Wild Game Dinner

Tonight was Living Hopes annual Wild Game Dinner. It's always an adventure to eat the variety of food that is brought in. I love it!

Our speaker was "Walleye Dan", a professional guide out of Brainerd. He also loves to hunt turkey. I loved his turkey calls. If I was a turkey, I would have responded.

This is a night for us to not only enjoy as men from the church but to create a none threatening open door to church for men who are not yet following Jesus. Hopefully they can see men that love adventure and Jesus.

Use Your Gift

In yesterday's message I shared about Jesus' passion for His bride, the church. How every follower of His has been given a gift, a ministry, that He calls us to. It's amazing how lives are truly impacted and changed when every part of the body works together, as a team.

The video helped me to drive home the point that no one person can do it on their own. I hope you enjoy it.

Happy Birthday Darla!

I want to wish my wife Darla a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! She is the most incredible woman ever. Most men "marry up" and I am certainly no exception. God is so good to have given me someone who loves me the way she does. I value her above no other. She is my best friend and I enjoy spending every moment I can with her.

Happy Birthday Darla!

Flyer Boys Basketball Headed Back to State

In dramatic fashion, the Little Falls Flyers Boys Basketball team upset #1 seed Apollo Eagles 63-62. If you were at the game you might have been thinking, "deja vu". Last year the Flyers beat the Eagles with a tip in by Danny Kornbaum, just as the clock expired. This year it was again, Danny, this time he drove the base line and made a lay up with about 5.5 seconds to go. That basket gave the Flyers the lead. Apollo had one last shot that hit the rim and bounced off, ending the game. (Video of last three minutes)

Ron Kornbaum is being interviewed by a reporter from the St. Cloud Times.

Danny is on the phone, making reservations for Disney World.

Another one point game!

I was so impressed that the Flyers never quit. In the last four minutes, trailing by 10, they fouled as quick as they could, sending the Eagles to the free throw line. At first it didn't appear to be working, as Apollo kept making the shots. In my opinion the game started to turn in the Flyers direction when Nick was fouled from beyond the three point line. He made all three free throw attempts.

The Flyers will play at the state tournement on Wednesday, March 25th at Williams Arena.

GO FLYERS!

American Idol

For all of you American Idol fans out there (Lisa S. especially), I want to strongly suggest the person you should vote for, DANNY GOKEY.

Above is a picture of Danny with friend's of mine. In the middle is Danny Gokey, on the right is my friend, Pastor Chris Castilleja and on the left is his wife Jen.

Danny recently lost his wife and was encouraged by Pastor Chris to try out for American Idol. If Chris ever has him come to his church I am going to try and book him at Living Hope.

VOTE GOKEY!!!

The Scary thing about Facebook

I recently became friends on Facebook with my former youth pastor's wife. It didn't take long and she was uploading photos from the past. This is perhaps one of the scariest things about Facebook. You never know what others might dig up on you. (I hope you've lived a clean life :) )

I know, you are dealing with a little jealousy right now. You are wondering how Darla and I still look so young, just like this photo taken in the early 80's. We really haven't changed much, Hah!!!

I absolutely love Darla's smile in this picture. When she saw it, she let out one of her infamous laughs.

I think Living Hope should have a little fun by doing a "blast from the past". It would be hilarious to go through old pictures of everyone and catch a glimpse of our transformation.

Thieves Take Church Equipment

A friend of mine, Trent Redman, who pastors Valley Creek Church, discovered all of the equipment for their portable church was stolen.

Every week they set up and tear down just like we do for the Rice campus of Living Hope.

It looks like the thieves stole the trailer that was stored throughout the week at another church. It was found early today on Springside Drive in St. Paul.

Trent estimates that more than $50,000 in equipment was stolen. The only thing they left behind were the bibles.

Despite the lack of equipment, church went on this morning.

An article/video on Kare11's website written by Julianna Olsen said, "With most everything stolen, packing up the trailer after services was a whole lot easier Sunday. Valley Creek Church may be portable, but its members know the church's most important parts are permanent.

'It's not about a building. It's not about equipment,' Redmann said. 'All of those things can be replaced. It's about people.'"

Please pray for this church that God would provide the equipment needed by next Sunday. Somehow I think that what the Devil meant for evil, God is going to use for good. I believe God will provide new equipment and the publicity will bring people to the church.