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.

In Washington - In Power

I love the opportunity I have to speak into lives. I just got done speaking at a conference of young people here in Washington State and it blows my mind how God is taking this generation of students and molding them into His image. The Northwest Latin Conference was a great chance to reach students in a new state that I have ever been to. Over 100 students gathered to praise God on the "mountain of God". It was great. Over a dozen students or so called into ministry to impact this world for Jesus. God + one obedient person is always the majority no matter who stands against you. This is God's idea of true impact.

Pour Out

I was reading yesterday as I was preparing to speak on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 10 and about how Cornelius was as the message translation calls it an "outsider Gentile" and I thought how cool is it when we as "outsiders" have been let inside by the cross of Jesus. Last night I got the chance to preach and more importantly watched as some of the most enthusiastic young people praised God will ALL THAT IS WITHIN THEM. To be quite honest, they put many to shame, including me. The reality is that the moment we are full of ourselves God has no room left to fill. Pour out and Fill us was our prayer last night as we watched a dozen people (including a leader) baptized in the Holy Spirit. I have thought long and hard, how do I see God move. Event after event the answer is clear. Preach the cross. Preach the word. Nothing else will do.

The Power of God

We are in the middle of a great week of camp in Virginia. Students have really been touched by God and we have only scratched the surface. There are over 90 students some of which have no relationship with God. Many of these students have blown me away with their worship toward God reminding me that young people KNOW how to worship. Already we have had several give their hearts and are ligitimately restructuring how they see God in life. John Wesley said "Give me 100 men who want nothing but God and hate nothing but sin and I will bring God back to my generation." This is the challenge and we are seeing it unfold right in front of us. This calling on me and my family is amazing.