Misc

It’s Friday so I’m taking the lazy day route with my blog. Here’s something I posted on Facebook back in April.

A quote from Living Together in Knowledge a book I’ve picked up and started reading:

“While feelings are spontaneous, they are caused by one’s thought patterns. We usually talk ourselves into our emotions. We produce our own misery as well as our happiness. The writer of Proverbs had his finger on the pulse of emotions when he penned: “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7)”

Philippians 4:8 instructs us:

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

And while I agree that the primary intention of this message is to get us to avoid the filth that Satan puts into the world, I think it also applies to emotional issues as well.

Focus on the good — the blessings — in your life and “it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.”

Yesterday I mentioned that I’ve started a web design and hosting company called GraceSites, LLC. I didn’t just create it because I wanted to make a little extra money, I see it as a way to use my God given talent in His work. I’m no speaker or song leader, though I’m working on improving those abilities, but what I can do is develop websites and run servers.

The internet has become a great influence over our society — for both good and ill. I applaud the works of groups like Apologetics Press and the World Video Bible School, but I still see a need for the presence of the Lord’s church to grow further and be greater than all the filth and false teaching that pervades the internet currently. We cannot let the world push the Truth into the corners of this new territory.

I have the pleasure of working with the youth at my home congregation and often encourage them to use the unique skills and abilities God has given them to further the work of the Lord. If they’re artistic, they can design cards to send to visitors and the sick. If they are outgoing, they can use that influence and energy to invite their friends. I emphasize to them that every ability can be used in some way to help spread the Word.

In the same vein, God has given me a passion for and a natural skill with computers. I very strongly believe that I should find a way to use my talents to directly support the Lord’s work as well as my family. In following this belief, over the years I have provided members of the church with computer support, including bulletin, t-shirt, logo, and website designs and hosting.

It has long been my dream to do this work on a larger scale. However, my work primarily stayed within my family, close friends, and members attending my congregation. Then I took a leap of faith and asked Paul Spurlin to let me redesign the Southern Evangelism Conference website. Since designing the SEC website, thanks to Paul’s kindness, I’ve had the opportunity to design and host websites for several congregations and major youth conferences.

My desire to help spread the Word using the skills and success the Lord has blessed me with has lead me to take a big step and found GraceSites, LLC — a company dedicated to helping congregations create a place on the web and assist in spreading the Word.

Generally, the most difficult task of website maintenance is providing content. However, as devoted members of the Lord’s church we have an advantage. Every week, preachers and teachers all over the world develop new material and lessons that can be used to teach the Word on the internet. Through GraceSites, LLC I can help congregations publish this information so that it is eye catching and easy to find.

Some congregations may already have a member with the time and skill set to design and develop websites. I want to encourage these congregations to use these people’s talents! Far too long as a church we have ignored new skill sets as they pop up just because we do not see how they directly apply to worship. We can use any skill to further the Lord’s work without altering His word, we are a creative bunch we can figure out how if we just put our minds to it.

The reality is that most congregations do not have a member with this skill set. If they do, often they don’t have the time to keep it updated which causes the website to become abandoned. The tools I provide are simple enough for someone with basic computer skills to use, allowing almost anyone to post updates to their site.

Just a few of the services I can provide through GraceSites, LLC are:

• Mailing lists — allows you to contact all your members through one email address, as well as send out your bulletin electronically.
• Email accounts
• A state of the art content management system with an easy to use interface – publish sermon outlines, articles, and class materials with just a few clicks of the mouse.
• Google calendar integration – keep your members and local community updated with your congregation’s events and activities by updating the calendar on your website straight from your smartphone.
• Training in the use of the interface and all of its features as well as dedicated customer support.

If you know of anyone that needs a website, or if your congregation needs theirs revamped, please let them know about me. I want to help churches grow and spread the Lord’s Word and this is my way of doing it.

Website || Facebook Page || Google+ Page

Dave Ramsey.

Many people used his name in many ways these days. Some people use it reverently, some as a curse, and some as a bludgeon to try to control others. When my friends first attempted to share what he teaches with me, I was skeptical. I thought it was just a get rich quick scam, where the quickest way to get rich is to write a book about how to get rich.

I was not ready to hear what Dave was saying.

You may not be ready to hear what he’s saying. But let me tell you, in a country where the government is closing in on $17 trillion in debt and the average household owes ~ $7000* in credit card debt (and this doesn’t include car loans, which are just as bad,) we need his message.

His message is pretty simple, live on less than what you make. Get out of debt. Save money. These are all things that as he says is “…the same financial advice your grandmother would, only we keep our teeth in.”

The most important part of what he teaches, however, is that he lays out a road map for how to do all those things. He gives you a plan to follow, and not vague advice.

It has helped my wife and I tremendously. I’ve been laid off in the past and thanks to listening to his teachings, instead of panicking, I knew peace because I was prepared.

At one point, thanks to his plan we had two paid off vehicles and we were only about $4,000 from being completely debt free except the house. Unfortunately, we let emotions guide us into purchasing a van that was way above what we should and we were back in about $18k debt. Once we realized our mistake and paid our stupid tax, we started working again and are back down to about $7,000 left on a different, cheaper van before we’ll be debt free aside from the house.

Now that Christina is working very minimally from home, we’re stepping up our game significantly to be able to support ourselves with the lower income. I have started a web design company, GraceSites, LLC with a focus on designing websites for congregations of the Lord’s church. From time to time I’ve also been fortunate enough to have friends find non church websites to build as well.

Christina has also been finding stuff around the house and trying to clear it out. We had a yard sale a couple of weekends ago that did pretty well. We’re working the baby steps.

I spoke of regret a few days ago, and if I have one regret, it’s that I didn’t listen to all the voices telling me how helpful Dave has been to them.

Do yourself a favor and don’t make the same mistake I did. Even if you don’t use Dave Ramsey’s plan, get your finances in order. However, I must point out his plan is not about getting rich quick, it’s about being responsible with what God has given you, and in turn, finding Financial Peace.

*Stats from Nerd Wallet