Friday Links Roundup: 2010 to 2011 Edition

As I type this, there are less than 20 hours remaining in 2010. Obviously, we may never see the end of this year. We are not promised tomorrow, but we rest in the promises of God that, if tomorrow comes (and a new year begins), He will continue to be faithful. As the old hymn suggests, “Morning by morning, new mercies I see.”

In 2010, our family had a great year. There were struggles at times (remember the car wreck???), but God is so good to us. We are blessed far beyond what we deserve, both physically and with countless spiritual blessings.

For those of you who read this from Lebanon Road: you are a blessing to us in ways you will never know. I am grateful every day to be “your preacher,” and I pray that each lesson that is presented is helpful to you. What more could a preacher want? The elders are supportive, members are encouraging, and you welcome my family as part of your own. That’s a great combination!

For our readers who are in our physical family: I hope you know what a blessing you are. We love one another and support one another. I just hope I come close to encouraging and loving you as much as you show your care for me. (By the way, a special “I love you” and “Godspeed” to my brother-in-law, sister, two nephews and niece. Jeremiah, Amber, Luke, Daniel and LyssaBeth begin a new work this week at the Willow Avenue church of Christ in Cookeville. He is a talented speaker with a great family supporting him. You guys are going to do great!!!)

For our other readers, some of whom we don’t even know: Thank you. You come here and read these little articles with great regularity, and some of you even pass articles along to others. Honestly, you honor us and humble us at the same time. We hope to get to know you as the Lord provides for us days and even years ahead. But, should He choose not to, I hope we spend eternity together in heaven, and enjoy praising the One who “blesses and blesses again” forevermore.

Make 2011 a year in which you glorify God. We are going to strive to do that as a family, and Lebanon Road is going to strive to do that as a congregation. May you do the same.

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On to the links for this week:

1. We’re always on the lookout for new blogs to read, so I’m glad to pass along a link to a good article from a blog that is “new to us.” Creation Faith Facts is a site that shares short, but well written and helpful, apologetics articles. My favorite so far is “Toxic Chemical Helps Birds to Navigate.” Enjoy!

2. Many of you are writing those 2011 Resolutions, but what are they based upon? Before you finalize your list, read “What Will He Say?” by my friend Neil Richey.

3. We like to pass along articles with statistics that are reliable and eye-opening. The Covenant Eyes blog shared some this week that every parent and youth minister needs to read. Take note of “13 Stats on Teens and Sexting.”

4. Ok, for one final link of the year, I want to link to a YouTube video of one of the most amazing and “ridiculous” things of 2010. In June, Leah’s family and I sat in front of their TV for hours watching the longest tennis match in history. John Isner and Nicolas Mahut played one match over 3 days that lasted a total of about 11 hours. If you didn’t see it, enjoy this brief highlight video to remember one of the most hilarious things of the year.

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We hope you  have a great weekend, and a great turn of the year. Tonight at Lebanon Road, we are going to have a New Year’s Eve party that we are going to attend (at least part of!).

More importantly, though, we are going to worship God on Sunday as we open 2011. If you’re nearby (or just passing through), worship with us at 9AM as we start off the year, and our 2011 theme (that I’ll have more to say about next week).