tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702367205714875412024-03-12T21:20:47.799-05:00The JourneyTony Putmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714189488386695026noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470236720571487541.post-2410349475704775912018-03-25T12:57:00.001-05:002018-03-25T12:57:31.255-05:00Extravagant Love<img id="id_6be5_ce83_79cb_d7d6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ePuJWFqx4mc/WrfjB3oIyBI/AAAAAAAADaU/8_TqzPBB7m8hgYFUxjCN-3zUCdeDOWnrQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Her extravagance was not because she wanted to find salvation, but because salvation had found her. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The word "extravagant" comes from the Latin, "extravagari" meaning to "wander outside or beyond". It describes working outside the typical confined lines, even recklessly so. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The woman in this passage was a great example of going "outside the lines" in her passion to demonstrate her love for Jesus! </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Here's a challenging word from Jesus after this woman was ridiculed for expressing her love in an extravagant way, found in verse 47b..."but whoever has been forgiven little loves little."</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I don't know about you, but I have been forgiven BIGLEY! (I know it's not a word but it's my definition of A LOT!!!) My passion and goal is to love and honor Him in the manner that He has forgiven me!</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In what way will you express your extravagant love to Him?</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">#keepstackingstones #iamsecond #beextravagant</span></p><img id="id_4a48_a8c8_e474_1ece" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DGNRIKf9kJY/WrfjCc1oeVI/AAAAAAAADaY/iKXu4bfg6b8Uzs0E0Ioekig5DtjfPr2_QCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 295px; height: auto;"><br><br> Tony Putmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714189488386695026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470236720571487541.post-46634994797599384332016-10-01T12:22:00.001-05:002016-10-01T12:22:53.582-05:00In the Light<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.”</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">1 John</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">1:7</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">NLT</span></p><img id="id_5b38_e8f_6f28_1f40" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Rg8yXLG589A/V-_w7BOMa_I/AAAAAAAADRo/kiGw9F3_UNw/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Helvetica;">What an absolutely beautiful view of the sun's reflection over our fairly large oxidation pond here at work! Yes, I said oxidation pond!!! At least that's what it smells and looks like up close.</span>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If you think about it, this is a great visualization of what God does for us. You see the Bible tells us in Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">Sin can make a beautiful life look and smell bad, just like that oxidation pond, but that's not the plan of God. You see, He gave us the gift of Jesus to cleanse us from all of our sins by dying on the cross. His death brought life and His life became the Light that drives away the darkness.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">John</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">1:4-5</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">NIV</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When we give our lives over to Jesus, His Light overcomes our darkness and we begin to reflect the Son! It doesn't matter what your past looked like or even your present. If you give your life to Jesus, He will shine through you and use you to bring Glory to God! </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So go on, be confident and walk in His glorious Light!</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></p>Tony Putmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714189488386695026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470236720571487541.post-82975182132009517982016-02-24T22:19:00.001-06:002016-02-24T22:19:25.687-06:00Trust God<br />
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This picture definitely captures the way I've felt over the past few years. The "Unknown" can be quite intimidating! Since my lay off back in October, I've been on the hunt for another job and haven't had any luck at all! Needless to say, its been really tough!<br />
Everything seemed very bleak until last Friday when I was called to be interviewed by a really great company. Not only is it a great company, but it's a little difficult to get hired on, from what I've been told. To make a long story short, I was selected for hire! All I needed to do was pass my drug screen, which I did, and also, pass a physical fitness test.<br />
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Have you ever felt like you were so close to something that you could actually reach out and grab it? That was me!!! And then all of a sudden, I felt like the rug was pulled out from under me when the Physical Therapist told me that I wasn't going to pass bc my heart rate was too high. What?!!! </h4>
So, I had to find a doctor to sign off on my "second chance" in a place where I didn't know any doctors. Wouldn't you know that I would find a Christian Doctor?! coincidence? Nope, God! I'm not going to lie to you, after the rejection and the scare of a possible heart problem, I came home depressed. But I've been disappointed and given bad news before, so, I decided to Faith it instead of Fear it.<br />
The truth is, it's real easy to give up and throw in the towel when the odds are stacked against you, but if you can learn to abandon all else (thoughts) and completely trust God, He will amaze you!<br />
Tomorrow I get my "second chance", and I'm trusting that God has all of this under control!<br />
TRUST GOD!<br />
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<b>"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him most believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Hebrews 11:6 NIV</b><br />
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Tony Putmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714189488386695026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470236720571487541.post-29040760470789567262016-02-04T11:40:00.000-06:002016-02-04T11:40:52.884-06:00Jericho-Level Challenges<div style="text-align: center;">
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Recently, I started a new book, "Glory Days - Living Your Promise Land Life Now" by Max Lucado, where he follows the story of Joshua, in the Old Testament. You know, the story about the Jericho walls that came-a-crumbling down! Here's an excerpt from Chapter 7.</div>
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We've all experienced Jericho-level challenges in life. The kind of challenges that makes you want to curl up in bed and never move again or the kind that makes you throw up your hands in total disgust. </div>
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As a Christian, no one said that you would be exempt from Jericho challenges when you decided to follow Jesus either. Often times, it's just the opposite. </div>
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The problem is, we look too intently on the size of our challenges and forget that we have a Creator that's greater than any challenge that we'll face on this earth. Listen, I don't make light of great challenges because I know the affect that it can have on us. I've experienced quite a few of them myself that absolutely overwhelmed me. But if God is who He says He is, our Redeemer, deliverer, Mighty God, strong arm, etc. then we can face whatever life throws at us.</div>
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The key is to keep our eyes on Jesus! </div>
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When we take our eyes off of Jesus, we often find ourselves in the same predicament as Peter when he began to sink while walking on the water with Jesus. The Bible says that when he began to see the chaos of the sea around him, he panicked! Because he allowed the surrounding chaos to become greater than His faith in Jesus! </div>
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“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, 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, <b><i><u>looking unto Jesus</u></i></b>, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”</div>
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Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV</div>
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Max Lucado says it best..."as long as our eyes are only on our Jericho, we won't see Jesus."</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The KEY: Keep your eyes on Jesus!</span></b></div>
Tony Putmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714189488386695026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470236720571487541.post-30513972699424195762013-03-24T15:34:00.001-05:002013-03-24T15:34:15.861-05:00Dig In!They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:8 NIV)<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/102951062419763278076/InstantUpload#5859010795165462018'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-FPWLoZ3WcPQ/UU9jRp0ELgI/AAAAAAAAA_w/_0mQswPPFEw/s288/0.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />When we decide to be rooted in the Love of God, we don't have to rely on temporary rain clouds to come and hide the scorching sun and hope that it brings forth rain to refresh us, just to get us by; Because our roots are tapped into God's life-giving source that sustains us through the good seasons and the bad seasons of life.<br />That's why we can still find fruit from those who have been through the toughest times of life.<br />His promise, to never leave us or forsake us becomes reality, especially when we find ourselves in the most barren places in life, God will allow you to bear fruit, even in the driest times, so that His glory will be shown! Even to the ones that have been watching and waiting for you to fall flat on your face.<br />We can learn a lot from the picture above...you see, true life and stability for a tree, is found in the root system that is hidden from the view of others and like a tree, our strength and power comes from our hidden times with our creator! <br />So, my challenge to you is to dig in deep and to tap into His love and strength so that His glory will be shown through the fruit that you bear!<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad<br />Tony Putmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714189488386695026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470236720571487541.post-47684935318139231652012-02-08T09:14:00.002-06:002013-03-24T14:34:16.002-05:00The Word<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-PSvjN1XR9nuoeE5P_wD9Fo__HTD9tmVEjbs9z_AuW1ZiyDgsSezi6zkNBthbeTY0xx-OpLiiaGctN_ZaDljMNuPPJNx0FtyC3Tu7muX-MQ88wUMH0vbvqX9Yv19d32u75Oc6XDNyrE/s1600/reading-bible.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-PSvjN1XR9nuoeE5P_wD9Fo__HTD9tmVEjbs9z_AuW1ZiyDgsSezi6zkNBthbeTY0xx-OpLiiaGctN_ZaDljMNuPPJNx0FtyC3Tu7muX-MQ88wUMH0vbvqX9Yv19d32u75Oc6XDNyrE/s320/reading-bible.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706786700762370802" /></a>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?<div>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!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Psalm 119:11 says, "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22px; ">I have <em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: normal; font-size: 16px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 250, 206); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">hidden</em> your word in my <em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: normal; font-size: 16px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 250, 206); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">heart</em> that I might not sin against you." </span></div><div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div>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!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22px; "><ul class="list" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 15px; padding-right: 15px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 15px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); position: relative; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: normal; "><div><br /></div></span></li></ul></span><br />Tony Putmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714189488386695026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470236720571487541.post-36639345165371123082012-01-27T10:37:00.011-06:002012-02-01T10:16:41.364-06:00Lay aside the weight...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdcqI4Cc2hAz2SGHZ7Kb8xnPeZNwrljQJ-BzZxBzQfUuI8omMBtl8y02-gSZIPYYTQdvj1CriySpPKCKtBL1OrxAY1B7GXz4wdk0vvETrNWe67okye-W8lEns3OqzmKzgLI8iHJ61eoE/s1600/423282_3261906868377_1288357941_33489562_1636122606_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdcqI4Cc2hAz2SGHZ7Kb8xnPeZNwrljQJ-BzZxBzQfUuI8omMBtl8y02-gSZIPYYTQdvj1CriySpPKCKtBL1OrxAY1B7GXz4wdk0vvETrNWe67okye-W8lEns3OqzmKzgLI8iHJ61eoE/s320/423282_3261906868377_1288357941_33489562_1636122606_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703856093454084034" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0qHVsl2BLHnPOBgH_wvvZ7sJJiy6NIgPJ9J8Whx63Y4_IL5spmk07iwVMVjHyQKxswX0bumM3hmZ10brgKPrPjWHzre3-1Ho_juSP9tPQcBBM5fRULyn8hYPgjK7bu5_UtzXisoNg5bo/s1600/beforeafter.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0qHVsl2BLHnPOBgH_wvvZ7sJJiy6NIgPJ9J8Whx63Y4_IL5spmk07iwVMVjHyQKxswX0bumM3hmZ10brgKPrPjWHzre3-1Ho_juSP9tPQcBBM5fRULyn8hYPgjK7bu5_UtzXisoNg5bo/s200/beforeafter.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702352164571323042" /></a>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! <div>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. </div><div>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!</div><div>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. </div><div>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..." </div><div>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!)</div><div><br /></div>Tony Putmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714189488386695026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470236720571487541.post-28885066621766983902011-02-05T17:08:00.009-06:002011-02-05T18:01:32.379-06:00The Dare! - Pt. 1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDv_Yf_kDP-VYw0ILm0lVC1ARvx6Q7EMZtI9vQrtgnaaAEfWqG8hxHeSJc_mUa-BG4Lq4oPfEXfD8TqO-FB21GK0ERy-J58DSR4zr97tx5JLHNAwAhYw0aaoCmRvktnoLBMEXNTZR8nus/s1600/024-CTT1.GIF"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 168px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDv_Yf_kDP-VYw0ILm0lVC1ARvx6Q7EMZtI9vQrtgnaaAEfWqG8hxHeSJc_mUa-BG4Lq4oPfEXfD8TqO-FB21GK0ERy-J58DSR4zr97tx5JLHNAwAhYw0aaoCmRvktnoLBMEXNTZR8nus/s200/024-CTT1.GIF" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570359813484835634" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Luke 9:18-27</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Verdana, sans-seif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And it happened that while Jesus was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them saying, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"Who do the people say that I am?" </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">They answered and said "John the Baptist, and others say Elijah; but others, that one of the prophets of old has risen again." And He said to them, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"But who do you say that I am?" </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And Peter answered and said, "The Christ of God." And Jesus was saying to them all, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"IF anyone wishes to come after Me, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed ofMe and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes to Heaven."</span></span></i></b></span></span></span></div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Verdana, sans-seif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; font-size:small;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></i></b></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">As we read this passage, we see that the Disciples quickly answered Jesus with a pre-theoretical view. (a view that evolves through your life. ie. parents belief, church view, etc.) </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">He was telling them that it’s more than just a view, but it’s a choice of action! “...he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me...”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Sincerely, Jesus wants to know who He really is to you. (Stop and ponder this, really.)</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">If you would just take the time to find the answer for the question, "who is Jesus to you?" your ultimate goal for life would change!</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Jesus has to be more than just a Savior of your life, but the Lord of your life. What does that Word, 'Lord', mean anyways?</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Lord - noun - Someone or something having power, authority, or influence</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Lordship = An end of life on my own terms</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">He made this clear in </span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Luke 6:46</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> “Why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, and do not [practice] what I tell you?”</span></i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; min-height: 13.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Let me ask you a question: Are you practicing what the Lord has spoken to you through His Word? </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">When you realize the reasoning for your existence and begin to understand the role you play in the Kingdom of God, everything becomes involuntary when it comes to taking up His Cross and following!</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; min-height: 13.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(The Dare: Post something that comes to your mind about this study on this page! Then post it to your status for the World to read...I Dare You! Iron does sharpen Iron!)</span></span></p>Tony Putmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714189488386695026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470236720571487541.post-26499411602755586062010-07-08T16:24:00.007-05:002010-07-08T17:26:24.969-05:00Prove It!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhLXazg_3aC9qR8hdWKQFhXtnwST7E96Lk2dXtD4um5c4cv5QKXzKzCnerGCkc_t58w4Enqn1hpnGmEwb1KnBCdG8fvUf3U7QlMA1D9meefmkbYOWN5F96xXH49tcX9_xvWJJbFHMLqs/s1600/26861_377206578795_5898823795_3549151_7614658_n.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhLXazg_3aC9qR8hdWKQFhXtnwST7E96Lk2dXtD4um5c4cv5QKXzKzCnerGCkc_t58w4Enqn1hpnGmEwb1KnBCdG8fvUf3U7QlMA1D9meefmkbYOWN5F96xXH49tcX9_xvWJJbFHMLqs/s320/26861_377206578795_5898823795_3549151_7614658_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491662584070127426" border="0" /></a><br />Matthew 3:8 (NLT) <span class="verse Matt_3_7"></span><span class="verse Matt_3_8 selected"><strong></strong>Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.<br /><br /><br />I recently started reading a book, Christian Atheist by Craig Groeschel, and above the title of the book it reads: Believing in God but Living as if He Doesn't Exist. Like you, probably, it stopped me in my tracks! I had to pull it off the shelf and give in to my curiosities and find out, just what was he trying to imply! After all, I am a good ol' christian boy who absolutely loves God, so what do you mean by...Living as if He Doesn't Exist?<br />Well, it didn't take me long before I realized, half-way into the book, how true it really was to: Believe in God but Live as if He Doesn't Exist. (I don't want to damper or spoil your opportunity to pick up this book so I'll end it right here.)<br />I started reading about the life of John the Baptist according to the book of Matthew and came across Matthew 3:8. Here's what happened. John the Baptist was preaching to the lost about repenting of their sins to God and to follow God's Command and be baptized with water, when he was approached by the religious people (pharisees & sadducees). After seeing the religious people walk up, he shouted out...Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God! In other words, You say your a christian but does it line up with the way you live your lives? Prove It!<br />The thing of it is...can we prove it by our lifestyle that we are True followers of Christ or is it just an old time religion?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">3 ways you can start to prove it is:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Show Jesus!</span> - John 13:35 says, </span><span class="verse John_13_35"><strong></strong><span class="wordsofchrist">"Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." Does your love reach past the church? Do people see Jesus in you? The only way Jesus can be exposed in our lives is to deny ourselves, take up the cross and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23).<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Show Integrity!</span> - What's attached to your name? Is it: liar, fake, untrustworthy, disrespectful, etc. Who are you when no one is looking? Life is full of temptations and is ready to pounce on your integrity. That is why we need the Holy Spirit in our lives! Galatians 5:16 says: So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. Show Inspiration!</span> - How many people have you inspired lately by the way you live? Your actions should inspire others to watch and imitate you. In Matthew 5:13, Jesus said we should be the salt of the earth. If you think about salt, what is its benefits? Well, salt: enhances flavor, preserves, heals and creates thirst. Do people walk away from you inspired to know the God you serve? They should!<br />I believe, if we can live out these 3 things in our lives, we'll have no problem in Proving that God Loves, saves, heals, delivers, and is coming back!<br /><br />God help me to prove it!<br /></span></span>Tony Putmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714189488386695026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470236720571487541.post-86237136368860971952010-07-02T15:04:00.004-05:002010-07-02T15:05:51.845-05:00Spirit of Truth<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8l-n5b9WVYwhfCE4tVslMThxa-t2MWkJgoNaBuQ4tBSRlkclIHX2Y7gPGRK8P2os96-CV2bicJHHFeSM2NDmJlDcwc1Lyb3qAlZWKD3Y_Rz0YN8K8Aei3uhgUSWLhhHsSMM6biUO08o/s1600/reading+bible.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8l-n5b9WVYwhfCE4tVslMThxa-t2MWkJgoNaBuQ4tBSRlkclIHX2Y7gPGRK8P2os96-CV2bicJHHFeSM2NDmJlDcwc1Lyb3qAlZWKD3Y_Rz0YN8K8Aei3uhgUSWLhhHsSMM6biUO08o/s320/reading+bible.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489325286007208866" /></a><br />John 16:13 (AMP) But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].<br /><br />Everyone wants to know their future. But that is not always the case when it comes to Truth! It's really interesting to know that God is actually wanting to express His thoughts and directions for us. He's longing for an opportunity for us to stop, ...be still, and know that He is God. This is why we need the Holy Spirit in our lives! Without the Holy Spirit, I believe, it is near impossible to know or hear the voice of God because there is no forward motion in your relationship with Him. We often allow the voice of this world to drown out the Holy Spirits, making it impossible for you to know the directions of God. Galatians 5:16 says, "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." The word 'Walk', means "to be occupied with or engaged in." When we are fully engaged in what the Spirit wants, then we'll also be open to what the Spirit speaks. And what the Spirit speaks come directly from the mouth of God!<br /><br />Help me, Lord, to humble myself to hearing the truth. For I know, the truth will set me free...and when I'm free from the lies and noise of this world, I can truly hear your voice and be obedient to Your call.Tony Putmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714189488386695026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470236720571487541.post-76636878057888009862010-01-26T09:15:00.007-06:002010-01-26T11:19:22.149-06:00The SwanepoelsIt's been a while since I've blogged my thoughts. It's not that I didn't want to blog...it just seems everytime I log on, my brain goes into hibernation of some sort, and I can't seem to focus on one topic... and then there's this huge collision (sound effects go here!) and...<div>Well, you get the picture! ha!</div><div> </div><div> We've been in revival here at the church since Sunday with an incredible couple, <a href="http://www.godsglory.org/">Rudi and Sharon Swanepoel</a>. Both are from South Africa and Rudi grew up mesmerized by the preaching and passion of Reinhard Bonnke, and has been a part of the incredible meetings. He told one story of it raining the entire day of the meeting and yet, the sea of people stood ankle deep soaking, not only in the elements, but also in the presence of God! That week, they had a number of 738,615 decisions for Jesus! WOW! Think about that just for a moment. 738,615 is a larger number than both New Orleans and Baton Rouge put together!</div><div> What do you think would happen if every professed Christian took the Bible literally, and fulfilled Acts 1:8, to be witnesses to their Jerusalem, FIRST! (Jerusalem is your home!) I think 738,615 would actually be a small number to Louisiana if we all took God's Word literally. Before we can throw our fists in the air and scream for a Holy Revolution, I think we need to revisit --- </div><div>Revelations 2:2-5 (HCSB) <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 31, 25); font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font: 7.3px 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0.0px color:#000000;"><sup>2</sup></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil. You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars. </span><span style="font: 7.3px 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0.0px color:#000000;"><sup>3</sup></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">You also possess endurance and have tolerated ‹many things› because of My name, and have not grown weary. </span><span style="font: 7.3px 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0.0px color:#000000;"><sup>4</sup></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">But I have this against you: you have abandoned the love ‹you had› at first. </span><span style="font: 7.3px 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0.0px color:#000000;"><sup>5</sup></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px ;color:#000000;">and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;color:#FF1F19;"><br /></span></div><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/c8BQC4miQxo&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/c8BQC4miQxo&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Tony Putmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714189488386695026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470236720571487541.post-18055850147282162422009-07-24T07:42:00.009-05:002016-02-02T15:36:01.441-06:00The Awe Factor!Psalms 46:10a - Be still, and know that I am God...<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362012424941984530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dg7t4isZz5reWeYzMSTXEj0NwAS5ELn1o8prP-ygemarefh0ZrDVw6xA0x4oT0xnKg4So3kxARhdvD-XHYk-wjFwiyLlgRLS_fPq6I9VN3HAbnSPQnmWrRxaMKkfYds9DNr_M1SgPBE/s320/mountains+in+switzerland.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><br /><br />Recently, we finished our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">annual</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">YMI</span> '09 Conference and it was simply incredible!!! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">YMI</span> is really cool because there's not really a theme that goes along with it, but if you was to listen to each speaker you would begin to see a theme forming. It's much like an artist who begins with a blank canvas and starts with several random strokes of his brush and then whoolah! the final product is revealed leaving everyone in awe of the beauty. (that was my creative side of the brain...I do have one of those for all of you that's wondering. ha!) While at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">YMI</span>, a friend of mine was scanning through about a million pictures that she had taken of the different places in Europe she went to within the past year. As I looked on, I was blown away by the creativity of God. I've actually been in this state of mind before but never been <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">sooo</span> overwhelmed like this! You see, I've been reading an incredible book entitled Crazy Love by Francis Chan, that talked about 'The Awe Factor of God.' Now I've been in ministry for 13 years and had come to a place in my Christian walk where I became sluggish and down-right bored at times and it left me wondering: why? Until I read this verse in the Bible.<br /><br /><em><strong>Revelations 2:2-4 [AMP] - I know your industry and activities, laborious toil and trouble, and your patient endurance, and how you cannot tolerate wicked [men] and have tested and critically appraised those who call [themselves] apostles (special messengers of Christ) and yet are not, and have found them to be impostors and liars. I know you are enduring patiently and are bearing up for My name's sake, and you have not fainted or become exhausted or grown weary. But I have this [one charge to make] against you: that you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first [you have deserted Me, your first love].</strong> </em><br /><br />You see, I was much like the church of Ephesus to whom this letter was written to. I was doing all the right things bu<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyHRlI7ROzdM6GLZJhBTQ6EtcCXNNJiE6sQnb4ooGBUas6O0j3fkAYJtVAzPyEwv8cbTx8vYAq4ta_AB0a7K6hXgvC-JBzjFqR1r6jKfRrtI2KUepxVqwLp8gq-665azuy5h9LVCuNr4/s1600-h/5134_523825937154_69304918_31261974_8053058_n.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362033578488906178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyHRlI7ROzdM6GLZJhBTQ6EtcCXNNJiE6sQnb4ooGBUas6O0j3fkAYJtVAzPyEwv8cbTx8vYAq4ta_AB0a7K6hXgvC-JBzjFqR1r6jKfRrtI2KUepxVqwLp8gq-665azuy5h9LVCuNr4/s320/5134_523825937154_69304918_31261974_8053058_n.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a>t was walking around blind as to who I was serving! I've forgotten my first love! I didn't have that 'Awe Factor' of who God was! I believe that many of us are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">mis-</span>led, about God, by the traditions of our man-made and church laws, so much so, that we often place God in our small boxes not even realizing that He just doesn't fit. You see, God will not and cannot be harnessed and thrown into a box full of doubt and dwarfed dreams. God is greater than that! Just look at the pictures that I ripped off from my friend. (just don't tell her! ha!) It shouts out, "I HAVE AN INCREDIBLY AWESOME CREATOR!!!"<br />
(Thanks for sharing Sylvia!)<br />
Check out this video! The Awe Factor of God - by Francis Chan (Go buy the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan!)<br />
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<br />Tony Putmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714189488386695026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470236720571487541.post-41541546969804940712009-07-19T21:43:00.005-05:002016-02-02T17:22:26.030-06:00Search me...Do you realize that you don't have to strain to see or hear God? God is truly Omnipresent! In fact, God actually spoke to me just the other day while I was sanding my walls. No Lie! Here's the scoop. We recently purchased our first home, unfortunately, it's one of those fixer uppers. Instead of writing it all down, I made a video for your enjoyment.<br />
Psalms 139:23 (AMP) - Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! <br />
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Tony Putmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714189488386695026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470236720571487541.post-55009326954054199762009-04-09T13:15:00.005-05:002016-02-02T14:16:40.176-06:00Legacy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswRmjYah9QXl4hyphenhyphenAnVTuaOd6-f0l7EWxz389Zos87Wc_tyoyuOEoMdAWEQpWcq4vnrRzO73WtyYLKiELdjxjmY1O6RN6lSZzDwawd3lNYcaXsAAhvKvrxIOm-w_nxOd0z29d5ywBmpwI/s1600-h/P0904090013.jpg"><em><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322759324652736386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswRmjYah9QXl4hyphenhyphenAnVTuaOd6-f0l7EWxz389Zos87Wc_tyoyuOEoMdAWEQpWcq4vnrRzO73WtyYLKiELdjxjmY1O6RN6lSZzDwawd3lNYcaXsAAhvKvrxIOm-w_nxOd0z29d5ywBmpwI/s320/P0904090013.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 320px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 240px;" /></em></a><em> <strong>Legacy:</strong> something or anything that is handed down from an ancestor.</em><br />
As I sit here thinking about the word Legacy, I become more determined in my efforts to make sure I create 'a legacy' worth carrying on for my kids and grandchildren someday! I hope and pray that they won't look back and remember me for my job as just a dad or a grandpa, but that they would be able to see and live with the legacy that was handed down to them with that same sense of pride and determination that I had in creating it. Not because it feeds my ego, or theirs for that matter, but because it's important to me!<br />
There's one thing that you should know about, in creating a Legacy. (I'm sure there's more, but for the sake of having to read a very lengthy blog, we'll say one!)<br />
1. Creating a Legacy is hard work!<br />
This is one thing that I've figure out in my own endeavors of creating a Legacy! There's a lot of sweat, tears, and blood involved in the process of being successful. One thing I know for sure, is that you don't just wake up one day and expect everything to just happen for the best! There are disappointments that you have to deal with. It's called LIFE! Disappointments should never be a stopping point for you. Work hard!<br />
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Check this verse out!<br />
<em>Romans 8:15 - 17 (TMSG) </em><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=470236720571487541" name="15"></a><em>15This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” 16God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. <strong>17And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance!</strong> We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!</em><br />
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It's exciting to know that our Father in heaven handed down a Legacy to you and I, that we should carry on and not be ashamed! The Legacy of the cross is what we have and what we can share with others who are hopeless in themselves. We should never forget the price that was paid for us. So carry your cross (Legacy!) with pride and determination and walk in the freedom that's available to you and I!<br />
Check out this video! I love Laminin!<br />
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<br />Tony Putmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714189488386695026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470236720571487541.post-66379542143420992009-04-07T17:30:00.008-05:002009-04-08T01:07:58.599-05:00Mr. Robotron<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMe_qE6VR71_sk2lcdsSHP13b3dDusbgcNSDQif6imhgDgvWwCFYsQzWfVPlZuQBvZL32XrTlYDJwGCjt625UqpGujQjbTrGgBA_HBQxET9WKVTIgV6QOksiQ9NzeOp_PweKdIoCCQfY/s1600-h/momentum+New+Orleans+052.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322081975650747970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMe_qE6VR71_sk2lcdsSHP13b3dDusbgcNSDQif6imhgDgvWwCFYsQzWfVPlZuQBvZL32XrTlYDJwGCjt625UqpGujQjbTrGgBA_HBQxET9WKVTIgV6QOksiQ9NzeOp_PweKdIoCCQfY/s400/momentum+New+Orleans+052.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#000066;">Last month we took our Momentum Student Leadership Team on a trip to New Orleans to see the Hornets play the Grizzlies and also to see my man Corey Hicks do his thang on the court afterwards! (Go check out </span><a href="http://www.myspace.com/coreyhicksmusic"><span style="color:#000066;">Corey Hick's</span></a><span style="color:#000066;"> music on myspace...He's doin it!) Anyhow, I really wanted the trip to be a memorable one for them so I took them to the French Quarters, just to check out their response to the enviroment that surrounded them. Needless to say, it has become a very memorable moment for many of them. Not because of the wild behavior of those that walked around us, but because they saw an incredible need of Jesus in that city! Which brings me to the picture above. While walking down the sidewalk of this historic city we came upon a very interesting person painted all up in silver. With every move he made, he replicated the sound of an actual machine by a whistle in his mouth. And as you can see, my two small kids stood amazed as he pointed to his sign that said, "Robotron - Coins make him move, Dollars make him groove." As I stood there watching his act, I began to imagine what would it be like to wake up everyday as Mr. Robotron and put on this show for people he doesn't even know. As I was driving home that day, questions began to fill my mind like: how does he paint that on? how does he take that paint off? How long does he perform on that box? Does he run out of moves for the audience? Does he make his living doing that 7 days a week? Is he married? Kids? Then a striking question, like a bolt of lightening exploding from the sky and colliding with earth, hit me...Does he k</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtTZPE2QgZWG4TThIckqzE9c_j4pSmxVIKYdia907NZD-mAWIrER7lKx1v05wxA38L351OuySDFD7pNGgJVtD4nKDAEc_gI1t1uvfffK8JF0IrgSNCnzlbJJNeqn6ZqPRD3csFGbIYrs/s1600-h/momentum+New+Orleans+053.JPG"><span style="color:#000066;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322102036092929986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtTZPE2QgZWG4TThIckqzE9c_j4pSmxVIKYdia907NZD-mAWIrER7lKx1v05wxA38L351OuySDFD7pNGgJVtD4nKDAEc_gI1t1uvfffK8JF0IrgSNCnzlbJJNeqn6ZqPRD3csFGbIYrs/s320/momentum+New+Orleans+053.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#000066;">now Jesus?! I immediately started repenting, because of a missed opportunity! I started thinking of different ways that I could have expressed the love of Jesus without stealing his thunder or living...If only I had a tract!...I could have wrote on the back of a dollar!...I could've done something! I'm still praying for Mr. Robotron! I hope one day I'm able to see him on the street again and take him out to eat and let him know how much Jesus loves him! I would like to encourage you to pray for Mr. Robotron too! Romans 10:13 says, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Even Mr. Robotron!!!!</span></div>Tony Putmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714189488386695026noreply@blogger.com0