Abston Church of Christ by Amy Hughes

Abston Church of Christ 

I love old fashion church architecture with all the stained glass windows, high arched ceilings with lighting, tile flooring and fine carpentry. Watching the news with the election of the Pope was fascinating with the beauty of the church architecture in the background.

So being one who is visually inspired, the Abston Church of Christ by Amy Hughes is a delight to behold! On Amy's site , she details the history of the church, construction (with photos), dedication of the project and why she considers churches worthy subjects for modeling.

Dimensions are: 7 feet by 5 1/2 feet by 30 inches!

When asked: How much time did it take to build?

Amy's answer was insightful - "It was about a year and a half of planning, building and photographing. It was a big project, but it was less time than most people spent watching TV during that same year and a half."

I need to turn off the TV and get busy! I can't wait to retire so that I can refire to have a full scale workshop to practice my love of fine carpentry. Until then, could it be that using Legos is a more practical resource and creative use of time? Sawdust and clean up time certainly wouldn't be an issue!

The Brick Testament

Lego Last Supper 

I am deeply appreciative of the various versions of The Bible. On my Zodiac, I carry The Message Bible, New International Version (NIV) and New American Standard Bible (NASB) with Strongs from GMPSoft. I also have the Comparative Study Bible which has the NIV, NASB, Amplified Bible and King James Version, which is a meaningful way to study the Bible with four versions side by side.

However, this has to be the most fascinating and creative expression of God's Word that I have seen - The Brick Testament has been created entirely by The Rev. Brendan Powell Smith who builds all the characters and settings out of LEGO bricks, then photographs them to create the illustrated stories found on The Brick Testament website and book series.

In the FAQ, "Rev. Smith has stated that the goal of The Brick Testament is to give people an increased knowledge of the contents of The Bible in a way that is fun and compelling while staying very true to the original versions. To this end, all stories are retold using direct quotes from The Bible."

Don Finto - The Quintessential Encourager

Don Finto - The Quintessential Encourager
 

On April 18, Don Finto just unfolded Chapter 75 in his walk here on earth.

Don was my first pastor of 18 years at Belmont Church in Nashville, TN. He is my mentor. Under his pastorate, I learned nothing but Jesus – no legalism, rules or religion – just a relationship full of grace and mercy. He has had the biggest impact on my life other than my biological father and we are still connected.

I have never met a man that loved God’s Word more than Don. He exuded encouragement in its purest and most concentrated form. Webster’s Dictionary would define Don as a Quintessential Encourager.

I remember with great fondness twenty five years ago (1980) an encounter with Don while attending a memorial service for a friend’s brother who passed away from Aids. Becky and I just got out of our car and were preparing to cross the street, when a Honda Accord pulls up. Don Finto rolls down his window and yells out, “Hey Kerry Woo, man of God!” At that precise moment in East Nashville, as a very young in the faith Christian, I stood silent – this wave of affirmation swept over me as my heart was touched; I knew then that my destiny was affirmed and sealed. Don always encouraged everyone through the integrity of God’s Word. Roman 8:29 states “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” Don just believes in the goodness of God’s grace and mercy in everyone’s life; and he was quick to remind us of our destiny!

In March of 1996, I accepted a leadership position with a Christian men’s ministry, Promise Keepers. At that time, there was quite a movement of God in men’s hearts sweeping the country with stadiums full of men desirous of embracing Christ-centered godliness and personal holiness to subsequently impact families and communities. Pastor Don Finto’s charge to me when I was sent out, akin to a missionary (to men) in front of the congregation at Belmont Church was again from God’s Word – “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Life giving words – and accountability that served me well.

Don and his son David were guests of mine at the Promise Keepers conference at the SuperDome in New Orleans. I’m told by others that when he met Coach Bill McCartney (founder of Promise Keepers), Don proudly introduced himself as “Kerry’s Pastor!” rather than a pastor of a large and influential church in Nashville. Don always took great pride in others and deflected any praise toward himself to the Lord. That’s Don – just a humble servant.

And to this day, if you’re ever around him, Don is either praying Ephesians 3 over you – “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Or, he is encouraging you to live out the reality of this passage.

I’ve got a 100 more stories, but others can tell their own as well. I’m honored to be one of his spiritual sons. So Poppa Don, thanks for the listening ear, prayers, the way you honor your precious bride Martha, the many sermons, road trips, changing my spiritual diapers (often) and always pushing me to be a leader.

Happy 75th Birthday Poppa Don! You are esteemed and well loved by all.

To learn about Don’s Ministry – The Caleb Company and his profound book, “Your People Shall Be My People”, click here.


Don Finto - Your People Shall be My People 

How to make a Life Poster

Mike Matas - How to Make a Life Poster 

Here's a really creative idea to gather up all of those photos that you have on your computer. Mike Matas documents a easy 30 minute step by step process here The Mike Matas Blog: How to make a Life Poster.

For about $29.00, Mike shows how you can easily load 98 photos and print a 20" x 30" poster. However, this is ONLY for Mac users with iPhoto.

Sean at Wayward Puppy has a tutorial using PhotoShop for us Windows folks.

On another note, I had 2 rolls of Advantix (APS) film to develop; at Target, I was able to get them developed - 1 print and a CD each - inside of 1 hour while I shopped for the same price as sending them out. Each roll cost me under $12.00 each. I believe that Sam's Club is a lot less expensive, but I liked the instant gratification.

So thanks to Mike and Sean, I'll be sorting through my CD's of photos and creating a life poster myself!

I wonder if Flickr or Picassa can replicate the same process?

Who's Number 1? Tar Heels of course!

Tar Heel Fever!  

At 1:30 am in the morning, there were plenty of photo opportunities - I got plenty of high fives - but felt a little uncomfortable when urged to take off my shirt and burn it - maybe next year! No doubt about it - A memorable night in Chapel Hill!

Tar Heel Victory Leap!

We're Number One! Leap of Faith Victory Dance - Photo by Kelsey 

Tar Heel Fever - 45K Strong!

Tar Heel Fever! Photo by Kelsey 

"I ain't never been to heaven, but this is the closest thing," said Donnie King, 34, of Raleigh. "Next to Jesus, this is it. It's an awesome feeling."

Testimony of Healing, Grace & Joy in the Face of Cancer

SYLVIA BURGER - HEALING TESTIMONY 

Physical strength is measured by what we can carry; spiritual by what we can bear.

Diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin's Disease in January of 2004, listen to Sylvia Burger share her testimony of healing, grace and joy in the midst of great adversity.

This video clip was shown at newhope church Sunday, April 10, 2005 as part of the "It's a Mad, Sad World BUT..." sermon by Pastor Benji Kelley.

As we know, Peter Jennings, the chief ABC News anchorman for more than 20 years, announced his diagnosis recently of lung cancer.

Jennings sent an e-mail to his staff saying:

Dear All -

Forgive me the group mailing -- but it seems the easiest way to tell a lot of people I care for ... about a change in my life.

I have been diagnosed with lung cancer. Yes, it was quite a surprise.

As you all know, this is a challenge. I begin chemotherapy next week. I will continue to do the broadcast. There will be good days and bad, which means that some days I may be cranky and some days really cranky! Almost 10 million Americans are living with cancer. I am sure I will learn from them how to cope with the facts of life that none of us anticipated. In all the years I have worked here I have had the most outstanding support from this news division.

Hundreds of you have been like family. It feels good to have such a family right now.

Peter

I was struck by what Peter Jennings said at the end - "It feels good to have such a family right now." I think of the church family - when we are surrounded because of a common bond that we share as fellow believers. It's because of who we are in Jesus Christ - Christians, Christ followers - bonded by faith and the integrity of God's Word to encourage, pray for and walk out whatever life throws at each of us with others of like faith.

Thomas Moore insightfully wrote, "Family life is full of major and minor crises -- the ups and downs of health, success and failure in career, marriage, and divorce -- and all kinds of characters. It is tied to places and events and histories. With all of these felt details, life etches itself into memory and personality. It's difficult to imagine anything more nourishing to the soul."

After the church service was over, I had a chance to talk with Sylvia - I found her to be full of life, vibrant and deeply thankful. In our conversation, she never expressed a hint of regret or that life dealt her a bad hand at such a young age of 24. As the 4Him song goes, if the Bible was still being written today, I think Sylvia's name would be tied to the passage - "Be strong and courageous."

Jesus said, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Sylvia, you’re an inspiration to all Christians.

Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it by the handle of anxiety, or by the handle of faith.

Getting Things Done & eBooks from eReader.com

The Latin Quarter, Paris, France Photographer: Ian Britton 

"Books are the quietest and most constant friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers."
Charles W. Eliot

I love reading eBooks on my Palm PDA (really a Tapwave Zodiac 2) and on my Dell laptop. As a lover of reading, research and quote collecting, I find that eBooks are a preferred platform of information, especially reading on the go. I enjoy redeeming my time while standing in line, waiting in airports or worse, sitting for long stretches in a doctor's office. For guys, eBooks are a lifesaver when your beautiful spouse takes off shopping in a mall – one will usually find my carcass parked on a bench reading Ann Coulter, John Ortberg or a leadership title on my Zodiac.

Since my nightstand and coffee table is normally cluttered with 7 to 12 physical books that I read somewhat simultaneously, the eBook format plays right into that methodology of scattered reading. I like to think of it as reading 7 to 12 really big magazines, as I can usually cover a Time magazine front to back in one sitting.

One can pack a lot of titles on a Palm, especially a Zodiac with 128 memory. Being a research guy, I really like the unlimited bookmarking, auto scrolling, font and color control and hyper linking indexes plus the ability to have several eBooks open (on the laptop).

My ministry at newhope church is doing sermon research for Pastor Benji, so I have the laptop humming with several resources opened, including the NIV Bible on eBook and a legal pad just writing away! Having eBooks, PDFs, Word documents and web access in a central work station makes sermon preparation and research a real joy; and it frees my Pastor to ... pastor!

I highly recommend eReader Pro for Windows - Palm Reader Pro is an award winning application used to read Palm Digital Media eBooks on your Windows computer. Palm Reader Pro has more features than the free version, including the ability to read dictionaries and it is a bargain at $9.95 USD. There is also a Mac version as well. There is no charge to download and use the basic Reader. Click here to download your eReader of choice

Before I forget, disclaimer goes here – I work for Motricity, the corporate parent of eReader.com and PalmGear. Hey, I'm just a silly enthusiast for eBooks and as well, a passionate Palm Powered Geek.

I mainly read on the laptop. Being 50, I can’t afford to have my eyes fried, reading in the dark with a backlit PDA – besides I plan to do some serious carpentry into my old age and in heaven ala my two favorite Jewish Master Carpenters - Norm Abrams and Jesus of Nazareth.

For many of the blogging community who are heads over heels like I am for Getting Things Done by David Allen, not only is it finally available in eBook format, but Ready for Anything has just been released. You can read excerpts of both books at eReader.com. Also, by subscribing to the newsletters, discounts are available as well on your order.

My fellow bloggers are focused on these two books – Ricky Spears moderates GTD Yahoo forums and has written extensively on Ready for Anything.

43 Folders offers a good jump into the GTD waters - getting started with "Getting Things Done" section with many links.

Last, Michael Hyatt is very into GTD as well with a Working Smart, Not Hard angle.

Have fun, enjoy life, make it a mission to learn something new everyday via relationships, pray always and read some (e)Books!

In closing, here's a good piece of wisdom from Paxton Hood:
Be as careful of the books you read, as of the company you keep, for your habits and character will be as much influenced by the former as the latter.

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