givemn.org

www.giveMN.org is a new website that allows online giving for non-profits as a no-fee service. They just launched this website and today November 17th, their funding partners have created Give to the Max day. TODAY from 8AM to Wednesday at 8AM, GiveMN.org will match any donations up to $500,000.

So, please go to: www.GiveMN.org and type LIVING HOPE ASSEMBLY OF GOD into the box on the right (find a non-profit). On the right is a green donate box. Click on it! On the next page you can make a donation and designate it. Our church youth group, Motion Student Ministries, is doing a big end of the year push for Speed-the-Light. Today would be a great day to help them out. To designate to Speed-the-Light, just type " Speed-the-Light" in the box.

Remember, that for Today only, your dollar could be worth $2! Go to www.givemn.org today!

If this doesn't work for you today, there will be an opportunity for you this Sunday. During the service we will be taking our annual offering for Speed-the-Light.

Pray 4 Your Block

I came across an interesting website today. It is called "Pray 4 Your Block".

The following is a copy of their description of this ministry.

Imagine what could happen if your community was covered in prayer!

• Prayer will open your eyes to what God is doing in your neighborhood.
• Prayer will ready you to act as He moves in your neighborhood.
• Prayer will prepare your neighbors to experience the transforming love and power of Christ.
• All this happens as a result of your prayers!

Together we can form a virtual prayer network across communities… across the country… around the world! Simply follow the 3-steps above to raise a “prayer flag” above your residence as a visible banner to the world that your block will be regularly covered in prayer. Your “prayer flag” will be posted on a Google Earth map for the world to see. Together, we are praying for a sustained Christ-awakening that transforms people, churches and communities!

Take a few moments to:

• Create an account
• Post a (virtual) prayer flag at your address.
• Pray!

Your flag indicates you've committed to pray regularly for your block. Your registration also entitles you to receive e-mail updates with testimonies of answered prayer, resources and more.

As you can see from the picture below, I am the first one signed up in Minnesota. I think it would be awesome to get in on this in the early stages and watch the number of red flags pop up.

Let's cover our neighborhoods, communities and state with prayer.

A Visit to North Central University

Today was a strange day for my wife and me. We took our eldest, Mark, to North Central to check out the school. He is a senior this year and is in the middle of one of the biggest decisions he has ever made.

As I sat in chapel today, I encountered a moment of shock. 22 years ago I graduated from North Central. Never did I think back then that my wife and I would be sitting in chapel, with one of our kids, on the verge of becoming a college student.

The other crazy thought is that in 22 years from now I will be at the age of retirement. If these years go as fast as the last 22, I have no time to waste. I have so many things to still accomplish.

Pray earnestly, dream big, work hard, have faith, do it all for God's glory!

Go Twins!

Me and GM Ron Gardenhire

No matter how the Twin's do tomorrow they sure have inspired me and others to never quit! I love the fact that the Twin's always play 110%. If Jesus was physically walking this earth now like He was 2,000 years ago, I'm convinced He would use them in one of His parables.

When it seems like your down and out and there is no way, keep believing. Tomorrow I am preaching about this very topic. We will be talking about Abraham and Sarah, having their first child after it was physically impossible. Remember, with God nothing is impossible. Expect a miracle today.

Me and Mn Twin's great, Tony Oliva

Outrageous Joy!

Last Wednesday at Living Hope Church we started a brand new series called "Outrageous Joy". The idea of this series started because of where I was at in life. I tend to be a very positive, happy, laugh a lot kind of person. The last few months things have happened that have robbed joy from my life. I can't even put a finger on what those things all are. Just life.

I came to a point where I thought, this is enough. Ministry should not drain me of joy. Life should not bring me down. I have Jesus Christ in my heart, an awesome family and serve a great church. What's going on?

Needless to say, I am really looking forward to this fall series, because I need it!

Last week I gave everyone an assignment. Throughout the week they are to look for and jot down the things that occur that make them laugh or put a smile on their face. Come back on Wednesday prepared to share, even if it is embarrassing to them. We promised not to laugh at them but with them.

How about you? Are you looking at the glass half full or half empty? Does how you feel about life depend on the events of the day or upon things that change? The Apostle Paul was a person that experienced unbelievable trials and still continued to walk in the joy of the Lord.

I hope you can join us for this fun series as we look at Paul's life and his letter to the church in Phillippi.

Let's reclaim that "Outrageous Joy"!

What's A Great Day?

Today my family experience a "great day". We started the day by biking the Soo Line Trail from Little Falls to Bowlus. This is one of the things that I've had on my bucket list for a couple of years now. I know it may be one of the less significant things on my list, nonetheless, it was something that I desired to do with my family.

We are overlooking the Mississippi River at the Blanchard Dam.

We had lunch at Jordie's Trail Side Cafe in Bowlus. I loved the outdoor eating area. It was so relaxing.

Later in the day we played Bocce Ball; guys vs. girls. The guys won! Then we grilled some steak and had some awesome veggies from the garden. Following the meal we played croquet and then had a fire and ate smores. This is what I would call a great day.

What does your great day look like? Are you making some decisions that will create memorable moments in your life and the life of those around you? I want to do one thing every day that will cause me to say, "this was a great day".

Meeting Tony Dungy

Andrew and I were so excited to meet Tony Dungy. Tony came to the Assemblies of God General Council and did a book signing along with speaking at a luncheon and in a youth service.

He reached out his hand to shake hands with Andrew and had a little conversation with him. I think Andrew was pretty pumped. For all of you Viking fans, I did encourage him to come out of retirement and coach for the Vikings. If you read his book, "Quiet Strength", you know that will probably never happen. When he was our assistant coach, his wife couldn't tolerate our cold winters. Who can blame her.




I received an autographed copy of his new book, "Uncommon". It is the next book on my long list of books waiting for my time and attention. There is a Bible study that goes along with the book. I hope to have a group of men go through that some time this next year.

What I appreciate about Tony is that he is a man of integrity and character. He has certainly had his share of disappointments, heart-ache and success. In the midst of it all he has stayed anchored to his relationship with God and his family. I also love the fact that he loves to pour his life into others. Check out his website, All Pro Dads!