Fallen Heroes

Today I just finished listening to Bro Yonts II’s final message, Narrow, Inwards Looking Windows. It disturbed me how much his voice sounded older, weak and frail. I admit that its put me in a melancholy moment. I wanted to go home and lock the doors. I wanted to cry. I realized again how much I miss Bro Yonts.

In our mind’s eye, heroes aren’t meant to die. They aren’t meant to fall.

They aren’t meant to grew old or grow weak. Or fall wounded in battle.

They are meant to remain bold and strong, leading their troops into battle.

They are meant to stand tall and true. Unchanged by the winds of time.

Bro Yonts II has been a hero to me.

I remember you as the PE instructor of Midway Christian Academy and teaching us how to play baseball and football. I remember when you and Bro Solberg tried to drench the entire school by pouring water off the top of the roof. I remember your ugly round, bottle-cap glasses.

I remember Bro Y as my youth pastor when I was a young, sarcastic teen. I remember the times when the youth group would all be invited to come over to his house on Weimar Street and watch movies and play board games. Other times, when un-invited, would TP his house and car. I remember your ugly red Yugo. I remember Sis. Y’s cat Trooper and the time Eric M wanted to shave “RA” in it’s fur. I remember when Trooper ran away; Sis Y was so sad. I remember Bro Y’s Trooper Jeep that he was so proud of. I remember the many Friday night rides home (I only lived a few blocks from the Yonts at the time). I remember reading about your machete-wielding neighbor across their street (I think I still have the news article).

I remember how you liked listening to the Winans, DC Talk and Bryan Duncan. I remember how much you liked deer hunting (the only real reason to ever miss church, huh? haha). I remember the story about how you cut off your hand in Atlanta. Apparently I followed your bad example by accidentally cutting off one of my fingers years later. I remember you telling the story about how you first met Sis Y in Atl and lost your sweat pants playing football! I remember your message “The Key” – I still have the key you gave me almost 20 years ago now - I’ve shared your lesson with many people since, young and old alike. I remember you always scrapping with me, John & Jerry S and Eric M. I remember how much I hated selling cases of that stupid candy (I think one year I just bought a case and half, just so I wouldn’t have to sell it). I remember when you’d tell us to “defer to our brothers” even for something as simple as picking whether to go to Taco Bell or Burger King. I remember when the youth group got kicked out of Burger King. haha

I remember some of your youth messages and when you’d take the RA on trips and to youth services. When you came out into the church sanctuary wearing a gorilla mask, jumping around to the music of Geoff Moore music “Evolution Redefined”. I remember your small, cramped youth office barely big enough for a desk and two chairs. I remember all the times you’d come play Capture the Flag with us at City Park (before the cops told us we couldn’t play there anymore), even if you were tired or Sis Y wanted to go home. I remember the RA youth. The ski trips. The old broken down bus; when you accidentally, hmmmm maybe purposely, left me at a gas station on the way to Whitecap. I remember the Shire. I remember the Pink Elephant story you told one time us on a ski trip. I remember the RA ski video License to Ski. I remember the time the RA got in trouble for watching a PG13 movie License to Drive after youth group. Bro Lemke got so mad! haha

I remember when you were still strong enough to play the drums and the saxophone. I remember when you left the first time to go evangelize. I remember when you came back as pastor. I remember your conversation when you encouraged me before I left for JCM (I still have what you said). I remember when you and Bro Sharp came and visited me after BOTT. I remember when you shared what Bro Clark told you about me. I remember when you called me late one night after I left you a voicemail about being scared for my safety. I remember being the first one from Appleton to see Lily in Tupelo, MS. I found out that morning you were in MS and we drove 4-5 hours to get there just in time for your altar call. Thank you for paying for our meals, so me and Waylon wouldn’t starve. I probably didn’t have $5 to my name at the time.

I have many memories of my hero: many good, some bad.

I think some of the lessons we’re meant to learn from our heroes is:
a) Make every day, every step count – “As if it were your last”
b) Remember the important things in life – keep your priorities in check
c) Remember times change, people change, seasons change. Life is composed of change.
d) You can learn from everyone – sometimes the good, sometimes the bad
e) Be passionate about God, about family, about church family and reaching the lost
f) Always stay in the Word, prayer and worship – don’t ever let yourself become complacent
g) Ohhhhh and as you most eloquently told me “Don’t date ugly chicks” haha
and many, many, many more…

I haven’t forgotten.

I remember feeling prompted to call you in Nov 2007. I regret not calling.

We’ll talk again soon enough. I do miss you alot.

As if it were your last…

Tim

Prayers at Gateway #1

We have student body prayer every Tuesday night at 9:30 and tonight I feel that God spoke to me and led me into a new demention and this is what I prayed and felt...

I felt drawn to the secret place with God and he wanted to take me to a place with Him so I could block out the rest of the world. I sometimes forget that He longs to be with me as I long to be with Him. I put this whole *great big God* image on Him and forget that He is the love of my life. He is my friend and comforter and companion. He longs for my companionship just as long for His. I put this label on Him and make Him something so far away. I love Him with all of my heart. I am passionately, crazy, madly in love with Jesus. There is a void for love in my heart that only He can fill. I could go on and on about how much I love Him, but He truly is my all in all. I wanted to encourage the folks back home to fall in love with Jesus. As the song says, "falling in love with Jesus is the best thing I've ever done." I truly believe that loving Jesus is the best thing I have ever done.

Insights from Psalms Pt. 1

We are constantly bombarded with thoughts, ideas and activities that are no where near what the Word of God teaches us. The messages that come in to our life are constantly pulling for our attention, our priorities and our faith. How to we handle or filter these messages to our "JUNK FOLDER" and do we get rid of the "SPAM" in our life. I don't have a new suggest or teaching. But, I do find that a simple answer is HIS WORD. David understood a lot even though he only had part of what we have today. God's word is vital to having a relationship with him.

Psa 18:30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
Psa 33:4 For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.
Psa 56:4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
Psa 68:11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.
Psa 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction's.

Do you see it ? These are just 5 of the 58 verse in the book of Psalms where David places a priority on Gods Word. And, because he placed a priority on THE WORD he was able to have a better understand or "filter" on everything around him. David realized that an occasionally experience with the Word was not enough. If his life was going to be different he had to get up close and personal with Gods Word. "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Later he wrote "I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word."

There is something powerful about his Word. Are you ready to experience life change ? Are you ready to filter out the JUNK messages of this World and tune into messages from God. Then don't wait another day, don't wait for Sunday, get in his word today. There is no excuse for not having God's Word a part of your everyday life. His Word is STILL relevant to ever issue of our life, it STILL has the answer to every question. Get the "FILTER" in your life and you will find a new strength and direction.

For online Bible resources be sure to check out biblegateway.com or e-sword.net . Both free resources to explore God's Word.

Treasures Of The Net #1

The Internet is like a ocean and if explored in the right places there are some great free treasures to be found. And, I know in a day were everyone is trying to save a penny its nice t get something FREE. So, Each week I am going to share my pick 5 for the week of great websites and free software that my benefit your day. Some of them may be serious and some may just be for fun.



Treasures of the net #1


1. http://budgettracker.com Comprehensive and highly-customizable personal finance calculator and budget tracking tool. Using Budget Tracker you can manage your budget, bills and transactions from a single place, setup bill due reminders to your email or mobile phone, track upcoming bills and lots more.



2. http://tadalist.com/ A simple online to do list, you can access from any computer. You can also share your to do list with other. For instances, have a chore for your child to do add it to their list and they will receive a e-mail reminder. Maybe that's a stretch for its use, the refrigerator may still work better. But, HEY its free and a neat deal.



3. http://whocalled.us/ The phone is ringing, and I don't recognize the number, All Caller ID says is, "NAME UNAVAILABLE". Type the number in here and you might find out who it is.



4. http://www.frugalreader.com/ I haven't tried this one yet, but it looks great for BOOK READERS. Get the books you want, when you want them, for as long as you want them. Three simple steps: List books that you own for other members to request. Request books from other members. Mail requested books to other members and they do the same for you. I am am avid book reader, i think i'll try it.





5. http://www.openoffice.org/ Do you need a program that does word processing, database, presentations and more for free. This is a free office program that is similar to microsoft office (word, powerpoint, excel and etc). I loaded this on my wifes computer and it works great, and its FREE!




Check back next week for my pick 5 treasures of the net.
DISCLAIMER - I do not support any viewpoints or agendas from any linked site. And, I dont make any money by sending you to a free site. With any resource you may need to use a shovel and a rake. Rake in what you can use and shovel out the junk.

The Purpose Of The Message

Trying to get back in some sort of routine after a crazy summer. We had two awesome youth camps this summer I was privileged to be a part of. Two crazy weeks of running the fireworks stand, camp meeting, taking care of things while Pastor was away and then, I had a week of beautiful weather in Wisconsin spending time with Lisas family.

All summer it seems there has been one constant theme in my thoughts and dreams. "I've been brought out." Now, dont get me wrong I have been raised in a wonderful home and have a great apostolic heritage. I was shielded and protected from so many things. But, I have countless friends that have had similar backgrounds but still it didnt change their life. I was 11 at Gateway College in St. Louis for Missouri Junior Camp. It was hot, it was my first camp in Missouri. But, Justin Gleason and I both made up in our minds we were going to ge the Holy Ghost that week. And it was Tuesday Night as The Kings Clown preached a illustrated message about Noah that I came to the altar lifted up my hands and "God Brought ME Out."

It was no longer a message my family believed, it was no longer a message I just heard preached. But, the message had changed my life. Its been since that day where I am constantly reminded that the message was never intended to be keep silent in me. The only reason I was brought out, its because I had family, friends, and ministers that live, taught, and preached "GOD BROUGHT ME OUT." I have grown to understand there is a purpose for the message; we truly have been brought out of darkness into this marvelous light, that we should show forth the praise of him that brought us out.

The Old Testament there is an unfolding drama. He was a baby that shouldn’t have even been alive. But, a mommy and daddy hid him away. Then as time went on they put him in the river in a basket. And, God took that baby right into the enemy’s house. He was raised and protected right in the midst of who was trying to destroy him. And, there came a day that Moses walked before Pharaoh and said, I've been brought out, the meaning of his very name. But, he said Pharaoh God has given me a message that I cant keep to myself, the purpose of the message was not to keep to myself, "LET MY PEOPLE GO." I wish I could have seen old Pharaohs face as the one he thought he would destroy stood before him and declared victory for the captive.

The New Testament has the wonderful account of a Baby Born. The Baby was thought to have been killed with all of the rest under the age of 2. But a day came as Herod was comfortable on his throne that the reports started coming in from all around about miracles, signs and wonders being done by Jesus. Herod thought he had things under control, as Jesus was lead to a cross. All of Hell thought that they had silenced the MESSAGE, it was 3 days later. Jesus arose from that grave and took the keys to death, hell and the grave. A made a way for you and me. I believe his voice pierced hell "LET MY PEOPLE GO."
Isa 53:5(5) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

John 10:10 "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. "

So, just like Paul understood in the NT the message isn't for you to keep to yourself. The message isn't something just to come in to church and sing and shout about. The message has a purpose. The message isn't just to think about or get happy about. The message has a purpose. The message isn't just for a preacher to preach or a singer to sing. It has a purpose.
Mat 22:9(9) Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

Question: Where would you be if someone hadn't fulfilled the purpose of the message? He has done too much for us to stay quiet any longer; he has done too much for us for us to be complacent. It’s time to fulfill the purpose of the message. Don’t wait another minute share with someone the message that God brought me out and he wants to bring you out.