About Me

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Hello, im Tony and I'm absolutely ecstatic that you would take time to visit my Journey through life as I strive to bring honor to God. Let me be very honest, I am definitely not a perfect man or Christian! I've made many, many mistakes and will probably continue to make mistake, but I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus! I'm a PK (Preacher's Kid) and eventually became a minister myself in 1996. I can't believe it's been that long! I love music! I play several instruments (haven't mastered any...ha!) and sing. I absolutely love Football! Favorite College team: LSU Favorite NFL: Dallas Cowboys! (True Blue all the way Thru!) I love the country...It's how I was raised, so I like to fish, hunt, shoot, mud ride, camping, etc. I guess that's all there is to know about me! I love to meet new people, so feel free to hit me up. God Bless!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

The Word

I know that we're suppose to seek the face of God and have a desire to receive a Word through a man or woman of God that He has chosen, but I believe that we tend to go overboard in our seeking. I know people who are more than willing to drive several hours and fly across the states to receive a Word from God through a man or woman but has a problem with carrying their Bible to church on Sundays or cracking it open for a one on one devotion with God! hmmm...doesn't make sense to me. Now don't get me wrong, I believe that God is using some really intelligent and incredible scholars to interpret the Word of God in a way that we never will, but should that stop us from experiencing God's voice through words that He has already spoken in the pages of our Bible?
How mighty is our God? Think about this...Our God is so powerful that the very words He spoke, that was written on stone, papyrus, and scrolls by the authors of ancient times, still has the power today to rescue our souls from the evil that surrounds our lives, and it embraces us with a love that only a Creator can express!

Psalm 119:11 says, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."

I have counseled a lot of people who seem to think that they can't help the sin in their lives. My reply would be...according to the scripture above, you've obviously neglected one of the most important essentials of a relationship with God, and that is...the reading and studying of the Word of God! Because according to Psalm 119:11, if you have the Word in your heart, temptations may come, but sin will not overtake you.
All I'm saying is...that Bible you have sitting on your night stand or thrown in the back seat of your car, has the ingredients of a life of power, joy, love, happiness, peace, direction, and hope! Don't neglect reading your Bible; Humbly accept the Word of God...it has the power to save your soul!


Friday, January 27, 2012

Lay aside the weight...




On January 1, 2011, I made the resolution to become healthier and more fit than my High School days. Which is a huge goal, being that I was 5'7" and weighing 114 lbs soaking wet and 0% body fat! ha! What a goal!
So, like many resolutions...I started well but ended the hope of being fit the following month. ha! I was one of those, 'off and on' types that only worked out when I saw an episode of Biggest Loser or saw one of my friends who was really dedicated to getting fit, post their accomplishments on Facebook.
I really decided to get serious near the end of July at YMI after hearing the very fit, Rob Blakney, talk about the importance of being fit and adapting to a healthier lifestyle. On August 8, 2011, a day I will never forget, was the day that I really got serious and started a 9 week workout program called, "INSANITY!" It was just that! The first day consisted of a warm-up and then a fit test to see where I stood. Needless to say, I couldn't stand at all...I was lying on the floor of the gym completely exhausted and very nauseated from a stupid protein shake that I made an hour before. The next day was even worse as I focused in on the goal to finish 2011 more fit. I even became more aggressive in my quest and set a goal to run my very first official 5k in October. (BTW, setting goals periodically throughout the year can help you stay on course to reach your ultimate goal.) The truth is...I wanted to quit sooo bad, and it would've been really easy to come up with some excuse to give up. After all, I was dealing with some intense shin splints that was keeping me from training for the run or even walking normal, at that! I could've made the excuse of it being the holidays and how I didn't want to hurt anyones feelings by not eating their food, that they slaved many hours in preparation...believe me, I could've written a book, "Why I Can't Do This Now!" by Tony (Mr. Excuses) Putman and probably would've made millions...ha...But I pushed myself and determined not to let this weight and unfit body hold me back from experiencing something new, fresh and fit. I wanted to taste victory sooo bad, so I kept my head up and pushed through the grueling workouts! Now, 30 lbs lighter and more fit than ever, I'm tasting a little bit of that victory! I just started another workout program called "P90X" and it's pretty intense as well, but I'm still determined to live a much healthier life!
You know, everything that I said above about my physical health can also be applied to my spiritual health as well. You see, we're all kings and queens of excuses as to why we can't read our Bibles or why we can't commit to our local church or even why we don't have a consistent prayer life and while we're exerting ourselves to come up with some new excuse, our spiritual health is deteriorating.
Hebrews 12:1 says, "...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us..."
Look, I'm not going to be the guy that tells you what sin or excuse is weighing you down spiritually, because it's really not an issue of identification; it's an issue of commitment! Either you are or you're not going to be committed to developing and maintaining a healthy relationship with God. Now, I'm not saying that you're not going to have days that will absolutely test your commitment, but even in those times you will recognize the weight and do something about it! The truth is...there will always be something that will challenge your commitment, but God created you for victory! Stay committed and push forward! (Read the picture at the top! Great motivation!)

My Bookshelf

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