Thanksgiving

Zoe as an indian.

Dealing with hurt

I recently just finished a book by Gene Edwards called, A Tale of Three Kings. It was fantastic. It focused on three different kings of the Bible (Saul, David and Absalom).

Have you ever been hurt by other followers of Christ? How did you respond? Did you fight back, look to get even? This simple read really helps one put the situation(s) in perspective.
I encourage you to get this book, you will find it to be great help.

Great Memory

I had a great time in Houston with my family. While we were there, I was able to take my son to his very first NFL game. We had such a great time!

Our condition...

Isaiah 6

Isaiah’s Cleansing and Call

1 It was in the year King Uzziah died^[a] that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. 2 Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3 They were calling out to each other,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies!
The whole earth is filled with his glory!”

4 Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.

5 Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”

6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. 7 He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”

8 Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”

I said, “Here I am. Send me.”

We will never be able to see ourselves as we truly are until we see God for who He is. If we fail to see God in His ultimate state, we will only have other people around us as the measuring tool. No wonder most of us (myself included) often think that we have it together. We look at those around us and start to see ourselves as better than we should.
When we see God as holy, we begin to see the desperateness of our situation. We need Him to intervene or we are doomed. That dire situation will foster the best in us, an opportunity to be refreshed, restored and revived by God Himself.
Take some time to see what God is really like. Read His Word, talk to Him, worship Him. Then when you start to get a glimpse of Him, take an honest look at yourself. He'll be right there to help you start again.
Peace.
Todd

Finding joy when others experience joy...

This morning our Senior Adult Choir sang in our classic service. They sang an arrangement I had heard before, yet they sang it with more vigor and life. It certainly wasn't my style or my taste, yet it was great!
Their faces expressed that the words they sang were true. It was truly refreshing. All morning long I had been sort of "just there" (you ever feel that way?). After their song, God truly did change my attitude. I became filled with joy as I saw their joy spill out. It was contagious.
Sometimes when we experience joy, it is not only there to be experienced by us as an individual, but to be shared with others.
Find someone to share your joy with...they might be living in a "just there" moment and in dire need of what you possess.

Making each day count...

It is often difficult to avoid the big mistake of just living your life without a direction or purpose. We get lulled into believing that this day or that day are simply just common. We get bored and forget that there is something at stake.
Open your eyes to the opportunities that exist all around you. You have a great gift from God to make a HUGE difference- You have today!

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
(eph. 5:15-17)

Obedience

The idea of obedience seems simple enough. Do what you're told, when you're told to do it.
I think it is more complex than that...
If all we do is follow directions, is that true obedience? What about the attitude and heart? Does God just want us to "do" what He said, or does He want us to "become" what He said.
I am discovering as I know Him more, the more I love Him. The more I love Him, the more I want to embrace what He instructs; not to simply "do" something, but to "become" someone.
Obedience is more than following instructions...it's part of the process of becoming more like Him.

May we do what He instructs, so that we will resemble Him more and more each day.

-Todd

The Family!

Here is a pretty recent pic of us! It is weird how much Zane looks like me...poor kid.

Great book...

As most of you know...I am a reader. Just re-read a great book, Silos, Politics, and Turf Wars. It is amazing. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves leadership. It will challenge you to grow and work together as a team.

Christmas is coming!

Today it actually feels like Christmas is on its way. The air is crisp and cold (but not too cold). I am looking forward to all of the fun that we will have as a family.
*I found this pic from last Christmas and thought I would share it.

Working Together

For too long "islands" have existed in church. What I mean by islands is this...each area acts as if it is all alone. This way of thinking leads to segregated activity. Each area monitors itself, maintains itself, and never truly shares information or resources. It helps foster the idea that the people they minister to are "theirs".

Instead we should be taking the opportunity to not allow "islands" to exist in the church. This way we will embrace the idea of an Integrated Strategy. Each area still works with a focus, but they learn to "play together". Resources, ideas, and goals are shared. Those that are being ministered to are now seen as "ours". It seems simple, yet churches all across America (and the world) operate with the "island" mentality.

In the coming weeks and months, First West will begin implementing an integrated strategy...it will look different, it will require change, but it will be worth it!

Helping parents disciple kids!
Todd