Trog Trogdon's Blog

“... learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.” (Isaiah 1:17)
As you know, every year I use my birthday to raise money for those in need around the world. And just last year, we were fortunate enough to raise over $3,000 for families in need in Guatemala installing 21 stoves & water filters making a significant impact on the health & future of a dozen families.And this year, I want to double this! For my 40th Birthday (March 8th,) I want to fund 4 Seed Effect Savings & Loan Groups by raising $6,000!Seed Effect is a Christ-centered, nonprofit, micro-finance organization that is using innovative savings & loan strategies to empower Sudanese refugees.In fact, they have already helped 15,000 people & better yet, ALL of them have now heard the gospel! Together, we can help impoverished people overcome physical & spiritual poverty by providing access to micro-loans, education, and spiritual discipleship.Will you join me in empowering 100 new Seed Effect members to build Christian community & provide for their families with dignity? Any amount will help to transform lives!!Click here to DONATE & make my birthday wish come true!#TrogTurns40Please pray, donate & share on social media. Below is a great video about their mission!

"Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus." - 2 Tim 2:3
I have been greatly encouraged this week by the life & witness of the famous missionary Sahdu Sundar Singh. His selfless sacrifice & single focus on proclaiming the good news of Christ should inspire us all. Abandoned by his family, poisoned & left for dead, tortured for Christ & tempted to renounce his faith numerous times for the pleasures of this world, he continually denied himself and took up his cross for the glory of Christ & the proclamation of the gospel. 
In one of his speeches he talked of a sobering reality with heart piercing clarity... 
"Oh young men, arise & see how many souls are daily perishing around you. Is it not your duty to save them? Be brave soldiers of Christ. Go forward in full armor, crush Satans work, & victory shall be yours. Christ has give you a precious opportunity be saved & to save others. If you are careless now, you will never get anther chance for you will never pass through the field of battle again. The day is fast approaching where we shall see the martyrs in their glory, who gave their health, wealth & lives to win souls for Christ. Oh may we not blush in that day."  
Oh, may this truth not fall on deaf ears, but on humble hearts. Lord, burn this kind of passion deep within our souls & give us no rest until we find our rest in You alone.  

2 Peter 1:3 says... "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence" 
Think with me about all the things God has given us to accomplish His mission on earth. Here are a few things off the top of my head...
- His Word: 2 Tim 3:16-17 | Heb 4:12 | Matt 4:4, 24:35- His People: - Psalm 133:1- His Spirit: - John 16:7- His Son (who lives to intercede for us) - Heb 7:25- His power: - Eph 1, Luke 24:49- His authority: - Matt 28:18- & even His Angels (who are ministering spirits to us) - Heb 1:14
I think we are well equipped to push back the darkness on this earth! It's time we rise up church and light up the world! 

Photo by Martyn E. Jones

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  - M t 6:33
Have you heard of Chieh Huang or Dan Price or Humphrey Monmouth?  
Both Huang and Price made the news recently for their amazing, creative and generous approach to the companies they lead. 
Huang is the founder and CEO of Boxed. He just announced that he is putting up his own money and stock in the company to pay all of the college tuition for all his employees children. 
Price, in a similar act of selflessness, announced that he was going to reduce his $1M salary to $70,000, so that he can pay all his 120 employees at least that amount. 
Interestingly enough, neither Huang or Price are Christians.  
Humphrey Monmouth, on the other hand, was a devout Christian who made William Tyndale’s ministry possible by financing his efforts using his own merchant ships to smuggle New Testaments throughout England. He is what we call a “Gospel Patron” (Find out more about his story in this great book - Gospel Patrons by John Rinhart.)  
So why do I bring these stories to mind? Because I know a lot of modern day Christians that are businessmen and women. I have had many conversations about God calling people to the “marketplace” and not to the “ministry,” so to speak. I have had many people tell me that God needs dentists and doctors, lawyers and teachers... And they are right. 
BUT - I don’t know a single Christian with a “marketplace calling” that has capped his income like Price or paid for their employees college like Huang. 
And, I long for the day that an army of Marketplace Missionaries rise up and work hard for our King, building His Kingdom with His resources. Men of women full of courage and strength that are willing to live well below their means, even cap their incomes, while earning massive amounts of money for one specific purpose - the advancement of the gospel! 
I pray that God raise up a harvest of modern-day Monmouths, that despise the world and it’s ways, the trappings of wealth & earthly treasure and love Christ and His Kingdom more than their own lives and comfort and bank accounts. It is inescapable, where we put our treasures, our hearts will follow (Mt 6:21!) May God help us to put our hearts in heaven by sending our resources ahead. 
Lord, it is Your Kingdom that we are called to advance, not our own. May we live simply, give generously and love lavishly while we are here on earth. For Your glory God, make us Gospel Patrons!

A special thanks to Daron Babcock for his contribution on this post.

I recently found this picture on the front of my church bulletin. I don't know where it originally came from but it has been on my mind since I first saw it. Here is why…

To drink from the cup of Christ means that we will suffer for Him and with Him. It is something that the Scriptures are clear about but our Christian culture often overlooks. Take a look at these passages for instance...

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,  -  2 Tim 3:12
Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.  -  Matt 16:24   
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.  -  Mark 13:13 
The incredible thing however, is that suffering is not something to be feared. Paul actually says that it is his "goal to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death," - Phil 3:10
I pray that all of us that call on the name of Jesus may begin to understand the depths of these passages and the truth found within them. That we may enter the Kingdom where the last are first, the poor are rich, the humble are honored and dying is gain. After all, it's in losing our lives for His sake that we actually find them and where the abundant life truly begins. 

A few months ago the Lord led me to compile the book of Proverbs into a monthly format for Bible study and reflection. After searching for 12 years for this very tool (to no avail) and seeing the great need for wisdom in the community that I serve, He connected the dots for me to produce it.

In short, it's a devotional, journal, legacy book for families and a witnessing tool. Once we pay off the cost of production, 100% of the profits are going to support our farming/discipleship initiative in Bonton and our Bridgebuilders benevolence fund.

I would like you to join me in prayer over the next 6-8 weeks (as it is being printed.)

Please pray that the Lord would use this book…

1. To lead many people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
2. To become a great source of added revenue for Bonton Farms & HIS Bridgebuilders.
3. As a great tool for parents, businessmen, ministers, disciple-makers and missionaries etc. to get the wisdom of God into the hands of the people they serve. 
4. That chain bookstores such as Mardels, Lifeway, Family Christian (and specifically CPO in Springfield) will buy the book for their inventory.
5. That pastors, churches and ministry friends will purchase many copies for their people to use and study. 
6. That blogs, social media sites, Christian websites etc. will pick up on it and promote it heavily.
7. That friends, family etc. etc. will go crazy promoting it on social media.
The website is 99% finished and you can pre-order copies today at www.awalktowisdom.com

Love you guys and thank you in advance.

And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” - Luke 8:20
I live in an area where there are many fancy cars. I pass BMW's, Mercedes and high priced vehicles every single day that I get on the road. Just a few months ago this thought came to my mind… "would Jesus drive a Jaguar?" As I began to think deeper about this, here is what I came up with.


- A widow gives two small coins and Jesus praises her for giving more than all the others.
- He tells the rich young ruler to sell EVERYTHING and follow Him.
- He says that the deceitfulness of riches and the desire for other things choke out the word of God sown in our hearts. 
- He calls the man wanting to build bigger barns and storehouses for his worldly goods a "FOOL."
- He tells us NOT to store up treasures for ourselves here on earth, where moth and rust destroy.
- He tells us NOT to seek after food, drink or clothing, saying that is what the pagans seek after.
- He tells us that in saving our lives we are losing them, but in losing our lives for His sake we are actually finding them.
- He says that we CAN'T serve two masters that we CANNOT serve both God and money.
- He questions our love for God if we have the worlds goods, see a brother in need and close our hearts to him.  
- He tells us that friendship with the world is ENMITY toward God.
- He tells men of God to FLEE from the love of money.
- He talks about the problems of wealth more than heaven and hell combined, nearly 1/3 of all His sermons deal with money. 
- He modeled poverty for us, having no place to lay down His head to rest. 
- And lastly, The King of Kings, The Creator of the universe didn't ride in on a white horse or chariot when He came into Jerusalem but rather… He rode in on a donkey!
Therefore, I'm convinced, that if Jesus walked among us today… He most definitely would NOT drive a Jaguar! 

"You shall have no other gods before me." - Exodus 20:3
"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." - Matthew 6:24
As I was driving in downtown Dallas last week, this image struck a deep cord within me so I had to get a picture of it. What you're looking at is The Cathedral Santuario de Guadalupe built in 1898. In its day, I can only assume that it was one of the biggest & most beautiful buildings downtown. Now it is surrounded by business, money & industry. The skyscrapers beside it are so big that it makes this beautiful building & its towering cross look minuscule & almost insignificant. Where once, the cross of Christ stood tall over the city, now it can barely be seen among the towers signifying the riches of man. 
A god is something or someone (as Christians believe) that we put our trust in, that we rely upon, that gives us comfort, security, peace & joy. Is there any wonder why the Lord tells us that we can't serve both God & money? Is there any wonder why He tells us not to have any other "gods" before Him? And… is there any wonder why we live such empty, stressed-out & unfulfilled lives? Could the answer be in the picture above? We have made money (& the pursuit of it) the most important thing in our country, in our cities & all too often in our own hearts. 
God tear down the idol of money in our lives! Teach us to trust in You & You alone & to seek first Your Kingdom & Your righteousness. In Jesus name, Amen. 

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. - 1 John 3:16-18
In a great conversation with one of my best friends this thought hit me…
Based on the verse above… the only way a believer in Jesus can be rich in this world is to not have poor friends! And, if we don't have poor friends, how in the world are we being salt and light in a dying world?

Since it's time to set New Year's resolutions, I thought that I would share mine for 2014…









To delight in the Lord each day by getting into the Word and finding a verse that brings joy to my heart. 
Neh 8:10 & Psalm 37:4
To seek Christ like never before, walking and talking with Him continuously throughout each day, sincerely listening and paying attention to His voice. 
Is 30:21 - Psalm 16:11, 27:4 - Acts 3:18-20
To walk in truth & in simple faith like that of a child, never allowing any doubts, fears or worries to hold me back.  
2 Tim  1:7 & Luke 18:17
To walk boldly as a lion in His power & presence within me through every circumstance of life.  And, to embrace & use the spiritual gifts He has given me in powerful ways for His glory.  
Prov 28:1 - Rom 8:11 - 1 Cor 2:12
To be Kingdom Focused and eternally minded, seeing the world through spiritual eyes. 
Matt 6:33 & Col 3:22
To fully understand my identity in Christ & boldly approach His throne of grace regularly.
Heb 4:15-16, 10:19-24 - Eph 1
To love like Jesus loves, serve like He serves and forgive like He forgives. 
Mark 10:45 - John 13:34-35 - Eph 4:32