2010 Bible Reading Plan

When I come to the end of a year, one of the decisions for me to make is, "how will I read the Bible this coming year". I like to go into the year with a plan. I may choose a translation that I don't often read or I may choose to try and read the entire Bible in one year. Some years I like to slow my reading pace way down to give me more time to reflect on fewer things.

If you need some help in determining a plan for 2010 and if you wouldn't mind doing some of your devotions by using your phone or computer, I have an idea for you.

If you go to youversion, there are about 20+ reading plans that they offer. Choose one that seems to fit and enjoy spending time with God in 2010.

Primal, by Mark Batterson

I just completed “Primal, a Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity”, the latest book by Mark Batterson.

If you are a part of Living Hope Church, where I pastor, his name will be very familiar to you. In the last couple of years we have gone through two books authored by Mark; “In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day” and “Wild Goose Chase”.

I love the fact that this book draws me back to the heart of purpose, why I was created, to love God and love people.

There are certain books that when I read them I must have a highlighter in hand. This is one of them. Nearly every page I found myself marking at least one phrase or thought. It had me thinking, “this is good, this is something that I need to remember and apply”.

Let me share just a few of the many with you.

“Going back to that most primal place helps us find our way forward”.

“You cannot listen to just half of what the Holy Spirit has to say. It’s a package deal”.

“…it’s much easier to act like a Christian than it is to react like one”.

“The most primal form of love is not doing things for God. It is receiving with gratitude what He has already done for us. And then reflecting it in our lives”.

I highly recommend this book to you. This is the first book you should read this year. You can purchase the book at RandomHouse.

Dan Kornbaum Reaches Milestone

My son Mark's friend, Dan Kornbaum, reached a great milestone in his high school basketball career. Last night he scored his 1,000th point.

Goals and milestones are significant in life. Without setting goals most people tend to drift through life aimlessly.

Take a few moments in these closing days of 2009 and establish some new goals and reevaluate any past ones to see if you are still on track. As Dan needed others, his team, to help him, realize that you will need others to be a part of the process of making milestones.

Dream big and enjoy the journey.

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