Update from Todd

This past weekend Leslie and I spent the a few days serving with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association at the Will Graham Celebration in Burleson, TX.  I won't go into depth, but I will say that it was a life changing experience for us and has stirred up a new level of excitement in what we (His Bride) as Christians can do when we are unified.  This event was the fruit of nearly 200 churches laboring together for over a year.  It required each church to care less about their individual agendas and make reaching the lost with the proclaimed Gospel of Jesus their priority.  Beautiful harvest of souls! http://www.billygraham.org/News_Article.asp?ArticleID=298

 

     For me, it was a bit stressful.  I found myself spending more time on how I could impress the BGEA staff with my speech then I did meditating on what our Father desired to speak through me.  Once this sin was repented of, I found much more peace and I believe I delivered what I was given.

     Following my time of sharing, I went to the arena floor and was immediately approached by a man I did not recognize.  He asked me if about ten years ago I had spent some time in his small town building fence.  I thought for a minute and did recall a time I had been working between rodeos because I was broke.  He said that I had talked to him in a café one day and shared Jesus with him.  He said it was like he had been infected and although it took nearly five years, he did surrender to Jesus and is now serving him in ministry.  I embraced him as a brother and we praised the Lord together for His miraculous way of remaining true to His word.  For at the time I shared Jesus with this man I had been as personally defeated and empty as I had ever been.  It was a season of feeling like I was failing my family and Jesus because I couldn't seem to figure out a way to provide for my family and do what Jesus had asked me to do.  I didn't think I was doing anything well.  I guess that is why this story meant so much to me personally and why I share it with you now.  Because the word of the Lord is so powerful and Truth truly sets people free, we can know that beyond how we feel about ourselves, sharing the love of Jesus with others is worth while.  I know so many people who don't feel like they are good enough to witness to others or maybe feel like they are worthy of serving Him.  I want to challenge you to consider if anyone is good enough to bear the name of Jesus or stand before others as his ambassador.  I believe we are only made worthy through the blood of Jesus.  Yes, we are called to "Be Holy" and to live lives that are evidence of our love and devotion to Jesus.  But I know I am still so far from being totally like Jesus and as long as I don't pretend to be otherwise, Jesus can use my weaknesses and prove Himself strong.  What a God we serve.