I know things are busy so I’ll keep this issue short and sweet. There are a few exciting things happening and I want you to be a part of them. So this issue doesn’t really have articles as much as some fun announcements and invitations. I’ve even tucked a little gift into this edition of the newsletter. I hope it blesses you.
My Christmas Gift to You
I am way behind on my Christmas shopping this year, in fact I am heading out as soon as I hit send on this newsletter to finish —yes I know it is December 23! But I decided on your gift a few weeks ago and have been looking forward to giving it to you. I hope you like it and it blesses you.
In these first few months of this ministry’s existence, I have been so excited and amazed to see our community begin to form. Though I know some of you personally, there are so many of you on the subscriber list who I have not had the pleasure of meeting in person. And since the best gifts are personal, I decided I’d love to give a gift that was both personal and would help us get to know each other better. I am committed to helping you form a deeper connection between your real life and God’s truth and grace. And the best way for me to do that is to find out what your real life is like.
So, whether we are already good friends or have yet to meet, I hope you like my Christmas gift: a one-on-one opportunity for me to pray for you, encourage you, and get to know your real life better via a personal phone conversation. We can chat about challenges you face, opportunities God is calling you to embrace, or whatever is on your heart. I want this to be a special gift of having someone listen and pray for you.
If you would like to open this gift, as it were, all you have to do is email me at Laura@mirministries.com and let me know your name (some subscribers didn’t provide a name when they joined the list so all I have is an email address), the phone number you’d like me to call, and three potential times (after January 1) that would work for you to have our conversation. I’ll email you back to confirm our appointment and then I’ll give you a call. It is that easy!
I’m excited to have the opportunity to visit with you, pray for you, and hear about what is on your heart and going on in your life.
A Sneak Peak and Special Invitation
I’ve been burning the midnight oil putting the finishing touches on my soon to be released Bible study. It goes to press in early January and will officially launch March 1. Here is a sneak peak at the cover…
This study centers on John 15:1-9 and explores how we can deepen our relationship with the True Vine, Jesus Christ. This study might be perfect for you if you
• Hunger and thirst for a deeper, more meaningful fellowship with Christ
• Feel weary and fed up with a faith lived out as just one more thing on your to-do list
• Wonder if Jesus is merely an abstract historical figure or someone with whom you can have an actual relationship
Whatever your situation, you can cultivate an intimate relationship with Jesus in this insanely busy and superficial world. As you meditate on the concepts presented in the four lessons of this workbook, you will:
• Grasp the primary importance of your relationship with God through Christ
• Recognize that the natural by-product of an intimate connection with Jesus is a life that glorifies our heavenly Father
• Identify how damage or neglect weakens your bond with Christ and determine what results from a damaged or atrophied nexus
• Perceive the grace God exercises when he prunes you and discover your potential to bear more fruit
• Gain practical ideas and strategies for nurturing your union with Christ
I’m so thrilled to finally have this project come to fruition. I would love to have you be a part of the Launch Team for my book.
Join the Launch Team
What is a Launch Team? Well, this group of special people will actively promote the book upon its official release. In exchange for some special incentives team members read the book and help spread the word by posting reviews on sites like amazon.com and Barnes & Noble, use Facebook, Twitter and other social media to promote the book, and generally be a cheerleader for the study.
If you are part of the Launch Team, you will have early access to the book prior to its official release as well as some special bonuses: an advance electronic copy, access to a special private Facebook group where we will brainstorm promotional ideas and celebrate milestones, and some other special bonus items I can’t tell you about yet.
If you’d like to be on the Launch Team, just click this link and sign up. I will start sending you your bonus items just as soon as they are available.
Attend a Live Preview of the Study!
Whether you are on the Launch Team or not, if you are in the Georgetown, Texas area, I would love for you to participate in the live sessions that will be offered prior to the official release of the book.
I will have the honor of teaching this study at my home church: Main Street Baptist. If you live within driving distance, I’d love for you to join us. We will meet on Tuesdays beginning January 28. The study is four weeks long. You can attend either the morning or evening sessions. The morning group meets from 9:00 – 11:30 am and the evening group meets from 6:30-8:30 pm.
If you’d like to register, just click this link.
Offer the Study at Your Church or Home
Don’t live near Georgetown? Can’t attend the preview sessions? That’s OK, you can offer the study at your church or with a group of friends in your home. If you live near me, I’ll may be able to present the messages live! If you live too far for me to come each week, we might be able to arrange for me to attend the kick off lesson or meet with your group via Skype. If you are interested in exploring these options, please click this link to begin the conversation about it.
A Prayer for Your New Year
Lord,
You are so good to us. You daily surprise us with blessing upon blessing. You are mighty and yet humble; glorious and amazing. We love you and seek to bless you.
As we prepare to turn the page on a new year, I pray now for the special person reading this newsletter. May your grace pour out on their life in 2014 and may they feel your presence with them each moment of every day. Show them clearly what you would have them focus on this year; how you would have them serve your kingdom and draw closer to you. Bring to mind anything you want them to prune back in 2014 to make more room for the blessings you will bring.
Go before them and prepare their way. Strengthen them and encourage them when they encounter temptations and challenges. Uphold them in your strong and righteous right hand. You know all their needs, fears, desires, and thoughts. And your love exceeds any human love. Lavish your grace upon them and empower them to be a blessing to others in these next twelve months. Thank you for bring this person into my life. Help me serve them well!
In Jesus’ precious name I pray, amen.
Recommended Reading Each month in this section I’ll highlight a book that I have read that I think you would enjoy and benefit from. This month I chose Mark Buchanan’s Hidden in Plain Sight – The Secret of More. Read it in January (or any time) to help you discover the treasures God has hidden in plain sight for your 2014.
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