toddclark.org

Laying new track for 2009!

I have spent five hours this afternoon praying & considering what is next for Discovery in 2009!

I know that as our church seems to grow every single week and there is plenty to keep us busy.

We have been so blessed.

But I also know that what got us to where we are today --- will not get us to where we need to be tomorrow!

So, I regularly spend time getting off the train (that is the daily duties of Discovery) and I look ahead, pray & dream of what could and should be...

I refer to it with our team as laying track.

The more I can dream & pray --- meet with staff, elders and other Discovery leaders the greater the chance of this train (Discovery) not coming to a screeching halt!

One of my favorite times to get off the train is between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

It just seems like dreaming comes easy and God's voice gets loud during this time of the year.

For 2009, I am focusing my conversations, thoughts, creativity & energy on ...
- Our campus
- Our community
- Our country
- Our world

I know that by the first weekend in January there will be some amazing God given initiatives in each of those four areas.

I already know some of em' --- and I'm already anxious to share them with you!

Quick Pic!

My daughter Ruby on stage praying in front of thousands of people this past Friday night.

The Discovery Kidz team was honored to sing, dance & share the message of Jesus before the tree lighting extravaganza at the Simi Valley Town Center Mall.

Can you really overcome evil?

Well, after receiving dozens of emails and Facebook posts from this past weekends message on the existence of evil --- I thought I would share a quick recap for those who were not @ DC this past weekend.

In just a few short verses in Revelation we are told exactly how the evil one, Satan, operates and how we can defeat him.

Friends, THIS IS NEWS YOU CAN USE!

Rev. 12:9 says that Satan was hurled to earth and now "deceives" the world.

Deception is one of the most effective and often employed schemes of Satan.  He deceives you into thinking that wrong is right & that right is wrong.

Then, when you give into the deception ...

Rev. 12:10 says that Satan instantaneously switches sides and takes on the voice of the accuser!

Are you getting this?

Satan deceives you --- then accuses you --- then convinces you that you are worthless.

But the good news is that we can overcome evil as Revelation 12:11 says ...

They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

Amen ... we win because of Jesus.

Full message located at www.discoverychurch.com

Resident Evil!

This weekend at Discovery we will be considering the different aspects of evil that exist in our world.

I know that to believe in an invisible world is hard at times --- but I am pretty sure after this weekends study --- you will believe.

A portion of our study will deal with the anti-christ and his number 666.  Additionally we will dive into Revelation chapter 12 and see exactly how the evil one operates and how we can defeat him!

re "KINDLE" your reading!

Well, as mentioned on my facebook a few days ago I received one of these little "kindle" reading devices this past Sunday as a gift.

I am a pretty techy person and certainly an early adopter --- but I am not sure I have ever seen anything this unique.

There are thousands of books, magazines, newspapers and blogs that can be wirelessly downloaded to this device in less than one minute.

You do not even need to hook up to a wifi signal as the "kindle" has its own built-in cell phone like signal called whispernet.  It hooks up anywhere and it is free.  So, the device is a bit pricey at $359 but it comes first of all with free wifi signal.

You can additionally...
- Underline, highlight and make notes on any page of any book you are reading. 
- You can clip sections or pages and send them to yourself for filing or teaching.
- Ask a definition of words within an article or book.
- Load hundreds of book, magazine and blogs before you need to add an SD card.
- Search and download books right from the device with NO computer necessary.

I have just spent about 5 days with this but it has definitely excited me and re "kindled" my desire to read!

It is worth checking out my friends.

Sandy Daddy Day

A day out of school to honor Veteran's Day led me and my kiddos to spend the day at the beach.  

I am so thankful for those who have given and continue to give their lives for the freedom and safety we enjoy today.

My kids know we are blessed to live in the USA but they do not yet fully understand the sacrifices that have been made for this great country.

I want to say thank you to all our former and present military men. woman and families.

You make pictures like this possible!

Trees, Trains & Cemeteries

These are some of the photographs I took on Friday when I was traveling in Manhattan, Kansas ---aka the little apple!   There are more on my Facebook page.

 

 

Reggie Joiner @ Discovery!

This weekend Reggie Joiner will be with us @ Discovery. 

Reggie spent a decade planting and growing Northpoint Community Church alongside Andy Stanly in Atlanta, Ga. 

He now leads an organization called reThink that is changing the formula for ministry in this nation.

It has been our pleasure to host the ORANGE TOUR the past two days and I am thankful that Reggie has agreed to stick around for this weekend!

Friends ... you do not want to miss this unique & challenging celebration service.

Cool Pics ... Anyone!?

I have been looking for a Nikon D80 dslr camera for about 3 months and finally purchased one a few weeks ago.

I have two Nikon lens 18-135 & 70-300.

I am looking for some cool tips & advice on how to best use this baby!

I am headed to Manhattan Kansas --- aka "the little apple" --- for the next 36 hours and I am excited to post some cool fall foliage pictures on this blog!

Stay tuned ...

It tastes like Christmas ...

Wow --- to think that on election day I receive my first "red cup" of the season --- quite a thrill!

As I mentioned last year, these red cups will cause just about any beverage to taste like Christmastime. 

And I am curious what fantastic Red Cup Stories are floating around out there this week?

Please do share ...

Rapture, Tribulation & Millennium!

This weekend at Discovery we begin a new mini series called "Revelation Revealed".

We will unpack the rapture, tribulation and millennium.

If you would like to ask a question about this weeks study and you are on the Discovery campus you can just go to one of the computers located in the connected community area of the auditorium.

You can post a comment on the blog or send an email directly to Todd.

If you are out of town you can still be involved in the discussion by checking out the blog posts and watching the message online later this week at www.discoverychurch.com

This weekend at Discovery we begin a new mini series called "Revelation Revealed".

We will unpack the rapture, tribulation and millennium.

If you would like to ask a question about this weeks study and you are on the Discovery campus you can just go to one of the computers located in the connected community area of the auditorium.

You can post a comment on the blog or send an email directly to Todd.

If you are out of town you can still be involved in the discussion by checking out the blog posts and watching the message online later this week at www.discoverychurch.com

This weekend at Discovery we begin a new mini series called "Revelation Revealed".

We will unpack the rapture, tribulation and millennium.

If you would like to ask a question about this weeks study and you are on the Discovery campus you can just go to one of the computers located in the connected community area of the auditorium.

You can post a comment on the blog or send an email directly to Todd.

If you are out of town you can still be involved in the discussion by checking out the blog posts and watching the message online later this week at www.discoverychurch.com

Speaking of giving "worth-ship"!

For the past two weeks we have been studying Revelation chapters 4-5 at Discovery.  These chapters are all about worship around the throne.

I mentioned on several occasions that we are all GREAT worshippers!

Because the word for worship means to give value or worth to something or someone.

WORSHIP = WORTH - SHIP

We may not worth-ship God anymore --- but now we worth-ship people, houses, boats, motorcycles, guitars, computers and cars to name a few!

I read this article in USA Today this morning and is screamed out WORSHIP to me!


Sogo, a Japanese department store, is displaying this crystal-studded Mercedes-Benz SL600 in Osaka for the holiday season. Kyodo says the luxury car features 300,000 pieces of Swarovski crystal.

The vehicle isn't for sale, but Reuters says it's thought to be worth $403,000.

This weekend @ Discovery - The Throne!

This weekend at Discovery we will continue in Revelation chapters 4-5.  In this section of scripture we get an amazing backstage pass into the throne room in heaven. 

This weekend we will unpack in detail the sea of glass, 24 elders and thrones, winged creatures with eyes everywhere, peals of lightening and thunder, the scroll and lamb that looks as though it has been slain and more ...

As you enter the DC auditorium (if you are local) you will once again notice things are very different. 

The whole room is set up "around" the throne.

And we are going to study & worship again this week in this unique set up!

This weekend at Discovery we will continue in Revelation chapters 4-5.  In this section of scripture we get an amazing backstage pass into the throne room in heaven. 

This weekend we will unpack in detail the sea of glass, 24 elders and thrones, winged creatures with eyes everywhere, peals of lightening and thunder, the scroll and lamb that looks as though it has been slain and more ...

As you enter the DC auditorium (if you are local) you will once again notice things are very different. 

The whole room is set up "around" the throne.

And we are going to study & worship again this week in this unique set up!

No Pre-Marital Sex = $10,000

This is an article I just read in USA Today online ...

Blows my mind!

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says a Georgia nonprofit is offering $10,000 to an engaged couple that agrees to abstain from premarital sex. The deadline is Oct. 31.

So far, they haven't received any entries, even though the prize includes free flowers and other wedding-related freebies.

"Someone asked me, ‘Is anyone going to respond?’ ” Phillippia Faust of Marriage Appreciation Training Uplifting Relationship Education tells the paper. “In our society, it is going to be hard to find [a couple who has not had premarital sex]. ... But the standard is the standard.”

Faust's standard on premarital sex reportedly shifted during the interview, so now she's willing to entertain entries from couples that have had sex but now acknowledge that it was wrong to do so.

If you're interested, here's how the paper describes the contest rules:

"Bride and groom must agree to undergo premarital education. Must agree not to serve alcohol at reception. Couple either agrees not to have premarital sex or at least acknowledge it’s preferable not to. At least one of the couple must live in DeKalb, Newton or Rockdale counties."

Clark kiddos with President Reagan!

Cool photo at the library in Simi Valley!

Stunned / Life-changing / Unforgetable ...

These are some of the words contained in emails & texts that I have been receiving about this weekends worship experience at Discovery.

For those of you in other parts of the country here is the scoop ...

We sat up the whole room "AROUND" the throne. 

I began by speaking for about 10 minutes and introducing the thought that EVERYONE WORSHIPS it's just a matter of what and when.

We read Revelation chapters 4-5 with super cool music underneath and got goose bumps as we received a back stage pass into the worship service in heaven.

We sang some unbelievable songs with Ben and the worship team --- their energy was crazy cool --- it felt like we were at a passion or hillsongs conference!

We got on our knees in prayer for our world, nation, church and families.  We are so rarely on our knees --- and with the throne being the only thing lighted in the room and the music being played --- this was just an unbelievable experience.

We ended the morning with the song, "I can only imagine".  I am telling you after listening to Ben sing it --- then all of us standing up and belting that song out --- a huge throne covered with jewels, draped with purple fabric and lights spraying out everywhere from behind the throne --- WOW! 

As I sit here tonight all I can think is --- I WANT MORE OF THAT!

Good news is this next week we will once again be setup in the "ROUND" as we worship with music and I unpack Revelation chapters 4-5 in detail.

God Bless you friends.

Around the Throne!

This weekend at Discovery we have a very special experience planned as we worship around the throne!

In Revelation chapters 4-5 we get an amazing backstage pass into the throne room in heaven.  The sea of glass, 24 elders and thrones, lightening and thunder, ten thousand times ten thousand angels ... it is an incredible scene.

This weekend when you enter the DC auditorium (if you are local) you will notice things are very different. 

The whole room is set up "around" the throne!

And we are going to WORSHIP!

Wildly Close Fires in SoCal!

This is a picture from the backyard of one of our elders who lives in Porter Ranch, CA. I went to meet and pray with them today and see for myself how close the fire came to their house.

Incredible!

The fire eventually came right up to the fence in the picture.

Blog readers ...

Please begin / continue to pray for the thousands who are still being evacuated and many who are in danger of losing their homes.

This is a tragic beginning to the fire season ---but it is a great time to BE the church!

Got Proverbs?

So, this morning I am reading Proverbs 13 (since today is the 13th) as part of my quiet time.

I was amazed at how sooooo many of the verses speak to our current economy and our teaching this past weekend from the church in Laodicea.

Check em out ...

  1 A wise son heeds his father's instruction,
       but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.

 7 One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
       another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

 11 Dishonest money dwindles away,
       but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.

 13 He who scorns instruction will pay for it,
       but he who respects a command is rewarded.

 18 He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame,
       but whoever heeds correction is honored.

 20 He who walks with the wise grows wise,
       but a companion of fools suffers harm.

 21 Misfortune pursues the sinner,
       but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.

 24 He who spares the rod hates his son,
       but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

This weekend @ Discovery - REVELATION - "Philadelphia & Laodicea"

This weekend we continue our study in the book of Revelation.

We will be finishing up chapter three as consider the churches in Philadelphia and Laodicea.

One of these churches is facing an open door and one is facing a closed door.  We will spend some time considering which one we most resemble.

As usual if you are sitting in the "Connected Community" in the Discovery auditorium you can participate in this weekends teaching in two ways...

1. Ask a question or make a comment by clicking on the "comment" link below.  Everyone will be able to read your question/comment and interact with it.

2. Send an email directly to my computer by clicking on the "email me" link right above my picture.

For those who are connected to Discovery through the internet only --- we welcome your comments and emails as well!

This weekend we continue our study in the book of Revelation.

We will be finishing up chapter three as consider the churches in Philadelphia and Laodicea.

One of these churches is facing an open door and one is facing a closed door.  We will spend some time considering which one we most resemble.

As usual if you are sitting in the "Connected Community" in the Discovery auditorium you can participate in this weekends teaching in two ways...

1. Ask a question or make a comment by clicking on the "comment" link below.  Everyone will be able to read your question/comment and interact with it.

2. Send an email directly to my computer by clicking on the "email me" link right above my picture.

For those who are connected to Discovery through the internet only --- we welcome your comments and emails as well!

1. Ask a question or make a comment by clicking on the "comment" link below.  Everyone will be able to read your question/comment and interact with it.

2. Send an email directly to my computer by clicking on the "email me" link right above my picture.

For those who are connected to Discovery through the internet only --- we welcome your comments and emails as well!

1. Ask a question or make a comment by clicking on the "comment" link below.  Everyone will be able to read your question/comment and interact with it.

2. Send an email directly to my computer by clicking on the "email me" link right above my picture.

For those who are connected to Discovery through the internet only --- we welcome your comments and emails as well!

1. Ask a question or make a comment by clicking on the "comment" link below.  Everyone will be able to read your question/comment and interact with it.

2. Send an email directly to my computer by clicking on the "email me" link right above my picture.

For those who are connected to Discovery through the internet only --- we welcome your comments and emails as well!