Saving Money on Your Wedding

Hi Everyone!

Some of you may be aware (and some not aware), that our ministry offers extremely competitive rates if you would like me to be the Officiant at your wedding (or if you know of someone who needs a wedding officiant).  You can read more about this service at our website, www.FTFM.org and click on the "Wedding Ceremony" link on the front page.  I offer a FREE "e-wedding book" to assist you (or someone you know) in planning the wedding. (the free e-book is available through the website link or you can click HERE to have access to it now)!  This blog article is also something I believe will assist you (or someone you know) in saving money on their wedding…(Please post your comments below - and be sure to SHARE this post with others)!

Ways to Save Money –

But Still Have a Memorable Wedding Day

As you are aware (or you will be soon), planning a wedding involves a lot of time and energy. Plus, with rising prices in almost every area, paying for a wedding is definitely not cheap anymore. Use the tips in this short guide to save you money on your wedding plans, while still having a memorable wedding day that you will treasure forever.

1.  Shop around and compare prices for locations and hall rentals. 
2. Consider using a local park to get married in, this is often much cheaper than renting a banquet room.  
3. Holding your ceremony and reception at the same location often lowers the cost considerably. 
4. Does a family member have a large or scenic property that you could use? 
5. Have a backyard BBQ instead of a formal wedding rehearsal dinner.  
6. Book your reception hall for a shorter time period. 
7. You may want to think about traveling to a destination for your wedding - this would involve lower costs but some guests may also not attend. 
8. Hold a small, private wedding with family and your closest friends. 
9. Don't opt for a full bar, just select to offer beer and red and white wine. 
10. Remember to offer non-alcoholic drinks as well. 
11. Look to your local college for a band when it comes to finding live  entertainment for your wedding. 
12. Choose an up and coming cake decorator to make your cake. Offer to recommend them to your friends and business connections in return. They get exposure and you get a good deal on a cake.
13. You may want to choose cupcakes over a larger tiered wedding cake. 
14. Serving cheesecake is becoming a popular trend and is much cheaper. 
15. Display your menu items in attractive bowls, this can help hide the fact that the menu items are plainer. 
16. Consider serving an afternoon tea reception instead of a full dinner evening one. 
17. You don't need to order champagne for the wedding toast, guests can just use whatever drink they have at the time. 
18. Cater for any children who may be present, kids meals are often much cheaper than ordering an adult size. Plus there will be fewer leftovers. 
19. When renting a car for your wedding, ask if the dealer offers a wedding special. 
20. Opt for a van instead of a limo, this way more people can ride with you and this saves money for everyone involved. 
21. Choose black ink for your wedding stationary and print out your own invitations. 
22. Use potted plants for your table decorations. 
23. Use flowers in season and add ribbons to brighten up any arrangements. 
24. Bowls of fruits make affordable center pieces, which can then be used for dessert. 
25. Shopping for wedding attire during sales to find great deals on brand  names. 

After saving money in all these different areas you can then splurge on your wedding photos, or another area if you wish. Wedding photos offer you a permanent reminder of your special day. So this is an area where you may not want to cut corners or costs.

I hope these thought provoking ideas help you.  You may incorporate all of them or some of them in your efforts to keep costs under control.  Just remember, THIS IS YOUR DAY!  So enjoy yourselves!  Just do not put your marriage in extreme debt with an extravagant wedding – unless you can really afford it. It is better to keep this one day event in your lifetime of marriage under control – and put that extra money to work for you in other areas (a new home; a home renovation; etc.).

Talk Soon,

Pastor Bob

2015 is HERE! My New Year's Resolution is to post more consistently!

Greetings and Happy New Year for 2015!

First, I want to apologize for not posting in such a long, long time.  There really is no valid excuse for it.  I know the Lord has kept me "super busy" with managing and growing our three online radio stations.  In addition to our ministry "field trips" for "Mission For America," (www.mission4america.com) and attending to the multitude of minutia of managing all of this…I let the blog slip…

BUT - with 2015 now here, my "New Year's Resolution" is to keep current with the ministry blog!

I will post at least a couple of times per week…
I will post only things that I believe are of vital interest to furthering Kingdom work on this earth…
I will focus, primarily on the United States (though, as the Lord leads, we will have some content about other nations)...
I will post interesting articles from other others as I find them…
I will enter into ongoing conversations on this blog…
I will keep the FOCUS ON JESUS!  Amen!

I do believe that we have entered the "Last Days…"  All of the signs are beginning to occur (too numerous to go into here).  We will discuss some of the "signs" in upcoming blog posts (but not today).

Today, I just want you to enjoy time with friends and family…
Today, I just want you to enjoy some relaxation before the "grind" begins again next week…
Today, I just want you to enjoy some quiet time with the Lord…

Get your Bible out…make a commitment to read the Bible through in one year…that is only about 2-3 chapters per day…You CAN DO IT!  Make it your first priority each and every morning!

Make this your "New Year's Resolution" if you have to!  More importantly, make it a promise to Jesus!  Just set your alarm clock 15 minutes earlier.  Surely you can give up 15 minutes of sleep after what Jesus went through on the cross for you!  Do not just "rush" through your Bible reading…take the 15 minutes…take the time to read the passages…take just a few minutes (after you read the passages) and just sit quietly and ask the Lord "is there anything you would like me to see in these passages?"  Sometimes, you will hear nothing…then, other times - you WILL HEAR the Lord speak to you from those passages!  That is where it gets exciting!

So, as we close today…

My promise to you is to post at least a couple of times per week in 2015…
My promise to you is to post relevant material that focuses on Kingdom Work…
Your promise to me and more importantly to Jesus - is to read a couple of chapters in the Bible every day and to read the Bible through in one year!

YOU CAN DO IT (and so can I)!

Blessings,

Pastor Bob

Why I'm a Christian...my life story in a nutshell

http://dailycaller.com/2011/11/25/military-advocates-decry-illegal-early-terminations-of-157-air-force-majors/

This truly is a travesty...my situation with the US Army was similar back in 1989... over 12 years in service (9 enlisted and 3 as a Commissioned Officer)... I knew I would not be selected during the 1st promotion cycle (because I was up against the West Point Officers that had graduated at the same time as I got out of OCS).  But, tradition would indicate I would be eligible during the 2nd promotion cycle 6 months later.

I went to work in the morning, knowing that the promotion lists would be made public during the day...and that I would be waiting 6 more months until the next list.  I was in meetings during the AM and went back to my office (I was the S-3 Air Officer for our Cavalry Squadron) and told the Colonel wanted to see me.  I reported and he told the bad news...I was not selected for promotion.  I told him, no problem, I knew I would have to wait until the "2nd passover" selection in 6 months.  His response..."there is not going to be another passover selection.  DA (Dept. of the Army) has decided they are going to cut the officer corps.  They are discharging you, effective the end of this month.  I'm sorry, Bob, I got on the phone and argued with them...but their mind is made up. It's not just you, they are doing this across the board."

So, basically, I went to work, "knowing" I had a job for at least six months (in actuality, EVERYONE made Captain unless - as indicated in the article - you did something REALLY stupid which resulted in Administrative Action against you - and all I needed to do was make Captain and I could have finished out my 20 years for retirement (because I knew I would not make Major...but the twice over passover promotion selection would have occurred at like my 18th month prior to retirement...so I would have been "retained" - as the article indicates is policy).

But, instead, I went home from lunch with less than two weeks notice that I was out of a job.... devastating effect on my family - from which we are still, literally, recovering from all these years later.

All I had ever wanted to do was be in the Army.  I entered 10 days after graduating from High School.  I was always promoted ahead of my peers.  I was 23 years old and had more "authority" on duty in my position than some senior ranking NCO's working with me (I cannot go into the details because of security issues...but they "worked" for me when we were in HOT status).  I was the first person EVER to achieve a 100% score throughout the NCO Academy (for which I was the distinguished graduate and invited to several formal Army functions, etc.); I was promoted to Staff Sergeant actually 30 days before I was supposed to be eligible because of this...I was selected for 3 years on Drill Sergeant status - during this time, mid-way through my three years, I was also selected to go and OPEN a new training center that was just incorporating Drill Sergeants into their system.  After this assignment is when I decided I would go to Officer Candidate School and join the Cavalry....and the rest is history as outlined above.

The fact that the Army was going to discharge someone with my "credentials," just because I was an OCS officer and not ROTC or West Point, thoroughly upset some of the senior NCO's in our Squadron...and they immediately put in their retirement papers because, they said, "If this Army doesn't want to keep quality people like you anymore - then it's time for me to leave."  I know of at least 3 First Sergeants and 2 Command Sergeant Majors that retired telling me this was the reason.

I'm not complaining about what happened (it is all history now)...I'm just adding my two cents to this article.  It HAS happened in the past.  So, this is nothing new.

IS IT RIGHT?   NO!

Basically, the recruiting theme is (or, at least it was when I was joining) - as long "as you want to stay, you have a job."  (again, disciplinary actions not withstanding).

I was counting on that.  My family was counting on that.  And it was ALL taken away...with only 2 weeks notice.  WHY?  So some bureaucrat in DC could say he "cut the budget."

My family and I have gone through "hell" since we left the military.  There is not many civilian jobs that called for "professional killer" in their job description.  Or had as a job requirement "capable of staying awake 75 hours and still be able to tactically move a squadron 15 miles under the cover of darkness without being detected by the enemy; all while coordinating the battlefield scenario with higher HQ's."  Or, knows how to set and detonate booby-traps during the hours of darkness to inflict the maximum amount of casualties on the enemy."  Etc., etc., etc.

It was VERY hard on us financially, emotionally and socially.  All of my friends were now IN service and I was OUT of service.  Life truly did SUCK for many, many years.

It was not until 2001 when we moved to Maryland (to be close to my daughter who moved here)...that we truly "started over."  It was during this time that I decided to "start over" by joining the Maryland Transportation Authority Police Department.  I graduated from the Academy at age 45...not "the" oldest they ever had...but I was right up there!  But - by the Grace of God - I was able to do so.

I can actually say, truthfully and as honestly as I can relate it here, I enjoyed my job as a Police Officer with this department "almost" as much as I enjoyed military life.  The friends I made were more than friends...the word "brother" is truly applicable to my fellow officers.  God truly did Bless me with this job.

Then, unfortunately, I was injured at work in May 2007...an injury which, despite surgery, never did heal properly.  After "fighting" my health and the doctors so I could stay on duty...after almost four years...I came to the realization that to continue to do so might jeopardize one of them or myself if a "worst case scenario" would occur and I was unable to function at 100%.  That would not be fair to them...or my family.

So, in late 2010, I was praying about this (I really did - and DO - loved that job and the people there)... but the Lord brought a scripture to my memory:  Jeremiah 29:11, "I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you, not to harm you. Plans to give to you a hope and a future."  So, I told the Lord, "Ok.  I will not fight to stay on active, full time duty anymore.  I trust you.  You show me you are taking care of me."

Well, that was December 2010.  By March 2011, they told me that I was no longer physically capable for performing the duties of a police officer.  I submitted my disability retirement packet in April 2011.  (This is NORMALLY about a year to year and half process - unless seriously injured, which I was not).

The LORD moved my packet through with HIS FAVOR on it...He showed my  Exodus 3:21, "I will give you FAVOR in the eyes of the Egyptians (the Authority) and you will not go out empty."

2 months later...I was retired....and working FULL TIME in ministry for the LORD!

I have to admit...I DO ENJOY working for HIM.  YES - enjoyed my military career immensely!  YES - I enjoyed my time as a cop!  But to work for the LORD is the best "job" I have ever had...and HE did it record time...letting me KNOW that HE is the one I need to serve.

Why I have been moved to share all of this...I do not know.  Maybe it is therapeutic to some extent.  I know reading this article started to open up some "old wounds."

But, the Holy Spirit has guided my thoughts as I was going to "villainize" the government for what they are doing to these officers and for what they did to me.  But, as I was writing this...I was reminded how the LORD turned what the devil meant for my destruction and turned it to my benefit...(and don't get me wrong...I was "down for the count" when all of this transpired...the devil ALMOST succeeded in truly destroying my life during this time...but it was DURING this time - that I FOUND GOD and received Jesus as my Lord and Savior)!

Would I want to "do it all over again."  NO.  That part of my life was very, very traumatic.  But, I have come to a place NOW, where I can talk about it with no resentment and no anger (which my family and friends understand how difficult that is and was for me to do for soooo many years).

So, to close this VERY LONG post out...to these military officers and to whomever else reads this post and that it should touch your heart in some way....I will leave you with the Words I described above:  Jeremiah 29:11 "I know the plans I have for you, saith the Lord, plans to prosper you, not to harm you.  Plans to give to you a hope and a future."

REMEMBER - GOD IS IN CONTROL.  Yield to Him.  Give to Him all of your cares...and He will take care of you.  It may not "seem" like it at the time...but He will.

GOD LOVES YOU!

 http://dailycaller.com/2011/11/25/military-advocates-decry-illegal-early-terminations-of-157-air-force-majors/

GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL...even when I am not

Sometimes I get so discouraged by everything I see on the news and read on the Internet.  Sometimes I wonder if anything I ever do is worth the effort.  Sometimes I just sit and look at the computer and wonder if I should even "try" to make a difference.  Sometimes...I just "don't care."

Then - somewhere - deep down inside...I "hear" a still small voice.  His voice tells me "I care."  He gives me His Peace when everything around me seems to be in chaos.  He gives me Hope, when everything around me seems to be hopeless.  He gives me His Strength to carry on when I just don't feel like I can go one more step or one more day.

Then, when I least expect it...I receive an email from someone who this ministry has touched...it has made a difference.  Then, I pick up and "go another day."  I know that, for at least that one person somewhere in the world...what I do has made a difference.  They found Hope when there was no hope...they found Peace when there was no peace...they found Strength when they were out of strength...

Then, that still small voice - deep down inside...says "I told you so."

That is probably THE MAJOR PROBLEM in this type of ministry (Internet Radio)... sometimes I can feel so alone...so "disconnected" from anyone...not knowing if anything I do matters in the "great scheme of things."

I honestly say I put in "A LOT" of work into what our ministry is doing.  More so than most other "on the ground ministries" as far as hours go.  Virtually disabled by chronic back, hip, leg, knee and feet pain (basically, from the waist down!), I can only sit a little while before I have to get up and move around...problem with that...after just a few minutes of being on my feet...I have to either sit or lay down for a few minutes....and if I am at the point where I have to take pain medications...it will knock me completely off my feet for at least an hour or so...then, it is back to the computer again...and the process starts all over.

But, then I look at our "stats" on how many people have listened to our radio stations during the last 24 hours...or the last week...and I see we ARE making an impact.  People ARE listening.  THE WORD of the GOSPEL IS GETTING OUT! - OUT INTO ALL THE WORLD!

We have listeners in 92 different countries on one station and over 110 different countries on another...We have listeners in ALL 50 states here in the USA.  We are making major efforts to bring a THIRD radio station online January 1st...a station that will provide a service that, as far as our research has taken us...NOBODY else is providing.  This goes with what the Lord told me almost four months ago when He put it on my heart..."this is a station that will do what nobody else has done in the Christian Internet world.  Therefore, there will difficulties as you work through all of the obstacles...but you WILL succeed... because I am with you and guiding you."

It is true...we have experienced obstacles that I could not have even dreamed about...but, when I refer back to my original notes which I wrote down as the Lord was telling me how to set the station up and how it was to operate and what type of services it was to provide...I see every piece falling into place.  It truly is amazing to watch God work!  Amen!

"Evangelism Radio" will be a unique online radio station...offering 24/7 LIVE capabilities for those Christian broadcasters interested in doing LIVE INTERNET RADIO programming.  We are setting up call in capabilities for listeners to call in directly to the DJ Broadcaster and take questions, comments, etc.  Those are just TWO of the services... Glory to God!  It truly is a work of God, Amen!

But, sometimes I still get "down" over the question of "am I making a difference?"  It is in times like this that the Lord will move me to do something...like write this blog.  I find myself realizing that I DO make a difference...as long as I continue to do what HE tells me to do and to say what HE tells me to say.  But, then again, what else matters?

For more information on "Evangelism Radio" and how you can become part of it, email me directly at brother bob@ftfm.org.  I will provide you with the information as we have it right now.

Please check out our other two, highly successful, Internet radio stations..."Freedom Through Faith Christian Radio"and "Praise and Worship Radio" by visiting our website at www.FTFM.org.

Until next time..."Be Blessed in ALL You Do!"

Robert Thibodeau
Freedom Through Faith Ministries

Make No Mistake About It - America WILL LOSE THIS WAR

Can it be any more clear that Obama is a Muslim loyalist? He has sent a recorded message to the Muslim Brotherhood that he "is on their side and his administration is in partnership" with them! 



WHY? WHY? WHY - doesn't our Congress impeach this guy? WHY - doesn't our military throw him out through a coupe? I and millions more would support it!



He is going to violate Geneva Convention articles and United Nations articles by conducting an attack on a nation that HAS NOT ATTACKED US. We cannot claim "self defense" or that we were "attacked first" (such as 9-11) - we are going across the ocean and attacking a country we have NO qualms with. THEY are in the midst of a civil war (with both sides basically "hating" us) and WE are going to initiate hostilities against them...for NO REASON.



And don't come back with "they used gas and killed children" (the argument that Obama states is the reason). Has Obama "interfered" in ANY MUSLIM country in which the MUSLIMS have been systematically KILLING CHRISTIANS; burning down churches (with women and children inside); or has Obama even came out and stated publicly that he condemns such attacks? NO. 

Has Obama ever made any public statements that condemn the genocide taking place in African nations where Muslims HUNT DOWN and kill Christians? NO.

 Has Obama even responded to the Bengazi attacks Muslims killed 4 Americans, including HIS DIRECT REPRESENTATIVE - the Ambassador? NO.



But yet, despite public opinion to NOT intervene in Syria; despite ALL other nations have publicly stated they will NOT intervene in Syria; despite the Russians releasing a 100 page document that says the Syrian regime did not use the chemical agents - it was the rebels; despite the rebels publicly saying they accidentally discharged them, resulting in the deaths...DESPITE ALL OF THESE THINGS - Obama still wants to attack Syria and depose their leader.



Now, granted, their current leader is "not a nice guy." BUT - neither is Obama! What would we say if they came over here to depose Obama (and with the support of about half our population, I might add). WE WOULD GO TO WAR!

 We would be engaging our "allies" to GO TO WAR WITH US. We would not rest until we "wiped that country out!"

 Well - guess what will happen with the roles reversed? 

THEY WILL FIGHT US...they will bring the war to our shores; to our cities; to our schools; to our churches. They do not have the ability to conduct impressive military campaigns...but they will attack.

They will not rest until the USA is brought down. They will not rest until the USA is incapable of surviving - militarily, economically and - most of all - religiously. They will not rest until America declares itself a MUSLIM NATION and outlaws Christianity.



You may think this is "extreme" and I should not talk like this. I'm giving it to you straight (something Obama and our "representatives" in DC are incapable of doing). WE ARE ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THIS "soon to be" CONFLICT.

  We will pay a heavy price in the lives of our military; in our economy and especially in our Freedom (or, what is left of it after Obama's tenure is over).



And finally - I can say wholeheartedly - GOD IS NOT ON OUR SIDE ANYMORE, especially if we conduct an unprovoked attack outside of International Law, whether it is approved by Congress or not.

WRONG IS WRONG.

 God has already withdrawn His "hedge of protection" from around our nation; He has already withdrawn the Blessing from this nation (despite what the "blessing" preachers have to say - God does not bless intentional disobedience...which is what the USA has been doing for the past 40+ years...which is why we are in the financial mess we see today - that is just ONE indicator).



If this nation IS NOT UNDER THE BLESSING - then that means we ARE UNDER THE CURSE. If we are operating under the curse - that means we are "fighting against God." If we are fighting against God - we WILL LOSE.

  Which means, if Obama conducts this attack on Syria and the Muslim nations respond (which they will) - WE WILL LOSE THIS WAR.

It may not be immediate; it may not happen in one or two years...but never doubt - WE WILL LOSE THIS WAR!