Resources for the New Year

Though I do not intend to make any New Year’s Resolutions this year, I do think that the end of a year and beginning of a new one is an ideal time to take inventory of our lives and make any course corrections that are necessary. So, here are some helpful resources for approaching the new year of 2010.

• Michael Hyatt has a great post on Seven Questions to Ask About Last Year (btw, this is a great blog with lots of helpful insights).
• Biblical Counselor David Powlison addresses the topic of New Year’s Resolutions.
• Donald Whitney has 10 Questions to Ask in the New Year.
• Justin Taylor has a helpful post on Resolutions and Regret.
• Igniter Media has a creative video related to the New Year.
• Sam Storms Top 10 Books of 2009.
• Tim Challies Top 9 Books of 2009.
• Here’s an assortment of Bible Reading Plans:
  • YouVersion has 20+ plans available, all of which are accessible by iPhone or mobile phone and have lots of customizable options
  • Crossway has about 10 plans available.
  • Ransom Fellowship’s “Bible Reading Plan for Shirkers and Slackers” (here’s an explanation)
  • Discipleship Journal has the following reading plans:
    • Discipleship Journal Book at a Time
    • Discipleship Journal Original (here are bookmarks for the 1st half and 2nd half of the year)
  • The ESV Study Bible Plan
  • The M’Cheyne One-Year Reading Plan
  • The Journey Engage Plan (with accompanying online media)

What resources have you come across that have helped you prepare for 2010?

URGENT: NO GATHERING TODAY!

Due to circumstances beyond our control, there will NOT be a worship gathering today, December 27th.

Perry High School is experiencing an unexpected power outage that appears to be serious in nature and will take a few days to resolve.

We look forward to being together again next Sunday, January 3rd as we kick off the new year.

See you next week!

P.S. This might be a good opportunity to worship as a family. Click here for some helpful ideas.

Special Christmas Offering

I’m so excited about our opportunity to give in an over-and-above way to bless some people in real need. This Sunday we’ll be taking a Special Christmas Offering that will will be used in the following ways:

• 50% will be used in 2010 for benevolence to families inside and outside of Second Mile who have been hit hard by the economic downturn. It’s no secret that this is a significant—and growing—group of people. Gifts will provide groceries, power, and other essential resources for families in need.
• 50% will be given to Biblical Hope, a ministry devoted to providing biblical counseling for women. More than half of these women are not yet followers of Christ, and get referred to Biblical Hope by Crisis Pregnancy Center. These women are often stuck in life-dominating trials and the ministry is a great source of encourage-ment and truth. Gifts will provide Bibles, resources, and other practical items for these hurting women.

If you’d like to participate in this special offering, simply designate your check with “Special Christmas Offering” and either bring it on Sunday or mail it to PO Box 1137, Queen Creek, AZ 85242.

Warning: This Experience May Cause Intense Spiritual Growth

We believe that there are two things we do together as a church that are catalytic in growing to be more like Christ: 1) Serving, because when we give ourselves for others we become more like Christ, and 2) Community, because it’s not good for man to be alone and we always grow when we’re around the other gifts and strengths of others.

Therefore, at the beginning of each semester, we create an intentional opportunity to connect in these life-changing activities through what we call the “On-Ramp.”

For the next month or so, you can sign up to serve or be in a community group that begins in January. Will you take the challenge?

Click here to get the latest “On-Ramp” information.

Helpful Guide to Prayer & Fasting

Yesterday I mentioned that one of the ways Molly and I are seeking to draw near to Jesus this Advent season is by committing ourselves to one day per week of fasting and prayer. For us, the best day works out to be Tuesday. We started last week and will continue until Christmas.

If you’d like to join with us in this endeavor, be sure to check out this helpful article by Dr. Bill Bright, who completed five 40-day fasts in his lifetime.

Click here to read the article.

Can’t Miss Video From Matt Chandler

In yesterday’s sermon, I mentioned a young pastor from Texas, Matt Chandler, who recently had an unexpected seizure and was diagnosed with tumor on his right frontal lobe. He had surgery this past Friday (all reports sound like it has gone well), and he recorded a video for his church family prior to the surgery. It’s a wonderful example of how to approach this kind of trial.

Watch the video here.

The Heart Behind Our Advent Study

Check out the introduction to our new Advent Series study guide, which explains the heart behind the Advent Season. If you’re like me, and some of the historical traditions of the church are not something you’re familiar with, this will be a helpful brief article for you.

“The Heart Behind the Advent Season”

Enjoy!

New Advent Series Begins Sunday!

I’m so excited about the beginning of our new Advent sermon series that starts this Sunday:

The celebration of the season of Advent (which means “coming” or “arrival”) dates back to the fourth century. It is a time that focuses our attention on Jesus Christ’s birth and ministry as well as his Second Coming when he will return to redeem all of creation and rule with all power and authority. Just like you would prepare your home for the arrival of an important guest, the Advent season is a time for “spiritual housecleaning” to prepare your heart for the coming of Jesus. Our approach during this series—entitled “Behold, I Am Coming Soon”—will be to answer the question, “What would you do to prepare your heart if you knew Jesus was returning on December 25th?”

Are You Feeding Your Faith?

Check out this brief, brilliant article by John Piper, “Please Feed Me More!”

His opening paragraph:

Faith feeds on the word of God. Without a steady diet it gets weaker and weaker. If you are dissatisfied with your Christian courage and joy and purity of heart, check the way you are feeding your faith.

May you feed your soul as much as you’ll feed your body this Thanksgiving!

Spiritual Growth Takes Effort

I was meeting with a guy this week whose job is to help people train physically and get in shape. He mentioned that it’s not something that just happens. Rather, it takes a great deal of intentionality and effort. Unfortunately, most of us just want to naturally be in shape without expending any extra energy.

The same thing is true spiritually. I know many people who want to grow spiritually but who aren’t willing to put in the work — study, prayer, accountability, service, etc. The result? They don’t grow.

Fortunately, our effort is motivated by God’s power and God’s grace (Philippians 2:12-13). But it’s still work.

What are you doing today to grow spiritually? Are you putting in the work?

P.S. Great post by Sean over at the Praxis Church blog on a similar theme, “Nobody Ever Stumbles into Godliness.”