All Good Things Must Come To An End

Day 366, My Final Day, in my "Year In My Life Through Pictures" blog series

Well, it's over. A full year, plus one day that I have posted a picture or three on this blog. It started off as fun, then turned into a challenge, but I believe that it was a good exercise for me and hopefully gave some insight into a little piece of my life. Yeah, not very exciting most of the time, huh? Today's picture? The neighbors thought they would celebrate my birthday with a fireworks show. Actually, I'm sure they were shooting them off for Independence Day, but I can pretend.

What I really hope to have had accomplished was sharing the love of God, that He has bestowed on me and my household. A lot of times it came easy to transition from my picture of the day into a testimony of God's goodness and grace in my life. Admittedly, some days it was a struggle and I know whose struggle it was, mine, as God is always good - even when we feel otherwise.

Many changes have come to pass through this year. The most recent and most life altering was the addition of baby Elliott. Just last evening Matt and Emily got engaged and today I became one year older. I've gained many gray hairs and I have lost several pounds. I have made new friends and I have had the opportunity to pray with and for a lot of people through the "Prayer Request Station" through Oak Grove's prayer ministry. I have seen God work in my church family's lives. I have seen the devastation that a flood can cause on one hand and see the miracles through the same flood. Through it all God has been there. Through each post God was active in my life and around my life. Sometimes I didn't see Him, sometimes He was quite apparent, but He was there.

Looking forward to the next 365 days and to my next birthday I can't help but wonder what God has in store for me and those around me. I wonder what He will do through Real Truth Matters, Oak Grove, my brothers and sisters at church, my family, my job and just life in general. My prayer lately has been to be able to perceive God along my path, because sometimes we do not have the eyes to see. We must ask for those eyes to see Him, ask for the ears to hear Him and watch expectantly for His work to be manifest so that we may praise His Name. I pray that I can be used in ways that makes it evident it is God doing the work through me. Who knows, quiet and introverted Jeff may be pulled from His comfort zone through the next 12 months. I have a new willingness to be out of my comfort zone, which is definitely not me making that step on my own.

Whatever happens I want to be able to raise the Name of Christ high and mighty. I want to praise Him through the valleys and high on the mountain tops and everywhere in between. Will you join me in that prayer for myself and for your own self? May we all be able to strengthen and edify one another. I know it a struggle sometimes to get along with me and agree with me, but I hope all the readers (all 3 of you) know that I just want the truth of scripture to be magnified. Sometimes I get a little over zealous, but mean well, and actually take rebuke quite well when I am wrong.

Who knows, I may even carry on this series. Of course there will be some major changes. Maybe a "Year In My Life through Pictures:Weekly Edition" as I told a brother yesterday. But thank whoever has read this little slice of the blogosphere. I have never been a writer, which is self evident, but I have learned some things along the way. Hopefully one day I might even be able to write a blog post that is planned out, instead of my normal way of doing them.

Video Countdown

Day 360 in my "Year In My Life through Pictures" blog series

Tonight at church we had the first viewing of the last session of "The History of the Modern Gospel" from our body's ministry - Real Truth Matters. I highly suggest that you watch the whole series, from the introduction, then you will be ready to see this last installment. It will be posted/ released this coming week online.

Real Truth Matters has been working on these videos for a little while now. Over those months Lane Chaplin was gracious enough to post these on his blog and since have been viewed thousands of times each. That is just from his website and not counting the RTM Youtube and Vimeo pages. There is also now a separate webpage for the series, www.historyofthemoderngospel.com. The full series will be released on DVD and there is also going to be a study guide/ book that will go along with the series.

God has really used these videos. He has also proven what Hudson Taylor said, "God's work, done in God's time, will never lack God's supply. What a wonderful quote, one that comes to my mind often when I feel like I am treading water on my own, knowing that God will sustain and supply my efforts if they are in alignment with His will. Currently I am seeking His will about some short video ideas. Actually, I am seeking the components for the videos, trusting that He will lead me to the resources.

Following the video this evening Bro. Michael broke away from our study of Revelation to start discussing some things that have been on his heart about our body. I am looking forward to this series of messages as I have been in a spiritual rut of late. Mostly because I have had an increased awareness of how sinful I really am and how much I let that get in the way of my relationship with Christ. I somehow forget that He has already paid the full price for my sins. Not that I have a ticket to sin, because I don't, but that as a child of God I live under the blood of Christ. I actually hate my sins, I hate that part of my life and I would rather that part of my flesh be ripped from my being. I am slowly realizing that my sinfulness needs to be driving me to Christ instead of me placing barriers up that are not actually there. As a child of God I have bold access to His throne and should not do anything but that. Not in a bold and arrogant way, but in a bold way knowing that my Advocate has paid the price in advance.

I "Like" Real Truth Matters

Day 354 in my "Year In My Life through Pictures" blog series

Came up with a new little "thing" for RTM this evening, on the fly. It just kind of happened all at once, but I "like" it . Maybe it will take off and I can talk the guys into this being the next RTM shirt. Would anybody 'like" a shirt with this on it? I would, but who knows if anyone else would. I have a weird taste in t-shirts anyway.

It has been a couple of years since we did an RTM t-shirt. There have been 2 so far, both of which were fairly simple. We have talked about doing a new one, but nothing so far. Maybe this could just be a fun kind of shirt and not the "official" next RTM shirt, maybe a version 2.1 or something. After all, this is the age of social media and Facebook is the forerunner with that, closely followed by Twitter.

It amazes me at how social media has gained in popularity and personal, one on one interactions have decreased. It's almost as if you must be looking at a screen to interact with someone. I am definitely not anti-Facebook or ant-Twitter, but I do see how it can be a stumbling block to some people. Like any other good thing, social media can become a huge hindrance to someone. Facebook can become a huge time waster and interfere with important "real" relationships, including a person's relationship with God. Even someone who only posts Kingdom and God focused things on Facebook or Twitter can still be sinning in doing so, if the One that the posts are about is not the object, or reason, for the posting. I am speaking from experience on this, because I have done that myself.

I have to evaluate constantly what my online life looks like, what I'm doing, how am I interacting, what am I posting and why to all of that. I still have a lot of work to do in my time management. Many times I could be actually working on a project, or even better, spending time with my family. But they too are either online, texting or watching TV or all 3 in any and all combinations. This should probably be called "Generation E" or the "iGen" because of its growing dependance of all things electronic.

Social media is a good thing, yielded in the correct manner. It has been used for my strengthening and edification and it has been used greatly to get the message of Real Truth Matters out there. I highly suggest that you check out the RTM website for countless and valuable resources. Be sure to send an email and interact with everyone. It is great hearing from those that are benefiting from the ministry.

In A Jam

Day 335 in my "Year In My Life Through Pictures" blog series

The sermon jam that I "created" has been posted by Real Truth Matters. I worked a lot of hours to put this together. Along the way I had many "learning experiences" and have a better understanding of how After Effects works. It was a learning experience for sure and I believe that other sermon jams will follow, hopefully not with the length of production time this one had, but will be released quicker and quicker each time.

I told Bro. Michael (Durham), my pastor, that my main goal in this is to have a sermon jam released the same week as the sermon he preached it from. Sort of as a "commercial" (for lack of better words) to drive people to the website in order to download the full sermon or watch it streaming from the Real Truth Matters Vimeo or youtube page. I think it is an attainable goal in the future..... right now, not so much. I do know the more time I invest in learning the nuances of this great software from Adobe, the more proficient I will become. Who knows, if I am ever able to upgrade to a newer version of After Effects/ Premiere/ Photoshop it may shave some valuable time off as well. So, Adobe or Adobe representatives - Give me a deal on the CS5.5 software.

I thought of all the procedures within the video that the audio/ music choice would be the hardest for me. It actually tuned out to be the part with the least effort as God supplied the need of royalty free music from Incompetech' Kevin MacLeod. I am very grateful for his music and his willingness to share with anyone that needs use of it. I actually used 2 of his songs mixed with other sounds to create the music section of the jam. The sermon part was "chopped" in series from the original sermon "The Problem With Good Deeds", which too fell into place. The lengthy part was doing all of the typography associated with the video and also creating all of the effects of books with words flying off the covers, finding the right pictures to use, synchronizing the video of the sermon with the audio and then doing it all again because of the multiple mistakes I made.

In the end I think it turned out well for a first effort. I see things that I now think should have been done differently. Also from a technical standpoint I now know how to better utilize time in editing the video and audio portion. I now feel much more comfortable with the software and know that the next project will be "easier" to make. That is unless I start trying to do some really eye catching effects.

Also, the opening and closing of the logo crumbling I submitted to RTM for use. The full time staff really liked it and started using it immediately for the web based videos being released.That part still impresses me in how good it turned out. For that effect I have some other ideas that may be used in future productions, so stay tuned.

I just ask whoever reads this to pray for the ministry of Real Truth Matters. They have 2 full time on staff now and have many financial obligations to meet. The quality of releases has grown by leaps and bounds over the years that RTM has been "officially" in existence. I recommend that you look through the whole website and see how God has used this ministry. The "History of the Modern Gospel" series is about to wrap up with the final installment, so I ask that you check out the sessions that are currently out there. You can watch them on Vimeo in Hi-Def and also on Lane Chaplin's webpage, who has been a great friend and supporter of the ministry.

Thank you for reading through this. I mentioned in an earlier posting that I would post the sermon jam when it was completed, so here it is. Please feel free to send me any comments and critique. Also feel free to donate the newest Windows version of the CS5.5 Adobe Production Premium Suite if you so feel led :).

Problem of Good Deeds - Sermon Jam from Michael Durham from Real Truth Matters on Vimeo.

Duly Noted

Day 312 in my "Year In My Life Through Pictures" blog series

These are the notes I have been using for the past few weeks while working on a "sermon jam" for Real Truth Matters. Admittedly I have not advanced as fast as I would have liked, but I am gaining momentum as the process ends its completion. It is a very labor intensive process, but it is really fun to do and is also a challenge, since I had no idea what I was doing at first. Well, now is not much better either but I have learned a few things.

My notes are not really notes, but actually a transcript of the audio portion of the video, the "sermon" part of the "sermon jam". The audio I thought would be the most challenging part to do and actually fell in place with ease. The video portion, not so much. It would help if I didn't have a job and we didn't have the flooding recently as it has taken up quite a bit of my time. But, I do what I can, when I can, trying not to alienate my wife too much while I log the hours in my office.

I have set the goal to finish by Friday. I am really shooting for tomorrow and pray that God guides me in the idea department to finish up. It's amazing how a 4 minute video is so hard to fill with different, interesting and pertinent footage and "things". As I have said, it is a learning process that will advance me in knowledge that will be used in future projects. I have told my pastor that I have the ultimate goal of getting a video together within a couple of days of the message so it will be posted on the RTM website and Facebook. This will spark interest (hopefully) in that week's message and point people to the website to download or stream the entire message.

I ask that you join me in prayer that this goal is realized and that God is glorified through my efforts.

Time Is Ticking Away

Day 307 in my "Year In My Life Through Pictures" blog series

It was bound to happen. After 306 days of writing a daily post I almost missed a posting. I was about to call it a night and hit the hay when I looked at the clock, 11:55 PM. That is really late, especially when I have to get up at 5:30AM, but it makes it even later when I have only 5 minutes to make a post.

I've been working on a "sermon jam" for Real Truth Matters and time gets away quickly when I get engrossed in the project. Granted, I should have been finished with the project a couple of weeks ago, but a lot has been going on in my neck of the woods these days. I will probably be finished with it this weekend, so keep your eyes out for it on Facebook and also on the Real Truth Matters website. I think it is turning out fairly decent for my first go at it.

This is a real learning experience. I am learning a lot about these programs and I am learning a lot about patience as I sometimes mess up an hours worth of work in a single keystroke. It is also frustrating because I can see how I want to do something in my head, but translating that through After Effects is another thing all together.

I must go now so I can post this before my time limit for the day is up. Please check out the Real Truth Matters website and all of the free resources available. I highly recommend the "History Of The Modern Gospel" video series that has been produced by my dear brothers at RTM.

Time Is Not On My Side

Day 289 in my "Year In My Life Through Pictures" blog series

I've been putting in a few hours to get a sermon jam together of last weeks message from Brother Michael of Oak Grove Baptist and Real Truth Matters. Finding time to do so seems to be a little tricky these day. First of all, I'm not very proficient (efficient too) with the Adobe programs, so it is a learn as you go thing. Secondly I have a full time job that takes up most of my daylight hours. Third is family life at the homestead, as I can't take all of my "free" time and spend it tucked away at my desk. Fourth, I have other chores that I need to do around the house like mowing, taking stuff to the dump, doing taxes and all that other fun kind of stuff. So, I have to juggle it all around to be able to do it all and not step on the toes of the others, because all are important.

I suppose that as I work with these programs I will become faster and get the feel of how to chop up messages to compact it into a 3 minute or less version. That's a huge feat because an hour sermon chocked full of great truths is not very easily dissected to give a Cliff's Notes version of. I can't change the message and I can't rip things out of context and must give the viewer the just of the message, or enough that they feel the need to download and listen to the whole sermon.

My goal number one in these projects is the bring glory to the Lord. There are other, lesser, things that are also goals such as deadlines and gaining experience. I will admit that these will probably be really rudimentary and not full of very much fluff for the first few months as I properly learn the tools and techniques. So stay tuned and watch the progress, leave me messages and please give me feedback and HELP if you can give me pointers in After Effects, Premier and/ or Photoshop.

As Hudson Taylor said, "God's work, done in God's time, will never lack God's provision". That is my go to phrase right now as I make myself more readily usable by God. If He is in this then He will supply the knowledge, the time and hopefully the newer version of Adobe CS Suite 5.5. So, if any Adobe execs are reading or if you happen to have some extra cash lying around, send it my way for the newer and easier to work with versions of these programs. Just sayin'.

Gotta run. It's getting late and I have to get up for work in the morning. Thanks for reading and please leave a comment and let me know how you found my blog.

Hidden Amongst The Busch

If you saw my post from yesterday in my "Year in my life through pictures" series you saw a picture of the beer aisle at Wal Mart. What you may not have seen was a Million Dollar Bill tract that I left on top of the Natural Light cases. Have another look at yesterday's picture, then look at the picture from this post where I cropped where the MDB tract is.

I highly recommend that everyone get at least a small supply of solid gospel tracts to hand out and to pass out. I have written several times on the great ministry of using tracts to witness to people. Me, being of a quiet disposition, really appreciates the door opening nature (or ice breaker as Way of the Master calls it) that tracts afford. I keep a constant supply of money themed tracts, because they catch attention very quickly. I leave these everywhere, and I mean everywhere, from the gas pumps, to the beer aisle at Wal Mart, to the restroom, to leaving with a tip at a restaurant, I look for opportunities to leave these.

A good, solid, Biblically based tract is a very good tool to quickly convey the gospel. Even when a person may not want to talk to you, they will take something handed to them and possibly read later. Will it lead to their conversion? Who knows but the Lord, but you have sown a seed. I would recommend any one of the fine organizations below to get tracts from. Bezeugen Tract Club is a great way to break into handing tracts out as well. They will send you monthly 30 tracts for you to pass out, one per day, for FREE. Yes, FREE. They have an awesome ministry and I encourage you to partner with them in the distribution of tracts. They also have tracts available for purchase, which the money goes back into the ministry to help fund the free tracts sent out. Please check out the following websites and pray about which tract God will have you to use. Who knows, you may feel guidance to get a pack of each. Also, Real Truth Matters can design tracts for you and have them professionally printed or take your design and have them printed, with your organization's contact information.

Bezeugen Tract Club
Way of the Master/ Living Waters
One Million Tracts
Custom Tract Source
Real Truth Matters

Also, the guys at Custom Tract Source have written a great little article detailing "why" Christians should use tracts and many ways to pass them out.

Tater Day 2011 - 168 Years Of Taters And Counting

Day 274 in my "Year In My Life Through Pictures" blog series

This Monday will be the 168th Annual Tater Day Celebration in a little town called Benton Kentucky, just about 20 miles from here. I have attended every year that I can remember either on Tater Day Monday or the weekend preceding. When I was young I went with my parents and it was a big deal to me then. Now, not so much and I pretty much just go out of tradition and to check out the flea market.

Tater Day started as a day that farmers would bring their sweet potatoes to town to sell them. It has evolved over the years into what it is today - a parade and a city wide flea market and carnival. The most noted part of the event now (and also infamous part) is the flying of Confederate flags by many attendees. To me it means nothing, it is a small country area that folks seem to have latched onto the Confederate flag as their own, but to some it is seen as a symbol of hate. This is due to the slavery and the Confederate States condoning of the practice. Not sure how much that plays into the minds of the attendees, but to those that do not attend they see it as racially motivated. I'll not choose sides and don't care to step into that debate. People fly the flags, people don't like it, arguments ensue. Who's right? Who's wrong? Not my call.

I do know that any gathering with this many people in attendance is call for sharing the gospel. I suggest that any time you have the opportunity to pass out tracts or do a little street preaching at an event like this to do so. Handing out tracts is great, especially if you have some available that seem to fit the theme of the event. This year Custom Tract Source happen to have released a Confederate $500 bill Tract just in time to order them and get them in hand. Since Tater Day holds the stigma of the Confederate Flog these bills were perfect. I showed them to a brother and he thought they would be great as well, so there ya go. 500 tracts were purchased and many people will have the gospel in hand. I know if they are like other money tracts people will hold on to them for as long as they can and will also show them to their friends as a novelty. So, these tracts have the potential to reach many with the truth of the Word.

I would ask you to pray that these tracts bare much fruit for the Kingdom. Also pray that God will show you the opportunities to share with others and to show you events that you could pass tracts out at. If you have a themed event coming up in your area send me a message and I will help you find tracts to match. If we can't find any the staff of Real Truth Matters can possibly get some made tailored to your event. This is a sideline for RTM, but we have had some great looking designs and products made.

Take any opportunity God gives you to share His Word. Share what He has done for you and let them know the hope that lies inside of you. God's goodness is too great to not share, especially with your loved ones, family and friends.

Puttin' In The Hours

Day 254 in my "Year In My Life Through Pictures" blog series

I've been working, off and on, with a project for Real Truth Matter. It is a kinetic typography "sermon jam" type of thing. I say "type of" because I am pretty much learning as I go and I am learning quite a bit.

Adobe After Effects is my tool as I dive into tutorials, books and Google searches on how to accomplish the task at hand. I have a higher level of respect for those that pump these things out the way they do. It is very time consuming and an exact science to match everything up perfectly. It is coming together, but it is taking a lot of time. The time of the video is about 8:00 in length, so it is about 4 times as long as the average sermon jam and/ or kinetic typography video.

My hopes are to hone my skills and be a viable asset to the RTM stable. I know this single project will add some knowledge, but also realize it will be an ongoing learning situation. If anyone has any pointers, tips, presets, files, etc send the m my way. I can use all the help I can get with understanding this resource better.

Since first seeing the first examples of kinetic typography I knew that it was something I really wanted to do. I also know that 90% of being used by God is to just make yourself available, so I did. I am not worthy to do the work of the Kingdom, but I desire to make a difference any way that I can. God has been so merciful to me and allowed me to be around some really talented people over the past few years and the greatest part is that they all love the Lord.

My church family is much more than a "church family". Or at least any church family that I have seen my whole life. God has really brought this group of people together, warts and all, and actually makes a body as the Word describes. We all are gifted in different capacities and all are in others lives. It is truly a family in any sense of the word. Out of this body God has also developed a ministry called Real Truth Matters. This was born from Pastor Michael Durhams long standing ministry "Living Priorities" on the media end of things. RTM is purely a ministry devoted to the recovery of New Testament Christianity. It's not just a "tag line" to the ministry, it is the foundational reason it was created.

I highly suggest that you take full advantage of the years worth of resources on the website. All are available free of charge for download and a nominal donation to cover expenses for hard copies. There have also been two Real Truth Matters Conferences that really delve into the issues that Christianity faces these days. Also on that subject is the series titled "History Of The Modern Gospel", which is a very wonderfully made series shot in HD, released on the web and will also be available in hard copies for showings in churches. Our friend, Lane Chaplain, of Lane's Blog, has been very kind to RTM and has posted all of the releases to great "success" (for lack of better words). There are still two or three left in the series and I look forward to viewing each session, almost prodding JT and Joseph to hurry up already.

There are several other facets to RTM that if you look around the website you will see. Oak Grove/ Real Truth Matters host as bi-monthly Pastors Fellowship that is a wonderful resource for pastors in the area. Website design, artwork, photography and audio resources are also a large part of RTM.

Who knows where this ministry will go. Who knows how God will use this way beyond the confines of the walls of the church? Many thousands of people around the globe have viewed the videos and downloaded messages from Brother Michael already. We pray to just be doing what God wants us doing. Join us in prayer for direction by the Lord and for Him to supply the needs of the ministry as He has already. If God is in it , God will supply.

Pardon Me. Can You Spare A Million?

Day 236 in my "Year In My Life Through Pictures" blog series

One of my favorite tracts to hand out is the million dollar bills. The ones I pictured are some early ones from Way of the Master/ Living Waters and are some of the better looking ones that have been out over the years. These were from 2005 and since that edition of millions from WOTM there have been two others (I think) and also celebrity caricature edition and a Obama bill. All of which have a gospel presentation on the back.

I have been giving out the millions for years, in one form or the other. Even the hardcore atheist like these. Why? Because money is a favorite thing of a lot of people and a million bucks, even if it is not legal tender, is pretty cool to have in your pocket. I like to leave them with a tip at restaurants, hand them to people working drive throughs, pass them out at public events and leave them hanging from a vending machine's dollar slot. I know that people feel excited when they first think they have latched on to some real money and pray that the message on the back makes for a larger excitement when reading about Christ and His sacrifice.

Tracts are a great way to get the gospel into many peoples hands. They are great to use as Ice Breakers, to get a conversation going about spiritual things and see where God takes that conversation. We are commanded to make disciples and to share the gospel to every creature, so these are just a tools to help us out some times.

A few websites that I can highly recommend for purchasing tracts are:
Way of the Master/ Living Waters
One Million Tracts
Custom Tract Source
Bezeugen Tract Club

There are many other tracts available, but I do caution you to make sure the message is biblical and does not push for a decision. Please read the full text of a tract before purchasing. The ones I listed can be trusted to put out solid messages.

Day 155: We Got Our Parade On

Another year for Oak Grove in the Paducah Christmas Parade is in the books. It was another fun time, casualty free. God was good to us allowing us a safe a fun night together.

Although the parade was fun, we had great fellowship and saw some old friends along the route - he main reason we enter the parade is to be able to pass tracts out along the walk down Broadway. We create the tracts in house through Real Truth Matters and JT and Joseph do a wonderful job utilizing the talents that God has placed on them. Our prime goal was to get the gospel into the hands of as many people as we could and to glorify our Father. I believe we accomplished both and He then, in turn, allowed us to have a really enjoyable night of fellowship with our Lord as the focus.

I am currently in the process of uploading the video we used during the parade on the float. This year's theme was "Christmas Music Galore" so we took parts of several Christmas songs and put some video to them. Take a look on the Oak Grove Baptist Church Facebook page if you get a chance.

Video used on the float

Day 154: Party Time!

Had a great time tonight with the RTM bunch at the Christmas party. I did win for the ugliest Christmas sweater, by the way (see previous post). We ate a great meal, reflected on what God has done through the past year, looked toward the future and did some laughing too. So it was a great night with some dear people.

My picture is of the T-Shirt the full time staff gave to me. It was custom designed and printed by JT and Joseph and was a really cool surprise. I say "Turn or Burn" a lot, in a joking manner (kind of) and they decided they would come up with something different. They did - and I really, really like it. It instantly moved up to my #1 spot on my shirt list. I also suggested that they be produced and added to the Real Truth Matter store. I am sure they would sell really well.

The term "Turn or Burn" is taken from those preachers that dangle you out over the flames of hell on a corn-stock while they are preaching. They try to "scare the hell out of you", which of course is not a biblical way to show someone the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. It is, like I said, a scare tactic used to illicit an emotional response and in turn create a decision in the hearers mind. That is wrong, of course. When I say "Turn or Burn" it is to my closest of friends. Although I say it in jest, it is a fact and Jesus spelled it out in Luke 13:3,5. He said "Repent or perish", which I say is the original "turn or burn". It was so important to Jesus that He said it twice, within two verses. If one doesn't repent/ turn from their sins, then they will perish/ burn in the lake of fire for all eternity.

We must take hell seriously, but we need to first address the sin in a person's life, then tell them how that affects their eternity and then show them the cross.We mustn't try to scare people out of hell, but expose the sin in their life with the Light of Jesus. Tell them that they must repent or they will perish in an eternal hell.

Day 152: Do I Still Love A Parade?

I am still working on the video for the Oak Grove float for this weekends Christmas Parade. I am a newbie, so I am using this as a learning experience and I am indeed learning some things. After Effects can be a little tricky and so can Premier, but the show must go on. I work better under pressure anyway.

God has given me some resources to help out Oak Grove and Real Truth Matters in a limited capacity for the time being. After I learn to do more I will ask for more projects. Simple is better at the moment, but we all have to start somewhere. I am also learning the operational side of the Adobe family of products and the biggest thing I have learned is to save and save often.

Working on the parade project I have been reminded of a parable I have heard. We are like the spectators in a parade, our lives pass before us like the floats and bands in a parade do. We can only see what is in front of us and remember what has already past. We can look up the street and try to make out what's heading our way, but often times are incorrect. But God's perspective would be like someone in an airplane looking down. He sees the beginning and the end and all things in between. It is a really crude example of God's omniscience, but somewhat conveys that God knows the beginning from the end and all things in between.

I am actually glad that I do not know what's in store for me. I do make plans, but I know that God is in control and can change those plans at any time to fulfill His will. He has done so many times through my life and not all was I a willing participant in, but now I am. I trust God to use me and to direct my path. I am not perfect in this, but I strive for it. I look to Him for strength and trust to lean further toward Him.

Day 148: Black Friday Is Crazy

We did it. Yes, we ventured out of the house and to the mall on Black Friday. We did, however, wait until all of the craziness of the early morning mayhem had subsided. There still were a lot of people out and about around noon. We just made a quick walk through of the mall and back out.

I have gotten out earlier in years gone by, but never waited in line for hours and hours or days even to have a chance at getting that one thing that was advertised for a rock bottom price. I did go to Circuit City years ago trying to get a laptop, which I did not get. I do know people that have camped out in the cold or get out at midnight to wrangle up some deals. Me? Not anymore for this aging guy. I need my beauty sleep

I wonder what feeds the frenzy more - the retailers that try to cut the prices on a few things to draw people in or the people that want to get out there for the thrill of the hunt. I'd say it is probably equally both as one couldn't do what they do without the others participation. But, it is a choice by both.

It is a neutral choice to go Black Friday shopping, but there are many other choices that we make that are cut and dry, black or white issues. Keeping with the shopping theme, if you desire something so much that it consumes your thoughts it has become an idol to you. That is until you get it, then it loses its luster and something else that is sparkly catches your attention. That is our nature, we are very rarely satisfied with the things of this world. It is because we were created with a higher desire for us, to desire a relationship with God. Our fallen nature keeps us from desiring that though, as we look to our flesh to fill those desires. We hobble through this life consuming sin after sin and shunning God day after day. We want nothing to do with God until He pours His love upon us.

When God initiates the relationship we are then able to pursue that relationship that we forsook our whole lives. We are then able to give back that love, although fallen in nature. We have a desire then to please God and we actually are sorrowful over our sins to the point of repentance. We can then full trust in God and the work on Calvary through the blood of Christ for our sins. We are then changed into a new creation whose focus turns more from "me" to a more "God" perspective. The sanctification process is then carried out until we leave this world and join with the Father. As we get closer to Him we start seeing just how much sin we have in our hearts, His light exposes those dark crevices one at a time as He prunes those sins from us.

If you are still wallowing in your sin and loving it, not repentant about the relationship you have with your boyfriend/ girlfriend. If you can lie without it bothering you one bit or if you hate someone without a just reason you are a murderer to God. He has high standards and no one in and of themselves can attain them. Only through Christ can you attain His standards. Only trusting in Him and what He has done for you will save you. Have you done that? What is your hold up? Cry out to Him to change you.

Please visit Real Truth Matters for a more thorough explanation.

Day 102: ESV MacArthur Study Bible For Free?

I love freebies. There is nothing like getting something for nothing, especially when it is the new ESV MacArthur Study Bible. I wanted one of these since I heard they were going to be released, and low and behold I get one for free directly from Grace To You. I like to think that Johnny Mac or Phil Johnson packaged mine up and sent it from their California headquarters. Nah, probably not.

What a great ministry this is from Grace To You. I receive several offers for "free" items throughout the year. This is only the second I actually requested, the first was "The Gospel According To Jesus" last year. I did make a donation that covered the price of the book and shipping, so it was not really free to me, but also felt that GTY should be reimbursed for their time and book. I do assume that there are others that are not able to send a donation to GTY for the products they offer, which is why t is a ministry and not really a full fledged business.

This is usually the point in my blog where I segue to a spiritual application, but I think I already made the spiritual application already. A ministry is not in "it" for the revenue, they are in it to further the Kingdom and to glorify the Lord. They may have to run things somewhat like a business, but don't think that the folks at Grace To You, Real Truth Matters or Desiring God forget who their Boss is for one second.

It is refreshing to see ministries put things online for free, including full books and audio messages. There are many out there that are in "it" for profit, to line their own pockets. This is a sad reality within professing Christians. I see it almost everywhere, especially on some un-named TV stations that have the letters TB and N or TC and another T in their names. Most of the time it is marketed as "planting a seed of faith" which is theoretically code for send me your money and you'll get more back. While this is a biblical principle, it is being grossly misrepresented to the public. No wonder so many are disillusioned about Christianity. Just today in a comments thread of a local news outlet I saw Al Mohler likened to Jim Jones, lumped in with the wackos from Westboro, called illiterate and told he needed to repent of being judgmental just because he cautioned professing Christians about participating in YOGA. Most of those comments were from professing Christians themselves, who must not know anything about Mohler. But it just shows how even solid biblical leaders can be lumped in with the filth and garbage that the world gladly accepts as "Christian", just because they say they are.

Judge a ministry by their fruits. Do not support the downright wacky ones, but also make sure you are discerning enough to also pick out the ones that seem to walk the wall, occasionally dipping a toe in biblical things, but also dipping another toe in the world and emotionalism. There are many established ministries that could use your financial support and more importantly you prayer support. Do not think that just because you cannot send them money that you cannot send the Father your prayers for them, the One that supplies their needs anyway.

day 94: Fun, Fellowship And Video Shoot

Today was the first semi large video production day for Oak Grove and Real Truth Matters. I will not go into full detail of the shoot, but will say it was set in the year 1800 in the sticks of Kentucky. We all wore period costumes that were very fun to wear and see others in. All I know is that I am very glad that the button up vests with a dozen buttons on them are no longer fashionable. We have come a long way in our wardrobe choices and comfort level.

Today's production will be edited and up in the next week or so. I will let you know when it is up along with a link to the video. The series of videos in production are a great resource for you and your church. Lane Chaplin has been wonderful in posting this series on his youtube page, giving RTM some great exposure. I highly recommend that you watch the full series, either via Lane's Blog or via RTM's Vimeo page, which is in High Def. The series titled "The History of the Modern Gospel" outlines the history of what is taught in most mainstream "Christian" churches today, how it has deviated from what biblical Christianity really is.

Please bookmark the Real Truth Matters homepage for future reference. All videos will be featured on the homepage when released.

Day 87: Keyboard Or Just Bored?

So this is what my hands touch more than anything, a computer keyboard. I touch one at work all day and I touch another at home a lot too. Seems like I am coming up with new ways to use a keyboard all of the time. Thing is, it is really easy to stop being productive and just let it waste time.

I try to stay productive when at the keyboard, but one page click leads to another, then to another, then next thing you know I'm playing Family Feud on Facebook or watching a string of stupid videos on youtube. It is a vicious cycle that I have to be on guard for, but often times it is too late before I realize that I have once again been sucked into the void of mindless time wasters on the world wide web.

I am a bit more productive these days though. I have done a couple of small things for Real Truth Matters using After Effects and have a few other things in the work. I did actually shed the computer some during my vacation to actually do some manual labor, making a homemade steadicam for RTM. It is just about ready to go and just waiting for me to add the weights, which I will this week at work.

Doing things for a ministry is really a blessing, even if it is not a lot of things. I do have to watch that as well, because I don't want to be purely motivated to just "do" something for RTM, I want to do things that will magnify and glorify God, just doing it through Real Truth Matters. If you have never checked out Real Truth Matters it would be a great website to bookmark. There are many free resources available on the main site as well as the tributary sites like youtube, facebook, Vimeo and twitter. I highly recommend adding all of them to your favorites and bookmarking, as new content is added regularly. Start with the welcome page and the video that is posted there, then jump over to the Vimeo page and watch the "History Of The Modern Gospel" series that is still in production. They are releasing new installments gradually as the Lord sees fit.

Day 85: I Love My Wife

This is one of my favorite shirts to wear, because I want everyone to know that I do love my wife. We may not have the model marriage, get along 100% of the time or agree on everything, but I love Chandra more than anyone on this planet. I love her more than I ever have and it is because God has really shown me what our marriage is supposed to be.

I always thought of marriage as just having a wife, someone to spend time with, a partner in decisions, someone to share in responsibilities, etc. but have been shown over the past 2 years or so that a marriage is much more than that. Ephesians 5 really opened up a whole new understanding for me of how I failed my wife and ultimately was failing God, to see just how I am to strive for the same type of love that Christ exhibits to His bride, the church. I fail so often, but praise Him that He showed me that failure so that I may be sanctified in that area of my walk.

I advise any married couple and any person that is going to be married one day to study the Word and see what God says about marriage and family life. Pastor Durham recently wrapped up a wonderfully edifying series called "Divine Design For Home" which will be a huge blessing to you. All messages are available for free MP3 download from the Real Truth Matters website. I can't stress enough the importance of a Christ centered marriage and family life. Even though my family has much room to grow, we are striving for a home that is in complete surrender to the authority of the Lord.

Day 61: Not Wasting Time

Yesterday I posted about wasting time, today is the opposite, using time in a productive manner. I've spent a couple of hours this evening with my tutorial lessons on After Effects, making a project for Real Truth Matters. I am very new to Adobe After Effects and Photo Shop, so I try to use free online tutorials to teach me some basic things and tonight I somewhat impressed myself.

I will not post the project here, at least until I show it to the guys at RTM for their constructive criticism. I am not above others being critical about things I do, not that Joseph or JT would be mean or anything, but I do want to learn and be productive within RTM. So, this will be my first project for eyes other than mine and eyes that are experienced in Adobe's products.

Real Truth Matters went full time a few weeks ago, with two very talented guys doing web design, photography, video production and a lot more things that aren't coming to mind at this moment. I ask you to check out the Real Truth Matters website. There you will find links to the Youtube, Vimeo, Twitter, Blog and Facebook pages that are extensions of the ministry. Also there are the weekly sermons from Pastor Michael Durham in free downloadable MP3 files and streaming, Hi-Def video. Earlier messages are also available for free download and are categorized by topic, scripture and chronologically. The welcome page has a video that everyone needs to see which has the testimonies of some very dear brothers and sister that came from the same type of background I did. The Essential Resources page is also a very informative section that has some key messages from Pastor Durham.

I ask that you also "like" RTM on the Facebook page so that you can stay abreast of releases and postings. The Vimeo and Youtube channels are now being posted in Hi-Def, so that is an exciting advancement the Lord has granted the ministry. If you have itunes the sermons are also available on podcasts for ease of downloading straight into iTunes and onto your iPod or iPhone.

The Lord is really working within Real Truth Matters in individuals lives as well as corporately. Please add the ministry to your prayer list that the full time and volunteer staff will seek God in each and every project that He sends.