Testimony

My pastor asked me to share my testimony with the church at our Thanksgiving feast.  I typed it out and read it to them because I get REALLY nervous speaking in front of large groups of people.  What did Jesus do for me that day?  He calmed my nerves enough to stand up and share.

So I thought I would share it with you. It went something like this:

I'll be honest, when the Pastor first asked me to give my testimony I was a bit hesitant.  Took a couple of days of prayer to get me up here.  I thought, man, I really have a tough time talking in front of people.  Especially about my life and testimony.  Then I thought, it's really not about me.  It's about what God has done in my life.  And this whole thing is really about Jesus.

So, what is a testimony?  I found the definition to be, in this circumstance, - a public profession of a religious experience.  And I thought, well that's pretty cool, because becoming a christian is most definitely a religious experience.  It's probably the first REAL religious experience anyone has in their life.  But anyone can be fooled.  I had a religious experience as a young kid at age 8.  Shortly after that, I was baptized, but my life didn't really change.  I'm pretty sure I knew what I was doing, I just wasn't ready to change.  You see our enemy is a master of deception.  The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:8 - Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  And me being selfish at heart not wanting to give up the ways of the world, I was like a wounded gizelle.  So from age 8 to 28, I still lived according to my rules.  

Even through all my rebellion, the Lord continued to tug at my heart and draw me close to Him.  At age 29, I cried out to him and finally accepted Christ.  The Bible says in Romans 10:13 - For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.  And that's exactly what I did.  More than once actually.  I really wanted to be sure this time.  Since then, the Lord has worked through me and has done amazing things in my life.  He's cleaned me up, He's helping me use my gifts and talents to glorify Him, and He's given me a beautiful, supportive wife and a wonderful baby daughter.  It's only when we surrender to Him and give up self, that the Lord can truly be glorified.

So.  I want to issue everyone in here tonight a challenge.  Step back and take a look at your walk with God.  First off, is there a walk to look at.  See, maybe some of you are like me and you got baptized at an early age and thought you were saved, but you haven't been living like it and every step you take is a step without the Lord and not in his will.  If this is the case, I urge you to deal with that tonight.  Don't go another day without being secure in you salvation.  Grab a deacon or the pastor and just say, hey, we need to talk.  They'd be happy to talk with you.  Second, if you know you are saved, take a look at what else the Lord has been calling you to do and answer His call.

~ T

It's Been Awhile

It's been a few months since my last post.  But that certainly doesn't mean the Lord hasn't been at work in my life.  Everyday He still watches over me and guides my path.

Here lately, the Lord has been closing doors for us.  And I realize now that He is having us (my wife and I) grow more dependent on each other and most importantly in Him.  So, don't get discouraged when things are seeming to not go your way.  Trust in Him and remember God sees the big picture, and it is good.

Trust in the Lord always and again I say REJOICE!

~ T

Sleeping Beauty

Well last night we put Maggie down at 10:00pm.  We had just gotten home from our long road trip from San Antonio.  We were all tired.  My wife was feeling a little under the weather.  Something about her and hotel rooms just don't mix.  She caught a little bug we think.  So, we climbed in the bed around 11:00 or so.  I then proceeded to get up and down out of bed to help my wife with things she needed.  Advil, heating pad, water, more blankets...  She was fighting a fever.  Finally in the early morning, not sure what time, she broke the fever!  YAY!  Through all this, Maggie didn't make a peep.  It was truly the Lord at work.  He knew Hannah needed to fight this thing without having to do a feeding in the middle of it.  He also knew I needed to help and Maggie needed some sleep.

What did Jesus do for us last night?

He healed Hannah, gave me energy to help, and put a tired baby into a long, much needed sleep.
Thanks Jesus.  You rock!

The Trip

So we just got back from a little work/vaca from San Antonio.  It was fun!  Maggie's first real trip out of Shreveport.  She did great.  The Lord has truly blessed us with a good baby.  She loves to ride in that car!

What did Jesus do for me today?

What didn't he do for us the past couple of days.  He kept us safe in travels.  Kept Maggie happy on the road.  Kept my work easy.  Helped me be patient in times I needed a lot of it.  And many little things.  For instance, I was going to have to go to the hallway in search of the maid at the hotel to get some extra towels.  And literally, when I was at the door to go out, she knocked.  Thank you Lord for handling every little detail in our lives.  We love you!

~ T

Sweet Dreams

So last night I had a dream that I was being persecuted the way Jesus was when he was arrested.  Punched in the face.  Beaten.  Spit upon.  Rejected.  In my dream, the persecutors where people I knew and some of which I had close relationships with in the past.  And that made it all the more hurtful.

I awoke to my wife touching my arm.  I don't know, but maybe I was tossing and turning and she needed to wake me.  So what does this mean.  I'm not a dream interpreter but I am getting a reaction from this one for sure.  I believe we should never be ashamed of the gospel.  Of the good news of Jesus Christ.  As  christians we should be ready to share at a moments notice and never avoid a conversation that God could use to bring someone to know Him.  You see, in my dream I was bold.  Radical.  Not one of those that stands on the street corner with a megaphone, but one that would speak of Jesus in everyday conversation. I was so on fire for the Lord in such a soft, outspoken way that it got people interested in the Lord.  It also had folks angry.

So, what did Jesus do for me today?
Through my dream last night, He showed me I need not be afraid of the consequences for standing up for Him.  And that I should never be afraid to share my faith or have a conversation with someone about Him. Especially when prompted by the Holy Spirit.  Jesus help me to not be timid.

For God did not give you a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7.

Are you holding back today?

Strings of Mercy

Lately I haven't found the time at home to practice playing my guitar.  What, with the baby and all.  And yesterday at church, I found myself getting a little nervous over the songs we were playing.  There were a couple of licks I wasn't too comfortable playing live.  But when it came time to play them, the Lord was there to guide my fingers to the right notes.  In doing this, He helped me take my mind off playing and put it towards worship.  Talk about multitasking...

What did Jesus do for me today?

He helped me add electric guitar to the worship experience at church.

Praise be to God.

Victory!

The Saints win their opener against the Vikings last night!  What a glorious day!  I don't think God helped the Saints win though.  I don't even believe God has a favorite football team.  I think God is interested in our victories on the spiritual battlefield in our daily lives. And there is victory in Jesus!  Amen?


I heard an old, old story
How a saviour came from glory
How he gave his life on calvary
To save a wretch like me

I heard about his groaning,
Of his precious blood's atoning
Then I repented of my sin
And won the victory

Oh, victory in Jesus,
My savior forever
He sought me and he bought me
With his redeeming blood

He loved me ere i knew him
And all my love is due him
He plunged me to victory
Beneath the cleansing flood

I heard about his healing,
Of his cleansing pow'r revealing
How he made the lame to walk again
And caused the blind to see

And then i cried "dear Jesus,
Come and heal my broken spirit"
And somehow Jesus came and brought
To me the victory!


What did Jesus do for me today?
He forgave me of my sins because the blood of His Son covers me.
Thank you Jesus.


~ T

Hungry?

God is good, is He not? Over the past three weeks, my wife and I have been a little low on funds.  Money was a bit scarce.  But the Lord provided.  We have been fed nearly every night by friends and family donating their time and effort into cooking us something spectacular.  Or they would just pick up something awesome and bring it on over!  Through this experience, the Lord reminded me how important it is to fellowship with others in the body of Christ and He reminded me to be thankful for the people He puts in our life.  Thank you all!  We love you!

And the Lord keeps providing.  Our good friend Farmer is bringing salmon tomorrow night!  Bring it on. Amen!

What did Jesus do for me today?
He provided us wonderful food when we could barely afford to eat.

~ T