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Jesus was not a Republican. He wasn’t a Democrat. He wasn’t even a Tea Party candidate or a Green Party candidate. He came to bring real change through His people in the local church. On January 10, we’ll begin a brand new 5-week series called The Real Change Campaign, where we’ll be highlighting what that change looks like.

This series is more than a series. It’s an opportunity for us to understand more clearly the mission of Arrowhead Church and how to become a partner in that.

Matt Chandler is a pastor in Dallas, TX. He is 35 years old and has an incredibly powerful voice to our generation. On Thanksgiving, he had a seizure and was rushed to the hospital, where it was discovered that he had a brain tumor. He has since had surgery to remove it, and the report came back that it was malignant, so he is beginning 6 weeks of radiation and chemo. Pray for him and The Village Church. You can follow updates here.

The only book I know that is so blatant about its own benefits is the Bible. The longest chapter in the Bible is a chapter about itself! That’s because there is no replacement for a follower of Jesus for time spent reading Scripture. Sure, God speaks through people, through prayer, through circumstances, through nature, through music, and in many other ways. But, God’s primary means of communication is through His written word.

As a church, we’re attempting to keep the necessity of the Bible in front of us by drawing regular attention to a plan that will allow us to read through the Bible in a year. We’ll link to it on our website, bring it up on Sundays, and discuss it in small groups. Here’s the link.

Choose a Bible translation that is understandable to you, set a regular time, and go for it. God will transform you if you do.

It’s hard to believe our first year of ministry is over! Can’t wait til the first Sunday in 2010.

• We’re spending two weeks looking at new year and new start kind of issues. Today we talked about our need for God’s Word. If you don’t have a plan to systematically read Scripture for yourself, you need one!
• Here’s a link to get started. Another post is coming this week on the subject as well. If we’ll take one day at a time from the through the Bible in a year plan, it’s amazing what the Lord can show us. The simple plan is to read a portion of Scripture and ask if we see: a promise to claim, a sin to confess, an attitude to change, or a command to obey?
• One service today reminded me of old times. It doesn’t seem like we ever did just 1 service per Sunday. I’m glad we do 2 now! Love it because it gives everybody the chance to serve one hour and worship one hour. There’s no better way. I thought I’d be less tired after today, but I was wrong!
• Back to 9:30 and 11:00 next week. We’ll deal with setting good goals.
• The countdown is on: 4 days to decide if you’re going to say - two thousand ten, twenty ten, o ten, or whatever else you can dream up weird. I’m going with twenty ten.
• Have a great week!

The first Arrowhead Christmas is in the books! It was a great day. We celebrated the birth and also the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

• Wrapped up our Do You Hear series by taking a look at Simeon, who shows us that the birth of Jesus closes the deal on salvation. There’s no need for anyone else and there’s no negotiating with God.
• The older kids sang in both services and it was awesome! Thanks to all the parents and to Kevin Cook who worked so hard with the kids. They brought all their energy! And, we finally got people to sit in the front row - parents taking pictures.
• While Tyler R. was out, Tyler P. led worship and did an awesome job. So grateful that the Lord has provided 2 talented worship leaders who love Jesus.
• We came back at 6:00 for our Christmas worship night. We celebrated the Lord’s Supper and then ate a week’s worth of dessert in one sitting. Nights like that make church feel like family.

Everybody have a great Christmas week! Stay tuned tomorrow for a little clip from the greatest Christmas movie of all time.

Arrowhead is 11 months old. It’s hard to imagine that we are 4 weeks from our first birthday. That means as a church we ought to be learning to walk soon. We’ll see if we make it!

Mark your calendar and make sure you don’t miss January 17. We’ve got all kinds of birthday fun planned.

Christmas is crazy. We’re all busy and have so much going on, but chances are good many of us will get at least a little down time. Instead of using it ALL to sleep in and watch bowl games and parades (nothing wrong with bowl games…parades I’ve never understood!), take an hour or so and evaluate 2009 and set some goals for 2010. We’ll spend December 27 and January 3 discussing these ideas as a church in a two-week mini-series.

I say wasted “down” time (time to relax and rejuvenate) will make you waste the time you should be “up” (time to work hard and increase productivity).

Actually was able to take a nap on Sunday afternoon, so the update is coming a day late! Woke up to 35 degrees and steady rain. Instead of complaining as we unloaded trailers, God reminded me that millions of Christians will meet in secret today because they have no freedom to worship. That shut me up!

• Week 2 of our Christmas series, “Do You Hear?”. The shepherds teach us that the truth about Jesus is too valuable to be left unexplored. And, a careful examination of who Jesus is will convince us that He is the Messiah.
• Sang “Angels We Have Heard on High” (by some old guy), “Hosanna” (Paul Baloche), “Your Name” (Paul Baloche (we must like this guy)), and “Glory in the Highest” (Chris Tomlin).
• We don’t talk about our attendance all the time, but yesterday we had over 300 people for the first time. Numbers aren’t everything, but every number represents a person, so it’s worth mentioning. And it’s worth mentioning because it was 35 and rainy!
• We took 5 minutes in the service today to survey the church about demographics, church involvement before Arrowhead, and some things we’re planning for the next year. Planning on this being an annual tradition. Results will come on our 1st Anniversary on January 17.
• Next Sunday night is our Christmas Worship Night. Don’t miss it! We’ll take the Lord’s Supper together and celebrate Christmas as a church family.

Have a great week!

Kicked off our Christmas series today called “Do You Hear?”. We’re listening to what the participants in the Christmas story have to say about Jesus. Very exciting day with lots of energy!

• Message focused on Mary. Putting ourselves in her shoes (or Joseph’s if you are a man…) can be difficult to wrap our minds around. Yet, even though she questioned how it could be possible and experienced some frustration, she worshiped. We focused on the truth that worship is the proper response to every circumstance.
• Great morning of worship as well. Songs included Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee (Charlie Hall version), Everlasting God (Chris Tomlin), Hosanna (Hillsong), and Here I Am to Worship (Chris Tomlin). (By the way, the reason I post songs and artists is that people ask who the songs are by so they can go buy them for themselves. Pretty cool to see individuals engaging in worship so much that they want to continue that through their week.)
• Had kids throw out (and then everybody left with) Real Change Campaign t-shirts. January 10 we’re launching a 5-week series that’s more than a series. It’s a campaign to help us organize for effective ministry with membership and leadership. It’s gonna be fun. If you missed today, you can pick up a t-shirt next week.
• Announced that on December 20 we are providing a Christmas worship night at Rose Center. Should be a great night!
• Also announced 1 service on December 27. Mark your calendar!

Have a great week.

Just my observation here, but it seems like certain minutes of my day are more crucial than others in that they set the tone for the minutes ahead.

• If I go to bed on time, instead of 30 minutes late, I will get up in time the next morning to spend unhurried time with the Lord.
• If I focus right at the time my workday begins rather than lingering too long on Facebook/Twitter/Etc., I will be more productive for the next 3 hours.
• If I go home at 5:00 and engage with my family rather than hanging around the office until 5:30, I will spend meaningful time with Eli first, which opens the door to meaningful time with Sara later.