Our Little Family...

Last year my wife and I were lucky enough to make our family a little bit bigger.  As we were packing up to move to Michigan from Cincinnati we found an add on craigslist fro a wonderful mini-dachshund puppy.  After traveling just north of Downtown we found our beautiful puppy, Indie.

Our beautiful puppy was just under 3 lbs and we fell in love.  We were so happy to have him in our lives.  Although the first week of raising him in an apartment in downtown Cincinnati was pretty rough, we got through it on 10 hours sleep and a lot of patience.  We then traveled to Michigan and we could not be happier.  

Sleepy Boy

He loves playing w/ clean sheets 

Working @ TF Studio, LLC

Indie's 1st Christmas, 2012

1st Road Trip to Michigan

After 1.5 years of life we could not be happier to have a wonderful puppy.  He is such an amazing, mini part of our family and we could not be happier.  I am so happy to continue to watch our family grow (maybe more puppies or kids in the future) and I hope that he continues to enjoy our life here in Indy.  He sure does love his Colts, Cardinals, Pacers, & Gators.  

till another day, 

normallyINDIE

Good Friends, Making Great Music...

Over the past couple of months, My wife and I have had the privilege of helping support a couple great friends of our who are making some great music this summer/fall.  Much of this connection came from our time in Cincinnati, OH over the past year and I would love to share with you some projects that you must check out if you love music.

First being a band from Northern KY/Cincinnati area called Seabird.  This band has been around for a little while putting our 2 CDs up till this summer and I first got a glimpse of there music on a blog like this from a fellow Ohioan.  I grabbed there first album and could not put it down.  Their piano-driven sound is something that is lacking these days in music and their passion behind each note is amazing.  Not to mention they could not be nicer guys.  I have had the privilege of getting to know Aaron and he could not be a greater guy to enjoy a cup of coffee with.  Therefore, when we found out they were putting on a kickstarter campaign to fund their third album, we had to be apart of it.  Their protect would eventually become fully funded and they will be releasing their third indie record titled Troubled Days this summer.  If you wanna grab some updates from this awesome band check out their twitter, facebook, & Youtube.  If you would like to grab a copy or if you are in the Cincy area, check out their CD Release Show at Fountain Square with the next band I will be talking about Mike Mains and the Branches on July 16th.  

Next, is the band Mike Mains and the Branches who are from the great state of Michigan (which my wife and I currently call home) and I first ran into them at the music festival Ichthus in Kentucky (after the recommendation from Seabird).  I love their hard sound both mixed with great musical riffs and dynamic lyrics.  I instantly fell in love grabbed their album, an awesome tank top from their booth, and my wife and I were completely hooked.  We have been following the band ever since and after loving their first album Home, we were so pumped to find out they would be putting out their first indie album through the popular site pledgemusic.com.  We were so excited to be a pledger for the campaign and even more excited when their project was fully funded.  No longer would we have to wait for their highly anticipated indie project entitled Calm Down, Everything is Fine.  It will be available very soon and if you would like to get updates follow them on Instagram, Twitter, & Facebook.  They are all great people and their live show is worth whatever drive you need to make.

Lastly, I would like to give props to my man Austin Livingood, who just recently announced his solo release of a 3 EP set entitled Weightless Anchor.  I first ran into Austin when he was the guitarist for a small band called Good Morning Gladys (still have a shirt from their benefit show).  He would then move on to be involved in a few other bands, until ultimately being apart of the group Belle Histoire which has had major success as of recently (just released a great CD entitled Dreamers).  But most recently he has written some solo work and will be releasing a three part EP entitled Weightless Anchor , this first part titled "By Plane" is set to release August 6th.  Austin is truly one of the most genuine, compassionate, and kind-hearted people you will meet in the music business.  I could not be happier to call him a friend and I am so excited to be apart of his future in music by purchasing his material and promoting his stuff.  Could not be more blessed to call him a friend and I am so excited for his future.  If you would like to hear more from him check out www.austinlivingoodmusic.com.

These are just a couple of great bands that are releasing some amazing music this year and I am so excited to be part of it.  I ask that whenever you stumble upon some great bands that are not only putting out great music, but doing it the right way, that you will look for every way possible to support them.  So excited for this year and all it has to offer.  Thank you Seabird, Mike Mains, & Austin for everything you do.  Keep doin' what you do best.


till another day,




normallyINDIE

the Presence Tour...

I had the honor of spending last weekend returning to my wife and I's first home, Cincinnati, OH, to attend the Believe Conference for Junior High students.  God blessed us with 9 students that joined us for an amazing weekend of growth and fellowship. 

This was not my first rodeo as this was my 8th time at Believe and 3rd in Cincinnati, so like before, the conference was top notch.  High level illustrations, great worship, awesome graphics, not to mention amazing, practical speaking.  But it wasn't all of this that made the biggest impact on my wife and I this past weekend.  What made the biggest impact is what makes ministry life so great and that is the relationships that are formed.  

If you had been following my tweets over the weekend, @normallyINDIE, it seemed as though we were running into someone left and right.  And I know what you are thinking, "what else is new? Any pastor runs into tons of people he knows at christian conventions?"  But this time was different.  I feel God placed these people in our path this past weekend to remind us the value of relationships as well as the value the people have in our lives.  The weekend was like an impromptu family reunion.  My wife and I got to see one of our best friends Sarah Brown, who was integral in us getting together, my brother & his awesome girlfriend Lindsay, Ash, J-Trav, Reverend Katie Brown, Papa Brown, Court, Post, not to mention the GUMC crew and the giant crew from Eastview (just so happens to be my home church).  All of these people have had such a huge impact on our lives and it was so fitting to see them in the place that Jenny and I called home at the beginning of our marriage.  It was a weekend of memories that will not go forgotten and all I can do is thank Believe for making it happen.  

I learned so much this past weekend and have seen a huge change of heart in our student's lives through the testimonies that were laid out by God this past weekend, but in the midst of that, what God continued to speak to me was that ministry is all about relationships.  Not only ministry, but life is all about people and Jesus came to this world to save people.  So often we can get focused on numbers, budgets, church sizes, logistics, when God may be screaming at us to say "time to seek after my people who are lost".  

He has placed so many people in our path both to have an impact on and for them to have an impact on us.  If we are willing to take to time to stop and listen.  God is bringing his people to us and I am so thankful to be a small part of that.  

till another day, 

normallyINDIE. 

Our First Home...

It has been quite awhile since I have been able to blog, but I am going to promise you that will stop this week.  I will begin back on my weekly tradition this week.

From where I left off, my beautiful wife Jennifer and I had a pretty big decision to make.  Beginning of August we were approached by a Pastor in Michigan about the opportunity for a position in youth ministry.  From the very beginning of conversations with Randy Wheeler we were excited about the opportunity, but most of all saddened by the fact that it meant we would be leaving our home in Cincinnati.

I started my time at Groesbeck Church in January of 2012 fresh out of college and ready to see what God had in store.  I could not have asked for more.  My time spent at Groesbeck was great and an amazing learning experience as I had an opportunity to work with some great students and volunteers at the After School Program as well as mold the minds of our six student leaders.  Nothing excited me more than to see the passion in the eyes of the students of CHAOS//Student Ministries.  It truly was a wonderful experience.

But as you know, we felt that when we were offered the position of Student Ministries Pastor at Twin Oaks Christian Church we truly felt that God was calling us out of our ministry at Groesbeck and to partner with him in a new city, a new church, and a new home.  It was a huge risk, but my wife and I find that the best situations always come out of a little risk.

Therefore, as of August 31st, 2012 we began to call Southgate, MI and Twin Oaks Christian Church our home.

Again, Groesbeck Church, thank you so much for the hospitality, the friendship, the love, and the fun that we had with you all for a short time.  We will be praying for you and the journey that you guys are on.


till another day,



normallyINDIE

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 

Seasons Change...

As the weather starts to change, the leaves start to fall, and you begin to hear the sound of the marching band coming your way, something stirs in your heart.  Their is just something about the end of a season and the transition of a new way that always gets to me.  It always seems to make me feel sentimental for what happened in the past few months and hopeful for what is to come.

For us here in the midwest United States, it is about time for fall and when I think of fall I think of sweatshirts, college football, a great bowl of chili, beautiful weather, perfection.  But as I think of the future perfection to come, I cannot help but look back at the summer that was 2012 and all it had to bring.

As many of you know, this past spring I married the love of my life Jenny Tod in Indianapolis, IN on March 10th, 2012.  It was the most magical experience of my life.  Such an unexplainable feeling to see something you have dreamed of for so many years finally come true.  Not to mention the fact that for the rest of my life I get to spend time with my best friend, sharing in the good, the bad, and the ugly.  This being said, this was Jenny and I's first summer together and most of all our first summer in Cincinnati.  Man was it hot.  Record heat killed us in our downtown apartment because of the lack of Central A/C (something you don't appreciate until it is gone).   All in all, we had a wonderful summer together downtown just steps away from Street Pops, all the events in OTR, and not to mention Graeter's Ice Cream on Fountain Square.

This was also my first summer at Groesbeck Church as their Pastor of Student Ministries.  It was an exciting event filled summer with trips jam packed into the month of July that I almost felt as though I was not home at all (not a good feeling).  I went on my first trip to Ichthus, Minot, ND, and Awaken the City.  All of these trips giving me the opportunity to get closer with our church family and really  begin to feel at home.  This summer also gave me the drive to get work done as we have begun in our process of redesigning the church as a whole from the ground up.  It is a really exciting, yet scary process as we begin to rethink what God has in store for Groesbeck Church.

This summer being exciting and fun-filled only gives me the sense of hope for the fall.  What is in store just around the corner?  I will never know for sure what is going to happen next, but what I do know is that the Lord is leading us in the direction we are supposed to go and I am so excited to follow him humbly and serve him with all of my heart.  God sure is doing some amazing things in our lives and I am so excited for him to show himself in miraculous ways once again.


till another day,




normallyINDIE

InstaUpdate...

Time once again to share with you some of my favorite snapshots from my favorite iPhone application Instagram.  As it updates the application only continues to get better and better with more and more filters and effects to choose.  So here we go:

Got to see it on Opening Day

Hyde Park Comm. UMC
A beautiful Sanctuary to Worship God

Starbuck's Refreshers
A must try if you are looking for a new drink.

Most anticipated album of this year

Mr. Austin Livingood

Just some of the reading I have done this year

So there ya have it, just a look at a couple of my favorite moments using the Instagram App.  If you have not already follow me at username normallyindie .  If you do not have an Instagram, grab yourself and iPhone or other smartphone of choice and download the free app.  It is great and worth your time.



till another day,



normallyINDIE

Dreamers - Belle Histoire...

I have had the honor to listen to some pretty great bands over the past years, many of which I have built a friendship (Eric Mac - Irela, TJ - Good Morning Gladys, Aaron Morgan - Seabird, Austin Livingood - Belle Histoire)  Music is a huge part of my life and will continue to be for as long as I live.  Therefore, when I find a great band it is hard for me to want to put their album down for more than 5 minutes.

There have been a couple of exception albums this year of 2012, but none like Belle Histoire's first ever full length titled Dreamers.  A band that calls my home Cincinnati their birthplace, they have been taking over the music scene.  Most recently touring with Death Cab for Cutie and playing at Cincinnati's very first Bunburry Festival this past year, Belle Histoire has only been amping themselves up for their album release this past month.

I currently have been listening to the album on repeat for the last two weeks and it excites me every time.  The vocals are of music genius, but only to be balanced by the smooth guitar and drum beats surrounding it.  All of the songs on the record are filled with passion and heart, but also have a tune that is worth belting out on long road trips, or sometimes in the comfort of your own office.  Their first two EPs were merely teasers for what was to come in this first full length and this time it leaves you itching for more and more.

A great friend of mine happens to be a part of this band and I am so honored to share in this huge moment for him as well as the rest of his band mates.  I wish them the best as always and i suggest jumping onto iTunes and downloading their first every full length entitled DREAMERS.

It is totally worth the purchase and even more so worth seeing this great band perform live.  Also check out their website for tour dates at www.bellehistoiremusic.com

Good luck and happy listening.



till another day,



normallyINDIE

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

InstaUpdate...

One of my favorite apps for the iPhone (hopefully the iPad here soon) is Instagram. As I like to say it gives me the opportunity to take great pictures even though I have not photography skill of my own. If you to have instagram then you can follow me at normallyindie. I currently have posted 151 photos over the past year and they range from books, to cool sites, to messages to my beautiful wife Jenny. All are unique and give me the chance to put a twist to them that make them my own. Here are a couple of my favorites over the past couple months. If you enjoy feel free to follow me. (username : normallyindie).

Jenny leading us in Worship

Our First Pice of Mail

"?"

Seabird live @ The 86 Club

My Dad is such a Beast

Coffee Emporium on a Rainy Day

till another day,



normallyINDIE

Oh, How we Change...

It is interesting to look back and see how our lives have changed over the past few years.  As many of you know I have recently graduated from college, moved to a new city, and gotten married to my beautiful wife Jennifer.  With all of these great life events comes moving into a new apartment and what is most exciting is that it is our first apartment.  We have the opportunity to create, design, and modify our apartment to make it a home.  And with this we have spent a lot of time at Home Depot, Bed Bath & Beyond, & Target.

Earlier on in my life I spent very little time at these home improvement stores and when I did I was miserable only waiting till it is time to go home.  But now I begin to smile when we drive up to these stores and it is the most exciting time for me when I am able to create something wonderful for my beautiful wife and I to use in our beautifully designed apartment.  Currently we are working a vintage coffee table made from a door used at our wedding, framing and mounting a vintage world map, hanging 9 record frames in our music listening area, creating a headboard out of two vintage palletes, and building a drafting table.  All of these things are great and make me excited to come home at the end of the day to see how I can help my wife make our house a home.

Keep checking out this blog and if you are in the cincy area come check out our place.  Hope to see/hear from you all soon.


till another day,


normallyINDIE

802 Main St...

As you know my beautiful wife and I have had the amazing opportunity of moving into a wonderful new city, the city of Cincinnati.  With this comes new places to see, eat, drink, listen, play, etc.  Therefore this blog is dedicated to those places.

Coffee Shops

     We live just south of Over the Rhine (one of the best districts to live in in Cincinnati) and there are some great coffee shops in this area.  There is always Starbuck's on fifth street, but what I find to be the best in the area is Coffee Emporium.  This is a staple in the area located on Central Parkway and it comes with a full roaster as well as breakfast bar on the weekends.  They always have great local coffee brewing, the best chocolate chip cookies I have ever had (a meal in itself), and not to mention outside seating that gives you the opportunity to sip on a cup and check out the great city.  Next is Iris Book Cafe, just a little bit further down Main St.  Tucked in between a great group of stores in OTR you will find some wonderful vegan food options as well as some great brewed iced teas and coffees.  

Dining Spots 

      We have begun the practice of a date night once a week where we are able to get out of the house and check out a new local place.  Our top spots so far have been Arnold's (the oldest bar in Cincinnati), Cincy by the Slice, and especially Graeter's Ice cream.  Each of these place's has there speciality and we continue to try new things each time we go, especially graeter's.  

These are just a couple of our favorite places in Cincinnati.  We are so excited to continue to try new things and venture out on journeys across the city.  Keep checking up and look at what is happening in our world.  

till another day, 

normallyINDIE

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

50 and counting...

Almost 11 months ago I set out on a mission to write a blog post once a week, and although there have a few weeks where it has not been a priority (finals week, wedding, honeymoon) I did seem to find a way to catch up and always stay on pace to reach my goal. I am proud to say that although I have yet to hit the 1 year mark I have hit 50. That's right 50 posts (1 each week for the last 50 weeks).

Now for many of you this may just be a blog therefore what's the big deal when you read 50 posts. But for me this is a journal that goes through the moments of my life that have been influential from moving to Indianapolis, to marrying my wonderful wife, and ultimately moving back to Cincinnati to pursue a career in ministry.

As I look back on all 50 of these posts, I see high points during this year as well as low points that deserve a moment of reflection, each in their own special way. I have changed over these past 50 posts and it can be seen through my writing and studying.

If anything, this blog has been an outlet for me to speak my mind to whoever is listening, but most of all share my concerns about this world with the Lord. There is something truly freeing about putting words to a page. It trully can be a form of medication for a person that is struggling with anything from doubt to depression and happiness to joy.

I pray that over the next 50 posts I continuelly to see my life changed as well as the lives of others around me to be changed, not because I can write words to a page, but because the living God speaks through me. That is my prayer for this blog and my prayer for the community I am apart of, that they would all, someday be transformed by the power of the Gospel.


till another day,



normallyINDIE

Alec & Jenny ...

As many of you know, on March 10, 2012 I married the most most wonderful woman in the world at the Harrison Center for the Arts in Indianapolis, IN. The wedding was perfectly designed from the save the dates almost two years ago to the centerpieces on that beautiful day. (check out turquoisefeathers.blogspot.com for updates) I was so honored to be a part of such a special day and most of all to take a role as husband for the rest of our lives. Our wedding day doesn't just mean we are now married, but it also means that we have begun a journey, a journey that sends us into a relationship that will pass through decades and generations and most of all will begin a new family.

Jenny and I's respective families are the Schroeders and Tods, the Schroeders calling Indiana home and the Tods calling Illinois home. The marriage of us two has now instituted a new family and that is the Tod's that are calling Ohio home.

We have finally come to the point that after 2.5 years of long distance that my beautiful bride and I will be beginning our new family here in Cincinnati as the Tod Family.

follow the Tod's at www.alecandjenny.com for updates on our new lives together.


till another day,



normallyINDIE

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.

Our Front Door

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.

Bathroom

Reading Room

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.

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.

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.

Our Bedroom

Jennifer's Studio

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

Are you a Pastor?...

As many of you all know (if there are any readers out there) I have begun working at Groesbeck United Methodist Church in Colerain Township this past week.  Much of this week was filled with logistics, meetings, meals, and get to know you's.  But something fascinating happened that final day of the week and it had nothing to do with office work, sermon watching, podcast listening or anything of the sorts.

Instead it was a knock on the back door of the church with a man standing in the doorway cold and concerned.  The man's name was Darryl and he was simply asking for a pastor of the church.  Stupidly, I looked around to see if I could find a pastor that work there, only soon to remember that I just assumed that position just a few days ago.  After looking around I said I was just that.  He then explained himself and his situation, explaining to me that he was told that were churches around this area and he simply needed someone to pray for him.  He just had a good feeling about this place and when he saw the car in the parking lot, he thought he should ask.  So I took Darryl's hands, cold as could be, and began praying for him.  Trembling with fear and sadness I listened to him say, "Yes, Lord" & "Amen".  And it was in that moment that I realized the power there is in being a minister of God's church and more importantly the power of prayer to our mighty Lord.

Upon meeting Darryl and learning that he wanted a pastor to pray for him I remember thinking well I can pray for you, but that is not going to help, maybe I can find food or water or money.  But as I think more and more about the situation, prayer is the exact thing that he should ask for and especially needed in that situation.  If there was anyone or anything that could comfort Darryl it was the warmth that can be found in the hands of God.  I am so happy that I ignored my ignorant feelings and continued to pray for Darryl.

I never want to get to the point in my ministry that I feel that the work of the Lord is better in my hands and the physical remedies are much stronger than prayer.  The Lord is not only the center of the ministry that I am honored to be a part of, but he "is" the ministry I am honored to be a part of.

Although Darryl did not drop to his knees at that very moment and accept Christ, I do know that he was met with the face of the church at that moment.  I have no idea where Darryl is tonight, but I do know that when he sees the GUMC doors he will remember that we are here for him.  And although I may never see Darryl again, I will be praying for him and it reminded me of the honor and responsibility that comes with being called a Pastor of our mighty Lord's church.


till another day,



normallyINDIE

Natural Ohioans...

As of December 30th Jennifer and were no longer Hoosier (I was an honorary Hoosier, Normalian, Floridian, and Missourian), but we are now Ohioans.  We moved into our new apartment on 8th & Main in Downtown Cincinnati.  Naturally, after 3 days, we have become experts at our surrounding areas and all the happenings in Cincinnati.  Therefore, here are a couple of our favorite place we have been so far and places that we hope to venture to in the very near future.

Within Walking Distance
Cincy by the Slice
Fountain Square
Arnold's Restaurant
Donato's
Algin Furniture
Ohio Bookstore
Coffee Emporium
Artist Materials
Findlay Market

Little Bit of a Drive
Habitat for Humanity Restore
Goodwill
Bloc Thrift Store
Corner Bloc Coffee
Sitwell's
Esquire Theatre
Buybacks

Okay so we still have some work to do to be considered official Ohioans, but you have to admit we are getting there.  As for our plans, I have moved into our new apartment full time, start my job at GUMC tomorrow morning, and upon our wedding on Saturday March 10th Jennifer will be joining me here in Cincy.  As she finishes school she will be part time in Indy from Monday - Wednesday, then the rest of the weeks in Cincy until our Graduation weekend May 12th - 13th.

We will continue to do some searching and I am sure I will continue to update with reviews and place to go as we continue the transition from the great state of Indiana to the great state of Ohio.


till another day,



normallyINDIE

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