You are currently browsing the monthly archive for May 2009.
What’s Up Generation!!!
I just wanted to give you guys and gals an update from Tulsa, Ok. It has been an amazing week of spending time with friends and family, as well as speaking into lives of people. I was planning on a nice, simple vacation before I start my new job, but God made it so much more. It has been the most productive week Mandy and I have had in a long time. We have made some exciting new connections with family I didn’t even know that I had. We had the chance to see some of the most amazing students for The Verge at Destiny Church. (Amanda and Hailey… I am so proud of you!!!!) It was great to see my homie Dawson again. (Love you lil’ bro) It has truly been a blessing to see everyone again. I can’t wait to come visit ya’ll again. (Getting my okie accent back) Until then, you are all welcome on the beach.
Love Ya,
PT
Growing up in my tiny Baptist church, we had a fun little game we liked to play. Any time the pastor would say “God is good” we would say “all the time.” Any time the pastor said “all the time” we would say “God is good.” You probably played the same game or some variation. The question is will we say those words when life isn’t good.
My good friend John Allison often tells the story of how God revealed his goodness to him while on a mission trip to China. It wasn’t while standing on the Great Wall, or on top of a beautiful mountian. No. The revelation of God’s goodness came to John with his arms wrapped around a toilet, pukeing his guts out, thousands of miles away from home. Life was not good, but God was.
No matter what our lives look like, no matter how we feel, God is still good and just and righteous. We may not like what God is doing or allowing to happen, but it doesn’t change the fact that He is good.
Our goal as Christians can’t be to lead a happy life, because to word of God say that in this life we will have trouble. If we gadge God’s goodness by our happiness, we miss the mark and blame God for our sorrows. But if put or hope and trust in His goodness then we can always say “God is good” and sing “it is well with my soul”…. I told you it was a baptist church 
PT
Hey Guys and Girls,
I just wanted to give everyone an update of what’s going on in the Hill house. God is doing big things in our hearts and lives. Mandy and I have both been called to reach a lost and broken generation. He has given us a passion to help abused, neglected, and abandoned children. Being obedient to what God has for us, this week we are starting foster parenting classes. In 6-8 weeks we will be a licensed foster home. At that point we begin to take in the children that God has called us to love and protect. (I am so freaking pumped!!!)
Secondly, when all my paper work clears with the wonderful people at the FBI I will be the newest employee at Curry House. Curry House is a shelter for runaway and troubled teens. It is an amazing opportunity to minister to hurting and abused youth. (Again….FREAKING PUMPED!!!)
God has totally and amazingly blessed our family. He has put a heart for children and youth inside of us and now He is putting it to work. I was born for this! For as long as I can remember my mom has been caring for children. I have never known a time when my house wasn’t filled with other people’s kids. From the time I could walk I was plugged into the childrens ministry at our church, followed by talking when I took over the youth ministry… well almost. The Father built Mandy and I, and placed us here for such a time as this.
Thank You Jesus!!!!
Matthew 10:34-39
34“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35For I have come to turn
” ‘a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her motherinlaw—
36a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’[e]
37“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
I have come to the understanding that I really don’t understand. I don’t understand the paradox of God’s love and grace. I do not get teachings like“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” That is unless God reveals it to me. That is exactley what happened the other day. The Holy Spirit began to teach me about these scriptures. This is what I found out…
1. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, did not come to bring peace but war. We were prisoners of death and slaves to sin. Jesus came with the sword of the spirit, his very word, to conquer Satan, Sin, and Death. He did not do this to bring peace between us and sin, but between us and God. While we were still sinners, even enemies of God, Jesus came to reconcile us to himself. This was no peaceful transaction, but a nasty, bitter, bloody war that wages on this very hour.
2. We have been enlisted in the battle. Don’t expect because you have been set free from captivated that your life will be peaceful. You are now the target of our true Enemy. This enemy will put anything and every between you and our Savior, including your own family. Don’t hold too tightly to anything in this world, but cling to the cross. It is our hope and salvation. It is what we live and die for. Anything else is worthless.
3. The only way to win is to die. Before Jesus rescued you from sin, you were died. Like Lazarus, you have been called forth from the tomb, and set free from your bondage. Now to remain in a life of sin and selfish living would be to return to the grave. To truly see abundant life we must present our bodies as living sacrifices before God. We must die to our old lives that we can take hold of a new life of obedience to him. Then we will see our victory.
Take up your cross….
