How West was One

An eye witness account of a small Texas town pulling itself up by its bootstraps

by Michael Tummillo

As a Workplace Chaplain, I received a call Friday night while having dinner with my wife. It was the Director of Nurses at Park Plaza Nursing Home in Whitney, about 90 minutes south of me. One of the Survivors of the West explosion, a 96-year old woman I'll call "Mrs. K," like so many other Residents had been relocated after the blast that destroyed the nursing home there. Though the people of Park Plaza are great and the facility runs like a Swiss watch, she was understandably scared, longing for familiar faces, and though she requested a Catholic priest, was going to be stuck with me on Sunday morning when I made my way to West for the last of my four days of ministry there with the Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN).

Mrs. K and I got along swimmingly. Since so many Residents of the West nursing home lost the use of their hearing aids when the fertilizer plant exploded, I was warned I'd have to speak loudly into her ear. So, after an introduction by a new employee, also a West Survivor, I pulled a chair up next to the bed and listened to, talked and prayed with Mrs. K. At times she cried. Several times she told me how glad she was God sent me, even though I wasn't a Catholic priest. She seemed encouraged, believing maybe God still had a purpose for an old woman in a nursing home bed.

At the Knights of Columbus facility in West, representatives were there from Red Cross, Billy Graham's ministry, Salvation Army, and others, including about a dozen ADRN Volunteers. Consisting of people from many different churches, some of those with the ADRN had traveled from the Austin area and at least one spent the night in her van. One woman had been there eight days, having taken one day off to tend to her family.

At four o'clock, there was a Town Hall meeting at the Knights of Columbus Hall. I volunteered to attend and was there with several others from the ADRN, taking notes. Right off the bat, I met a man in a wheel chair who had been attending a meeting in that building the night of the explosion. I listened as he described hearing the initial blast followed by the bursting of around eight fluorescent lighting tubes as they fell from about the height of a basketball court. Terrifying!

There were grateful applause when the Mayor and other city officials gave thanks to relief workers, churches, and volunteers and informed us the local VFW had given away 16,000 plates of food already. That's even more significant when one considers they were not the only organization in town who were feeding people. I have a friend whose daughter works for Texas Roadhouse in Waco which was there with a crew feeding people. I personally ate three times at the Salvation Army truck and saw a smoker in the distance permeating the air with sausage and brisket.

Speaking of Waco, after a meeting with 19 churches there yesterday, they have officially decided to start their own version of the ADRN and will soon begin training and casting the net. Wonder what they'll call their organization?

I believe every town could learn from what I witnessed today. They talked about how so much bottled water was being consumed, green recycling trash barrels were going to be placed all over town. They discussed how 30 PODS were going to be brought in and how, even though there would be a fee, it should be covered by insurance under the loss of use of their homes. The Mayor mentioned that lawyers were going to be offering their services May 1st at no charge.

The Superintendent of Schools proudly informed us that only 5 kids missed class on the first day back to school after the blast out of 450 students. Impressive! The school buildings were being evaluated while the kids attended neighboring community schools and some communities even loaned them their buses.

In my estimation, close to 400 Residents were in attendance and the Mayor informed them their water bills remained due for March through April. He also requested participation on a survey they will soon be circulating asking what was right and wrong about how they're doing the things needed to re-establish their town. He also mentioned all mail was being held at the Post Office and invited folks to go and get theirs.

Next, they began discussing "Re-Entry." The Mayor said the curfew would remain in effect Monday, adding that DPS officers would be gradually be reduced as the transition to local law enforcement began. He said Contractors would be welcome starting Monday and there were additional comments made by other speakers warning of "fly-by-night" Contractors who were heading to West in order to profit off tragedy. The city will be doing whatever it can to monitor all Contractors. The City Council is meeting Monday regarding requirements before anyone can do business in West. They asked that all Attendees make their friends aware of such con-artists. Another speaker warned to pay no money up-front, ask questions, get estimates in writing. He said they were putting together a list of 20-30 questions they would be circulating that should be asked of any Contractor.

The Mayor reminded Attendees they were responsible for removing their own debris and said they are working with the landfill in an effort to make this as "Green" a clean-up as possible. For example, they want to keep metal and bricks out of the landfill. They would like to keep all debris separated from each other. Good thinking.

Six counties have committed to assisting with the West restoration. Sewer smoke tests revealed how, overall, they were in good shape. Water and gas were being pressurized for leaks. The infrastructure was a priority, the Mayor assured. When someone in the crowd asked about FEMA, the Mayor said Governor Perry had declared West a Disaster Area for debris removal and the paperwork was sitting on Obama's desk. This declaration would include small business loans and public aid for infrastructure. He said, after speaking with Perry, the Governor said he'd had no response from the President so far.

This disaster has had a $24 MILLION impact on the community of West's tax base. The Mayor said he personally filed a formal protest with the Appraisal District for his own home and advised others to do likewise. 

The Vice President of the Texas Association of Builders also addressed the crowd. He said a task force had been established and they were determined to act quickly. He added they were talking with local leadership about putting together a Summit where, in one place, all at one time,  they could help people navigate this re-building process. That Summit is to be announced. He mentioned a resource guide called "Helping West Re-Build" which includes "How to re-build with confidence: Ask a Professional." He also mentioned the "Texas Builders Care" foundation adding how many of them have been personally affected by this disaster, too. He said they want to help re-build right, fast and fair.

The Mayor received a text stating the PODS were being delivered to the Nursing Home. 

Another man gave some "fun facts," as he referred to them. He said forty-two 18-wheelers had already come to West delivering goods along with another twenty delivering water. He added one hundred thousand donations had come in including everything imaginable in order to re-establish households.

At one point, the Mayor acknowledged the attendance of a woman who is the great, great granddaughter of Thomas West, for whom the town is named, and she was warmly received by the crowd.

Another text: the Mayor had just learned the town of Burleson had written a $7200 check to West. More applause.

An African Catholic priest named Father Anthony was summoned to the stage to offer words of wisdom and hope. Did he ever deliver! The man is black and lives in Rome and is obviously much-beloved by the folks of West. He was impressive! Downright Pentecostal in his delivery and even got me fired up with his fiery speech!

The best information came from a woman who explained how the city was creating a 501c3 in order to dispense funds received. They had been wisely meeting with folks from Bastrop and other disaster Survivors s in an attempt to keep from re-inventing the wheel. The over-all plan was to create committees representing thousands that would all be Citizen-run but those citizens need NOT be from West. It would be a long-term recovery program (3 to 5 years) and they had note pads lining the platform requesting anyone who was interested to leave their contact information. They would require a 60 to 90 day commitment. They'd need a resume' and they would be operating under the assumption there would be NO FEDERAL AID. She added there were people writing grants in an effort to acquire more funds.

She mentioned the Committees: 

-Accounting/Financial

-Reconstruction/Housing

-Volunteer Management

-Donations (She added, officially, the need for goods HAS BEEN MET - but Financial needs still exist; Goods can be acquired at Point West and State National Banks)

-Consolidation of Inventory

-Communications (Word Press, DataBase Management)

-Executive Director (Overseeing 30 to 50 people, managing budget)

-Advisory Committee (Respected West business people representing 25 organizations)

She also mentioned there were groups wanting to lease commercial space who need information and invited local Real Estate agents. She also talked about lost pets and mentioned a trailer with 16 computers and printers set-up in front of the library. Attendees were told they can surf, shop, print and do homework there and help was available for those lacking in computer skills.

The Mayor returned to the microphone with another text: West had just received a check for $40,000 from the Larry Joe Taylor concert.

Just like any couple going through their own calamity, a town can either fall apart or fall together during disaster. From where I sat today, West is bound and determined to rise from the ashes of this disaster. I'm certain I'm not alone when I say I will always remember the town of West and will pray unceasingly for their redemption.

Incidentally, before I left the parking lot to head home, I noticed I had received a call. I pulled over, afraid I might lose the signal, and called back. It was a woman with four kids and a father on kidney dialysis. The couple who owns Park Plaza Nursing Home has offered a 3-bedroom home they own, free of charge for 30 days, coming available in Whitney on May 1st. Word of this home was made known to the ADRN Volunteers and had made its way to this ecstatic mother. She was thrilled! I promised to meet her at the house on the 1st and encouraged her to spend no money on food or furnishings, especially after the town meeting I had just attended. She promised she would take advantage of what was available and she blessed me.

Yes, I am blessed, not only by West, but by the many things I have for which I am so grateful yet, like so many others, have taken for granted. Count your blessings tonight. I sure will. 

Can your community learn from the West explosion? Boy, I did.

Every blessing,

Michael Tummillo

Turning Employees into DEPLOYEES!

For far too many, Christianity can be defined by two things: 1) Church attendance and 2) Being good. Can we all agree that our #1 objective as Christians should be to advance the Kingdom of God? In order to do so with effectiveness, it's good to wrap our minds around this Kingdom thing.

1) We have a King. Kings are not Presidents or Prime Ministers. No, they are BORN into Kingship. Our King, Jesus, will live forever and proved Himself King of the Universe by conquering death, hell and the grave and doing all the wonderful miracles He did - including resurrecting the dead - during His earthly ministry.

2) He has a Kingdom. The word "kingdom" comes from the Greek "basilea" which means "dominion." Jesus said "The Kingdom of God is within you" and "it does not come with observation." In other words, you can't plan a day trip and get there. The King's Dominion is within you because HE is in you by His Spirit and, if we are to do greater things than He did "because He went to be with the Father," we have to abide in the Kingdom of God. Righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost...THAT is the Kingdom of God.

3) He wants EVERYBODY in the Kingdom. They can't all get there unless they know about it, right? Who's ging to tell them if not us? How can we tell them if we, ourselves, don't get it? That's why Jesus and His disciples went around teaching about the Kingdom. We should follow that example.

4) He wants to provide for you there. That same Kingdom pantry from which Jesus drew the loaves and fishes, seeing eyes, functioning body parts, is available to you, too. Not only will you find all your personal needs there, but anything you need for others is there, too. Go and get it!

5) He wants to advance that Kingdom with you and through you. Are you available? Are you ready?

Jesus said He came as an example. You may have noticed how most of His ministry was done in the Marketplace, the same place we spend up to 70% of our lives today. Now THAT is an example the Army of God should follow! Speaking of God's Army, Pastors, are you equipping your congregation for their weekly battlefield deployment commonly known as "work"? Do the folks in your church see themselves as ministers, or merely as worker bees whose only responsibility is to toss money in the basket so you can pay salaries and keep lights on? Very few will find a sense of fulfillment in that. 

Did you know, according to surveys, up to 97% of all Christians have never heard a sermon relating biblical principles to their work life? Work is a holy calling; a blessing. This ministry need not be kept within the four walls of an institutional church. In my humble opinion, it's high time we start blending the sacred with the secular. 

I've been a Workplace Chaplain for nearly 7 years. My encounters with Employees - and their encounters with Christ in me, the hope of glory - would fill volumes. I am driven to give my ministry away by encouraging others they need not be called a "Chaplain" in order to function in that role. I want them to know their ministry at work is every bit as important as the Ephesians 4:11 role of the 5-fold ministries. The Father is looking for people who are simply AVAILABLE, especially in the place where so much of life is being spent.

If you would appreciate an impartation from me for your congregation, school or Christian workplace, just ask. Write miketummillo@me.com, type "WORK" in your Subject Bar and include your contact information.

Every blessing,

Michael Tummillo

Founder, The Church @ Work

Please FORWARD to your town newspaper, your church, your contacts...

Go West! 

A small Texas town sets a shining example for us all in times of trouble

by Michael Tummillo

Imagine, if you can, driving through your peaceful small town on a bright sunny day - Ol' Glory waving at the courthouse, familiar businesses that have stood the test of time, a few new franchise restaurants, birds chirping, the elementary school everyone you know once attended, familiar landmarks. 

Now, imagine them all destroyed in a moment of terror. Obliterated. Wiped off the map. Charred, fragmented, smoldering in pieces everywhere you look. To add to this disastrous scene, dozens upon dozens of people have been either killed, wounded, or became instantly unemployed when the place they worked disintegrated and they now face very few local opportunities to either work or relocate.

Sad.

What you've just envisioned is exactly what's happened to West, Texas. I'm a Workplace Chaplain for Ekklesia HealthCare in Whitney. Texas. As a Volunteer Chaplain with the Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN) - 3,000 Volunteers from 112 different churches in the Austin area - I've just spent the past three days in West, attempting to assist survivors of the recent explosion in taking a small bite out of the horrible elephant they're all trying to eat. It seems insurmountable. Many folks are in a zombie-like state. Others are quite emotional. Some seem hopeless, even suicidal. Still others are hiding behind a mask of positivity and even faith. Truth is, nobody comes through a disaster of this kind completely unscathed.

The injuries! I have seen people with swollen eyes and bruises, burns and cuts, arms in slings, eye patches and bandages where pieces of glass were removed. Some had deep bloody pits where, apparently, something had become embedded in their skin. Today, I saw a woman with stitches running down the side of her face, right through the center of her ear into her cheek. One grandmother showed me a cell phone photo of her 2-year old grandbaby, before and after. In the first picture, there was an adorable baby girl with curly brown hair. In the next, there she was, head shaved, face scraped horribly, glass in her eyes, her skull fractured.  The stories kept coming and coming.

I saw grown men weep uncontrollably. I've heard tearful descriptions of bloodied body parts in the street. I listened as my very first encounter was with a grandmother who cried as she described naked children lying dead in the street while she fought with the blinding black smoke in an effort to breathe. A television was forced into the sheetrock on the wall behind it. A sad, 6-year old boy was in the hallway which was all that was left standing after the blast. Though his house was gone, all he could say was, "I lost all my stuff." 

There were miracles, too. Folks were thrilled to share what God had done to spare them. A car positioned just right, deflecting the incoming debris. A dream warning an old woman the night before. A man in his yard, talking on his cell phone, moved just in time to miss the blast. 

Please pray for the people who lost a loved one. The whole town is so sad and grieving. Please pray for those who saw things no one should ever have to see. Please pray for the local churches as all its ministers attempt to offer prayer and counseling. Please pray for the Volunteers, too. On the ADRN team alone, folks were spending money on gas and hotels and slept in cars. I drove 90 minutes each way myself and got hopelessly lost coming home that first night. Ugh! Maybe I was just too preoccupied with my thoughts. Tired, too. Today, due to cold and windy weather, those reaching out for assistance were considerably fewer. Remember, it was warm when the explosion took place and many had no winter clothes after they left their homes. Those who have been allowed back home are being told not to eat anything or wear anything because of the ammonium nitrate all over everything. Great! How are they supposed to job hunt without looking presentable?

I couldn't help but notice how few were prepared for this incident. A simple Bug-out Bag in the trunk filled with a 3-day supply of food, water and some warm clothes would have been a blessing to many. Instead, far too many would up standing in line and at the mercy of relief agencies and FEMA (who had not shown up since the explosion until I left at 4:30 this afternoon. So much for government assistance). A little self-reliance can be a really good thing. If any group would be interested in receiving some "prepping" assistance, I do those presentations all the time.

Well-meaning folks keep asking me about donating clothes, food, even blood as well as their time. Thanks, but what West really needs is money. Folks need to get a nice outfit for job interviews, have their hair done, fill their car so they can travel to interviews and get to that new job, and the funds to pay for the hotel they wound up staying in with their kids. Walmart and HEB gift cards are the hottest tickets being distributed by Volunteers in West. We kept running out ourselves at the ADRN station. You can make a donation payable to ADRN, P.O, Box 3817, Cedar Park, TX 78630 ATTN: West, Texas Disaster Fund or go to ADRNTX.org. You can donate at SalvationArmy.com, too. Actually, there are quite a few places to donate.

While some in the vicinity are offering rooms in their own homes on a limited basis, others are renting a block of rooms at area hotels and paying for so many nights. Once that is made known, word spreads like wildfire. Those interested in that kind of a contribution need only tell me at miketummillo@me.com; I'll spread the word immediately!

Count your blessings next time you pray. Ask the Lord what you can do to offer the greatest amount of help to the greatest number of people. Give thanks for your job, your peaceful community, your healthy loved ones, too.

West, Texas exhibited a shining example of a community coming together in troubled times. I was impressed as I had never witnessed anything like that. The strength and resolve shown by most of the people I was privileged to talk to was inspiring, especially those who were in the nursing home that was destroyed. That staff - now unemployed - were gathering daily while we were there and were clinging to, loving and supporting one another. They expressed such deep love and concern for their Residents, too, now dispersed to nursing homes in other communities, including one of the nursing homes I serve in Whitney called Park Plaza where, as I can attest, they'll receive excellent care. One employee, now jobless, proudly shared how methodically her coworkers moved to rescue anyone whose lives were in peril, as if it were a well-rehearsed drill. Her eyes welled-up with tears as she shared about a woman with blood pouring from her head who went about assisting others despite her wound.

The end of the world as you know it doesn't have to be the result of some hellish explosion. For some, it could be the death of a child, divorce papers served, a pregnant teen, a son arrested for drug possession, the loss of a job, or a bad report from the doctor. My prayer for everyone reading this now, is that, if anything horrible ever happens to you, your community would rally and support you in the same way West, Texas - and ALL their surrounding communities - have come together the past few days. What I have been blessed to behold was truly a thing of beauty never to be forgotten.

This just in: Though my phone is ringing today from folks wanting to render assistance and the email's are pouring in with offers of homes and jobs, among those messages has just come this one: "The Abbott Volunteer Fire Department is a first responder unit and has 17 members. It was on the scene of the disaster in a few minutes.  Members of our department were lost in the explosion.  This is a tremendous loss.

 

A fund has been set up for the AVFD at:

 

First National Bank of Central Texas

300 East Elm Street

Hillsboro TX  76645

254-582-5365

 

Please note on the check:  Benefit of the AVFD.

WANTED: 

Disaster Pastors

Last Friday, I was privileged to address the committed Core Group of Chaplains affiliated with the Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN), a group of which I am one of the newest Members. It was over a 3-hour drive but well worth the drive; I hope the other Chaplains enjoyed it half as much as I did! I wanted to share with you some of what I shared with that group because I believe this applies to ALL Christians everywhere, Chaplains or not.

The ADRN Chaplains - along with all the 1,900 ADRN Volunteers, are Members of about 150 Austin area congregations. The ADRN really made a name for themselves during the Bastrop wildfire two years ago where 1700 homes were destroyed. By averaging 3.5 people per home, that adds up to, well... quite a few people who had not only lost everything, but scores were left dealing with an unimaginable new level of stress. Two years later, many are still dealing with their losses. Factor in those who had just lost a job or were barely making it as it was before the fire, those who whose marriages were falling apart, those whose kids were in jail, pregnant or doing drugs, and factor in those who have absolutely no spiritual life and you have a compounding of disasters yet to come, not the least of which include nightmares, divorces and suicides. Since Bastrop, the ADRN as a whole remains a dedicated, well-trained, well-equipped, background-checked, uniformed army of Austin-based Christians ready and waiting for the next regional calamity. It's not unlike a military unit being trained for combat during peace time, or a football team that never gets to play in a game. "How good are we at this thing?" might be a common thought among ADRN's dedicated Members.

I asked the Chaplains how long we can hang our hat on that Bastrop incident? We must not expect to wait until the NEXT local disaster presses us into action, not when there are increasing earthquakes in Yellowstone, a Bayou Corne, Louisiana sinkhole is a powder keg that could blow at any time while folks in New Orleans are reporting the smell of gas in the air and the New Madrid fault remains an ever-present danger. Toss into the mix the tornado and hurricane seasons due to blow in, our drought threatens to produce even more wildfires and, with all the sabre-rattling going on in North Korea, there's now talk of an Electro-magnetic Pulse (EMP) which could knock our nation back 100 years in terms if technology and communications.

In an instant, the ADRN could become the USDRN (United States Disaster Relief Network). In an instant, more could be required of us than we ever imagined, and there could be more of us required than we are currently ready to provide. 

As a Workplace Chaplain for seven years this September, I am now certified through ADRN as a "Disaster Pastor" and have also been certified through their Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) course as well as their rigid HAM Radio course. Truth is, I wish I didn't have to wear a shirt with "CHAPLAIN" in 3" letters across the back or have "Chaplain" imprinted on my business card or on a name tag. Why is that? As I see it, a Chaplain's mission is to bring The Church to the Workplace, the Critical Incident situation, the school, the grocery store... wherever we, the Body of Christ, happen to be at any given moment. When we look at it that way, we are ALL Chaplains. Though mostly untrained, every one of us can appropriate the power of the Holy Spirit within us to allow us to usher in Jesus as Lord of every situation. We can be thermostats among thermometers, setting rather than merely reading the temperature of an environment. Though some Chaplains happen to be seminary-trained or retired ministers, truth is, God is looking for whosever will say, "Here I am, send me!"

Anyone.

You see, our availability is all God needs to give Him the opportunity to do miracles through whosever has made themselves available in any situation, at any moment. THIS is the message we need to be relaying to all our Christian friends. All any of us needs for any situation is the Power of the Holy Spirit moving through us. Admittedly, the call to do anything is, in reality, the call to prepare. I get that. On the other hand, we serve an amazing God who can do amazing things with those who seem the least likely among us. David the shepherd comes to mind, future King of Israel, not to mention Jesus of Nazareth, born in a manger and King of the Universe.

What about you? Are you a Christian who is already DOING Chaplaincy work? Do you know how to pray? Do you know how to listen? Do you know how to serve? Do you know how to hold a hand and give direction to those whose lives have been turned upside-down? Do you know Jesus?

If you answered 'yes' to these questions, there's a place for you in ministry; it's called becoming a Chaplain. Someone reading this now just had a rocket go off in their spirit. I remember that feeling myself when I first learned of the Chaplaincy. No, you do not HAVE to join ADRN and you don't HAVE to wear a shirt with 3" letters that read "Chaplain" across  the back. Ibn fact, you don't have to wear a title at all; you can minister the love of Jesus right where you are, dressed as a cop, a nurse, a teacher, a soldier, a football player, a customer... all you need to be is available. Your gifts will make room for you.

Repeat this: "My availability gives God the opportunity to do miracles through me."

If you want to talk more about this subject, write me at miketummillo@me.com and provide your name and phone number. I'll be in touch!

One last thing... I'll be speaking at the Tipping Point gathering in San Antonio, Texas April 18-20. It's a "7 Mountains" presentation with over 30 speakers on a variety of topics for such a time as this. CLICK HERE for details.

View a 3min 42 sec motivational Bastrop YouTube video HERE.

Every blessing,

Michael Tummillo

Workplace Chaplain,Founder, The Church @ Work

miketummillo@me.com

When kings go to war!

It's Springtime. Easter was a few days ago. Right now, nations are rattling their sabres and there are wars and rumors of wars. Like I always say, as it is in the spiritual, so it is in the natural. With that in mind, I believe it's time for we, the kings of the Army of God, to arise from our bivouac. 

Yes, Springtime is king time! As we read in 2 Samuel 11: "In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war..."

Perhaps you'll remember this famous Bible story: "David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem..."

What?!! David - the inspirational Warrior King of Israel - sent others to do battle while he stayed home?!! Impossible! What was he going to do with himself? Wait and see...

"Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath."

Was Satan setting him up, or what? His army is laying their lives on the line while their king is napping and gawking?!! He was about to take the bait...

"He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, "She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite."

Because he wasn't off doing what a king should be doing... making war... he chose to make love. He fell into adultery with Uriah's wife, conspired to have him murdered, and wound up with a child who died at 7 days of age.

We're talking about King David... apple of God's eye, man after God's own heart, slayer of Goliath, a mighty warrior... and an adulterer and conspirator.

Say it isn't so!

When kings spring into action

Why did the kings go to war in the spring? Better weather, I guess, though it's raining as I write. I've read about the effects of weather on the world's armies throughout history and it can be an awful deterrent. Disease, insects, flooding, footing, morale, mobilization, advantages lost... so, by waiting for good weather, a king increases his odds of success.

Who are today's Biblical kings? WE ARE! We are referred to in Scripture as being part of an army of priests and kings, a kingdom of priests, a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. We are a priesthood of believers.

What makes us so "kingly"? Frankly, it doesn't have much to do with us at all. The Anointed One - Christos, in Greek, the King who was actually anointed as such - is Jesus. Kings are born, not elected, or appointed. His Kingdom, basilea, in Greek, actually means "dominion." As Jesus said to the Pharisees, "the Kingdom of God doesn't come with observation." In other words, you can't see it. He finished by saying "the Kingdom of God is within you." That's where it's hidden.

If the Kingdom was in THEM, surely it's in YOU, too, right? Yes, that's true. What's more, according to Romans 8:11, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you. Jesus is the Anointed Head (Christos) and we are His Body. He will never leave or forsake us (when was the last time your head left your body?).

Good enough for King David... how 'bout you?

What was it that made God refer to David as "a man after my own heart"? In Acts 13:22, we can read it plain as day: "After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.'"

That's it?? David would do everything God wanted him to do? As anyone can read about David, it sure doesn't look as though He did everything God wanted Him to. In fact, he made some pretty bone-headed decisions at times. Are we to believe that God could see David's heart's desire was to do all that was required of Him even when he chose physically NOT to do so? Is it all about one's heart and NOT one's physical actions? If I were to consider a quadriplegic, the answer would be 'yes.'

We would all have to admit total obedience is a pretty tall order. David was just a man and was unable to do what he really WANTED to do at all times. Based upon outward appearances, we can agree David seemed to miss the mark (we call this "sin") quite often. Fortunately, God, who is Spirit, looks inwardly, not outwardly. 1 Samuel 16:7 reminds us, "Man looks at the outside while God looks at the heart."

Yes, David was WILLING to do whatever God asked of him, even though he fell short from time to time, just as we ALL do (Rom 3:23), but God knew his heart, just as He knows yours and mine. Because of the Blood shed at Calvary, we are now the righteousness of God IN Christ. In other words, God sees only Christ in us, NOT all the carnal, worldly things we do that once separated us. We remain separated from God only in our minds (Colossians 1:21).

The trouble with Grace? It's ours but we don't feel worthy of it.

I can hear many Christians now... "That's greasy grace! You're saying people have a license to sin!" Folks, we don't NEED a license; we're going to sin any way. As long as we walk around in these earth suits, sin comes naturally. Adultery (Jesus referred to this as lusting in one's heart), Murder (Jesus referred to this as hatred of another), Stealing, Gluttony, Pride, Word Curses, Doubt, Unbelief... we're good at being bad.

Here's a test: Try NOT to think of a glass bowl filled with green and red M&M's. Now, try not to sin. Get the point?

Even if I COULD stop sinning, I would likely get prideful about that and THAT is a sin too. "Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God-through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Rom 7:24-25).

Yes, it's pretty obvious - I need a Savior! We ALL do. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 encourages us all: "...there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all..." We DO have a Savior! Our sins ARE forgiven! If that doesn't make us fall in love with God for His incredible plan for man, what will? Like David, yes, we are bound to mess up again. Fortunately, God sees only Jesus, the sinless One in whom we are hidden.

What don't we understand about God's grace? 

In a world where we are rewarded ONLY for doing good, we have difficulty relating to a life where the rule book has been destroyed. Reminds me of a friend whose home lies at the end of an airfield he owns. He told me I could drive fast as I wanted to all the way to his home on the runway because there was no legal speed limit. Get it?

I know. I know. Manmade Religion has devised all kinds of methods to achieve and ensure salvation - hoops for each Affiliate to jump through in order to confirm one's blessed assurance. What? The bloody cross wasn't good enough?! Believing in Jesus wasn't cutting it? Could it be that it takes something more than one's faith? Is it possible that even though so many of our manmade salvation techniques only serve to sow confusion and dissension, God allows them despite His hatred for anything that causes disunity (Prov 6:16)?

Nah!

It's time to go to war, kings... ALL of us, NOT merely the paid professionals and NOT with each other. In fact, of all those "one another" verses found in the New Testament, "KILL ONE ANOTHER" or "SPEAK BADLY OF ONE ANOTHER" are nowhere on the list.

Remember, we have an enemy and he's not US!

Every blessing,
Michael Tummillo, Founder, The Church @ Work

Attorney Mark Galloway answers the question: "What is the Iraqi Dinar?"

WHAT IS THE DINAR?

“Dinar” is the name of a currency like the dollar or the yen. Just as there are both U.S. and Canadian dollars, there are both Iraqi and Kuwaiti dinar. The symbol for Iraqi dinar on the exchange tables is IQD. But what is Iraqi dinar really? I mean, why do people care? What makes it so much more interesting than any other currency? About six  months ago I submitted a request to the IRS that explains it. A piece of that submission follows:

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1.02 Background & History of Issue
In  1990 the value of the Kuwaiti Dinar dropped from over $3.00 to less than $0.50  due to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait.  Many currency speculators bought Kuwaiti  dinar with a market value as low as $0.10.  When Kuwait’s government was restored, the value of the Kuwaiti dinar was reinstated.  Those who purchased  the currency for mere pennies were now able to exchange it for over $3.00.  Many  people became millionaires over night.  Kuwait became the nugget that sparked the equivalent of a modern day currency gold rush.

In response to Iraq’s  invasion of Kuwait, the United Nations Security Counsel (UNSC) placed severe  restrictions on trade with Iraq as well as adding other restrictions that would not be lifted until such time as a host of conditions had been met.  At the time  the restrictions were put in place, the Iraqi dinar (IQD) was trading at over  $3.00.  The currency immediately devalued.  Upon the invasion of Iraq by allied forces, the value of the currency dropped even further.

Currency  speculators who had profited from what had happened in Kuwait saw another  opportunity and purchased Iraqi Dinar (IQD) as low as $0.0001.  In 2004 IQD was  selling for about $0.0005.  For the past few years it has held stable at around  $0.0008.  The news of the potential for profit with IQD spread quickly.  For over  seven years people have been buying IQD as a speculative investment awaiting the  day that all of the UNSC restrictions are lifted, a full government is seated,  and (along with the International Monetary Fund (IMF)) the Iraqi government  revalues its currency to appropriate values based on its wealth of natural resources and other economic factors.

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What this means in the simplest terms is that if Iraq revalues its currency to appropriate levels, the 1,000,000 IQD that cost $1,000 USD to purchase would be worth $3,000,000 USD or maybe even more. Now you understand why people get excited. Even if there is only a slight chance that it could happen, there are thousands who believe it is worth risking a small sum for such a huge potential return.

I hope this blog will be a helpful place to come for information.

Best of Blessings,

Mark

Michael Tummillo here. If you are a Christian and are interested in keeping your money "In the Kingdom," I've been buying IQD's from Pastor Vincent Imperial the past three years. Many are speculating a revaluation (RV) is near, early as April 10th - though, as with all investments, there are NO GUARANTEES. If you've EVER blown money on anything stupid, well... this isn't one of those! I've been following this investment steadily the past three years and it's looking VERY promising. If you'd like some IQD, contact "Pastor Vinnie" at 850.255.1000 or email vincentimperial@cox.net. Tell him Michael sent you!

Let's talk about curse words

Sh*t, H*ll and D*mn are NOT curse words. Matter o' fact, you might be amazed at how commonly the "dirty words" we cringe at (but never use ourselves, right?) were used throughout Scripture. Until I moved to this dairy town, for example, I never thought I'd hear the word "t*t" used as much as I do around here in everyday conversation, in reference to a part of a cow's anatomy, of course. Even my own sons, when they were little boys, knew more about where babies came from just by living in this country town than I knew till I was twenty-one. I was shocked the first time I heard my youngest talking about a nursing cat, until I realized he wasn't trying to shock me. He'd merely become a country boy.

The King James Bible reads, "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ..."  (Philippians 3:8)

Dung? Some modern translations put it, "I consider them rubbish", "I count them as garbage", or even "filth."  Actually, though the Greek word being translated (skubalon) can also refer to literal animal dung, a colloquial equivalent might be something like "They're not worth a crap (or worse)." Don't gasp. Don't even laugh. I'm serious. You can find this kind of stuff all throughout Scripture. Frankly, the original languages of the Bible were none too squeamish about describing bodily fluids, functions and anatomical parts.

Personally, I'm not a "cussin'" person. That's probably because of a friend's mom who explained to me the reason my high school football coaches used so many "swear words" was because they weren't smart enough, or were too lazy, to find better words with which to express themselves. At that moment, I started looking at my coaches with pity rather than respect or fear. That perspective has served me well to this day.

Many years ago, I heard a black preacher named E.V. Hill speaking on Trinity Broadcasting Network with the Founders of TBN, Jan and Paul Crouch. He was talking about how he never realized how much cussin' went on in the black church until he got around Paul and Jan. He said, "We called it 'emphasis'."

As one who has served in church leadership, I could tell you stories that would curl your hair regarding cuss words and dirty jokes among church leaders. One that comes to mind was when I was sitting behind two church "leaders" and overheard one tell a joke to the other only moments before he took the pulpit. The joke included the "F" word, the queen mother of dirty words! I couldn't believe my ears.

Nevertheless, the words we most commonly refer to as curse words are merely sounds that come from our mouths. A REAL curse word can do insurmountable damage to the people Jesus died for.

What am I talking about? I'm referring to Word Curses. What are those? A Word Curse invokes harm or injury on someone by the very words that roll off our tongues. an ex-spouse, a neighbor, the President, for example. These curses even include those things we say about ourselves. Here's what the Bible says about the power of the spoken word: “With the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied; he will be satisfied with the product of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18: 20-21)

Yes, we will "eat the fruit" of what we say about ourselves as well as others. There is creative and destructive power in what we have to say. Some people grew up hearing bad things about themselves. If that's you, it may be time to reverse the curses spoken over you. Easter Sunday, my three-year old grandson was finished eating, patted his tummy and said to me, "I'm a fool, Grampa Mike!" I quickly took advantage of that teachable moment, teaching him the difference of "fool" and "full." If he is ever going to be a fool, I prefer he, like the apostle Paul, be a "fool for Christ."

How can you break these word curses spoken over your own life? You start by countering lies with truth. The Darkness has no power when Light is shining in. So, what is the TRUTH about you? Here are some Biblical examples:

“I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made,” (Psalm 139:14). All of Psalm 139 contains marvelous blessing you can pronounce upon yourself. Go on and personalize these verses.

“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 8:1). Are you in Him? If he does not condemn you why do you condemn yourself?

“The Lord will accomplish what concerns me,” (Psalm 138:8). Ministry is not what you give to God but what He gives to you. If He wishes you to do something more for Him, He will bring it along and now that you are wiser, you will handle it better.

“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you,” (Isaiah 60:1). Turn that into a declaration for yourself!

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us,” (Ephesians 1:7). It’s all about His grace versus your works, isn’t it?

Though this is by no means an exhaustive teaching, I'm sure you get the picture. Since we are transformed by the renewing of our minds, start renewing your minds to what GOD says about you and start diluting what your environment may have said about you in the past. 

It's called "redemption." It's called walking in God's blessings rather than living a life that's cursed. 

Oh... I won't be surprised if some of those reading this now will eventually find their own language getting cleaned-up during the redemption process! As with smoking cigarettes or drinking, far too many Christians are concerned with how "clean" they appear outwardly and become frustrated when they slip-up or get caught. My advice? Stop trying. Will-power won't cut it. Besides, having the desire to cuss or smoke may impress people, but God's looking at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Grow in your relationship with Jesus by way of Prayer and Scripture reading. It's through this process lives are changed inside first, manifesting outwardly with time.

Every blessing,

Michael Tummillo

Founder, The Church @ Work

Chapel burns to the ground; God gives beauty for ashes.

 

As much of our community is already aware, at approximately 3:30 AM Saturday, the Chapel located 2 miles north of the Whitney city limits at the entrance of Country Club Retirement Community was struck by lightning and was burned to the ground. The beautiful Chapel has been home to non-denominational church groups over the years and has served as the venue for weddings and meetings since it was dedicated in June 2009. I've officiated weddings there myself. The building also serves as the headquarters for Ekklesia Healthcare.

 

Though the fire resulted in a total loss, no lives were lost and no one was injured. Owners Michael and Diane Ward, as well as Office Manager Karen Sisson, wish to thank all the Volunteer firefighters and emergency personnel who responded to this early morning blaze. As could be expected, there was a steady stream of curiosity-seekers and picture-takers throughout the day on Saturday. Among them were concerned people who came to pray and express their sorrow to the Wards for the loss of this structure. An Easter Sunday service went on as scheduled on the grounds south of the Chapel, far from a stone wall that officials feared was on the verge of tumbling. The service was very well-attended. 

 

As the Workplace Chaplain for this company, I received a phone call from Diane Ward around noon on Saturday. I couldn't believe my ears! She called requesting prayer and asked if I had time to write this article. After we hung up, I felt compelled to go to the Chapel. A Chaplains' ministry is, after all, a ministry of presence and here I was, 90 minutes away. My wife agreed and, as I changed clothes and shot off a few eMails requesting prayer, she started preparing me a lunch to take with me. On the way to Whitney, I called some more Prayer Warriors to get the intercession going. There's nothing like having a prayer covering from people who really believe God is still concerned about everything concerning us.

 

It was surreal to see the blackened Chapel as I approached, windows broken, roof caved-in, charred furniture and other unrecognizable items outside, wet ashes on the sidewalk and in the grass. Sickening. The building is built with a circular parking lot and there were a few cars circling, taking pictures. I tried to meet and introduce myself to every one, explaining what had happened to some, receiving condolences from others. In every case, I felt led to remind them: "The Church is not the building, it's the people." Most agreed. One man paused a long while, pondering what he'd heard me say, finally agreeing whole-heartedly. A woman I'd said that to, seated in the passenger seat, almost jumped out of her seatbelt with exuberance as she agreed with what I'd said, "Amen! That's right!" she exclaimed.

 

As with all tragedies, Christians believe God gives 'beauty for ashes' and makes something good out of situations where, seemingly, no good can be found. A verse of Scripture often quoted during times of distress is from Romans 8:28. It reads, "All things work together for good to them that love God and have been called according to His purpose." 

 

When the Diane and Michael Ward arrived - freshly showered and too emotionally-charged to be feeling the effects of a sleepless night - we embraced and, after some conversation, held hands and prayed. The Wards, the firefighters - everyone who was involved at the scene that morning - were amazed at several items in the charred building that were not burned or water damaged. Among these items, a cross hanging on the front of the wooden pulpit was unharmed. In fact, though the cross did fall off, it left a beautiful imprint on the front of the pulpit, which was smoke-tinted but unharmed. I helped Michael Ward move this pulpit to just outside the front door as a testament to God's faithfulness. There were several books inside the pulpit as well. Though a hymnal there was charred and ruined, several Bibles also stacked there remained unharmed. The most significant story - one that even impressed the firefighters - was the fact the steeple didn't fall, nor was it incinerated. Diane Ward exclaimed, "The cross is still standing!"

 

The Wards believe they are to re-build the Chapel and want to encourage others who may have found themselves staring into a black abyss as a result of a personal tragedy not to let their own disaster harden their hearts. They're right; we don't belong here and shouldn't attempt to get comfortable during our brief stay. To anyone enduring any kind of emotional or physical struggle, the Wards encourage you to use this opportunity to press into a relationship with the Lord and not run FROM Him. 

 

Jesus is real. Easter is how we celebrate the fact He is alive. Get to know Him and let Him shine light into your darkness.

 

God is more concerned with the development of our character than comfort, it appears. He will not give us any more to handle than we can bear and seems to always provide a way of escape.

 

Though Easter is over, we can celebrate the resurrection of our Lord every day, without the chocolate Easter bunnies and marshmallow Peeps, of course.

 

Every blessing,

Michael Tummillo

Workplace Chaplain

Founder, The Church @ Work