Hey Guys,
I asked Todd Shelton to share on our blog. Todd and I are Facebook buddies. He is a student at Southwestern OSU in Ardmore, Oklahoma and is active with the young adults of The Loft. Both he and his Mom, Marianna, are active Lofters in Houston.
A new season of change has occurred in the lives of many whatever the situations bare. For some of us we are reaching new heights in our lives, but others are still within the same chapter of their lives. One thing still hasn’t changed and that is things begin grow more and more complex, Our lives begin to become more and more simplistic and whole.
This wasn’t the must easy concept for me to grasp. The answer to the world around us speaks to us with the idea that we can fix even the most damaging things with little effort if we really want that quick fix. This verse might seem very simple, but I sort of think we struggle with keeping our eyes on Christ just as Peter did. We as Peter begin to do things we only dreamed as impossible, and now its reality. “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”.(Matthew 14:31). As I look at the life that Peter lived, I realize that is one of those moments in his life that laid the groundwork for his ministry.
For those of you that are already in doubt, I like to use the example of how Jesus took the bits and fragments of leftovers with 5 full loaves and multiplied that to feed 5,000 +. The whole point is very simple. That God gives each of us different abilities and gifts, but without using our gifts for the Kingdom of God how are we going to feed those lost souls that lack nourishment. With this mind set we can be that generation that makes an impact.
Christ was a full loaf of bread indeed. He understood that he wouldn’t have done as much good without being broken and multiplied for all of us and our transgressions we commit each day. My own personnel ministry is to love God and Love others. Sure, this sounds like a simple concept, but I realize on a daily basis I still fail to do that adequately. Besides being involved in the two campus ministries I serve in, I make a personal effort to really make time and reach out to those who don’t really know Christ. Sure, we might tell someone about Jesus, but are we loving them as Christ would? I think sometimes I see others that are a lot less fortunate then some of us in The Woodlands, and I forget that I fall short just as they do. For once in my life I make myself vulnerable and slowly share how God has changed my life through my actions.
In closing I want to leave you with a quote I wrote down from one of Andy’s sermon I think it was from the Jonah series, but regardless it will stick with throughout my life. “you have to ask yourself are you really someone that in your heart is kingdom minded, and do the things I spend my time and surround myself with and the life that I'm living sorta mesh into something that I can feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life"? I think if we really examine that then perhaps a light has went off in our heads.
The past comes, goes, and reappears : By Todd Shelton
Not so proud memories flow through my mind every day.
Yea, some fun, others not so great.
Maybe you think this is kind of lame.
If you think that, then close your eyes and hold on tight.
Maybe you remember a time when things weren't so grand.
A time when you went out and now you don't feel so proud.
We all think different.
What is rock bottom for me, might not be for you.
To realize how low one's self really is we must all hit our own version of this.
Once this happens a spontaneous combustion occurs.
Those memories change, shape, and mold us.
Our hearts never to be the same again.
A not so pretty figure of a blackened heart.
Then over time the light shines through and the scorn awful bitterness begins to disappear.
Those memories are entrenched in your mind.
Hard to forget them yes, but one thing you might try perhaps.
Maybe a buzzer just went off, the heck I know.
It's called self forgiveness.
Maybe you should try it sometime.
It takes the world off your shoulders.
Move on because well... I have:)
My life a complex mess then turned upside down with simplicity: By Todd Shelton
Before I really knew you my life was considered a mess.
I was one lonely dude always in distress.
Long nights of drinking away.
Nights of being so wasted I don't even know why I did it.
Sure, I could get the girls, but it never mattered.
In the end I got flushed down the toilet like a dead gold fish.
For you see, I wasn't the loveable snack kind either.
Before I really knew you, I tried to feel my life with this crazy world.
Now I look around this world, and am just truly astonished by the beauty.
Kind of like now I just like to see that inner beauty in a young women.
A girl that pursues after God with all her heart, and loves me the way she would love God, now that's greater love.
So God what did I do to deserve this?
One day all I did was wake up and ask God to take me as I am.
He will change you from the inside out.
Now I live life without doubts.
He turned my life inside out.
Now he has given me this joy that you can't toy with.
It's for keeps and there are no weeps.
Well, maybe only internal tears of joy.
When I thought I was going to die, you were there.
Not all these so called friends.
I want to live out my days for you until the end.
I finally understand what so many complex things looked like, but now are so simple.
For you see, it isn't hard any longer.
Just make the decision inside your heart.
Allow him to poke a little hole and let that light of his shine on threw.
Now as a dove takes flight you are made brand new.
Thank you for this Love O God.
For I will sing of your love forever, not could.
Well done, Todd. Lofters, do you think Terence's young adults are doing pretty well? Todd serves in two student ministries and shares Christ with those that are placed in his wife. How about you?
Until then, Selah.
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