Free Background Images
I found a couple of great sources for free background images and videos. Zack Fonville has some great stuff over at his site, and its all free. Also make sure to stop over at CreativeMYK. They have a lot of really cool and free stuff. Some of the images have restrictions but many of them are free for church service use. Check it out!
I am in the process of updating/upgrading my site. So far I am really liking the new Wordpress update. I have some great ideas for the new look. Worpress Mu is a great platform for creativity.
Have a great day!
This is posted over on our church website, www.whatifchurch.com. Maybe God will touch your heart to get involved with your community as well!
Easter Offering Challenge!
As we all know times are tough. The economy isn’t doing well, all over people are losing jobs. Where is the church in all of this? How can the body of Christ help, what should we be doing? Jesus said that he was fulfilling the prophesy in Isaiah that says:
“THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME,
BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR.
HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES,
AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND,
TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, (Luke 4:18)
We also read about the parable of The Good Samaritan in Luke 10. There are so many that are hurting and needing help right now, how can we just pass by and do nothing. Easter Sunday is known as the most attended church service all year long, which also usually means the biggest offering. We are a small church, but we will give away any offering that we take on Easter Sunday. Our offering will be going to a local agency that helps people all the time, it is called WECAN. There are so many needs and so little resources.
We usually don’t even meet on Sunday mornings but we feel strong enough that we must on this Sunday, to honor God, to honor our community. We challenge other churches, that will, to join us as we make a statement all around the Twin Cities that we care about the hurting and poor. We care about those in need in our communities. We will help.
Ask your church to make a bold statement to your community that with the biggest offering of the year, we give to our communities… we offer it back to God. If you don’t have a church or just want to be a part of this special offering. Come join us at 10:00am on Easter Sunday for our special community service. We are hoping that even as we are small, that God would take our offering of a few fish and a few loaves of bread and do something amazing with it! Will you join us?
Lately I have been just terrible at updating my blog and working on some of my web projects. You get so many things going that you just don’t have time for the REALLY important stuff. Blogging is nowhere near the top of my list as REALLY important by the way.
If you are busy like me, you have to prioritize the things that really matter, the things you value most. So how do you go about doing this?
For me it comes down to a simple series of goals based on what’s going on in my life today. I am really trying to live in today.
The first thing is me and God. That’s a given. Spend time with the head of the universe. His appointment book is always open to you. Spend time with the King when your mind is fresh and you can think clearly. I am not talking about the prayer list of everyone’s issues (or all the church issues) I am talking about personal talk, family stuff, getting your head screwed on right for the day.
Next comes family. What does my family need from me today. What can I give to them. What do I need to pay attention to? Anyone sad, need to talk, need a hug, need to dream, need to laugh?
Of course this also is placed in the context of what else controls my time. Work…but…really important point coming next…if all your quality time is taken up by your job and you do not have time for the above two things, you are NOT honoring God. So, in all reality you may need a career change. Be smart though, it’s not a good economy to just up and quit so if you need a change find the new job before you hand in your resignation.
Ministry to others is part of the job. Yes, it’s part of who we are as Christians but again if you aren’t getting 1 (you and God) and 2 (you and family) you do not have your values set right.
The key is to live in today. Set your time and schedule based on your top priorities and then be open to God for ministry to others as a part of life not an event. Yes…I Know…sometimes we need to schedule ministry events but serving others in the context of life is usually way more effective to actually helping people.
Live in today. Know what your values and priorities are, step up and do it! Enjoy!
A few weeks ago I wrote about our leadership team and how many of us didn’t really like going to church or I should say didn’t like sitting though the services in prior churches that we have been a part of. I have really been spending some time thinking about what I do like about gathering together.
I like sincerity and transparency. I like being myself and allowing others to be real. In life everything isn’t always OK, everything isn’t always perfect. Sometimes we are tempted and even sin, sometimes we are just in a bad mood or cranky. Sometimes I get mad and frustrated, even at God. I don’t think any of this shocks or surprises God, it shouldn’t shock us either. When we allow others to see us as we really are…forgiveness, love and acceptance must prevail. Otherwise we all just go back to being fake.
I like being prayed for. It shows that others care. It goes back to being real, we have real needs, let’s pray about the stuff that REALLY matters for one another.
I like having the opportunity to be useful and to use my skills. Whatever that might be, I like to feel like I am a part and make a difference.
I like hearing about when God does cools things in peoples lives. I like it when I see the “light bulb” go on in peoples head and I can tell…”Yeah, they get it!” I like seeing life changes that mean something.
I like music. I like to worship in music.
I like laughing and having fun with friends.
I like to eat while laughing and having fun with friends.
I like to be taught something interesting that challenges me, both spiritually and mentally. I like it when the speaker ends before I get bored. Ouch….I need to listen to my own advice so when I speak, I end while people are still interested.
I like taking steps of faith that gives God room to do something really cool.
I like variety. Change it up a bit, do something unexpected.
I am sure there are probably more. My dream is to create a gathering place where people enjoy to go. Not out of obligation or just because they know they should, but because they really want to be there. I think we are on the right path. Always room to improve, but on the right path.
