Alabama has a Heisman Trophy Winner!

As an Alabama fan this makes me happy - but not as happy as tonight Margaret played basketball against Piedmont College and was perfect from the field shooting. At one point in the game she came in with the team behind by three and immediately scored five points to put Covenant ahead for good - a very important five points. She ended the game as the high scorer despite not starting the game.

She was 3 for 3 from behind the arc, 1 for 1 from 2 pt. range, and 2 for 2 from the line in a low scoring contest for a total of 13 points.

Ok so I am a proud Dad - what can I say!

New Motivational Poster

Sent to me by my Tall Son, Michael!

Quick Quote

People never change until the pain of staying the same grows greater than the pain of change. Ed Stetzer

As a Dad of 4 girls

Which one of these do you know the most about: Black Friday or Advent?

Last Sunday I offered to send to our group a short article they could use to send to friends about what the Advent season is about and to introduce our church plant. Use is if you like.

Which one of these do you know the most about: Black Friday or Advent?

My guess is that you know more about Black Friday. Let me tell you something you do not know about this upcoming Friday. It occurs on the Friday after Thanksgiving, and it's one of the major shopping days of the year in the United States, falling anywhere between the 23^rd and 29^th of November. While it's not recognized as an official US holiday, many employees have the day off – except those working in retail, of course! In the 1960's, police in Philadelphia griped about the congested streets, clogged with motorists and pedestrians, calling it “Black Friday.” It also has a financial connotation. “Black” refers to stores moving from the “red” to the “black,” back when accounting records were kept by hand, and red ink indicated a loss, and black a profit.

My personal goal is to never have to go shopping on Black Friday – but I am a guy. But what about Advent? I am a pastor and a church planter. The name of the new church is Advent. Let me tell you a little about what Advent means because this Sunday is the first of four Sundays called the Sundays of Advent.

"Advent" comes from the Latin word adventus, which means "visit" or "coming" or "arrival." The four week season of Advent is a time to get ready for the two "visits" of Christ: His first coming through the Incarnation, and His second coming as the reigning Lord. It's a time of waiting, hoping, and getting in touch with our need for a Savior. It's a season of preparation for Christmas, much as Lent is a season of preparation for Easter.

In Advent we look back to the experience of Israelites as they yearned for God to forgive their sin and restore their nation. We put ourselves in their shoes as they hoped for the coming of the Messiah. Thus we ready our hearts to celebrate the good news of Christmas.

No doubt you will see one of the many versions of the classic story, Christmas Carol. This story reminds me of the power of being forced to reflect on the past, present and future. Scrooge is remembered for his coldness but ultimately for the reverse direction he took when confronted with the future as well as misspent past. Tiny Tim has a future because Scrooge looked to the past and repented! I want to be like Scrooge – someone who is willing to repent and also live in light of a hopeful future – that is what Advent is all about. Look back, look forward and have hope because there really is a Savior!

So as you look at your budget before you leave for “Black Friday”, look at you soul during the next four weeks of Advent and see if you have the hope that only the Lord Jesus Christ can give! And if you would like to find out more about that hope and joy you are invited to be a part of the new church we are calling Advent – a joyful, preparing people that are learning how to party!

Until the Trump,

Ken Cross
Church Planter

I know where you can send your holiday giving!

Very 'interesting article! Ken

Holiday Giving

According to new study results soon to be released from Harris Interactive^®, more than three out of four U.S. adults would prefer to receive a meaningful gift this holiday season that would help someone else instead of a traditional gift like clothing or electronics. The study was commissioned by World Vision^® among 1,001 adults from October 29 to November 1.

The new survey on charitable giving also concluded that nearly half of U.S. adults (49%) would be more likely to give a "charitable gift" as a holiday present this year. "That finding reveals our charitable culture at work," said Justin Greeves, senior vice president of public affairs and policy research at Harris Interactive.

Additionally, the study showed that, this year, around six out of ten adults (57%) said they will spend less money on holiday presents and almost three out of four (74%) plan to increase their charitable giving once the economy improves. [ChristianPost.com]

As many of you know I am a church planter in Charlotte, NC. Our goal is to have our first public worship service on Palm Sunday, almost 5 months away and there is so much to be done. One vital element of this is the need to raise $50,000 for start up cost (sound equipment, chairs, nursery equipment...). If you would like to give one time gifts to this effort you can send checks made out to Advent Church to our treasurer:

Ben Coulter

4008 Cedar Point Ave

Matthews NC 28104

Margaret had 6 3's!

Lady Scots Rally From Behind But Come Up Short Against
Tennessee Wesleyan
November 18, 2009 - 21:46 — covstaff

Lookout Mountain, GA- In their first home game of the 2009-2010 season, the Lady Scots overcame an 18 point half-time deficit and took the lead over Tennessee Wesleyan with just over 5 minutes remaining. Sophomore guard Margaret Cross fueled part of the comeback with several clutch threes, one of which gave Covenant their first lead since early in the first half. Cross finished with a team high 18 points in her 24 minutes of play. Covenant's second half lead, however, was short lived as the Lady Bulldogs surged back in front on their succeeding possession and kept the lead for the remainder of the game.
"We responded well to our half-time adjustments" said Coach Smialek after the game. "Overall, the team played very hard and is continuing to improve. I'm confident that it will all come together soon." Covenant post player Erika Forland recorded her second double-double in as many games with 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Brinkley Knowles added 17 points of her own.
The Lady Scots are now 0-2 on the year and will travel to Atlanta, GA this weekend for a small tournament at Emory University. Their next ho scheduled me game isfor Wednesday, December 2 at 5:30 against former rival Bryan College.