End of 2009... Beginning of 2010...

It's hard to imagine that another year is almost at a conclusion. It seems to be that every year gets a bit faster. As a kid, it always took fffffooorrreevvveeerrr for Christmas and the holidays to get here. Now, it seems like it's here before you know it.

But as 2010 is set to arrive tonight (and for once, we'll be in eastern timezone as we're still in PA... which is odd since usually we're in North Aurora), I'm thinking about how 2010 should be different than 2009.

A couple of my New Years goals are similar to last year...

• Read pages more than I spend watching TV.
• Continue to lose weight... I've already lost 30 pounds and by October 17, I want to lose another 50 pounds.
• Read a portion of the Bible everyday.
• Run a 10K, half-marathon and maybe a full 26.2 mile marathon
  

These are several goals that I'm already in some way working on. As to whether or not I'll add new goals, I haven't decided yet... these are still a pretty hefty load.

But as 2010 arrives, I'm praying that I am open to following God's leading. Who knows, aside from God, what is coming in 2010. But I'm praying that I have the wisdom and faith to follow God in whatever He sets out before me. God is in front of me and behind me... "Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel's army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them... Exodus 14:19"

2010... I welcome you. And all that God is going to do through you.

Jim

Daily Read December 31, 2009

Isaiah 43:18-19 (New International Version)

¹⁸ "Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.

¹⁹ See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.

Daily Read December 29, 2009

Psalm 140:12-13 (New International Version)

¹² I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor
and upholds the cause of the needy.

¹³ Surely the righteous will praise your name
and the upright will live before you.

Daily Read December 28, 2009

Matthew 2:19-23 (New International Version)

¹⁹After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt ²⁰and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead."

²¹So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. ²²But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, ²³and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: "He will be called a Nazarene."

Nativity Dance

This was a pretty fun video that a friend recommended. Enjoy a little different take on the nativity story.

Jim

Check it out HERE

Daily Read December 27, 2009

Matthew 2:13-15 (New International Version)

¹³When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." ¹⁴So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, ¹⁵where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son."

Daily Read December 26, 2009

Matthew 2:1-12 (New International Version)

The Visit of the Magi

¹After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem ²and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

³When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. ⁵"In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:
⁶" 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'"

⁷Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. ⁸He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."

⁹After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. ¹¹On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. ¹²And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Daily Read December 25, 2009

Luke 2:8-20 (New International Version)

⁸And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. ¹²This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

¹³Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
¹⁴"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

¹⁵When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

¹⁶So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Daily Read December 24, 2009

Luke 2:6-7 (New International Version)

⁶While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Daily Read December 23, 2009

Luke 2:1-5 (New International Version)

¹In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ²(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³And everyone went to his own town to register. ⁴So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

Daily Read December 22, 2009

Luke 1:46-55 (New International Version)

⁴⁶And Mary said:
"My soul glorifies the Lord
⁴⁷and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
⁴⁹for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
⁵⁰His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
⁵¹He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
⁵²He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
⁵³He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
⁵⁴He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
⁵⁵to Abraham and his descendants forever,
even as he said to our fathers."

Eric Samuel Timm - What's your Christmas all about?

I love Eric... He rocks!!!

Check out this little video about what your Christmas is about... (HERE)

Jim

Daily Read December 21, 2009

Luke 1:39-45 (New International Version)

³⁹At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, ⁴⁰where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ⁴²In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! ⁴³But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"

Daily Read December 20, 2009

Luke 1:35-38 (New International Version)

³⁵The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. ³⁷For nothing is impossible with God."

³⁸"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

High School Ski and Tubing Trip

The snow is flying and our high school ministry is planning a ski and tubing trip to Cascade Mountain in Portage, WI. This event is for all high school students and their friends. Here are the details:

• When: Saturday, January 16, 2010
• -leaving FVCC at 7 am and returning at 10:30 pm
• Where: Cascade Mountain, Portage WI
• How much: To ski: $50 – To ski and rent skis: $75 – To tube all day: $50

We have expanded the trip this year to include those who might want to tube. The sign up sheet is out in the Warehouse. The last day to sign up will be January 10^th. When you sign up, you need to pay ½ of the trip. If you have questions about the ski/tube trip, email Jim Clark at jim@fvcc.com. If you like to ski and would like to go as a chaperone, email Jim Clark at jim@fvcc.com.

Daily Read December 19, 2009

Luke 1:26-33 (New International Version)

²⁶In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, ²⁷to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. ²⁸The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

²⁹Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. ³⁰But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. ³¹You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. ³²He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

Charlie Brown Christmas

I enjoyed a little bit of this on TV... along with getting the rest of my schoolwork finished up for this semester!!!

Jim

Check it out HERE

Jackie skating backwards

Check out Jackie skating backwards!! She's awesome!!!

Check out her other video of her just skating and spinning HERE.

Check out this video on YouTube HERE.

Jim

Jackie skating

We went into Chicago Saturday night for Jackie's birthday celebration (that was in November). We ate out and Jackie skated in Millennium Park.

Check her skating backwards HERE.

Watch this video on YouTube go HERE.

Jim

Daily Read December 13, 2009

Here is the main text for this morning's message at High Voltage and Live Wire. We're doing a short little two-week series entitled "Amazed! Are you?" It should be fun!

Luke 2:1-20 (New International Version)

The Birth of Jesus

¹In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ²(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³And everyone went to his own town to register.

⁴So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

⁸And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. ¹²This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

¹³Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
¹⁴"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

¹⁵When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

¹⁶So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Daily Read December 12, 2009

Psalm 130:3-6 (New International Version)

³ If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?

⁴ But with you there is forgiveness;
therefore you are feared.

⁵ I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope.

⁶ My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Diet update... week whatever...

I love this photo...

And after last night's Progressive Dinner, that's exactly what I felt like this morning. So I did... And since it was warm, I ran outside! Which is awesome!!

But this week I crossed into new diet territory. When I was dieting seriously a couple of years ago, the lowest weight that I got to was 246.5. This week I crossed beyond that weight. Tuesday morning I weighed in at 246.0. So I'm dieting into new territory. Now this morning's weight wasn't that good. But yesterday morning I weighed in at 247. That's 31 pounds since the beginning of August.

Feels great!!! Just thought I'd share!!!

Jim

2 Kittens on a blanket...

I just thought I'd share a cute picture of our two cats... Zelda (left) and Zoe (right). I was making the bed this morning and they were sleeping on the blanket. So I got their attention to grab this picture. Just thought I'd share.

Jim

Christmas Progressive Dinners

We had a blast last night at the Student Ministry Christmas Progressive Dinners!!!!

Thanks to:

• Steve and Julie Galloway (hosting the middle school stop #1)
• Scott and Karla Findley (hosting the middle school stop #2)
• Gary and Deb Dyrek (hosting the middle school stop #3 and presents)
• Rick and Bonnie Cerezo (hosting the high school stop #1)
• Tracy Paprocki (hosting the high school stop #3 and presents)
• Todd and Paula Alford (for taking the middle school students around on their stops!!! You guys are awesome!!!)

If you've never done a Progressive Dinner, it's pretty simple. You start out in one location and then travel around to various locations, eating a different portion of the meal as you go. For instance, last night stop #1 was an appetizer, stop #2 was the main course and stop #3 was dessert and present opening. Then at the last stop we do a $7-$10 gift exchange.

We had a blast!!! (The picture above is from the high school stop #3 and present opening house!) From the reports that I heard from the middle school crew was that they had a blast as well.

The notable high school gifts (that were fought over... we do a "cut-throat" stealing type Christmas present exchange...) were the Snuggie, a couple of iPod speaker systems, a big bag of Sour Patch Kids/Target gift card, a Starbucks gift card and an iTunes gift card (that I ended up with... although I really wanted the Snuggie!!!).

But bottom line... everyone had fun!!! And shared some Christmas spirit!!!

Thanks to those who helped out!!! Couldn't do it without you!!

Jim

Daily Read December 11, 2009

Psalm 127:1 (New International Version)

¹ Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain.

Daily Read December 10, 2009

Jude 1:24-25 (New International Version)

²⁴To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— ²⁵to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

The Vulture in Spider-Man 4??

So I was reading a little article HERE today about the upcoming Spider-Man 4 (which I hope they lose the singing and dancing of Spider-Man 3 and replace it with more action...).

The article stated that there is serious talk of bring in John Malkovich to play the Vulture. That would be sweet. The Vulture is a pretty major villain in Spider-Man lore and it would be great to see Malkovich play it.

On the other hand the article talks about Anne Hathaway being a part of the movie as well. She's a pretty great actress and that would be kinda fun too. But then I read that they are going to make up a character for her... the Vulturess... (ugh!). My question... Why? There are so many great female villains in the comics that they have to make something up! Why not just choose a character that lines up with the comics and go with it? Or better yet, why can't her character just become the supervillain that she does in the comics... ummm Black Cat maybe?

Craziness. Pure craziness. Just felt like ranting a little bit there.

Jim

Daily Read December 9, 2009

Jude 1:20-23 (New International Version)

²⁰But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. ²¹Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

²²Be merciful to those who doubt; ²³snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Daily Read December 8, 2009

Hosea 14:9 (New International Version)

⁹ Who is wise? He will realize these things.
Who is discerning? He will understand them.
The ways of the LORD are right;
the righteous walk in them,
but the rebellious stumble in them.

Hillsong United - Hosanna

I've been on a Hillsong United run today in iTunes. Then I saw this video on Dan's blog. Great, great video!!! I would love to worship live with Hillsong United sometime.

Jim

Check it out HERE.

Daily Read December 7, 2009

Hosea 6:6 (New International Version)

⁶ For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.

Ode To Joy - Muppets

We used this video this morning... Just fun and festive.

Enjoy!

Jim

Check it out HERE

Daily Read December 6, 2009

1 John 4:7-11 (New International Version)

⁷Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. ¹⁰This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Diet update... and a couple of goals...

Several things have happened lately in my diet world.

First... I jumped in on a 12 week diet contest with Simply Youth Ministry. Doug Fields, Josh Griffin and Matt McGill challenged each other and opened it up to others. So, since I am already dieting, I thought I'd jump in too. There are prizes and sweetness for winning and my thought is that I'm already doing it. So why not be rewarded (possibly) for doing what I'm already doing. (This photo is my official weigh in photo.)

Second, Jackie gave me a challenge on Wednesday. She bought me a sweet Spyder coat and matching ski pants back in August for Christmas (which I am eagerly waiting for!!!). I was joking with her the other day about buying me an Underarmor Coat too. She said... "If you can lose 50 more pounds and get to 199, I'll buy you any coat you want..." I said... "You're on!!!" My goal is to get to 199 anyway. And I'm planning to be there before October 17, 2010 (when I run the Columbus, Ohio 1/2 marathon).

So... there's a couple of diet updates...
And by the way... I weighed in this morning at 247.5!!!!! That's 30.5 pounds since the first of August and 4 pounds down from yesterday. It's also only 1 pound from my lightest weight since college 10 years ago. My lightest college weight was 240 and I'll be there soon!

Jim

Daily Read December 5, 2009

1 John 1:8-10 (New International Version)

⁸If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

The Living Nativity - The Skit Guys

This is awesome!!! Merry Christmas. Don't miss the end... It's great! Thanks Tommy and Eddie!

Jim

Check it out HERE

Daily Read December 4, 2009

1 John 1:5-7 (New International Version)

⁵This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. ⁷But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Daily Read December 3, 2009

Psalm 119:127-128 (New International Version)

¹²⁷ Because I love your commands
more than gold, more than pure gold,

¹²⁸ and because I consider all your precepts right,
I hate every wrong path.

Official on facebook... Official in my book...

Daily Read December 2, 2009

Proverbs 28:18 (New International Version)

¹⁸ He whose walk is blameless is kept safe,
but he whose ways are perverse will suddenly fall.

Daily Read December 1, 2009

Psalm 119:105-106 (New International Version)

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.

¹⁰⁶ I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.