Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

NEED: Oxford House in Delaware

I had a chance earlier this year to minister at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in Delaware that blew my mind. There is a great work happening there in the lives of many men and they keep expanding. The Oxford house is in need of some materials to bring life to even more men. Here is an email I got from a friend of mine who details the needs. Please consider more than prayer if possible. If you live or work anywhere near Delaware, tell your church and pass the word. They are working hard to restore lives: (email below)

The Oxford House in Smyrna,DE., under the advisement and supervision of Bro. Jim Martin is in need. It is a newly established drug/ alcohol/homeless/ transition/ emergency shelter home. I agree that this Oxford Home is a great addition for our community. The house is in need. It officially opened this past Friday (Dec.11 2009). Some of you who live in the Smyrna area may have read an article in the Sun Times concerning this house. Their is only 1 brother in the home now but the house can supply "life" for approx. 7 men. Jim is not only in need of Prayer but he also is in need of bedding (first).....mattresses, boxsprings and frames. Nothing fancy or new...used is perfectly fine. Please pass the word to your church families and your friends and associates. He (Jim) needs all the help he can get. I have accepted the offer to help him as a community advocate / liaison on a volunteer basis. So, we both need you. Please pray for us and pray that GOD will work through us to provide "realistic" living conditions for those in need. If you have any questions, please call Jim at 302-377-0485 or me 302-399-7958. If we are busy and do not answer, please leave a detailed message.

GOD Bless You All,
Keandre'

------------------------------
Locals: Please pass along to your churches and inquire. here is the article highlighting the work SEE HERE

From my heart, consider helping. God bless you as we all labor to add to the kingdom!

Tony

“The love of God is one of the great realities of the universe, a pillar upon which the hope of the world rests. But it is a personal, intimate thing too. God does not love populations, He loves people. He loves not masses, but men.”

— A. W. Tozer

A Harvest of Righteousness

Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."

I am humbled from time to time that God uses us but did you know that He uses not just our talents but our discipline? For some know this in their theology and view of God but we have to be reminded while we are being sharpened by the Lord. The righteousness for which He has called us has to come from those times when He sits us down and reminds us where we once were without Him. That discipline brings focus maybe even a re-focus. What we focus on, we will improve. This happens everyday with skills, abilities and gifts that we all have. Give that "thing" enough time and you will be good at it. This includes sin. But God is interested in bringing forth a harvest (reward) for you on the other side of your training in discipline. I like that. Your discipline is training. It's not God scolding you for no reason or even mad at you. It's your heavenly father loving you back into place.

Let His hand guide you into righteousness today. Dont be content with where you are in your walk.

The Christmas Ten Commandments

The Christmas Ten Commandments
(a post by Tim Satryan - Thanks for sharing brother. More at www.wfa.org)

1. Thou shalt give thy heart to Christ. Let Him be at the top of thy Christmas list

2. Thou shalt prepare thy soul for Christmas. Spend not so much on gifts that thy soul is forgotten.

3. Thou shalt not let Santa Claus replace Christ, thus robbing the day of its spiritual reality.

4. Thou shalt not burden the shop girl, the mailman, and the merchant with complaints and demands.

5. Thou shalt give thyself with thy gift. This will increase its value a hundred fold, and he who receiveth it shall treasure it forever.

6. Thou shalt not value gifts received by their cost. Even the least expensive may signify love, and that is more priceless than silver and gold.

7. Thou shalt not neglect the needy. Share thy blessings with many who will go hungry and cold unless thou are generous.

8. Thou shalt not neglect thy church. Its services highlight the true meaning of the season.

9. Thou shalt be as a little child. Not until thou has become in spirit as a little one art thou ready to enter into the kingdom of Heaven.

10. Thou shall not forget to share your joy, peace and faith with those around you.

Merry Christmas!

10 Things You Never Hear in Church

Something to make you smile from my brother Kea. Thanks man.

10 Things You Never Hear in Church

1. Hey! It's MY turn to sit on the front pew!
2. I was so enthralled, I never noticed your sermon went over time 25 minutes.
3. Personally, I find witnessing much more enjoyable than golf.
4. I've decided to give our church the $500.00 a month I used to send to TV preachers.
5. I volunteer to be the permanent teacher for the Junior High Sunday School class.
6. Forget the denominational minimum salary: let's pay our pastor so s/he can live like we do.
7. I love it when we sing hymns I've never heard before!
8. Since we're all here, let's start the worship service early!
9. Pastor, we'd like to send you to this Bible seminar in the Bahamas.
10. Nothing inspires me and strengthens my commitment like our annual stewardship campaign!

Trust

Trust God today: Make a molehill out of a mountain!

Jeremiah 17:5-8

5 This is what the LORD says: "Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans and turn their hearts away from the LORD.

6 They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, on the salty flats where no one lives.

7 "But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.

8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they go right on producing delicious fruit.

“There is nothing, indeed, which God will not do for a man who dares to step out
upon what seems to be the mist; though as he puts his foot down he finds a rock
beneath him.”

— F. B. Meyer

Delight From the Lord is Better

If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
— Psalm 37:23-24 (NIV)

He is with you!

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
— Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

“Our circumstances are not an accurate reflection of God's goodness. Whether life is good or bad, God's goodness, rooted in His character, is the same.”

— Helen Grace Lescheid

GOD BELONGS IN OUR CITY! -- DONT LEAVE YOUR POST.

For all my NY, NJ, CT friends, and who follow and keep up with us in this ministry, here is a taste for all who are coming and something to pray about:

Eccl 10:4 NIV
"If a ruler's anger rises against you, do not leave your post;calmness can lay great errors to rest."

We cannot panic when the world around us struggles and wavers. God never does. We must always remember that the peace of God didn't come from the world, nore can they take it. In addition, we were not designed to follow the world's secular leadership. Do not even think for a moment that any one organization or person is above the obedience God is due. This nation is under moral attack and who better to defend this world from itself but those that know and put their trust in God. The world as a people are not our enemy. The world as a system and state of conviction is. We obey and follow laws but God's laws always override the standards and influences of this fallen world. We follow the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Whatever you do fellow believers, don't leave your post! God has called us to do a great work. Never give up and never leave the assignment he has called you to!

“Unless there is within us that which is above us, we shall soon yield to that which is about us.” — P.T. Forsyth

HUGE rally tonight at Crossway Church in the Bronx on Bruckner Blvd. Doors open 5:00 pm and seating is limited. Come and see what God is doing with this generation!

Report: Massillon, OH

I am in Ohio this week where we have had some great services. I prayed for a woman that had trouble hearing and at the end of the service she testified that her hearing got better. Praise God! Some great reports and still waiting to hear more. I am closing out tonight here in Massillon, OH where we are having great meetings.

“Better to love God and die unknown than to love the world and be a hero; better to be content with poverty than to die a slave to wealth; better to have taken some risks and lost than to have done nothing and succeeded at it.”

— Erwin W. Lutzer

Receive from Him

“God is always trying to give good things to us, but our hands are too full to receive them.”

— St. Augustine of Hippo

Being Still

Before refrigerators, people used icehouses to preserve their food. Icehouses had thick walls, no windows, and a tightly fitted door. In winter, when streams and lakes were frozen, large blocks of ice were cut, hauled to the icehouses, and covered with sawdust. Often the ice would last well into the summer. One man lost a valuable watch while working in an icehouse. He searched diligently for it, carefully raking through the sawdust, but didn’t find it. His fellow workers also looked, but their efforts, too, proved futile. A small boy who heard about the fruitless search slipped into the icehouse during the noon hour and soon emerged with the watch. Amazed, the men asked him how he found it. "I closed the door," the boy replied, "lay down in the sawdust, and kept very still. Soon I heard the watch ticking."

Often the question is not whether God is speaking, but whether we are being still enough, and quiet enough, to hear.



Psalm 46:10 NIV
"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Weapons of Mass Distraction

I have been speaking at alot of different fall retreats lately and God has really been doing a special thing within the context of those gatherings. Why does it take a retreat, camp, convention for us to see things we dont usually see? Answer: Because we take time to see them. The hard reality is that each of us have SO MUCH on our plates that we do not see them. Then when we do, it's WAY out of control and seems insurmountable. We say to ourselves, "there is no way I can get back to where I was!" and then ultimately give up on trying. Point goes to Satan.

He doesn't always want to destroy you. If he can just limit you to believing in only yourself (instead of God) he wins. He has what I heard a pastor call A Weapon of Mass Distraction. If He can just keep your focus on something else, you never have 'time' to look in a mirror.

Today, I challenge you to look at yourself deliberately and explicitly to see what He is calling you to bring to the table.

Whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. —Romans 8:29

Infinite!

“An infinite God can give all of Himself to each of His children. He does not distribute Himself that each may have a part, but to each one He gives all of Himself as fully as if there were no others.”

— A. W. Tozer

More than Enough

“When you have nothing left but God, then for the first time you become aware that God is enough.”

— Maude Royden

To and Through

"If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it."

Like David...

“The most valuable thing the Psalms do for me is to express the same delight in God which made David dance.”

— C. S. Lewis

New Ministry Shirts Are In - Take a look!

Click here to go to our website and see more resources of this ministry including our new DVD(Dust Walkers) and new CD's (Can't Come Down, Spirit of the Overcomer and Bring the Cheese!) and much more. Any purchase of these products help keep our ministry on the road and moving forward!

Thanks,
Tony and Elisha

7 Top Leaders Share Their Best Advice

This is a Church Leaders Intelligence Excerpt. Enjoy.

Great advice comes from many sources. Here is advice from seven of the nation’s top leaders. Always remember to stay open, listen to everyone, but develop your own leadership style.

1. Leadership is about making things happen. If you want to make something happen with your life, do it. Perceived obstacles crumble against persistent desire. John Baldoni, author and leadership communication consultant, shared this advice from his father, a physician. He taught him the value of persistence. At the same time, his mother taught him compassion for others. Persistence for your cause should never be gained at the expense of others.

2. Listen and understand the issue, then lead. Time and time again we have all been told, “God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason,” or, as Stephen Covey puts it, “Seek to understand rather than be understood.” As a leader, listening first to the issue, then trying to coach, has been the most valuable advice that Cordia Harrington, President and CEO of Tennessee Bun Company has been given.

3. Answer the three questions everyone within your organization wants answers to. What the people of an organization want from their leader are answers to the following: Where are we going? How are we going to get there? What is my role? Kevin Nolan, President & Chief Executive Officer of Affinity Health Systems, Inc. believes the more clarity that can be added to each of the three questions, the better the result.

4. Master the goals that will allow you to work anywhere in today’s dynamic business world. Debbe Kennedy, President and Founder of Global Dialogue Center and Leadership Solutions Companies, shares this advice that has been instrumental in shaping her direction, future and achievements. While a young manager at IBM just promoted to her first staff assignment, one of her colleagues offered this advice. He mentioned that jobs, missions, titles, and organizations would come and go. He advised her not to focus her goals toward any of these, but instead learn to master the skills that will allow you to work anywhere. He was talking about four skills: The ability to develop an idea. Effectively plan for its implementation. Execute second-to-none. Achieve superior results time after time. So, forget what others do; work to be known for delivering excellence. It speaks for itself and it opens doors.

5. Be curious. Curiosity is a prerequisite to continuous improvement and even excellence. The person who gave Mary Jean Thornton, Former Travelers EVP, this advice urged her to study people, processes, and structures. He inspired her to be intellectually curious. He reminded her that making progress, in part, is based upon thinking. She has learned to apply this notion of intellectual curiosity by thinking about her organization’s future, understanding the present, and knowing and challenging herself to creatively move the people and the organization closer to its vision.

6. Listen to both sides of the argument. The most valuable advice Senator Brian P. Lees ever received came from his mentor, U.S. Senator Edward W. Brooke III. He told him to listen to all different kinds of people and ideas. Listening only to those who share your background and opinions can be imprudent. It is important to respect your neighbors’ rights to their own views. Listening to and talking with a variety of people is essential not only to be a good leader in business, but to also be a valuable member within your community.

7. Prepare, prepare, prepare. If one has truly prepared and something goes wrong, the strength of the rest of what you’ve prepared for usually makes it something easier to handle without crisis and panic, says Dave Hixson, Amherst College Men’s Basketball Coach. The best advice he ever received: “Preparation is the science of winning.”

Adapted from Best Leadership Advice: Business Success Secrets from 7 Top Leaders by Paul Thornton, 6/26/09

Watch For Termites!

“When a person's faith seems to collapse without warning, one can be sure it has been the result of inner conflicts--the termites of disobedience.”

— Quinton J. Everest

The Greatest of these is Love.

The greatest force on earth is not the compulsion of law but the compassion of love.

Romans 13:10

Love and Hate

Love must be learned again and again... Hate needs no instruction, but waits only to be provoked.
- Katherine Anne Porter

Love and Giving

“One can give without loving, but one cannot love without giving.”

— Amy Carmichael

My Shower head theology (a must read)

I have always, always been a fan of a good shower head. (great opener huh)

I have traveled many miles and after a long day or a series of meetings, a good place to be refreshed is under a well proportioned shower that relaxes. Nothing says relax like a good, warm shower. I have been to many places and have had to opportunity to stand under some not so relaxing showers on the road. Some that hurt, some that misted and barely wet me, some that felt like a waterfall, some that just plain shot UP and around me more than on me. Some at host homes some but most at hotels.

I thought about this the other day in regards to ministry delivery and the power of the Holy Spirit in our ministry. The more creative your message, the better. The more thought out your theme is, the more it excites people. I have always believed that and still do. I think that just about anyone would agree with that. Boring preaching is just. . . .boring. But, at the end of the day my goal should be to be clean. The shower head doesn't clean, it's a channel to which the water runs. Don't consider the preaching or preacher to be the water. We cant meet that expectation - nor want to. The Word has been and always will be what changes lives. Never lose sight of that that. Let the word of God dwell in you "richly" and remember the amount of the word of God you put in your heart, will be the amount that defends it.

Colossians 3:16
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."

Would-Be Bank Robber

He felt like a failure! Everything he attempted seemed to turn out wrong. He began to fantasize about being rich. He would do the one thing he could do to make the most money in the briefest period of time. He would take up the occupation of bank robbing.

The would-be bank robber began to plan his strategy. He sat up late at night working on detailed plans, drawing sketches and going over steps he would take in robbing the bank. But he could never seem to get around to robbing the bank. He would plan each night, but when morning came, his anxiety paralyzed him, again.
One night he determined that his mind was made up. Regardless of his feelings he would force himself to rob the bank the next morning. The next morning an anxiety attack paralyzed him again. Finally he came through it and forced himself to get into his car and go to the bank.

The reluctant bank robber sat in the car in the parking lot from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. trying to force himself out of the car. Finally, he got out of the car and went into the bank. At the teller’s window he handed the teller his pistol. He stuck his brown paper bag in her face and said, “Don’t stick with me. This is a mess-up.”
Application:
Sometimes the truth comes out. Let's get our life and story straight church!

Tony

Redeemed?

“Christians have to look more redeemed, if the world is to believe in our Redeemer.”

— Gary French

Theory worth following

“I have this theory that if one person shows compassion to another then that person will start a chain reaction of the same.”

— Rachel Joy Scott

Been Busy

What can I say, it's been awhile since I have blogged but for good reason. I want to more than I do. Intent is a funny thing. I have been busy in Alabama followed by another camp in my resident state of PA and then a week with the family in which I was tied up with some really great family time. I am presently prepping to speak at a church in Altoona tomorrow AM and then followed by another camp/summer retreat this week. Theme: "FOCUS"

I am a blessed man who has a gorgeous wife and two beautiful sons. It was truly a blessing to be with them this week. Here is my nugget for you since it has been a while.

Christian faith is a grand cathedral, with divinely pictured windows. Standing without, you can see no glory, nor can imagine any, but standing within, every ray of light reveals a harmony of unspeakable splendors.
- Nathaniel Hawthorne

Sweet Home Alabama

I am here in Alabama ministering at a youth camp and what a great group of about 400 students who really have a heart after God. We saw about 20 or so come to Christ yesterday and many others touched by God as they have given their hearts to Jesus in rededication. We are going to round 2 tonight. Trusting God to touch many more by the end of this week. So much potential at this camp to see FIRE. Trusting to see more . . . more Lord!

“Anyone can count the seeds in an apple... but only God can count the apples in a seed.”
~ Author Unknown

Trust: Well, do you?

“I am always content with what happens; for I know that what God chooses is better than what I choose.”

— Epictetus

Offering

“I may no longer depend on pleasant impulses to bring me before the Lord. I must rather respond to principles I know to be right, whether I feel them to be enjoyable or not.”

— Jim Elliot

ENCOUNTER: Bronx, NY

ENCOUNTER is the theme that God has given this ministry for this year/season and we are putting them together in cities as we travel. ENCOUNTER BRONX, NY was no walk in the park. The presence of God was incredible. What an amazing week.

So many things happen this week I dont have the time or words to paint a picture of God's good work this past weekend and ENCOUNTER BRONX @ Van Nest Assembly. We started off right with Friday's event having 15 people come forward to accept Christ as savior! One of those 15 was a family member of mine who God has been softening over time. Praise God!

The house was packed on Saturday where I brought the message and many came forward seeing so many people (pictured above) seeking God. The church was packed out and I was thrilled as I believe God was to have one place so devoted to God's will. Sunday serves were amazing and many were delivered from things in their lives as well as themselves as we focused on giving God our trials.

Keep us in prayer as we continue to ENCOUNTER God in every city we visit. Now, off to the next place and see what God does there.

Tony

“As sure as God puts His children in the furnace he will be in the furnace with them.”
~Charles H Spurgeon

Don't Destroy the Bridge!

“The man who refuses to forgive destroys the bridge over which he himself must cross.” ~John Iverson

Sin and Anger

“Sins are like circles in the water when a stone is thrown into it; one produces another. When anger was in Cain's heart, murder was not far off.”

— Philip Henry

Southern New England Youth Convention - The Launch 09

Man, I am still recovering from a great weekend of ministry with my great friends Tim and Tina Moen there in Southern New England. What a great convention they put on - THE LAUNCH 09. 1500 teens packed at the Mass Mutual Center to hear the word that God had given me and a host of other great ministries.

One special highlight was seeing hundreds of teens lift their hands to accept Christ as savior. That sight never gets tiring. The beauty of what God does in the hearts of students at venues like that grips my heart with passion for the Cross. A moment that stood out to me was a teen that came to my wife and I and told us that she was cutting and wanted to end her life followed by the fact that my message has changed her mind and heart about how to approach God and wants to follow HIM. Hearts are being mended and turned in these last days. The Word of God will always remain as our source of peace and purpose.

Thank you friends, followers and supporters. You touched 1500 teens this week. Check back because I am on a flight today to Michigan to preach to hundreds more about Jesus! I can use your prayers and protection.

Tony



(pictures courtesy of Chris Hurtado. Thanks Chris!)

Prayer

“Intercessory prayer might be defined as loving our neighbor on our knees.”

— Charles Brent

Power to Serve!

“Real authority is the power to serve.”

— Dick McMullen

DON'T PUT IT OFF

I just preached an AM and PM at Livingston, NJ this weekend and a special spirit of God and peace hit the room on Sunday morning. One thing that I felt the spirit lead me to share I want to share with you. One thing I have noticed in talking to so many people is that they feel let down by the economy and that God maybe has not heard their prayer etc. I can fully identify with that. There are times that I myself feel like the intricacies or details of this Christian life become too much for me to trust God. "But take heart", Jesus said, "I have overcome the world." There is no mystery or waiting for this to happen. HE HAS DONE IT! No need to mail in your faith or to abandon the promises He has laid out for you. The promises have not departed nor has He. Make no mistake, you have a mission and God the father will make everything possible to see you accomplish that. Trust Him and get to work. Do not put off what He has called you today! Live your today like it's your last!

Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.
- Pablo Picasso

Blaze Torch and "Life Changing Ministries"

Hey, I just want to take a moment and tell you about a good friend of mine who is doing some great music that is God centered.

I don't know if many of my friends know but I come from an extensive Hip Hop background where it was something big in my life and music generally was. But it was the Gospel Hip Hop scene that brought curiousity to me in regards to the gospel and eventually led me to Christ. It intrigued me much that someone can rap and not curse - amazing. Many people say that christian music is too preachy but honestly the world music is the one that is preachy. It is so redundent in its repitition and theme. Even as a non-believer I was very impressed with the fact that someone can put so much meaning in their music. Music is a very powerful tool for either kingdom.

Blaze Torch is not a new found friend but a long time friend who is bringing the gospel music industry a gift - his gift. If you are in the city or suburb, you need to schedule this minisitry to your students. His experience, gift and ability to bring truth on a speaking scale as well - not just rapping - is phenominal.

Blaze has no idea that I am doing this nor asked me to do so. I decided to do this because when I see something that needs to be highlighted, I give my 2 cents. I felt led to take a moment on his behalf and tell you that ministry will reach your teens and even adults. I believe that you will be blessed. If you are planning any event, rally, outreach or whatever, book this man of God and your ministry will benefit from it.

For more information on this minisitry - visit: www.blazetorch.com
You can also find him on facebook, myspace and youtube.

Answered Prayers

"Our prayers are answered not when we are given what we ask but when we are challenged to be what we can be."
- Morris Alder

He is wiser

Keep praying, but be thankful that God's answers are wiser than your prayers !

William Culbertson

A little vision and HUGE destiny

A buddy of mine Ryan took me on a tour today of the ESPN studios here in Bristol, CT. I was floored as to how huge this place is. What started as a vision to bring sports 24 hours a day is now a global headquarters for everything sports. At the time, it was a crazy idea. Sports 24 hours a day??? That can't work, can it?

1978: Bill Rasmussen forms Entertainment Sports Programming Network, Inc. (ESPN) to broadcast sporting events to cable television operators via satellite.
1979: ESPN begins broadcasting on a limited-time basis.
1980: ESPN begins broadcasting 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
1987: ESPN begins broadcasting NFL games.
1988: ESPN International is created.
1989: ESPN begins broadcasting Major League Baseball games.
1991: ESPN Radio Network is launched in conjunction with the ABC Radio Network.
1993: ESPN2 begins transmission.
1995: Walt Disney Company becomes ESPN's parent company.
1997: ESPN purchases the Classic Sports Network and launches ESPN Classic.
1998: ESPN: The Magazine is launched.
2003: ESPN HD, a high-definition television sports network, is introduced.

All this took place because of one vision and one desire to do something that has never been done.

What has God put on your heart that will change someones life? It may look like a small, miniscule thought but is the birth of something bigger than you can ever imagine.

Think about it.

(thanks Ryan...you rock!)

The Essentials

“There are but two essential requirements: first: Has any one cheated death and proved it? Second: Is it available to me? Here is the complete record: Confucius' tomb - occupied; Buddha's tomb - occupied; Mohammed's tomb - occupied; Jesus' tomb - empty. Ar”

— G. B. Hardy

REPORT: New Britain, CT

What a great weekend I had in New Britain, CT. God's power was evident in all the services. Many testimonies have been coming in but one moment that stood out to me is on Sunday morning that I got a chance to share for a brief moments following the service with 3 teens that had been visiting that morning. 2 were first timers and I was just blessed by their willingness to hear me and was even more blessed when they gave their lives to Jesus Christ. If i remember correctly, two 13yr olds and a 14yr old. What a blessing to lead them to Christ. They are world changers. I can see something special in their eyes. One named Angel told me he felt something touch him inside. Praise God lives changed! We had a great ministry weekend.

I wanted to make you aware of the new branch of our ministry we are extending which is our PILLAR PRAYER PARTNER ministry that we have just launched. If you are interested, check out our website at www.TonyCruz.org

Born an Overcomer!

IDENTIFY WHAT YOU NEED (John 5:6)

When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?". Are you kidding me? Of course i would. If I had been like this for 38 minutes without the ability to walk I would have lost it. This man had been like this for 38 years! Your faith has got to be small and discouragement probably set in over 35 years ago. Nobody can change my situation...

This is a word in my spirit for the church today. Do you want tuo OVERCOME? We all know we need to but do you want to. Truth be told, many use their sin or struggle as an excuse to not turn to God. When he wants something, Are you letting your sin be a crutch to not turn to God? So, what do we do when God asks us if we want a healing or victory, we have to understand that if we say “YES” then when God plays His part. We must remember when we encounter God to stay away from the things that keep us there. NO EXCUSES!So when you say “yes”, you better mean “YES.” Identify what you need from God today and waht you are willing to follow through on. Many want a breakthru but not many want to PRAY the price. What you want isn’t always what you need. Pray God would show you what you need so that when you pray, it's there, no problem. Don't get overwhelmed by life right now - live like an overcomer.

A PERSONAL CRISIS WILL TEST YOUR PERSONAL CHRISTIANITY.

LAUNCH 2009

The Launch 2009 Promo from Timothy Moen on Vimeo.

I will be sharing with a great friend Greg Hubbard.

IF YOU CAN COME, DONT MISS THIS ONE!

Trust in the Lord

Trusting God is so fearful and exciting at the same time. I found today's Daily Bread a blessing to me and so I am inserting a sample of todays devotional for your reading. Enjoy.

The day before his 52nd birthday, Abraham Lincoln left Springfield, Illinois, to become President of the United States. With the threat of civil war looming, he said goodbye to the friends and neighbors who had come to see him off. “I now leave,” he told them, “not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of the Divine Being who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail. Trusting in Him who can go with me, and remain with you, and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell.”

Lincoln’s reliance on God for guidance and strength reflects the instruction of Solomon: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5-6).

On this 200th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth, we celebrate his kindness, integrity, and courage. And we can also learn from him how to face a daunting future with confident hope in the Lord.
~David C. McCasland

Darkness -vs- Light

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. We must learn to live together as brothers, or perish together as fools.”

— Martin Luther King, Jr.

LlFE and when it begins is up to you

I have really taken a good look at life and the other day began to think, "wow, this life can be short." I guess it comes from having our second child just 5 months ago and having one of those moments where you think if it is possible that you are getting old. I have since dealt with that concept and have concluded that I am in my prime. :) I will always be in my prime.

It's been said that many exist but not everyone lives. I agree with that whole heartly. What will it take for each of us to realize that we dont get tomorrow back or get back the moments we spend or waste. Only what we invest in eternity will matter or be given back on the day we stand before Him. I wont preach to you but I will give you something to reflect in this final thought: “The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it.” ~Richard L. Evans

Live it, love it, do it. All for the King!

Intentional,
Tony

If Jesus. . .

If Jesus Christ were to come today people would not crucify him. The would ask him to dinner, hear what he has to say, and make fun of it.
- Thomas Carlyle

REUNION

TO ALL OUR FRIENDS IN THE WEST CHESTER AREA:
We will be speaking at our former church, Trinity A/G, on Sunday January 25th for the AM services. It's just a few weeks away and we wanted to let you know. Elisha and I will be with our boys including Josiah who is almost 5 months now. We hope to see you friends there!

You gotta have faith!

“Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. Faith is the belief that God will do what is right.”

— Max Lucado

True Beauty

I was watching TV the other day and a commercial came on for a new show that will be coming on called "true beauty" and i guess in this show they take a behind the scenes look at these models and such and judge them not by their external looks but their inner beauty. Though the intent of the program is probably to get back at "good looking people" for whatever reason it did however bring my focus inward in my own life.

An African boy listened carefully as his teacher explained why Christians give presents to each other on Christmas day. "The gift is an expression of our joy over the birth of Jesus and our friendship for each other," she said. When Christmas day came, the boy brought the teacher a seashell of lustrous beauty. "Where did you ever find such a beautiful shell?" the teacher asked. The youth told her that there was only one spot where such extraordinary shells could be found. When he named the place, a certain bay several miles away, the teacher was left speechless. "Why ... why, it’s gorgeous ... wonderful, but you shouldn’t have gone all that way to get the gift for me." His eyes brightening, the boy answered, "Long walk part of gift." God came from heaven to a manger, from a manger to a cross, from a cross to the grave and from a grave back to heaven. And we ask, "Why all this trouble, God?" And God would say to us, "Long walk part of gift."

Jesus Christ's long walk was to allow you access to this beauty He created. To restore that which He created in you. May this NEW YEAR bring a NEW YOU. Take a good look at your the true beauty that is found in an honest, straight forward relationship with Jesus Christ. If you can't say you are beautiful inside, there is one that will help you, me and all of us get there. Encounter Christ and have a happy new year.

Wanting to know Him,
Tony