A New Beginning

My very first blog, where do I begin...

The last two years of my life have been an incredible journey as Christ continues to rebuild me from the inside out. On Easter of 2005 I decided to try something different so I gathered my family into the Envoy and headed out to the Frontline Easter Service at Mclean Bible Church. Although I grew up in a Christian family and attended a United Methodist Church for most of my childhood I never truly knew Christ. Over the years I allowed my life to stray far away from the values that my family had lovingly planted inside of me. I had heard of Frontline and Mclean Bible at different times throughout my life from different people who crossed my path; however it was Easter 2005 that led me towards the next step.

Because of my judgmental mentality after hearing about Mclean Bible I figured that it was another one of those Sunday morning infomercial Church's where the dollar tickers are rolling across the screen. From the moment I walked into the church I was amazed at how peaceful it was. Although it was the largest church I had ever stepped foot in, and it did not really look like a church I was filled with an incredibly warm and peaceful feeling. I managed to find seats all the way in the back above the sound booth directly centered with the stage which allow me to keep my distance (at the time I was clearly lost). Within minutes the band opened and I was completely taken by the incredible passion, energy, and power that the band filled throughout the church. I find it very difficult to put into words what I felt but my whole body was filled with goose bumps and as I looked toward Yeter I could see she was also feeling the same. As funny as it sounds I still get the same goose bumps today even now as I type this blog.

When the band finished playing Todd Phillips jumped up to the stage introducing himself as the teaching pastor and he thanked everyone for coming. Immediately Todd grabbed my attention and my first impression was nothing less than astonishment. As Todd pulled scripture from the Bible I was truly amazed with his ability to articulate each and every word into his own life and then spread it out onto our own. This was something I had never seen done in the church, at least not to the level that Todd was able to take it. As I sat there in my seat like a damp sponge soaking up all that Todd poured out I knew that I had found something I desperately wanted to be part of. In closing that day Todd led a prayer and directed everyone who wanted a personal relationship with Christ to follow. I followed every word verbatim and truly meant it from the bottom of my heart when we prayed “I don't know you, but I want to know you". I look back now and know that it was those very words that led me to Christ.

As the weeks passed we continued to return to the Frontline services and decided to sit in the front rows directly in front of Stephanie (the lead singer in the band) and her husband Dan (the drummer) who continued to pour out their hearts, and souls week after week which left us spiritually uplifted and ready to soak up all that Todd continued to teach. Because Todd speaks so openly about his family and articulates scripture into his own life during his teachings I felt as if I already knew him and his family intimately which drove me to want more. I had already sent a few emails telling Todd and the staff how much the services really meant to me (I actually remember one where I invited Todd, Stephanie, Dan, and the whole gang to my home for a cookout, lol). Yeter had me follow up with another email where I attempted to explain that I was not crazy and justify my initial actions. I was completely full of my new found faith and simply wanted to share it personally with the people who had played a large part in leading me towards Christ. Knowing how mature Todd was with his faith I feared that he would have no interest in starting a relationship with a (new believer), this later proved to be far from the truth. Having no idea where to begin I turned to God, and prayed about it. I continued to pray about it for months asking God to reveal a path where Todd and I could meet and if it would bring glory to His name for us to be able to share life together.

Summer of 2006 a year had passed since we first attended Frontline and after accepting Christ into my life I found it much easier to deal with many of life's obstacles. I could feel the changes taking place inside of me and welcomed Christ deep into my heart. I was able to dedicate myself to fitness and achieve a personal goal of being in the best physical shape of my life on my 32nd birthday. One bright summer day I decided to go to our community pool and catch some rays, this was the first time I had been to the pool in years and the only time I went the entire summer. While lying in the sun gazing across the pool my eyes focused on a man that looked just like Todd who appeared to be counseling a young boy who looked just like his son that he had spoken of on stage. I quickly got up and made my way over to where they were standing and waited for the right time to jump in and formally meet Todd. Immediately after introducing myself to Todd he gave me a great big hug and introduced me to his wife Julie, son Parker, and his daughters Katherine & Raney. I learned that Todd lived in my neighborhood and had been there for 2 years! As I walked home from the pool that afternoon I was completely amazed on how God brought our lives together and I knew that my prayers had been answered.

Todd and I continued to trade emails for a few months when I decided to ask Todd about getting together and discussing a few things that I had on my mind, one being baptism. Todd promptly responded with a date and time for us to meet at Starbucks. While we were at Starbucks Todd and I covered many topics in a fairly short amount of time. I did manage to share with Todd that Yeter and I were ready to be baptized and we wanted him to be the one who performed this very special event; Todd kindly replied "I would be honored". Todd then asked me about getting in shape, I explained to Todd that I have had a life long passion for fitness and through my new relationship with Christ I was given the strength to achieve a new all time high with my fitness goals. Instantly I knew that God had provided an incredible opportunity and I told Todd that I would be honored to help him do the same. Todd explained that we could use some of time during our workouts for him to mentor me in my faith, which was exactly what I wanted to hear. As I drove away from Starbucks I again was left in complete awe on how God continued to bring Todd and I closer together.

Since our first meeting at Starbucks my family and I have been blessed to become good friends with Todd and his family. I look forward to our workouts and the time we spend together. Todd continues to share biblical truth with me and encourages me to grow deeper in my Christian walk. Two weeks ago I attended the Lead-Now conference followed by Fusion where I had to opportunity to meet several other young believers and listen to many wonderful speakers. Last weekend Yeter, Corrine, Todd, and I ran the 5K trail run sponsored by access ministry and although Yeter beat both Todd and I we all had a wonderful time participating. Todd has also recently invited me into a men's small group that will meet a few times a month over the next 18 months which will allow us to become more involved with each other and grow deeper in our relationships.

As I mentioned in the beginning of my blog God is truly rebuilding me from the inside out and I now find happiness in things that I would have never imagined. In January this year I began sponsoring a child named Rafit Mohamed who lives in Indonesia and I look forward to letters that I receive from him each and every month. My marriage has grown deeper and Yeter and I both have a much better understanding for one another. Yeter and I are attending an interest meeting next week where we will discuss joining a mission trip which will be heading to El Salvador later this fall. I continue to grow spiritually everyday and my old selfish, materialistic, and unhealthy life style continues to fade further away. For the first time in my life I am able to understand the truth that has driven my own father for as long as I can remember, and I am proud to say that the same truth now drives me. I look forward to each day that I am given and pray that Christ will lead me to use it for his glory.


In Jesus Name,

AMEN