As many of you know, I had the opportunity speak at Twin Oaks CC's main stage. It was an amazing opportunity to speak to our members that I do not always get. I had the chance to not only speak to our students and their parents, but also a ton of new visitors that were excited to try our church for the first time. We are currently in our 40 Days in the Word series this past week being Meaning of the Text.
It was an amazing opportunity to speak to our church and most of all to go through the text of John 15. Never before did I fully think about what it meant to bear fruit and the fact that Jesus has called all of his disciples to do so. I understood that we need to "bear fruit" we are told that hundreds of times, but never did I really look into the text to understand how to do that. What I found was amazing. Like the majority of our faith, it comes down to the idea of remaining in Christ, taking up residency in his arms. That being the case we will bear fruit, we will see God's glory, and his joy will be made complete in us. It is as simple as that and the simplicity behind this idea just makes my life that much better.
I serve a creator that has made himself available to us all through is word and I am so excited to continue on this journey of discovery. If you would like to listen to the message from Twin Oaks CC Click Here
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Indie Thoughts // Normal Mind
Showing posts with label Discipline. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Discipline. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Burning my Plows...
At Twin Oaks, we just finished a series centered on the fact that God is Greater Than... the series being loosely based on the fact that we have to recognize that our God that we serve is much greater than we give him credit. So much of the time we spend thinking about how we are going to do this or what we are going to do can be washed away if we realize that our God is Greater.
Out of this message from our senior pastor Randy Wheeler, came a discussion regarding the book "Greater" by Steven Furtick and most specifically the chapter in the book regarding Burning your plows. The chapter is based on Elisha and how he was called to leave his old profession of leading oxen on plows to doing something greater. The fact is that Elisha could have stored the plows or given them to someone for safe keeping or kept using them, but what he realized was that if he was truly going to follow the call he was given that was much Greater, then he had to purge his life of everything he used to be. This meant taking his plows and burning them. We began to discuss as a staff what this meant to us, what plows in our life was God calling us to burn in order to live a life Greater.
Thinking about these plows can be a humbling experience because throughout the process you rationalize to yourself that this is not needed or that you can be fine with just storing the plows because who knows you may go back to them at some point and you don't want them to be gone. But what God continues to say to us is that we have to be willing to sacrifice who we used to be in order to be something greater and if we are called to be again what we once were, the plows that are needed would again be provided.
Personally I have a lot of plows that need to be burned before I am willing to do the something greater that God is calling me/us to. I am currently in the process of lighting the matches and burning them myself, but even as I write this I am continuely reminded of the importance of this process. We all are hoping to do something much greater than we can even imagine, but there has to be an element of sacrifice attached to this.
If you haven't already pick up the book Greater by Steven Furtick and if you are looking for a church home in the Detroit area, join us at Twin Oaks CC in Woodhaven, MI. What are the plows that God is telling you to burn? How long are you willing to wait before becoming something GREATer.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Monday, November 5, 2012
Someday...
We were in staff meeting today at Twin Oaks CC and for the past couple of months we have been working through the book, "Hole in the Gospel" which tells the story of the directer of World Vision, how God called him into that position, and what God is calling his church to do to serve the poor. It is a great book that really brings to light what seems to always stay in the shadows. But this is not yet another book review. This is instead a story about what I hope to be Someday.
Our pastor at Twin Oaks has challenged us recently with the idea of Generosity and as someone who has been around the church for much time, I understand that each church does a series on money, giving, and what to do with it. Sometimes I have found myself to be desensitized to this because I have heard these messages so many times. But for some reason God grabbed my wife and I and said it is time to listen up.
He has not only brought to light the fact that we, as humans, have the cure to AIDS, water deprivation, malnutrition, poverty. This cure can be found in our bank accounts. But I did not feel that God said it is time for you to write a check, I mean he is probably calling us to do that, but much more he is calling us to change our attitudes. Change our attitude when it comes to money and possessions all together.
I have had a couple people in my life that I just feel exude God and what I feel like Jesus would be like. It all began with having a nature of a servant. Not just going on a mission trip here and there, but truly putting all others in this world ahead of their own needs. This means finances are included. Instead of thinking about how I am going to buy a new iPhone or how I am going to go on a vacation with my beautiful wife (both are much deserved), I would love to get to the point when I say how are we gonna pay for rent because we have spent all of our money helping our friends, family, or people that we may not even know. I do not think God is calling us to be irresponsible, I merely think God is asking us to change our attitude when it comes to money and taking care of ourselves.
He is asking us to truly say that all these things on this earth are rentals from him and we should never worry that we will be taken care of because we have always been taken care of, not because of anything we have done, but all because of Jesus.
I am not at that point in my relationship with Christ, but I hope that my wife and I can take the steps that we need to start to be more like him in this way. I hope that i can think of others first when I am paying the bills and how my money (not my excess) can go to help someone else.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Our pastor at Twin Oaks has challenged us recently with the idea of Generosity and as someone who has been around the church for much time, I understand that each church does a series on money, giving, and what to do with it. Sometimes I have found myself to be desensitized to this because I have heard these messages so many times. But for some reason God grabbed my wife and I and said it is time to listen up.
He has not only brought to light the fact that we, as humans, have the cure to AIDS, water deprivation, malnutrition, poverty. This cure can be found in our bank accounts. But I did not feel that God said it is time for you to write a check, I mean he is probably calling us to do that, but much more he is calling us to change our attitudes. Change our attitude when it comes to money and possessions all together.
I have had a couple people in my life that I just feel exude God and what I feel like Jesus would be like. It all began with having a nature of a servant. Not just going on a mission trip here and there, but truly putting all others in this world ahead of their own needs. This means finances are included. Instead of thinking about how I am going to buy a new iPhone or how I am going to go on a vacation with my beautiful wife (both are much deserved), I would love to get to the point when I say how are we gonna pay for rent because we have spent all of our money helping our friends, family, or people that we may not even know. I do not think God is calling us to be irresponsible, I merely think God is asking us to change our attitude when it comes to money and taking care of ourselves.
He is asking us to truly say that all these things on this earth are rentals from him and we should never worry that we will be taken care of because we have always been taken care of, not because of anything we have done, but all because of Jesus.
I am not at that point in my relationship with Christ, but I hope that my wife and I can take the steps that we need to start to be more like him in this way. I hope that i can think of others first when I am paying the bills and how my money (not my excess) can go to help someone else.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
"Greater" by Steven Furtick, Book Review
If any of you have paid attention lately to the Ministry world, you have probably heard of the Elevation Church in North Carolina (if I am not mistaken). He started that church after many years of dreaming, hoping, questioning, and trusting God. Just 6 years later he is worshipping with 10,000 believers from the area, not to mention millions around the world through their digital footprint. It is so exciting to see a guy that is committed to the call God has given him to do some amazing things including ministering to a church he attends as well as to the people that are listening, reading, and watching him speak.
A couple of years ago he released a book called, "Sun Stand Still" that challenged its' readers to believe like Joshua did when he asked the sun to literally stand still. The amazing thing in that story is that God came through, supernaturally. He challenged me to personally start challenging God to answer supernatural prayers that if they were answered could only be pointed back to him. This book changed the way I thought about the idea of dreaming, prayer, and a passionate relationship with God.
Most recently, Steven Furtick released a second book entitled "Greater", this time challenging his readers to realize that their life is and will be greater than they could ever imagine if they merely obeyed, sacrificed, and faith in the fact that God has called them to do something.
Beside the fact that his writing style makes it easy for even a new believer to get engaged, it is a book that does not leave you thinking that you have it all figured out. It does the exact opposite. As you will see in the next two blog posts, this book challenged me to rethink what I am doing in my life. It made me ask the question, "How am I leading my students that God has blessed me to minister to live a much greater life?" This book challenged me to question how I am living my life today. Am I really living the greater life God has called me to? Where will I be in 50 years and at that point will I feel that I truly capitalized on all that God has given me? Will Jesus say come join me in paradise good and faithful servant?
These are just a few of the questions that will surely come to mind as you read through this book and if you are someone who wants to take their life with God to another level, I strongly suggest getting a copy of both "Sun Stand Still" & "Greater" by Steven Furtick. Allow the writings of a great man of God change the relationship that you have with Christ.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
A couple of years ago he released a book called, "Sun Stand Still" that challenged its' readers to believe like Joshua did when he asked the sun to literally stand still. The amazing thing in that story is that God came through, supernaturally. He challenged me to personally start challenging God to answer supernatural prayers that if they were answered could only be pointed back to him. This book changed the way I thought about the idea of dreaming, prayer, and a passionate relationship with God.
Most recently, Steven Furtick released a second book entitled "Greater", this time challenging his readers to realize that their life is and will be greater than they could ever imagine if they merely obeyed, sacrificed, and faith in the fact that God has called them to do something.
Beside the fact that his writing style makes it easy for even a new believer to get engaged, it is a book that does not leave you thinking that you have it all figured out. It does the exact opposite. As you will see in the next two blog posts, this book challenged me to rethink what I am doing in my life. It made me ask the question, "How am I leading my students that God has blessed me to minister to live a much greater life?" This book challenged me to question how I am living my life today. Am I really living the greater life God has called me to? Where will I be in 50 years and at that point will I feel that I truly capitalized on all that God has given me? Will Jesus say come join me in paradise good and faithful servant?
These are just a few of the questions that will surely come to mind as you read through this book and if you are someone who wants to take their life with God to another level, I strongly suggest getting a copy of both "Sun Stand Still" & "Greater" by Steven Furtick. Allow the writings of a great man of God change the relationship that you have with Christ.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Just another week...
Yes, it is the middle of August 2012 and there is really not much to talk about in life. We are in the midst of something amazing here at Groesbeck Church with a rebranding campaign in full swing. We are just one month away from the relaunch of our Contemporary Service at 11:00am on Sundays and we could not be more excited about the opportunities that are going to come our way as we begin to serve the church.
But when I really think about it...what seems to keep coming to my mind is why we do what we do? What is the purpose of living a life as a pastor to a congregation of people who are looking for something. It is really just that. All of us inside are seeking something in our lives whether it be fame, fortune, love, happiness, but all of those things still really cannot fill the void that seems to get more vast every second of every day. That is the amazing gift that we pastors have the opportunity to share on a weekly basis.
The idea that hope can be find in a relationship with Christ Jesus and Christ Jesus alone. It makes all those other things seem insignificant. It brings to light the reason that we pastors stay up late and wake up early, visit the sick, preach on sundays, counsel during the week, because there is a community we are a part of that is looking for something. We have that something and it is our job to show that to them.
God has revealed in me that despite all things, he power and hope reigns true in all things. It is an exciting feeling and most of all a feeling that makes me want to drive to work every morning. A feeling that excites me when I have the chance to interact with students. A chance that excites me when I am able to share the gospel with a student and they get it. There is not a better feeling in life then knowing that you shared the gift of life with someone, the gift of life in Jesus Christ.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
50 and counting...
Almost 11 months ago I set out on a mission to write a blog post once a week, and although there have a few weeks where it has not been a priority (finals week, wedding, honeymoon) I did seem to find a way to catch up and always stay on pace to reach my goal. I am proud to say that although I have yet to hit the 1 year mark I have hit 50. That's right 50 posts (1 each week for the last 50 weeks).
Now for many of you this may just be a blog therefore what's the big deal when you read 50 posts. But for me this is a journal that goes through the moments of my life that have been influential from moving to Indianapolis, to marrying my wonderful wife, and ultimately moving back to Cincinnati to pursue a career in ministry.
As I look back on all 50 of these posts, I see high points during this year as well as low points that deserve a moment of reflection, each in their own special way. I have changed over these past 50 posts and it can be seen through my writing and studying.
If anything, this blog has been an outlet for me to speak my mind to whoever is listening, but most of all share my concerns about this world with the Lord. There is something truly freeing about putting words to a page. It trully can be a form of medication for a person that is struggling with anything from doubt to depression and happiness to joy.
I pray that over the next 50 posts I continuelly to see my life changed as well as the lives of others around me to be changed, not because I can write words to a page, but because the living God speaks through me. That is my prayer for this blog and my prayer for the community I am apart of, that they would all, someday be transformed by the power of the Gospel.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Now for many of you this may just be a blog therefore what's the big deal when you read 50 posts. But for me this is a journal that goes through the moments of my life that have been influential from moving to Indianapolis, to marrying my wonderful wife, and ultimately moving back to Cincinnati to pursue a career in ministry.
As I look back on all 50 of these posts, I see high points during this year as well as low points that deserve a moment of reflection, each in their own special way. I have changed over these past 50 posts and it can be seen through my writing and studying.
If anything, this blog has been an outlet for me to speak my mind to whoever is listening, but most of all share my concerns about this world with the Lord. There is something truly freeing about putting words to a page. It trully can be a form of medication for a person that is struggling with anything from doubt to depression and happiness to joy.
I pray that over the next 50 posts I continuelly to see my life changed as well as the lives of others around me to be changed, not because I can write words to a page, but because the living God speaks through me. That is my prayer for this blog and my prayer for the community I am apart of, that they would all, someday be transformed by the power of the Gospel.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Monday, April 2, 2012
Book Review - Weird by Craig Groeschel
In the midst of such a relaxing week off in the Dominican Republic during my beautiful wife and I's honeymoon, I had the opportunity to read the book Weird by Craig Groeschel. Craig is the leader of lifechurch.tv as well as the creater of the YouVersion Bible for all mobile devices. What brought me to reading this book was the innovation that Craig seems to be so excited about innovating in the ministry field. Just as the entire world is moving, our ministry world must also be moving and changing to become more innovative in order to relate to the lost and deing world we live in.
Overall this book was not necessarily what I thought it would be. The premise of the book was merely about the changing way we look at our everyday lives and instead of being normal, being "WEIRD" This statement is not new to Christian behave as Jesus also calls us to be aliens in this world, just as he was. But Craig takes a few steps further and breaks down every aspect of the human life and shows the importance of being "WEIRD". All the way from Parenting to Financial decisions all people must be "Weird". This is an intresting concept, but it is not necessarily anything that I have not heard before. The book was a simple read with many simple concepts that were easily appliable to life daily.
If you are looking for a book that is a simple read for students or for new Christians this is a great foundation for those seeking some guidance through life as a Christian. This book is nothing new in the ministry world, but it is a great, simple read.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Overall this book was not necessarily what I thought it would be. The premise of the book was merely about the changing way we look at our everyday lives and instead of being normal, being "WEIRD" This statement is not new to Christian behave as Jesus also calls us to be aliens in this world, just as he was. But Craig takes a few steps further and breaks down every aspect of the human life and shows the importance of being "WEIRD". All the way from Parenting to Financial decisions all people must be "Weird". This is an intresting concept, but it is not necessarily anything that I have not heard before. The book was a simple read with many simple concepts that were easily appliable to life daily.
If you are looking for a book that is a simple read for students or for new Christians this is a great foundation for those seeking some guidance through life as a Christian. This book is nothing new in the ministry world, but it is a great, simple read.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Here We Go...
Today marks the last day of my internship at Emmanuel Church of Greenwood, Movement Student Ministries and the last day of my college career at Cincinnati Christian University. Upon the completion of my internship this friday I will officially be graduating from college with a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies and Youth Ministry. It has been an exciting 3.5 years of college, but that is not what I am here to write about. It is an end of an era with Greenwood, IN. I have spent the last nine months of my life working at my beautiful fiancé's home church working with the Student Ministries team. I had the honor and privilege of working with a youth pastor named Shane Combs who has taught me how to be a man of God that truly cares for every person he sees including strangers, his family, and especially his wife. He has been a perfect example for me as a man and I am so excited to be partnering in ministry with him in the future.
Speaking of the future, last weekend I had received some amazing news. As many of you know it has been a long journey of applying for jobs, searching interviewing, and praying. In October I had the opportunity to interview with Benji Sayre of Groesbeck United Methodist Church in Cincinnati, OH. This job I found on the work database of CCU's website under the title of Community Youth Coordinator. Benji explained this job as a split between a co-youth pastor and a director of their after school program called CHAOS which caters to intercity high school and jr. high students in the Colerain area. After working with Bloc Ministries in the West Price Hill area for the past two years, this job really enticed me. At the end of the interview they gave me an opportunity to interview for a second time with the church search team. Although this interview was a little later than I would have liked it to be, it took place December 3rd at 10am. I was interviewed in three separate rooms by three separates groups of people. Although I was not used to this format, I felt that I thrived in it. Jenny and I then took some time to head to our favorite coffee shop in Cincinnati (Corner Bloc Coffee Shop). This is when I got the call I had been waiting for for the past six months. Benji gave me a call and let me know they are offering me the position as the Community Youth Coordinator for Groesbeck United Methodist Church Student Ministries. This was the answer to our prayers and Jennifer and I had been waiting for months for this to happen. It became official on Tuesday morning when I accepted the offer to work with the church.
It is a new beginning that will lead my future wife Jennifer and I to a new home in Cincinnati and on January 2nd I begin the journey of ministry that I have been praying for since my call to ministry when I was sixteen years old. We could not be more excited for the fact that God is leading us and we are merely following. It if were me I would have loved to have gotten the first job that I applied for in June, but little did I know since the opportunity I had a Bloc in 2009, God had been grooming me for this type of ministry.
But with new beginnings comes goodbyes. I would love to take this time to mention those people that truly ministered to me in the past eight months. I have spent countless hours talking with Shane Combs and Jason Beck, two men that I would trust my life with, Thank You. I have spent hours drinking coffee with Adam Ferrel, a high school student I am truly excited to see God minister through him. He motivates me every day to become more and more like Christ, Thank You. Eating lunches with Dallas Havens, talking about college and working through issues that completely can cripple us, Thank You. Every Tuesday morning at 6am, spending an hour studying scripture with my McTuesday boys. Working with my student small group leaders Makenzie Essig and Miranda Gladish, Thank You. Lastly, flying planes, working through family issues, and praying together with Jennifer & I's small group leaders, Ralph and Lucy Hill, Thank You. All of these people have had such an amazing influence on my life and I am so ready to continue in ministry with them over the next couple of years. But it truly saddens me to leave this family here in Greenwood and move to our new home.
But what I do understand is that God is going to provide people for this new season of life that will teach us and provide us with the opportunity for growth. This season of life here in Greenwood, IN God has been preparing us the next opportunity. This next opportunity is leading Jennifer and I to Groesbeck United Methodist Church in Cincinnati, OH and we could not be more honored to partner with God in this. We are praising God and saying thank you everyday and cannot wait for what is to come. Here we Go...
till another Day,
normallyINDIE
Speaking of the future, last weekend I had received some amazing news. As many of you know it has been a long journey of applying for jobs, searching interviewing, and praying. In October I had the opportunity to interview with Benji Sayre of Groesbeck United Methodist Church in Cincinnati, OH. This job I found on the work database of CCU's website under the title of Community Youth Coordinator. Benji explained this job as a split between a co-youth pastor and a director of their after school program called CHAOS which caters to intercity high school and jr. high students in the Colerain area. After working with Bloc Ministries in the West Price Hill area for the past two years, this job really enticed me. At the end of the interview they gave me an opportunity to interview for a second time with the church search team. Although this interview was a little later than I would have liked it to be, it took place December 3rd at 10am. I was interviewed in three separate rooms by three separates groups of people. Although I was not used to this format, I felt that I thrived in it. Jenny and I then took some time to head to our favorite coffee shop in Cincinnati (Corner Bloc Coffee Shop). This is when I got the call I had been waiting for for the past six months. Benji gave me a call and let me know they are offering me the position as the Community Youth Coordinator for Groesbeck United Methodist Church Student Ministries. This was the answer to our prayers and Jennifer and I had been waiting for months for this to happen. It became official on Tuesday morning when I accepted the offer to work with the church.
It is a new beginning that will lead my future wife Jennifer and I to a new home in Cincinnati and on January 2nd I begin the journey of ministry that I have been praying for since my call to ministry when I was sixteen years old. We could not be more excited for the fact that God is leading us and we are merely following. It if were me I would have loved to have gotten the first job that I applied for in June, but little did I know since the opportunity I had a Bloc in 2009, God had been grooming me for this type of ministry.
But with new beginnings comes goodbyes. I would love to take this time to mention those people that truly ministered to me in the past eight months. I have spent countless hours talking with Shane Combs and Jason Beck, two men that I would trust my life with, Thank You. I have spent hours drinking coffee with Adam Ferrel, a high school student I am truly excited to see God minister through him. He motivates me every day to become more and more like Christ, Thank You. Eating lunches with Dallas Havens, talking about college and working through issues that completely can cripple us, Thank You. Every Tuesday morning at 6am, spending an hour studying scripture with my McTuesday boys. Working with my student small group leaders Makenzie Essig and Miranda Gladish, Thank You. Lastly, flying planes, working through family issues, and praying together with Jennifer & I's small group leaders, Ralph and Lucy Hill, Thank You. All of these people have had such an amazing influence on my life and I am so ready to continue in ministry with them over the next couple of years. But it truly saddens me to leave this family here in Greenwood and move to our new home.
But what I do understand is that God is going to provide people for this new season of life that will teach us and provide us with the opportunity for growth. This season of life here in Greenwood, IN God has been preparing us the next opportunity. This next opportunity is leading Jennifer and I to Groesbeck United Methodist Church in Cincinnati, OH and we could not be more honored to partner with God in this. We are praising God and saying thank you everyday and cannot wait for what is to come. Here we Go...
till another Day,
normallyINDIE
Monday, November 21, 2011
In the Ministry...
Now when I say "the Ministry" I am not referring the the Ministry of Magic from the world of Harry Potter (excited that the final Harry Potter Movie came out), I am referring to the Ministry of Jesus Christ. It has been a few weeks now, but on October 29th 2011 I had the opportunity to become an ordained minister into the Christian Church/Church of Christ Non-demoninational sect of Christianity. That sounds like a lot, but in laymen's terms that means I have become an ordained minister into the Christian faith. What this means is that I now have the ability to perform wedding ceremonies, funeral ceremonies, and am considered an ordained ministers while applying for jobs. It is a great benefit, but most of all it is the ushering in of a new member into the ministry of pastors that have been thousands of years in the making.
My wonderful fiancé put together a ceremony to commemorate all of my achievements as a student as well as my call to ministry. The night included words from Joel Craig who has been my mentor in ministry since the beginning of my call in Junior High, my granny Gladys Wheeler, who despite her absence was able to send an audio of touching words of leadership (she has been my motivation to pursue ministry since I was a little boy), and lastly my father Jeff Tod who I was baptized with and have looked up to since I was able to speak my first words. I was given the opportunity at the end of the night to share a little bit about my vision for ministry as well as my gratitude for those around me. I was truly honored to have been given this call by to go into ministry and each of the people that spoke had amazing impacts on my life in a vital way.
God has called me into the ministry and this ordination was just one of hundreds of thousands of steps. After taking this first step, I look forward to continuing on this journey of life with my beautiful fiancé by my side and our call into ministry leading us. God is going to do amazing things through us and I just hope I am one of his many tools that he uses to spread the gospel to the ends of the Earth.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
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| Official Invitations designed by Turquoise Feathers |
My wonderful fiancé put together a ceremony to commemorate all of my achievements as a student as well as my call to ministry. The night included words from Joel Craig who has been my mentor in ministry since the beginning of my call in Junior High, my granny Gladys Wheeler, who despite her absence was able to send an audio of touching words of leadership (she has been my motivation to pursue ministry since I was a little boy), and lastly my father Jeff Tod who I was baptized with and have looked up to since I was able to speak my first words. I was given the opportunity at the end of the night to share a little bit about my vision for ministry as well as my gratitude for those around me. I was truly honored to have been given this call by to go into ministry and each of the people that spoke had amazing impacts on my life in a vital way.
God has called me into the ministry and this ordination was just one of hundreds of thousands of steps. After taking this first step, I look forward to continuing on this journey of life with my beautiful fiancé by my side and our call into ministry leading us. God is going to do amazing things through us and I just hope I am one of his many tools that he uses to spread the gospel to the ends of the Earth.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Friday, November 18, 2011
Sabbath...
Sitting in staff meeting on Monday at Emmanuel Church of Greenwood, I did not really know what to expect. It always seems to be something different and exciting every week. This week we had free Chickfila breakfast and coffee which is always nice, but beyond that there seemed to be a sense of importance to the day. I did not really know what to think until our senior pastor Danny Anderson came up to the front of the room to give us our Staff Development piece for the day. On a side note, at most of our staff meetings Danny, or another member of the staff, gets up in the front of the room and gives us a nugget of truth that we like to call Staff Development. It can be anything from inspiration, to a challenge, but this week was really exciting. He decided to talk about the subject of taking a Sabbath.
For most the Sabbath is a worn out term that died with those that practiced it in the Old Testament, but Danny challenged us to take it in a much more literal way. He painted to picture of the Sabbath as a divine law it is to be kept, not only by his pastors and teachers, but by all who call themselves followers of Christ.
The sabbath consisting of three ideas, filling up your emotional, spiritual, and physical tanks. He described it as such, throughout your week all of these tanks drain out what must be kept in us in order for us to do the work Christ called us too. Most of us merely hope that we are sustained enough to survive, but we are called to so much more. We are called at least once a week to take a "Sabbath" consisting of refilling these tanks to the level that is healthy. This can include, but is not limited to, doing things that truly fill you up which for some could be working out, reading, writing, praying, meditating, working on projects. But what is most important is that all the things that your do on your Sabbath are centered on glorifying and thanking God for what he has given you. Truly taking the time to revitalize yourself and your relationship with the Lord, which so often is set aside due to the busy nature of our culture.
Therefore, when Danny challenged us with this idea that we MUST take a Sabbath, I began to think, "am I taking a Sabbath once a week, and if I am what does it look like." I came to the conclusion that my Sabbath is nonexistent. Yes, I have my regular spiritual disciplines that include reading, writing, journaling, and prayer, but I am not taking time to truly glorify the Lord on one day. Am I truly taking a Sabbath?
I am now devoted to finding a time and a place to do just that, take a Sabbath that will refill all of my tanks and glorify Lord in the process. My Sabbath, whatever day that is, will consist of time studying scripture, blogging, journaling, reading books, sipping on coffee at my favorite coffee shop, watching movies, sleeping in, and a little praise and worship with my fiancé. All of these things are the things that truly fill me up and bring glory to God in the process.
Although I am not totally sure how to implement this into my weekly life just yet, I am dedicated to making this a part of my routine and especially a part of my marriage. I have also challenged Jenny with this idea and given her the opportunity to think about what her Sabbath would look like. It being drastically different than mine, she will find a way to fill her tanks once a week and truly glorify the Lord in the process.
I truly thank Danny Anderson for challenging us with this idea and thank the Lord for setting it on his heart to share. I look forward to spending my Sabbath with the Lord and seeing the true life change that comes as a result. I would challenge you to think of this idea yourself and truly begin to examine what your "Sabbath" may look like as your go about your daily life.
till another Day,
normallyINDIE
For most the Sabbath is a worn out term that died with those that practiced it in the Old Testament, but Danny challenged us to take it in a much more literal way. He painted to picture of the Sabbath as a divine law it is to be kept, not only by his pastors and teachers, but by all who call themselves followers of Christ.
The sabbath consisting of three ideas, filling up your emotional, spiritual, and physical tanks. He described it as such, throughout your week all of these tanks drain out what must be kept in us in order for us to do the work Christ called us too. Most of us merely hope that we are sustained enough to survive, but we are called to so much more. We are called at least once a week to take a "Sabbath" consisting of refilling these tanks to the level that is healthy. This can include, but is not limited to, doing things that truly fill you up which for some could be working out, reading, writing, praying, meditating, working on projects. But what is most important is that all the things that your do on your Sabbath are centered on glorifying and thanking God for what he has given you. Truly taking the time to revitalize yourself and your relationship with the Lord, which so often is set aside due to the busy nature of our culture.
Therefore, when Danny challenged us with this idea that we MUST take a Sabbath, I began to think, "am I taking a Sabbath once a week, and if I am what does it look like." I came to the conclusion that my Sabbath is nonexistent. Yes, I have my regular spiritual disciplines that include reading, writing, journaling, and prayer, but I am not taking time to truly glorify the Lord on one day. Am I truly taking a Sabbath?
I am now devoted to finding a time and a place to do just that, take a Sabbath that will refill all of my tanks and glorify Lord in the process. My Sabbath, whatever day that is, will consist of time studying scripture, blogging, journaling, reading books, sipping on coffee at my favorite coffee shop, watching movies, sleeping in, and a little praise and worship with my fiancé. All of these things are the things that truly fill me up and bring glory to God in the process.
Although I am not totally sure how to implement this into my weekly life just yet, I am dedicated to making this a part of my routine and especially a part of my marriage. I have also challenged Jenny with this idea and given her the opportunity to think about what her Sabbath would look like. It being drastically different than mine, she will find a way to fill her tanks once a week and truly glorify the Lord in the process.
I truly thank Danny Anderson for challenging us with this idea and thank the Lord for setting it on his heart to share. I look forward to spending my Sabbath with the Lord and seeing the true life change that comes as a result. I would challenge you to think of this idea yourself and truly begin to examine what your "Sabbath" may look like as your go about your daily life.
till another Day,
normallyINDIE
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
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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