I find that as I look back and reflect on my life there are alot of things to be thankful for (and it's not even the Thanksgiving holiday yet, go figure.)
It was this day 15 years ago that I gave my life to Jesus Christ. Amazing how much time has passed yet as I blink I realize that half of my life I was apart from God. I went to an outreach where the Gospel was presented and people loved me for who I was not knowing what I would do with my life, only where I was. This is a key to ministry - Love.
Now, at 30, I am so grateful as I look at the place I am now. I am sitting here in my office (soon to be my 2nd child's bedroom) and look at all that the Lord has given me. An absolutely gorgeous wife, an adorable son and a beautiful home - just to mention a few. This is without mentioning the ministry that He has laid before me on the scale that it has become. The opportunity and awesome responsibility it is to represent Him. I can't fathom why. I am humbled. I heard it once be said, "the more I know, the more I realize I dont know." I really know what that means now.
Allow me to repeat the great Apostle Paul to the church in Ephesus,
2:1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
NIV
moreover, "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ."
Thank you Jesus for all you have shown me!
Always grateful. period.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
2008 Camp Season
I have been limited in my WIFI access in my travels but I am so humbled by what God has done this camp season. I am just returning yesterday from my 6th camp in 7 weeks and God has really ministered to many students.
One moment that stood out to me that I must share was a night toward the end of the week in Nebraska camp when I was supposed to go up after a song by the worship team and at that moment before I was going to go up, God froze me. I could not, in obedience, take the stage to speak. The worship was far from over and the spirit of God made me aware of that. I suppose if I really wanted, I could have taken the stage and did what I was supposed to do but I was not supposed to and moments later God released his presence so powerfully that I cannot put into words. Those are moments that God teaches us as speakers, pastors or whoever that we are not the ones who determine the spirit's moving in a service. We are but tools and sometimes God puts His tool down and uses other means. That night was a special one because it keeps us focused that He is in charge. What a great night it was.
My itinerary took me this summer to Nebraska, Colorado, Sacramento, N. Virginia, S. Virginia and Pittsburgh.
Here are some of the promised testimonies:
"...from the time you started I honestly felt God. But I didn't quite understand why. Now my dad and mom got divorced before I was born because my father didnt want a kid. Well I never knew him and my mom and him decided that I wouldnt have visitation and he didnt have to pay child support. Well I never really felt like I was hurt over that until Tuesday night when God brought this all to my mind and basically told me that I did have pain from that and that I needed to deal with it while I had the chance. So I went up to the altar and dealt with it. I cant say I feel much different but I just know that God did something with that hurt and I never have to look back on it again." ~Taylor
"Hi Tony, ...i just wanted to let you know when you preached at Camp Maranatha, it really touched me, and i felt the holy spirit pour down on me, when you talked about cleaning out your tent, it really got me thinking "What things do I have in my tent?". Your one of, if not the best preacher I've ever heard preach. You spoke powerfully, plus you have a great sense of humor, and i love your obsession with chocolate chip cookies. But anyway, I've always been to embarrassed to raise my hands in church in front of my friends, but you taught me that i should praise God, and i shouldn't let people in the way of praising my lord. I use to never pay attention in church, but after hearing you preach, i've learned that church can be fun. You really helped me, and touched my heart. I'll always remember you man...Thanks, you're a great preacher." ~Brian W.
Pastor Tony, hey I just attended Pym youth camp week 3 in VA. My life has changed for ever because of your sermons and the alter calls! Before the camp I was going to give up the whole Christianity thing because I felt like God has not been there for me, that there is no such thing as a personal relationship with God and etc. Now I feel so free and I look at the world a completely different perspective. I walk down the streets and see all bunch of these people that need Jesus in there life. People that have not been reached yet by the people who are Christians. When I heard your sermon I got chills running throughout my body because it was so powerful. I have not heard a sermon like that for a while, I am so glad that you came to the pym youth camp unless I would have maybe given up Christianity by now! God is using you and affecting so many people it just amazes me that maybe one person can make a difference in this sinful world that we are living in! I did not believe that one person makes a difference thing but then at the altar... WOW that was some good stuff people crying with joy. I can't describe how much I have changed and even my friends thing I have changed also so much! I will never become the person that I was all because of one man that obeyed God. THANK YOU SO MUCH!" ~Ashley G. PA
"Tony, On wendnesday when you talked about calling I defnitely felt God telling me to go up to the altar. So I did and over the past three years God has opened up my calling through camp. At first I knew I was called into ministry. The second year God opened up to me that it was with children and finally wednesday I really felt Gods touch after the leader that had been praying for me told me that God was calling me to work with orphans. It is definitely an amazing oppurtunity and I'm definitely going to go after what God is pushing me to. Even though I give all the glory to God you I definitely wanted to share this with you because I feel that if I hadnt been at camp I doubt that I wouldve ever heard the voice of God in this area at this time. I know you are busy and I just wanted to share this with you because well..I wont lie im too excited not to." ~Tayler
"So this past summer I went to Camp for the first time ever in Lexington, NE. In January was the first time I'd felt God's presence and I was slowly losing that drive. But ever since camp, you made me realize what God is doing in my life. You made me realize God only puts us through tests we can pass. Before I was struggling to get closer to God, but then you said about how God moves the fence for us, like that man did for the soldier, and it made me realize I just have to love him. I want to thank you soo much for coming into the ministry and talking to us. It means the world to me and my friends. We've been much more loyal Christians, and we've grown a lot closer to God, and a lot closer to each other."
"I just wanted to thank you for taking time out and speaking so much encouragement into my life. I want to let you know I admire what you do, and I look up to you. It's amazing how God could take a man from such an adverse background and use him so greatly in ministry. For that short time we spoke you were a big inspiration." ~Gregg
"I just want to thank you for coming down to Colorado. I had an amazing time at youth camp. Service was unforgetable. During service the second night, you talked about wounds, The past year or two I have been underestimating God, wondering if he really cared, But I continued going to church hoping he would see my face in the crowd. I honestly knew that He is there and I have to move closer to Him. I thought all this, trying to hid from things that needed to happen in my live, people I needed to forgive, forget and move on in my life. The last 4 months I have been trying to do just that, The process has been very long and stressful. My youth Pastor has been helping me through it all, I was just not ready to let it all go. The message you spoke opened my eyes and I realized that all these problems were distracting my walk with God. That night I gave my live back to God and let it all go. NEVER again will I get off the main trail again, he is all I want in my life. Thanks again." ~Heidi L.
I cannot take any credit for this summer's great happenings. Fame is a cancer and ego: its seed.
- Toad the Wet Sprocket
If you too have a testimony that you haven't sent in, please feel free to comment. I would love to hear what God has done for you! Thank you for praying for strength during this very busy season for this ministry.
~Tony
One moment that stood out to me that I must share was a night toward the end of the week in Nebraska camp when I was supposed to go up after a song by the worship team and at that moment before I was going to go up, God froze me. I could not, in obedience, take the stage to speak. The worship was far from over and the spirit of God made me aware of that. I suppose if I really wanted, I could have taken the stage and did what I was supposed to do but I was not supposed to and moments later God released his presence so powerfully that I cannot put into words. Those are moments that God teaches us as speakers, pastors or whoever that we are not the ones who determine the spirit's moving in a service. We are but tools and sometimes God puts His tool down and uses other means. That night was a special one because it keeps us focused that He is in charge. What a great night it was.
My itinerary took me this summer to Nebraska, Colorado, Sacramento, N. Virginia, S. Virginia and Pittsburgh.
Here are some of the promised testimonies:
"...from the time you started I honestly felt God. But I didn't quite understand why. Now my dad and mom got divorced before I was born because my father didnt want a kid. Well I never knew him and my mom and him decided that I wouldnt have visitation and he didnt have to pay child support. Well I never really felt like I was hurt over that until Tuesday night when God brought this all to my mind and basically told me that I did have pain from that and that I needed to deal with it while I had the chance. So I went up to the altar and dealt with it. I cant say I feel much different but I just know that God did something with that hurt and I never have to look back on it again." ~Taylor
"Hi Tony, ...i just wanted to let you know when you preached at Camp Maranatha, it really touched me, and i felt the holy spirit pour down on me, when you talked about cleaning out your tent, it really got me thinking "What things do I have in my tent?". Your one of, if not the best preacher I've ever heard preach. You spoke powerfully, plus you have a great sense of humor, and i love your obsession with chocolate chip cookies. But anyway, I've always been to embarrassed to raise my hands in church in front of my friends, but you taught me that i should praise God, and i shouldn't let people in the way of praising my lord. I use to never pay attention in church, but after hearing you preach, i've learned that church can be fun. You really helped me, and touched my heart. I'll always remember you man...Thanks, you're a great preacher." ~Brian W.
Pastor Tony, hey I just attended Pym youth camp week 3 in VA. My life has changed for ever because of your sermons and the alter calls! Before the camp I was going to give up the whole Christianity thing because I felt like God has not been there for me, that there is no such thing as a personal relationship with God and etc. Now I feel so free and I look at the world a completely different perspective. I walk down the streets and see all bunch of these people that need Jesus in there life. People that have not been reached yet by the people who are Christians. When I heard your sermon I got chills running throughout my body because it was so powerful. I have not heard a sermon like that for a while, I am so glad that you came to the pym youth camp unless I would have maybe given up Christianity by now! God is using you and affecting so many people it just amazes me that maybe one person can make a difference in this sinful world that we are living in! I did not believe that one person makes a difference thing but then at the altar... WOW that was some good stuff people crying with joy. I can't describe how much I have changed and even my friends thing I have changed also so much! I will never become the person that I was all because of one man that obeyed God. THANK YOU SO MUCH!" ~Ashley G. PA
"Tony, On wendnesday when you talked about calling I defnitely felt God telling me to go up to the altar. So I did and over the past three years God has opened up my calling through camp. At first I knew I was called into ministry. The second year God opened up to me that it was with children and finally wednesday I really felt Gods touch after the leader that had been praying for me told me that God was calling me to work with orphans. It is definitely an amazing oppurtunity and I'm definitely going to go after what God is pushing me to. Even though I give all the glory to God you I definitely wanted to share this with you because I feel that if I hadnt been at camp I doubt that I wouldve ever heard the voice of God in this area at this time. I know you are busy and I just wanted to share this with you because well..I wont lie im too excited not to." ~Tayler
"So this past summer I went to Camp for the first time ever in Lexington, NE. In January was the first time I'd felt God's presence and I was slowly losing that drive. But ever since camp, you made me realize what God is doing in my life. You made me realize God only puts us through tests we can pass. Before I was struggling to get closer to God, but then you said about how God moves the fence for us, like that man did for the soldier, and it made me realize I just have to love him. I want to thank you soo much for coming into the ministry and talking to us. It means the world to me and my friends. We've been much more loyal Christians, and we've grown a lot closer to God, and a lot closer to each other."
"I just wanted to thank you for taking time out and speaking so much encouragement into my life. I want to let you know I admire what you do, and I look up to you. It's amazing how God could take a man from such an adverse background and use him so greatly in ministry. For that short time we spoke you were a big inspiration." ~Gregg
"I just want to thank you for coming down to Colorado. I had an amazing time at youth camp. Service was unforgetable. During service the second night, you talked about wounds, The past year or two I have been underestimating God, wondering if he really cared, But I continued going to church hoping he would see my face in the crowd. I honestly knew that He is there and I have to move closer to Him. I thought all this, trying to hid from things that needed to happen in my live, people I needed to forgive, forget and move on in my life. The last 4 months I have been trying to do just that, The process has been very long and stressful. My youth Pastor has been helping me through it all, I was just not ready to let it all go. The message you spoke opened my eyes and I realized that all these problems were distracting my walk with God. That night I gave my live back to God and let it all go. NEVER again will I get off the main trail again, he is all I want in my life. Thanks again." ~Heidi L.
I cannot take any credit for this summer's great happenings. Fame is a cancer and ego: its seed.
- Toad the Wet Sprocket
If you too have a testimony that you haven't sent in, please feel free to comment. I would love to hear what God has done for you! Thank you for praying for strength during this very busy season for this ministry.
~Tony
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Update anyone?
Ok, so here's the deal. It's been a while since my last blog but not by choice. I have been from camp to camp, state to state and the internet opportunities have been very tricky. On top of that my wife, who is almost 8 months pregnant, got a kidney stone in the middle of camp season. Please keep her in your prayers and shoot some out for me as well. Weary but still moving forward. Therefore, to say the least, it have been difficult to update and give some reports. I plan on sitting down and getting that to you. But, I will leave you with GREAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING AND SOME TESTIMONIES WILL BE POSTED SOON! - OR as soon as possible (still in camp season).....
Love you friends,
Tony
Love you friends,
Tony
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