Merry Christmas from the Living Hope Staff

How to reinflate the Metrodome

You have probably seen the video of the Metrodome in Minneapolis deflating. If not, here is the link to watch it on youtube.

I thought it might be fun to have people suggest some creative ideas to inflate it.

My thought is since many of my pastor friends in the Twin Cities canceled their Sunday services they could all gather together and preach in the dome. All of that hot air would certainly have it back in operation in no time. jk!

Anyone have an idea to share? We have one week to get it ready for Monday Night Football.

Art Durene Featured in Morrison County Record

There is a great article in the Morrison County Record about Art Durene. Art is a member of Living Hope Church, where I pastor. He is an incredible man with a lot of wisdom. I have gone to him more than once with a question and he always seems to have the answer.

Hopefully the article will challenge and inspire you to learn some new things.

Hamilton showered with Ginger Ale

Hats off to the Texas Rangers. Last night they celebrated their first post-season series win. On their team is the winner of the American League batting title, Josh Hamilton. Josh is a recovering alcoholic and in consideration of this, the team chose to use ginger ale so he could be included.

When Texas clinched the AL West, Josh chose not to be a part of the team celebration with the traditional shower of champagne and beer. As Josh walked into the clubhouse this time, all of his team mates were prepared. They all yelled "ginger ale" and started to pour it on him.

Way to go Rangers. That's what a team is all about.

To see Josh's story of overcoming his addiction and restoring his marriage with his wife Katie, check out a video on Bluefishtv. Josh and Katie tell about their faith in God and how He has turned lives around.

I'm cheering for the Rangers to dominate over the Yankees!

Prayer for Pastor Todd MacDonell

A dear friend of mine, Pastor Todd MacDonnell has just been diagnosed with

CJD (Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease). This disease has to do with a mutation in protein, and is a rare, progressively degenerative, brain disorder.Unfortunately, CJD is not treatable or curable. Todd has been given weeks to live.

I want to ask all of those reading this blog to lift Todd, his family, Fellowship Bible Church and the Pierz community to the Lord.

This Saturday, September 25th there will be a prayer gathering at 6 PM at the Pierz Healy High School football field. If there is inclement weather it will be held in the gym.

Please join us and please spread the word to everyone you know that will pray.

Moving Day

The day that seemed to be forever away has arrived. Mark, our oldest, leaves for college today. We are sure going to miss him around here. He is an absolute joy. I am already looking forward to going to the Twins game and state fair with him next week.

Sent from my HTC Touch Pro2 on the Now Network from Sprint®.

The butterflies emerging

The office staff is waiting for the final butterfly to emerge. We missed the first two so they put it on my desk in hopes that I would catch it. Unfortunatly I am getting hungry and am going to leave for lunch. I am sure that is when it will break forth into freedom. Stay tuned for any updates.

Sent from my HTC Touch Pro2 on the Now Network from Sprint®.

Pool

After a lot of leveling our 1 hour pool is up. Is 62 degrees warm enough for swimming? ;-)
The frustrating part is that our pump is leaking.
The company is sending a new one but it takes 5-7 days.
Will my pool be green with things coming to life? If anyone has a filter (Krystal Clear model 635T) that I can borrow, please let me know.
The pool is 15x48. Mark and Kelsey leave for Sweden tomorrow. So we may all have to take a polar plunge tonight.
Sent from my HTC Touch Pro2 on the Now Network from Sprint®.

Stick with It

About four years ago we planted some raspberries. The first year we only got a couple, the one, then nothing. After threatening the plants that they would be removed this year we are finally getting several. Wow are we excited.

Persistence pays off. Don't quit. Stick with it.

The Bible says you will reap a harvest if you faint not.

Overcoming Crisis

This Sunday at Living Hope Church I am going to being sharing a timely message about "Overcoming Crisis/Disaster". If you live near Little Falls, MN I want to encourage you to come. I really believe the Lord is going to help a lot of people.

I was just reading the Brainerd Dispatch and saw the story of a band called "Scattered Trees". I know one of the band members and their latest cd actually fits in well with my message. Their cd is molded by the crisis of band member, Nathan Eiesland. His father passed away August of 2009. I got to know Nathan's family through their relatives at Living Hope, Jim and Sandra Carson. Sandra passed away November 27, 2002. Doing some of the special music at her funeral was Ben & Nathan Eiesland. Sandra was an incredible servant and loved children very much. My kids were and still are blessed by her and her family.

I want to put a shout out for Scattered Trees newest cd and let you know that for the next month they are letting people download it for FREE! just go to "Scattered Trees" website and let their songs bless you.

Econ Contest

I want to congratulate my son Mark for being a finalist in the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Economics Essay Contest. Mark and three others from Little Falls are among 7 finalist in the Standard Economics category. He will have the opportunity to tour the Federal Reserve Bank on April 30th after which they will announce the winners.

Pinewood Derby

Congratulations to my son Andrew. Among the boys he finished in 1st place today in our church's pinewood derby. His car is shaped like a carpenter's pencil.

Congrats to Flyer Basketball Team

For the third year in a row, the Flyers win on a last second shot. They defeat Apollo and are on their way to state.

40 Days of Love, day 2

Yesterday, Living Hope Church began a new series, "40 Days of Love". We strategically placed this series between Valentines day and Easter, two days that emphasize the demonstration of love.


There are three key things that we are doing to help us grow in our love for God and for others.

Along with our Sunday morning teaching, we have many Life Groups (adult small groups) that are meeting all around the Little Falls and Rice area. The third thing we are doing is reading from Tom Holladay's book, "The Relationship Principles of Jesus". This book walks us through forty daily readings focused on six foundational relationship truths taught by Jesus.

Allow me to highlight a couple of thoughts from the day 2 devotional.

• Are you letting the unimportant intrude on the truly important in your relationships?
• "A healthy relationship with God and healthy relationships with others have the power to keep our commitments to the things and the tasks in our lives from getting out of balance".

Here is today's Point to Ponder: God does not demand of me that I accomplish great things. He does demand of me that I strive for excellence in my relationships.

If you were in church yesterday, I concluded the service with two challenges, both dealing with putting love into action.
The first thing was an offering to help two families in our church. All I can say is WOW! You came through big time. I know they will be blessed.
The second thing was to commit at least 5-15 minutes every day, giving focused attention to every family member. It doesn't seem like much but it is probably a lot more than many are doing now.

If you missed the message, you can listen to it on our podcast.

Enjoy your journey!

Missionaries Coming, Millsaps on Sunday

This Sunday, January 31st, Living Hope Church in Little Falls and Rice will be having David and Kandra Millsaps. They are missionaries to Lithuania. As you can see from the picture, they will be working with Teen Challenge while doing church planting. Wow! That sounds pretty awesome.

Invite your friends for a challenging and uplifting service. 9 AM at Rice and 10:45 at Little Falls.

Mark is "Student of the Month"

I want to congratulate my son Mark on being named the Little Falls Community High School male "Student of the Month". Darla and I are so proud of him. Here is a link to read the article in the Morrison County Record.

Surround Yourself by Truth-Tellers

Today I read an article regarding leaders surrounding themselves with people that will tell them the truth. Part of the article stated, "It is extremely important for leaders gather people around who are willing and not afraid to tell them the truth. It can be deadly for a leader to be surrounded by individuals who will blindly march in lock-step. This usually because those kinds of team members are either too fearful, timid or really do not care what happens to the ministry. They are also easy to find and few organizations need any more than they already have. Leaders need to be secure enough in who they are to seek to gather around them people who give them diverse and honest opinions so the leader you can make the best possible directional decisions".
Ralph Heath, Leaders Must Surround Themselves With Fearless People, 4/17/09

After reading this article I took some time to evaluate who is currently surrounding me, speaking into my life. Do I give them the freedom, the right, the opportunity to tell me the truth, from their perspective, without facing any negative consequences? Am I afraid to hear the truth?

I realize that everyone has a blind-side. There are things that we just can't see or perhaps refuse to see. It is a real blessing to have people that care enough for me, that feel our relationship is secure enough, that they will share with me things I don't see.

Whether you view yourself as a leader or not, we all need to have people in our lives that will have the freedom to speak the truth to us.


"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ". Ephesians 4:15 (NIV)

Take a moment and ask yourself, "who surrounds me and have I given them the permission to speak truth into my life".

Baby It's Cold Outside

This picture says it all! I hope it puts a smile on your face. Tell me again why people think global warming is happening.

Day 4 of One Month to Live

The church I pastor, Living Hope church in Little Falls and Rice, MN has just started the series, "One Month to Live, 30 Days to a No-Regrets Life", by Kerry & Chris Shook. The book by that title is a New York Times bestseller.

Today is day #4, "Power Surge, connecting with the ultimate source".

"People who know their lives will soon be over tend to feel a desperate urge to change. But a desperation to change is not enough. In order to sustain the changes, we have to be connected to a power source beyond ourselves-a power source that never wavers, flickers, or leaves us in the dark. We have to move from willpower to the real power that comes from a connection to our Creator." p. 26

As a pastor I have witnessed several people who have had a "death-bed conversion". Upon their reflecting on life and the final days that are nearing, there is a realization that something needs to change. Their life without God has been incomplete. This has always motivated me to evaluate my connection to God. We all know it can be easy to "drift" away or at the very least, loose our motivation. Power for living, whether it is one day or 100 years comes from our connection to our Creator.

Take a moment and ask yourself, "What is one thing you can do today to connect with God in a greater way?" Now...enjoy the power surge.