T Roberts

I'm Moving my Blog

2009-06-13T20:33:00.003-04:00

Ok...... I have messed around with the idea of using another platform. I decided that for this blog another platform will work so I'm heading over there.

http://tfkroberts.wordpress.com

I decided that a few of my other blogs won't work there due to some issues with imbedding things that I need on the blog.

Keep following me!
~tfkr

Social Media

2009-06-11T14:56:00.011-04:00

So I'm at an interesting point with Social Media, well as least with Twitter (guess that can be said as its the only one I can get at my main job).

I love being able to see ideas, questions, comments, and cool new innovative ways to do things by people around the world. The struggle I'm facing is, do I continue to embrace this "technology" or do I run from it? So many people have only 1 account that they use for both their ministry/industry as well as for their personal lives. Some people have taken the route of having two with one devoted to ministry or industry and the other for personal friends/followers.

I question if my time is well spent reading/following the people who post things about being unable to sleep, can't find this or that, or other "personal" things that truly appeal to me, they may a points have things though that are very important or necessary for me to see. I don't mind the occasional but I guess i'm also personally starting to revamp how I use things like Twitter. I started using it for both personal and work stuff, but now am revamping gradually ( it takes time, its an addiction) to use it just for work/ministry/things that make me grow.

So what do I do? Help!

What do you do when you want to see what a person has to saw, but really don't want to filter through their personal life? Do you unfollow? What if its a person close to you that you need to know things from? What is the proper etiquette? Do people actually notice or care if you unfollow them? Should we all adopt a way of using Twitter? I know its designed for quick updates of whats going on in life, but have we gone to far? Is there certain way that I can find a way to easily filter on the web, pc and mac out the stuff I don't care about?

I'm a computer nerd at heart and find it hard to figure out how to handle this. I'm afraid I might miss something I need to hear or know . I'm trying to figure out a personal motive and proper use of Twitter, ect. Sort of my own guidelines on how to use it.

I've backed off from Facebook a ton, and since I have limited access to things at my primary job its hard to manage what little information I do get.

Have we as a society gone too far?

What reasons are we using Twitter and similar services? Is it just to show off and lets others see how busy and important we are? How cool we are? Is it to boost our own frail ego's? Or are we truly seeking to share knowledge and information and ideas? I honestly think there are people on both sides of the gamut. I hope that people realize i'm trying to share information and stuff. I have nothing to boast of. Honestly I know few people who truly care that deeply about my personal life to really be interested in my Twitter feed.... I do try to share some tips or techniques that I've found minsitry/industry wise. I think we as users of technology have to be ware of the dangers of the technology. Not just dangers for us but others. I think it could potentially become a stalker/crime issue, people are basically being peeping toms into our lives, there is no bounds unless you secure your updates.

The Internet is truly blurring the public and private sectors of our lives. We need to make a decision as the user of where that line will stop. As a parent I have to make that decision as I need to protect my family.

Think about it.... Does everyone have to know what your doing at all times? where you are? Where I am at? Are we that stinking important? Think of this..... We the general public have no exact clue where the President is always at..... He's a bit more important than we are....

Whats your thoughts? Comments? Questions? Ideas?

I know I'm being a bit extreme but I think its something we all need to serious think about....

~tfkr

Book Review: The Noticer:

2009-04-27T22:36:00.004-04:00

The Noticer by Andy Andrews

Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Pub. Date: April 2009
ISBN-13: 9780785229216
Sales Rank: 18,323
170pp

The Noticer, is an interesting twist on a Christian Living meets story. Andrews shares the story of "Jones", yes that is right "Jones" not "Mr. Jones. Jones is a gentle man that everyone in Andy's hometown seems to know from a different encounter in their lives. Usually the encounters are brief and end before the individual is ready for them to end. "Jones" appears and reappears to different people throughout he course of their lives.

"Jones" brings to each individual something they are lacking, persepctive. "Jones" seems to know more about each individual than they even know about themselves. "Jones" first appearance in each person's life and story is usually at a point where they are in a dark, sad, or lonely place. "Jones" seeks to speak encouragement and perspective into the lives of those he encounters.

Through the stories presented in The Noticer one is challenged to rethink how they interact with those around them. The care and concern that they seek to provide to others, as well as how well they pay attention to the lives in the grand scheme of things. Each individual whose story is shared in The Noticer was changed by their encounters with "Jones" and as a result their lives were changed drastically. Andrews writes to encourage interactions between individuals so that lives are changed. He desires for people to spend time and notice others and their circumstances and to speak the truth in love and help provide a little perscpective.

Its a great and enjoyable read!

Acceptance?? Patience Please.... Contentment??

2009-04-23T12:11:00.001-04:00

So, I've been struggling with issues of acceptance again. Guess one never really truly gets over it. I know back in high school I always wanted to fit in and just for some reason never really did, at least thats my perception. I have tons of friends or for the most part: Acquitances. If you were to look at my Facebook you'd see a large list of people that I "know". There are few that really "know" me. I have people that I work closely with at my job and church, but yet in many ways I feel light years apart. I'm around people almost constantly. I'm a people person. I know it drives my wife nuts becuase there are times when we need to just be home and be family, but there is a stir in me to be active and out and about around other people.

So whats my problem? Do I not feel accepted? Am I just not content? Its honestly a deep deep question. I can only hit some of it on the head.

I think that first and foremost I have always felt that I did not quite fit into any particular group of people. There were always people who let me be around, tag along, or in my head "put up with me". And I think I still feel this way. I know that some of it has to do with my personality, my way of getting work done, and my desire to do things to my best and learn from my experiences. I crave feedback to know that what I'm doing is right, that others notice me, and that well..... I'm liked. I know that we all need to feel loved, accepted, liked........ What I'm about to say is stinking hard to heard, to accept and to live by, but know what.......... IT ONLY MATTERS WHAT GOD THINKS!.... and He gave His only son for me, so I better accept it, God Loves me, Likes me, Accepts me.....

So I think it comes down to contentment. I have to learn to accept where I'm at, my situation, my life. God will bring the people into my life that I need... I know He already has with certain people that are special to me for different reasons (ie. my wife, my daughter, Remy, Joe, Andy, Dave, Chad a vendor I deal with.....) So i know that people do like me and accept me as me. So whats my problem? I guess being content with those people God has put in my life and not feeling that people I work with have to be "good friends" or beyond the acquintance level. I have to accept that I can only truly handle so many close friends. If you ask my wife, our schedules are busy crazy.... and becuase of it I haven't been able to nurture the deep friendships I have, the ones that I really need to, the ones that help energize me and give me life to live each and every day.

So What do "I" need to do?
1. Learn to take joy in other peoples opportunities to venture out, network and have a good time.... my turn will come in due time....
2. See the networking tools I use as a blessing to see what God is doing around the world, and not a place for jealousy.
3. Learn to be content with where God has put me!
4. Pour into the relationships that matter, the one's God is truly calling me to care about!

So what have you learned?
Are you content?
Are you building those up around you? Even those acquitance/peer/associate relationships around you?
Are you seeking approval form man or from GOD?

Take some time to sit back and thank God for what He has given you, to give you contentment and find joy in that which He has provided. Its not about US all the time. Its all about Him.

To those around me..... Thanks for your patience.... Being human in this broken world is messy....

~tfkr

Book Review: Think and Make It Happen

2009-02-24T20:22:00.003-05:00

Think and Make It Happen

The Breakthrough Program for Conquering Anxiety, Overcoming Negative Thoughts, and Discovering Your True Potential

Jacketed Hardcover

By Dr. Augusto Cury

ISBN: 0785227814
ISBN-13: 9780785227816
Dr. Augusto Cury tackles the subject of overcoming negative thinking with an interesting approach that is not often ventured or proposed by other scholars. Dr. Cury looks not only at the psychological side of negative thinking and working to change ones negatives into more positive thoughts, he also uses Jesus Christ as an example and way of explaining how to change ones thoughts. While capturing the idea's and thoughts that he is attempting to convey to the reader the book is a slow read. The book presents itself as an interesting topic and read but requires patience and perseverance to complete.
If one can be patient with Dr. Cury’s writing style this book is a good read and self help book. He throughout the book references items that will be discussed in future chapters however fails to give much of explanation of that point and relying on the reader to continue through the book with a desire to understand everything. While being a struggle to read as an academic it is a book that with patience can be an asset to one’s library and life.

Book Review: The Kingdom of the Occult

2008-11-24T08:24:00.001-05:00

The Kingdom of the Occult
Hardcover
By Dr. Walter Martin, Jill Martin Rische and Kurt Van Gorden
ISBN: 1418516449ISBN-13: 9781418516444

The Kingdom of the Occult, provides the reader with a very through and complete understanding and look into the world of the occult. Martin, Rische and Gorden have provided lthe reader not only with a foundation and framework to understanding the occult but also provides an appropriate Christian response to this sensitive matter.

This book provides the reader who has little to no understanding of the occult a very valuable tool in their library. While not providing a complete solution or response, as one does not exist, it does provide one with enough information that they will be able to better understand the occult and have a starting point for their conversations, interactions and reactions.

This book is one that is a must have for any pastor, seminary student, or youth worker. The Occult is not something that is deeply studied in most seminaries and this provides an amazingly well done over view of this subject. Reader beware it will cause you to think more deeply about things that you do see in the world around you. This book is a long read, but with such an important subject you can’t dot it justice in any less pages. Take your time and prayerfully read this book and use it carefully.

New Start

2008-05-19T22:05:00.002-04:00

Well alot has been going on lately. I just finished seminary in the last weeks and people keep asking me what am I doing next...... My honest and truthful answer. As of right now...... What I'm doing right now...... I have no current plans to change anything. While I have now obtained my Masters of Art in Religion with a Church Ministries emphasis, I have no current plans to pursue full time ministry. As many places are requiring more experience than I currently have I plan to try to find opportunities to expand my experience. We are currently happy where we are and want to stay here so that also greatly limits what the possibilities are.

I do have some immediate plans and desires. Most of these come out of my experiences of being a full time student, and also as a result of my current mens group.

1. A more consistent and devoted time to my Lord.

2. More loving husband and father.

3. More time reading books that of interest to me and my growth.

4. Blogging more.

Thats just a start but I believe that God has allowed me to finish my education and get more experience in life before stepping out to serve Him in full time ministry.

~tfkr

Spiritual Warfare, Brokeness, Fasting......

2008-04-11T12:43:00.003-04:00

Lately I have been thinking alot about these issues. I've been reminded of good books I've read and ones that I have yet to read. I have heard sermons on these issues and taht impact them. And well I've seen the need in and around me...

Spiritual warfare is something that the churches that I was raised in ran from and really did not talk about. So for my adult life I have been made more aware of the reality of it and the role that it plays in our lives and spiritual development. Much of the sins and struggles that we face are linked to where we are at spiritually and also the spiritual war around us. Many people in the church struggle with additctions, bad habits, attitudes, and other issues which are honestly affected by the battle around us. As the church we need to be aware and learn how to fit these strongholds and bondages that people face. We need to be willing to fight the fight in God's power and seek victory.

One key area that I believe the devil works in the lives of Christians is in the area of secrecy. Be it about an addiction, alcoholism, or what not, the devil wants us to believe that we are the only ones that struggle and that no one will understand. That is not true! I was reminded about this secrecy in a sermon from LifeChurch.tv on Accountability. They talked about how most Christians hold back that last 10% of themselves from truthful honesty in accountability. This is that secrecy that needs to be broken so that we can allow God and others to work in our lives and help us to live our lives to the full potential and calling of God!

This ties into brokeness and realizing that we are not perfect and are always in need of God's love, help and grace. Those around us can also minister to us. We need to get out of the idea that we have to put on this perfect appearance to everyone. We need to learn how to be broken before God and how to allow him and others to see us as we are and work in God's grace and mercy.

Finally fasting is an issue that since last fall I've been more and more aware of. It is not necessarily something that I regularly practice, but is something that I hope to be able to incorporate more into my live. Fasting can help us to focus on who were are in Christ, our struggles, pray for others, deal with and battle spiritual warfare. Fasting is not about what others think or see, it is about our relationship with God and seeking his face in our hunger.

We need to hunger for God and God alone!!!!!

Be challenged, more to come and hopefully on a more regular basis.

~tfkr

HOW THE CHURCH SHOULD BE!

2008-02-15T12:01:00.005-05:00

I have been blessed to be able to find and explore these awesome ministries above. Being a seminary student and having an education in psychology helps me see the need for these minstries. I at one point in college started a ministry sorta like xxxchurch, but nothing near to what they are today!

I believe that the church often fails in being real about the "trash" that is in the church. As xxxchurch will often say, we avoid the elephant in the room and talk about anything but it.

It is absurd that we the body of Christ is so unwilling to talk about the real facts of life. The struggles that affect us all, and most importantly affect our realtionship with God.

It is important that we as the body are willing to be honest, and in the end are people that others can talk to about who they truly are.

Here are some important things that we as followers of Christ need to remeber about ourselves and others.

1. We are God's creation.

2. We are all affected by the sin in the world, some of us will struggle with different things than others, but ultimately sin is sin.

3. We are called by God to love each other. Loving someone does not mean that we "approve" of their behavior or actions. But that we ultimately show them God's love!

4. We all have a God shaped hole in us. Some of us are seeking God to fill that hole, others are struggling to an in turn are filling it with addictions, bad relationships, or other forms of sin.

5. Us being open about who we are is painful, humbling, and hard. Ultimately we will grow from it and will become better people. (*** disclaimer *** it is important to be wife in who you reveal things of a sensitive nature, make sure that the person is someone trustworthy and able to handle what you reveal, if you need please find a counselor to talk to!).

So what am I advocating? I'm first of all advocating the Body of Christ learning to truly help and heal the broken. We often forget how much our words of encouragement and hope can be healing. We need to listen and to help those in need around us.

I'm advocating for the church to be real. Stop hiding things in the closet and be honest. Don't live behind the shadow of "I'm perfect and have no problems". GET REAL! I know that each of us has problems, they may not be the "same level" on our human scale of badness, but sin is sin, vice is vice. Lets work on ourselves and help each other to be the people God has called us to be.

I'm excited for the Ministry of Heart Support, XXX Church, and for the tool that X3 Watch is! May God continue to bless their minitriest.

I some day hope to find time or a way to get involved in on of these ministries on a regular basis. I ask that God might use me to make a difference!

God open the doors for us and show us YOUR will, YOUR way, and YOUR timing.

~tfkr

What we need, What I need

2008-02-05T09:03:00.000-05:00

"What a man needs is a brother to draw close, minister to him, and help him mature. He needs somebody to demonstrate to him another way to live, modeling a godly marriage, biblical parenthood, and the love of Christ."

-Steve Sonderman, Effective Men's Ministry-

We all have things in our lives that aren't perfect. We are all impacted by the things in our past. These things are the things that make us who we are. Though at times they may be shameful or things that we don't want everyone else to know. We need that one person in our life who knows us and can speak truth into our lives. Who can ask us the hard questions, Who can encourage us, and build us up to be the Men that God created us to be.

Its hard to find quality people who we can trust to speak into our lives and accept our brokeness. Some people have more brokeness than others, but most importantly we are all children of God. If you have people around you that you know need to have truth spoken to them in love, please step up to the plate. If you need someone to speak truth to you Pray, and seek out a Godly person near you.

It is important that we seek to grow as the men God has called us to be. We need to understand the love of Christ in our lives and through our friendship. God does speak to us through those around us and for people who have self esteem issues or struggles that seem hopeless it is important that they experience Christ through those around them.

~tfkr

Community

2008-01-24T09:34:00.000-05:00

Community
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For other uses, see Community (disambiguation).
A community is a social group of organisms sharing an environment, normally with shared interests. In human communities, intent, belief, resources, preferences, needs, risks and a number of other conditions may be present and common, affecting the identity of the participants and their degree of cohesiveness.
The word community is derived from the Latin communitas (meaning the same), which is in turn derived from communis, which means "common, public, shared by all or many"[1]. Communis comes from a combination of the Latin prefix con- (which means "together") and the word munis (which has to do with performing services).

For Those of you who know me personally you know that community is a term and idea that makes me light up. Gets me excited and is at the heart of who I am.

I have been blessed amazing with a group of guys to journey with. Guys who seem/appear to be wanting to care for each other. Its awesome. I'm excited to be part of their journey and to have them be part of mine.

With my seminary classes I have had it reinforced (not that I didn't already know it) that community and relationship is important. Even thought my current evangelism class is pushing us to share our faith with people we encounter, I am reminded of the important of a relationship and getting new believers connected to the body.

It is important that as the body of Christ we welcome people into our lives. We accept them as they are, sinners loved by the Savior. In community we need to remeber that our past mistakes and bad choices make us who we are. We need to be accepting, loving, and willing to challenge each other to grow.

I seek to walk the walk, and live the life in community.

~tfkr

What is my name? Who has god called me to be?

2008-01-23T21:37:00.000-05:00

This might be an odd question on the surface, but it is a deep question that is hitting me right now. My small group is reading and discussing John Eldredge's Wild at Heart. And tonight I spent time sitting down and talking with one of my close friends the issue after watching Rob Bell's Nooma "Name".

I think it is so often hard for us today to know who were are. We often try to find our meaning in the things we buy, the house we have, the car we drive, or the job and title we hold. In pursuing our meaning in this way we are seeking fulfillment in a way that we will never find complete fulfillment. Basically we are hiding behind a mask or what we think we are, when in all actuality God has created each one of us to be something special. He has called us and given us our name. First and foremost we are a child of God, a sinner redeemed from our sin by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Secondly and only secondly are we a sinner who has a past that impacts who we are, how we see things, and the way we work through our Christian journey.

We need to make the decision to find our identity in Christ and seek to live out the calling He has placed on our lives.

It is not easy, nor is it something that I claim to have mastered in anyway. But it is something I seek to live out daily in my life from here forward.

~tfkr

Prayer and Fasting

2007-10-09T20:34:00.001-04:00

Ok, call me a nerd, geek or what have you. I finished my last class a week early so that I could be ready for the baby to arrive. And in the two weeks before my next class starts I decided to start reading the texts for the class so I would be a bit ahead come the start of class.

I finished one of the books which is by Elmer Towns, its a book on praying the Lord's Prayer. It was a good wake up call and reminder. I pray but not as regularly as I should. the book caused me to really think about how I pray and in what way I pray. It helped me to see that I need to see prayer as a worship service and opportunity to grow closer to God. I need to stop seeing it as a time to just ask for things but to express my thankfulness.

I also today just started the other book which is on fasting, again it is by Elmer Towns. I'm excited to read more on fasting as it is not something that I was ever really raised around. I look forward to learning more and hopefully applying it to my life.

Oh well, back to reading, relaxation......

~tfkr

New Small Group

2007-10-09T20:28:00.000-04:00

Well, times change. My old small group that I was part of ended last month. It was sad to part with these guys from our regular meeting as we had been meeting for about 2 years. I wasn't sure where my next group or connection would come from. But I sought out a new men's small group. The first meeting was last week (Meeting bi-weekly). I entered the group a bit apprehensive as I didn't know anyone in the small group. So it was sorta of awkward. However after meeting I felt re-energized. I felt that I found a place where I could be challenged, grow, and have fellowship and accountability.

I'm excited to see what God will do in this new group. God always puts us where we need to be and around people who can both encourage us and challenge us.

~tfkr

Tension

2007-07-06T22:10:00.000-04:00

(Sorry there isn't a pic I may find one later)

Heard an awesome sermon on Sunday. Brady Neemers who is our church's youth pastor started up a 3 week series called Shine. This last Sunday he spoke on the story of Moses. He brought up the issue that things seemed to be just going along for Moses but his life was not in tension. During the times of laying low it did not appear that his passions were being stirred or that he was moving for God. However things were different when he was called into tension and the middle of things. Moses tried to find excuses as to why he could not do what God was calling him to, but in the end Moses moved into the tension.

I'm at a point right now where I am between passions, in a job that is ok for now but not what I want to do, and well finishing up a degree that I'm not sure I'm called to use in full time ministry. I'm at a spot where I am not sure what passions God is calling me to puruse or what ways He wants to use me to minster. So I'm at a point where I am frustrated and stalled. I'm not living in the tension. I have for the time being put my big passion to be in full time ministry on hold, but have not yet found what the passion for the coming days/years is to be. I'm waiting to know what God wants me to do and what doors will open. I have ideas from non-profits to business startups. But in the end I'm not sure yet where God is calling me. I want to move into the tension, but Guess I must be patient.

Questions:

-How can God use me where I am at now, and How is He using me?

-What does God want to be marks of my life?

-How can I find and move into that "tension"?

Pondering and wondering anew.....

~tfkr

Behind the doors the same as in front......

2007-05-30T13:14:00.000-04:00

Well, Yes the title is confusing or perplexing but well I think it should be. I have had thoughts for a while based on my struggles that well have been enlightened in someways by my Introduction to the New Testament course I'm in.

Christian have always battled with being in the world but not of it. God gave the Israelites the law as a direction and guidance for them on how to live so that they would be set apart for Him and not be part of the world. However the Israelites continually failed in following the laws and commands that God had set forth.

The church today I believe is in the same boat. Some people are living the lives that God has called them to, and there are others who aren't. There also are those in between that aren't living the way God wants us to but is living behind a mask. Having lived this way myself I wonder how we can address the sins in the church and help people to change, to grow, to be made new in Christ? How do we help the church realize that the same sins that are out in the "world" are in the pews next to them? How do we help the church to be more compasionate in their handlings of people who are battling sin? What do we do? How does God want us to do this?

Its a hard topic to address, and a hard one to live out.

The church is the same behind its closed doors as those who live outside of the church doors. there is sin and filth all the same. We need to make a difference. Where do we start? How do we start?

-Lord make me an instrument of your peace........

~tfkr

Question Mark? Where am I going?

2007-04-27T11:03:00.000-04:00

Well My big question these days is where is God leading me......
What is my purpose here on Earth? What type of ministry, career, calling does He have for me....?
Questions, questions, questions.......

Where are the answers? Where is the bright light illuminating my path? Where is that telegram from God?

I know that I am not going to just have things drop into my lap. I know that I need to pray. Have others pray, and well trust God to lead me....

I have one more year of Seminary and then I don't know whats next. I have a job that pays but not sure it is where I am meant to spend the rest of my life.

I'm not sure if I'm called right now to full time ministry, part time, volunteer, or what. With a child on the way its scary to look and all. I just pray that God will lead me to the right place and that the opportunity He wants me to puruse that He will show it to me.

Here I am load, your clay, mold me, form me, lead me and guide me in your way!

~tfkr

Stuck?

2007-04-25T13:01:00.000-04:00

Yet another blog inspired by a sermon. Pastor Jeff is preaching a series entitlted Spring Training and last Sunday's sermon was entitled stuck. One of the key things that struck me, is that often when we feel stuck or frustrated with where we are at the last thing we consider is that maybe this is the place "God has us stationed at". Jeff focused on Phillippians 1:12-26. This passage was written to the church in Phillipi while Paul was under house arrest. Paul may have seemed to be stuck but he recognized that the place he was in was the place God wanted him at. He was there to make a difference.

I know that my present job and place in life is not where I really want to be and I feel stuck sometimes and am not sure how to get out. I know that I personally need to stop thinking and focusing on how to get out, instead I need to focus on how to be who God mas made me to be, and do it where I am at. I need to make the most of the situation I am in and do God's work where I am at.

I know that there are plenty of people all around me that can understand the concept of being stuck. My words to you and myself. Be patient, Seek to do God's work and listen to Him. There is a reason we are where we are at even though we may not understand. Just be patient. We are in a period of training for something that lies ahead. We may not know what it is, but God is preparing us for it so that we can be used!

Be patient and moldable.

~tfkr

Lumber....... A spiritually significant item.....

2007-03-24T19:40:00.000-04:00

Last Sunday Pastor Jeff Manion reminded me greatly about the importance and theological significan of lumber........ Well he may not have necessarily talked in depth on it, but well it struck me especially as I sat down to write this....

Jeff has been preaching on the Sermon on the Mount in a series entitled "Basic Jesus". This weeks sermon was called "Self Examination". The key part of this sermon was based on Matthew 7:1-5. Christ is talking about not judging others and to first of all look at the plank in our own eye before trying to help a brother with the speck of sawdust in their eye. I have been struck by this alot with the situations that are around me in the lives of family and friends. The photo in this posting is from Shiloh Ministries (at a church I went to in Detroit, MI). I believe its from one of their retreats, its something I have had a similar idea of doing when I'm in ministry, but moving back to the subject. We so often are quick to judge others when there are sins in our life. Often we are willing to judge someone who has a sin that is one that is something we consider unthinkable, yet if we examine ourselves we have a similar sin, though not the same, but in the same category of sins. We forget that we are alll flawed and messed up, no one's perfect, but when someone elses sin is blatantly in our face we forget ours. Jeff said something along the lines of "we are often blinded to our sin, but if others do that sin to us we see it immediately". We are desensitized to our own sins! We are blind, just like the man in Matthew 7:3-5 (NASB) which states:

3“Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4“Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? 5“You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

The church is often so unloving and uncaring. I know of a situation where a man in the church is causing pain and life changing pain to another Christian because of a sin that they committed. The non-Christians in this person's life are more loving, understanding, and caring than a fellow brother in Christ. We need to take the piece of timber out of eyes before we point the finger at others.

This passage uses references to lumber as what causes the block to our vision, in other terms, the sin in lives. But God has also used the greatest piece of lumber to save us. The Cross. The cross is the place where all of us can come and lay down our saw dust, our own planks. No matter how big or small, how ugly and shameful. It is a place of accetance, love, forgiveness, and the starting point for all true change!

Jeff ended his sermon with the comment that "The Biggest Blessing is exposure to our own sin!"

Its a starting point, a place where we can repent, recognize our brokeness, our need for the saviour, that we are just like everyone else, a sinner, a sinner loved by God. Take the time to look at yourself before pointing the finger, and when you have removed your own plank or saw dust, care for your brother and sister in Christ with love and care, don't hate them and destroy them for their past sins and wrong doings. Love them and accept them as Christ would.

We are the hands and feet of Christ........ He bore our sins on the Cross, the holy lumber!

~tfkr

The Expected Arrival

2007-02-12T13:37:00.000-05:00

Yes, as Lacey noted, we are expecting. We started sharing this happy news with family last week and this week with friends. We are do in the end of September around the 24th. We can't wait to have our first bundle of Joy!!!!!

~tfkr

Secrets in Community

2007-02-07T12:41:00.000-05:00

I have been thinking back to Christmas and other times in my life where you have to keep a good secret from someone you love or even a ton of people. Be it the present you bought them, an anouncement of a new job, a move, an engagement or whatever.

I have found myself in this positions numerous times. From when I asked my Wife to marry me (Kept the ring a secret for like a month), to a Christmas present that I had to keep secret for 2 months, to just those things that you are so excited to tell others but can't until the time is just right.

Why is it so hard for us to keep secrets?

Well my thoughts aren't too profund I think so reasons come back to the fact that we are living in community with others and they are so involved in our lives that we can't keep things from them. Other times its hard becuase it such exciting news like an impending new job, a move, a house purchase. Other times its hard to keep a secret as we don't know the full extent of the situation and can't divulge any of the information.

There are other secrets that we hold, those of our sins, activities we are ashamed of. Those it is quite obvious why we try to keep it a secret. We don't want to admit failure. We are afraid of the possible outcomes and often don't have faith in those around us.

Its hard to keep a secret no matter what type it is. There are some that I believe are honestly no harm at all. but those of the dark side are ones that need to be released in order for any good to result.

To sum it up: Keep the exciting and pure secrets till they must errupt at their due time in history and make sure to rid yourself of any dark secrets!

~tfkr

Hello?? Are you listening?

2007-01-25T12:35:00.000-05:00

Listening.......

The TV commecial for Verizon Wireless just jumped into my head. "Can you hear me? Can you hear me now?"...... My men's small group that meets bright and early on Thursdays (6:30am), right when our local Panera opens, was talking today about hearing God's voice.

Sometimes I don't take the time to listen to others, I mean truly listen to them. I may hear what they say, but I don't hear their heart. I know that I'm not only missing what those around me are saying, but also what God is saying.

Ok what do I mean? Well i know that I'm not spending time in solitude, in reading His Word, I'm not quieting my heart to hear His Heart........ I've let myself get so busy with my Job, my education, my family, my pursuit of my career (Yes to me right now my job and career are two different things), and TV. I have let these things become a distraction. I have not give God who gave me life, the attention and respsect that He deserves.

Psalm 46:10-11 reads: "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah" (NIV)

I haven't been taken the time to be still, to listen, to quite my heart. I have forgetten to lay all my problems and worries down at God's feet. I haven't rest in God's arms.

So what am I to do?

-Ask friends for accountability in "being still".

-Make time, plan time into my schedule to be still.

-Make my schedule more firm so that I don't feel pressured by the things in my life.

-Trust God to hold me, and to speak to me in the silence.

So friends, I challenge you to look at your time, are you making time for the Creator of the universe? Are you able to challenge me? Can I challenge you? Don't put off doing it today, as you never know what tommorrow may bring.......

in HIS hands,

~tfkr

New Year New Challenge. Todays Topic: Suffering

2007-01-19T10:47:00.000-05:00

Well I have a challenge with my friend Remy to be more focused and consistent with my writings, and him with his. So today is the start. He challenged me to make a post within 3 days, so well I am posting today, now, before he has a chance to post his! Oh well I'm sometimes competitive.

So now for the post:

Suffering:
In the past months I have heard about, seen, experienced and walked with friends, family, and others through different periods of suffering. It is hard to see friends and families suffer. Its hard to not just try to jump into a situation and try to fix it. My wife was reading to me a question she had to respond to last night for her graduate program. The question was whether a counselor should try to remove the patients suffering.

To me this question is ridiculous. We as humans can't remove suffering, only God can. I have found and am still learning that we as followers of the Rabbi are called to support others, comfort them, help guide them if needed, and just plan share God's love.

I will never be able to provide medical answers or medical healing, I'm not a doctor or God, but I can be there in prayer, physically by one's side, and I can walk with them. With those who have struggles and addictions, I can encourage them, give them advice, walk with them and love them, BUT I CAN'T HEAL THEM.

So often we want to heal those who are suffering or remove their pain. But I think we forget that in our trials and suffering we often grow the most, and are able to be molded more and more into the man or woman God has made us to be.

Lets not try to be God, but instead be His Hands, Feet, and Arms. Let us love others, comfort them, and be with them. Let us be present in the pain and suffering. I know it won't be comfortable, it won't be easy, but God smiles when are his instruments of love and comfort, even though true healing may not occur.

I think of my family right now who is dealing with my sister-in-laws surprise visit to the hospital. I can't be with them 24/7, I can't watch my nephew all day and night, and I am not a medical professional who can heal her, but I can be there to help support them, love them, and just be with them. I can be God's hands, feet, arms, and mouth.

The Bottom Line: Don't try to remove the suffering of others, be present, be there, be the arms, hands, feet, and words of God to those who are in pain around you.

His servant, His Son......
~tfkr

Attitude and Words

2006-09-05T08:25:00.000-04:00

Philippians 2:5-11 (NIV)
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, But made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, And ever tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Recently I have noticed issues with attitudes and how people are being treated. A lot of this is in my own attitude towards others, work, ect. But I have also seen it in those around me and the way that others are treated and the way they react in situations. It is so hard to sit by and watch as someone you care about it belittled or hurt by another persons words. It’s not just the words that hurt but it is the attitude behind those words that make such an impact. I have had to withdraw myself from people and situations when I knew that my attitude was not right and that I could not stand to be near the attitudes of others. I know that this may not be the most appropriate thing in some peoples eyes, but I know that in these situations if I do not withdraw that I will lash out and in turn my attitude will not be one that is pleasing to God.
Tied into this is the issue of the tongue obviously. James 1:26 (NIV) states, “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight reign on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” I think that so often people do not realize how much the words they say hurt. They may not think that they are hurtful and instead think that they are helping the person with the project or task they are working on, but instead the way that words are said stab the person deeply.

I think that we all need to review our attitude and the way that we use our words. I think that we often say way more than is necessary and in turn deeply wound and injure those around us. As Christian’s we are meant to be God’s agents of healing, speaking the truth in love, and building the community. By using words that injure we are not healing nor building the community. Truth in love is not something that happens everyday but when we are dealing with a fellow believer who is struggling with sin or areas in their life which need to be corrected or dealt with as they are not pleasing to God.

So final thought: When dealing with anyone, check the attitude you have and are using in your conversation, and also check, your words. The psychological injury from words is a painful one, one that takes along time to heal from. Be Christ with flesh on.

~tfkr

Restoring Brokeness and Community

2006-06-14T10:11:00.000-04:00

As many people know I am very passionate about community,
and well again as I write I know that in advance that I’m going to hit on the
issue of community and its role in our walk as Christians. Right now I’m reading a book entitled Restoring
Broken Things by Chapman and
Smith. It talks about God’s desire
and intention to restore that which is broken, primarily us, sinful
humans. In the early part of their
book they make a statement that I’ve found elsewhere and heard a couple of
times recently, they state ”The Bible tells a story of personal,
not privatized blessing.” In writing this they are basically
reminding the reader that their interaction and role in the greater story of
God’s working and in the individual stories of others is important. We aren’t isolated individuals but
instead are called to make an impact and difference on those around us. So I guess now the passion
for community that God has given me makes more sense.

God wants us to interact, to care for each other, to love
each other. In many ways God is
calling us to be Jesus with skin on to those we encounter. We can’t make this walk of life
alone. We need the support, the
love, the correction and guidance of those around us. I know that I often feel inadequate to help those around me
who are in the middle of struggles, battles and devastating life issues. But God and the Holy Spirit will guide
our words and will translate them to the person who is need.

I know that often its hard to develop community and
relationship with others because of our own fears and desires to remain
isolated and not put on a front.
But I believe that it is important to jump into community. To open our doors, our lives and our
pain to others. As I sit here in a
Panera Bread in Columbus I think of the importance of Family. It’s a time of pain and unknown futures
as my wife’s grandfather goes into surgery this evening. But one thing I know is that to me
family is important, maybe a bit more than friends and those in my community
around me. But I know that we have
people praying for us who are parts of different communities around the
country. I know that I
need to start to see my Christian community as family. As people who I will give up things
for, who I will give my time to, and who I will care for, even if there aren’t
necessarily common interests. As
we love family because they are family so we need to love those around us just
because they are there!

I enter today not knowing what the next 24 hours will
bring. I want to be the strong one
for my wife and her family. I
don’t claim to have the answers or knowledge of what to say. But I will be here with my presence, I
will allow my self to be a vessel of God’s love, His power, and just be.

To be part of community means to sacrifice, to love the
unlovable, and to just be! I know
that I need to learn this lesson more and more as there are people who I have
been hurt by and have refused to talk to them, have turned my back on any
chance of God redeeming the relationship, and even to the point of being hurt
each and every time that I see them.
I want to step more and more into God’s story of restoring that which is
broken. I want Him to restore me
more and more so that He can use me to make an impact where I am.

Off I go into the unknown. May God bless
all those who I encounter today.
May he restore that which is broken. And may I be sensitive and open to His movement an
prodding.

-tfkr (6/14/06 9:53 AM)

Churches as Community

2006-05-30T20:25:00.000-04:00

Most any person who knows me to any degree will tell you that community is a buzz word for me. I believe churches are meant to be communities of faith, communities of shared experiences, communities of love and sacrifice.

Modern society is looking for a place to belong. What I like to call at times the Cheers of now. I think everyone remebers the TV Show Cheers. Everyone who walked into Cheers was greated by name. Thats what kept people coming back, oh well at least the characters in the show. So often this is the same thing that many people around us yearn for. People yearn to be known by name, to be cared for, loved regardless of their beliefs, hair-do, political stance. People desire to be loved the way that Christ loved Sinners.

Yes Jesus Christ loved the sinner where they were at. He did not ask them to move from where they are at. He ate with sinners. He did not accept 100% what they did, but he accepted them as what they are, a creation of our almight, all powerful savior, His Father, God.

Churches should be places where people feel accepted, loved and cared for. So often the modern church has created walls of division that make people fell unwanted and unaccepted. This is not what God would want. He wants people to be welcomed, for the love that they experience to cause them to draw closer to Him, to experience a life change that is so radical that those around them are astonished and amazed and drawn in to the wonder and awe. To experience a journey into the Love, Grace, and beauty of Christ.

The Church is supposed to create this amazing community that draws people in. I have seen at different times of my life communities that have missed the mark. Communities where people have been involved for years and leave away for school or other things and when they come back they are not even acknowledged by name, but instead feel like an outcast. Communities where people are pushed away becasue of their sin, lifestyle, or even worse yet, something that does not even matter, their clothing or hair-do.

So, what does this mean for us. We are the body of Christ and should be His Hands, Feet, and love to those around us. We are called to be the living expression of who the most high God is. We are to be community to those around us. With acceptance, love and a willingness to be there for those around us.

This might be repetative of my previous writings, but each day is a new day, and so the thoughts must be expressed.

~tfkr

Spring: Time for New Creations?

2006-04-07T14:44:00.000-04:00

Spring time is a time for changes, new growth, freshness after a long winter.

My mind has been racked and twisted with ideas. Things that strike deep with my passion for community and relationship within the body of Christ. Doesn't help when I read books that push me to desire it more and more like "Preaching Re-imagined" by Doug Pagitt. He talks about the preisthood of ALL believers. Not just those who are ordained and educated.

So ok, what does this have to do with Spring and new growth and stuff. Well for some time i have been kicking around the idea of (with my wife's permission) opening our house up once a month or so to have friends over for a time of fellowship, breaking of bread, games, fun, conversation and whatever else it may turn into. I don't want it to be a group of just select friends who all know each other but a chance for us to open the doors to our friends who are single, married, young, old, families with kids to a time of Christian fellowship. Maybe there will be times where some of us get into discussions related to our faith and our walk with Christ and each other. A no pressure time of just relaxing and being ourselves with each other. Opening ourselves up to what God has to say through each other.

Since college its been hard to interact with others in such a communal way. I see it as something beyond a small group, but a living, breathing organism. A time where people can bring friends with them. A place where we can have fun and laughs, but also when hurt and pain occur in our lives where we can share those feelings, those tears.

I desire for my life to be a living expression of the song We are the body which states that we are the hands and feet of God and we are the ones that should be reaching out to each other...... Oh well thats my musing......

I pray for God's direction and wisdom into this....

--tfkr

The Battle (Storm) Rages On

2006-02-14T09:04:00.000-05:00

Its been really interesting recently, well I am not sure interesting is the right word, but oh well. I/We have been realizing that as we have been dealing with the temptations/struggles in life that Satan had been using to pull us down, he is starting to find new areas to use to try to keep us from growing closer to God and each other.

Its both frustrating and encouraging to know that the devil is trying to find ways to keep us from growing. I'm not into pain, struggles and stuff, but to know spiritually that we are doing something that pisses off God's/Our enemy is a good thing. If we weren't walking and growing closer to God the devil wouldn't even bother to waste his time with us. But as Children of the Light, the stronger and brighter out light gets the more of a threat we are to Satan, so he feels the need to try to make our light burn out, stop shinning and to disgrace God's workmanship in us.

So what is there to learn from this? Well I know that in the church we often don't talk much about the reality of spiritual warfare, the battle of light and darkness. We as light need to seek to know God more and more so that we shine brighter and brighter and upset the Devil. The more he trys to "take us down" the harder we need to fight. We have God on our side, don't let the devil drag you down, its hard to fight him, but know that our God is much stronger and is faithful. Hang on in the times of battle as they prepare you for the future, and make you stronger and wiser....
---tfkr

Anger, Hurt, Confusion, and Relationship in the Body

2006-01-16T11:12:00.000-05:00

Ok so this is somethign that I still don't have an answer for. If a friend wrongs you and you forgive them for what they say, how do you get over the anger, hurt, confusion...... and where do you go.

I don't know where to go. After being hurt by a friend and some words that have gone back and forth, I don't know how to look at the person's actions towards me....... I have done as they asked and kep the distance between us and not approached them. However recently they approached me and I had no idea what to, what to say, how to react. Their comments in the recent past really hurt me and questioned why I was vulnerable to them, why I had seeked their friendship, and it is causing me to question alot how as a Christian I am to heal from this hurt, express God's love, and allow God to move and restore the friendship (if its possible, and if so to what extent can it ever go?).

So What do I do? Yeah I'm the one who caused the initial crack that allowed this rift and conflict to start. I'm working on the things in my life that were the pieces that caused the issues. I want this friend to be able to show me the love of Christ and allow us to deal with what happened, but I also in my heart find it hard to love this person as Christ loves me. I find it hard to accept this person back because of the hurtful and damaging comments. As I have learned lately in other relationships we aren't supposed to keep score, well at least not in marriage. But I find that I need to learn to apply this principal to other relationships as well. But how do I know when and how to start accepting this friendship again. How do I address the fact that I was so deeply hurt. I don't know how to allow this friend back into my life even as an aquinatnce. Not that I have gone out of my way to aovid them, but I have made little choices to do my best to not have to be near them. I don't like finding myself volunteering at church and seeing the person form afar and when they look my way wanting to duck.

My quesiton is what happened to Biblicial principles like:
Galatians 6:1 "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritaul should restore him gently...."
II Timothy 3:16-17 " All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

We have forgotten to help our brothers and sisters in their struggles, we aren't using the Word and relying on God's wisdom. I know that I wasn't the best person in my situations and that I was severly in the wrong. But why are we so quick to release the one in sin, when we ourselves haven't been doing our part to challenge, support, and lovingly confront the sinner......

I don't know when I will understand how to redeem and allow this friendship to continue on and allow the issue to heal.......

I'm waiting for God's hand and direction.....

--tfkr

Around the Table

2005-12-23T15:10:00.000-05:00

The dinner table plays a vital role in the development of families and community. I believe that we have lost this important item in our American Christian culture. It is hard to gather others around a table to spend time breaking bread together and caring for each other. In my recent readings I have been reading Mudhouse Sabbath, this book which is looking at some of the Jewish rituals is causing me to again see the importance of the table in the development of Christian community.

My father-in-law yesterday was talking about a group of his co-workers who he has been getting to know around the break room table at work. He made the comment that these men that he has been chatting with are often more open and honest than those he has encountered in the church he currently is in. This is not necessarily a surprising comment to me. I have realized that there are things in the church that causes community to not grow. Often people don't want to spend the time to get to know others and invest in their lives. People also aren't really living the Christian life that they are proclaiming they live and are afraid to have others see them for who they really are. Our culture makes us believe that no one has the right to tell us how we should live and as a result we don't want to even open the door to have another person speak truth into our lives.

Being part of a large church it is hard to thrive and push for community development as it is easy to be part of the crowd. I find it hard to find others who are like minded and desire to be part of something more. To share time at a dinner table and to be part of each others lives. To help each other out with projects, and whatever life may bring. Christ and the disciples lived life together. They broke bread together and spent time together. Poeple in the early church valued the importance of involvement in each others lives. With how our culture and technology has spread families apart it has caused seperation and distance.

I desire to see couples, singles, and famalies involved in each others lives. Sharing meals and spending time doing things together. Having small gatherings of people to watch movies, play games, and just spend time together........... To start to develop the church in a more practical way...

---tfkr

The Table/The Coffee Shop

2005-12-12T14:10:00.000-05:00

Sitting around a table with others can sometimes be the most meaningful thing in the world. As our pastor is preaching a new series on this the idea of the table popped into my head.

The table can be such a warm and welcoming place, but then again at other times it can be lonely, empty and sad.

Right now I feel like I do when I'm sitting in a coffee shop all alone or at a resturant surrounder by gropus of people. That lonliness, the fear, the isolation. I know that I'm not truly alone, but I feel alone, and my loneliness even makes me think: "Why would anyone want to read/hear my comments or thoughts, the ugliness of who I am should cause them to run." I know that I'm not ugly on the outside but inside its not the same. The uggliness of my last 24 years of life are there. The hurt, the struggles, the loneliness, the fears, the insecurities, everything. Its hard to even look at myself.

Its hard right now as the friends i do have I have meaningful converstaions with but its here and there and rarely seems to be any connection outside those moments. And when the evil gets to me it makes me wonder why I even bother seeking others out and attempting to speak insight and wisdom to them as all the evil in me allows me to see is the sin, the struggles, the things in my life that don't please God.

I feel like I'm at a table in a coffee shop longing for a friend to come in and desire to speak to me and discuss my passions, my thoughts, my feelings. But no one comes. the time comes and goes. The coffee shop closes and I walk out alone. There are people around me who want to conduct business, but who is there that truly wants to get beyond a book, and dig into the meat that is the existence of me.... Who? Where? How?

I know that there are some out there who will ready this, that know me. They will wonder if I have forgotten about them and the role they play in my life. No I haven't but I can't get past my feelings and that right now. I'm a work, I'm a pot that is broken.... I can't find the pieces.... I know that God is by my side but I guess I just haven't figured out how to puruse that further, how to find the wholeness, the companion in the chair at the coffee shop.

To do: realize that God is my fulfillment, my companion sitting in that coffee shop. There He is, sometimes he's silent, but he's always there, waiting for me......... You may not be able to see him but He is there. I know it, but i just need to realize that He's there waiting for me...... I need to be there for our appointment......

~tfkr

The Little Things

2005-12-05T16:11:00.000-05:00

Ok, so heres what i'm thinking. Why do i get so darn frustrated with myself and others about the little things? Am I just so picky and annoyed, or what is it?

Well I think I'm starting to see that the little things are the things that often matter the most. The little things that almost take no thought can mean a world of difference to someone. When you aks someone why they love their significant other they are more likely to say something about a "little thing". They might say the notes he leaves for me, when he brusshes my hair, when she takes care of the kids when i walk in the door so I can breathe, so the little emails that she sends during the day........ To each of us there are little things that when done by others mean the world to us. Its hard to remeber that but we need to focus ont he little things and not grip and argue and get frustrated, but instead out of love we need to serve others and be there not just in the big things but also in the little things....... When we break a friends trust it may take time to rebuild it...... it might take just the little things, and lots of them to show that we are trustworthy.

So today..... don't forget the little things. What is little to you may mean everything to smoeone else who is recieving!

--- tfkr

Acts 2

2005-11-28T13:00:00.000-05:00

Ok, so my friend Remy a few months ago went to a Willow Creek Conference Called A2 (Acts 2). And well its been a while since i have read it and in my studies for my Greek class last night I flipped passed it and took a second to read it and well read it again this morning. Here is the Passage from Acts 2:42-47 (NIV) courtsey of Biblegateway.com:

The Fellowship of the Believers

42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Ok so, what struck me about this? Well its the way the church was in the very begning. It was community. People caring for each other, sharing with each other. It was what God called us to. I have had a few experiences of real community in my life and they are things that I hold onto fondly. There are times when I so much miss them, and times that I long to find a way to create community where I am at.

So whats stopping me?

Well for one, to develop community it takes a lot of work, not that I'm afraid of work, but you also need people who are like minded and want to build deeper more meaningful relationships within the context of Christian Community. Times have also changed since the time of the early church, so I have to figure out for myself what does this look like translated into the year 2005. What does it mean to break bread together on a regular basis, to have everything in common.

How do we do this when our cultures mindset is so individualistic. When we don't want to open ourselves up to others, we are afraid of exposing ourselves for who we are. We don't want to admit that we are sinful, broken people who need to be loved by God, the Church, and our brothers and sisters. Our culture has created the ability to be open and honest about who we are to others that we don't even know through chat rooms, but yet we can't bare ourselves to those we know and who honestly care about us. So what is the problem? I believe it all comes down to a few key issue. Pride, fear of rejection, criticism, fear of being known fully, the inability to fully love ourselves which in turn causes us to not be able to love those like or unlike us. The church often feels like an unsafe place to admit our weaknesses, our faults, ours sins. Yet it should be the most safe and accepting place. Not saying that we approve of all behavior but that it should be a place where people can come, admit who they are and what they've done and seek to find God's healing throught the physical presence of the body of Christ.....

Ok, so I have rambled on, and i'm not even sure that it made sense. But one of the most stunning things that I realized in reading this passage is the last sentence where it says: "And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

So whats keeping us back from living this way? God will bless it and use it to draw others to a relationship with Him. The kingdom of God is at hand! Its not a future thing but something that is here, now, and we are a part of it. We are called to go into all the world and make disciples......

So yeah, I guess I'm trying to figure out what this looks like in the here and now...... A2?

------tfkr

12 Hours at a Time

2005-11-23T12:14:00.000-05:00

Ok, so my friend was sharing with me some advice a wise sage gave him to think about when battling with temptations. Can you resist the temptation for just the next 12 hours. Instead of having to try and make it in the battle for a week or month or whatever time frame one chooses, just take it 12 hours a time.

Why do I find this so profound? Well for a copule of reasons.
First of all, whats most manageable. Is it easier to focus on doing something or in the case of temptations and addictions, not doing something, for a specific small amount of time. 12 hours is approximately the majority of a persons waking hours. Its 1 half of a day. It is the present/near future. We aren't talking about large amounts of time its only 720 minutes, or 43200 seconds.

Second of all it reminds us to focus on the present. If we take care of life right now and right here and are faithful in living it as God calls us to we are being faithful. He wants us to not worry about the future, or tommorrow. Focus on what matters now, living a Godly life, and listening to God.

Third, I think it allows us to focus on God in small bites and we are able to "Be still and know that I am God" psalm 46:10. We can more easliy and effectively call on God for His help and strenght. When we think of large periods of time we focus on what can I do to make this or that happen, but when we look at a smaller amount of time we can program ourselves to more readily call on God for His help and strength.

Fourthly, its easier to focus on the small time and when we do find ourselves struggling we can reach out for help to God and others more easily. Instead of saying that I didn't pray or that I've struggled with this or that for a week, we can say. Today I'm having a struggle, a battle for who God wants me to be........ in some ways it minimizes it but allows us to be more able to admit our weakeness as it feels less like we are failing God and not being the person he wants us to be, but instead since we are dealing with it as it happens, we can be in the battle and it is part of the battle. We must enlist God and others to challenge us, pray for us, and support us in our weakness.... Most importantly we need God!

And finally..... God sometimes only reveals to us a small part of his plan. So I blieve we need to be faithful and focus on the present and living our lives for God. We can't worry about the future or how we are going to respond in the future. We need to live in the present. Deal with the relationships, temptations, addictions and struggles of the present life.

so just be still, live in the present, and depend on the only one who matters.

---tfkr

What are you hungery for?

2005-11-14T12:01:00.000-05:00

Ok so this might sound like a wierd and straight forward question, instead it is one much more complex and deeper than it appears. I was talking with a friend recently about things that are going on in life and he asked me to think about the question "What are you hungery for?" Its one he had been asked when he was going through some struggles of his own.

On the surface it appears to be just a question of what does our stomache physically crave. Instead its not a question of us wanting hamburgers or fries or a favorite desert. Its something much deeper.

When asked this question, it means something more deeper. Something along the lines of my last post about the book Searching for God Knows What. The thing we crave may or not be a result of the sin or struggles in our life. But honestly what do you hunger for, what do I hunger for? Sometimes the question comes with any easy answer which we can easliy deal with. Other times it takes a while to answer it and even longer to understand how to live in light of our answer.

Sometimes our "hunger" and desire are directed in the wrong ways. We need to reprogam our thinking and understanding. We need to aline ourselves with the image and desires that God has for us.

So today think about this............ What do you really hunger for? Is your hunger in line with the desires and plan that God has for you........

Striving to be the man God desires me to be.....
--tfkr

Searching for..........

2005-11-11T10:49:00.000-05:00

Recently I have been reading in my "spare" time a book by Donald Miller entitled Searching for God Knows What. This book has become more and more relevant in my life with each passing day.

I have realized before that the areas that we struggle with (sin) are the areas that somewhere inside of us we have a need and we are screaming out for help and for that need to be filled. We don't always realize that this need, this hole, this ache in our beings is meant to be filled by God alone. I'm not done with Miller's book but I believe he keeps heading towards this truth (and if not I'm going to write a book of my own then). But the struggles we find ourselves in are our weak and sad attempts at filling these longings and emptiness in our lives. Its not that we are pathetic people but that we are sinners living in a world of brokenness. We were created to live in perfect relationship with God, but once the fall happened everything changed. Satan was able to affect our lives and tempt us to stray from God. As a result we live in a world of sin and brokeness. We have these longings in our hearts and souls that only God can fill but we don't try honestly to have God fill them or we don't accept what He has to offer. We often have to learn about ourselves and what God has to say to us in our situation. We may have to reprogram our thinking that others must accept us or that others make us who we are, and instead we need to learn that God is the one and only person who can give meaning to our lives.

So where am I? Hows this apply to me you may ask...... Well lets see.......
1st. I have to learn to find my true satisfaction and feelings of worth from God.
2nd. I have to seek God to reveal to me HIS calling on my life. I am finishing my semester at Seminary and taking some time off to make sure God is calling me to puruse my Masters. And well if He isn't I know that he will be faithful to show me the way He wants me to go.
3rd. Healing the brokenness in my life as a result of my sin and the relationships that have been affected by it.
4th. Becoming more and more like a butterfly. I know I am currently in a catepillar stage and God is working on me. I can't wait to see the butterfly that He turns me into..... I just have to be patient and faithful..... I can't jump out of the cacoon because if I do i jeporadize all that God is doing.

So long and short of it.... I think we all have a longing deep within us..... and well I believe that is a longing to feel completely close to God, love by God, and have our needs met by God........

Seek God, Be still and know that He is God.......... and Be blessed by those God places around you as instruments of His love and healing.

as a piece of clay on the wheel in God's Studio:
-----tfkr

The Only Opinion That Matters

2005-11-03T10:23:00.000-05:00

Our society, the church, and life pressues make us think that it matters what others think. That the thoughts, opinions and how others view us is what makes us who we are. If we fall into this trap we strive to make ourselves what others want us to be. We fall into sins which mislead our thinking, warp our sense of worth, and draw us far away from God and His blueprint of who we are.

We so often forget that we are:
-The Apple of God's eye
-God's workmanship
-God's Pottery
-Child of God
-Love by God
-The lost sheep that the shepherd stops everything to find.
-The sinner who the angles rejoice over when we repent.
-A child of promise
-Worth something
-Forgiven
....... and the list goes on forever.

I have so often allowed my life ot be filled with the lies of satan. That I'm not worth anything, that I have to please others and be accepted by them, that I have to make my parents happy and impress them...... But let me tell you. I have had it all wrong......

God is the only one who matters. He doesn't ask for us to impress Him. He knows who were are inside and out, He knows our failings and our weaknesses, and know what He still loves us........ God sacrificed His ONE AND ONLY SON for you and me. God desires greatly for us to walk with Him and live our life in obedience to Him. To love Him and follow His leading.

God wants us to get out of the drivers seat and to let Him be in control. He wants us to allow him to carry us when times are tough, and to walk by His side when we don't need to be carried.

I know that I need to remeber that God is God and the only one that can tell me who I am and make me the man He wants me to be. I can try all i want but I will always fail. I need to lean on His strenght...........

Like the poem Footprints. I need to be carried becuase I am weak and broken. I need God's strenght............ I need to be only concerned about God's opinion.....

Learning to lean on God and learning to "Be still and know that I am God"

--------tfkr

Walking Together

2005-10-28T12:37:00.000-04:00

So what does it mean to walk with a brother/sister in Christ?

Physically what does it mean? Does it mean to just walk with the person, to take their pet for a walk with them, to go for a run, a jog, a skip, whatever..... Well yes I believe it means to do this, it means to spend time together. As I have studied the Greek language in seminary I have realized how important it is for us to be aware of the meanings of words. So yes this is just part of what it means to walk with a brother/sister in Christ.

What else does it mean?

Well these are just some thoughts and ramblings, I know I won't hit every aspect of what it means, and well it will mean different things to different people at different times.

I believe to walk with another person means to to purposely choose to live life in some vicinity/relationship to the person who you are walking with. Just as husband and wife choose and commit to walk life together, so do brothers and sisters in Christ who are walking together. So to "walk" with someone means to commit to spending some time with them and sharing life. I guess I would say that it means to live in community with them. Its hard to truly walk with someone who is on the other side of the world physically, so to it can be hard to walk with them in the sense of walking with a brother/sister in Christ.

So it means to spend time together, it means to share our experiences, challeneges and strongholds in our life. It doesn't mean to allow the other person's problems and sins to become ours but instead to understand what they are going through as best as we can, and be there for them. Its in some ways living a life of transperancey and openness. You may not fully understand exactly how the other person feels but it is the process of attempting to understand, care, and be there.

Walking means to share the journey of growing closer to Christ. In doing so there is a shared and common goal, to be more life Christ. This means that on the journey we are talking and challenging each other to grow, change patterns of behavior that are determental, and to spur each other on towards love and good deeds. This may mean supporting a brother who is struggling in sin, struggling with who God is to them, struggling with their relationship to God and others............. Its a matter of being as some like to put it God with skin on. I don't want this to mean that we are truly God, but that we are there for each other to be God's instrument and to demonstrate God's love, support, ect to each other....... This journeying may involve times of asking each other hard quesitons about our actions, attitudes, thoughts, and our sin.......

Journeying with God alone is hard, and involving someone else in that process is not always easy. I believe that the church is supposed to be a place of safety where those of us who are broken and hurting can be ourselves. A place that does not have a unseen sign at the door stating "PLEASE PUT ON YOUR HAPPY PERFECT SINLESS PERSON MASK ON, WHO PREACH GOD'S LOVE OF SINNERS, BUT THERE ARE NO SINNERS ALLOWED HERE". Instead there should be a large visible sign stating: "Sinners Welcome, No one is excluded from our fellowship. Regardless of what your sins are we still love you just as Christ does."

I know that I haven't been perfect in living my life transperantly and authentically with those around me. This is something that I'm trying to change. I know that it takes time to be remolded into the person God wants us to be. But these are just thoughts of mine of what it means to walk together....... More thoughts on this to follow......

--tfkr

The Stronghold

2005-10-25T15:09:00.000-04:00

I think we often overlook the issue of spiritual warefare in our lives. Some of this is due to the lack of training and understanding and awareness that many in the church have. And also its due to a fear of the unknown. I believe honestly that we are constantly surrounded by the spiritual battles, and that these spiritual battles do greatly affect us and are what cause us to be vulnerable to sin and its affects on our lives.

I believe that sin is something that we do that is against the will of God. There can be wanton straight forward disobedience and defiance of God. There can be sin that is addiction/habitual and we are drawn into the sin very easily due to the place that it has played in our lives. Sort of like a body part, its there. If I thought hard enough about it I could come up with a few more catergories of sin as well, but these are the ones that I have been challenged by. Sin in my life i have found can sometimes be the straightfoward defiance and disobience. At other times I can see that it is an addiction/habitual offense that I have allowed into my life and it is a stronghold that satan has on my life.

Battling these strongholds can seem impossible and a fearful task. If we try to battle them alone of our own strength and might I believe it is completely impossible. On the other hand if we have the desire in our hearts to see God grasp this area and remove it from our lives I believe amazing things can happen. We need to find our primary faith, trust, and confidence in the powerful work and strenght of the death and ressurrection of Jesus Christ. We must believe whole heartedly in His ability to make change in our lives. We also, I believe, need the support, love and encouragement of fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul writes that if we as brothers in Christ see another brother stumbling those who are "spiritual" should restore that person gently. I do not believe one bit that this term spiritual means perfect or sinless, but instead those who are following the path of Jesus Christ. I believe the path and way out that is talked of in I Cor 10:13 is the support and strenght of Jesus Christ along with the fellowship and support of brothers/sisters in Christ.

This way out is not necessary a door in the wall with a sign saying "emergency godly exit" but inestead can be the support and willingness of those around us to help us. It may be a pastor, a friend, a counselor. It may be choosing to help someone you may not like much at all, but it is a way out. It doesn't mean that God will simply stop the temptation or make it physically impossible to do it. Instead I think that we need to be open to the Spirits whisper and what God has provided for us.

Just a thought.... Not sure exactly but well this is just where I'm at right now.

-tfkr

What is the "CHURCH"?

2005-05-03T11:28:00.000-04:00

The word "church" has so many various meanings. It all depends on who you are talking to and what your talking about. If one looks at Merriam-Webster's online dictionary you will find the following as the definition: "1 : a building for public and especially Christian worship2 : the clergy or officialdom of a religious body3 : a body or organization of religious believers: as a : the whole body of Christians b : DENOMINATION c : CONGREGATION4 : a public divine worship 5 : the clerical profession ".

So my understanding of what is meant when one says the word "church" is very confused and foggy.

Our small group that we are a part of is struggling to figure out what we are meant to be as a group. Are we just surfacey and supposed to study the Bible or are we supposed to get into the meat of life and its issues or what.

I think we in America have a distorted view of the church. We often see it as Websters dictionary does, as a building, an event, an orginization, a career or profession. So from these views its more something that we go and do, not something that we are and that we live.

I believe from my understanding of the scriptures and understanding the early years of the church after Christ's Death, that the church is something that we are, something we are not meant to seperate ourselves from. We often disassociate ourselves from the "church" when we are not present at the building or location of worship, or when not amongst fellower "church goers". I believe in my heart of hearts that this is not what God meant for us to do.

I believe that God mean for us to the the church or Body of Christ 24/7 365. We are meant to care for others, worship with each other, prayer for each other, correct each other lovingly. We are to live as Christ called us to do and we are to do it all the time. We are to live life with our bothers and sisters. We are supposed to be there for each other as tangible expressions of our omnipresent God. We are to be as one author put it, God with skin on. We are to be God's hands, feet, voice, and love to those around us.

So to me I guess the church is not a building, an event, or an organization. Its is the son's and daughters of Christ who our of a common desire and calling and saviour, band together and live life together, going through the ups and downs of life, the sin and struggles, the joys and celebrations. It is believers who are there for each other, who are able to speak the truth to each other in love, who are there to correct you and to support you. Those who are there to laugh with you and cry with you, to lend you a helping hand when one is needed.

To me the church is meant to be more than it is. It may mean that what we call "church" becomes smaller pockets of believers, and instead of going to "church" we go to celebrations with other "churches". A worship celebration!

So what must we do? We need to seek to understand waht God means by the church and body of Christ, and seek to live it our in our daily lives.......... Our definition may mean something completely different than the person next to us on any given Sunday. But we need to seek to join with those who are like minded and strive to be what God has called us to be.
~tfkr

Broken (Fragile: Handle With Care)

2005-04-20T16:27:00.000-04:00

I know that God is the potter and I'm the clay. He's repairing me after I have had to come to terms with who I am and what I have allowed the devil to do in me.... This pot that God's been working on for 24years is smashed into tiny tiny pieces. Smaller than the eye can see. I know that the Potter is faithful. Its going to be a hard and long process. The Potter has His helpers in the Church and I know that..... Its just hard when you feel like your walking around with a big sign on you that is red and Says: Fragile Handle with Care. But thats how i feel I almost don't want to get close to my fellow Christians, but I know I need their support....... Its going to take time.

I'm reminded of the Max Lucado kids book. Your Are Special. I know that the Master has plans for me, to repair me, and to make me better than I ever was. Its just hard to see when you can't even see yourself for what you are............

God, grant me the peace, and ability to love myself when I can't. To know that you love me, that you forgive me, and that your Grace is larger than anything I Can comprehend.................... Fix me and those around me that I have shattered on my way from the Workbench where you had me to the floor of brokeness, tears, and pain below......

tfkr

Lessons on the Green

2005-04-11T16:11:00.000-04:00

Golf has been a real eye opener to who I am as a child of God. I find it funny as I only play becuase I want a way to relax and enjoy time with friends. However, I often find myself deep in theology and review of my life..... I guess I am making my own golf course theology and understanding of life.

Being a newbie to the sport of golf I find that I well, stink....... I swing and miss, I take 10-15 hits of the ball to make it to the green and if I am lucky into the hole. Just like my own life I often don't make the right choices or decisions at a given time and keep failing and have to keep taking a swing at things. Just as I saw my friends that I was playing with giving me grace I understand more deeply how God gives me grace and is patient with my shortcomins and failures.

I also realized that in order to become better at my game of golf it is going to take practice on top of practice. And well in order for me to grow and learn in my walk with God I am going to need to immerse myself fully in the Word and abiding with God and being in communion with him more and more. Just as with golf you can see the quality of your devotion and practice played out in your game on the course, so too you can see your devotion to God and His Word by the way that you live your life.

I know that I felt feelings of frustration at myself on the course yesterday in the way I was playing and all. Yet I think in our spiritual lives we often get numbe to our failures and just don't feel bad about them anymore as time wears on. As we live in a habit or continual sin we are more likely to just brush it off and not feel guilty. But we need to get on ourselves when it is something that we can truly control.

No matter what it is, my golf game on the course, or my walk with God I need grace, understanding, and commitment to make change. Just as my friends were helping me along with my game, we too need to rely on friends to help us with our walk with God. We need those pointers and support along the way. We also need to make a commitment to the game, and especially a commitment to our life as a child of God. The commitment to follow God. It might be painful along the way, but in the end it will be well worth it..........

Grace..... Commitment........

Golf is to me a way to see similarities to my spiritual life in action........

Commitment, Accountability, and life........

2005-04-08T15:40:00.001-04:00

Yeah I know that this may sound like me if you have known me for long. It's one of the main things that I desire to be involved in most, yet find my most frustration in. So, do stick with me and try to follow my train of thoughts.

In the last month or so a group I was meeting with stopped meeting together due to schedules, and were hoping that things would work out and we coudl start meeting again. In loking to get the ball rolling again I have hit a speed bump so to say.

In the weeks of not meeting and seeing no one talking about starting up I was asking myself if this group is where God wants me still or does He want me to find a new group. Wish I could say I know for sure, haven't gotten my final message and response from the Master Planner but I think i know where he's leading......

Since high school when I first started doing accountability with friends and groups of guys I have noticed a trend. And well its a trend in the church as a whole. We say we will do something, ask someone how their doing, pray for each other....... yet in the end we may do it for some time or we don't do it at all...... We fade in our attempts at trying or we just plan get apathetic.

So how do we resolve it? I wish to say it was simple, but its not. Here are three steps or points I believe make a difference.

1) I believe it first requires one to find a group of fellow travelers on this journey who desire accountability and the commitment to do it and stick with it.
2) Second I believe it requires a heart to care for others, their burdens, needs, and struggles, and I believe that it must be a heart that is in line with God's desire to see the broken fixed, the sick healed, and the lost brought home........
3) Thirdly, it requires follow through...... Just as one can't hit a baseball out of the ball park without swing all the way through, one can't make accountability and caring for another person succed if there isn't follow through. Those calls, emails, letters, prayers and support that are promised. And in following through it just can't be a 1 time or handful of times, it must be a consistent and continued matter till the request is finished or the relationship is ended and one has moved on. If the person ask you to do it for 5 times or 6 weeks, there is a deadline or end in sight when one needs to ask the person if their help and support is still needed, but if a person doesn't give a end point one should assume its for life till the asker ends the request for assistance. In taht case one can't just stop when they feel like it, they must communicate to the person needing the support and do as requested or inform the person they can't do it any longer.

So in short Accountability is dependent on 3 main points 1) DESIRE 2) HEART 3) FOLLOW THROUGH.......... Aim for these and keep going and things should get better and look brighter among those you keep accountability with........

Romans 7

2005-02-17T14:48:00.000-05:00

Had a great conversation with a friend of mine the other night at dinner. We were catching up while I was in LA on business........ We some how ended up on the topic of struggles and having a hard time seeing where God is in the midst of it. It was great. Hearing someone else express the same struggles, frustations, and issues that I am feeling and experiencing.

To sum it up.....
We all have areas and issues in our lives that we struggle with. We struggle with not doing certain things, saying things, believing things, and the list goes on. Be it a sin of the flesh, of the mind, or of the heart, no matter what it is a struggle.

My friend & I were both sayin gthat some of the things that we having been strugglign with for years and years of our lives seem to be things that god feels absent in. The struggle seems to be us and only us fighting without any help from God. I know that this isn't true, I know that the times that it seems like we are struggling alone, we are not necessarily alone. I do believe that some of the time we feel like we are struggling because our heart and desires are not necessarily wanting to fight the battle that faces us and are rather apathetic. Yet its a battle. As a Child of God I know that we will face struggles and sins that we seem to want to fight but yet we are drawn to the sin and fall into it.

We must keep in mind that God is the God of grace......... We must run to Him and cry out to Him and ask for His help, His forgiveness and constantly run to Him no matter how much we desire not to run to Him.............

What have I learned or not learned?
1. I must learn to rely on the Father to be the source of my strength, my support and my confidence in living.
2. Need to be in constant in seeking to grow and be rooted in the Word and in relationship with God.
3. Be willing to talk with others about our struggles, battles, and issues of faith.

If we are not looking to grow, learn from others and support others the community of God will not grow, God's kingdom will not advance, and we will make no forward progess.

-------tfkr

Calling

2005-02-09T10:16:00.000-05:00

Right now the issue of calling is something that I'm struggling to understand. I know that God has called me to ministry, which in my mind means full time ministry. So as a result I started my adventure down the road of seminary. However other factors in life such as my wife's calling, her happiness at work, and other issues are making me reconsider if God has truly called me to vocational ministry as a pastor or if He is calling me to work in a normal job and to do ministry as a lay person. I have no idea and wish there was the proverbial fax line from God or the red phone that Goes to God and He will give you the answer immediately.

I know that God give a call to each of us to do certain things in our lives. Yet it is the clarification of that call that is confusing me and making me wonder. Is the questioning of my calling of God and meant to help me clarify it or is it the work of the devil trying to keep me from doing God's work in this world and trying to hinder the kingdom.

Prayer: God show me your call on my life, help to clarify this fog and hazy, allow me to step out in faith in the direction that you are calling me. Father your will be faithful to provide and direct. Help me in my struggle to follow to understand and to move. Give me direction for myself, my wife, my future and the work you wish to do through us.
-------Your son, your servant, and your tool........ tfkr

A new Blog

2005-02-08T01:26:00.000-05:00

This is a totally random place for me to write my thoughts on different spiritual issues that are challenging me or that I am currently reading about.

May it be an expression of who God is and who He is revealing Himself to me to Be.