Sometimes when I am extra sick I have to give myself pep-talks, that’s what this is:

Let not anguish eclipse from your soul the beauty of His affection! You must cling to the hope He lovingly placed within you, He’s hid not what eternity holds.  You must bear it as a good solider and be delightfully cheered by the everlasting reality He has in store.  You are daily drawing nearer to the only home where you will be at rest, take comfort and withstand bravely.

The literal pain you suffer in body or circumstance is real, there’s no need to deny its existence or pretend it hurts you not.  But where are you to go when hurt?  There is One who mends.  Perhaps He will mend your heart instead of body or circumstance but His mending will be the balm and succor your ailment is truly in need of.  You must have faith in His will as God and Lord!  Oh how you will see His better plan one day!  His ways are far better than yours and you MUST remember that.  He is the author of all that is best for you.  Refinement would not be pleasant for the metal, but gold is an esteemed and precious outcome.  Above all remember that His ability is not lacking, He can heal all, pray fervently and hope with ardent expectation.

Think you not that the lover of your soul has left you to writhe uncomforted in your harrowing travail, these are lies.  The devil would try to break you with such deceit.   The truth is rather opposite than that, your beloved Lord keeps an unceasing vigil by your side, He has entered into your suffering voluntarily.  He bears your grief and carries your sorrows. May the ailing take heart!

Is it not quiet common place among us to realize that if we’d not met with a certain ordeal, life would be very different? And often we realize that the different life would have been void of what we now hold dear.  How well the life of Joseph teaches us that we cannot imagine what He can bring from trial!

It is the courageous prepense to bear things in His strength which will enable one to face the unknown with mettle, to consecrate everything, to pass breaking point and not break.

To endure with patience and fortitude the agony that one day may be known as a mercy will take the greatest of your courage. Go to His word and find all He’s strengthened you with there.  Hold fast to it, make Him your confidence, and hold fast!

“Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is Yours.

Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all. In Your hand are power and might, and in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.”-1 Chronicles 29:11&12

The first is that I am the pastor, and there is an innate sense of shepherding inside of me. I know where the sheep are,  I know what they need, and I am called to meet that need.

The second reason, and not as compelling as the first, is that I’ve been occupied in service within the context of the local church for the past 25 years. To miss just one Sunday is beyond strange to me.

That said, there are benefits to me missing church.

1. I am reminded that Sundays are more than routine, they are a privilege and priority (shepherd and sheep alike).

2. Giving other pastors an opportunity to teach and preach is healthy. There are many gifted men in leadership with gifts that must be developed and exercised. And God’s people need fresh voices from time to time.

3. I am made freshly aware that the church belongs to Jesus and not to me.

4. I can rest and regain strength, break routine and avoid a rut.

I hope worship was a blessing to God this morning, and the benefit that it ought to be to all that gathered in His name.

Before I became a mom, I worked as a graphic designer in Indiana, Nashville and Los Angeles. Now, our sons, Zane (10) and Nate (6) pretty much take care of everything—the shopping, cooking, cleaning, self-disciplining, hosting Brian’s musical clients, etc.—leaving me free to paint all day, every day. Oh wait, that’s my angst-inspired dream! I do manage to squeeze in time to paint now and then and I’m grateful for those chances, but most of all, I’m grateful to be wife to Brian and mom to our boys.

Besides my lil’ man tribe trio, my favorite things in life are sunshine, being out-of-doors, art, music, writing and witty banter. I am blessed to have been raised by Christian parents and am on a lifelong quest to understand and respond to the barely comprehensible love of God and the reality of Jesus, my redeemer and savior.

My name is Tyler James Layton. It’s a common Scottish name. I go by “Ty” most of the time, as it is the streamlined version of my name.

When I comment on the ToddBlog, I do so under the pseudonym “T.Chavez Action.” I think I’m more Irish than I (probably) am. Parts of our lineage are lost- we’re THAT type of family. I currently have 508 LESS Facebook friends than Todd Garland. However, we have 43 “mutual friends”. I’d say this is a fairly decent summation of me.

PART TWO

I was Born in early July of 1996.

I was 19 years old at the time.

That was when Jesus saved me- by His grace, because of His love, and, most curiously, for His glory. He has a new name for me that I know not yet, but I will know it one day. This is the introduction and conclusion of my life- this is the thesis statement of which He is the Author.

My first birth was two days before the close of the Bicentennial. I was born and raised in the Heart of the Gold Country. I am the oldest of five from a family marked by love and loyalty. We’re Irish, Scottish and Welsh, so the book of Galatians has a particularly special place in my heart. I’m the 4^th best athlete in my immediate family, ranking below each of my 3 brothers, and slightly above my sister. I’m totally cool with this, however, because I am and will always be the oldest. We weren’t raised perfectly, but we were certainly raised well. In spite of this, I spent my first 19 years a spiritual rebel, dead in my sins and trespasses- this state was my own doing.

I graduated from high school in 1995 and spent the following year, by God’s Name, in the balcony at what would eventually be known as Crossroads Church. This was my introduction to sound Biblical proclamation and explanation, and it culminated in my surrender to and salvation from Jesus- this was entirely His doing.

The following May 4^th I (officially) met a girl of many striking features, but none of them struck me more than her very apparent and equally genuine love for our shared Savior. I saw her a Princess in the truest sense. We were married (a few days later) in August of that summer. I was 20 and she was 19 when God joined us, and I have been “We” ever since. I thought I married a Princess; turned out she’s a Queen. Our greatest production to date is our 4 part complete set of Little Princesses of our own. These things, too, are His doing.

Our friends aren’t many in volume, but are of highest value; if it’s really possible to be loyal to a fault, we hope it our greatest fault; I’m not exactly sure what “family oriented” means, but I think we’re probably pretty stubbornly family oriented. Our chief desires are to love Him (because He first loved us), and to know Him and make Him known. This is paramount; everything else about me is peripheral.

Peripherally speaking, however- I celebrate all 12 days of Christmas; I’m down with CS Lewis; I count Robert Murray M’Cheyne a hero; I dig listening to Vaughan Williams, Johnny Cash, or Otis Redding; and, I’m convinced Norman Rockwell, Gene Kelly, Laurel and Hardy, Cary Grant, Alfred Hitchcock, Walter Payton and Abraham Lincoln … the GREATEST OF ALL TIME (!) in their respective fields. Again, we were raised well.

I suppose you deserve a little background about my person before endeavoring to read anything like a “blog” that I may produce.  As you may have discerned by the use of those quotation marks I am a blogging novice, but I’ll make a go of it nonetheless.

I love my God to distraction and truly long for a day when I sit at His very feet and may marvel in person.  I was saved at 7 years of age but I quickly backslid and didn’t truly turn my eyes and heart back to the Lord until I was 18.  I read, “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” And happily He has been my LORD ever since.  I know by experiential knowledge that the God of heaven and earth pursues the hearts of His children more earnestly than we have a finite example for.

About 5 years ago I became ill.  The following years to present have been filled with many a doctors office, many a specialist, but as of yet there has not been found answer to my ailment or relief.  I have a constant pain that has increased over the years.  This means I have spent a great deal of the last five years weak and in bed, however it also means that I have had hour upon countless hour to be comforted and encouraged by our sweet Jesus.  He has never left me to despair of His care or love, of these things I am assured.  It also means that I have spent many a day digging through old hymns, an activity well suited for the confines of a bed.  It is now a favorite pastime of mine.

I think there never lived a girl more simple than myself.  I am most pleased when found in a good chair or grassy knoll, accompanied by a coffee or tea, with a good book in hand (preferably authored by an Englishman in days long past).  I am a 24 year old, have a severe love for England and it is the dream of my heart to call it my earthly home one day (as of yet I’ve not set my feet upon its beloved soil).  Currently I am having a great time being a nanny for my almost 3 year old niece, we enjoy making silly faces, going to libraries, and baking.

Well, I’d say that about sums me up.

grace & peace

Sara N.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; A time not to blog, and a time to blog” Ecclesiastes 3:1–2 (ESV)

OK, I made that last part up.  But that’s what I’m thinking. The time has come for me to wake the blog up.  I put it to sleep through a very busy season, and now it’s time for that season to end and a new one to begin.  I hope one or two of you are still interested in hanging around, reading & contributing a little in the new year.

I’m interested to know what some of you are looking forward to in 2011.  Any goals being set, plans being made, desires for something new?  I think resolutions and goals can be a good thing.  Among my goals are a commitment to blogging, journalling, reading, and riding (my bike).

As for the blog, I’m still working on some plans.  I’ve asked a few friends to be guest contributors.  I will be introducing them in January, and I’m really looking forward to hearing from them.  These are individuals that I believe have a unique gift in writing, and they have something to say (a great combo).  You’ll meet them soon.

For now, I (the blog) just want you to know that I’m waking up .. and looking forward to 2011.

Why do we want to study so great a mystery?  Because it’s true.

Says J.I. Packer,

“The historic formulation of the Trinity . . . seeks to circumscribe and safeguard this mystery (not explain it; that is beyond us), and it confronts us with perhaps the most difficult thought that the human mind has ever been asked to handle. It is not easy; but it is true.”

We briefly discussed these three essential Biblical truths:

We made our way through some of the passages that give to us the fact that our God, though One, is three persons:

Gen 1:1-2; 26

Luke 1:35

Matt 3:16-17

Matt 28:19

Eph 1:3-14

1 Peter 1:1-2

Titus 3:4-6

2 Cor 13:14

Eph 4:4-6

Jude 20-21

John 14:11,16-17

SUMMARY: As we grow to more deeply understand the saving plan of God the Father, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and the sealing of the Holy Spirit, we become more intimately thankful to each member of the Trinity .. And we learn be content with mystery .. and instead to sing: “Holy, holy, holy, merciful & mighty, God in three persons, blessed Trinity!”

A.W. Tozer – “Love and faith are at home in the mystery of the Godhead.  Let reason kneel in reverence outside.”

I will say this:  I am so glad that God is knowable .. and that what we know about Him is more than amazing!!  Eternal, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Sovereign .. AND .. merciful, gracious, slow to anger and abounding with lovingkindness!!!

God is Good .. He is in control .. and He is so kind.

“It has been said by someone that ‘the proper study of mankind is man.’ I will not oppose the idea, but I believe it is equally true that the proper study of God’s elect is God; the proper study of a Christian is the Godhead. The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father.” - C.H. Spurgeon

Last night we considered the foundation of Holy Scripture.  It’s…

• Authority
• Clarity
• Necessity
• Sufficiency

Martin Luther said, “When Scripture speaks, God speaks”.  That is our conviction as well.  That simple but profound statement is why Christians believe that Scripture is our highest authority by which all other lesser authorities are tested.  Practically, this means that lesser courts of reason, tradition, and culture are under the highest court of truth, which is divinely inspired Scripture.

The Christian life DOESN’T only start with the Bible, but it ALSO thrives through the Bible.  Jesus said in Matthew 4:4 “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” The Bible is necessary to our spiritual life and health in the same way good food is necessary to our physical life and health.  To neglect the Bible, therefore, is to neglect your spiritual life!!

Because Scripture is God speaking to us, we memorize, meditate, study, teach, and share his truth.  Everything in life and ministry is guided by the truth of Scripture.   Everything good is a result of the truth of Biblical revelation being used by God the Holy Spirit to change our lives so we look more like Jesus both individually as Christians and corporately as the church.

We passionately want this for all of you .. We want the Bible in your hand, the Holy Spirit in your heart, other Christians in your life, and Jesus on your horizon …

My goal over the next 10 weeks is to provide and promote:

1. Definition – To bring understanding and clarity to essential Christian doctrine
2. Unification – To know what we as a church unite around and unitedly pass down to the next generation
3. Edification – The goal is love.  If love doesn’t result from these studies .. we’ve missed (1 Cor 13)
4. Transformation – Information is not the end .. transformation is (Rom 12:1).  Changed lives is what God desires!!

What I am looking to avoid over the next 10 weeks:

1. Needless controversy & debate – 1 Timothy 1:1-7.
2. Vain discussions – Read 1 Timothy 1:1-7 again.
3. Egg Head Christianity – Holy Tadpoles (giant disproportionate heads & tiny little bodies)
4. Divisions – Titus 3:9-11

I’m also planning to keep the blog active during this period so check back here often (or subscribe to the RSS feed) so that we can have conversations about what we’re studying and hopefully answer some questions that you might have along the way.