A Story of the First Advent Wreath

Each Advent season, we light the Advent wreath. But do you know it’s origins? Here’s a story, based on the true events.

God Is Stuck With You

How often do we give or receive that lovely, age-worn phrase of comfort, “God is with you.” Lovely thought, isn’t it (cue “bunnies and sunshine” music). No matter what kind of mess you get yourself into, no matter what sort of dark place your desires lead you, “God is with you.” For sure, I’m not

Our Depraved Culture Is No Surprise – Todd Stocker.com

Another shooting.  Another law-suit.  Another leader choosing self-preservation over sacrificial integrity.  It isn’t a stretch to find moral decay and hypocrisy throughout the fabric of our world’s culture’s.  Doesn’t it seem like it’s getting worse? I don’t even need to dig deep into my own character to find flaws through which shines my unrighteous thoughts,

Seven Years Afloat: Makenzie Home-going Anniversary – Todd Stocker.com

Seven years ago, I thought my anchor gave way.  My life’s-boat was set a drift in a storm called “the death of a child” when my oldest daughter, Makenzie, was killed in traffic accident. Yet what I found was my anchor was more secure than ever.  The pain, the grief, the emptiness and the heartbreak were

Are You Jumping? – Todd Stocker.com

“Don’t jump to conclusions—there may be a perfectly good explanation for what you just saw.” Proverbs 25:8 I like my early mornings.  Before the sun crawls above the horizon, I’m normally in my place reading, praying, reflecting and writing.  Usually it is a peaceful, refreshing time but not this morning.  Because of my reading, I have been

It’s Out Of Your Hands – Todd Stocker.com

Yesterday, I had medical tests done as part of my health schedule.  I’m not a huge fan of going to clinics, but I know that it is necessary for keeping the body that God gave me running smoothly.  As they were poking me and trying to find my veins that tend to run away from

Floccinaucinihilipilification – Todd Stocker.com

For those of you unfortunate enough to have had to listen to my thrash of teaching week in and week out know that Floccinaucinihilipilification is one of my favorite words.   It took me several well deserved hours to consistently learn how to say it and then say it in keynote speeches and messages.  At

Failure Is A Funny Thing – Todd Stocker.com

Failure is a funny thing.  It is something for which you don’t plan.  It is a happening in which you feel defeated and low.  Yet it is also an event in which offers an opportunity.  The opportunity learn, to grow, to trust  and to excel.  Personal development leaders often say that failure isn’t a label, simply an

How Your Life Is Like The Super Bowl – Todd Stocker.com

Super Bowl Sunday.  It’s a national holiday, of sorts.  Two teams, having battled for months to conquer other foes, now stand at the last epic battle that for many will be marked with pain, adrenaline, defeat and victory.  I’m always impressed at the teams that make it to the big game.  This year, one seems to

73 Seconds. Live Every Moment. – Todd Stocker.com

I lived in Houston for a few wonderful yet short years.  Specifically, I served a ministry that was right across the street for the Johnson Space Center near Nassau Bay and fell in love with the community and people who worked for NASA.  Many of their astronauts, engineers and support personal attended our church and through

The Red Sea Principle: 4 Ways Leaders Get Freed – Todd Stocker.com

Have you ever felt trapped?  I mean, really trapped.  The bills are coming due and you’re moneyless.  The child’s behavior problem is out of control and you’re desperate.  The spouse’s distance is wider than the Grand Canyon and you’re depressed.  You team has no idea how to solve the glitch in the program.  You’re trapped. 

My Holiday Hangover – Todd Stocker.com

No, it’s not what you think.  I didn’t imbibe beyond limit and I don’t have a headache.  I’m not calling in sick to work and I’m not sipping milk and eating crackers.  The hangover I’m referencing occurs these first few January weeks after the holidays and is always a bit of a let down for

Worry and Peace; Dark and Light – Todd Stocker.com

It wells up inside of you like water on the shy side of boiling.  You know the signs of it and feel its power.  It goes by many names but often, you know it as ‘Worry’.  Worry is the response to a life lived thin.  Worry is the rumble of a person in chaos.  Worry, by definition,

What Decorates Your Life? – Todd Stocker.com

It’s early in the morning and my view is an elegant one.  Our simple Christmas tree, with small white lights and history-telling ornaments, stands in its ‘once-a-year’ place in front of our living room window.  Presents have begun to appear underneath its green branches and transparent red ribbons stream from Star to stump. Decorations are

The Most Powerful Words From San Bernardino – Todd Stocker.com

Glued to my news sources, I — like you — have poured over the events that unfolded this week in San Bernardino.  Gunmen enter and shoot.  People duck and run. Police chase.  Shoot out. Death and ‘carnage’. Sad — just very sad. Of all the photos and videos recalling the events, there was one that