As the weather starts to change, the leaves start to fall, and you begin to hear the sound of the marching band coming your way, something stirs in your heart. Their is just something about the end of a season and the transition of a new way that always gets to me. It always seems to make me feel sentimental for what happened in the past few months and hopeful for what is to come.
For us here in the midwest United States, it is about time for fall and when I think of fall I think of sweatshirts, college football, a great bowl of chili, beautiful weather, perfection. But as I think of the future perfection to come, I cannot help but look back at the summer that was 2012 and all it had to bring.
As many of you know, this past spring I married the love of my life Jenny Tod in Indianapolis, IN on March 10th, 2012. It was the most magical experience of my life. Such an unexplainable feeling to see something you have dreamed of for so many years finally come true. Not to mention the fact that for the rest of my life I get to spend time with my best friend, sharing in the good, the bad, and the ugly. This being said, this was Jenny and I's first summer together and most of all our first summer in Cincinnati. Man was it hot. Record heat killed us in our downtown apartment because of the lack of Central A/C (something you don't appreciate until it is gone). All in all, we had a wonderful summer together downtown just steps away from Street Pops, all the events in OTR, and not to mention Graeter's Ice Cream on Fountain Square.
This was also my first summer at Groesbeck Church as their Pastor of Student Ministries. It was an exciting event filled summer with trips jam packed into the month of July that I almost felt as though I was not home at all (not a good feeling). I went on my first trip to Ichthus, Minot, ND, and Awaken the City. All of these trips giving me the opportunity to get closer with our church family and really begin to feel at home. This summer also gave me the drive to get work done as we have begun in our process of redesigning the church as a whole from the ground up. It is a really exciting, yet scary process as we begin to rethink what God has in store for Groesbeck Church.
This summer being exciting and fun-filled only gives me the sense of hope for the fall. What is in store just around the corner? I will never know for sure what is going to happen next, but what I do know is that the Lord is leading us in the direction we are supposed to go and I am so excited to follow him humbly and serve him with all of my heart. God sure is doing some amazing things in our lives and I am so excited for him to show himself in miraculous ways once again.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Indie Thoughts // Normal Mind
Showing posts with label Chaos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chaos. Show all posts
Monday, August 6, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
And the Vote was...
If you have been following Groesbeck United Methodist church in Colerain Township for the last couple of months, you know all about the Consultation process. This being a process that was voted on and issued by the West Ohio Conference of Methodist Church (for those of you who are non-denominational, this is the form of organization for the Methodist Denomination in West Ohio). Led by our conference leaders Sue Nelson Kibbey and Brian Brown, our church was chosen as one of only 12 in the 1100 that call themselves West Ohio Conference members. This is truly an honor to be considered for this and our church members as well as staff were really exciting to see what this meant.
Therefore, over the past months there have people evauluating our church, all the way from our building structure to our worship style. They explored all areas of our church community and at the end of their time of evaluation they gave us 5 prescriptions. These prescriptions were 5 changes that they believed needed to be made in order to take our church to the next level. After a month of town hall meetings and conversations the church membership body took a vote and by a wide margin the prescriptions based (92.7%) and will be initiated over the next 3 years here at Groesbeck.
This exciting time of evalutation mostly makes me felel as though I should praise the Lord for the gift he has given us as a church, but it also reminds me that there are some huge opportunities that must be taken advantage of over the coming years. We, as a staff and church body, have an amazing opportunity to change the lives of thousands of people in the Colerain community through the changes and development that will come with these prescriptions. All of which are centered on our core task to go and make disciplines.
With all that being said, I would ask for your prayers in the coming years for guidance from our loving and faithful Lord as well as leadership. We are feeling callling to shared the gospel with as many people in the Colerain area as possible, therefore we need your prayers.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Therefore, over the past months there have people evauluating our church, all the way from our building structure to our worship style. They explored all areas of our church community and at the end of their time of evaluation they gave us 5 prescriptions. These prescriptions were 5 changes that they believed needed to be made in order to take our church to the next level. After a month of town hall meetings and conversations the church membership body took a vote and by a wide margin the prescriptions based (92.7%) and will be initiated over the next 3 years here at Groesbeck.
This exciting time of evalutation mostly makes me felel as though I should praise the Lord for the gift he has given us as a church, but it also reminds me that there are some huge opportunities that must be taken advantage of over the coming years. We, as a staff and church body, have an amazing opportunity to change the lives of thousands of people in the Colerain community through the changes and development that will come with these prescriptions. All of which are centered on our core task to go and make disciplines.
With all that being said, I would ask for your prayers in the coming years for guidance from our loving and faithful Lord as well as leadership. We are feeling callling to shared the gospel with as many people in the Colerain area as possible, therefore we need your prayers.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Monday, March 5, 2012
To Your Story...
Last night at CHAOS//Sunday Night Benji and I led the students through an exercise as a part of our Crash Series (series dedicated to shamelessly pursuing the mission of Jesus Christ). We encouraged the students to ask themselves a few questions about their relationship with Jesus and in the midst of this establish their story. This practice is not something revolutionary to the church, but it is a form of evangelism that seems to be effective when it comes to truly loving people in the name of Christ. With this being said, we asked them to think about what their lives were like in these three situations
Before they met Jesus
When they met Jesus
After they met Jesus
Each of these stages of their lives, no matter where they were in their relationship with Jesus, brought to life some important ideas and reflections. But it got me thinking about my story, so I thought I would share it with you.
Before I met Jesus...
I was raised with two parents that felt it would be beneficial for us to go to church. Therefore, my family and I attended Harvest Christian Church in St. Charles, MO. This was the place I was introduced to the idea of church and what it meant to be a regular church member (not necessarily a follower of Christ, for I was still 5 years old when we attended here), but this was the place my mother decided to follow Christ for the first time. It was a long journey for her, but you will have to ask her for her story. Shortly after this my father got a job in Wellington, FL and we were off. Our next stop in this journey of faith was at New Hope Community Church. This is where much of my religious beginning took place. I began to realize what the bible was, who God was, and Jesus' purpose for coming to this earth.
When I met Jesus...
Only a few years later, I attended a Vacation Bible School (super cheesy I know), and during their invitation time with my group, I found myself walking toward the front of the room. I was not sure why, but I merely felt a tug on my heart that being in relationship with Jesus was the purpose of our lives here on Earth. It was like that missing piece that I did not even know was missing was finally in my grasp. Little did I know, my father was attending a Promise Keepers event in Atlanta, GA and during the same week he encountered Christ for the first time. He too chose to follow Christ with his life, giving me the push I needed to follow in his footsteps and be baptized into the faith. There is just something about a father son relationship that brought us together that day and I will never forget it.
After I met Jesus...
Although I was now in relationship with the savior of the world, I was quickly learning that there were a lot of problems in this world and I was going to have to suffer through a lot. Just a few years later we were relocated away from our church home back up north to Illinois. This was especially hard for our family because we truly felt our family was in Florida, but we chose to trust God and he brought us, as a family, to Bloomington-Normal, IL. We then found a church home at Eastview Christian Church and me with OASIS Student Ministries. These years in Junior High and High School are what led me to believe that the Lord was calling me into vocational full-time ministry. Before this was able to happen, I had to endure some suffering. During my 8th Grade & Freshman year of high school, I struggled with severe anxiety and depression. It was a long battle that God led me through, but as he finally did, he set on my heart that I would never allow a student to feel inferior or worthless. But now it was my job to teach students of the hope and power that comes through a relationship with the living God. Through much prayer and conversations with men I trust, I came to the conclusion that I would pursue a degree in youth ministry from Cincinnati Christian University. It was at this point that Jesus truly made me into the man I am today. At college, I was given the opportunity to work with Bloc Ministries in Price Hill and for some reason he gave me a hurt for the intercity students in Cincinnati. Not to mention he allowed me the privilege to marry the most amazing partner in ministry Jennifer Schroeder (#31012). As I continued on my journey the Lord led me to Groesbeck United Methodist Church and CHAOS//SM to do ministry alongside Benji Sayre and the rest of the staff at Groesbeck. TO BE CONTINUED...
As I look back at my story I hope that it will change of the lives of those who read it, not because it is about me, but because it will show people the power of the cross and the redemption that is found in a relationship with Jesus. I pray that as you read this you begin to write your story for the Lord is speaking to you everyday and even today he is adding a line to the poem that is our lives.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Before they met Jesus
When they met Jesus
After they met Jesus
Each of these stages of their lives, no matter where they were in their relationship with Jesus, brought to life some important ideas and reflections. But it got me thinking about my story, so I thought I would share it with you.
Before I met Jesus...
I was raised with two parents that felt it would be beneficial for us to go to church. Therefore, my family and I attended Harvest Christian Church in St. Charles, MO. This was the place I was introduced to the idea of church and what it meant to be a regular church member (not necessarily a follower of Christ, for I was still 5 years old when we attended here), but this was the place my mother decided to follow Christ for the first time. It was a long journey for her, but you will have to ask her for her story. Shortly after this my father got a job in Wellington, FL and we were off. Our next stop in this journey of faith was at New Hope Community Church. This is where much of my religious beginning took place. I began to realize what the bible was, who God was, and Jesus' purpose for coming to this earth.
When I met Jesus...
Only a few years later, I attended a Vacation Bible School (super cheesy I know), and during their invitation time with my group, I found myself walking toward the front of the room. I was not sure why, but I merely felt a tug on my heart that being in relationship with Jesus was the purpose of our lives here on Earth. It was like that missing piece that I did not even know was missing was finally in my grasp. Little did I know, my father was attending a Promise Keepers event in Atlanta, GA and during the same week he encountered Christ for the first time. He too chose to follow Christ with his life, giving me the push I needed to follow in his footsteps and be baptized into the faith. There is just something about a father son relationship that brought us together that day and I will never forget it.
After I met Jesus...
Although I was now in relationship with the savior of the world, I was quickly learning that there were a lot of problems in this world and I was going to have to suffer through a lot. Just a few years later we were relocated away from our church home back up north to Illinois. This was especially hard for our family because we truly felt our family was in Florida, but we chose to trust God and he brought us, as a family, to Bloomington-Normal, IL. We then found a church home at Eastview Christian Church and me with OASIS Student Ministries. These years in Junior High and High School are what led me to believe that the Lord was calling me into vocational full-time ministry. Before this was able to happen, I had to endure some suffering. During my 8th Grade & Freshman year of high school, I struggled with severe anxiety and depression. It was a long battle that God led me through, but as he finally did, he set on my heart that I would never allow a student to feel inferior or worthless. But now it was my job to teach students of the hope and power that comes through a relationship with the living God. Through much prayer and conversations with men I trust, I came to the conclusion that I would pursue a degree in youth ministry from Cincinnati Christian University. It was at this point that Jesus truly made me into the man I am today. At college, I was given the opportunity to work with Bloc Ministries in Price Hill and for some reason he gave me a hurt for the intercity students in Cincinnati. Not to mention he allowed me the privilege to marry the most amazing partner in ministry Jennifer Schroeder (#31012). As I continued on my journey the Lord led me to Groesbeck United Methodist Church and CHAOS//SM to do ministry alongside Benji Sayre and the rest of the staff at Groesbeck. TO BE CONTINUED...
As I look back at my story I hope that it will change of the lives of those who read it, not because it is about me, but because it will show people the power of the cross and the redemption that is found in a relationship with Jesus. I pray that as you read this you begin to write your story for the Lord is speaking to you everyday and even today he is adding a line to the poem that is our lives.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Friday, November 18, 2011
Senioritis...
It will be 4 short weeks and I, Alec Myles Tod, will be graduating from Cincinnati Christian University with a Bachelor of Sciences in Biblical Studies and Youth Ministry. It was 3 years in the making, but I am finally at the point when I can begin to call myself a college grad. It is one thing to be a college student and have that satisfaction under my belt of learning, but it is yet another to say that I am the first of the immediate Tod family to graduate from college. My mother and father both did not graduate from college for different reasons, therefore growing up and graduating from the school of handwork and discipline. They have worked very hard to get to the position they are in now, specifically my dad, and this is just the next step for me in that hard working journey.
But with this upcoming deadline comes a disease that is contagious and is known as "Senioritis". Yes, I was treated for this disease in the fall of 2007 when I became a High School senior. Throughout High school I was given amazing opportunities to excel and senior year was no exception. But it seemed that I was so concerned about what was going to happen in college the next fall, that I forgot what was right in front of me. Because of my impatience and anticipation, I lost opportunity to speak with people about Jesus Christ. I was so ready to continue on this journey that God calls life, that I did not realize the rest area would be humanity. These lost opportunities have motivated me to become the person I am today, a fully dedicated life to the service of students.
In the same situation, it is only 4 shorts week away and I too will be feeling the true affects of senioritis. I am battling these feelings as week speak with some going for me outside of work at Emmanuel Church of Greenwood. Graduating Dec. 2011, Start a new job Jan. 1 2012, Getting Married (March 10, 2012), walking at commencement May 12, 2012. As these major events have me looking at least 8 months in advance.
But what I have come to realize is that we have been placed in every situation we see ourselves in for a reason. That the most important thing to realize is to passionately spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. For me, in this very moment, I have been placed at both Emmanuel Church of Greenwood and One Mission Society for a specific reason. Although that passion may fizzle, I have begun to realize that worshipping God through the obedience and trusting your life with Christ is what must happen.
As a senior I look forward to every day that I am given and especially the opportunities that are placed before me, whether it be marriage, a job, or merely speaking the truth of the gospel to a person that I meet. I am truly honored to be a small part in the redemption of this earth.
Till another day,
normallyINDIE
But with this upcoming deadline comes a disease that is contagious and is known as "Senioritis". Yes, I was treated for this disease in the fall of 2007 when I became a High School senior. Throughout High school I was given amazing opportunities to excel and senior year was no exception. But it seemed that I was so concerned about what was going to happen in college the next fall, that I forgot what was right in front of me. Because of my impatience and anticipation, I lost opportunity to speak with people about Jesus Christ. I was so ready to continue on this journey that God calls life, that I did not realize the rest area would be humanity. These lost opportunities have motivated me to become the person I am today, a fully dedicated life to the service of students.
In the same situation, it is only 4 shorts week away and I too will be feeling the true affects of senioritis. I am battling these feelings as week speak with some going for me outside of work at Emmanuel Church of Greenwood. Graduating Dec. 2011, Start a new job Jan. 1 2012, Getting Married (March 10, 2012), walking at commencement May 12, 2012. As these major events have me looking at least 8 months in advance.
But what I have come to realize is that we have been placed in every situation we see ourselves in for a reason. That the most important thing to realize is to passionately spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. For me, in this very moment, I have been placed at both Emmanuel Church of Greenwood and One Mission Society for a specific reason. Although that passion may fizzle, I have begun to realize that worshipping God through the obedience and trusting your life with Christ is what must happen.
As a senior I look forward to every day that I am given and especially the opportunities that are placed before me, whether it be marriage, a job, or merely speaking the truth of the gospel to a person that I meet. I am truly honored to be a small part in the redemption of this earth.
Till another day,
normallyINDIE
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Reality TV...
Although the original reality TV is considered to be Survivor, I like to think otherwise. I like to believe that the trails and tribulations of the lives of those who call Newport Beach, CA home was indeed the first reality TV show. Although the OC is not technically reality, it was based on a reality. And I do find it to be embracing, but after getting the first and second season on DVD and spending the past weekend watching much of it, I have begun to realize the connections that can be found between "reality TV" and "reality". Yes I said it connections between Ryan, Seth, Marissa, and Summer of the OC to our reality.
Those of you who are/were fans of the OC know that life at Newport Beach is filled with drama from beginning to end. With the beginning of a new problem, soon following the resolution of the fast conflict. this cycle, although abstract, may be closer to reality than we think.
It may not necessarily be the same drama that has hindered the lives of the Cohens that occurs in our world, but it is just not. Week seek for our lives to simply go day to day without any problems and work themselves out to the way that we sit fit. For example, if my fiancé and I had it our way there would be no problems in our relationship, no tension in our family, no job searching (first job was a yes), and no financial worries. But the reality is that our will is not "his" will. Although it may seem tedious or trivial, God has led Jenny and I through ups and downs that have built us to be who we are. Not merely to make us better "people", but to prepare us for the ministry he has set before us.
We are all given opportunities in our life to bring glory to his name and our lives are a living testimony to the glory that is found in the arms of God.
Our lives may be just as dramatic as the Cohens of Newport Beach, but what is known is that through the ups and downs and through the drama purpose is found. A purpose of living a life worth being called Son's and Daughters of God. We have been given an opportunity to serve God that goes much deeper than the trivial and tedious acts of day to day life. But instead the glory that is shown today will ring in the hallways of heaven for all of eternity.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Those of you who are/were fans of the OC know that life at Newport Beach is filled with drama from beginning to end. With the beginning of a new problem, soon following the resolution of the fast conflict. this cycle, although abstract, may be closer to reality than we think.
It may not necessarily be the same drama that has hindered the lives of the Cohens that occurs in our world, but it is just not. Week seek for our lives to simply go day to day without any problems and work themselves out to the way that we sit fit. For example, if my fiancé and I had it our way there would be no problems in our relationship, no tension in our family, no job searching (first job was a yes), and no financial worries. But the reality is that our will is not "his" will. Although it may seem tedious or trivial, God has led Jenny and I through ups and downs that have built us to be who we are. Not merely to make us better "people", but to prepare us for the ministry he has set before us.
We are all given opportunities in our life to bring glory to his name and our lives are a living testimony to the glory that is found in the arms of God.
Our lives may be just as dramatic as the Cohens of Newport Beach, but what is known is that through the ups and downs and through the drama purpose is found. A purpose of living a life worth being called Son's and Daughters of God. We have been given an opportunity to serve God that goes much deeper than the trivial and tedious acts of day to day life. But instead the glory that is shown today will ring in the hallways of heaven for all of eternity.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Monday, June 27, 2011
My Personal Whirlwind...
Man, what is going on in my life.
As many of you know I am currently the Student Ministries Intern at Emmanuel Church of Greenwood, engaged to a wonderful fiance Jenny Schroeder , and am currently on a quest to Blog Weekly (this one is a little late), read the One Year Bible daily, journal daily, and read 50 pages daily. Although this may seem like a lot, it is these spiritual disciplines that have kept my mind, body, and spirit centralized on God. In all the chaos that is the summer and all the chaos that goes into an internship, planning a wedding, and just daily life in general I know that these four things will stay central to who I am and the spiritual growth that takes place.
What has been the fruits of these spiritual disciplines as they have played out over the past month and a half. I have found a revived sense of strength in knowing that my creator God is central to my life. I have built a renewed trust and hope in him both in my personal decisions as well as our decisions as soon to be newlyweds. I have come around this idea that intentional habits, lead to intentional spiritual growth, thus intentional growth leading to intentional life change, this intentional life change leading to a deepening influence. All of which are imperative to the saving of the lives of the people I am around on a daily basis.
Although my life this past month has been a true whirlwind of emotions, feelings, life change, and chaos, I have found one thing to reign true throughout and that is the fact that "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you." These are the words of Jesus to his disciples in Acts 1 after he revealed to them the fact that they are the ones being called to make disciples across all the world. This overwhelming task would have undoubtedly lead to a wave of emotions and doubt if it were not for this phrase "YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER". Jesus assures us, just as he assured his disciples, that we will receive power if we choose to trust in him with our whole lives.
In the midst of the chaos, I continue to choose Christ on a daily basis and in return I receive power from the Holy Spirit.
I challenge you with the same, you will not be left in weakness.
Till Another Day
normallyINDIE
Acts 1:8
As many of you know I am currently the Student Ministries Intern at Emmanuel Church of Greenwood, engaged to a wonderful fiance Jenny Schroeder , and am currently on a quest to Blog Weekly (this one is a little late), read the One Year Bible daily, journal daily, and read 50 pages daily. Although this may seem like a lot, it is these spiritual disciplines that have kept my mind, body, and spirit centralized on God. In all the chaos that is the summer and all the chaos that goes into an internship, planning a wedding, and just daily life in general I know that these four things will stay central to who I am and the spiritual growth that takes place.
What has been the fruits of these spiritual disciplines as they have played out over the past month and a half. I have found a revived sense of strength in knowing that my creator God is central to my life. I have built a renewed trust and hope in him both in my personal decisions as well as our decisions as soon to be newlyweds. I have come around this idea that intentional habits, lead to intentional spiritual growth, thus intentional growth leading to intentional life change, this intentional life change leading to a deepening influence. All of which are imperative to the saving of the lives of the people I am around on a daily basis.
Although my life this past month has been a true whirlwind of emotions, feelings, life change, and chaos, I have found one thing to reign true throughout and that is the fact that "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you." These are the words of Jesus to his disciples in Acts 1 after he revealed to them the fact that they are the ones being called to make disciples across all the world. This overwhelming task would have undoubtedly lead to a wave of emotions and doubt if it were not for this phrase "YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER". Jesus assures us, just as he assured his disciples, that we will receive power if we choose to trust in him with our whole lives.
In the midst of the chaos, I continue to choose Christ on a daily basis and in return I receive power from the Holy Spirit.
I challenge you with the same, you will not be left in weakness.
Till Another Day
normallyINDIE
Acts 1:8
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