(*) Life Changed

In the midst of this Mitchell Report and the steroid era that has been taking place in and among baseball's best, one can't help but wonder "What HAS been real?" I have my opinions but this really has struck a cord within me. Some of my childhood heroes and their accomplishments are now "in question" because of this symbol. It has bothered me the past few days insomuch that I have turned off or deleted from my TIVO some of the reports. The asterisk (*) is a visible sign that there was something underneath - something has happened - someone hasn't been honest. Though disturbing as it is, that's not all that is bothering me. I look at this in the mirror as we all do and see how I can learn from others mistakes. Dictionary.com states this about this symbol this a small starlike symbol (*), used in writing and printing as a reference mark or to indicate omission, doubtful matter, etc. I, along with many others in ministry, want to change the world around us but the enemy comes to "steal, kill and destroy" (Jn 10:10) and we cannot take this battle lightly. We must be real with ourselves and our God. You know the bible talks about a report. Whose report will you believe? The enemy accuses us night and day in his report. Are any of those allegations true? We must bite the bullet and fight the fight.
Believe this with me: I cannot doubt, I will not run, I must not faulter. Christ and His glory is my goal and no symbol will be put next to my name in The Book of Life.

Till all hear,
Tony
((As always, I welcome your comments))

IT IS FINISHED!

I completed my exam today and I am mentally fried. In a little over 5 hours I completed this exam and I am one step closer to accomplishing something I've been wanting to do yet haven't made time to insert into my life - my ordination. It really made me think about something. Many of us think of the scriptures as a great thing to ingest but often neglect the time to memorize. I encourage you to take some time this season - for some of us it's a little lighter on the schedule - and MAKE time to learn something from the Lord. Well, for your viewing pleasure I have partaken in a ELF project Click here to see the Cruz family get their Christmas groove on! ((thanks Ericka))
-Tony

Let it snow.

I stood today with my family in our warm home as the snow poured. I shoveled alot but still came home to warmth and my son who is running all over the place. I have just been studying the word of God, soaking up truth and have a renewed hunger and faith in God for 2008. How cool is that?! I am studying specifically for my exam tomorrow to be ordained.....look out world. :) I have been studying for a couple weeks and have so many scriptures ingrained in my head along with theology that I haven't looked at since my days in bible college. If you can, pray for me about 9:30 AM Friday morning for I will be taking a long test to upgrade my classification from 1/2 anointed to fully anointed. j/k In reality, I am honored to be a part of this fellowship and called of God. Thanks for your prayers.

Feliz Navi-Toss

A friend of mine sent me this.... I LOVE IT!! Someone got it right. It's Merry Christmas and I am proud of it. If you want, feel free to pass it along. I was glad to receive it. Thanks Dan...

Merry Tossmas!!

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.