WE HAVE FLOWN FOR 12 SECONDS

On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright made their first flight of an airplane at Kitty Hawk, NC. On their fifth attempt, the plane under the control of Orville, embarked on a 12 second flight.

Wilbur rushed to the local telegraph office and sent the following message – WE HAVE FLOWN FOR 12 SECONDS - WE WILL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!

Upon receiving the telegram, their sister Katherine went to the newspaper office, told the editor of her brother’s new flying machine, and informed him they would be home for Christmas, if he would like to set up an interview.

He told her that was nice, and he would be sure to put something in the paper regarding the boys.

On December 19th, the local paper placed the following headline on the 6th page of the paper: “WRIGHT BROTHERS HOME FOR CHRISTMAS”.

The most important story of the year – man’s first flight – and the editor missed it! I wonder if the same could be said about us when it comes to Christmas. Look all around us…

The trees are decorated, The music is festive, The Season is Right, It is Christmas, and the countdowns to how many shopping days left!

In all of our rushing around, in all of our gift buying, in all the things we have to do during this season – HAVE WE MISSED THE IDEA? – Jesus has come to earth! Whatever you do, don't miss the point this year. Jesus came for us all.


adapted from sermoncentral

Giving Thanks.

Staying for Seconds?

My family and I are wrapping up a great weekend here in Bluffton, Ohio. God has been so good to us. Allow me to retrace that last three weeks in capsule form:

We started several weeks ago at my great home church of New Covenant Assembly and there filling in the pulpit for my pastor 6 new commitments to Jesus Christ. What a great morning that was. It just never gets old when people make professions for Jesus. I pray that doesn't get old to ANY of us. Then last week we were at a wonderful church out in “Steeler Country”, Pittsburgh South Hills Assembly where I met a new found friend and pastor Jeff and Kay Stepp. They are doing a great work out there and great testimonies flowed from those services. God's people are responsive and this church was great to be a part of. Keep it up South Hills. Never stop chasing the Savior! This week we are at a church that we were last year with a great pastor friend, Terry Hunt. The past three services were building blocks and I think God is continuing to remind us Don’t just sit on the premises but stand on the promises There is so much that God is willing to teach us if we are in position to receive it. One great thing that stands out from this weekend here in Ohio is that several of the youth seem to get what God is saying through the Word. There is something stirring in their hearts. The Spirit is clearly showing me that they are on the brink of something great. I am glad to be able to be a part of that. Some think that evangelist bring the revival to them when most of the time it’s the expectancy that the congregation brings that will make the difference. My job as the evangelist is to provide a biblical spark so to speak. Truth is: Long after we are gone God is going to do something great, if you stay for seconds.

Represent

I arrived here in Ohio a few days ago and was constantly reminded where I was. There was Ohio State emblems everywhere. I mean, entire stores dedicated to this elite football program down to a sofa bearing the logo. It made me think of how faithful some are to their "teams". I can't say that I am a fan but stay in this environment long enough and I think it can get contagious. I hope that we as followers of Christ we are as diligant and passionate in our faith as we are in our teams. Trust me, I am a fan of my Eagles and even when i feel like their wings are clipped, I have to hang in there because that's want true fans do. True fans hang in there so to you I say, when things get rough, hang in there. Hang in there with your church. Hang in their in your marriage. Hang in their with your youth pastor. Hang in there because that's what Jesus did for you and me. In the long run you will benefit.

Don't Go Solo

I must say that today was a very, very sad day for me and the fans of the greatest franchise in the history of sports failed to complete the season to rival all seasons - The comback to rival all combacks. We as fans are a proud bunch and as quickly as we accept victory, we must accept this defeat. There is something to say for that in the lives of believers. Not so much to accept failure but instead to accept when single players cannot fulfill a team's vision. Three great solo performances by A-Rod, Robinson Cano and Bobby Abreu all hitting solo home runs (including in the 9th inning) but when their were base runners on they could not get it done. TEAM is important and they didn't have it this series. My hope is that you would find a good team (church family) to make an impact in this world. God is not interested in solo performances only solo committments.
~Tony

We Are In

We are officially in our new home and I am blessed. This is a beautiful home that I am very proud of. Elisha and I have prayed and God had heard. We have finally set up our offices as well so we can now function again. Praise God. Elijah also decided to walk once we moved in. He is learning fast and showing me quickly that Jesus is not going to be the only one I will be chasing. We are in Pittsburgh doing a revival. Pray for God to touch us as we minister and protect us as we travel.

Ordinary People serving an Extraordinary God

It's great to be called a believer and to GET TO follow Christ. In reading Acts 4:13, it reminds us of something interesting "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." Ordinary becomes extraordinary when you have been with Him. Peter along with many of the disciples were "unschooled" in the eyes of men but experience and the messiah was their teacher. What if we as believers allow Christ the opportunity to teach us daily of His promies? As I follow Him it just reminds me that I am an ordinary person serving an extraordinary God - how great is that. Let's all live our lives as a note of His greatness.