So the book is funny. But it’s more than that. Just like In a “Pit With a Lion” captured my attention a few years back, Mark has done the same this time with “Primal”. He is able to bring life to something we know…well, not really something we know (or we wouldn’t need this book)…but something we acknowledge but need to Know. He reminds that it is our highest calling, our highest privilege, our highest joy as people to love the Lord God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. Most of us think we know what that means and how it looks but we don’t know as we could. I don’t. I sometimes think I do, but a book like “Primal” reminds me that there is so much more to be had. And the more I love God in this way, the more I realize there is more. Mark reminds us and stirs us to remember the joy and utter amazement of our salvation.

Get it. Read it. Carve our a day early in the New Year. Read it front to back (it’s a book you can easily read in one sitting) and let it drive you deeper into God. Let it remind you of those feelings you once had for Him. Those dreams you once dreamed for Him. That passion that lies dormant deep in your soul. Descend the stairway with Mark and God into “the Lost Soul of Christianity.”

Get you copy of Primal here http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601421319

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It’s Thanksgiving morn. We play a game at our house…a very cold game…a game where we see how far into winter we can get before we turn on the furnace. Sounds like fun…doesn’t it? Not! But we play. It’s November 26th and we’re still  holding the course. You need to know this. We do have a wood-burning stove and one electric-oil space heater. Didn’t even want to know the temperature as I got out of bed, but the stove is now burning wood (though not producing heat yet) and the space heater is plugged in. It must be colder out than in because the dog is now scratching at the door to come back in. I peek at the thermometer on the porch…30 degrees fahrenheit. Oooooh…much colder than it was 2 weeks ago in Guadalajara:) The beat goes on. One of these mornings soon…someone (read Jeff) will accidentally bump into the thermostat and the furnace will kick on. I am thankful for wood and the stoves that burn it, electricity and oil heaters…and natural gas and furnaces. I’m not sure I believe people when they say they’d rather live in the olden days.

I don’t want to make this too long, so here’s a few people and things I’m thankful for. Dad-God, Jesus and God the Ghost (That term makes me smile). They rock. Never leaving me. Never forsaking me (even when I do really stupid stuff). Always with me. Thanx! Every other good thing in my life flows from them. My wife. A good wife is a gift from God. I’m just glad I was finally smart enough to see that and ask her to marry me. I’m glad she was patient enough to wait (I was dense…still am at times). The boy and the girl…my amazing kids. Even though we only have 2 biological kids…my quiver is way full. They are amazing. They aren’t perfect…but then neither is their earthly dad. They love Jesus and one day we will shoot them out into this world and I know they will change it for the fame of Jesus. The dog and the cat. I’m so glad God made pets! My parents who still love me unconditionally. My last remaining-alive (is that a word) Grama who is 90.

I am thankful for Living Hope church (the people…since church is people). They are gracious and kind and  have hung in with me for the last 4 1/2 years as God has allowed me to lead them. He is doing amazing things amongst us and I know the best is yet to come. Tommy who sat on my lap all those years ago and said, “Jeff, you’re coming with me.” Bob who guided me through my first 2 years at the helm of Living Hope. A nameless local pastor (for his protection:) for enduring my idiotic late-night movie choices.

And…it may sound weird to some of you…but I’m thankful that God allowed me to have cancer. If you are currently battling cancer, my prayers are with you. It is evil. But God can use all things for His glory. It woke me up. I was a lazy christian. I was satisfied with just being an attender of a local church. Let everyone else do the stuff. I would coast until heaven. Let other people tell other people about Jesus. Dad-God got my attention. I’m thankful He’s a Dad who disciplines those He loves.

There’s so many more people, but that’s enough for today. If you’ve made it this far…thanx! Here’s a good short blurb from Mark Batterson on heaven. Worth a minute’s read! And I cant wait for his new book PRIMAL!

Right now I’m thankful for the cinnamon roll which the girl is warming up in the microwave. She didn’t think it was funny when I asked her to warm it up for me by telling her she was so good at the microwave:) Oh yeah…and so thankful for coffee…and chocolate cows (milk)…and…football (I’m ready)…and…
Happy Thanksgiving!

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