Church Requel Blog - Writings of Mark Pierce

LOST Photo Album from Church Requel

Tonight was such a great night!  A paradise island, Hawaiian theme in the middle of a brisk, cold, Ohio winter is not something that some churches would attempt.  But Church Requel did it and did it well tonight!  People came dressed in their island best!  Pictured above are this evening's greeters, Dick and Karen Jourdan.  Not only did they give a hearty welcome, but they also gave away a lei to everyone who attended.  Dick and his son, Shaun, took the responsibility for the LOST set and did a beautiful job.  Steve and Cindy Thoman also worked tirelessly making sure everything looked great.  Jonathan Pierce, Mark Shaw, and Nate Williams set up all the tech gear.  Tonight was our first night to use the new white lights.  Stacie Shoemaker took a couple dozen pictures tonight.  Check out the photo album with 23 pictures here.

Audio Sermon: LOST - One in a 100

What is God's favorite number when it comes to LOST people?  Join me in this audio sermon as we begin studying Luke 15.  Tonight we learn that LOST people matter to God and should matter to us too!

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New LOST Series Debuts This Weekend

Our new LOST series begins this weekend at Church Requel.  We're pulling out all the stops and are hoping that everyone comes out to our island paradise at the Mid-Ohio Conference Center, 890 4th Street, at 6PM on Sunday evening.  Oh sure, it will still be frigid outside, but we are turning the temperature up inside!

We're having some fun camping on top of ABC's launch of the 6th season television series by the same name.  While it's winter in Mansfield, Ohio, that's no reason not to think warm and happy thoughts.  And there could be no happier thoughts than the ones we read in Luke 15, that once we were LOST, but now we are found!

When people come into our worship setting at Mid-Ohio on Sunday evening, we've done our best to transform the inside to the LOST island set.  We'll have some life rafts, tarps, blankets and some other beach items set up.  We have secured an island 5-minute countdown clock (see picture above) and have supplemented the beautiful scenery with some ocean waves sounds along with some other "LOST" sound effects!

Nate Williams and Christy Pierce will lead our worship time together with "Never Let Go," "Cannons," "Oh Praise Him," "Open Up the Sky," and "How Deep the Father's Love."  Several of the songs are now up on the RequelPractice site on YouTube. 

After we pray and share communion together, we'll explore Jesus' first parable in Luke 15 about the one lost sheep in our sermon titled, "One in a Hundred." LOST television fans know that there are some numbers in the show that are really important (we'll even have a short video clip!)  When it comes to LOST people in Luke 15, we'll find out the most important number to God!

This next Church Requel evening sounds like a great time!  Why don't you plan on coming?  While you're at it, bring someone new with you to Church Requel Sunday evening at 6PM!  See you then!  Pastor Mark

P.S.  If you haven't already seen it, here is a short video promoting the new LOST series:

LOST Sermon Series Promo from Mark Pierce on Vimeo.

Will the iPad Replace the Kindle?

I watched and listened from my home office yesterday afternoon as Steve Jobs et al unveiled their newest creation, the iPad.  As is the case with many in the geek community, I am excited for the newest of the gadgets.  But I must confess that I am surprised that so many people have immediately jumped to the conclusion that the iPad will kill Amazon's Kindle.  "The Kindle would be the most hurt" was the first conclusion on live.twit.tv in the immediate aftermath of the iPad announcement.  Last night I corresponded with my friend Len Edgerly, who produces a weekly podcast, "The Kindle Chronicles."  Here's what I had to say in defense of my Kindle:

I was surprised that the first thought of the panelist of what device would be hurt the most by the new iPad was the Kindle. 

I disagree and here's why:

Price - Cheapest iPad is $499 and goes up to $829.  While I see this possessing value for what Apple is achieving with this device, it clearly is MUCH more expensive than the Kindle.  It simply isn't in the same category as the Kindle.

Ongoing expense - The Kindle offers unlimited Internet connection with NO ADDITIONAL MONTHLY cost, where with the iPad I either must a) have an internet connection and be able to use WiFi or b) pay $15 or $30 per month for a 3G connection.

Size and weight of device - You made the point in the last episode that people were making a BIG DEAL out of the fact that the Nook weighs an ounce more than projected.  The iPad weighs a pound and a half - more than twice the weight of the Kindle.  And while Amazon does offer the larger DX, the vast majority of us take our 6 inch version to bed at night.  For the purpose of reading, the weight and dimensions of the Kindle are much better for curling up to a good book.

Readability - I can't say for sure since I haven't seen or held an iPad yet, but my belief is that the eInk of the Kindle will be preferable for eye wear for the readers among us.  Also, I like the physical button on the sides of the Kindle for turning pages better than touching the screen.  The Kindle with its nonreflective screen and built in buttons just seems like a device thats EASIER TO FORGET when I'm reading.

Complexity of device - Some of us (like you I think... definitely me) like to test the bounds of all the things that we can do with the Kindle.  However, we are the exceptions to the rule in Kindleville.  Most people, I think, like to have a simple device that DOES ONE THING REALLY WELL.  The Geeks will like the complexity of all the apps in the iPad.  The readers among us will, I think, still prefer Kindle - especially when price, ongoing costs, size and weight are also factored in.

Amazon.com vs. iBooks Store - another unknown on the Apple side, but a definite known on the Amazon side.  Amazon built their business on top of the book business.  I would not quickly discount the Amazon model.

Those are my quick thoughts. I may buy the iPad. (Shoot, I may stand in line for one when it comes out!) But it won't be because I want a better reading device.

New Photo Album: Church Requel Feeds the Hungry

Thanks go out to everyone who helped out over the last two days at the Salvation Army.  There were ten volunteers from Church Requel on Monday and another six on Tuesday.  Everyone I have talked to said they had a good time and enjoyed providing meals to the hungry.  We greatly appreciate Major Marcus and Major Joy for allowing us to share in the joy of helping others.

Stacie Shoemaker has volunteered to be our church photographer.  She grabbed 11 shots of people who served on Monday.  Pictured above left are Bryan and Trish Trubachik.  (I hope Trish will still speak to me after posting this shot!)  Want to see all 11 photos?  Click here to go to the new photo album.  Thanks Stacie for the pics!

Video Sermon: Receiving Guidance From God

This past Sunday evening we wrapped up our sermon series on Learning to Listen to God.  We enjoyed such great worship with an acoustic set by Nate, Dave, Tiffany, and first-timer Trisha.  The teaching time was most enjoyable for me because it dealt with an issue that many Christians wonder about.  How do we receive guidance from God?  Join me as we examine the 5 Ws we learn from the book of Habakkuk.  Here are some resources from this past weekend to assist you with the talk:

• Download Program without Answers
• Download Program with Answers
• Download my sermon TEACHING NOTES

Receiving Guidance From God from Mark Pierce on Vimeo.

Also you can listen to the audio version either on the Church Requel Audio Blog or take it with you by subscribing to the Church Requel Audio Podcast.  Would you like to read my notes for this weekend's sermon? Just click on the "Continue reading" link below.

Audio Sermon: "Receiving Guidance From God"

How do we receive guidance from God?  Join me in this audio version Sunday's sermon as we examine the 5 Ws we learn from the book of Habakkuk.

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Sing Along with Requel Praise Team

There are so many things that happen in the life of a new, small church that are so cool, so surprising, so uplifting that it makes me wonder why more new churches aren't started up all the time!  One of those really cool, surprising, and uplifting things happened to me this week.  Several members of the Church Requel praise team got together this week and staked out their own place on YouTube.  They call their small piece of cyberspace RequelPractice.

Their reason for putting it up?  To give them a chance to practice together when they can't be together.  And to provide an encouragement to those of us who might need a little bit of "pick-me-up" throughout the week.  Cool and uplifting!

But what about "surprising?"  It's surprising to me because I had nothing to do with this.  I didn't think of it.  I didn't execute it.  And that tells me something great about our church.  It's growing!  Other people are taking responsibility for how God is working in their lives and using their gifts to encourage the body.  The more our church grows, the more things like this will happen.  To which I say, "GREAT!"

Want to sing along with the songs for tonight?  The team will open our services with "Cannons."  Then we will sing "Come Thou Fount," "Everlasting God," and "No Sweeter Name."  After the teaching time, we'll take communion together and sing "This is Our God." 

My personal favorite is "No Sweeter Name."  Trish will be joining the team this weekend and it sounds like she's going to do a GREAT job!  I'm looking forward to seeing you all tonight at church!  Pastor Mark

My Prayer for Faithful Bible Readers

At Church Requel, we have a group of 19 people who have pledged to read through their Bible in 2010.  We have formed an online group within our Church Community Builder.  Within this group we write one another every week to encourage each other to remain faithful to the Bible reading commitment.  Here is my post to the group this week.  Perhaps you can benefit as well.

Good Friday morning!

My prayer for you faithful Bible readers this morning is that you continue to make time to read God’s Word every day! I know everyone is busy these days. It’s enough to read the Bible, let alone to write messages in this Read Through Bible group. But when and if you have a chance to post, know that you are encouraging others in the group to remain faithful to read their Bible every day too.

This week’s message thread asked us to write one thing that we’ve learned or been reminded of that has been helpful. For me, I can’t help but see the themes in Joseph’s life and in John the Baptist’s life that the world we live in is unfair and hostile. We are not always treated the way we should be. Joseph didn’t deserve to be sold into slavery. John didn’t deserve to be beheaded. When we are treated so wrongly, it’s easy to feel abandoned, like God really doesn’t care one way or the other about our faithfulness, integrity or purity.

But then we read Psalm 18:16-17: "He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemies from those who hated me and were too strong for me." God does care. And while we cannot always see it in every present moment, God is still reaching down from heaven!

Why should we remain faithful? Psalm 18:25-26: "To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity. To the pure you show yourself pure, but to the wicked you show yourself hostile." All words of promise and in three cases out of four, we receive positive and encouraging pledges from God. I want God to be faithful to me. I want Him to demonstrate integrity and pureness to me.

But equally fearsome, "to the wicked" God shows Himself "hostile." The world and those around us may treat us with hostility, regardless of our faithfulness, integrity or pureness. However, in the final, eternal scope of events such hostility is nothing compared to the hostility of God to the wicked.

Be faithful despite the difficulties. Demonstrate integrity despite the shortcuts available. Keep yourself pure despite the short-term pleasure Temptation brings. Know that God loves you and will reward you.

Can’t wait to see you all Sunday night! Pastor Mark

Next Sermon Series: LOST

I've been working all day on our next sermon series entitled, LOST.  The teaching for LOST will all be focused on the three parables found in Luke 15.  Here's the schedule:

• January 31st - "One in a 100"
• February 7th - "Search Party"
• February 14th - "Wasted"
• February 21st - "The Other"

I'm very excited about this series and believe it will be the highlight of Church Requel's young life.  These stories that Jesus told 2,000 years ago are still the best today!  The fact that our heavenly Father actually searches for us is utterly amazing!

The picture above is the promo card that we will be giving to our congregation Sunday evening so that they might invite their friends and family.  The video below is the promo video we plan to show this weekend.  Enjoy!

LOST Sermon Series Promo from Mark Pierce on Vimeo.

21 People Sign up to Feed the Hungry!

I know that I need to guard my heart against the sin of "pride."  But I have to admit that I'm pretty proud of the response of our congregation last Sunday evening.  Without any fanfare or special pleading, I announced last Sunday night that we would be partnering up again with the Salvation Army to serve free lunches at noon next week.  I asked people to write on the back of their Info Card if they'd like to help.  Honestly, I figured maybe a half-dozen to a dozen people would volunteer. 

Twenty-one people signed up!  To put that into perspective, our attendance last Sunday was just over 60 people.  That means that one-third of our congregation will take time out of their work day one day next week to feed the hungry in the name of Christ!  Wow!  Can I be humbled and proud at the same time?

We were going to serve on one day.  But now with so many people signing up, we will split our service over two days.  This morning I sent an email to everyone who signed up to pick either Monday, January 24th or Tuesday, January 25th.  We will serve from 10am until 1pm. 

If you weren't at the service Sunday night, it's not too late to join us.  Just write me back as a comment here or email me.  I'm looking forward to serving together with you all next week!  Thank you!  Pastor Mark

Video Sermon: "How to Recognize God's Voice"

When we receive an impression we think is from God, how can we know for sure?  1 John 4:1 tells us that we should test every spirit. This past weekend we talked about seven different tests to recognize God's voice.  Join me in this video sermon as we continue our series, Learning to Listen to God.  I have made several resources available for you:

• Download Weekend Program without answers
• Download Weekend Program with answers
• Download my TEACHING NOTES

How to Recognize God's Voice from Mark Pierce on Vimeo.

Also you can listen to the audio version either on the Church Requel Audio Blog or take it with you by subscribing to the Church Requel Audio Podcast.  If you'd like to read the text of this week's sermon, click Continue Reading below.

Audio Sermon: How to Recognize God's Voice

When we receive an impression we think is from God, how can we know for sure?  Here are seven tests to recognize God's voice.  Join me in this audio version of yesterday's sermon, as we continue our series, Learning to Listen to God.

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Jillian and Tim Announce Engagement!

I'm thrilled to report to my friends and family that my youngest daughter, Jillian, and her fiance, Tim Vincent, have announced their engagement Saturday evening.  What kind of blogger would I be if I didn't use my blog to tell this story?

Mary Kay and I have known for a couple weeks that this evening was soon arriving.  Tim had called me shortly after the new year began and asked me if I'd like to have breakfast with him.  This dad was not born yesterday!  I knew what he wanted!  After all, I've had some experience with this.  Nine years ago my son-in-law, Mike, took me out for lunch at Olive Garden to ask me for our blessing to marry Jennifer.

When Tim and I went to Bob Evans for breakfast, he seemed to be especially engrossed in the menu - reading every single word of every page... several times!  After the waitress took our order I decided to be merciful and throw out a softball question: "So... how are things going with you and Jillian?"  He told me that was indeed what he wanted to talk to me about.

I told Tim how much both Mary Kay and I love him and the way he has treated our youngest daughter with such love and respect.  He and Jillian do seem to be soul-mates, not just sharing interests in common, but sharing purpose and life and a passion for Christ.  We will be thrilled to call him "son."

Even though we knew what was coming, we had no idea when it would be.  So I was completely surprised when, at 11PM Saturday night, Tim and Jillian walked into our our family room.  Mary Kay had long been in bed and was sound asleep.  I woke her up and told her that Jillian had come home and that Mary might want to wake herself up.  We both giggled together upstairs before we came down to greet the newly engaged couple.

Jillian and Tim were both glowing with the pleasure of their announcement.  He had spent the day with Jillian and took her to several of their favorite places together, giving her love notes throughout the day along with individual puzzle pieces.  After several such stops they came back to Tim's apartment, where their friends had prepared them a meal of Jillian's favorite foods and arranged the apartment for a romantic dinner complete with candle light.  After their meal they put the puzzle together, but it was missing one piece.  Tim provided that one piece, a picture of a cross uniting two hearts, along with an engagement ring.  What a great proposal!

Equally great for Mary Kay and me, Jillian's first response was to come home so she could physically be in the same room with Mary Kay and me to tell us their news.  Their trip to our home was clearly "spur of the moment" as neither one of them had packed an overnight bag.  I was also thrilled as their father and as a pastor, when at Church Requel last night, both turned in thoughtful prayer request cards for me to pray for them this week and for their new commitment with one another.  As both Mary Kay and I told Tim last night, we have been praying for him ever since Jillian was born.  And I'm certain that the same is true of Tim's parents for Jillian! 

Plans are still being made, but their initial thinking is to get married in about a year.  Jillian has a very difficult final semester at Cedarville University and cannot give the attention to her wedding that she would like to give it.  So she'll focus on her education now and finish up her bachelor's degree, graduating in May.  Then, this summer, she will begin to make arrangements for a Winter 2011 wedding.  Congratulations Tim and Jillian!  May God richly bless your plans and your marriage!

Monday Morning Reflections

This morning I feel compelled to write about Church Requel's service last evening.  I was wondering if the fog advisory would affect us last night.  I received one text message from a good friend in Shelby, who had to turn around and go back home.  However, our attendance so far this year seems to have found a steady sixty-something to it, and last night was no exception.  Every week I am amazed at how there always seems to be new people coming - and I am always thankful for that. 

Nate, Christian, Cody, and first-timer Adam led our worship music - and did a wonderful job if I do say so myself.  At my request they opened with "Glory to God Forever" by Steve Fee.  I heard this song performed by Steve Fee when I attended the Catalyst Conference in October.  It's one of those songs that keeps playing over and over again in my head.  I can still remember the experience of hearing it for the first time.  I don't know that our congregation had that same experience as I did, but I think they enjoyed it.  They certainly got into the worship as Nate and his band continued with "Now That You're Near," "Enough," and "Lead Me to the Cross."

 I got a thrill out of watching Christian's dad video record his son playing the new, electronic drum-set last night.  Christian participates in four different bands, including the praise band at Church Requel.  Christian has such a great attitude and reflects Christ's love and grace so beautifully in his writings on Facebook.

I led our congregation in communion, while Nate and Adam played acoustically on their guitars in the background.  I don't know if anyone recognized the melody that Nate was playing - "Hungry" - but it was especially appropriate.  Afterward, we prayed a special congregational prayer for the victims in Haiti.  Several members of the congregation joined in with public prayers of their own, which gave a great feel for the unity we experienced in that post communion moment.  Then I prayed for three particular requests that had been given to me on the Prayer Request cards during communion.

I gave several opportunities for service last night and I'm thrilled with the results this morning.  I asked if anyone was a photographer, because I'd like to begin showing pictures of our services on our websites.  One person wrote me on the back of her Info Card that she has an eye for the camera.  So look for some pictures to begin accompanying these stories.  We also talked about serving meals to the hungry with the Salvation Army next week and 16 people signed up!  I am totally overwhelmed with gratitude when I see such a willingness to serve others. 

Finally I talked to our congregation about needing to get house churches started.  Church Requel actually got started as a house church one year ago.  We grew over the next nine months to the point when we could no longer fit in our living room - and thus, the Mid-Ohio version of the church began in October.  But I'm already beginning to sense that with 60 to 70 people gathering each week - certainly still a small church by most standards - it is impossible for everyone to participate and to know one another the way people should within a church.  So I'd like to see our congregation also meeting throughout the week in smaller groups, praying together and sharing in fellowship.  I'm glad to report this morning that I believe we'll have our next house church meeting the first week of February!  More coming on this later!

We then enjoyed our teaching time - "7 Ways to Test if an Impression is from God." (I hope to have the audio and video sermon up sometime tomorrow.)  Everyone seemed fully engaged and several people told me afterward that the teaching was very helpful to them.  Our service began at 6PM and ended at 7:20PM.  Interestingly, no one seemed to be in any hurry to go home.  Personally, I didn't leave the building for another hour. 

I think our church is beginning to develop into its own personality.  You know how a baby begins to show who he is very early in life?  My good friend Steve Thoman talked to me as we walked together into the parking lot, more than six hours after we had arrived.  "Have you noticed that we have a lot of outgoing personalities at Church Requel?"  Yes, Steve... I've noticed.  What I'm most thankful for, though, is that people are learning to be safe with one another at Church Requel.  

If you were part of the service last night and have something that you could share about your experience at Church Requel, please feel free to comment below.  It would be encouraging to me and to others!  'Til next time... Pastor Mark

How Should Pastors Respond to Haiti This Weekend?

The disaster in Haiti can be overwhelming to think about.  We know that tens of thousands are likely dead as a result of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake.  We know that millions of people have been impacted, most without access to food, water, shelter and electricity.  Most of us in the U.S. are not directly impacted by the Haitian tragedy.  Especially for those of us who claim to be Christ followers, what should be our response?  Here are just a few of my personal thoughts on this Saturday afternoon.

1. We should engage.  We need to lower our own barrier to the pain of this tragedy.  We each have a built-in protection mechanism when it comes to someone else's problem.  While there are those who are naturally empathetic, the majority of us protect ourselves emotionally by building a wall around our feelings.  When we see pictures or video of the enormous and tragic misery of the Haitian victims, we figurative (and perhaps literally) turn the emotional channel.  We may be thankful it wasn't us.  We may rationally tell ourselves that there is little to nothing we can do.  We may ask, "What difference can I make?"  The fact is that we are all part of the human family.  When tragedies like this happen, it affects us all.  We are more human, not less, when we weep with a father who doesn't know whether or not his daughter has survived.  We are more like God, not less, when we allow ourselves to experience the pain of a thirsty and orphaned child. 

2. We should pray.  We should not ignore our impulse to be angry, to be sad, to wonder why.  Rather we should engage the God of the universe with our emotions and our hurt and our sense of futility.  God is not afraid of the question, "Why?" nearly as much as we are.  God does not need protection from tough questions.  He welcomes them.  The worse response to God is to ignore Him.  Take your sadness, your anger, your hurt to Him.  Then take your requests to Him.  We know that the greatest number of potential deaths from this earthquake still could be in the future.  More people could die from the breakdown of services than have died already from the initial quake.  So pray for God to enable great wisdom and leadership.  Pray not only for the hearts of compassionate people to respond, but for wise distribution of supplies to be made to the victims.

3. We should give.  We serve a giving and loving God.  When God is living in and through us, we become giving as well.  Some of us have more to give than others, but we all have something to give.  Money, resources, influence, prayers, writing.  No one of us can solve the problem.  But we each can contribute to the solution.  Church Requel using most of its remaining Matthew 25 Fund gave $500 as a donation to the Haiti Relief Fund through Compassion International.  

4. We should gather.  This is not a time to be alone, sitting by ourselves watching the tragic events unfold on cable TV.  This is the time to gather together as God's people in God's house.  This weekend should be the opportunity to go to church, to share the Haitian tragedy, to pray together, and to do more as a body of Christ than we could ever do by ourselves.  It should not be business as usual this weekend in our churches.

As a pastor this weekend, I have more questions than answers, more disquiet than reflection, and more heartache than inspiration.  I feel vulnerable and weak - knowing that parishioners will come to my church looking to me for guidance, for an explanation, for the "why?"  And it is in hours like these that I must be my most honest and transparent, not ready to give the easy answers or point to the proof texts of my Bible.  Instead, this is the hour that I weep alongside of the hurting.  This is the weekend when my priestly duty is not to be the teacher, but to be the loving brother humbly praying alongside to our loving Father.  This is the weekend when my leadership role is to be the fellow follower of the Son.  This is the weekend when my spirit must be most fully submitted to His Spirit, admitting my own spiritual poverty in the face of such desolation in Haiti. 

May God give me and other pastors around the U.S. great wisdom, love and humility as we minister this weekend to our congregations.

Video Sermon: How God Talks To You

God loves us so much that He not only wants to listen to us, but wants to talk to us too!  Join me as we learn four different ways God talks to us.  Below is the video of last week's sermon.  Here are some resources that could help you:

• Download Program without Answers
• Download Program with Answers
• Download my TEACHING NOTES

How God Talks to You from Mark Pierce on Vimeo.

Also you can listen to the audio version either on the Church Requel Audio Blog or take it with you by subscribing to the Church Requel Audio Podcast.  Would you like to read my notes for today's Bible study? Just click on the "Continue reading" link below.

Audio Sermon: How God Talks to You

We enjoyed a great service last evening at Church Requel.  The worship set was incredible, especially the part where Nancy Roop read the Scripture in the middle of one of the songs.  Nate did a great job in leading our worship experience.  Jonathan did a great job in mixing the sound, which is now better than ever with the new electronic drum set, which Ryan did a wonderful job playing.  Thanks also go out to Dave and Matt on the guitars.  Every week is another exciting adventure in church!

During the teaching time, I taught part two of Learning to Hear God's Voice.  As I mentioned last week this series is not original with me.  I first heard my brother preach it about ten years ago.  He heard it from Rick Warren.  Here's my (audio) version of "How God Speaks to Us."  I hope to have the video up tomorrow.

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Read Through The Bible - Week 1

Last week I produced a video and wrote an article about reading through the Bible in one year.  I showed it to our small congregation last Sunday evening.  Since then, 11 people affiliated with our church have made the commitment to read through the Bible this year!  Isn't that great news?

Also since last weekend I've had one additional blog reader commit to reading through the Bible this year.  And I've had one Facebook friend, not affiliated with Church Requel, ask me questions about it.  Possibly she too will take on the challenge.

Did you know that you can read through the Bible in a year with only 15 minutes a day reading?  To succeed one needs

1. A good reading plan
2. The establishment of a habit, and
3. A peer group who will encourage and support.

There are many good reading plans out there and I won't repeat everything I wrote last week.  The key is to pick a plan which will work for you.  Personally, I love to read my Kindle.  I read from it every day.  So I used some of the gift card money I received from Christmas and purchased the Kindle version of the NLT One Year Bible.  This is perfect for me.  Every morning I just click on the book and it opens to today's date... and I read.  Pretty simple.  What would be simple for you?

The habit is something that takes at least 21 days to form.  And during this time it's really important that you not miss.  You want to ingrain in your mind your commitment to do this each day.  After the first three weeks, I usually find it takes another 3 weeks to get really good at it.

Finally, a supportive and encouraging peer group or partner is vital.  It's so much more fun to do this with someone else.  That way you don't feel isolated.  And you can be an encouragement to others as you share how you are reading new things about God you didn't know before.  Along these lines I have formed an online group within our online church community.  You do not need to be a member of our church to participate.  But you do need a username and password, which I can provide to you. 

Why not get started reading this incredible book known as the Bible this year?  I would love to help you succeed in this new resolution... if this is something you'd like to do.  Let me know!

Video Sermon: How to Hear God Speak

Last Sunday evening, Church Requel launched a new sermon series.  During the month of January we will be learning how to listen to God.  If we don't hear from God, it doesn't mean He isn't speaking.  It means we aren't hearing.  What are the four attitudes we need to foster to be able to hear God speak?  Join me as we study Luke 8:4-15.  Here are some resources that might help:

• This is the program we used last weekend - it has the handout included
• Download my TEACHING NOTES from last weekend.

How to Hear God Speak from Mark Pierce on Vimeo.

Also you can listen to the audio version either on the Church Requel Audio Blog or take it with you by subscribing to the Church Requel Audio Podcast.  Would you like to read my notes for last weekend's sermon? Just click on the "Continue reading" link below.