After You Believe by N.T. Wright - Book Review...

If you haven't already, you need to pick up any book by NT Wright.  He is not only one of the leading scholars on the New Testament, his experiences in life have led him to write some of the most inspirational books I have ever read.  I am a huge fan of his writings specifically, Simply Christian, Surprised by Hope, & After You Believe (Justification, Scripture & the Authority of God, Paul, Evil & Justice of God are next on my list).  I just recently finished After you Believe and could not have been more impressed with the level of writing and knowledge that just bleeds from the pages.

This book was dedicated to showing the average christian that is merely not enough to declare you are a christian, but there are action steps that must take place afterward in order for us to truly be set apart from this world.  There are aspects of our past life that must be in stark contrast of our new life, if we are going to call ourselves sons and daughters of Jesus Christ.  It is really a refreshing book that doesn't state that he has it all together or even all of the answers, but merely reminds us of the standard that we are called to live by, most specifically reflecting the love of Jesus Christ in our daily lives.

If you are a reader and are excited about reading books that push your spiritual growth and mental growth then grab this book and anything else Wright has published and get reading.  I am excited for the rest of the books on my list as well as any future writings that he puts out.

till another day,


normallyINDIE

the Slaves are Freed...

Last night was our first night of the Uprising since our atmosphere redesign thanks to a great friend from Metro South Church, Jon Whaley.  If you do not already know, the Uprising is a movement of students in the Down River area of Detroit that are passionately spreading the gospel to the "10,000" students in our area.  It is an exciting time in our ministry with the new year rolling around and we all feel that the Lord is leading this ministry to do something amazing in 2013.

We started out this redesign by working through Mark 5:1 - 13 specifically focusing on the Demons that took control of the man called "Legion".  It was an opportunity for all of us to come together, worship the Lord, and rejoice in the fact that just like Legion we have demons, and just like Legion those demons have been cast out.

God changed many of us last night.  He showed many that we are truly freed from what seemed to bind us, not because of our own doing, but because the demons that so easily destroy our lives tremble at the sound of our Messiah.

Our Messiah has saved us and there is nothing we can do, but rejoice, bow and do everything we can to tell the world just that.  It is an honor to serve in this ministry and I am so excited for the students in the Down River area to be drastically changed by the power of the Messiah.

WE ARE FREED!!!!


till another day,


normallyINDIE

A Childlike Gospel...

I had the honor of speaking at Twin Oaks Christian Church's Main Sunday Morning Service this past sunday.  It was an amazing opportunity and I am excited for what the future has in store.  By clicking the link you will be sent to audio of the message (video coming soon).


First Sermon @ Twin Oaks Christian Church


Thank you for listening.

till another day,



normallyINDIE

Gifts Galore...

As Christmas time is here, we have been blessed with some great new additions to our home w/ gifts that were on our respective Christmas lists.  I would like to share a couple of these gifts with you all and especially say thank you to those who sacrificed whatever it may be to give them.

The Schroeder's
     Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2013 - Masters Edition
     Starbucks Coffee Tour - 6 lbs of coffee over 3 months
     Chemex Coffee Machine
     3 lbs of Starbucks Coffee
     IU Basketball Game
     PS3 Move Controller
     Starbucks VIA - Cool Lime Refreshers
     Date Money
     Starbucks Gift Card
     Orange Cardigan
     Blue/Orange Plaid Shirt
     Bubble Gum

The Tod's
     NBA 2K13
     Urban Outfitters Gift Card
     Starbucks Gift Card
     Ornament
     The Hungers Games Hardcover Books
     Christmas Classics - DVD
     Christmas w/ the Kranks - DVD
     Polar Express - Bluray
     Coffee Hound Coffee
     Bubble Gum/Starbursts

Jenny
     Mustache Mug
     Beard Glass Cup
     Marley & Me - DVD
     Candy
     Starbucks Coffee VIA Christmas Sampler
     Black Boots - Urban Outfitters

We are so blessed to have gotten what we did from our great families and we are so happy to have spent the time that we did with them this holiday season.  Thank you so much for everything you have done for us.

till another day,



normallyINDIE

   

2012? We are still here...

It is now January of 2013 and the Mayans were wrong and we are still here.  With that being said, I would like to take a look back at the year that was truly amazing for the Tod Family.  If you received the wonderfully designed Christmas cards from my Wife, Jennifer of Turquoise Feathers Studio, LLC, you know that 2012 was a big year for us.  Just to lay out a couple reasons for why 2012 was such an amazing year for us.

I accepted my first position in ministry as the Community Youth Coordinator at Groesbeck UMC in Cincinnati, OH on Jan. 2nd 2012.

Jennifer & I tied the knot at the Harrison Center for the Arts in Downtown Indianapolis, IN March 10th, 2012.

Jennifer & I moved into our first apartment in March in Downtown Cincinnati, OH.

Jennifer & I graduated from Herron School of Art & Cincinnati Christian University (respectively) on May 12th - May 13th 2012.

I transitioned into the position of Pastor of Student Ministries at Groesbeck UMC in Cincinnati, OH.

We introduced Indie Tod into the world as we adopted our first puppy in August of 2012.

I accepted the position of Student Ministries Pastor at Twin Oaks Christian Church in Woodhaven, MI.

Jennifer & I moved to Southgate, MI in the Down River District of Detroit, MI.

I introduced the rebranding of the Student Ministries at TOCC entitled The Uprising

Jennifer accepted the position of Graphic Designer & Social Media Director at Mousetrap Mobile in Royal Oak, MI.

Jennifer's freelance graphic design business became an official LLC under the name, Turquoise Feathers Studio, LLC in November of 2012.

I preached my first sermon at the main sunday morning service at Twin Oaks CC on Dec. 30th, 2012.

As you can see, this year has been as crazy as they come.  We are looking forward to not moving as well as transitioning into new jobs.  But we are also excited about the new opportunities that will come to us in 2013.  Just a few things we are looking forward to are, Turquoise Feathers becoming a huge company, Missions Trip to Dominican Republic, Moving into our first house.  It should yet again be an exciting year in 2013 and I will keep you updated through this blog.


till another day,




normallyINDIE

2013? We will see...

I know many of you are wondering is there gonna be a 2013, I mean the Mayan Calendar ends on Dec. 21st 2012, yes there is going to be a 2013.  With that being established there are a lot of great things to look forward to for 2013.  I would to share with you just a couple of those as we look forward to 2013:

Music
1.  Ra Ra Riot - Beta Love
2.  One Republic - Native
3. Foster the People - TBA
4. The Black Keys - TBA
5. Jimmy Eat World - TBA

Movies
1. Gangster Squad - Jan. 11th
2. The Hunger Games - Catching Fire - Nov. 22nd
3. Man of Steel - June 14th
4. Oz: The Great & Powerful - March 8th
5. The Great Gatsby - May 10th

Books
1. Jesus is _____? - Judah Smith
2. Follow Me - David Platt
3. Who do you think you are? - Mark Driscoll
4. Risk is Right - John Piper
5. What We Talk about When we Talk about God - Rob Bell

These are just a couple of the things that I am looking forward to for 2013, not to mention the fact that I get to celebrate my first year of marriage with my wife, we will celebrate our first year in Michigan as well as my first year work anniversary.  It is going to be yet another monumental year in 2013 for the Tod Family and I can't wait to get started.


till another day,



normallyINDIE

That Time of Year...

Yes, once again it is the holiday season and if you have been paying attention, the radio stations have started to play Christmas music, the department stores have been selling their overpriced artificial trees, & black friday came and went.  It is a great time of the year not only because it is an excuse to ask for things that none of us really need, but it is a great time to be with family.

This year is my first Christmas with my new family, which is made of up of my beautiful wife Jenny & our little puppy Indie.  We are spending this Christmas in the great state of Michigan at our home and it is a wonderful time.  There are a couple of things that really make this time of year great for us and I would like to share those with you:

                     Decorating the Home
                     Buying Christmas Sweaters
                     Taking Pictures together in the snow
                     Watching Christmas Movies (Elf, Home Alone)
                     Decorating Cookies
                     Drinking Egg Nog
                     Buying stocking stuffers for each other
                     Watching All the Office Christmas Episodes on Christmas Eve
                     Opening one Present on Christmas Eve (New Tradition)
                     Spoiling Each other with things
                     Eating as much holiday themed food as possible
                     Layering Clothes
                     Drinking some great Holiday Grogg Coffee

These are just a couple of the things that I look forward to this time of year and I am so excited to be spending this Christmas with my beautiful wife and making new traditions each year.  It truly is a wonderful time of the year and I am so happy to have the family I do to spend it with.


till another day,



normallyINDIE