Concord has always been generous in her mission giving, and even in uncertain economic times you’ve given generously and in faith towards the goal of reaching the nations with the gospel. The Missions Committee set an ambitious goal of $60,000 for 2008. The Lord has stirred you up to exceed that goal with an offering of $67,000! Praise the Lord!

Do you want to be a good steward of your time? Check out this brief post and find out how.

Growing up as a boy I was sucker for dares. You know the type. I dare you to eat this earthworm. No way! Are you crazy? I double-dog dare you. Well, if you put it like that, so long Mr. Earthworm. This summer I want to dare you take the summer challenge. What’s the summer challenge, you ask? For the next 90 days, beginning June 4 until August 2, each evening dedicate yourself to read for 15 minutes each day. Turn off the TV 15 minutes earlier and cozy up to a good, theologically-sound, gospel-centered book. Get up 15 minutes earlier and dedicate yourself to 15 minutes of mental exercise. Grab a book on your way out the office door and read during lunch. Don’t know what to read? Allow me to provide a recommended reading list for the summer.

Summer Reading List

• The Life and Diary of David Brainerd, Jonathan Edwards
• Respectable Sins. Jerry Bridges
• Culture Shift, Al Mohler
• The Cross-Centered Life, CJ Mahaney
• Humility, CJ Mahaney
• Knowing God, J.I. Packer
• Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands, Paul Tripp
• Don’t Waste Your Life, John Piper
• Objects of His Affection, Scotty Smith
• One Thing, Sam Storms
• The Holiness of God, R.C. Sproul
• What Is A Healthy Church, Mark Dever
• The Message of the Old Testament, Mark Dever
• The Message of the New Testament, Mark Dever
• Do Hard Things, Harris (for Teens and Parents)
• Teach Them Diligently, Lou Priolo, (Parenting)
• The Age of Opportunity, Paul Tripp, (Parenting)
• Don’t Make Me Count To Three, Ginger Plowman, (Parenting)
• Shepherding a Child’s Heart, Ted Tripp, (Parenting)
• My Savage My Kinsmen, Elisabeth Eliot
• God’s Passion for His Glory, John Piper
• Keeping the Heart, John Flavel
• Family-Driven Faith, Voddie Baucham
• Everyday Talk, John Younts

You certainly can’t read all of these books by reading 15 minutes daily, but you could probably read 4-5 over the next 90 days by reading 15 minutes daily.

Did you also know that reading has significant benefits? Here are just a few of the benefits nurtured by avid readers:

• Read better, write better and concentrate better;
• Are quicker to see subtleties;
• Have an easier time processing new information;
• Develop an ability to understand how other people think and feel;
• Tend to be more flexible in their thinking and open to new ideas;
• Weather personal problems better;

So there you have it. I dare you to take the summer challenge. No, I double-dog dare you! Now you’ve GOT to do it!

An encouraging bit of trivia:

Not knowing which team will win the Super Bowl, both teams print victory t-shirts in advance.  On the New England sideline during the big game were stacks of t-shirts adorned with the Patriot logo and reading “Super Bowl Champions 19-0.”  What became of those t-shirts and the rest of the inaccurate Patriot paraphernalia? 

You might be encouraged to learn that the loot was delivered to two small towns in Nicaragua, where it was distributed among impoverished children.  Miriam Diaz of World Vision organizes the donation.  According to Diaz, “The children are the winners.” 

Even if the Patriots weren’t.    

CHATTANOOGA – A startling event occured in a recent evening service at Concord Baptist Church of Chattanooga, TN.  The service concluded a few minutes early.  “It was so weird,” remarked Candace Hendon, ”I was just settling in when, all of a sudden, we were singing the closing song!”  The evening service, mysteriously called Connection, typically concludes ten, fifteen, and sometimes twenty minutes late due to the dynamic teaching ministries of senior pastor David King and youth pastor Aaron Martin.  The senior adults who attend Connection had mixed emotions about the early dismissal.  Minnie Jo Baskette, a well-loved older member, said, “I’m glad to get out of here on time for a change, but I’m not sure the boys earned their paycheck tonight.”  When asked if dismissing early was going to become a regular occurence, Pastor David expressed doubt and urged the congregation not to get their hopes up.  “Tonight, however, was different,” he rejoiced. “I was able to stay within my twenty-minute window and still deliver a life-changing message.  I would like to thank everyone who prayed for me so that this dream could become a reality.”  Randy Smith, a deacon in the church and faithful member, suggested that the night of early dismissal will long be remembered.  ”I think the guys should blog about it,” he added.