Quick, Vital, Free Online AED/CPR training

Would you know what to do if someone suddenly collapsed in front of you?  This web site combines very realistic videos with choice points that allow you to see what happens if you do various wrong (and right) things when a man suddenly has a heart attack in front of you.  (One of your options is even "freak out"!)

It doesn't take long, and it's very confidence-building.  It might help you to save someone's life.  Or at least prevent you from freaking out!

HeartRescueNow.com

Why Did Jesus Come?

Last Sunday I got to go to jail to help do a church service for some men there.  In praying about what to share with them from the Bible, I got the idea to do a short survey of the Scripture verses that talk about Jesus' reasons for coming.  Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the facts of His coming (shepherds, angels, dreams, wise men) that we neglect the purpose of His coming. 

I was surprised at how many verses directly talk about reasons for Christmas.  But rather than tell you what those reasons are, I'm going to give you the same verses I went through with the men in jail.  There may be even more that I didn't find. You can dig out and enjoy their meaning for yourself.

Matthew 9:13
Mark 10:45
Luke 19:10
John 3:17
John 6:38
John 9:39
John 18:37
2 Corinthians 8:9
Galatians 4:4,5
Hebrews 2:14-18
Hebrews 9:26
1 John 3:5,8

Note: for a great short book on a somewhat wider topic, I highly recommend John Piper's 50 Reasons Jesus Came to Die.

The Innkeeper -- a touching Christmas poem by John Piper

This video of John Piper reading his poem "The Innkeeper" will move you, and if you are hurting, it will encourage you. You can also download a free PDF copy of the book.

Imagine There's a Lennon

Rock star John Lennon was murdered on this day in 1980.  Ray Comfort has just released a great 34 minute exploration of Lennon's life and beliefs.  Please take time to watch it and share it with your friends.  Imagine what John Lennon's life might have been like if he had heard and embraced the true gospel of Jesus.

Training in Biblical Counseling Coming to the Verde Valley

Interested in learning how to do Biblical counseling? Counseling is not just for “professionals” – all of us counsel each other, all the time, mostly "off the cuff" in informal settings. The question isn’t “Will you counsel?” but “Is your counsel based on the Bible, or based on your own thinking?” Training from the Biblical Counseling Training Center of Arizona is coming to Cottonwood. The training will be held in six, 8 hour segments on the first and third Saturdays of January, February and March (a total of 48 hours of instruction). Click this link for a typical schedule of the training.

The training does have a cost: $375 for individuals or $500 for married couples. (Our church is offering financial assistance to our members who are interested in taking the course but can't afford it. Perhaps your church would do the same for you?) There is also some required reading. If you’re interested or have questions, contact me ASAP and I can point you in the right direction.  You can also contact the BCTC directly.