Wartburg Castle with Hannah

Posted on May 13, 2017 by Todd Biermann

For Hannah’s 18th birthday today we were able to visit the Wartburg castle. Martin Luther stayed here for 11 months and translated the New Testament into the common German language. More were able to hear the wonderful Good News of our free salvation in Jesus. Hannah thought it was a great way to celebrate her 18th by being able to go through the same passages Luther did…in a castle and in God’s Word.

Thank you, Lord, for Martin Luther and for my daughter, Hannah; both followers of true life in your way!

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Brandenburg Gate

Posted on May 11, 2017 by Todd Biermann

Family’s doing great in beautiful Berlin.

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Tour Group at Reichstag

Posted on May 11, 2017 by Todd Biermann

Made it to Berlin.

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Off to Germany & Switzerland

Posted on May 8, 2017 by Todd Biermann

I’ll be traveling to Germany and Switzerland from May 10-20. My family and a group primarily from Faith Lutheran Church will be joining me as we trace the steps of Martin Luther and other important figures from the Reformation. We’re going this year because Oct. 31, 2017 marks the 500th anniversary of the date when Luther posted his 95 theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany…sparking the Reformation.

I’ll try to post more along the way. If it doesn’t work out, then I’ll share pictures and stories when I get back. God Bless!

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Helping or Hurting Your Child?

Posted on May 6, 2017 by Todd Biermann
Photo by Sharyn Morrow

Photo by Sharyn Morrow

Don’t let anyone fool you. It happens at any age. It’s the struggle of parents over how much to intervene in the decisions of their children. Should I stop my toddler before he grabs the burning hot cookie? Should I keep my pre-teen daughter from talking to the boy who’s using her for her brains? Should I make my child go to bed when it’s obvious the morning will come too soon? Should I rush to the jail to make bail for my adult child?

A good Christian parent often wonders whether intervention will be the help the child needs to make wise decisions in the future…or will it be the hurt that will prevent the child from ever learning to make tough decisions alone. Believe me, I know it’s not easy to decide. Heather and I have struggled with this since our children were old enough to think for themselves.

It certainly helps to ask whether our intervention will move the child closer to Jesus or further from Him. It also helps to pray fervently before stepping in. It’s good to ask whether our child needs help in becoming more sacrificial and unconditional in his or her love since these qualities don’t come naturally. Some guidance and intervention WILL be necessary for children to learn to make decisions according to God’s perfect will. Those who say we should totally abstain from any intervention in the decisions of our children are certainly allowing their children to continue in their sinful way on a path toward destruction.

In this struggle of parenting, it’s such a comfort to know Jesus is STILL on top! As we seek His direction, we’ll do what’s best for our children most of the time. And, when we mess up…He’s always there to forgive us in His grace and mercy. Now that helps!

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Book of the Year!

Posted on April 25, 2017 by Todd Biermann

facebook-banner-with-award

My book, Handing Out Life, was selected in its category as the 2017 BOOK OF THE YEAR among Christian Small Publishers. THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to its development. Thanks, also, to everyone who voted for my book as part of the award decision process. I’m humbled and honored to be able to pass along Jesus’ awesome gifts in this book. Please join me in praying that this award will encourage more to get and use the book as a way to understand the love of Jesus and how that love can shape all their relationships for good. Most of all, pray that the book will lead many more into a saving relationship with Jesus, our perfect Bridegroom!

Remember that the book makes an excellent wedding or graduation gift … appropriate this time of year. It’s also a great resource for EVERYONE as you advise friends and neighbors about relationship issues. You can get a copy online from Amazon (CLICK HERE).

Thanks again for your support!

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3 Keys for Marriage Ministry

Posted on April 20, 2017 by Todd Biermann

I really appreciate the work being done by Jay and Laura Laffoon of “Celebrate Ministries.” They share our focus on building up marriages in God’s way. They understand that God’s grace and guidance produce strong marriages, strong families, strong churches and strong communities. I just received a great article from the Laffoons about the importance of an active marriage ministry. It’s well written and highlights points for all of us to consider. I strongly encourage you to take the time to read it AT THIS LINK.

If you’d like to hear more from the Laffoons in a relaxed and enjoyable setting, I also invite you to join Heather and me at their “Ultimate Date Night” coming up on Saturday, April 29th at 7:00p.m. at New Creation Church of God in Flint, MI. To find out more, see THIS FACEBOOK LINK. If you want to purchase tickets at a discount of $25/couple, please stop by Faith Lutheran Church, 12534 Holly Rd., Grand Blanc.

Join us in the important task of building up marriages in God’s way…for the good of ALL!!!

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What We Provide…

Posted on April 14, 2017 by Todd Biermann

a1-use-heather-n-toddMany have asked us for a concise summary of what Heather and I provide to help marriages, families, churches…the world!

Here it is!

 

What we teach…

1. How God’s way for marriage shapes every relationship & particularly shapes our Gospel witness to ALL the world!

2. Sharing God’s instructions for marriage & relationships from Gen. 2:24, Matt. 19:5 & Eph. 5:31f in a SIMPLE, MEMORABLE and CHRIST-CENTERED way, utilizing two key hand illustrations (Thumbs Up relationship prioritization [LINK to VIDEO] and The Marriage Triangle of sacrificial, unconditional and incarnational love [LINK to VIDEO]).

Live in God's Way73. Showing how these teachings shape a complete Christian worldview as outlined on this site, www.LifeinGodsWay.com

 

How Todd and Heather can serve together…

5 to 10 hour/2 to 5 day seminars/retreats for any number of participants:

1. Dating in God’s Way – for youth to prepare & understand dating, sex, engagement, marriage, leaving home

2. Engaged in God’s Way – for engaged couples to prepare for marriage in God’s way (EXCELLENT resource for pastors doing pre-marriage counseling to lay a foundation & supplement personal counseling &/or inventories)

3. Marriage in God’s Way – great for those who have been married 1 to 70 years; helps hurting marriages receive healing and healthy marriages become even better and be filled with greater delight and joy

1 to 2 hour presentations/lectures:

1. Dating in God’s Way – overview of all or focus on one of dating, sex, masturbation, engagement, marriage

2. Sex & Masturbation in God’s Way – frank talk on tough issues for children, youth and/or parents

3. Engaged in God’s Way – quick overview of how to handle engagement in accord with God’s way

4. Marriage in God’s Way – quick overview of God’s intent for marriage – LINK to VIDEO “All Godly Relationships Are Marked by Sacrificial, Unconditional and Incarnational Love”

5. Thumbs Up Priorities – overview of God’s way to right relational priorities with simple illustration – LINK to VIDEO “Thumbs UP” to Relationship Priorities

6. The Power of Confession & Forgiveness – description and exercises in this essential tool for relationships

7. The Power of Prayer – how praying out loud together benefits marriage and any relationshipcover-thumbnail-photo

8. Handing Out Life – how God’s plan for marriage shapes our evangelical witness to the world (GREAT for an evangelism Sunday/retreat/seminar) – LINK to VIDEO “Marriage as a Gospel Witness”

9. The Respectful Wife – how godly submission leads a wife to rich blessings in marriage

10. The Loving Husband – how the truly loving husband brings great joy to his wife and himself

 

How Todd, specifically, can serve (sometimes also utilizing Heather’s input)…

Pastoral counseling to…

1. children, esp. suffering from broken relationships

2. youth/singles

3. pre-marriage couples

4. married couples, esp. in crisis/transition mode

5. divorced

6. pastors/church workers in their personal relationships, esp. marriage

7. pastors/church workers in their service to others

Preaching on various relationship themes including…

1. Marriage in God’s Way

2. Life in God’s Way (how God’s plan for marriage impacts EVERY relationship)

3. Witnessing in God’s Way (drawing on concepts in his book Handing Out Life)

4. The Power of Confession and Forgiveness

Congregational Training for…

1. Structuring programs and activities around a “Thumbs Up” worldview

2. A program of marriage preparation (including group seminars & personal counseling)

3. A program of marriage help/enrichment (including group seminars & personal counseling)

4. Outreach in all of life shaped by marriage in God’s way

Bible studies such as summarized by the 8 lessons in the back of Handing Out Life

Teaching occasionally at the University or College level [Have done recently for Concordia University-Wisconsin/Concordia University-Ann Arbor]

Conferences for laity, pastors and/or other church workers

Book lecture & signing events on Handing Out Life

Presentations on improving relationships (at home and in the community) to civic organizations such as Rotary Club, Lions Club, school board, public teachers’ forum [have done all of these with great reception]

Presentations on improving relationships (at home and work) for businesses/work associates such as Chamber of Commerce, realty teams, car salesmen [have done all of these with great reception] – SEE MY POST

 

How Heather, specifically, can serve (sometimes also utilizing Todd’s input)…

1. Teaching & mentoring women, such as she does regularly as a MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) mentor mom

2. Guidance & support for wives of pastors/church workers

3. Youth instruction on dating, sex, masturbation, engagement, etc.

4. Guidance on home-schooling in God’s way (we have home-schooled our 2 children through high-school)

 

Where we are willing to go…

ANYWHERE in the world

 

When we are available…

NOW is the critical time for disciples of Jesus to NOT back down from the Bible’s Gospel Truth on marriage!

NOW is the time to support marriage between 1 man and 1 woman as a living picture of Jesus and the church!

Posted in Bible Study, Character, Community Life, Congregational Life, Family Life, Living Single, Marriage, Relationship Priorities, Sex, Step-families, Teen Life, Witnessing, Worldview | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Never Too Late

Posted on March 24, 2017 by Todd Biermann

Sadly, many couples believe their marriage is beyond hope. They’ve been married for 5 or 20 or 40 years and they feel the troubles they have are too deeply ingrained. “There’s no way it can be fixed!”

I say…BALONEY!

In God’s way, there is ALWAYS hope! I have never encountered a marriage that could not be moved from imminent doom to stability to positivity to real joy. This can and DOES happen when the forgiving power of Jesus enters into a marriage. The only requirement is a willingness to allow Jesus to change their hearts.

Yes, if one or both persons are hardened and unwilling to let Jesus in, it will be hard to turn from the past. You can’t make someone love you. You can’t make a marriage work by your own power. It takes the power of Jesus being permitted to enter and do His miraculous work.

When we have the courage to let Jesus change our hearts, minds and actions, WONDERFUL things WILL follow. Repentance of selfishness. Eagerness to forgive. Excitement to start fresh. Renewed ability to love . Joy that far surpasses fleeting happiness.

Photo by Ian MacKenzie

Photo by Ian MacKenzie

It doesn’t matter how old you are. Jesus loves to change marriages from bad to good to great. Makes no difference where you are on that continuum.

Don’t give up. Your marriage can be great. Pray for the courage to let Jesus guide you in His awesome way! Then, turn to His word. Ask a trusted Christian pastor or counselor to guide you in Jesus’ way. Perhaps start by reading Handing Out Life together. I guarantee it won’t hurt. It might even save your marriage.

It’s NEVER too late!

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NEXT Marriage Seminar!

Posted on March 17, 2017 by Todd Biermann

Heather and I continue to enjoy hosting our Marriage in God’s Way seminars.  We’ve had thousands of couples join us to prepare for or grow in a rewarding godly marriage.  It’s been a true joy to see the enthusiastic participation and to hear the positive feedback.  The most rewarding seminars have been those we’ve hosted at our own congregation.  We then have the privilege to see the real change in couples’ lives as they actually put into practice what they’ve received.  The results ARE visible and enduring!

Once again, we’ll be hosting one of these local seminars at Faith Lutheran Church of Grand Blanc on Saturday, April 1, 2017 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  This event is open to engaged couples as well as those who’ve been married for any amount of time.  Think you don’t need this because everything’s going okay?  You’d be amazed at how much MORE God has in store for you if you give Him a chance.  Two couples I’ve counseled recently commented on how they wish they would have “heard this stuff BEFORE we got married…it would have saved us a lot of heartache later!” Others have stated that even though their marriage has been pretty good, the seminar helped them move on to a GREAT marriage!

Heather and I invite you to join us for this awesome time to focus on your best friend (or the one who is about to become your best friend once God starts doing His work).  We won’t make you talk in front of anyone.  We won’t be exposing all your problems.  We won’t make you do anything you don’t want to do.  We WILL share some wonderful insights from God’s Word.  We WILL speak words of forgiveness and fresh beginnings from our Savior, Jesus.  We WILL give you simple and memorable tools you can put into practice immediately.

Sure hope you’ll join us if you’re anywhere near Grand Blanc.  If you have questions or TO REGISTER, give me a call at 810-771-8837.a1-use-heather-n-todd

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