Now What??

Let me start by saying I'm not an Economist, but I believe in the economy of God!

What an amazing ride over the past several days, if not the past few weeks. Many have been watching the news with one eye and watching our government with another eye. I must admit that I found myself watching and wondering what would happen if Congress was to pass this '$700,000,000,000 bail out'. Whew, that's a lot of zeros. While I don't even pretend to understand all the ins and all the outs when it comes to knowing the answers for the economic woes we find ourselves in. However, here's my meager thoughts, I believe that for the most part, we as Americans have made our bed (debt) and now we must get comfortable in it. We have been borrowing like there is no tomorrow and someday (today) we must start to pull ourselves up and find out how we are going to pay for it. That's the sobering news, now what are going to do about it? I believe that as Christians, we must continue to believe, trust and have confidence in our heavenly Father to watch and care for us all. I remember talking with a man in our church in the 1980's - when we had that hard stock market crash - who told me, the Lord told me to get out and he did just a week before the stock market took a dive. All I know and believe is that the news of today didn't catch God off guard this morning. He is still aware of everything. He knows our end from our beginning. He is still the same God that provided the sacrifice for Abram on Mt. Moriah and He is still the same God that nourish the prophet Elijah at Cherith and He can take care of you and me. We must make Godly choices everyday of our lives, live within our means and be faithful in our tithes and offerings to our local church. "God will take care of you" the old hymn says. Now is the time of testing, what will the results be of our lives after the test is completed? He will make a way for us. The seed that He is providing, release it into the soil of the Kingdom of God and watch God supply our every need!

BLESSINGS!

MT

St. Louis...

Tonya and I went to St. Louis on Wednesday for a couple days of fun with an awesome couple in our church: Ken and Ann Cox (Mollie too)! They are a great couple and family, who love the Lord and are not afraid of showing it. They're one of those families who just come ready to work, love God and support their pastor. Ken & Ann, Tammy & Cecil, Jennifer & Mark (also; April & Brooks, Mollie, Hannah & Josh) - YOU GUYS ROCK! Ken serves on our Board & Ann serves as our Women's Director. God brought them to our church several years ago and we are so blessed!

We stayed at downtown St. Louis and had dinner on the top of the Millennium Hotel. It is a revolving restaurant. It takes 1 1/2 hours to make full 360 degree revolution around the top and gives you a full view of St. Louis. The filet was super, the best ever, I recommend it highly! Man, I was so full I could have taken a nap. But then we went over to the Cardinal game for a nite game. Great seats, great game, great win!

It so good to get away. Jesus taught it and lived it. Many times He would go away to the mountains and gardens to spend time with His Father. You know we all need to practice that. We sometimes can't hear our Father clearly with all the noise of our lives. We need to get away, relax and open our ears, minds and hearts to hear His voice! Always remember that Lord loves you and has great plans for you, but we've got to hear Him and follow Him!

Take time for you and your family to unwind, it'll make a difference in your life!


BLESSINGS!
MT

Weekend...

This weekend was a great weekend for me. Not only had I planned to take some time off from the office, but also;

1. Services were awesome on Sunday! (Stephanie Smith shared an awesome testimony Sunday morning about what God had recently done in her life in 1 of our services)
2. Advisory Board Meeting on Saturday morning was a great time of sharing vision and prayer together - I thank God for the great men He has brought to stand along side!
3. USA won the Ryder Cup! -(finally after all the losses)
4. Miami Dolphins beat down a really good New England Patriot team in their own house! (I understand that this may be a 1 time event, but Tom Brady has nothing to do with the Patriot defense)
5. Jeff Gordon had a descent run in Dover! (he still has an outside chance for the championship)
6. Mount Vernon High School football won again - only 1 loss this year.
7. I started a week of VACATION - yea!

Anyway, we all know what it feels like to have one of those weekends where everything seems to click and your teams wins too! Well, in these 'last days' we are needed to be grateful to our Father in all things, especially for the joys of life that He brings! Always remember that God is good!

BLESSINGS,
MT

Ryder Cup - Go USA!

Every two years, the sport of golf has a very unique and yet exciting event called the Ryder Cup. This three day event pits the best players of Europe against the best of America. Match play is some of the best golf, you'll ever watch. This year, brings this event to the mid-west in Louisville, KY. It is being played at Valhalla Golf Club.

Over the past few matches, the Europe team has won three in a row. The US team is seen as the underdog to win back the Cup. It will take 14 1/2 points for the US Team to win back the cup while the Europe Team can keep the cup by just winning 14 points.

After the morning rounds on the first day, the US Team has a 3 to 1 lead. This is a great start for the Americans. It has been a long time since they held the lead after the first day. While the afternoon rounds are still being played, they have a leg up trying to stage the upset. As you know, I love the game. This weekend, except for a few things, I'm going to be a 'Ryder Cup junkie'. Honestly, I think the US Team has a great chance to make some noise. Thanks to ESPN and a day off on Friday to be able to watch. HD? Yea! It makes you feel like you're right there.

GO USA!

MT

Interaction Needed...

The Bible teaches us about the absolute need for one another. Obviously we all have a need for the Lord, but do we place a high priority upon the 'interaction' with people. We live in a time where we have more ability to connect with others than ever before, i.e. email, websites, blogs, cell phones, text messaging... But are we really connecting and interacting with people. Building relationships that are truly built together for a habitation of the Lord? Don't be alarmed, I'm not saying we all are hiding behind our monitor screens, but I am concerned that people are taking the gifts of one another for granted.

In Acts 2:42, the Bible speaks of the early church doing 4 things: 1) devoted to the apostles teaching 2) to fellowship with others 3) to breaking of bread 4) to prayer. All of these speak to me that the early church had something that too many are hungry for today - interaction and connection. The Cheers (sitcom) theme song had a line about the local bar: "...place where everybody knows your name..." There is a social trend towards isolationism and disengagement.

Sociologists say research shows that Americans are participating less in social activities. They are reading less newspapers, attending less meetings, writing fewer letters, entertaining less in their home, attending fewer church services and giving less blood.

Why do I need the church? 1) there is protection through prayer 2) it is a source for encouragement, support and accountability 3) the church needs our spiritual gifts to operate effectively.

We must be careful not to adapt to the 'older son' syndrome, which says, he's not my brother, I'm focused only on my needs, and I only see faults in others. Philippians 2:3-4 says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others". Let's all work on honestly caring about reach other to point that if need be: we'll walk the extra mile and give up our coat for others. Remember, "People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care"

I Thank God For YOU!

MT

Mom...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM

September 7, 2008

You're The Best!

Love Ya,

'Little' MT

Victory Yes Victory!!!

Man oh man what a day we had at Harvestime on Sunday! God moved throughout the service by His Spirit. One of our students whose name is Stephanie wrote about it on her Facebook page and you can read it by clicking on her name above. Thanks Stephanie for passing on your thoughts to all. Too many of us are too quiet about what God is doing in our lives. It's so refreshing to see young people stand up for Him!

You know God has a great plan for each of our lives - Jeremiah 29:11. Until we realize and reach for it we will always wander about in the wildernesses of our lives. Yet, God wants us to walk in the freedom that He has for us. We don't have to settle for quail in the wilderness, but we can reach for the Land of milk and honey! I know that there have been times in my life and ministry that I have tried to walk in my own strength and because of that I missed out!

Yesterday (Sunday) was a day where the Lord freed us up from things that hold us back from all God has for us. The enemy attacks us all in the battlefield, which is our minds. He knows that if he can get us to look at him and his attacks more than we look to Jesus, then he will be able to conquer our lives. That's why we need to keep our eyes upon Jesus!

Friends, God has a great plan for our lives! Be who the Lord has made you to be. Serve Him with joy and gladness in your heart. You may stand out at times, so use that moment to give HIM all the glory!

BLESSINGS!
MT

Thoughts for Today...

Tonya and I always kid each other about the way our minds work differently. There are times when we've had some real laughs and some of those others :-). Anyway, I read in my brother's blog one day about his thoughts, so I thought someday, I'd share mine. Brace yourselves...

• I think that I am truly blessed by my family, friends, church and of course Jesus.
• I think that I am ready for a vacation.
• I think that I need to watch my diet.
• I think I need to start eating healthier. Tonya, thanks for helping me here...
• I think that last Sunday was an awesome day - we moved our entire service to a city park and a fun day with the whole church.
• I think that I'm ready for a better year for my Dolphins.
• I think that I like my Blackberry.
• I think that I get myself in trouble more than others.
• I think that I'm enjoying blogging.
• I think that the devotionals we send out from the church are an awesome.
• I think that grandkids are the greatest!
• I think the Cardinals should look to next year - they're finished for 2008.
• I think that my desk needs to be organized.
• I think that Diet Cokes are the greatest morning drink.
• I think that PF Changs is the greatest for chinese food.
• I think that IU Men's Basketball is on a slow road, but a good one!

Got to get cracking - See Ya!
MT