I had a different post here this morning, and word press ate it when I hit the publish button. I was angry at first, and then I realized, maybe my original post was crap. Maybe I needed to re-write it. That happens, even to me.

Some times I choose the safe route to protect my heart. After all what kind of mother admits to  wanting their 16 year old son to meet a convicted drug dealer and murderer and hopes his listens to him, because he won’t listen to her any more.  My first post was safe – just a nice report on a guest speaker. I’m not sure why, but right now – I feel the need to be real with you, rather than safe. Just because we are leaders in our church, it does not mean we lead perfect lives. Our lives are messy too, just like everyone elses.

Tony McMullen of Free In Christ Ministries, came to speak at our mission start, Ablaze Church, in Broken Arrow on Saturday night. Tony is an ex-con.

I’ve met Tony before at Our Savior several years ago. He is a former drug user/dealer and a murderer. Tony is also the first man I’ve seen my 16 year seem intimidated by in a long time. Tony’s message and testimony struck a chord in my son. A chord that needed to be hit. Tony spoke to his heart in a way that a mother cannot. Tony has met the devil face to face – in very real ways. Sometimes only a man who hasmet the devil can speak to a boy who wants to dance with him.

Tony’s testimony struck a chord in all of us – don’t  give the devil a foothold, and nothing absolutely nothing is beyond the redemptive will of God – and nothing can seperate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.

That is a great message for anyone, no matter where you are on your Christian walk. It’s hopefilled and redemptive.

————————

Tony grew up in North Tulsa. He came from a church going family and a strict father. He was taught about Christ, but believed a lie. You know the one – that nagging thought that it’s true for you, but not for me. I’m different. God left something out of me. I can’t be redeemed, I’m too bad, too horrible, too low for Christ. Tony lived most of his life believing those lies and running away from God. He didn’t run out of hatred for God, but out of fear.

A man – feared by many in the community and in the prisons of Oklahoma is also a man who was filled with fear himself.

If you believe that God does not listen to the prayers of a sinful man, than you are mistaken. He answers my prayers, and he answer’s yours. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. That includes you, and that includes me.

God even answers the prayers of a convicted drug dealer and murderer. God speaks behind the prison walls – whether they be of steal and concrete – or less obvious walls that we build ourselves.

God speaks on death row to the hearts of thousands every year.

Paul was in prison because of his faith.

Tony was in prison because of his choices.

“Own your choices, don’t let others make them for you. The wrong things might look good at first, but then Satan never shows you the consequences.” – Tony McMullen

Tony and his wife Candy travel all over the United States sharing their story of hope and redemption. If you would like more information about their ministry and their story see, Free In Christ Ministries.

I know it has been a while since I’ve posted any updates on our mission start being sponsored by the Lutheran Church of Our Savior. It is not that we haven’t been doing anything, it’s that we’ve been doing so much that I have not been able to post.

I love the looks I get when I tell people that the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod is trying to plant 2,000 new churches. They always seem astonished at first and then genuinly interested. Yes, LUTHERANS planting churches, is that cool or what?

Our team has really jelled into a bit of a working rhythm. We have a couple who have dedicated themselves to our youth, taking them places, teaching Bible Study and just being there for them. They have become wonderful hands and feet to these kids. They are truly Christ with skin on. Because of the generosity of our home congregation, I am happy to report that we are able to send 10 kids to Camp Lutherhoma this summer. None of these children have ever been to church camp before, and this has been an exciting adventure. Erick and Jen also picked these kids up and drove them to Vacation Bible School this summer at Our Savior.

Our Web Page is finally up and operational thanks to our drummer and technical guru. You can check it out to see what all we are up to.

We have wonderful events coming up in August. Tony Mac, convicted drug dealer and murderer turned Christian and Evangelist will be visiting and sharing his testimony with us on August 1. You don’t want to miss that.

On August 5, our families are invited out to Cactus Bar Ranch for a time of fellowship and horsemanship.

August 15 we are having our second annual Stokin up the Community festival with live music, inflatables, facepainting and even some comedy via yours truly and my friend Michele Van Dusen. It is going to be an awesome afternoon of fun, fellowship and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Our numbers are growing strong and we can always use prayer – for the families that come and for those God is still calling. We have outgrown our present facility and are in great need of a permanent home. I know that God has a place in mind for us, so please pray that it becomes available soon and we are able to move in.

Thank you for checking in on us. Until next week.

Pax

Having a blog or a web page that brings value to readers, isn’t as easy as one would think.  Blogging is about community. With the advent of the Internet, our world is expanding and so are our communities. Thanks to some wonderful new friends who are sharing with me their ups and downs, and their media successes and mistakes,I hope I’m moving in the right direction.

You dear readers are the reason I am here. This whole blog originated with the purpose of keeping our out of state friends up to date on the happenings of Ablaze Church (LCMS) as well as life in general. My readership has grown and I need to be a better steward of your time.  Over the next few months I will be implimenting changes that will make things easier for all of you to find what you are looking for. The first major change I have made is in my editorial calender.

1. Mission Mondays – Every Monday I will be posting updates on Ablaze Church as well as Our Savior news.
2. Traveling Tuesdays – Today’s family is on the go. At least ours is. I will be exploring different and fun places to be in and around the Tulsa/Broken Arrow Communities.
3. Wordless Wednesdays – Photos and art that strike me.
4. Thoughtful Thursdays – Here you will find Book and Bible Study reviews, guest bloggers, and pieces of my own personal story.
5. Fun and Fit Fridays – I’ve added something new to my life – as a caretaker I have learned – mostly the hard way – that taking care of others without taking care of myself, leaves me tired, negative, and overwhelmed. The fact that I am also in full blown menopause also helped push my need to change up how I do things.  Fridays will be the day I post new ways to have fun and eat well while taking care of ourselves.

I hope you like the changes.

Stay tuned to today’s post on Ablaze later this afternoon.

Blessings

Deana