All,

There is going to be a year end event at Boulder Pointe on November 12, from 7pm to midnight.  More information will be out soon.  I just wanted everyone to know as soon as possible so you could lock in the date.

Peace!

Tom

I pray that these studies are a blessing to you.  I would love to hear back from you.

Peace!

Tom

Colossians Lesson 1

Proverbs Lesson 12 (Tuesday Night)

Genesis Lesson 17 (Sunday Night)

OK everyone!  Summer is over and school schedules and alike are now kicking into gear.  Please make sure that you are setting time aside to focus on your marriage relationship.  Kimberly and I are offering Date Night this coming Saturday, September 17, 6:30 at Chardonnay.  Note the new location.  Chardonnay is offering us their downstairs area where we should have the quietness and closeness to meet like we would like.

They would like to have meal choices picked ahead of time for most people who are coming.  This does not mean that you can’t spontaneously come.  But obviously, the more info they have ahead of time, the shorter their prep time.  So here are the choices for this coming Saturday.

Jack Daniel’s Burger $7.99

Black and Blue Burger $6.99

Cajun Tilapia with Shrimp $13.99

Chicken Carbonara $13.99

Please email us by Wednesday (tom@firmlyrooted.org or kimberld96@yahoo.com) and let us now that you are attending and what your choice for dinner is.

Chardonnay is North of Oxford on the west side of Lapeer Rd.

Peace!

Tom

All,

I sincerely want to thank you for your love and prayerful support!  I want you to know that I have a meeting with the committee on Sunday evening, September 18th, in St. Louis.  I will be going there on Sunday morning and coming back Monday afternoon.  I believe a decision would be made the following week as the Council of Presidents meets.  Again, thank you for being such a blessing to my life!

Peace!

Tom

All,

Today I am traveling to Illinois to be with the Eden family.  Please pray for their strength and encouragement as they mourn the loss of Mark.  On Friday I travel to Haiti, and will bring Adrianne home on the 18th.  So here are the schedule changes.

Wednesday. – 20 Something get together at Starbucks is still on, but I will not be there.

Sunday – No class

Next Tuesday – No Class

Next Wednesday – 20 Something get together is still on, but I will not be there.

Next Sunday – There will be class at the Chiropractor’s office at 6pm.  We will also have a get together at our house at 7pm to welcome Adrianne back home and see what the Lord is doing in Haiti.

Peace!

Tom

All,

For weeks, many of you have been asking about my reinstatement process.  Up to yesterday there had been nothing to say.  But, yesterday, I received a letter from Rev. Dr. Larry Stoterau.  He is the President of the Pacific Southwest District of the LCMS and also the Chairman of the Council of Presidents for the LCMS.  He has appointed a committee consisting of Rev. Ken Hennings (President of the Texas District), Rev. Tim Scharr (President of the South Illinois District) and Rev. Gregory Walton (President of the Florida-Georgia District).  These men will be meeting with me sometime soon in order to be able to make a recommendation to the Council of Presidents at their September meeting.  I ask for your prayers.  Please pray for this committee and the process we will soon be going through.  I so much appreciate all your loving support.

One more thing.  Firmly Rooted Ministries sent several pallets of supplies to Haiti four months ago.  Please pray that the container gets through customs at the port very soon.  I would love for it to clear customs by the time I get there next Thursday (8/11/11).  Also, I sent the container through Orphan Grain Train, who has been sending containers to Haiti ever since the earthquake.  They can no longer send containers there and bear the full financial burden.  Firmly Rooted Ministries has been invoiced just under $900.00 for shipping costs.  If you feel moved to help with this financial burden I would greatly appreciate it.  Any money raised over the $900.00 will go into our continued work in Haiti.  You can make your tax deductible contribution by sending a check to Firmly Rooted Ministries P.O. Box 751, Oxford, MI 48371, or go the the support tab on this website and make your contribution via PayPal.

Again, I thank you for your ongoing support!

Peace!

Tom

A few months ago I filed an application with the Synod for reinstatement as an ordained minister.  Part of the process allows for letters to be submitted by any and all who would like to share their thoughts on the subject.  If you would like to send a letter for the committee to consider, please send it to the following address no later than June 5th:

Dr. Raymond L. Hartwig, Secretary, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, 1333 S. Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, MO 63122-7295

I would also very much appreciate your prayers as I go through this process.

Peace!

Tom

I haven’t had a Firmly Rooted Thursday or Friday the last few weeks due to work and such, so I thought it would be a good idea to send you a bit of an update.  There is so much going on.  It is very exciting.

1. Classes are still being taught on Sunday morning at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lake Orion.  All are welcome to come.  The class runs from 9:40 am to 10:40 am.  Classes are also being taught on Sunday and Tuesday nights.  Both of the evening classes are being held at Lifetime Wellness in Oxford.  The Sunday evening class is at 6:00pm and the Tuesday night class is at 7:00pm.
2. Kimberly and I started “Date Night” a couple months ago.  It is on the 3rd Saturday of every month.  It is held at Casa Real in Oxford.  They supply a buffet for $12 per person.  Each month we provide education and exercises in marriage enrichment.  Please come and bring friends.  We are averaging around 15 couples at each event.  Spread the word.  We are working on changing the location once a quarter for some variety.
3. Much is happening in Haiti.
   1. Firmly Rooted is supporting Adrianne and Julie’s summer trip (coming very soon).  Adrianne leaves in 2 weeks and Julie about a month after that.  I will be going down to Haiti in about a month with a team of people.  For most of the team this will be their first trip.
   2. The Orphanage is near completing a cafeteria and its first cabin.  Your donations helped provide the foundation for the first cabin and the driveway on the property.  Funds are still needed to complete the remaining 7 cabins.
   3. 6 crates of supplies (clothes, generators, sound equipment, school supplies, medical supplies, etc.) will be shipping to Haiti next week.  Your donations have made this possible.  Praise the Lord!
   4. 2 motorcycles have been purchased down in Haiti.  One was given to the CIO for general use.  The other was given to the pastor of Good Shepherd, Carre Four Declous, Haiti.  Pictures below.
      1.                                  
4. Daily Devotions continue to be posted in the website (firmlyrooted.org).  If your not getting the devotions sent to your email every day, there is a simple way to register on the site.  Also, if these devotions are blessing your life, would you please think about sharing them with someone else.  It is exciting to know that people are reading them all over the world.
5. Weekly audio Bible studies are being posted on the website.  An amazing fact:  This last month, China downloaded my studies more than the United States.  That is the first time that has happened.  Again, if you are blessed by the studies, please be bold enough to share with someone you think might like/need them as well.
6. I also want to ask for your prayers.  For months I have been educating myself in the apologetic defense of our Christian worldview.  I very much would like to do some talks/seminars/retreats on the worldview topic.  Please pray that the Lord opens the doors necessary to begin this important work.

That’s it for know!  Thank you for your love, prayers and financial support.  They all mean so much to us, and to the work of Gods’ kingdom.

Peace!

Tom

All,

A reminder that we have our monthly Date Night this Saturday at 6:30pm at Casa Real in Oxford.

Peace!

Tom

I had the opportunity to preach in Carrefour DeClos 3 times this weekend.  We had a couple revival services and a Sunday worship service.  Somehow I failed to properly record Friday night’s sermon, but here are the ones from Saturday night and Sunday morning.  Israelson Isidor did the translating for me.  He did a great job!

Saturday Night Revival Service in Carrefour DeClos.MP3

Sunday Morning Sermon in Carrefour DeClos.MP3

Peace!

Tom