If you haven't already, I strongly urge you to purchase the book Circle Maker by Mark Batterson. It is a great story about a faith journey for National Community Church. Most of all it teaches us as pastor to reinvent the way that we pray and the way that we interact with our Lord. But what I have found most recently is the way that I pray is being forever changed. The way I think about my relationship with God is coming alive through the way that I communicate with him.
I just recently started the Draw the Circle 40 Day Prayer Challenge that is laid out in the book and the companion. Reading today I found a text that was so empowering. That is the story of the Israelities crossing the Jordan River.
It is explained that the Israelities were making along journey to the promise land and they were on the cusp of finally making it there and the only thing that stood in their way was the mighty Jordan River during flood season. This was the most intimidating thing that they faced since the parting of the Red Sea. Yet another daunting task that they had to face in order to achieve what God called them to. But what is interesting about this story is that God called the Israelities to take the first step. He promised them that when they go their feet wet, the River would be stopped and they would walk across on dry ground. Therefore they had a decision to make, would they wait for God to make something happen before or would they be willing to get their feet wet and make the first move.
This is the issue that rescinates so much with my life because so much of the time what God is calling me to is so close, but I spend my life waiting for God to make the first move, when in fact God is waiting on me to get my feet wet. I don't know how close I have been to the dreams God has ordained me for and I am waiting for him to move. But this text suggests something so different. That is the idea that sometimes, God is waiting for us to step out in faith and say "I know it doesn't look like it now, but if I get my feet wet and step into the raging Jordan, then you will complete your side of the bargain and allow us to walk on dry ground." How many times are we waiting for God's will to be revealed in our lives when in fact God is waiting for us to step out in faith, so that he could then reveal his will in us?
What things are holding you back from truly stepping into the river and saying God I am ready and willing for you to part it. So much of the time we spend our time so close to our dreams when in fact they are there for the taking if we are willing to make the first move.
God is saying it is time for us to move, are you willing to take the first step and truly get your feet WET.
till another day,
normallyINDIE.
Indie Thoughts // Normal Mind
Showing posts with label Dreams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dreams. Show all posts
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Monday, November 5, 2012
On my Chest...
The expression of "wearing your heart on your chest" is something I had never really thought of till this moment. I would like to think of it in a little different way. I think that God does call us to truly wear our love of Christ on our chest, but I think that God lays others things on our heart that he would like to be included when people look at us. Most recently (besides everything else I have written about tonight) God has put on my heart the idea that we are disciples of Christ and that we have a job to do. But even outside of the fact that we have a job to do, Jesus has faith that we can do this job. He merely calls us to take up our cross, deny our own selfish ambitions, and follow him. Truly do what a disciple is which is be more like Christ (our rabbi) and follow him.
God is put it on my heart so much that I did not even realize it until I entitled an entire sermon series, "Going all in" challenging our students to have Bold Faith, Bold Obedience, & Bold Sacrifice. Little did I know God was going to talk directly to me in the midst of me talking to a group of 50 students on a weekly basis. I did not realize that he would be challenging me to truly think about the decision I have made with my life and will make with the rest of my life and ask am I denying myself and follow Christ or am I letting my crosses weigh me down? How are the decision I am making leading me closer to Christ and making me more like my rabbi.
If all we are called to do in this life is to love Christ and make him known, that is what I want all of my future decisions to display. I want people to look at my heart that is surely on my sleeve and see that it is stamped by Christ. I have a tattoo on my chest that is a price tag that is stamped with the word PAID. I did not do this to look cool or get an awesome Christian tattoo, instead I did this to remind myself that no matter what I do or have done my life has been paid by the blood of Christ. In response to that, what else can I do but follow the man that saved my life as close as possible.
Following my own selfish ambitions are merely the things that led Jesus to his death on the cross, so I am going to do all I can do to throw those down, turn around, and follow my savior, my christ, my sacrificial lamb.
That is what I wear on my sleeve. I wear a heart that has a stamp of payment on it and I have decided in order to glorify the man/God that saved my life, I am going to follow him with all everything that I have.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
God is put it on my heart so much that I did not even realize it until I entitled an entire sermon series, "Going all in" challenging our students to have Bold Faith, Bold Obedience, & Bold Sacrifice. Little did I know God was going to talk directly to me in the midst of me talking to a group of 50 students on a weekly basis. I did not realize that he would be challenging me to truly think about the decision I have made with my life and will make with the rest of my life and ask am I denying myself and follow Christ or am I letting my crosses weigh me down? How are the decision I am making leading me closer to Christ and making me more like my rabbi.
If all we are called to do in this life is to love Christ and make him known, that is what I want all of my future decisions to display. I want people to look at my heart that is surely on my sleeve and see that it is stamped by Christ. I have a tattoo on my chest that is a price tag that is stamped with the word PAID. I did not do this to look cool or get an awesome Christian tattoo, instead I did this to remind myself that no matter what I do or have done my life has been paid by the blood of Christ. In response to that, what else can I do but follow the man that saved my life as close as possible.
Following my own selfish ambitions are merely the things that led Jesus to his death on the cross, so I am going to do all I can do to throw those down, turn around, and follow my savior, my christ, my sacrificial lamb.
That is what I wear on my sleeve. I wear a heart that has a stamp of payment on it and I have decided in order to glorify the man/God that saved my life, I am going to follow him with all everything that I have.
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
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Another Cup of Coffee...
If you have been following this blog at all over the past 6 months, you will have seen a lot of book review and particularly book reviews that regard to my many Starbuck's books. I began my journey reading Onward by Howard Schultz which is a story about the rough patch that they encountered from 2008 - the present. Most of all how Schultz handled the pressure of stepping back into a managerial role and turning the company upside down. I then moved onto the Starbuck's Experience, this book was a perfect read because it encapsulates the 5 point business model that made Starbucks into the powerhouse it is today. Most recently I moved onto Pour Your Heart Into it by Howard Schultz (and another ghost writer). This is a little older look at the dynamic company, but it gives an in-depth history lesson of how the company began, thrived, and continues to find success through dynamic relevance. Thanks to a great friend of mine who is one of Starbuck's thousands of partners/baristas, I will be continuing to read up on this wonderful company.
You may be asking, why/how would a Pastor of Student Ministries find anything relevant for ministry in a book about a for profit company like Starbucks (besides the refreshing aroma of coffee as he reads it in a wonderful Starbucks location). It is very simple actually. Starbuck's has always valued the newcomer at a very high level, hoping to transform the way they understand coffee and how they experience it. Therefore, their baristas, locations, coffee, and food items all emulate a level excellence that truly gives the newcomer the best of experiencing something. This is exactly what I find to be true with the position I find myself in today. I have been called to create an experience for people to understand what God has created them for. It is being very sensitive to a newcomer that needs a little explaining as to why they would ever enjoy something like this. As well as training those that are working for me to be great advocates for what is happening in the name of God.
Like Starbuck's the church is trying to send a message to the world that their is something out there that they have never experienced before and that is the loving hope of Jesus Christ.
PS. If you there are any great Starbucks books I have missed please let me know and I will read them right away.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
You may be asking, why/how would a Pastor of Student Ministries find anything relevant for ministry in a book about a for profit company like Starbucks (besides the refreshing aroma of coffee as he reads it in a wonderful Starbucks location). It is very simple actually. Starbuck's has always valued the newcomer at a very high level, hoping to transform the way they understand coffee and how they experience it. Therefore, their baristas, locations, coffee, and food items all emulate a level excellence that truly gives the newcomer the best of experiencing something. This is exactly what I find to be true with the position I find myself in today. I have been called to create an experience for people to understand what God has created them for. It is being very sensitive to a newcomer that needs a little explaining as to why they would ever enjoy something like this. As well as training those that are working for me to be great advocates for what is happening in the name of God.
Like Starbuck's the church is trying to send a message to the world that their is something out there that they have never experienced before and that is the loving hope of Jesus Christ.
PS. If you there are any great Starbucks books I have missed please let me know and I will read them right away.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Time to Submit it...
In January of this year I accepted the position Community Youth Coordinator at Groesbeck United Methodist Church (soon to be changing to Student Ministries Pastor). This role includes directing and implementing an after school program for High School age students from Colerain HS and the surrounding area. With this comes funding and with this funding comes grant writing.
I am currently submitting a grant for Congregational Revitalization to the West Ohio Conference of United Methodist. It is an exciting opportunity that begin in February when I had the opportunity to travel to the conference offices in Columbus and sit through a seminar explaining just exactly what it meant to write a grant. After just over a month of editing, writing, and collecting it has come time to submit and in just two short days I will be submitting the grant for evaluation and approval at the West Ohio Conference. It is exciting, but also nerve-racking realizing that some of what we do here at CHAOS//Student Ministries could be dictated by the verdict that is returned after the submission of this grant. What I have come to realize is that not only is this a nerve racking opportunity, but it is also an opportunity to trust the living God who all in all is in control of all of our lives and the decisions that occur.
It got me thinking, in what other areas of my life is it important to submit and trust the Lord. I begin to think about my own personal finances and the well being of my family, the car troubles we find ourselves in as well as the continuing growth that comes with being an adult and I realize all of it. All of it must be submitted to the Lord, for in the midst of everything that seems to be so nerveracking and intimidating he finds a way to provide and not only provide for us, but be glorified in the process. When we think about life through that lens it makes it so much simpler. Asking the question how are my actions glorifying the Lord today and I am fully submitting and trusting the will of God to lead me through my life?
till another day,
normallyINDIE
I am currently submitting a grant for Congregational Revitalization to the West Ohio Conference of United Methodist. It is an exciting opportunity that begin in February when I had the opportunity to travel to the conference offices in Columbus and sit through a seminar explaining just exactly what it meant to write a grant. After just over a month of editing, writing, and collecting it has come time to submit and in just two short days I will be submitting the grant for evaluation and approval at the West Ohio Conference. It is exciting, but also nerve-racking realizing that some of what we do here at CHAOS//Student Ministries could be dictated by the verdict that is returned after the submission of this grant. What I have come to realize is that not only is this a nerve racking opportunity, but it is also an opportunity to trust the living God who all in all is in control of all of our lives and the decisions that occur.
It got me thinking, in what other areas of my life is it important to submit and trust the Lord. I begin to think about my own personal finances and the well being of my family, the car troubles we find ourselves in as well as the continuing growth that comes with being an adult and I realize all of it. All of it must be submitted to the Lord, for in the midst of everything that seems to be so nerveracking and intimidating he finds a way to provide and not only provide for us, but be glorified in the process. When we think about life through that lens it makes it so much simpler. Asking the question how are my actions glorifying the Lord today and I am fully submitting and trusting the will of God to lead me through my life?
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Book Review - Onward by Howard Schultz ...
Coffee has been a huge part of my life since I was 12 years old. My first interaction with coffee or a coffeeshop was a white chocolate mocha from Starbucks in Bloomington-Normal, IL. At they time my coffee taste buds were not so high and I needed a lot of sugar added to handle the coffee taste. But as I continued to grow up and my palette was toughened, I moved from a white chocolate mocha, to a vanilla latte, to drip coffee with a little bit of sugar, and now finally good old black coffee. My relationship and growth with coffee has grown from merely a small to go cup of coffee to a full on experience. In each city I have lived in over the past 5 years I have a specific coffee shop that has become home (Coffee Hound, Starbuck's, Corner Bloc, Mojo's, Strange Brew, & Coffee Emporium).
Although I have a heart for local coffee shops, there has always been a place in my heart for Starbuck's Coffee Company. I am not really sure why, but there is merely something about my start of my relationship with coffee that links me to Starbuck's. This link has only continued when I got ahold of the story of Starbucks book Onward written by their Founder & CEO Howard Schultz himself.
This book is written in the view of the story of Starbuck's and their journey from Pike Place to the thousands of stores across the world. Howard spend much of the book writting about the importance of leadership and leadership by communication. Reading through his words you can clearly see that coffee was not just grounds and some hot water, but coffee for Howard is a lifestyle, coffee for Howard is an experience.
What I could take away from this is the connection between the Starbuck's business model and the business model of the local church. So much of the time we think of church as being merely a Sunday morning event that we are required to be a part of because scripture says so, but this is not our product, our product is a lifestyle or an experience. The Lord has called us to a build a church that is centered on bringing people into relationship with his son Jesus Christ and in doing so leading them on the path of sanctification. With this responsibility we cannot merely "sell a good cup of coffee", but we have to make people realize that a relationship with Christ is so much more.
Like Howard, I look forwarrd to examining the ministry I am a part of and begin to understand if I am merely adding hot water to coffee grounds or if I am creating a once in a lifetime experience that will change the way people live their lives.
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
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Book Review - Redemption by Mike Wilkerson...
As of recently I have spent some time being engaged by the Re:Lit group that is a part of the Crossway Publishing Company. Begin by Pastor Mark Driscoll, this program was built to collect a group of writers that are committed to speaking the truth about spiritual, biblical, and societal issues in a text format. Many of you may recognize this from the popular book Doctrine by Mark Driscoll. Although this book is on my list to read/purchase it is not the book I found myself reading recently. Instead, I got my hands on Redemption by Mike Wilkerson. Mike is a pastor at Seattle's Mars Hill Church (which Mark Driscoll calls home as well) and he lead their counseling program. With this in mind, I felt the author would bring a fresh perspective to the problem of pain that so many authors have tried to tackle over the years.
The format being some what interesting began with the author diving into the story of the the Israelites and their problem with suffering, idol worship, and death. Intermixed with this biblical story from the Old Testament are real life stories of christians and non-christians alike who are struggling with a God that not only allows suffering in this world, but has allowed suffering to take over their lives. The pages are covered in the tears and blood of those who are suffering because of the sins and destruction of this world. But what this book doesn't do is point the finger at each individual person's sin, instead, it focuses on the hope and redemption that can be found through a relationship with Christ and his church. It calls those who are suffering fall on their knees in prayer and call on the hope of a savior that died for their sins. It also calls the church to have arms open wide for those who are suffering to come running. The author's writers calls the church to get out of the judgement seat and instead kneel down with those who are suffering and love them.
I could not agree more with this idea. I have dealt with problems of suffering myself, as well as been involved with people who are suffering through personal sin, addictions, and other "idols" that seem to steal their worship. I have been encouraged to not only kneel down with these people, but to allow them to share the burdens they feel on the shoulders of the church. For the church is supposed to be a place of redemption and hope. Right now the church is a place of judgement and condemnation and I do not want to be that type of Christian. I am constantly in prayer that God will change me and allow the redemption of the cross to flow through me.
If you are struggling with suffering, the problem of pain, or any other afflictions please speak with someone you trust or speak with me through twitter: @normallyINDIE or Facebook: Alec Tod.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
The format being some what interesting began with the author diving into the story of the the Israelites and their problem with suffering, idol worship, and death. Intermixed with this biblical story from the Old Testament are real life stories of christians and non-christians alike who are struggling with a God that not only allows suffering in this world, but has allowed suffering to take over their lives. The pages are covered in the tears and blood of those who are suffering because of the sins and destruction of this world. But what this book doesn't do is point the finger at each individual person's sin, instead, it focuses on the hope and redemption that can be found through a relationship with Christ and his church. It calls those who are suffering fall on their knees in prayer and call on the hope of a savior that died for their sins. It also calls the church to have arms open wide for those who are suffering to come running. The author's writers calls the church to get out of the judgement seat and instead kneel down with those who are suffering and love them.
I could not agree more with this idea. I have dealt with problems of suffering myself, as well as been involved with people who are suffering through personal sin, addictions, and other "idols" that seem to steal their worship. I have been encouraged to not only kneel down with these people, but to allow them to share the burdens they feel on the shoulders of the church. For the church is supposed to be a place of redemption and hope. Right now the church is a place of judgement and condemnation and I do not want to be that type of Christian. I am constantly in prayer that God will change me and allow the redemption of the cross to flow through me.
If you are struggling with suffering, the problem of pain, or any other afflictions please speak with someone you trust or speak with me through twitter: @normallyINDIE or Facebook: Alec Tod.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Home, Sweet, Home...
As I have gone on a blogging spree to catch up from a long eventful break, you all must know that Jennifer and I have moved from Indiana to Ohio recently (I live here now Jennifer will be joining me after we get married in March and she currently is living in Indy still). On December 30th, we officially moved into a new home on the corner of 8th & Main in Downtown Cincinnati. It is a dream home for us, a 2 bedroom apartment (1 for us 1 for Jennifer's studio), that is on top of a business in the heart of downtown. With that being said I would like to give you a little outline of the place and some of our favorite parts.
As you approach the front door, you see that it is purple, which is just awesome.
You then walk up the 4 flights of stairs to get to the top floor and open the door to our entryway which includes three great windows that overlook the canopy of Arnold's Restaurant (oldest in Cincinnati) as well as a full scale reading room complete with a tiger rug, wingback chairs, and loads of books. Not to mention this the room that the bathroom is located, which is important to know.
Continuing through the apartment you head into the dining/living room that has some great future and wood flooring from the early 1900s. We will be adding internet and a much bigger TV in the near future.
Well that is a small tour of our apartment as it is today. There will be continued updates as time goes by and if you would like to come visit let Jennifer and I know and we would love to have you.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
As you approach the front door, you see that it is purple, which is just awesome.
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| Our Front Door |
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| Bathroom |
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| Reading Room |
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| Living Room/Dining Room You then turn right into the kitchen complete with new floors, countertops, loads of storage, and new appliances. The old cabinets and pantry are both things that Jennifer and I loved. |
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| Kitchen Continuing to the end of the tour is the bedroom on the left and Jennifer's studio on the right. Her studio is a work in progress as she has not fully moved in just yet, but I am sure that all things Turquoise Feathers will be taking over that place. The bedroom features a queen bed which we just purchased thanks to Grandma Jeanie. We have collected some great furniture pieces from both of Jennifer's grandmothers, but we are still looking for a rug and another dresser to accommodate Jennifer. |
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| Our Bedroom |
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| Jennifer's Studio |
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Monday, January 2, 2012
Graduation...
For all of my readers out there, it was just 3.5 short years ago when I headed to CCU and spent decided to plunge into the bible college lifestyle. Although it wasn't what you all may have thought (bible studies, candle ceremonies, and prayer circles), it was an experience that I will never forget.
My time here at CCU I have met some great people who have come and gone, had some great times, some great food, not to mention met the love of my life (Jennifer Schroeder) who I will have the honor of marrying on March 10th of this year. For those of you who have been a part of my life during this season you will understand these events and here are just a couple that were the highlights:
The Hillsong Concert
Blackout 08
Charlene
Room 447
4 North
Rine Open Dorms
Urban Active
Hubcaps
Fountain Square
Cliff Jumping Part 1 & 2
October 16, 2009
Ed in Australia
Corner Bloc Coffee Shop
Vineyard Tri-County
Vineyard Small Group
Fall Weekend
Family Dinners
Bloc Staff Meetings
Internships
Y.M.O.P
Bro Time on the Bridge
Chuggington
Ty & Jerm's Dorm Room
the Hilltop
Purple Thunder
October 7th, 2010
Skyline
Ghetto Walmart
Slushies
Late Night Bball with T-Cad
Graduation - May 12th, 2012
Coming Soon - March 10th, 2012 "Our Big Day"
Each of these events have a special place in my heart and the people that I shared these events with have helped to shape the person that I am today. I am so excited to have met you all and especially to continue in a relationship with you for the rest of my life. Thank you for the time that we have had and I look forward to seeing where we all go in the future.
love you all
till another day,
normallyINDIE
My time here at CCU I have met some great people who have come and gone, had some great times, some great food, not to mention met the love of my life (Jennifer Schroeder) who I will have the honor of marrying on March 10th of this year. For those of you who have been a part of my life during this season you will understand these events and here are just a couple that were the highlights:
The Hillsong Concert
Blackout 08
Charlene
Room 447
4 North
Rine Open Dorms
Urban Active
Hubcaps
Fountain Square
Cliff Jumping Part 1 & 2
October 16, 2009
Ed in Australia
Corner Bloc Coffee Shop
Vineyard Tri-County
Vineyard Small Group
Fall Weekend
Family Dinners
Bloc Staff Meetings
Internships
Y.M.O.P
Bro Time on the Bridge
Chuggington
Ty & Jerm's Dorm Room
the Hilltop
Purple Thunder
October 7th, 2010
Skyline
Ghetto Walmart
Slushies
Late Night Bball with T-Cad
Graduation - May 12th, 2012
Coming Soon - March 10th, 2012 "Our Big Day"
Each of these events have a special place in my heart and the people that I shared these events with have helped to shape the person that I am today. I am so excited to have met you all and especially to continue in a relationship with you for the rest of my life. Thank you for the time that we have had and I look forward to seeing where we all go in the future.
love you all
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
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
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Move Mountains...
If any of you have been following the posts from the past summer and fall semester, you realize that I have struggled with this idea of trust. Not trust the individuals of the world, but trusting the created of this world.
As many of you know, I am in my final 7 weeks of my internship/college career and will be beginning my life in the real world. The real world of paying for rent, gas, food, shelter, and any wonderful gifts I would love to give my beautiful fiancé Jennifer. This pressure has brought me to either fully trust God or worry about where my future was going to lie. And if I can be completely honest, I have leaned much more toward worry than toward trust. Although I have been praying every single day about my future, that was part of the problem. Although I was praying, I was praying merely about the problem that I claimed to be "ignoring". These faithful prayers only lead to more worry than true, leaving my commitment to God's will for my life dependent on what he was going to do regarding my future career.
But it was not until this past Sunday that I began to fully realize what it meant to trust to Lord God with all my heart. As a youth ministry we had the opportunity to visit the Rising at Northside Christian Church in New Albany, IN. We got connected with their ministry because Matt Allman the youth minister at the Rising was a part of OASIS at Eastview Christian Church when I was a student. We have stayed connected over the years and when we, as a youth ministry, were given the opportunity to visit another service, the Rising stuck out.
Matt was the speaker for the night and he spoke on what happens when you truly confide in the Lord. He emphasized the fact that God still moves mountains, you will find peace when you trust in the Lord, and also find Rest in his arms as you allow him to be your protector, provider, and father.
All of this was all things I have heard before, but there was never a better time to realize the fact the God truly WILL bring peace and rest in the Lord. With my life in mind, I have begun to realize through prayer and worship the last couple of days that trusting in the Lord does not only include trusting in him, but also believing the he can truly do miraculous things. With these miraculous things in mind, I have peace in the fact that my God is just that, my God. My father, creator, protecter, and provider that will do just that, provide.
It is not a fact that if God will move mountains, but when God will move mountains. I have found peace is this fact and I am now finding rest.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
As many of you know, I am in my final 7 weeks of my internship/college career and will be beginning my life in the real world. The real world of paying for rent, gas, food, shelter, and any wonderful gifts I would love to give my beautiful fiancé Jennifer. This pressure has brought me to either fully trust God or worry about where my future was going to lie. And if I can be completely honest, I have leaned much more toward worry than toward trust. Although I have been praying every single day about my future, that was part of the problem. Although I was praying, I was praying merely about the problem that I claimed to be "ignoring". These faithful prayers only lead to more worry than true, leaving my commitment to God's will for my life dependent on what he was going to do regarding my future career.
But it was not until this past Sunday that I began to fully realize what it meant to trust to Lord God with all my heart. As a youth ministry we had the opportunity to visit the Rising at Northside Christian Church in New Albany, IN. We got connected with their ministry because Matt Allman the youth minister at the Rising was a part of OASIS at Eastview Christian Church when I was a student. We have stayed connected over the years and when we, as a youth ministry, were given the opportunity to visit another service, the Rising stuck out.
Matt was the speaker for the night and he spoke on what happens when you truly confide in the Lord. He emphasized the fact that God still moves mountains, you will find peace when you trust in the Lord, and also find Rest in his arms as you allow him to be your protector, provider, and father.
All of this was all things I have heard before, but there was never a better time to realize the fact the God truly WILL bring peace and rest in the Lord. With my life in mind, I have begun to realize through prayer and worship the last couple of days that trusting in the Lord does not only include trusting in him, but also believing the he can truly do miraculous things. With these miraculous things in mind, I have peace in the fact that my God is just that, my God. My father, creator, protecter, and provider that will do just that, provide.
It is not a fact that if God will move mountains, but when God will move mountains. I have found peace is this fact and I am now finding rest.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Friday, August 19, 2011
Childhood dreams...
I have felt a little like dreaming about the past recently. With that being said, as a gift from Netflix (aka i payed $10.99 a month for it) I was sent Angels in the Outfield on DVD. When I opened this envelope I was so excited because I had not seen that movie since I was 10 years old. Seeing Danny Glover, "Maggie", "Roger" & "JP", and the rest of the cast just brought back a flood of emotions from when I was a baseball playing star in little league. A little leaguer with the dreams of becoming a Major League star someday dawning the colors of my favorite team only one day to play in the World Series.
But the most amazing thing about our lives is that our dreams and aspirations seem to change on a regular basis. As many of you know, I am not a major league baseball player (still a big fan of baseball) and my dream to become so is no longer there. But the thing is that my dreams and aspirations although different are still at the center of who I am. These dreams not coming from a '90's childhood hit movie, but coming from the ever growing relationship with God. Since 1999, after accepting Christ my life changed as well as my dreams. My dreams to have an amazing wife and to have a great job, but with these dreams comes a lot of stress and worry.
Our summer has been spent thinking about these dreams and the worry that comes with these dreams. Where will our next pay check come from?, where are we going to live?, how are we gonna save for a car?, how do we furnish our apartment?, what city will we live in?. All of these worries have consumed our conversation for the last several months and some of these worries have even dictated some future we have considered making.
But as I continue to think about it, the dreams of working in ministry and preaching to students about the passion I have for Christ. This dream has begun to become tainted by the lack of response from churches and the ever growing need to pay the bills in the coming months. But what we have come to realize is that these dreams, although they may change over the years, they are still at the center of who I am. God has given me the passion and love to serve him, so if that means I serve him in the church or serve at some other profession, my motivation for my dreams will be to serve God daily.
Although my dreams have changed since Angels in the Outfield, they still have the hopes of being something amazing. When I come to the end of my days I hope for God to welcome me with the words, "Welcome good and faithful servant, you ran the race and kept the faith."
Till Another Day,
normallyINDIE
But the most amazing thing about our lives is that our dreams and aspirations seem to change on a regular basis. As many of you know, I am not a major league baseball player (still a big fan of baseball) and my dream to become so is no longer there. But the thing is that my dreams and aspirations although different are still at the center of who I am. These dreams not coming from a '90's childhood hit movie, but coming from the ever growing relationship with God. Since 1999, after accepting Christ my life changed as well as my dreams. My dreams to have an amazing wife and to have a great job, but with these dreams comes a lot of stress and worry.
Our summer has been spent thinking about these dreams and the worry that comes with these dreams. Where will our next pay check come from?, where are we going to live?, how are we gonna save for a car?, how do we furnish our apartment?, what city will we live in?. All of these worries have consumed our conversation for the last several months and some of these worries have even dictated some future we have considered making.
But as I continue to think about it, the dreams of working in ministry and preaching to students about the passion I have for Christ. This dream has begun to become tainted by the lack of response from churches and the ever growing need to pay the bills in the coming months. But what we have come to realize is that these dreams, although they may change over the years, they are still at the center of who I am. God has given me the passion and love to serve him, so if that means I serve him in the church or serve at some other profession, my motivation for my dreams will be to serve God daily.
Although my dreams have changed since Angels in the Outfield, they still have the hopes of being something amazing. When I come to the end of my days I hope for God to welcome me with the words, "Welcome good and faithful servant, you ran the race and kept the faith."
Till Another Day,
normallyINDIE
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