Todd Thorpe

Happy New Year! I hope you have a blessed New Year. The year 2009 was a great year personally. I enjoyed my family, my job, my friends, my hobbies etc… The year flew by, I was amazed at how fast 2009 seemed to go.

The year 2010 is awaiting. As we begin the new year, I can feel a sense of change in the air. I begin my DMin program at Liberty Seminary. That will require lots of reading and writing which will require time. Thus, something will have to change in how I spend my time.

Jackson and Reagan will turn 9, Kennedy will turn 8 and Davis will be 5. As the children get older, my ways must change to adapt. In regards to conversations, events, spending quality time with them etc… These are the great years of influence for me on their lives. I must be intentional about shaping their hearts, minds, lives.

My marriage with Shelly will enter into its 13th year. I look forward to another year of marriage as we grow closer to each other.

Goals, I have certain goals that involve being intentional. I want to be intentional with my relationship with Christ, Shelly, my children, friends. I want to be intentional with my health; rest, exercise, eating habits. I want to be intentional in growing as a communicator, leader, pastor.

I am looking forward to 2010! My goals are in place. What about you? Do you have goals? Have you written them down? What are you thankful for? Have you taken the time to think through your blessings? Have you taken the time to think through your “issues”?

Happy New Year!
With that I am,
Todd

It seems that the Senate has passed the Health Care bill. I am not sure what this will hold. I have read some articles and none of them are good. From what I can tell, it looks like higher taxes, more government control, higher deficits(which) aren’t good.

Our government is borrowing money and spending it on entitlements. China, Brazil are borrowing money and spending it on infrastructure. Which is the best way to borrow money. Our government is borrowing money in the worst ways for the worst things(entitlements). We can’t continue this path. The Senate raised the debt limit again today that will last two months, then they will have to raise it again. All in all, this is not good.

My plan for 2010 is to get out of personal debt. I will lead my family to continue the Dave Ramsey plan(Baby Steps) to be out of debt by 2013. I encourage you to do the same.

Time will tell on the health care issue.

Merry Christmas!
Todd

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas! 2009 has been a great year! I am thankful for my family, friends, my church and much more.

The news lately is covered with the Tiger Woods story. It is a shame for sure. I am amazed at how many people find amusement from a “star” that has stumbled. It is almost like a vindication for people to live in their boring little lives not venturing out trying anything new. It kind of makes me angry. (Kinda of)

The simple truth that we should all learn from this saga is this:  “Your sins will find you out”.  We should mourn over our own sin. We should mourn over the fact that a family, a wife, two young children, will suffer the consequences of this sin for the rest of their life. We should mourn.

There is hope though! “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Hope for today!!
With that I am,
Todd

Today I want to encourage you to “Believe your Beliefs” and “Doubt your doubts”. So often we get it backwards. We “doubt our beliefs” and we “believe our doubts”. Life is to short!! Believe your beliefs today!!

With that I am,
Todd

Good Morning! This morning I wanted to give a sneak preview of December 13 sermon. Life is a series of choices. Success is basically a matter of making wise choices. You make dumb decisions you fail in life. We make our decisions and then our decisions make us. Since every decision has a consequence, decision making can become very stressful. Have you ever been afraid of making the wrong decision? Just this week you’ve been facing a major issue. Should I hold on or should I let go? Should I get in or should I get out? Should I get married? Should I get a new job? Move? The stress of indecision can get to you.

Psalm 23:3b states, “He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name sake.” The solution to the stress of decision making is to let God guide you. Literally, we are to let God guide us and keep us on track.

Some of you say you’ve tried this. You’ve asked God to guide you, to lead and direct you. But it’s more confusing than before. You can’t figure it out. Why is knowing God’s will so difficult? God wants to guide you. I encourage you to read Psalm 23 this week and I encourage you to come Sunday morning at 9&10:30 to find out God’s Solution to Indecision!

With that I am,
Todd

December 20th is shaping up to be a BIG DAY at FBC Ashford. I want to encourage everyone to invite their friends and neighbors to church that day. We are celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The day will be filled with great music, relevant message, baptism and baby dedication. Wow! Now that’s a BIG DAY!

With that I am,
Todd

This morning I was watching a video on missions and how the Gospel(Good News) about Jesus is spreading throughout regions in this world. I was amazed by the simplicity of it all.

We, the church in America have made it complex. The reality of the New Testament is, simplicity. My goal over the next 10 years is to return to the simplicity of the Gospel. God save us from complexity!

With that I am,
Todd

I watched President Obama’s speech last night. I think that was the most confusing speech I have ever heard. Matter of fact, I turned it off. It was so confusing. Maybe it is just me, but I think President Obama is in way over his head when it comes to leadership. Just my opinion!

With that I am,
Todd

I was informed this week that I was accepted to Liberty Seminary to pursue my Doctor of Ministry degree. For the next 3-4 years I will be pursuing that degree through online courses and intensives at Liberty in Lynchburg, Va.
It is a new journey for me. My last seminary class was May 2001, so it will take some time to adjust. For the last 3-4 years I have been praying for the right opportunity, finances, etc.. to come together. God has provided a scholarship that will pay for my tuition. Great stuff! Furthermore it will help me in one of my desires, almost calling, of writing. I have felt the need to write for 3-4 years. However, the discipline to write has not always been there. This program will force me to write but also provide the skills to write. Looking forward to this new journey!! It will be long and hard, but worth it in the end.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Todd