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Join me in reading the entire Bible this Summer! (beginning June 1)

Last summer I was challenged to do something that impacted me greatly.  Last summer, I read through the entire Bible in chronological order.  It was an amazing experience and one that I would like to repeat this summer.  It definitely takes discipline and sacrifice but it is worth it!  I found that it caused me to crave God's Word.  So, I'm wondering if you would be interested in joining me this summer?! From June 1st to August 31st, will you join me in reading the most important book?

One of the easiest ways to do this with the technology that is at our disposal is through YouVersion.com 

Reading plan instructions:

1. Go to YouVersion.com
2. Click on “explore reading plans” (or click the banner above)
3. Scroll down to Chronological and hit the link under it “start this plan”
4. If you don’t have a YouVersion account click the “sign up now” on the right side of the page or if you do have an account sign in.
5. After creating a username and password, check your email for the confirmation email.  Once signed in to YouVersion.
6. On the top click on “reading plans”
7. The chronological plan should pop up.  Under it click plan overview.
8. Scroll down to “your start date, your end date” and click edit dates.
9. Make your start date June 1, 2011 and your end date August 31, 2011 and then hit save.
10. Now your plan is all set up!  Go back to the top and click view today’s reading to see what the reading is for each day.
11. Join the YouVersion group at: http://youversion.com/groups/gracechurchep
12. Find me and become my friend on YouVersion my username is: Jacinto22

Trust me when I tell you that you can do this and it will make a huge impact on your life.  The Bible isn't an old book, "it is living and active. Sharper than any double‑edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12

So, are you in?!  If so, leave a comment...

Pass this idea around and let's see how many people we can get to join us.

Update on June 1st at 5:48 p.m.: Download Bible Reading Plan in order to put the reading plan into your calendar.

Kitchen Remodel Completion... Or is it?

We have had a pretty eventful week or I would've posted these pictures on Tuesday.  Last Monday the quartz countertops and undermount sink were installed. On Tuesday morning the new faucet and drain was installed.  

A new wall organizer that we added to the kitchen.  We are waiting for a "pin board" to arrive that will hang between these two boxes (they will be pushed further to the left and the right)

So, while our initial project is complete.  We just ordered one more floor to ceiling cabinet to go on the other side of the sliding glass door.  That should arrive in a week or so.

We are definitely pleased with the outcome of the cabinets and countertops!

 

Kitchen Remodel Day 9 - Monday, May 2

The countertops have been measured and should be installed in two weeks.  The temporary sink works and so does the new dishwasher.  I hope to soon have our microwave mounted.  We are now in the process of figuring out what we will put where in our cabinets.  Plus, we have some other small touchup work to do with paint.  

I will update the blog once we have new countertops.

Kitchen Remodel Day 8 - Sunday, May 1

There are no pictures in the post because there is nothing new to see in our kitchen.  That doesn't mean that nothing has been done today.  With the help of Jed, the water is ready to for hookup to the sink and dishwasher.  The dishwasher is completely installed and ready to run as soon as the sink drain is completed.  A temporary sink is in place but I need to buy a few parts to make connections to the drain and water line (Home Depot was closed as soon as I found out I needed parts).  The microwave is also nearly in place.

So, to summarize the microwave is almost installed, the dishwasher is almost installed and the temporary sink is almost installed.

Kitchen Remodel Day 7 - Saturday, April 30

For the most part the cabinets are completely installed.  There is a side piece that needs to be reordered and some quarter round that will be placed after that is in place.  Now we wait for the countertops.  We are very pleased with the finished product of these cabinets look like.  Tomorrow, if time permits I will reinstall the microwave, install the new dishwasher and put other things back in their place.

Here are pictures at the end of Day 7:

 

We really like the crown molding at the top.

Kitchen Remodel Day 6 - Friday, April 29

Due to a Dodgeball event with Crave last night I was unable to provide a Kitchen remodel post last night.  Pictured below is where things are are at so far.  As you can see, the installation is not yet complete.  There are a number of things that still need to be done with just the cabinet install and we are optimistic that it will be completed by the end of the day (I know I said that yesterday).  We are fine with the delay as we want it to be done correctly before we want it done quickly.

Here are pictures at the end of Friday, April 29:

Kitchen Remodel Day 5 - Thursday, April 28

Today the process of installing the cabinets began.  There were a few minor hangups with the way things lined up but it appears that we have come up with solutions to each of these issues.  We are really pleased with Steve, the installer.  He is excellent at what he is doing, meticulous and goes above and beyond what's expected.  He anticipates that he will be done with his part of the process after a long day tomorrow.  We had excellent weather this afternoon so as a family we ate some Papa Johns on the front step of our home.

Here are pictures at the end of the day:

Kitchen Remodel Day 4 - Wednesday, April 27

I can't take any credit for today's work.  This morning Ryan and Karis screwed in a few pieces of plywood.  This evening after the kids were in bed, my wife painted in areas that we knew would be exposed after the new cabinets are installed (while I was at the Church).  It is a wonderful feeling to know that we are ready for the installers to come tomorrow morning.

 

Kitchen Remodel Day 3 - Tuesday, April 26

The progress from today is hardly noticeable from the pictures.  The footprint of the old cabinets has been raised a 3/4 of an inch to match the rest of the flooring.  Speaking of flooring, we had a whole box left from when we originally installed the hardwood floors so we took advantage of the missing base cabinets to reinstall some boards that had a wide space between them.  Again we had great help from some neighbors.  One neighbor let me borrow his pnuematic stapler (where was he 2 years ago when we had to rent that?!) and another neighbor let us use their oven to cook part of our dinner.

Here are the pictures at the end of today:

 

 

 

Kitchen Remodel - Day 2 Monday, April 25

Today, far more was accomplished than I had planned.  I had lots of help to get to this point.  Our friend, Jed, came over and capped the water to our sink so that we could disconnect the sink and dishwasher (and so that we could get the base cabinet out).  I also had help from a couple of neighbors to get some pretty large pieces out and into the garage. 

Here is where we are at the end of Day 2:

 
 
 
I am far ahead of schedule and that is really good.  I had planned on only removing the upper cabinets by the end of the day.  I am grateful for all of the help that I had today to get as far as we did.

Kitchen Remodel - Day 1 Sunday, April 24

Greta and I have been working and planning for several months on remodeling our kitchen.  The process started when we discussed our need for a new dishwasher. This conversation evolved into our discussion that we should get new countertops since neither of us cared for them and then it moved to the fact that if we replaced our countertops we would be putting them on cabinets that are not asthetically pleasing or practical.  We talked to several contractors and weighed a number of options before we settled on our current plan.  I'm convinced that one of the biggest things my wife is looking forward to is having a place for the broom.  She is also looking forward to having far more usable space.  I am now in the process of demoing the cabinets since that will save us $1,200 on the install.

The all important "before" pictures:  (notice the cabinets don't go up to the ceiling)

 

 

The progress after Day 1 (Sunday):

 
 

I created a schedule for myself and my wife to try to keep on schedule to demo the cabinets before they are installed on Thursday.  I also had a schedule for my wife to know when she will have a working sink, oven and dishwasher.  So far, I'm on schedule!

What we do the Wednesday Night of Holy Week

For the past two years on the week of Holy Week, the Crave Senior High has participated in an Biblical exercise.  Instead of having someone share the events of what took place the week of Easter, we think that it is better for all of us to hear this directly from God himself.  In order to do this, we provide an environment by which the students can spend time (typically 30-45 minutes) reading through the gospel accounts of the week leading up to Jesus death and resurrection.  This is a stretching night for some of our students (and leaders).  Plus, there usually is a number of first time visitors and I often wonder what their first impression of Crave is as a result of this night.  All of this doesn't matter because what is most important is the hope that everyone (including myself) leaves with a greater appreciation and understanding of the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for each of us.  There's no better place to find that than his Word.

 

The following is the text from the handout that we provide on this night:

This week is significant!

This week we remember the most important life-changing event in history.  Our hope tonight is that you will leave here with a God-given understanding of what He did for you on the cross.  Instead of us telling you about it we thought that it would be best if He told you himself through His Word.  Tonight we are going to dwell in his Word and read the story of Jesus taking our sins to the cross.  This piece of paper’s purpose is to lead you to the areas of Scripture that describe this story.  Prayerfully, read through it at your own pace – please don’t rush.   You might not finish during our time together.  That’s alright, take it home and continue to read it.  Our prayer is that you will take this seriously and will leave here with a better sense of gratitude and understanding of what Jesus did on your behalf.  If for some reason you are unable to participate in this time of worship, you are free to leave.  Please be respectful to the others around you.

The Triumphal Entry- John 12:12-19

                Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:29-40

The Plot to Kill Jesus- Luke 22:1-6

                Matthew 26:1-5, 14-16, Mark 14:1-2, 10-11, John 13:21-30

The Passover and Last Supper with the Disciples- Matthew 26:17-30

                Mark 14:12-26, Luke 22:7-23, John 13:1-20

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane- Mark 14:32-42

                Matthew 26:36-46, Luke 22:39-46, John 17

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus- Matthew 26:47-56

                Mark 14:43-50, Luke 22:47-53, John 18:1-11

Jesus before the Council- Mark 14:53-65

                Matthew 26:57-68, John 18:19-24, Luke 22:66-71

Jesus before Pilate- Luke 23:1-25

                Matthew 27:11-26, Mark 15:1-15, John 18:28-40

Jesus Delivered to be Crucified- John 19:1-16

                Matthew 27:27-31, Mark 15:16-20

The Crucifixion- Luke 23:26-43

                Matthew 27:32-44, Mark 15:21-32, John 19:17-27

The Death of Jesus- Mark 15:33-41

                Matthew 27:45-56, Luke 23:44-49, John 19:28-30

Jesus’ Side is Pierced- John 19:31-37  

Jesus is Buried- Luke 23:50-56

                Mark 15:42-47, Matthew 27:57-61, John 19:38-42

The Resurrection- Matthew 28:1-10

                Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24: 1-12, John 20:1-10

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene- John 20:11-18

                Mark 16:9-11

Jesus Appears to the Disciples- Luke 24:36-49

                Mark 16:12-13, John 20:19-23

The Great Commission- Matthew 28:16-20

                Mark 16:14-20

The Ascension- Luke 24:50-53