Check out Advent Conspiracy, it might change the way you think about Christmas.  Michael, pastor at Denver Community Church, shared about it today. 

[AC] Advent Conspiracy 2009 Promo Video

Below is an excerpt from the report.  You can see the featured article on the LeadNet website.

Leaders of the Antioch Movement in the Ukraine still remember the day denominational leaders in that country decided to trade their independent church-planting efforts for a united national plan.

It was the first time since the fall of Communism ushered in religious freedom in the Ukraine that religious leaders had banded together for the purpose of widespread church multiplication.

«We tried to help churches understand that it is our country and we are responsible for it; it is our people and our churches who need to deliver and give birth to other churches,» says Victor Kulbich, who helped train church planters in the country. «And it is our responsibility to bring the Gospel to each man, woman and child and plant the churches. It is a huge vision and we need God's help.»

The culmination of the collaborative work of the Antioch Movement was when Baptist, Pentecostal and independent church leaders came together to sign a historic plan to . . .

If you have a few minutes read the article on the Leadership Network website.  Feel free to rate the article and leave a comment.  The more the merrier.

1. I had to build something

I've been talking about building cornhole boards for nearly a year and for some reason I decided this holiday weekend it was time.  After 4 trips to Home Depot, a few hours reading «how to» articles and countless hours I'm almost done.  I haven't even finished yet ... but soon.

2. I had to prepare «my» room

I knew our baby girl would have a wonderful room.  Kelly has been working hard on it for months and it is prepared.  Beautifully decorated, it's cozy and welcoming ... perfect for our little girl.  I on the other hand needed to prepare my sanctuary: the office.  I've had boxes of books on the ground since last summer and I've talked and researched book shelves for that entire time.  But last night I got on craigslist (for the 1000th time) and found four 6' book shelves listed for $10/ea.  Could it be true?  Could my office finally be complete?  Yes.  Thank you Craig Newmark for building a tool that would enable me to complete my office for less than $25 (I only bought 2 shelves).

3. Unforeseen Discovery

After dragging the bookshelves into the office I decided to unpack a box of books.  These are books I have not seen in a few years.  Business books like Good to Great by Jim Collins and branding books by Aaker to spiritual books like Celebration of Disciplines and an Old Testament Commentary.  But then I found a book that I purchased years ago but never started ... The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis (b. 1380- d. 1471).  A classic that was dusty yet unread.  So in my nesting and building I discovered something new which was indeed quite old (written in 1441 and translated hundreds if not thousands of times). So this morning I moved my schedule around and decided to pick it up.

After reading the preface and part of the introduction I knew it wasn't a coincidence that I «found» this book.  I went straight to chapter one and was pleasantly surprised that it was less than 2 pages long.  What a gentle start or was it.

Of the Imitation of Christ

«So, it is vanity to seek material wealth that cannot last and to place your trust in it.  It is also vanity to seek recognition and status.  It is vanity to chase after what the world says you should want and to long for things you should not have, things that you will pay a high price for later on if you get them.  It is vanity to wish for a long life and to care little about a good life.  It is vanity to focus on ly on your present life and not to look ahead to your future life.  It is vanity to live for the joys of the moment and not to seek eagerly the lasting joys that await you. ...

...Make ever effort, then, to shift your affections from the things that you can see to the things you cannot see...»

Unforeseen discovery.  It was a good morning.  More eye opening than the strongest coffee yet more peaceful than anything I could imagine.  And so I am reminded to rest in Him.

I chose to share some quotes which are obviously out of context ... so listen to the message to get the full understanding of each quote

«...(many things) cloud our understanding of marriage.»
«Marriage is not something that man made up in a cave.»
«Self-centerednes is the main problem in any marriage. Self centeredness is the main enemy of any marriage ... self centeredness is the main cancer in any marriage.»
«You can decide to treat your own flaws as more serious than the others and treat the needs of the other as more important ... Regardless of what the other person does.»
«You can say 'I'm going to work on my self-centeredness' regardless of what the other person does»
«Essence of marriage is a promise. 10 years from now I'll be there. 20 years from now I'll be there. It's a promise.»
«The purpose of marriage is companionship.»
«No one else is more important than that relationship (with your spouse)»
«Marriage has to be #1»
«Whether you're married or not .. we see that it's our pride and self centeredness which can only be dealt with the gospel. And the gospel is 'you are more wicked than you ever dared believe and more loved than ever dared hope.' It does the 1-2 on your ego.»

• Download Message 1 in the Marriage Series (click to listen; right click and 'save target' to download)

Ok. I'm going to upload the 2nd message too because it's that good. If you like both then download the entire series at http://sermons.redeemer.com/store/index.cfm?product=18279.

• Download Message 2 in the Marriage Series (click to listen; right click and 'save target' to download)

• Why does God allow suffering in the world?
• How could a loving God send people to Hell?
• Why isn't Christianity more inclusive?
• How can one religion be «right» and the others «wrong»?
• Why have so many wars been fought in the name of God?

He addresses each doubt and explains each reason. He uses stories, philosophy, reasoning to explain each. It's a wonderful, thought-provoking read for both believers in Christ as well as skeptics. The book motivated me to research other teachings and sermons from Keller and here's what I found:

• 374 sermons, interviews and other videos on YouTube
• A sermon store on Redeemer.com that seemed more exhaustive than iTunes theology section
• A half dozen or so free sermons including «reason for God», «the Prodigal Son», «Parenting», «Stewardship», «Suffering and Tragedy» as well as others
• All time favorite sermon series include: Marriage, Cultivating a Healthy Marriage Part 1, Proverbs, Friendship, Practical Grace, The Trouble with Christianity, In Christ Jesus, and Christ: Our Treasury.

I downloaded a few of the Marriage sermons. I'll write a separate post with some notes from it. It was an excellent sermon that I listened to 3 times in two weeks. Anyway, if you have a moment on the computer to listen to a sermon or have a mp3 player, take a few moments to download and listen.

To everyone who's lost someone they love

Long before it was their time

You feel like the days you had were not enough when you said goodbye

And to all of the people with burdens and pains

Keeping you back from your life

You believe that there's nothing and there is no one

Who can make it right

Chorus

There is hope for the helpless

Rest for the weary

Love for the broken heart

There is grace and forgiveness

Mercy and healing

He'll meet you wherever you are

Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on

They lost all of their faith in love

They've done all they can to make it right again

Still it's not enough

For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains

You try to give up but you come back again

Just remember that you're not alone in your shame

And your suffering

Chorus

When your lonely

And it feels like the whole world is falling on you

You just reach out, you just cry out to

Jesus Cry to Jesus

To the widow who suffers from being alone

Wiping the tears from her eyes

For the children around the world without a home

Say a prayer tonight

Chorus

YouTube Directvideo link

Bouncing Back
This devotional was written byKelly McFadden

Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.
?¢‚Ǩ‚Äù Proverbs 25:11 (NLT)

As a junior in high school, I was devastated when I was cut from the top volleyball team and sent to the second team. I felt disappointed, embarrassed and dejected. That evening, I spoke with a friend who passed on these words of wisdom, «It's not how far you fall, but how high you bounce back that matters.» I wrote the quote on my mirror and committed to doing my best for this new team, instead of sulking over my personal loss. Instead of continuing to fall and spiral, I committed to bounce back.

What I learned that day is that what happens to me in life doesn't count as much as how I react to those things. I had a choice the day I was cut from the team: I could wallow in misery and quit the team, or I could choose to fight through my circumstances and work hard to improve. Each day, choices like these present themselves. When people are cruel, I can choose to accept their apology or let my bitterness grow. When I am treated unfairly, I can vengefully plot a way to get even, or I can seek the Lord's wisdom and demonstrate patience as He shows me what to do. When I am fired from a job, I can learn from why things did not work or I can blame everyone else around me for my misfortune and never learn, grow or change. When I am congratulated for a job well done, I can either pat myself on the back or thank the Lord for providing me with the skills to succeed.

Life throws different circumstances our way every day, both good and bad. Wherever you are in your life, it is important to remember that people are watching and looking to see how you are living your life. You will long be remembered, not only for what happened to you in your life, but for how you handled life's circumstances. When those circumstances cause you to fall, I challenge you to bounce back!

To comment on today's devotional, click here.

GOING DEEPER:

1.Think about a time in your life when you have reacted well to a disappointing circumstance and another time when you have reacted poorly. Why do you think you reacted the way you did in those circumstances?

2.Why are our reactions as Christians so important? How can you help make sure you are someone who bounces back?
FURTHER READING

James 5:10-11; Ephesians 5:6-9; Titus 2:6-8