KyleGoen.com

Sam and Esther
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3v7ZQUzr0yo]

Very moving…overwhelming is a better word.

We have to get involved and make a difference. We must move from our comfortable world.

I have heard of this blogsite and the work that this young lady has been involved in for a few months. I have not had the opportunity to get over there and check it out though until yesterday. Pat forwarded me a link yesterday and said I would probably want to look at it.

I was extremely moved, quite literally to tears. I will let her words explain…

Definitely going on the blogroll.

In my quest for 50 in ’09 I have just finished in the past week a book I started over the holiday period and one I purchased in preparation for my trip to Belgium.

#4 – The Shack by William Paul Young

I am not a fan overall of The Shack. I can appreciate what the author is trying to convey about God’s love, the Trinity’s relationship and how that is vital to moving us through tragedy in our lives. I think Young has done a huge disservice to his readers by misrepresenting the Bible’s picture of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I understand that the story is fiction but he leads the undiscerning reader away from what the orthodox Christian view of the doctrine of the Trinity. Though I am in the minority (millions have sold, NY Times Bestseller) I cannot in good conscience recommend this book.

Review by Dr. Albert Mohler - if you are interested (concerned)

Review by Tim Challies – if you are interested (concerned)

#5 Belgium by Michael Burgan

This is a book out of the Enchantment of the World series. It is along the lines of an expanded encyclopedia. It has 144 pages of text, pictures and very good information about Belgian lifestyles. It has furthered my curiosity of what our team will see and learn when we travel in March.

I hope you are reading something worthwhile.

Beginning Feb. 11, I will begin teaching a new series on Wednesday evenings on why the church must go and be the body of Christ and why we send people to be the body of Christ in the world. I am looking forward to talking about what God has been doing in the world since creation to reconcile us to Himself. Just as Jesus was sent of the Father to earth to reveal the Father’s glory so we are sent into our world and the world to do the same.

So, Feb. 11, 6:30 pm in the Auditorium of LifePoint Church. If you are unable to attend you can download the teaching each week from our website, www.lifepointchurch.org.

I have a goal of reading 50 books this year. Huge for me…I like to read but this is more than I have ever read in a year. Well I have completed a few. I will give you a small description and something from the publisher if it is available so you can know more about the books.

#1 Fodor’s Belgium

Travel guide given to me by Pat. This book is to prepare our West Europe team for our vision trip to Belgium in March. I really enjoyed learning more about the country.

from the publisher – We frequently update our Belgium guide, and we make every effort to bring you the most accurate and thorough book. Plus we provide timely updates about the area to Fodors.com.
- Unlike other travel books, Fodor’s guides rely heavily on local experts who know the territory best—so you know you’re seeing the real Belgium.
- We give you the planning tools you need to tailor your trip. We give options for all budgets. You make the choices.

#2   God’s Continent, Christianity, Islam, and Europe’s Religious Crisis by Philip Jenkins

This book examines the present state of religion in Western Europe and how it happened. I found the book to be an interesting read.

Product description from christianbooks.com - What does the future hold for European Christianity? Is the Christian church doomed to collapse under the weight of globalization, Western secularism, and a flood of Muslim immigrants? Is Europe, in short, on the brink of becoming “Eurabia”?

#3 Crazy Love, Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan

I have enjoyed this book a lot. It is a very easy read but has caused me to evaluate my walk with God. Chan is a frequent speaker on the Passion Tours with Louie Giglio and Chris Tomlin. This is a good read for students and adults. Chan Pastors a church in California, Cornerstone Church.

product description – The God of the universe is crazy about you! His love is the most powerful thing in the world and He wants to give it to you, so you can live for Him. If you have made a commitment to follow Christ, then read “Crazy Love” to be reminded and challenged in your walk. Sharing from his own life struggles and sacrifices, author Francis Chan issues a call for selfless, Christ-like living. Let the love you have received from God impact your life like never before.

I Have A Dream – Martin Luther King Jr.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbUtL_0vAJk]
This is one of the greatest speeches of all time. I am moved each time I watch him speak.

a portion of the article…

Not all the news about Southern Baptists is negative. The convention has begun to focus on planting churches among ethnic minorities and is seeing some promising results. And some older congregations who have adopted innovative practices are thriving.

That’s the case at Life Point Church in Smyrna — which recently changed its name from First Baptist Church. On Wednesday night several hundred teenagers packed an auditorium at the church, singing along as a rock band sang “Everlasting God,” their hands raised in prayer.

Down the hallway, a group of adults hung out, sipping coffee in the church’s World Cup Cafe, while others filled a nearby classroom for a budgeting class. On Sundays, more than 2,500 people will pack worship service. The church is already making plans to expand to a second satellite location.

In jeans and a khaki pullover, the Rev. Pat Hood doesn’t look like a typical Baptist pastor. But he remains conservative in his theology, and loyal to the convention.

“We are not ashamed of being Baptist,” he said. “But at the same time, our goal is not to make people Baptist. Our goal is to make people followers of Christ.”

Longtime church member Joel Sturdivant said the rock music and casual atmosphere help attract newcomers. But he believes a change in the attitude of members was more important.

When Sturdivant, now 70, first came to the church in 1977, it was a fairly insular community, he said.

“It was a typical First Baptist Church,” he said, “more about what we and us and my friends are doing than about what Scripture says we should be doing.”

That changed when a former missionary became pastor, and urged the congregation to be more community focused.

“It’s not just about me and my friends,” Sturdivant said. The church grew, he said, by loving its neighbors with actions, not words.

To read the entire article click here.

Here is the Story. Huge day for FBCSmyrna.

Just read a good story about Tim Tebow and Google over at Christianity Today blog. The story is really short and very up to date considering the Gators just won the championship last night. Quick read, check it out.