Pathways

Abstain [10.7.2007] Podcast

toddolges@earthlink.net (Fellow Traveler) — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 09:56:00 -0600

A new series of teaching on learning to align our lives with God and how subtracting some things in our lives for a short period of time can help us to listen more clearly!

Be (Free) [9.30.2007]

toddolges@earthlink.net (Fellow Traveler) — Tue, 2 Oct 2007 08:19:00 -0600

God's love is given to us to make dead things come alive. His forgiveness was extended towards us to give us a hope and a future that we didn't earn and certainly don't deserve. The promise, "never will I leave you, never will I forsake you" is given to us straight from God's heart. With all this commitment to a relationship with us, why wouldn't God be concerned with anything that would become a barrier to His work in our lives? Listen and see what God may be saying to you about being stumped in life and the one way to get unstuck!

Relational Reality [8.19.2007] Podcast

toddolges@earthlink.net (Fellow Traveler) — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 15:07:00 -0600

Our key relationships help to shape our world. With that in mind we would be wise to select friendships that reflect the work of God in our lives. Listen as we begin the conversation of what to look for in a true friend and how you in turn can be a true friend.

Priority Mail [8.12.2007] Podcast

toddolges@earthlink.net (Fellow Traveler) — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 10:36:00 -0600

When I get a package that says "Priority" on it, I just can't wait to open it! It has this mystical and all encompassing power to lure me away from anything that I was previously doing and I end up focusing on this priority package. That is exactly how God desires us to feel about Him. At the top of our priority list should be our relationship with God, but too often things seem to get in the way. Listen and see what God may be saying to you about the condition of your relationship with Him!

Disconnect --> Reconnect [8.5.2007] Podcast

toddolges@earthlink.net (Fellow Traveler) — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 08:54:00 -0600

Disconnects happens all the time...the cell signal fades, someone hangs up, the cord comes unplugged. The question for those following Jesus is, "what do I do when I become relationally disconnected from following in an area of my life?" It can seem like a daunting task, even overwhelming at times as life can become confused and we become disoriented, but reconnection is not hard. However it does begin with a choice. Listen as see if there are areas of your life that may need to be reconnected!

What I learned on vacation

toddolges@earthlink.net (Fellow Traveler) — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 14:10:00 -0600

Recently I returned from a two week trip with my family, my dad, and my brother. It's kind of strange, but natural I guess for people to react after the loss of someone they hold dear. This vacation I think was our way of dealing with the death of my mom earlier this year. In the planning of it I learned that we were all way to ambitious for we came up with a trip where we would travel 5,800 miles in two weeks! A little over the top, but we ended up traveling 3,600 miles anyway.

During the trip it was great to have the time together and while we had no major disagreements or arguments along the way...let's just say it's good to be out of the car! We were all struck with the amazing scenery God created for us to take in. The Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Tahoe, Redwoods, and the Coast Highway were all highlights. Each had it's own beauty and mystique about it. The thing we noticed the most was the contrast between what God had made and what man had made. Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and L.A. were also along our route, but they seemed pale - dim in the reflection of the greatness of creation.

This trip made me feel small...really small...and that's saying something for me! LOL! It was inspiring and almost haunting to see the beauty put on display as we saw one incredible vista after another. My kids were equally amazed as we stood with our feet on the edge of the Canyon or when we stood in the middle of a burned out tree with plenty of space to spare. It was magnificent in every sense of the word.

I'm really glad I went on this trip with my dad. His health isn't the best and I don't know how long I'll have him here. One thing is for certain...God is amazing! His grace to allow us on a trip of this magnitude was simply beyond words for me. I guess the thing I took away from this vacation is what I always seem to come back to...the people in my life are so important. I wouldn't have enjoyed the journey as much if I hadn't shared it with others! Thanks God for the people you've placed around me to do life with!

Juggling 101 [7.29.2007] Podcast

toddolges@earthlink.net (Fellow Traveler) — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 14:08:00 -0600

Ever tried to juggle? Even the most skilled at juggling have limits to what they can keep going. The same is true of life. We live in a culture that is crammed full of activity, but are we majoring in the minors? Listen and see why getting on track with God's priorities should be top on our list!

i dance [7.8.2007] Podcast

toddolges@earthlink.net (Fellow Traveler) — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 09:25:00 -0600

It's sad, but too often joy and celebration just aren't part of the Christian experience. Sadly, being "spiritually mature" often gets translated into being a wet blanket. Why is it so foreign in the church to experience laughter and celebration as part of life? Why is life in the church so different than life outside the church? Listen and see what God may be saying to you about the vital role that joy and celebration have in the life of every Christian! We were made to dance!

i hurt [7.1.2007] Podcast

toddolges@earthlink.net (Fellow Traveler) — Wed, 4 Jul 2007 14:31:00 -0600

It's not a question of "if" one will experience hurt and pain in life, it's "when"! Hurt is a part of the human experience, but not navigating it well can lead you to some wrong conclusions about life. Listen and see how a season of hurt can be walked through in a way that can bring healing, restoration, and wholeness to ones life!

i fail [6.17.2007] Podcast

toddolges@earthlink.net (Fellow Traveler) — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 11:17:00 -0600

Failure is a part of life and it's not if you will experience it in life...it's when! Handling failure in a positive way is critical because if it is handled poorly it can effect ones future. Listen to the story of King David's greatest failure and how he recovered from it. Failure is not fatal in God's economy and that was true for David and that is true for you!

Summer Is Here!

toddolges@earthlink.net (Fellow Traveler) — Wed, 30 May 2007 15:30:00 -0600

So, if you're like me you have already planned out the summer. As a matter of fact my summer has been planned for months, but because of recent events this Spring I'm looking at each opportunity a little differently. When my mom died back in March it caused me to pause and reflect about the fragile nature of life. I've helped others through the death of a loved one and I've helped those that were dying, but this was really different for me.

I remember my father-in-law saying that it feels really lonely when both your parents are gone. I can definitely see what he was talking about, but I'm determined to make the most of the time I have with my dad. The hope of heaven and seeing mom again is a precious promise and I miss her so much - I wish she was going to be apart of all the summer activities that are planned. Thank you, God for your gracious gift of the time I did have with her - she was a remarkable woman.

One of the things I'm not too sure mom would have been very pleased with was our upcoming vacation. She would love to have gone, but the manner in which we're doing it and the money that is planned to be spent would have bothered her. We're going all techy with GPS locators and DVD & game systems for the kids - even renting an SUV for the trip to make it more comfortable as we travel 3,100 miles over two weeks.

We're going to see some great places...the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Vegas, Yosemite, Tahoe, Oregon Caves, and the Red Wood Forest. I can't wait to see my kids react as they see all of these places for the first time. We're doing this trip with my brother and my dad, which should make for some great memories.

Let me just encourage you to savor life - don't wait on that thing you've been holding off on. Seize the day for what God has made it to be and don't worry so much about tomorrow. Life is a precious thing and it's fleeting, so live now and stop postponing the journey. That's how I see it anyway!

All Crossed Up [5.27.2007] Podcast

toddolges@earthlink.net (Fellow Traveler) — Wed, 30 May 2007 15:28:00 -0600

What happens when Sabbath is practiced in a wrong way, in ways it was never intended by our Creator? What happens when Sabbath turns from life giving to burdensome? Listen and see what we can learn from those that got it wrong and learn to guard your heart from allowing things to get off track.

Pause [5.20.2007] Podcast

toddolges@earthlink.net (Fellow Traveler) — Wed, 30 May 2007 15:26:00 -0600

Sabbath is a concept that we've lost in our culture. The idea of learning to recenter ones heart and refocus their lives towards our Creator is a precious gift from God. Listen and see what God may be calling you into and see if it isn't time you take some time for Sabbath!

Renamed & Set Free [5.13.2007] Podcast

toddolges@earthlink.net (Fellow Traveler) — Mon, 14 May 2007 18:52:00 -0600

What is in a name? A name has meaning and can define whatever it is attached to. Each of us were given a name by someone, but have anyone you ever considered the names you carry around that came about by your experiences or your circumstances. Listen and see how the message in Revelation is one of great hope and great expectation as Jesus promises us a new name that is in line with how we were created!

In Harms Way [5.6.2007] Podcast

toddolges@earthlink.net (Fellow Traveler) — Mon, 7 May 2007 23:47:00 -0600

In Revelation 12...A pregnant woman, a dragon, 2 beasts, and tons of imagery. Have you ever considered that being a follower of Jesus means that you've got a bulls eye attached to your chest; a laser site is aimed at your heart. Listen and see what significance the imagery in Revelation 12 and 13 has on our lives today.

Overcoming The Culture [4.29.2007] Podcast

toddolges@earthlink.net (Fellow Traveler) — Sat, 5 May 2007 13:17:00 -0600

How does a follower of Jesus live in a culture where the values and practices are so different and even at times opposed to the way? What should our response be when there is opposition that stands in the way? Listen and see what Jesus calls us to do and see why the call to overcome is as important for us today as it was back in the first century.

Jesus As Shepherd [4.15.2007] Podcast

toddolges@earthlink.net (Fellow Traveler) — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 15:27:00 -0600

Have you ever wondered how Jesus would lead a church? The book of Revelation contains 7 messages to seven actual churches that give us insight into the things that move the heart of Jesus and things that should be avoided. Listen and see what God may be saying to you!

Reigning Images [4.8.2007] Podcast

toddolges@earthlink.net (Fellow Traveler) — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 15:25:00 -0600

Join in and listen as the exploration of the book of Revelation begins. See how it speaks to us through the use of images to reveal a picture of Jesus that we may have never considered. Find out how this important book of the Bible is relevant for us today and calls us to live with an alternative mindset and outlook on the world we live in.

Learning To Listen [4.1.2007] Podcast

toddolges@earthlink.net (Fellow Traveler) — Thu, 5 Apr 2007 20:34:00 -0600

Rounding out the "Living Wisely" series of teaching in this Podcast we examine the importance of wise counsel when making decisions. We've all made decisions we wish we could go back and remake, but learning to value the insight and input of others can prevent us from making regretable decisions. Listen and see what Godly counsel surrounds your life!

Timing Is Key [3.25.2007] Podcast

toddolges@earthlink.net (Fellow Traveler) — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 08:00:00 -0600

Managing the time we've been given is a challenge. There are a multitude of options where we can invest our time and some of them are really good, but there are precious few that are really great! Listen and see what God may be saying to you about how your time is spent and begin asking the bigger question as it relates to time and our lives!

A Good Story

toddolges@earthlink.net (Fellow Traveler) — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 09:54:00 -0600

Recently someone very close to me...someone I cherised, passed away. It's been one of the contributing factors why I haven't been able to keep up with my blog like I had hoped to do. Life has seasons to it and I've been coming through a season of mourning as a chapter in my story has been completed.

Right from the start, from the moment she became sick and I was told that her future was not looking very good...I began praying that God, the Author of all story, would right a good ending to this story. Little did I fully realize what that prayer was really saying and how God, in His gracious and wonderful way granted my request!

I've learned so much about story and how it is what our lives are really about. It's not so much that some things are good or bad as much as they just are. The reality is we live in a fallen world and people get sick. It doesn't mean that is what I want or that I'm happy about it, but it does mean that I can allow God to bring things to a good conclusion and did He ever!

I watched as my mom gave testimony about her love for God and His love for her. I watched as she never once waivered in her intensity that she should share this with anyone and everyone that came into her room. I watched as she finally seemed to get that she had a huge impact on those around her. I watched as she never showed any hint of fear as she faced an uncertain path of recovery - a recovery that never came.

There is such comfort to know that she has seen the face of Jesus...that she no longer hurts and that she has been made whole...but I miss her greatly! Thank you God for being there for my mom and thank you for the assurance that I'll see her again! I love you, mom!

The Razor's Edge [3.18.2007]

toddolges@earthlink.net (Fellow Traveler) — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 09:51:00 -0600

Our culture loves to bait us to live our lives at the edge of the ledge, but God has a different desire for the way we live. Listen as we explore the what it means to live with wisdom regarding morality and how doing so can protect oneself in the sexually charged environment we live in.

Three Monkeys [3.11.2007]

toddolges@earthlink.net (Fellow Traveler) — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 16:01:00 -0600

I had some fun with this one by using the three monkeys - hear no evil, speak no evil, and see no evil to illustrate 3 very important perspectives to be aware of as life choices. Open up your Bible to Proverbs and listen in as we dive in to see what God's Word says about three options for living in an unwise manner.

Ask The Right Question [3.4.2007] Podcast

toddolges@earthlink.net (Fellow Traveler) — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 15:57:00 -0600

Start of a new series of teaching, "Living Wisely". We all make decisions, but have you ever stopped to think about what is behind the decisions you are making? What motivates them? How are options weighed? What makes a "good" decision for you? Listen and see if God wants you to begin asking a different question in your life. See if it doesn't challenge your decision making paradigm!

How To Die In A Life Giving Way [2.18.2007] Podcast

toddolges@earthlink.net (Fellow Traveler) — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 11:44:00 -0600

What would it look like in a world where we looked at one another as image bearers of who God is? How might it change our interactions and attitudes, especially in the sexual realm? What if we held out a different thinking on sex than simply "casual", "friends with benefits" or only defining it in the physical. What if we began seeing sex as a holy act...as much so as praying, serving, giving, or fasting? As image bearers of Almighty God, can we do no less?