"Perhaps the best analogy to describe all this is that of a model home. We are God's demonstration community of the rule of Christ in the unbelieving city. On a tract of earth's land, purchased with the blood of CHRIST, Jesus the kingdom developer has begun building new housing. As a sample of what will be, he has erected a model home of what will eventually fill the urban neighborhood. He now invites the world into that model home to take a look at what will be. The church is the occupant of that model home, inviting neighbors into its open door to Christ. Evangelism is when the signs are up, saying "Come in and look around"...As citizens of, not survivalists in, this new city within the old city, we see our ownership as the gift of Jesus the Builder (Luke 17:20-21). As residents, not pilgrims, we await the kingdom coming when the Lord returns from his distant country. The land is already his...in this model home we live out our new lifestyles as citizens of the heavenly city that one day will come. We do not abandon our jobs or desert the city that is...We are to "seek the peace and prosperity of the city" to which God called us in exile (Jer. 29:7)." -Harvie Conn

I don't usually read Christian Fiction but found Ted Dekker's book, Kiss, to be a great read. Dekker was great at painting a picture in my mind and allowing me to see the scenes as the pages turn. I really enjoy political conspiracy stories and loved how Dekker used this to shadow the characters. Being new to this genre I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the redeeming quality of the book. Again, I didn't know what to expect (I was expecting cheese) but am glad I came across this book and will read more Dekker in the future. The only negative would be that it is not that challenging of a book to read but I guess thats what you want from a fiction book.At times it was a little predictable when a new character would appear but I would certainly recommend this to a friend and will continue to look into Christian fiction if it’s this entertaining.

This is great!

 Meg and I had a great Thanksgiving in Destin, FL with the family. It was great to escape the cold air and exchange it for the ocean breeze even if it was only for a few days. We ate too much, we shopped too much and got to watch a little football and had a good time doing it. (even though Southern Miss lost) We are thankful to have a family who makes getting together a priority. 

 Psalm 1:1a
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked..."
As I was thinking about this verse today a question came into my mind, "what distracts me from pursuing God? What draws my attention away from "practicing the presence of God"? In a way those thing become the counsel of the wicked. The more I think about this question a number of things begin to come to mind. For me TV and movies somehow distract me. Not that their bad but somehow I turn into a zombie, (imagine Michael Jackson's Thriller video) and lose track of time. I'm a classic binge watcher who can't break away from the trance. I can't just tune in for 30 minutes, I tune in for 4 hours. I say all that to remind you to occasionally analyze your day and find out what distracts you from your main objective which is to glorify God in all things.

"Keep your feet on the ground, but let your heart soar as high as it will. Refuse to be average or to surrender to the chill of your spiritual environment."

Our home church, ImmanuelNashville.com , just surprised everyone with a new website for the church. If you have any time this week be sure to check it out and tell us what you think. Also, check out Pastor Ray's Blog, Christisdeeperstill.blogspot.com. 

We just bought a house over on the East side of Nashville. Meg and I are really excited and looking forward to moving in. Please be in prayer that we will bring a light to our nieghborhood and change our street and city for Jesus. 

"After Julius Caesar was murdered, Antonius brought forth his coat, all bloody and cut, and laid it before the people, saying, 'Look, here you have the emperor's coat thus bloody and torn': whereupon the people were presently in an uproar, and cried out to slay those murdered; and they took their tables and stools that were in the place, and set them on fire, and ran to the houses of them that had slain Caesar, and burnt them. So that when we consider that sin hath slain our Lord Jesus, ah, how should it provoke our hearts to be revenged on sin, that hath murdered the Lord of glory, and hath done that mischief that all the devils in hell could never had done?" Thomas Brooks

Meg and I are back from Vegas. It was our first time to visit the city and it was pretty impressive. We stayed at the MGM Grand and got to check out a few of the shows but no gambling. We also took a day trip, and I do mean day, to the Grand Canyon. Truly unbelievable! Its amazing to see the great wonders God created for His glory.