Author: Brandon Baumgarten

It was 4:26 a.m. and like most people, April and I were sound asleep until….

….the loud beeping sirens of our phones went off signaling there was a tornado warning for our area. “Tornado?! We thought there were only scattered thunderstorms left.” I thought to myself. Without even wiping the sleep from our eyes, we unexpectedly jumped out of bed, grabbed a flashlight, our shoes, and other essentials. We kept saying to ourselves, “We wish we would’ve been prepared for this. We wish we would have been ready.” Then off to the storm cellar we ran. In those moments, there was panic and there was an innate urgency to move. We knew we needed to get to shelter and we did. We stayed in the shelter until the the “all clear” was given by the same device that once warned us of the incoming tornado. We exited the shelter with no injuries and we thanked God for His protection not only for us, but for folks all over the state.

This experience left me thinking all day of the feelings we felt in those moments. This tornado served as a Tornado of Truth. The urgency, the anticipation, and the lack of being prepared all gave weight to the truthful question: “When Jesus comes back, will we be ready?” As quickly as the tornado threat came, the truth of Jesus returning soon will come even faster. Throughout the Bible we see people who were ready for the King and those who were unprepared. Those who were prepared were on their guard and sought the Lord wholeheartedly. The blessing was in the waiting as they chose to have their hearts ready for the One who sought their hearts. Those who were unprepared missed out on their true destiny. It is imperative that we will choose to be ready as the time is running out and the King is coming soon. It’s no secret Jesus is coming back and it will be in a moment we least expect it. Are you ready for it? Have you found yourself in Christ yet? He is waiting for you to respond to Him.

And when Jesus returns, what will we feel? It is my opinion that we will feel more than just the urgency and anticipation of the moment like we felt during a tornado. Instead, to those who are ready, to those who are found in Christ will feel the jubilant racing of our hearts as the clouds began to break, the earth begins to shake, and as the whirlwind commences, the King of Kings comes home for His awaiting bride.

At 4:26 a.m. I may not have been a happy camper with a Tornado on the way, but I am glad to know as believers we hold a Tornado of Truth! And that truth is Jesus is on His way and we must be ready!

#GetReady #JesusIsComing #TornadoOfTruth

“For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.” -1 Thessalonians 5:2

Like many of you the other day I turned on the news and saw the scary incident in downtown OKC. Two window washers were holding on to their cradle as the wind was blowing them in every direction. The cradle was spinning and moving in every angle possible. Keep in mind they are near the top of one of the tallest skyscrapers in the state. Talk about stressful! As the footage came to light, you could overhear the audio of the reporters reacting as the two men were being swung back and forth. It seemed like they were up there forever, but thankfully it ended soon. As the camera was rolling, I heard one reporter say, “It looks like firefighters and emergency personnel are showing up. HELP IS ON THE SCENE. HELP IS ON THE SCENE.” Not too much longer after that was said, the cradle was harnessed back, the two men were rescued, and not one person was injured! Praise God!

(photo credit to News Channel 5)

As I watched this chaotic scene yesterday, I did not envy the two men who were holding on for dear life, but I sure felt like I could relate to them. Not in the physical sense by any means, but by the comparison that life can very much seem like a spinning cradle and all we are doing is holding on for help. We are trying to do the task we have been called to do, but life keeps being unpredictable yet stressful and chaotic.

But…..there is hope in the midst of our struggles! Someone is coming to the rescue. His name is Jesus! In fact, I will say to you what that one reporter said yesterday, “HELP IS ON THE SCENE. HELP IS ON THE SCENE.” You may have already noticed that I share a lot about the Lord on Facebook. The conversations that have taken place with people because of those posts have been tremendous. The reason I share so much on here about God is because I know there are many people who feel like life is a spinning cradle and you need to be rescued from the chaos. The chaos can come from anywhere. It might be work related, family-related, school-related, or even none of the above. Perhaps it’s a relationship or a season of change. Whatever your situation is, keep holding on, because Jesus is on the scene for somebody! And when He comes, there is peace, joy, and calmness of the spirit. You have been waiting, you have been crying out, you have been in desperate need, and yet He is coming at exactly the right time to rescue you. Help is on the scene, however, this help does not come from a firefighter or EMT, but from the Savior of the world!

Do you need a rescue tonight? Do you feel like life is out of control? Do you feel like your life is spinning like the cradle did yesterday? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, then turn to Jesus. He is in the Rescue and Restoration Business and can calm the chaos of your life. Whatever your scene is, Jesus can handle it.

Yesterday we saw a picture of something scary and terrifying take place in OKC, but thankfully everything turned out okay. God can deliver the same result for you. Rest assured in a world filled with chaos and unpredictability, we have a hope that Jesus is Lord and that Help is on the scene! So Hold on tight, because the Rescuer is coming!

#HelpIsOnTheScene #TerrorOnTheTower #SpinningCradle

Psalms 121:1-8 (CSB) I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber. Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep. The LORD protects you; the LORD is a shelter right by your side. The sun will not strike you by day or the moon by night. The LORD will protect you from all harm; he will protect your life. The LORD will protect your coming and going both now and forever.

April and I went to the movies tonight to see the new movie Dumbo. We got in line to purchase our tickets and saw an elderly man sitting on a bench all by himself. We both waved hello and passed him as we bought our tickets. Being the date night that it was April went and saved our seats while I went to the concession line to get her order. Once again I see the man on the bench as I stand in line and God began to move in my heart to reach out. I ordered our movie snacks and took them to my wife. “I’ll be right back.” I said to her as I walked out of the theater.

At this time my heart knew it had a mission: to reach out to this man. So I walked out near the gate and said to the man: “Mind, if I have seat with you?”

“Not at all.” He replied. I started with the mission right off the bat and said, “Sir, I couldn’t help but see you were sitting on this bench alone. No one should be alone at the movies. Would you like to join my wife and I for the show? We’ll be glad to buy your ticket.” I said.

The man chuckled at the offer and said, “That might be the nicest thing anyone has ever offered to do for me. But I’m not much of a movie person, I appreciate it though. Now, what’s your name and where are you from?”

I introduced myself and told him I was a professional speaker and do different kinds of trainings. He was glad to meet me. I told him I felt led in my heart to reach out. So I proceeded further, “Well sir, if you don’t mind me asking, is there anything I can pray for you about?”

He looked long and hard at me. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out his old flip phone. He handed it to me and said, “Son. Look at that screen.” His voice began to crack and his hand began to tremble. Immediately popped up an old black and white photo of his bride. He said, “Isn’t she just beautiful? She was my bride and now she is in Heaven with Jesus.” Tears began to run down his cheeks as he told me all about their life together. “I could sure you some prayer for peace in my life. She’s gone and I need Jesus to help me.”

I sat there quietly and put my hand on his back and said, “Sir, I’m willing to pray with you right now.” So he and I both closed our eyes on that bench. Even as the movie goers kept passing by, we prayed right there for the Prince of Peace to comfort him.

The man said, “Thank you son. Thank you for blessing me tonight.” I said, “Well sir, the offer still stands if you would like to come watch that movie with us you are more than welcome.”

He surprised me saying, “Well son, I appreciate it more than you know, but the truth is I am the owner of this movie theater and I never watch the movies. Just happy to show them.”

I shook his hand and back into the theater I went. Although I went to the movies to see Dumbo, I realize now, that my wife and me were there for more than just a movie. We were there for a Mission. I don’t always get the assignment right, but I know God is calling us to do more. We never know what people are going through, but the Holy Spirit always knows. I know there have been times where I have missed opportunities like this because I wasn’t paying attention to God’s leading. However, if there is anything we need to pay attention to it is the leading of the Lord! My hope is that we never miss the assignment the Lord is leading us to do. Let us continue to pursue the Lord and be sensitive to His mission. Praise the Lord!

#MissionAtTheMovies #LeadUsLord #GlorytoGod

I knew she was wanting to hear what I had to say and I knew she was speaking kindly to me. I could tell by her tone she was naturally interested in me and what I was doing. But I couldn’t understand a single word she was saying. I tried to say something, but all I could do was say broken words. I felt embarrassed and somewhat ashamed. I couldn’t communicate and it was all I could do to get through our visit one on one until…

Our translator came by and began to talk to the lady. “I’m saved!” I thought to myself. I didn’t know hardly any Spanish and this was just our first day in Mexico with the youth group. We were promoting an upcoming event for the people in the area, where we could come together worship, eat, and share the gospel with them. This was my first time in Rio Bravo, Mexico and we had been door knocking to promote the event with flyers and trying our best to convey the event in Spanish. I felt limited in my reach to the people due to my language barrier. I had a message, but I didn’t know how to deliver it.

Finally, after spending more time in the culture, the language started to become more easier to understand. I started picking up words and popular phrases often said. By the end of our trip, I was able to feel more free and more comfortable in my conversations simply because I knew how to communicate more in Spanish. The reason this became possible was because we immersed ourselves in the presence of the language and communed in a culture which celebrated it.

This experience relates to so many areas in our faith in Christ:

One can conclude when the world views Christianity they often see a foreign language. Something they may not initially understand because it is different than the norm. But there are also many Christians who view God as a distant deity and as a silent being. They have acknowledged the one True God, but they have not learned His language. They feel the Voice of God talking, but because of our busy schedules, we don’t take the time to understand what He is saying. God is close and He is speaking to you right now!

In my walk with God, I’m learning a special secret in the Kingdom. If we desire to know God and to fully understand His language of love then we must do what we did in Mexico. We must immerse ourselves in the presence of God. We must commune in His culture. We must listen to His Voice. We must set special time aside to hear His Heart and to understand what He is telling us to do. As Christians, the Voice of God cannot be a foreign language to us. We have a message the world is waiting to hear and God is wanting you to follow His leading in sharing it. For if we don’t learn God’s language soon, we will find ourselves in the midst of people who are naturally interested in the message we have, but totally missing out because we failed to communicate.

If you have read to this point. I encourage you to stop what you are doing. Pause and consider these steps right now:

-Immerse yourself in God’s presence

-Commune in His Culture

-Listen to His Voice

All three steps help us to Learn His Language.

How can a flock of sheep follow the Shepherd if they don’t recognize His Voice or Hear His Instructions? The Bible says, “My Sheep Know My Voice.” Spend extra time with the Shepherd so you will know Him and know where He is leading you! #LearningTheLanguage #ChristianLiving #HelpUsLord

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27

There was a man who was born with a purpose. He had grown up and one day he heard the call from the Lord to be a voice to His people. God’s people had fallen away and the Lord had been looking to use him. They, God’s people had disguised right as wrong and wrong as right. They had become numb to doing what was right. But when God called this man He said:

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.

Before you were born I set you apart

and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”

God had a calling on this man’s life long before he took a breath on planet Earth.

This man would go on to accept God’s calling and was a mighty voice to the people of Israel. He called on them to repent, to turn their eyes upon Jesus, and to get right with God. This man would be used time and time again as God’s chosen vessel, would contribute greatly to the Bible and saw the Glory of God at work.

This name of this man is Jeremiah.

Now imagine a hypothetical for a moment:

The scenario is the same, but the timing is fast forwarded to present day and the location is the state of New York. Only this time, it’s a few months before Jeremiah is about to be born, the mom is having second thoughts and because the current laws in place allow it, she goes and has an abortion. After all it is her constitutional right to have an abortion according to the most recent law passage. And once the procedure is done, she goes on with the rest of her life. Now this is a hypothetical, but imagine if this would have really happened. Jeremiah would have never been born, the calling on His life would have never been fulfilled, and God’s people would have never heard the prophetic words of Jeremiah, God’s vessel.

Every time a baby is aborted we eliminate another person God wants to use and another vessel He wants to fill. God has a specific plan and calling for every person even before they were born. But When did we become so numb?

Moral numbness is rapidly becoming more centerstage everyday. We call the ways of unrighteousness righteous and we label what is righteous as wrong. This state of Israel is very similar to the present state of America. We have become senseless, immoral, and slowly numb. After yesterday’s sad ruling in New York, we must get on our knees like never before and do exactly what Jeremiah said to God’s people: “Repent!” Lord forgive us! Forgive us for becoming numbed to righteousness. #NewYork #NumbedToRighteousness #OpenOurEyes #Repent #CurrentEvents #AbortionLaws

It was just a normal day heading to have lunch with my brother until I realize….

I’m sitting in the parking lot of the restaurant and notice my phone was at 1%. Never a good sign for a millennial. So I frantically look for my phone charger throughout my car and it is nowhere to be found. My brother pulls up and I asked him if I could borrow his car charger. He obliged and we left the phone charging in the car as we went into the restaurant. After we ordered our food we sat down visiting a little bit and then all of a sudden, I begin to fill it, my lack of phone. I reach down to retrieve my phone from my pocket and then realize it’s not there. I wish I could tell you for the next few moments I was totally locked into my brother who I don’t see as much as I used to, but I wasn’t. Even though my phone was absent, the impulse to check it was still very prevalent. About every 2 minutes my hand would do a sudden flinch as if to check my notifications. It was purely out of habit. I wanted to check my texts, my email, my Facebook, I wanted to check Instagram, I wanted to check my online subscription to the Wall Street Journal, the Dave Ramsey Podcast, ESPN, the list goes on and on. My eyes would constantly look down in the middle of the conversation expecting to find a screen. I kept thinking about the apps and what notifications I might be missing instead of focusing on what my brother was telling me about.

Finally, after 20 or so minutes, I got passed the impulses and forgot about my pesky phone. I zeroed in to every detail my brother was saying and honestly, I’m ashamed to admit, it was one of the most meaningful conversations I had ever had with him. Primarily because the distraction of my phone was out of the way. The need to be attentive to others can’t be said enough. I’m trying to get better at it and I know my generation lacks in this department. The fact is: We weren’t made for ourselves, we were made for others. Just like our phones we too need to be charged, not by an outlet, not by electricity, but instead by the moments we have with people.

So here’s the “charge” of this post: The internet will always be here. Our phones will always be here. Social media will always be here, but you know what? The people in our lives won’t always be. Take it from someone who is trying to get better at being fully focused. Sometimes the best way for us to connect with others is to disconnect from distractions. Unplug the android and shut down the iPhone and other devices and start paying attention to the world around you. We have no idea what we are missing.

Perhaps one day you’ll have an experience like I just had. You will quickly realize that we were made for more than cellular technology, but for moments like I had with my brother. Moments that are meaningful, memorable, and most of all, charge us up to live a better life. #Charged #LifeBeyondPhones #NewYear #NewBlog #Attentiveness

The bladder was full…..

and when you are driving through the roads of Northwest Oklahoma a bathroom can be difficult to locate. After driving for a while, I finally found a quick stop off the beaten path. I walk in, do what I need to do, and then exit the building. As I leave, an old rancher from the area stops me on my way out and says, “Hey there! I haven’t see you around here before.”

I replied, “Well sir, I’m not from here. I actually live in Shawnee.”

“Shawnee?” He responded. “What are you doing all the way up here?”

I told him, “Well I was doing a presentation up here at a school. I am a motivational speaker and preach from time to time.”

Then the Lord led me to ask a question that seemed to come out of nowhere saying to the man: “In fact, sir, do you know who Jesus is?”

He looked at me and said, “Oh yes sir! I wouldn’t be here without him. In fact, most Sundays if you don’t find me at my own church, I’m either at my son or daughter’s church.”

I then asked, “Thats wonderful, so Jesus is living in your heart?”

He then went on to say, “Oh yes son. Everything I am is because of Jesus.” He paused as I noticed tears began to form in his eyes. He then went on to say, “Matter of fact, Jesus has meant more to me these past 3 years than ever before. Lost my wife to cancer and Jesus has gotten me through every single day since then. He’s been by my side through it all.”

I patted him on the back and said, “Brother, I bless you in the name of Jesus. Thank you for sharing your faith.” And then we both went our separate ways.

None of us are exempted from trials or struggles. Every human faces adversity to some degree. I bet we could all share a time of difficulty we have been through. But for those in Christ, we have a hope that is brighter than the darkness our struggles bring about. When bad times come, it’s easy for our flesh to throw in the towel and to block out our faith. But this man is an example of a heart abiding in Christ. If there is anything I have learned in my walk with Christ over the years it is the lesson that He is with us not only in the good times, but also in the bad times too. Who is your heart abiding in? It reveals who and what we put our faith in.

Looking back I’m glad I stopped where I did, because now I can Praise The Lord over more than just a much needed pit stop, but another person sold out for God and another heart abiding in Christ. It was very clear how much Jesus meant to this man, the question is, however, “How much does Jesus mean to you?” #PraiseHimAtThePitStop #AbideInHim

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” -John 15:4

Although the holiday is coming to a close, the message does not. When Jesus came to the earth, He didn’t come as an arrogant figure nor was he born in a jubilant palace. He came in a lowly manger, relatable to anyone of any status or background. Did you know you too have a manger?

Even as Christmas comes to a close, we must:

1. Receive the King into your Heart

2. Recognize the King as the top priority in your Heart

3. Respond to the promptings of the Lord in your Heart

Your manger is the place in your life for Jesus to dwell. We were made to House the Lord within us. My question is, “What does your manger look like?”

The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 6:19 “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;”

This past Sunday at church, after our Christmas Play ended I took a manger and talked about how the manger represented the space for Jesus in our hearts. I took a garbage can and filled the manger with the trash as I described what many of our mangers look like today. But regardless how filthy and trashed up our mangers are due to unholy living and sinful behavior, God is faithful to take care of it. Ask Jesus to clean up your manger and to remove the things that are taking His proper place in your life. The greatest gift ever given was Jesus. Yet many people do not receive this gift. Jesus is the most recognizable King, yet people don’t recognize Him as 1st place in their lives. The Lord isn’t looking for a placing in your life, He is looking to be the priority in your life. And everyday, Jesus is calling us to move to His leading. Are you responding to Him? Are you Hearing the still small voice? Don’t let Christmas be the only time you talk to Christ. Don’t let this be the only occasion you respond to Christ. Ask yourself, “What does my manger look like?” Pray about it and see where God leads. Let us all remember that Christ is the reason for the season and He is waiting to be born in your own life. Question is, “Will you let Him use your manger?” #TheMangerInUs #MerryChristmas

Do you like to watch movies? Rarely do I have time to watch one, but occasionally I get the chance to do so. This evening my wife and I watched the movie Christopher Robin. It was a fun reminder of the childhood we had and made us reminiscent of the Winnie the Pooh Characters we all grew to love.

The movie was fun and nostalgic. Bringing the characters to life with a grown up Christopher Robin. The plot is simple: Christopher Robin has forgotten who he once was and the characters are determined to help him rediscover himself and the true meaning of life. (No spoiler alert, I promise.)

However, as I watched this movie noticing Christopher Robin had lost himself, I couldn’t help but think of the spiritual parallels. There are many people like Christopher Robin who have lost themselves and are waiting to be found. As Christians, our goal is to go into all the world and reach as many people for Christ as possible. Helping them realize the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

But how can we share our hope with a lost world when we as a church have forgotten who we are in Christ? God wants to use His church, but we must refocus on what God is calling us to be. His hands and His feet. Some may think this post is corny, but I write it in hopes of stirring up hearts for the Lord.

There are many Christians who resemble some of the attributes of the characters in the Hundred Acre Wood. Let me explain:

>Some of us are like Eeyore: sad, depressed, and needful of the Joy Christ gives. Ask God to give you a joy of new perspective, new life, and new focus. He can turn your stormy night into a sunny day.

>Some of us are like Piglet: we are afraid, embarrassed, and often timid to share our hope with others. Ask God to give you boldness, courage, and confidence. People are waiting to hear about Jesus through you!

>Some of us are like Tigger: we are enthusiastic and excited, but can easily find us going through the motions. We need God’s direction as to what to do with our energy. Ask God to give you a clear vision and path to use what we have for His glory.

>Some of us are like Pooh Bear: we have a big heart, but don’t always understand everything going on around us. Ask God to renew our minds and fill the Big Hearts with something sweeter than Honey, but with the unconditional love of the Master.

No matter if you fit one of these descriptions or not, the ultimate conclusion is we all need more of God in our lives. If you watch the film you will note Christopher Robin would have never been found, if Pooh Bear had not left his home of the Hundred Acre Wood to reach out and do something different. There are so many people waiting to be reached with the hope of Jesus Christ and today’s church could play a mighty role in doing so. Question is, “Will the church choose to reach out like Pooh Bear did or will we stay where it’s simply comfortable and familiar, dwelling in the congregational confides of our own Hundred Acre Wood?” #ChristopherRobin #OurOwnHundredAcreWood

Sitting here and feel this message burning on my heart. This might be for someone, although I don’t know for whom.

Your life has been so chaotic and problematic. If you were to view your heart as a home, you would notice the windows are broken, the living room is a mess, and the floors have a creak in them. Your heart home needs a Major Makeover. You have tried to fix it yourself, but all you can come up with are temporary solutions that prolong the problems further down the road.

You have tried everything you can to put your heart home back into shape, but nothing seems to work. In conclusion, you are forcing yourself to be a hopeless tenant in a broken down house.

Although you may think your house is too broken and beyond the point of repair, I am thrilled to tell you about the Repair Man! He has been fixing heart homes for centuries and has a perfect track record. In fact, His Name is Jesus and he is more than a repair man, he is actually a carpenter! He won’t just replace those creaky floors, those broken windows, or clean up that messy living room! He will do more than you could ever imagine and he has never failed yet!

You see, Jesus the Carpenter isn’t just in the replacement business, He is also in the Restoration Business! It won’t cost you a dime, but it will require something. It will require you handing over the keys so He can have entrance into your heart home. So many heart homes are in need of His work, but yet they are unwilling to give Jesus the keys unknowing of what He will do.

How can we expect Jesus to do the work that needs to be done in our homes when we won’t even give Him the very keys to enter in?

I know this is for someone. Ask yourself, “What is holding me back from giving Jesus the keys?” “What’s holding me back from inviting Him in?” He has the perfect blueprint to fixing your messy home. You may think no one understands, but He does.

Right now, let go of what you are going through. We can’t fix these problems on our own. Call out His Name and Surrender your life. Give Jesus the Keys and let Him do the work that He is known for doing! Because this Carpenter won’t just replace the floors, but will restore your entire Home. Give Him the Keys!

#GiveHimTheKeys #PostingForSomeone #OnMyHeart