It's a great resource for kids furniture! Check it out!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Booples on Kids' Furniture Site!
Booples was featured today on the Kids Bedroom Furniture World site!
It's a great resource for kids furniture! Check it out!
It's a great resource for kids furniture! Check it out!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
"What's In the Bible?" DVDs are out!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Bible DVD for ALL Ages
The new DVD series coming out from JellyTelly is great for ALL ages...
- little kids will love the characters and colors
- bigger kids will enjoy the voices and songs
- even bigger kids will learn a lot and laugh a bunch
- ALL ages will learn a lot!
What cd be better than Church history taught by a pirate?
Saturday, February 13, 2010
What's in the Bible?
I was privileged enough to get a sneak preview copy of Phil Vischer's (creator of VeggieTales) new project.
It's a 13-part DVD series called "What's in the Bible?" and I can't tell you how excited I was to get and view the DVD w/ my kids.
Not only is it a great idea, but also amazingly well produced w/ humor, information, sensitivity and insight. Home run, Phil!
I encourage you to visit their website for more info: http://www.jellytelly.com/ and to pick up the first DVD when it's out next month!
God bless,
Bear
Friday, February 20, 2009
Friday, February 06, 2009
FaceBook note
By a Booples! viewer on FaceBook...
How great is that? :) Praise God!
As a mommy of three young boys ages ranging up to 5, i have been exposed to every kind of children's programming imaginable. we have gone through elmo, wiggles, oobie, blue's clues; all talking bears, chipmunks, and veggies. we have done ralph's world, lori berkner, all things nick, noggin, disney and pbs. but rare is the find that truly inspires and teaches and reaches all ages. Booples is such a find. it is, in its simplicity, perfect. the shows are short, to the point, and biblically based. each episode teaches a basic principle with brightly colored animation and ear-catching tunes. my 2 year old did not lose focus and wander off half-way through the video. the songs are easy to learn and children do not even realize they are memorizing scripture! i think what makes it so special though is its creator, bear cahill. he is not mass producing these in an effort to become rich and famous (although he probably wouldn't mind!). There is no huge production budget. it truly seems like a grass roots kind of thing. he works on them when he can and as God supplies the means. i wanted to share Booples with you other mothers because i think they are great. they don't cost a lot and they are well worth the money. if our kids are going to watch videos over and over again, shouldn't we be filling them with spirit-nourishing things? and wouldn't it be better to support a brother in the Lord in his mission to share the gospel in a fun and animated way rather than only feeding the Disney machine?
check out their website and let me know what you think. he also has a booples group on facebook!
http://www.booples.com/
How great is that? :) Praise God!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Merry Christmas
Just a quick note to say Merry Christmas and though I need to hear this more than most, please try to keep the focus on Christ's birth.
Again, I'm the worst about running around, losing focus and generally making Christmas anything but Jesus's birthday celebration. So let's all encourage one another to celebrate God's Son's birth and the coming of our salvation in the manger.
Please pray that I do the same.
God bless.
Again, I'm the worst about running around, losing focus and generally making Christmas anything but Jesus's birthday celebration. So let's all encourage one another to celebrate God's Son's birth and the coming of our salvation in the manger.
Please pray that I do the same.
God bless.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Booples! - iPod video downloads
NEW! Order downloadable Booples! videos for your iPod HERE!!!
All the same great videos rendered just for the iPod!
All the same great videos rendered just for the iPod!
Friday, November 07, 2008
Booples on Amazon.com!
Just a quick note to celebrate Booples! being listed on Amazon.com!
You can search for Booples to see the first 2 DVDs and the songs. The next 2 DVDs should be listed before long, but I'm not sure when.
Here's the listing when you search for Booples.
You can search for Booples to see the first 2 DVDs and the songs. The next 2 DVDs should be listed before long, but I'm not sure when.
Here's the listing when you search for Booples.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Booples book illustrator
I wanted to post a link to the Booples book illustrator: Kevin Collier.
He's a great guy w/ a lot of talent! I think he did a great job on the book. Check out his other work on his site!
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Booples children's book!
The new Booples! children's book is coming! I have the proof now and am going over it. To the left is a sample image from a page of the book.
The illustrator, Kevin Collier, did a great job transferring the Booples to book form, didn't he?
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
TWO new Booples DVDs!!!
Hi!
I also launched TWO new Booples DVDs today. Check them out here! The TWO DVDs are...
1. "Booples 3: The Silly Truth!" - 3 new stories w/ 3 new songs.
and 2. "Booples: The Songs!" - 10 song videos for all the Booples videos to date!
I also launched TWO new Booples DVDs today. Check them out here! The TWO DVDs are...
1. "Booples 3: The Silly Truth!" - 3 new stories w/ 3 new songs.
and 2. "Booples: The Songs!" - 10 song videos for all the Booples videos to date!
JellyTelly is live!
Phil Vischer (of VeggieTales) has a new kids' online network called JellyTelly and it just went live today!!!
It has a variety of kids' show w/ animation, puppets, people, kids, etc. There's new content/show every day.
I'm additionally excited b/c a bumper I did for them made it in the programming. The 'bubbles' bumper in Tuesday's show is mine (and the voice is my oldest son).
Check it out!
It has a variety of kids' show w/ animation, puppets, people, kids, etc. There's new content/show every day.
I'm additionally excited b/c a bumper I did for them made it in the programming. The 'bubbles' bumper in Tuesday's show is mine (and the voice is my oldest son).
Check it out!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Greetings from South Korea
No, not from me. I'm still in the US, but I got this comment from the website today and thought I'd share it:
"Thank you Thank you. My wife and I teach children in South Korea on Sat nites that come to our house to learn English..but we are using it as an opportunity to teach them about Jesus."
It's awesome to see how God uses us all in ways we don't expect - even using Booples in South Korea!
"Thank you Thank you. My wife and I teach children in South Korea on Sat nites that come to our house to learn English..but we are using it as an opportunity to teach them about Jesus."
It's awesome to see how God uses us all in ways we don't expect - even using Booples in South Korea!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Booples on Amazon!
I just finished setting up a deal via CreateSpace that will allow Booples videos to be sold via CreateSpace and Amazon as DVDs and digital downloads. Amazon downloads (Unbox) are to TiVo's.
This is very exciting and the videos should be listed on their sites in the next couple of weeks!!!
This is very exciting and the videos should be listed on their sites in the next couple of weeks!!!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Exceptional things for God
From "My Utmost for His Highest" today...
We always want to make it about some great act, accomplishment, deed, etc. but first He just wants us to walk with Him.
To me, that's freeing.
It is ingrained in us that we have to do exceptional things for God—but we do not. We have to be exceptional in the ordinary things of life, and holy on the ordinary streets, among ordinary people—and this is not learned in five minutes.
We always want to make it about some great act, accomplishment, deed, etc. but first He just wants us to walk with Him.
To me, that's freeing.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Booples at Seguin again!
The Booples video "Everything without Complaining" was selected as a finalist in the Seguin Film Fest.
This is the third year for Booples to be in the Seguin film festival. In 2007, "Jonah and the Tarshish Fish" won Best Animation and Fourth place overall!
The festival takes place this weekend, Oct 24-26.
This is the third year for Booples to be in the Seguin film festival. In 2007, "Jonah and the Tarshish Fish" won Best Animation and Fourth place overall!
The festival takes place this weekend, Oct 24-26.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Booples now on SkyAngel VOD
Press Release: Booples videos now available on SkyAngel VOD
Booples is now available on SkyAngel VOD!!!
This has been in the works for a while and it's being viewed already!!!
Just wanted to share the good news!!!
Booples is now available on SkyAngel VOD!!!
This has been in the works for a while and it's being viewed already!!!
Just wanted to share the good news!!!
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Robin Hood
Reading about the blackjack player that's going to help some random folks out is fairly inspiring. (see http://robinhood702.com/).
However, it's sad that this isn't the church or something else doing this... I guess there's a lot of sides to this...
1. It's 'sensational' so it gets news - you don't hear about the local soup kitchen doing good every day.
2. It's about debt - hot topic.
3. It's wild - gambling!
Also, the church tends to try more rehab type solutions: don't just pay off their debt, teach them to be good stewards of their money. Programs like Financial Peace University and such are amazing in their long term effects.
On the flip side, I've read that around 90% of people coming into sudden wealth (e.g., lottery winners) are WORSE off w/in 1 year.
Just some thoughts... no real solid point here.
On the Booples front...
- I'm working on finalizing deals with several download based sites
- the Booples children's book is moving along (everything is w/ the publisher!)
- one more video ("Love Your Neighbor") and I'll release the 3rd DVD!
God bless!
Bear
However, it's sad that this isn't the church or something else doing this... I guess there's a lot of sides to this...
1. It's 'sensational' so it gets news - you don't hear about the local soup kitchen doing good every day.
2. It's about debt - hot topic.
3. It's wild - gambling!
Also, the church tends to try more rehab type solutions: don't just pay off their debt, teach them to be good stewards of their money. Programs like Financial Peace University and such are amazing in their long term effects.
On the flip side, I've read that around 90% of people coming into sudden wealth (e.g., lottery winners) are WORSE off w/in 1 year.
Just some thoughts... no real solid point here.
On the Booples front...
- I'm working on finalizing deals with several download based sites
- the Booples children's book is moving along (everything is w/ the publisher!)
- one more video ("Love Your Neighbor") and I'll release the 3rd DVD!
God bless!
Bear
Monday, September 08, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Past Booples News...
To catch up new readers, here's news up until the blog became the "official" source...
11.26.07 -- "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" featured on MamasLike.com (full article)
11.24.07 -- "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" featured in the MamasLike.com "Holiday Gift Guide" (full article)
11.21.07 -- "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" reviewed at Bergers Reviews (full article)
11.17.07 -- "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" featured Christmas gift idea at Christianity.About.com (full article)
11.16.07 -- "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" reviewed by Laura Williams (full review)
11.06.07 -- "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" reviewed by Trish Berg (full review)
10.27.07 -- Booples' "Jonah and the Tarshish Fish" wins best animation and fourth place overall at the Seguin Film and Arts Festival 2007 (press release, official site)
10.23.07 -- Booples review at Kiddie Clique and Bambina Ballerina (here and here)
10.12.07 -- "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" earns "Dove Family Approved Seal" (details)
10.10.07 -- Booples earns Parents Television Council Seal of Approval (details)
10.05.07 -- Booples to air on AngelTV.org (details)
9.28.07 -- "Jonah and the Tarshish Fish" a finalist at the Seguin Film and Arts Festival (details)
9.7.07 -- "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" DVD released (Press Release, Details)
7.4.07 -- Booples "David Rocked Goliath" completed.
4.4.07 -- Booples "Forgive Each Other" completed.
3.3.07 -- Booples.com website redesigned.
3.1.07 -- Booples "Jonah and the Tarshish Fish" completed.
12.19.06 -- SermonSpice.com lists Boople videos in their children's section
12.06.06 -- Signed w/ SermonSpice.com as online distributor (link)
12.05.06 -- Booples is about.com's Christmas Day 5 "Children's Movie of the Day" (link)
12.01.06 -- Added Booples books and clothes to Booples.com (link press release)
11.17.06 -- Mary Fairchild made Booples #6 on about.com's "Top 10 Christian DVD and Video Series for Children" (link press release)
10.27.06 -- Submitted "Truth" to COMIX35 web animation competition
10.15.06 -- Informed that "Love One Another" was selected by Seguin Film Fest (link press release)
08.24.06 -- Interviewed for Pearls of Shalom on Denton public access ch25
08.22.06 -- Got first Booples T-shirts (link)
08.09.06 -- Submitted Google video "Love One Another" (link)
08.08.06 -- Interviewed for Denton Perspective public access ch 25
08.01.06 -- kidssundayschool.com ministry of the month (link)
06.12.06 -- Airing on Denton public access ch. 25
05.17.06 -- Contract and airing on Smile of a Child network (link press release)
05.15.06 -- Dove Foundation approval (link)
04.27.06 -- HollywoodJesus.com review (link)
04.04.06 -- Booples DVD officially released
03.28.06 -- Booples First sale
11.26.07 -- "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" featured on MamasLike.com (full article)
11.24.07 -- "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" featured in the MamasLike.com "Holiday Gift Guide" (full article)
11.21.07 -- "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" reviewed at Bergers Reviews (full article)
11.17.07 -- "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" featured Christmas gift idea at Christianity.About.com (full article)
11.16.07 -- "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" reviewed by Laura Williams (full review)
11.06.07 -- "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" reviewed by Trish Berg (full review)
10.27.07 -- Booples' "Jonah and the Tarshish Fish" wins best animation and fourth place overall at the Seguin Film and Arts Festival 2007 (press release, official site)
10.23.07 -- Booples review at Kiddie Clique and Bambina Ballerina (here and here)
10.12.07 -- "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" earns "Dove Family Approved Seal" (details)
10.10.07 -- Booples earns Parents Television Council Seal of Approval (details)
10.05.07 -- Booples to air on AngelTV.org (details)
9.28.07 -- "Jonah and the Tarshish Fish" a finalist at the Seguin Film and Arts Festival (details)
9.7.07 -- "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" DVD released (Press Release, Details)
7.4.07 -- Booples "David Rocked Goliath" completed.
4.4.07 -- Booples "Forgive Each Other" completed.
3.3.07 -- Booples.com website redesigned.
3.1.07 -- Booples "Jonah and the Tarshish Fish" completed.
12.19.06 -- SermonSpice.com lists Boople videos in their children's section
12.06.06 -- Signed w/ SermonSpice.com as online distributor (link)
12.05.06 -- Booples is about.com's Christmas Day 5 "Children's Movie of the Day" (link)
12.01.06 -- Added Booples books and clothes to Booples.com (link press release)
11.17.06 -- Mary Fairchild made Booples #6 on about.com's "Top 10 Christian DVD and Video Series for Children" (link press release)
10.27.06 -- Submitted "Truth" to COMIX35 web animation competition
10.15.06 -- Informed that "Love One Another" was selected by Seguin Film Fest (link press release)
08.24.06 -- Interviewed for Pearls of Shalom on Denton public access ch25
08.22.06 -- Got first Booples T-shirts (link)
08.09.06 -- Submitted Google video "Love One Another" (link)
08.08.06 -- Interviewed for Denton Perspective public access ch 25
08.01.06 -- kidssundayschool.com ministry of the month (link)
06.12.06 -- Airing on Denton public access ch. 25
05.17.06 -- Contract and airing on Smile of a Child network (link press release)
05.15.06 -- Dove Foundation approval (link)
04.27.06 -- HollywoodJesus.com review (link)
04.04.06 -- Booples DVD officially released
03.28.06 -- Booples First sale
Monday, July 14, 2008
JellyTelly.com
Check out Phil Vischer's new JellyTelly project...
JellyTelly.com
"We've just posted the "official" JellyTelly demo video for all the world to see at www.jellytelly.tv. It's a 28 minute video where I explain the concept behind our new mini TV network and then show some sample programming. "
JellyTelly.com
"We've just posted the "official" JellyTelly demo video for all the world to see at www.jellytelly.tv. It's a 28 minute video where I explain the concept behind our new mini TV network and then show some sample programming. "
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Interviews: The Little Robot That Could | Christianity Today Movies
Interviews: The Little Robot That Could | Christianity Today Movies - Andrew Stanton
A great interview w/ the director of "WALL-E", Andrew Stanton.
"The greatest commandment is to love one another, and to me, that's the ultimate purpose of living. So that was the perfect goal for the loneliest robot on earth, to learn the greatest commandment, to learn to love."
A great interview w/ the director of "WALL-E", Andrew Stanton.
"The greatest commandment is to love one another, and to me, that's the ultimate purpose of living. So that was the perfect goal for the loneliest robot on earth, to learn the greatest commandment, to learn to love."
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Sermonspice.com blog and more
Sermonspice.com is a great source for online video including Booples!
Sermonspice.com was created to gather and distribute sermon media for pastors and Christian communicators. Our searchable library and downloadable products are the focus of our on-demand service. Our desire is to inspire creativity with the widest collection of Christian multimedia.Also, check out their new blog!
Monday, June 23, 2008
The New Plan - Part 6 of 6: Listen
Series: The New Plan
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
I believe this part will pretty much take care of itself if the other aspects are in place. When you're at peace trusting God, resting in Him, waiting and walking, you will hear His voice.
John 10:27 (NASB)
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;"
As I mentioned before, all steps need to be bathed in prayer. It's a vital part of it all and can be the the start to each part and all parts together.
Much of the actions and benefits of my implementing the new plan aren't measurable. A few things I've done...
- made my time w/ God a higher priority
- put the videos online for people to watch for free
- spend less time "running the business" (marketing, emailing, strategiaing, etc.)
- spend more time writing, animating, etc.
Noticeable differences to me...
- more peaceful
- enjoy the work more
- more productive
- more traffic and sales on the site
- more contact by others for partnerships and licensing opportunities
- more contentment in where things are and where they will go
- less worry/stress about what will happen and what I need to be doing
- more confidence that I'm "in His will" and being obedient to what I'm called to do
- more fun!
These posts are not meant to be a complete and thorough investigation and study into these topics, but more of one perspective into what I'm thinking and feeling about these areas. I believe the 5 areas (Trust, Rest, Wait, Walk and Listen) build on one another, but that wasn't planned at all - that's just the way the 5 areas were revealed to me as I wrote a line in a letter.
To boil it all down, it's all about your relationship with God. Make Him first and base all of your contentment on Him. He won't let you down. The creator of the universe is big enough to be the center of yours.
Focus on Him and you'll find that you can be content by just your relationship w/ Him. The results of your efforts won't be important, but your obedience will be. You won't strive to just be doing things or trying to please Him b/c you'll realize you need to be obedient in what He's called you to. You'll thrive on your walk with Him; your time w/ Him. That spiritual food will call you back and be what satisfies you most. And He'll speak to you when you're ready for Him to use you.
God bless you all!
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
I believe this part will pretty much take care of itself if the other aspects are in place. When you're at peace trusting God, resting in Him, waiting and walking, you will hear His voice.
John 10:27 (NASB)
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;"
As I mentioned before, all steps need to be bathed in prayer. It's a vital part of it all and can be the the start to each part and all parts together.
Much of the actions and benefits of my implementing the new plan aren't measurable. A few things I've done...
- made my time w/ God a higher priority
- put the videos online for people to watch for free
- spend less time "running the business" (marketing, emailing, strategiaing, etc.)
- spend more time writing, animating, etc.
Noticeable differences to me...
- more peaceful
- enjoy the work more
- more productive
- more traffic and sales on the site
- more contact by others for partnerships and licensing opportunities
- more contentment in where things are and where they will go
- less worry/stress about what will happen and what I need to be doing
- more confidence that I'm "in His will" and being obedient to what I'm called to do
- more fun!
These posts are not meant to be a complete and thorough investigation and study into these topics, but more of one perspective into what I'm thinking and feeling about these areas. I believe the 5 areas (Trust, Rest, Wait, Walk and Listen) build on one another, but that wasn't planned at all - that's just the way the 5 areas were revealed to me as I wrote a line in a letter.
To boil it all down, it's all about your relationship with God. Make Him first and base all of your contentment on Him. He won't let you down. The creator of the universe is big enough to be the center of yours.
Focus on Him and you'll find that you can be content by just your relationship w/ Him. The results of your efforts won't be important, but your obedience will be. You won't strive to just be doing things or trying to please Him b/c you'll realize you need to be obedient in what He's called you to. You'll thrive on your walk with Him; your time w/ Him. That spiritual food will call you back and be what satisfies you most. And He'll speak to you when you're ready for Him to use you.
God bless you all!
Friday, June 20, 2008
The New Plan - Part 5 of 6: Walk
Series: The New Plan
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
So what do you do while waiting? Walk...
John 15:5 (NIV)
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
So "remain" in Him. Spend time with Him. Walk with Him.
The Navigators have a Wheel Illustration that demonstrates crucial items of the Christian life: God's word (comes down from above), prayer (goes up), fellowship and witnessing both go to the sides (other people). Those are certainly important areas to a walk with God.
Mark 12:30-31
AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.'
"The second is this, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
Simple, but not easy.
I think this post will be short b/c a) most of us know how to "walk", but we let a lot of "junk" get in the way and b) if you can get the previous aspects down (Trust, Rest and Wait), I think Walk will be self-evident.
To continue the analogy of the father-and-son, imagine a simple walk. What are you doing: communicating is the picture I get. Typically involved with that is the father imparting wisdom and lessons to the son ("What's that? Why? How does that work?", etc.). That time and communication allows the son to be formed by the father and there's growth and fellowship and guidance.
So we can trust the Father to do what He says and that it will be good whatever it is (He's big and good enough). We can rest in the Father that He'll take care of the results from what we do (we sow seeds, He rains). We sd wait on the Father until He calls us to do something (no need to make stuff up to do, enjoy). And we sd walk w/ the Father to be conformed to His image and heart (we walk and talk).
Spend time with Him and make it a top priority. What in life is more important? It's what everything else in your life is about! Besides, if you don't have this in place, what good will anything else be?
(Part 6 or 6 will be posted on Monday)
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
So what do you do while waiting? Walk...
John 15:5 (NIV)
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
So "remain" in Him. Spend time with Him. Walk with Him.
The Navigators have a Wheel Illustration that demonstrates crucial items of the Christian life: God's word (comes down from above), prayer (goes up), fellowship and witnessing both go to the sides (other people). Those are certainly important areas to a walk with God.
Mark 12:30-31
AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.'
"The second is this, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
Simple, but not easy.
I think this post will be short b/c a) most of us know how to "walk", but we let a lot of "junk" get in the way and b) if you can get the previous aspects down (Trust, Rest and Wait), I think Walk will be self-evident.
To continue the analogy of the father-and-son, imagine a simple walk. What are you doing: communicating is the picture I get. Typically involved with that is the father imparting wisdom and lessons to the son ("What's that? Why? How does that work?", etc.). That time and communication allows the son to be formed by the father and there's growth and fellowship and guidance.
So we can trust the Father to do what He says and that it will be good whatever it is (He's big and good enough). We can rest in the Father that He'll take care of the results from what we do (we sow seeds, He rains). We sd wait on the Father until He calls us to do something (no need to make stuff up to do, enjoy). And we sd walk w/ the Father to be conformed to His image and heart (we walk and talk).
Spend time with Him and make it a top priority. What in life is more important? It's what everything else in your life is about! Besides, if you don't have this in place, what good will anything else be?
(Part 6 or 6 will be posted on Monday)
Thursday, June 19, 2008
The New Plan - Part 4 of 6: Wait
Series: The New Plan
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
I really am trying to make these entries shorter...
Ephesians 2:10 (NASB)
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
So what has God called you to do? Certainly there are general callings like "make disciples of all nations" and "do not forsake the gathering with others." There are certain general obediences we all need to be doing, but beyond that, what has He called you to do?
I find few people out there that really feel they are "called" to do something. Yet they often are running around doing a lot of things "for God."
But as the verse says, we're prepared for good works which He prepared beforehand. It's like there are things God will have us do... when we're ready. When we're ready to be used. And it won't be the crazy, frantic, panic work that we get burned out over...
Isaiah 40:31 (NASB)
Yet those who wait (hope) for the LORD
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.
It will be in His strength:
Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
But until you're "called" to do something, I believe the "general" callings are what we need to be responsible to and not look for other things to be doing. As Phil Vischer shares in his book ("Me, Myself and Bob"), Noah "walked with God" for hundreds of years (some debate about when God told him to build the ark) and only then was he ready for God to use him. And boy did He use Noah!
For the father-son example, if that father tells the son to do some chores, he sd do them, but then if he says to take the rest of the day for himself, he can! Enjoy that time, do what you'd like, but don't necessary try to guess what the father wants, etc.
So trust and rest (see previous posts) by putting God first and then wait.
What to do while you wait? Walk (see next post).
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
I really am trying to make these entries shorter...
Ephesians 2:10 (NASB)
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
So what has God called you to do? Certainly there are general callings like "make disciples of all nations" and "do not forsake the gathering with others." There are certain general obediences we all need to be doing, but beyond that, what has He called you to do?
I find few people out there that really feel they are "called" to do something. Yet they often are running around doing a lot of things "for God."
But as the verse says, we're prepared for good works which He prepared beforehand. It's like there are things God will have us do... when we're ready. When we're ready to be used. And it won't be the crazy, frantic, panic work that we get burned out over...
Isaiah 40:31 (NASB)
Yet those who wait (hope) for the LORD
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.
It will be in His strength:
Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
But until you're "called" to do something, I believe the "general" callings are what we need to be responsible to and not look for other things to be doing. As Phil Vischer shares in his book ("Me, Myself and Bob"), Noah "walked with God" for hundreds of years (some debate about when God told him to build the ark) and only then was he ready for God to use him. And boy did He use Noah!
For the father-son example, if that father tells the son to do some chores, he sd do them, but then if he says to take the rest of the day for himself, he can! Enjoy that time, do what you'd like, but don't necessary try to guess what the father wants, etc.
So trust and rest (see previous posts) by putting God first and then wait.
What to do while you wait? Walk (see next post).
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
The New Plan - Part 3 of 6: Rest
Series: The New Plan
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
What in life really changes when you worry about it? We know worrying does no good, but we still do it. We're human, but we need to still struggle and try.
1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Building on the idea of trust (previous post), we can trust that God will take care of the matters out of our hands. We plant the seeds (obedience) and than pray for rain (that's up to God).
Do what you can, pray and leave it up to God. I've taken to writing emails, but not doing a ton of follow-up (except out of excitement or to make sure the person got the email). In most cases I figure, I sowed the seed and I'll leave the rest up to God.
Like the guy who kept praying to win the lottery and finally God had to say "Well, at least buy a ticket!"
Resting in Him for paying for our sin is one thing, I'm talking about the day-to-day.
Luke 12:28-30 (NASB)
"But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith!
"And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying.
"For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things.
How much should we worry about how we'll take care of ourselves? Our family?
Sure, it's a concern and a responsibility, but, for me, I don't think I know anyone that has had to resort to homelessness or other extreme situations. If I lost my job today (which is realistic), God will provide. Again, in reference to the last post, He's big enough to do it and good enough to care about me.
He even said in the above verse that He'll do it. Do I believe Him? Can I trust Him? Will He do it?
I did a few things after the Chicago trip that started The New Plan. They were all pretty much going against with good business wd tell you. However, since then, sales have gone up and I have had more opportunities to partner with people, discuss broadcasting licensing, etc.
I believe when I stopped trying to run my business, God was able to step in and do it. It's like if someone cut me off on the road and I did something in vengeance, God now can't really do anything or He'd be endorsing my anger, pride, judgment, etc.
My actions were probably preventing Him from blessing my business. I'm called to make videos to minister to kids. If running a business is necessary for that, ok, but I'm not called to "start a media business."
So if we can trust Him to be big and good enough, we can trust Him to take care of us. Moreover, that He knows our heart.
Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Whether that means He will grant you your desires or places desires into your heart, it doesn't really matter. I believe the end result is the same.
Seek Him and life will be amazing. If He's calling you to do something, do it, but leave the results up to Him. Sow the seeds, pray for rain.
I'll try to provide an analogy like the father-son-swimming-lessons from the Trust post. Imagine if your father setup a trust fund for you. Though you had no idea how it worked, he said it would provide money for the rest of your life.
You cd go get a job or not - either way you cd not make any more or less money. He told you to write books or be a farmer or teach yodeling lessons or whatever. So you didn't have to worry about how well the books sold, your purpose was to write them.
What results are you worrying about that are really up to God?
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
What in life really changes when you worry about it? We know worrying does no good, but we still do it. We're human, but we need to still struggle and try.
1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Building on the idea of trust (previous post), we can trust that God will take care of the matters out of our hands. We plant the seeds (obedience) and than pray for rain (that's up to God).
Do what you can, pray and leave it up to God. I've taken to writing emails, but not doing a ton of follow-up (except out of excitement or to make sure the person got the email). In most cases I figure, I sowed the seed and I'll leave the rest up to God.
Like the guy who kept praying to win the lottery and finally God had to say "Well, at least buy a ticket!"
Resting in Him for paying for our sin is one thing, I'm talking about the day-to-day.
Luke 12:28-30 (NASB)
"But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith!
"And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying.
"For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things.
How much should we worry about how we'll take care of ourselves? Our family?
Sure, it's a concern and a responsibility, but, for me, I don't think I know anyone that has had to resort to homelessness or other extreme situations. If I lost my job today (which is realistic), God will provide. Again, in reference to the last post, He's big enough to do it and good enough to care about me.
He even said in the above verse that He'll do it. Do I believe Him? Can I trust Him? Will He do it?
I did a few things after the Chicago trip that started The New Plan. They were all pretty much going against with good business wd tell you. However, since then, sales have gone up and I have had more opportunities to partner with people, discuss broadcasting licensing, etc.
I believe when I stopped trying to run my business, God was able to step in and do it. It's like if someone cut me off on the road and I did something in vengeance, God now can't really do anything or He'd be endorsing my anger, pride, judgment, etc.
My actions were probably preventing Him from blessing my business. I'm called to make videos to minister to kids. If running a business is necessary for that, ok, but I'm not called to "start a media business."
So if we can trust Him to be big and good enough, we can trust Him to take care of us. Moreover, that He knows our heart.
Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Whether that means He will grant you your desires or places desires into your heart, it doesn't really matter. I believe the end result is the same.
Seek Him and life will be amazing. If He's calling you to do something, do it, but leave the results up to Him. Sow the seeds, pray for rain.
I'll try to provide an analogy like the father-son-swimming-lessons from the Trust post. Imagine if your father setup a trust fund for you. Though you had no idea how it worked, he said it would provide money for the rest of your life.
You cd go get a job or not - either way you cd not make any more or less money. He told you to write books or be a farmer or teach yodeling lessons or whatever. So you didn't have to worry about how well the books sold, your purpose was to write them.
What results are you worrying about that are really up to God?
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
The New Plan - Part 2 of 6: Trust
Series: The New Plan
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
I don't intend to do a radical exegesis on the text or a thesis paper on the concept. I'll let the Spirit lead you into anything further. I hope to simply make the core point: we can trust Him.
Matthew 8:26-27 (NASB)
He said to them, "Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?" Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm.
The men were amazed, and said, "What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?"
What kind of a man was He? He was God. He calmed the winds and the waves. It took no effort, just His words. And that's child's play to Him. He spoke the universe into being. You could spend a quick 10 minutes just meditating on how big, powerful, omniscient, etc. God is and only scratch the surface.
So first we need to believe that God can do whatever He wants. Believe that?
Romans 8:28 (NASB)
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
But do you believe what He wants to do is good? Does He use even the "bad" things for good?
We need to be mentally in agreement with these things, but also live them out practically. Can He catch me if I fall? Will He catch me if I fall? If He doesn't, can I believe He has a better purpose for that too? Can I accept that even if I never see how and why?
A father teaching a son to swim will often stand in the water and have his son jump to him. The father can catch the son. The father will catch the son. The son still has a hard time jumping (often times). The father says things like "Trust me. I will catch you."
As the child, do we trust that God can catch us? Do we trust that He will catch us.
The concept of the father not catching the son doesn't follow this example b/c the father said he wd catch the son. If he intentionally didn't, that wd be lying. What might work is if the son had a life jacket on and fell into the water and the father waited to grab him to show him he cd trust the life jacket. I'm not endorsing that, but just trying to show the point.
So can the God that created the universe with a word, calmed the wind and the waves, sent a fish to swallow Jonah, flooded the earth and sent his Son to die for our sins able to do what He wants with your life too? Is He big enough?
And does He love you enough to do what is good? If He sent His only begotten Son to die for me, I think everything else is small in comparison and removes any question that He's good enough.
Unfortunately, it's the big issues that sometimes seem the most clear in this sense. Is He big enough to cure her cancer? Is He big enough to give me a baby? Is He good enough to want a mate for him? Yes.
But the "smaller" issues tend to hang us up. And not so much on the "can He" area, but in the "will He" area. Will He let me get this job? Will He let me get this house?
Of course, if the answer is "No" the more complete answer is "No, I have something better." Can we believe that? Is Romans 8:28 true?
If I talk to a network about airing Booples, can I trust that if they choose not to that it's for the best? Yes! If I talk to someone about partnership that seems like it would mean the world to me and it doesn't happen, can I trust He's in control? Yes! If Booples crumbles completely and all is lost, can I trust that my relationship with Him makes all the difference in my life, that I can be 100% content with life in Him alone and that He's still infinite and nothing can be added to Him? Yes!!!
He is big enough. He is good enough. Put Him first and not only will you find peace and contentment in Him, but the rest will feel like gliding instead of like breaking rocks with your head.
Matthew 6:33 (NASB)
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Wow, this turned out to be MUCH, MUCH longer than I intended. I hope you made it this far!
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
I don't intend to do a radical exegesis on the text or a thesis paper on the concept. I'll let the Spirit lead you into anything further. I hope to simply make the core point: we can trust Him.
Matthew 8:26-27 (NASB)
He said to them, "Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?" Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm.
The men were amazed, and said, "What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?"
What kind of a man was He? He was God. He calmed the winds and the waves. It took no effort, just His words. And that's child's play to Him. He spoke the universe into being. You could spend a quick 10 minutes just meditating on how big, powerful, omniscient, etc. God is and only scratch the surface.
So first we need to believe that God can do whatever He wants. Believe that?
Romans 8:28 (NASB)
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
But do you believe what He wants to do is good? Does He use even the "bad" things for good?
We need to be mentally in agreement with these things, but also live them out practically. Can He catch me if I fall? Will He catch me if I fall? If He doesn't, can I believe He has a better purpose for that too? Can I accept that even if I never see how and why?
A father teaching a son to swim will often stand in the water and have his son jump to him. The father can catch the son. The father will catch the son. The son still has a hard time jumping (often times). The father says things like "Trust me. I will catch you."
As the child, do we trust that God can catch us? Do we trust that He will catch us.
The concept of the father not catching the son doesn't follow this example b/c the father said he wd catch the son. If he intentionally didn't, that wd be lying. What might work is if the son had a life jacket on and fell into the water and the father waited to grab him to show him he cd trust the life jacket. I'm not endorsing that, but just trying to show the point.
So can the God that created the universe with a word, calmed the wind and the waves, sent a fish to swallow Jonah, flooded the earth and sent his Son to die for our sins able to do what He wants with your life too? Is He big enough?
And does He love you enough to do what is good? If He sent His only begotten Son to die for me, I think everything else is small in comparison and removes any question that He's good enough.
Unfortunately, it's the big issues that sometimes seem the most clear in this sense. Is He big enough to cure her cancer? Is He big enough to give me a baby? Is He good enough to want a mate for him? Yes.
But the "smaller" issues tend to hang us up. And not so much on the "can He" area, but in the "will He" area. Will He let me get this job? Will He let me get this house?
Of course, if the answer is "No" the more complete answer is "No, I have something better." Can we believe that? Is Romans 8:28 true?
If I talk to a network about airing Booples, can I trust that if they choose not to that it's for the best? Yes! If I talk to someone about partnership that seems like it would mean the world to me and it doesn't happen, can I trust He's in control? Yes! If Booples crumbles completely and all is lost, can I trust that my relationship with Him makes all the difference in my life, that I can be 100% content with life in Him alone and that He's still infinite and nothing can be added to Him? Yes!!!
He is big enough. He is good enough. Put Him first and not only will you find peace and contentment in Him, but the rest will feel like gliding instead of like breaking rocks with your head.
Matthew 6:33 (NASB)
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Wow, this turned out to be MUCH, MUCH longer than I intended. I hope you made it this far!
Monday, June 16, 2008
The New Plan - Part 1 of 6
Series: The New Plan
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
I blogged before about the Conspire Conference I went to several weeks ago and how I had some revelations during that trip. I'd like to outline some concepts that I'd like to try to live by. I'm calling it "The New Plan" which is always a bad name. I may come up w/ a better one later.
I intend to blog several entries on the various concepts (5 at the moment) over several days so check back. I'll give a quick overview here...
The concepts:
Trust - Is God big enough and good enough to trust?
Rest - Can He take care of my day-to-day worries?
Wait - What has He called me to do?
Walk - What do I do while waiting to know what to do?
Listen - Be listening for His voice to know when He calls you to something.
Prayer must bath it all as well as being a part of "walk."
It doesn't spell something cool or have 7 points (number of completion). And really, the words simply popped into my head (from the Spirit) as I wrote a letter to a friend. I'm trying pretty hard not to make it "catchy."
The first part (on Trust) will be tomorrow.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
I blogged before about the Conspire Conference I went to several weeks ago and how I had some revelations during that trip. I'd like to outline some concepts that I'd like to try to live by. I'm calling it "The New Plan" which is always a bad name. I may come up w/ a better one later.
I intend to blog several entries on the various concepts (5 at the moment) over several days so check back. I'll give a quick overview here...
The concepts:
Trust - Is God big enough and good enough to trust?
Rest - Can He take care of my day-to-day worries?
Wait - What has He called me to do?
Walk - What do I do while waiting to know what to do?
Listen - Be listening for His voice to know when He calls you to something.
Prayer must bath it all as well as being a part of "walk."
It doesn't spell something cool or have 7 points (number of completion). And really, the words simply popped into my head (from the Spirit) as I wrote a letter to a friend. I'm trying pretty hard not to make it "catchy."
The first part (on Trust) will be tomorrow.
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