Where's a new Christian to start?

A long-time friend of mine asked me where in the Bible a new Christian should start reading.  In the beginning, at Genesis and just read it through?  At the start of the New Testament, in Matthew? 
My own suggestion would be to have anyone who wants to learn about the Bible, and new Christians in particular start with the Gospel of Mark.  Mark offers the easiest to understand account of the life of Jesus, and one that can be read in a short period of time.  You've got to start somewhere, and the account of who Jesus is and what he did for us should generate plenty of questions that will help spark the dialogue that leads to understanding and growth.
It also seems like a good idea to read the letter of James for its practical moral advice about living an active faith, and then perhaps the letter of I John because of John's teaching on what makes a person a Christian (oddly enough, the subject of my book; free to read, download, or print with a simple click; just click on the "documents you can read" topic in the index).
In the end, new Christians and those who are curious but not believers, both need help from someone who can explain the basics of the Gospel message who is also at the same time living that message in his/her life.  The Bible can work wonders, it is of course God's Word, but most people want to see that we take this Bible seriously, that we follow its teachings, and that we love each other if they themselves are going to join our family.
Where's a new Christian to start?  Hopefully, reading God's Word and spending time in a local church that can help him/her nurture that newborn faith.  In the end, perhaps where a person starts to read isn't as important as who is walking alongside them to help them.  We all should be eager to lend a helping hand to those who, like us, have found redemption in the blood of the Lamb.

Sermon Video, "so that you may believe" The Raising of Lazarus Part 1 - John 11:1-15

In John's Gospel Jesus is confronted with the news that a close friend named Lazarus is very sick, but Jesus decides to wait two days before returning to help.  Lazarus dies before Jesus arrives, but Jesus tells his disciples that he is "glad" that he wasn't there because they will soon see his power (when he raises Lazarus from the dead), "so that you may believe".  Why does God have the right to use our lives (our hurt, pain, even deaths) to further his will?  And How could Jesus stand by and let someone he loves die?  The Love and Wisdom of God are revealed by Jesus.

To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video

A Lesson from my dog...

One of our dogs hasn't been feeling very well of late.  Not eating, stomach problems, lethargic, that sort of thing.  The problem is that we can't ask her what is wrong.  Was it something she ate, is she in pain, is she sad that she misplace her favorite bone?  Who knows.
The thought occured to me that many people act the same way.  They go through struggles, difficulties, and troubles without ever letting those who care about them know it.  Why do people hid their pain?  Usually it is some mixture of shame, fear, pride, or stubborness.  What will people say if they know what I've done?  What will people think if they know what I'm afraid of?  How will people look at me when they know how much I've let them down?  I don't care how much it hurts, I'm going to fix this myself.
Maybe you've had some of those thoughts, maybe you're saying something like that right now.  There are two very good reasons why you should let other people help you through tough times in your life.  The first is that we're not meant to fight those battles alone.  God created us to be social, to lean on each other, to offer mutal support.  We're designed this way.  When we try to do everything on our own, we make things much more difficult and miss out on the love that our friends, family, and church would offer if only we would let them.  The second reason why we should ask for help is because we deny those same friends, family members, and church members the chance to be Christ-like when we don't go to them for help.  As believers in Jesus Christ, we have an obligation to support and help those in need.  The only way that we will grow as Christians is by serving others.  If we all try to solve everything on our own, none of us will grow to be the mature Christians that God wants us to be.
The next time you face something difficult in life, rather than digging a moat around yourself so that nobody can get in, try instead to build a bridge so that someone can show you how much they love you.  As God's Word reminds us, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (I Peter 5:7)  Go to God, go to his people; we are his hands, his feet, here to serve each other, here to carries the burdens of those in need.

Sermon Video: Restraining Sensual Indulgence - Colossians 2:20-23

Do groups that attempt to isolate themselves from the world, like medieval monks or the Amish of today, hold the key to holiness?  What is the value of self-denial (Asceticism)?  Paul explains why this belief is misguided and ultimately fails to accomplish its goal, the restraint of sensual indulgence.

To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video

The 4th Annual Ecumenical Sunday: Music from the choir

The King B9's choir from the Cathedral of St. Andrew (Grand Rapids)
Performing at the First Baptist Church of Palo under the direction of Tom Good

"Jesus Met the Woman at the Well"
"Here I am Lord"
and a duet by Nicole Powell and Tom Good
"And all these things will be added"

to watch the video, click on the link below:
Music Video