I'm Moving my Blog

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

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:

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??

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

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

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

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......

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!

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

"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

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?

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

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

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

(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......

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?

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?

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.....

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

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