Snow Days

I love snow days, I just prefer that they not be in April. I woke up to a foot of snow and another 4-6 inches on the way. The positive-my family desperately needs a fun day together. Life has been a little busy lately. The negative-golf is on hold, at least for a little while.

This day actually reminds me of the snow storm Little Falls experienced on October 31, 1991. At the time, I was the Youth Pastor at Living Hope and we were taking the youth to the Whiteheart concert in St. Cloud. As we drove down in the church van, we passed several vehicles in the ditch. By the time we arrived in St. Cloud, we found ourselves to be among a small handful of people who made it. Whiteheart sang a couple of songs and then said. "We're out of here". As I look back on that night I wonder, "What was I thinking". It was a scary ride home. The really stupid thing about it is that Darla was only two weeks away from giving birth to our first child. Hey, she really liked Whiteheart. The reason this storm reminds me of that is because last night my daughter Kelsey went to St. Cloud to hear the Newsboys in concert. She made it back to Little Falls but spent the night at her friends. It sounds like it was a tough ride back.

Well, I need to go. Time to play!

Triple Header Sunday

Today is a first for me. It is the first time I have ever preached the same sermon three times. So this is what an evangelists feels like.

At Living Hope Church our Little Falls location went to two services last week. They are at 8 & 10:45. Our Rice campus service time is at 9:30. As soon as I finished the first service in Little Falls I drove to Rice and arrived just as they were starting the service. (This was the plan). When I finished preaching there it was 10:30 and I drove back to Little Falls, arriving in the middle of worship and completed the triple header.

It always amazes me how I can have the same message but somehow in each service the Holy Spirit puts a little different twist on things. No two, or in this case three, sermons are alike; even when using the same notes. I believe God knows what words that someone needs to hear for that moment in their life.

If you weren't able to attend today or if you do not live in the Little Falls/Rice area you can check out the message at www.livinghope.podomatic.com

I need to get to my nap now, after all, it is the day of rest. Take care and God bless.

The Four Elements of Success

I just finished reading "The Four Elements of Success". The subject of the book is about personality profiles. Laurie Beth Jones, the author, divides people into four basic categories using elements that we are all familiar with; Earth, water, wind and fire. She calls this the "Path Elements Profile". As you read through the book you begin to figure out which element(s) you are and once you are able to identify your own personality profile, you begin to understand not just yourself but you also learn how others see you.

The author uses these four ways to discover your personality profile
Do you love challenge? You might be a passionate, fire personality type.
If your gift is in producing a refreshing kind of harmony, your primary style may be water.
Do you thrive in chaos and change? Your personality may be characterized by wind.
And if your strength is in creating order and structure, earth is your dominant style.

If you would like to do a more comprehensive test to discover your Path Elements Profile, you can go to www.lauriebethjones.com (Please note, there is a charge for this)

I would highly recommend this book for anyone who is in a position of influence or leadership. Not only will you understand yourself better, but you will also be able to have a deeper understanding of the people you work with and how to assemble a team that consists of the various personalities.

One interesting portion of her book really surprised me. "Recently the Gallup Organization surveyed one million workers in 110 countries and asked them, 'What percentage of time do you get to use your greatest strength at work?' Eight out of ten respondents said, 'Never.'"

Wow! That is a lot of unused talent in the world.

I have been doing a lot of thinking about this with the church I pastor, Living Hope. Are the people involved in ministry, serving in an area that allows them to use their greatest strength? How many are not serving at all because we haven't assisted them in discovering what their personality and greatest strengths would enable them to be successful at?

If you attend Living Hope Church and have an interest in knowing more about discovering your strengths and personality profile, let me know.

Other books by Laurie Beth Jones include; Jesus, CEO; Life Coach; The Path; Jesus in Blue Jeans; and Teach your Team to Fish.

Congratulations Flyers and Flyer Fans

Although the Flyers fell short in their effort to overcome the #2 seed, St. Thomas Academy, they played their hearts out and made us Flyer fans proud! (I will make no comment regarding the zebra's on the floor) :)
(Rachel Loukinen & Andrew Thompson)


I am also thrilled with the number of Little Falls fans that turned out. We can be proud of the community support demonstrated for all the teams that have gone on to participate at the state level. It's like a family reunion as past alum from around the state converge together with Little Falls citizens to cheer on the purple.

Chase the Lion

New Series coming to Living Hope!

Starting Sunday, March 30, (Which is the day Living Hope Little Falls will go to two services) we will begin the series, "Chase the Lion". This series is based upon a little known story in the Bible. It is found in 2 Samuel 23:20-21.

Mark Batterson, pastor of National Community Church wrote a book based on this story. His book is entitled, "In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day". We have ordered some books that will be for sale at church this coming week. Mark and his wife grew up in Naperville, Illinois, attending the church were I did my ministry internship.

Some of the topics we will be looking at are:Defying Odds, Fear Factor, Overcoming Adversity, Embracing Uncertainty, Taking Risks, Seizing Opportunity and Looking Foolish.

We will be encouraging our Life Groups to use this series for April & May.

"WHAT IF THE LIFE YOU REALLY WANT, AND THE FUTURE GOD WANTS FOR YOU, IS HIDING RIGHT NOW IN YOUR BIGGEST PROBLEM, YOUR WORST FAILURE...YOUR GREATEST FEAR?"

Do You Believe in Miracles?

(Photos by Paul Middlestaedt)

On Wednesday night the Little Falls Flyers Boys Basketball team overcame the odds and beat St. Cloud Apollo on a last second tip in by Dan Kornbaum. The Flyers are now on their way to the Minnesota state tournament.

It was an incredible team effort that allowed the Flyers to win this game.

Congratulations to members of Living Hope, Ron & Dan Kornbaum and Pastor Bobby (Assistant Coach). We are so proud of your efforts.

Last night Dan and another player, Ethan, were over to our house to play video games with my son Mark. Mark decided to do something pretty funny. He had Dan autograph his picture that was on the cover of the St. Cloud Times, and Ethan his, which appeared in the sports section.

Congratulations Flyers!

Backstrom Brothers

Don't miss this Sunday at Living Hope!

This weeks topic in our "Nothing's Too Hard for God" series is "No loss is too difficult". I have invited a family from my hometown of Farmington to share their incredible story. A few years ago, three brothers were traveling home when they were struck by a young man who had been drinking, driving too fast and talking on a cell phone. Two of the Backstrom brothers died at the scene. The third one was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Their mom, dad and two brothers will be sharing their story of faith on Sunday, 9:30 at Rice and 10:30 at Little Falls. I strongly encourage you to invite your friends.

To read more about their story go to www.backstrombrothers.com