Just A Bamboo Seed...

A Chinese bamboo plant illustrates when you give faithful service in your work and there are little visible results. When the bamboo seed is planted nothing happens for 3-4 years. Then on the 5th year the bamboo plant shoots up 30 feet tall. A lot is happening underground during the 3-4 years but it is not visible. When you are steadfast in your work to the glory of God you know that your labor is not in vain.

1Corinthians 15:58 says, “Therefore my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

When the going gets rough and tough, what do you do? When I've faced challenging times in ministry, I remind myself of what Paul said above. When your work seems to produce little results, know that your labor is not in vain when you're working to glorify the Lord!

Jesus doesn't open doors of opportunity for you and then leave you stranded! He stand ready to lift you up to accomplish the job He has called you to. When 1 door closes another opens as you have patience and plan for the future with faith!

HANG IN THERE - GOD WILL MAKE A WAY!
MT

Sundays...

Hello everyone out there in blogland. God is doing some amazing things around here at Harvestime. It continues to be a very busy time, but I'm determined to stay on the road that my Lord has placed me on. Last week, a trip to Indy for 2 days and a trip to Fort Myers, FL for 2 days - whew.

But I knew that God had a great Sunday ahead for me...

Sunday, wow what a great day for the church!! One of our former staff members and some of our greatest friends: Jeremy Snodgrass and his family were our special guest. PJ preached a great message on 'Prayer Being The Determining Factor' - much much needed btw. Also, we had a 'Manna' reunion - Tanya, Nikki and Heather rocked the house with 3 great songs. Then after all that spiritual food, we got to eat - YEA! Is was a great day.

Our church family at Harvestime is the best! We have some of the greatest people here. They work hard to make our church what it is today. I know that God has more for us all, and I'm sure that He will take us in, as we look to Him! ENJOY THE JOURNEY...


BLESSINGS!
MT

Golf...

Last week, I flew to Orlando for my annual golf outing. Man the weather was awesome! However, one of the main reasons for the trip - golf - it was horrible. We play 144 holes of golf in 4 days! Yep, you guessed it, sun-up to sun-down, golf! I started the week with 2 rounds over 100! Man, I haven't done that in years. I've got to apologize again to my friend from Delphi, IN Brent Oliver for hitting him in the head with a shot - sorry Brent! I'm glad that he's going to be OK... Well, my golf got a little better throughout the week. Finally getting into the 80's over the last few rounds. Overall it was a great week playing golf with some great friends.

There's a lot of lessons in the game of golf that we could all learn and apply to our lives. I won't take time to bore you with all of them, but suffice it to say that God has a fairway for all of us. Yes, although it maybe lined with traps and hazards, still God has a goal in mind for all of us. We need to keep our eyes on the goal as we navigate our families, ministries and businesses through the seasons of life. And eventhough you may find yourself in one of these hazards of life, know that God has already given to you the tools to get out and back on track.

Oh, one of the highlights this week for my game? My bunker play. In one of those 100+ rounds, I had hit into a water hazard, dropped, hit into the green side bunker and holed out the bunker shot for a birdie on a par 5 hole. Needless to say, it brought on a happy dance from me. Well, always remember that God has a plan for you and through Him we will survive!!


BLESSINGS!
MT

My Thoughts...

I've been a little bit busy of late... February was a crazy month! Three out of the four Saturdays, I had all-day kinda meetings... Four funerals in five days... Two membership classes to teach... Annual church business meeting... Preached fifteen times... surgeries... counselling sessions... and somewhere in there got some time for family.

A friend of ours in our church named Teresa, sang a song years ago that I'll never forget, entitled, "Life is Hard, but God is Good". What a great message to remind us of the days that we are living in, but also an encouragement to keep our eyes upon the goal... Thanks Teresa!

My random thoughts on a Wednesday, while heading for a golf vacation next week:

1. I think our day goes a lot better when we start it off with prayer and devotions.
2. I think that team building in important for a church staff.
3. I think that we are blessed with great state leadership in the Indiana A/G.
4. I think that I'm so ready for outside activities!
5. I think that next week in Orlando will be great, just not sure about my golf game.
6. I think that Diet Coke is the best soft drink.
7. I think that I have the best family in the world.
8. I think that being a grandparent is something that God has blessed us with in our older years.
9. I think that someday I'd like to travel the world.
10. I think that my wife Tonya has got me addicted to The Biggest Loser and my daughter Brooke has got be addicted to House and my brother Brian has got me addicted to 24 this year.
11. I think that in this year, I'm going to play more golf and stress less!
12. I think that God is the coolest dude that I've ever met!

Well, there's more where that came from, but I need to get going...

BLESSINGS,
MT