him, or started letting my circumstances dictate my theology or whatever but here's the simple truth: God has never left the parking lot or me. No matter what my circumstances tell me - I simply need to rest in the Bible's promise that "He will never leave us or forsake us."

A Waste?

What's Up! Welcome to my blog! What is a P.H.D.M. you ask? Simple. It stands for Pastor. Husband. Dad. Man. What you will be reading will be the random thoughts that go on in my head. Sometimes it will be funny. Other times very serious. I hope you that you enjoy them and that you are encouraged as well.

here we go...

I have been reading a dangerous book this month (I took a challenge to read a book a month...would be more, but I'm honestly not a fast reader!) by John Piper called Don't Waste Your Life. It has been extremely challenging. The concept behind it is to evaluate what we spend out days pursuing. This book has rocked my thinking to the core. Here is where I'm at so far...

The question that I must ask myself daily is this: Am I going to pursue self and all that the "pursuit" of happiness brings or am I willing to give up that pursuit and follow God's lead, even if it is to the hard, never safe, unfamiliar and out of the comfort zone places?

Confession: I tend to naturally slip back into the safe, protect my rear, get comfortable zone all too easily. However, because of my recent trip to Africa, God is shaking those foundations in me. I'm glad. I don't want to be on my death bed and look back over my life and think, "Did I waste it?" "Is there more I could have done to spread the name of Jesus?" Ultimately, I want to know that my life counted for something bigger and something more than the "pursuit of Todd." I want to spend my life in pursuit of God's plan for me.

I'll let you know how this goes! Until later....

Love, Peace & Chicken Grease!