Help for Haiti!!! (UPDATED... again... again)

Like you I'm sure, I have been watching some of the coverage of what is happening just south of our borders in a very poor section of the world. If you've missed it, Haiti was hit by a massive 7.0 earthquake yesterday afternoon that has left the country devastated.

As I've watched some of the coverage, I have thought to myself, "What can I do to help?" Several of my friends have posted links and I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunities for all of God's people to get involved in helping out in Haiti.

For many years I have been working with World Vision to do the 30 Hour Famine with our students. So I can vouch that they are a great organization that cares a great deal for the lives and well-being of folks in need.

If you would like to help Haiti, World Vision is taking donations. (Check them out HERE.) It is going to take a massive effort to get this country back on it's feet and it would be awesome if God's Kingdom lead the way in making a difference.

Here are some other organizations that you might consider supporting:

• Compassion International
• Samaritan's Purse
• Haitian Christian Outreach
• Hands and Feet (Audio Adrenaline)
• G.O. Ministries (an FVCC supported missionary organization)
  

Jim


P.S.: For those who may be wondering about G.O. Ministries and their ministry in the Dominican Republic, I have heard from a couple of missionary friends from G.O. on Facebook. Everyone in the G.O. organization seems to be okay and they are already beginning to serve in any way possible. They stated that they felt the quake but it didn't do any damage. Some missionaries from G.O. are serving in Haiti and they have been heard from and are okay. John Martinez, Isaias Gabriel, Jenn Goodenough and Eric Leach have posted on facebook from Santiago, D.R. stating that they are okay.

Daily Read January 13, 2010

Imagine if God came to you and told you to do something totally out of the blue... would you?

Genesis 12:1-4 (New International Version)

¹ The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.

² "I will make you into a great nation
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.

³ I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you."

⁴ So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran.

Dominican Republic Chili Dinner Fundraiser

Nothing sounds better in mid-January than a big bowl of steaming hot chili. (My mouth is watering just typing about it!)

That's part of the reason why we planned a Chili Dinner Fundraiser for our upcoming Dominican Republic Missions trip.

The benefit dinner is scheduled for Friday night, January 29 from 6 pm to 8:30 pm. There will be plenty of chili for everyone. The cost of the event is $6 per person, kids 12 and under are $3 and children 3 and under are free. If you bring the whole family, the family rate is $20.

We've created a facebook event page for the event. Or you can sign up at FVCC over the weekend at the Welcome Center. We're also having a Silent Student Auction for a Day of Service. Childcare will be provided for those 3 and under if desired.

We'd love to have you come out and join us... eat some chili and support the students going to the Dominican Republic over spring break. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at Jim@fvcc.com.

Jim

What Is God's WIll? -Skit Guys

Love these guys... fun little video.

Jim

Check it out HERE

Brand New Year... Brand New You!!!!

Dream with me for a second... If anything could be different for the better about your relationship with in 2010 than it was in 2009, what would it be?

That's a fun question!!!

That's the question that spawned a fun new series this week called "Brand New Year... Brand New You!!" at Live Wire and High Voltage. And I'm pretty pumped about it. It started out as a one week message... but I think that it's going to grow into a 5 week series.

This week was the introduction. The next couple of weeks we're going to talk about:

1. New attitudes
2. New habits
3. New growth
4. New opportunities

It will be a great time of talking about and imagining what God can do through us and in us in 2010.

Jim

Daily Read January 10, 2010

2 Corinthians 5:17 (New International Version)

¹⁷Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Pictures taken on a cell phone... unusual New Year's Resolutions

This morning in both Live Wire and High Voltage, we talked about New Year's Resolutions for 2010.

I got a couple of the more random and cool New Year's resolutions that I have heard of in a while. First, one of my students has resolved to only wear shorts in 2010. And he had shorts on this morning. Now... maybe I need to clarify that when I got to church this morning, it was -10. So I guess he's on the right track since it was cold and he stuck to his resolution.

But I had a second student who has resolved to take a picture on her phone and post it to a blog. That's a pretty cool idea. In fact, the picture here on this page is one of her's. (Check it out for yourself HERE.)

Many of the high schoolers didn't have any resolutions but these middle schoolers definitely get the credit for creative New Year's resolutions!!! Way to go guys!!!

Jim

Daily Read January 9, 2010

Job 23:11-12 (New International Version)

¹¹ My feet have closely followed his steps;
I have kept to his way without turning aside.

¹² I have not departed from the commands of his lips;
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

Colt McCoy and Jesus and Leadership

A buddy of mine David Norman posted a great post this morning about injured star quarterback for the Texas Longhorns Colt McCoy. (You can read his post HERE.) I watched a little bit of the game, but honestly gave up at halftime as it looked like Alabama was going to run away with it... especially because Texas' star quarterback, Colt McCoy went out injured the first series of the game.

David writes this:
"The Longhorns played well, but couldn't overcome the loss of the player that the team is built around - Colt McCoy. The offense centers around him, and the defense gains confidence in knowing that he can put points on the board.
That should cause us to ask the question, "Who is our church built around?"
There's a growing trend in churches of making the lead pastor the star-player that the church is built around. His charisma and contacts are considered to be the things that carry the church. His preaching or leadership gift move the church forward.
This is wrong.
Our churches must be built upon Jesus."

I totally agree with David. As I thought about his post further, I wondered "what happens to ministries that are built around a 'super-pastor'"?

So many ministries are exactly like David said... they are built around a super-pastor or super-youth pastor or super-worship pastor. While I totally agree that they should be built around Jesus, many aren't. Instead they are built around one central individual. When that person leaves, dies, moves away, burns out, etc, what happens to that ministry, church or organization?

Exactly what happened to Texas' football team... it falls apart. Ministries need to be built on Jesus, as the chief cornerstone (see Matthew 16:16 and Ephesians 2:20). Ministry also needs to be spread out over a variety of different individuals who are equipped and prepared for ministry (see Ephesians 4:10-13).

Too many churches may make the right move of putting Christ first in their congregation. But they allow a super-pastor to DO all the ministry. Elders and deacons aren't trained up. Ministry leaders and other staff aren't empowered. All ministry roads lead back to one individual.

Maybe where Texas made its biggest mistake in not training up others who could lead the team in Colt's place if he wasn't there. Because the reality is that sooner (due to injury) or later (due to graduation) he isn't going to be there.

Team leadership in the church should be focused on Christ as the head first... and second it should be spread out appropriately over a variety of individuals who are equipped and prepared to go onto the field for every game, whether Colt is in or not.

Jim

Glad to be home!!!!

After having been gone for 15 days out of the last 17 (Christmas travels and LCS Intensive week in Springfield), it was great to be home.

So this morning, I enjoyed a little Bible reading, morning coffee and time on the couch. It was great. Our cats even loved it and joined me.

It was just what the doctor ordered... downtime!!!



Jim

Daily Read January 8, 2010

Job 19:25 (New International Version)

²⁵ I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.

This is some amazing hope from one of the oldest books in the Bible.

Daily Read January 7, 2010

Proverbs 2:1-6 (New International Version)

¹ My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,

² turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding,

³ and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,

⁴ and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,

⁵ then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.

⁶ For the LORD gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Daily Read January 6, 2010

Genesis 9:12-16 (New International Version)

¹² And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: ¹³ I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. ¹⁴ Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, ¹⁵ I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. ¹⁶ Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."

Daily Read January 5, 2010

Proverbs 1:7 (New International Version)

⁷ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Daily Read January 4, 2010

Psalm 1:1-3 (New International Version)

¹ Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.

² But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

³ He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.

Daily Read January 3, 2010

Genesis 8:21 (New International Version)

²¹ The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: "Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.

Daily Read January 2, 2010

Genesis 6:9 (New International Version)

⁹ This is the account of Noah.
Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.

Ohio State wins the Rose Bowl

YEA!!!

The Buckeyes win the Rose Bowl over the Oregon Ducks!!! 26 to 17!!!

Way to go Buckeyes!!! Good job!!!




Jim

Help with daily Bible reading...

One of the resolutions that Christians always this time of the year is to read the Bible more regularly.

So I was thrilled when I saw that YouVersion and LifeChurch.tv came out with some new Bible reading plans that are totally awesome!!! If you are looking for some help with Bible reading in 2010, they've got some great help for you.

There are 20 some new plans ranging in difficulty to match your skill level. Some easy readings of a couple of verses or chapters a day. Some serious readings like through the Bible in 90 days. There's something for everyone!!!

I'm working on two right now. The first is through the Bible in 365 days in a chronological fashion. The other is through Psalms (2x in a year) and Proverbs (12x in a year).

So, if you are looking for a do-able Bible reading plan, no need to spend money. These are free. And for you iPhone/iPod Touch, Android Blackberry users... You can download the free apps for their programs and read along and check off your readings on your mobile device!!!

SWEET!!!

Check it out HERE. You won't be sorry... and 2010 will be an incredible year because you spent time regularly in God's Word.

Jim

Daily Read January 1, 2010

I have always loved this verse. What a testimony about Enoch... that his relationship with God was so tight that God took him to be with Him all the time. My hope and prayer is that this year others might say that "Jim walked with God..."

Something to strive for...

Genesis 5:24 (New International Version)

²⁴ Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

Happy New Year!!!

Jim