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
Indie Thoughts // Normal Mind
Friday, November 18, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
6 Weeks and Counting...
Those of you who know me well, would know that I have been working alongside Shane Combs and the rest of the MovementSM staff for the past 7 months. It has been a journey all the way from my first nerve racking days in May of this year, wondering what the summer would, all the way to this moment when I am staring at the calendar and it reads November. Many would believe that at this moment I will begin to be sad and nostalgic, but I am not I just want to express to those that are listening the impact that the Movement Student Ministries as had on my life.
As I said before I came into this ministry without knowing anyone (besides Shane briefly) in May of this year. I jumped right in working on Summer programming, trips, WOODLANDS, with Amber and that time Mitch. It was a great summer of trial and error and getting to know one another, especially getting to know Shane, not only as a boss, but as a true friend. Shane had the opportunity to speak at a conference in Dallas in early August and because of his fear of flying Mitch and I had the chance to drive and tag along. This may have been one of the best bro trips I have taken in a long time. Although, their were ups and downs there were conversations to be had and memories to be made.
We then moved into the heart of the Student Ministries calendar, the fall. This year was especially exciting because there was a vibe of anticipation and excitement. We began Cell Groups and leadership that went off great with over 200 students in the Cell Group ministry. More students every week were coming and hearing about the gospel of Christ, many of them accepting Jesus into their heart for the very first time. There is nothing better than the feeling of when a student truly "gets it".
In the meant time, I began a bible that meets on Tuesday mornings at 6am with 6 promising young minds and a co-leader (Jason Beck) called McTuesdays. This name given to the program by the students reminds us of the day and the fact that we will be enjoying wonderful McDonald's breakfast as we dive deeply into the word of God. We went through much of Genesis, stopping every 4th week to have a Question week where the students can ask anything they would like. This study has not only challenged the students, but it has challenged me to continue to teach at a high level and grow with the students.
My fiancé had the privilege of going on the Cell Group Leadership trip to Gaitlinburg where Jenny fell in love with some amazing young ladies (Mackenzie Essig, Miranda Gladish, and Alex Harrell). She then became the first two's Cell Group Adult Leader and they have been great friends ever since.
Moving forward things have begun to slow down student ministries wise, but only to amp up last week when we threw Block Party 2.0, a fall themed party for all the students involved in Cell Groups (275+). It was so exciting to be a part of such a huge success and we are so excited for Block Party on Ice which is coming soon.
With all of these crazy things that have happened in my 23 weeks here at MovementSM and all the other crazy things that are still to come, God has taught me one thing. He has taught me that despite your attitude or the attitude of those around you, in is your responsibility to glorify him to obedience. Not the obedience of just following his commandments, but true obedience involving trust, peace of mind, love, dedication, gratitude, giving, and sacrifice.
As I finish out these last couple of weeks at MovementSM, sadly, I am so excited for what is to come and what God has in store for Jenny and I. Whatever it may be I am merely excited to obey God in that call and continue to worship him through obedience, with a joyfully, humble heart.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
As I said before I came into this ministry without knowing anyone (besides Shane briefly) in May of this year. I jumped right in working on Summer programming, trips, WOODLANDS, with Amber and that time Mitch. It was a great summer of trial and error and getting to know one another, especially getting to know Shane, not only as a boss, but as a true friend. Shane had the opportunity to speak at a conference in Dallas in early August and because of his fear of flying Mitch and I had the chance to drive and tag along. This may have been one of the best bro trips I have taken in a long time. Although, their were ups and downs there were conversations to be had and memories to be made.
We then moved into the heart of the Student Ministries calendar, the fall. This year was especially exciting because there was a vibe of anticipation and excitement. We began Cell Groups and leadership that went off great with over 200 students in the Cell Group ministry. More students every week were coming and hearing about the gospel of Christ, many of them accepting Jesus into their heart for the very first time. There is nothing better than the feeling of when a student truly "gets it".
In the meant time, I began a bible that meets on Tuesday mornings at 6am with 6 promising young minds and a co-leader (Jason Beck) called McTuesdays. This name given to the program by the students reminds us of the day and the fact that we will be enjoying wonderful McDonald's breakfast as we dive deeply into the word of God. We went through much of Genesis, stopping every 4th week to have a Question week where the students can ask anything they would like. This study has not only challenged the students, but it has challenged me to continue to teach at a high level and grow with the students.
My fiancé had the privilege of going on the Cell Group Leadership trip to Gaitlinburg where Jenny fell in love with some amazing young ladies (Mackenzie Essig, Miranda Gladish, and Alex Harrell). She then became the first two's Cell Group Adult Leader and they have been great friends ever since.
Moving forward things have begun to slow down student ministries wise, but only to amp up last week when we threw Block Party 2.0, a fall themed party for all the students involved in Cell Groups (275+). It was so exciting to be a part of such a huge success and we are so excited for Block Party on Ice which is coming soon.
With all of these crazy things that have happened in my 23 weeks here at MovementSM and all the other crazy things that are still to come, God has taught me one thing. He has taught me that despite your attitude or the attitude of those around you, in is your responsibility to glorify him to obedience. Not the obedience of just following his commandments, but true obedience involving trust, peace of mind, love, dedication, gratitude, giving, and sacrifice.
As I finish out these last couple of weeks at MovementSM, sadly, I am so excited for what is to come and what God has in store for Jenny and I. Whatever it may be I am merely excited to obey God in that call and continue to worship him through obedience, with a joyfully, humble heart.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
An Artist at Work...
As many of you know, Jenny, my wonderful fiancé, and I have begun to spend much of our time at the tattoo shop. We have built a relationship with an amazing tattoo artist named TJ Harmon. We originally met him at randomly when I wanted to get a tattoo to symbolize my love for my beautiful fiancé. We were referred to Irish Ink in Greenwood by a couple friends and I ran into TJ, TJ Harmon to be exact. He did an amazing job with the paint palette tattoo on my right hand and it was a perfect artist-client relationship after that.
Although this isn't the best picture (the Red and the Orange have since then come in much better) it was a perfect tribute to the artist that is my fiancé.
It then got us thinking, "What other tattoos are next?" Jenny then had the honor of working with him to create a truly beautiful memorial tattoo in honor of the wonderful Melvin & Doris Schroeder.
It was truly an honor to be a part of the tattoo process and to make this tattoo a reality. TJ Harmon at this point moved from Irish Ink to a new tattoo shop, because of a misunderstanding with management, called Main Street Tattoo in Old Town Greenwood. After this amazing tattoo, my beautiful fiancé gave me a gift for my birthday. Two Years Early on October 9th, my then girlfriend (Yes, is still Jenny :) ) gave me a tattoo for my birthday.
This year, October 9th 2011, she decided to continue that tradition by surprising me with a trip to Main Street Tattoo and a meeting with TJ Harmon. Seven Hours Later and a lot of pain, this was the product on my left upper arm.
This, still an unfinished piece, is by far my most detailed piece with the shading, deep lines, and colors. I was in awe of how wonderful this work actually turned out and I am so excited to add some color to finish off the shoulder cap and to continue to the elbow. But this is not all. Last week TJ had a special of $50 an hour and Jenny had the wonderful idea of getting a random tattoo that is small, but still important to each of us. so we got each of these tattoos respectively (Jenny on the left, me on the right).
Jenny, a tattoo based on the DCFC song "I'll Follow You Into the Dark" with the date 10-16-09 which is the day I officially ask her to be my girlfriend. Mine on the other hand, was the chi-rho symbol which was used by Constantine on his army's shields. This symbol meaning Christ or power and strength, thus it was placed on my left forearm under the word Power in Greek.
This brings the total tattoo tally for me up to 6 and Jenny up to 7 with many more ideas to come. This long relationship with TJ does not seem to be stopping soon and we are so excited to begin to spend time with him. For all of this would not be possible without the talent and drive to TJ Harmon to do tattoos.
He is truly a master artist and a great friend of ours. If you ever need anything as far as tattoos go, please go to him. This is the beginning of a great relationship and I cannot wait to see how it continues. As Jenny and I grow and mature, so will our relationship with our tattoo master, TJ Harmon.
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
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Reality TV...
Although the original reality TV is considered to be Survivor, I like to think otherwise. I like to believe that the trails and tribulations of the lives of those who call Newport Beach, CA home was indeed the first reality TV show. Although the OC is not technically reality, it was based on a reality. And I do find it to be embracing, but after getting the first and second season on DVD and spending the past weekend watching much of it, I have begun to realize the connections that can be found between "reality TV" and "reality". Yes I said it connections between Ryan, Seth, Marissa, and Summer of the OC to our reality.
Those of you who are/were fans of the OC know that life at Newport Beach is filled with drama from beginning to end. With the beginning of a new problem, soon following the resolution of the fast conflict. this cycle, although abstract, may be closer to reality than we think.
It may not necessarily be the same drama that has hindered the lives of the Cohens that occurs in our world, but it is just not. Week seek for our lives to simply go day to day without any problems and work themselves out to the way that we sit fit. For example, if my fiancé and I had it our way there would be no problems in our relationship, no tension in our family, no job searching (first job was a yes), and no financial worries. But the reality is that our will is not "his" will. Although it may seem tedious or trivial, God has led Jenny and I through ups and downs that have built us to be who we are. Not merely to make us better "people", but to prepare us for the ministry he has set before us.
We are all given opportunities in our life to bring glory to his name and our lives are a living testimony to the glory that is found in the arms of God.
Our lives may be just as dramatic as the Cohens of Newport Beach, but what is known is that through the ups and downs and through the drama purpose is found. A purpose of living a life worth being called Son's and Daughters of God. We have been given an opportunity to serve God that goes much deeper than the trivial and tedious acts of day to day life. But instead the glory that is shown today will ring in the hallways of heaven for all of eternity.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Those of you who are/were fans of the OC know that life at Newport Beach is filled with drama from beginning to end. With the beginning of a new problem, soon following the resolution of the fast conflict. this cycle, although abstract, may be closer to reality than we think.
It may not necessarily be the same drama that has hindered the lives of the Cohens that occurs in our world, but it is just not. Week seek for our lives to simply go day to day without any problems and work themselves out to the way that we sit fit. For example, if my fiancé and I had it our way there would be no problems in our relationship, no tension in our family, no job searching (first job was a yes), and no financial worries. But the reality is that our will is not "his" will. Although it may seem tedious or trivial, God has led Jenny and I through ups and downs that have built us to be who we are. Not merely to make us better "people", but to prepare us for the ministry he has set before us.
We are all given opportunities in our life to bring glory to his name and our lives are a living testimony to the glory that is found in the arms of God.
Our lives may be just as dramatic as the Cohens of Newport Beach, but what is known is that through the ups and downs and through the drama purpose is found. A purpose of living a life worth being called Son's and Daughters of God. We have been given an opportunity to serve God that goes much deeper than the trivial and tedious acts of day to day life. But instead the glory that is shown today will ring in the hallways of heaven for all of eternity.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Sunday, October 9, 2011
A Baby Was Born...
22 years ago today I was born into this world by a mother named Susan Tod and a father named Jeff Tod, some of the most caring and loving people. Over the years I have lived in St. Louis, South Florida, Central Illinois, Cincinnati, and now Indianapolis. This time I have seen many places, met many people, and grown in many ways, but none like I have grown today.
Today I had the opportunity to spend the day with my fiancé Jennifer Schroeder at Main Street Tattoo getting my birthday gift put on my upper forearm by an amazing tattoo artist TJ Harmon. But the tattoo was not the thing that I have really grown by. But instead, it was the love that the tattoo symbolized.
Over the last couple of months, Jennifer and I have completed the book 5 Love Languages and I have found that Jennifer's Love Languages are Physical Touch and Quality Time. Mine, on the other hand, are Gifts and Words of Affirmation.
This tattoo today was one of many gifts that I was given from Jennifer this weekend and it made me feel so loved. The fact that someone would care so much about me that they would plan something, purchase something, or coordinate a get together astonishes me. Jennifer is filled with unconditional love for me and this tattoo is just one of many instances when she has shown me this. I could never believe that someone would love me in this way, but Jennifer's love for me is truly a symbol of Jesus' love.
Unconditional Love is the reason that we love. Unconditional love is what saves lives. October 9th 2011 is just another day that I was shown what this love really looks like.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Today I had the opportunity to spend the day with my fiancé Jennifer Schroeder at Main Street Tattoo getting my birthday gift put on my upper forearm by an amazing tattoo artist TJ Harmon. But the tattoo was not the thing that I have really grown by. But instead, it was the love that the tattoo symbolized.
Over the last couple of months, Jennifer and I have completed the book 5 Love Languages and I have found that Jennifer's Love Languages are Physical Touch and Quality Time. Mine, on the other hand, are Gifts and Words of Affirmation.
This tattoo today was one of many gifts that I was given from Jennifer this weekend and it made me feel so loved. The fact that someone would care so much about me that they would plan something, purchase something, or coordinate a get together astonishes me. Jennifer is filled with unconditional love for me and this tattoo is just one of many instances when she has shown me this. I could never believe that someone would love me in this way, but Jennifer's love for me is truly a symbol of Jesus' love.
Unconditional Love is the reason that we love. Unconditional love is what saves lives. October 9th 2011 is just another day that I was shown what this love really looks like.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
The Small Screen...
If you know me personally, you very well know that I have a mild addiction to DVDs. Since the beginning of college and my parents telling me I had to build my own library of DVDs, I have spent countless hours sifting through sale bins, glazing my eyes over titles at discount stores, and searching the web for the next best DVD. My total DVD collection is somewhere in the upper 200s, not to mention 50 or so DVDs in my lovely fiancé's possession. This "addiction" is so prominent that it is a running joke amongst my family that for holidays all they need to do is send me with 50 bucks cash to Disc Replay and I will be happy carrying out 25 new DVDs. But recently, because of the convincing from a couple friends, I have moved from buying movies on DVD to buying TV series on DVD.
I have enjoyed a few TV series since the beginning of my college years and if I don't already I seek to have them on DVD so I can share and enjoy them with family, friends, and mostly my fiancé. Favorite TV series are as follows:
The Office (Own Season 1 - 7)
How I Met Your Mother (Own Season 1 - 6)
Scrubs (Own Season 1 - 8)
LOST (Do Not Own)
Boy Meets World (Do Not Own)
Friends (Do Not Own)
Rob & Big (Own Season 1 - 3)
Saved by the Bell (Own Season 1 - 4) [Jenny's Favorite]
Parks & Recreation (Do Not Own)
the OC (Do Not Own) [Embarrassed that I like this Show]
Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory (Do Not Own)
Psych (Trying to get into this show for Tyler Cadwell )
The list goes on and on as I find a new show that seems worth buying. I know what you are saying, "What about Netflix? They have most of these shows and you get them all for $7.99". I do have a subscription to Netflix, but I am just more of a old school kind of guy in the fact that there is just something about having the box in your hand that makes it seem much more real. Not to mention I hate when TV show skips cause the internet connection is poor.
So yes it may be an addiction, but I am okay with that because one of my joys in life is buying a new DVD and sharing it with those I love hoping that they get a laugh or are convicted by the message that is given.
If you have any suggestions for TV series' that I should be buying next on DVD or any other DVDs I should be buying comment below.
till another Day,
normallyINDIE
I have enjoyed a few TV series since the beginning of my college years and if I don't already I seek to have them on DVD so I can share and enjoy them with family, friends, and mostly my fiancé. Favorite TV series are as follows:
The Office (Own Season 1 - 7)
How I Met Your Mother (Own Season 1 - 6)
Scrubs (Own Season 1 - 8)
LOST (Do Not Own)
Boy Meets World (Do Not Own)
Friends (Do Not Own)
Rob & Big (Own Season 1 - 3)
Saved by the Bell (Own Season 1 - 4) [Jenny's Favorite]
Parks & Recreation (Do Not Own)
the OC (Do Not Own) [Embarrassed that I like this Show]
Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory (Do Not Own)
Psych (Trying to get into this show for Tyler Cadwell )
The list goes on and on as I find a new show that seems worth buying. I know what you are saying, "What about Netflix? They have most of these shows and you get them all for $7.99". I do have a subscription to Netflix, but I am just more of a old school kind of guy in the fact that there is just something about having the box in your hand that makes it seem much more real. Not to mention I hate when TV show skips cause the internet connection is poor.
So yes it may be an addiction, but I am okay with that because one of my joys in life is buying a new DVD and sharing it with those I love hoping that they get a laugh or are convicted by the message that is given.
If you have any suggestions for TV series' that I should be buying next on DVD or any other DVDs I should be buying comment below.
till another Day,
normallyINDIE
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)