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Enough already. FB is a great social tool for networking people, embracing old relationships and reaching parts of the world you thought you would never reach. But some people just don't know how to use this thing. Every once in a while someone calls me about something that someone else posted on FB and now they are offended. I usually ask, "What did you do in response?" Almost every time they say - I wrote them back and told them off. Oh boy! Here we go again. So here are the Christian Rules to FB - If I missed some, please feel free to add some of your own for consideration. Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say - If the Bible says let your yes be yes and no be no - that means you should try to communicate clearly enough for everyone to understand you. If you fail in either communicating your thoughts or understanding their thoughts start your response with the following words, "I'm sorry..." Use lots of BS - Be Sweet - You momma taught you

This is a series of blogs on how small churches can use technology to help their ministries. Blogging Blogging, years ago, was nothing more than a online dairy of peoples lives and experiences. However, it quickly became a powerful tool in the hands of a blogger. News agencies saw credibility in some, quoting them as sources for stories. Politicians realized that they would influence millions of people through the power of the blog. So what can you do with it? #1 - Determine who you are writing to. Your family? Your church? Your community? Who? #2 - Keep your posts short, to the point and use images or photos. #3 - Read A LOT of other blogs like yours and notice how they do it. #4 - Don't write it if you mind seeing it on the front page of your local newspaper. #5 - Enjoy it. Write what is going on in your heart right now. For example: I'm blogging a series on Tech and the Small Church. That probably doesn't rock anyone world, but it's what is on my heart r

This is a series of blogs on how small churches can use technology to help their ministries. Sending large files via email Got that BIG file you need to send to someone, but your ISP doesn't allow you to send a file that large. What do you do? I use a service called yousendit.com There are different plans for different needs. But the free plan allows you to send 100MB. Now there are a lot of these types of services out there. So if you find one that suits you better - go for it.

This is a series of blogs on how small churches can use technology to help their ministries. Websites This subject is open to a lot of interpretation today. That's because there are so many options out there for you. But what I am going to focus on is the small church with a limited budget. What can you do? I would suggest that you look at wix.com If a very cheap price you can build your own flash website. It comes with templates and a huge variety of options. But how can you do this? you can sign up for a free account and play with it as much as you want until you are comfortable with what you have. Another thing I like about wix is that they seem to really be up and coming. They are always adding options for you to use and really do try to make it as user friendly as possible.

This is a series of blogs on how small churches can use technology to help their ministries. Audio/Sermon Hosting So you want to put those sermons on the internet for others to listen to - but it all seems a little complicated and/or expensive. Then try www.sermoncloud.com This is a free service to churches and pastors. There they will host your audio file which you can then link your website or iphone app to. For those of you what want to do this, but don't know how - here is an easy way to do it. #1 - Buy a DVR (digital voice recorder) that allows you to upload your sound file to your computer. There are a number of them out there - but you should be able to get one around $60. #2 Upload a free program call Audicity . (This is for Mac people). For Windows people you might try Free Audio Converter Personally I haven't used this one - but it's free. #3 - Upload your sermon audio file from your DVR to you computer. From there open Audicity and open y

This is a series of blogs on how small churches can use technology to help their ministries. iPhone apps Ever get jealous of all those BIG churches who get their own iphone app? Well don't fret - you can have one too! Appchurch.com is free to any iPhone user. The lite version costs the church $9 a month. But if you have enough people with these iPhones, then it is worth it. For your money you can offer service times, directions and other church information - keep your people up to date with church events and even download sermons and listen to them right from their phone. While this is great for people in your church who have iphones and ipods - it is also a great marketing tool for them to use too. Encourage them to offer it to people who also have an iphone or ipod as a means to "check out" your church before they come. Go to Appchurch.com

This is a series of blogs on how small churches can use technology to help their ministries. Video Conversion I have used Zamzar.com for the last couple of years with great success. While some video websites do not allow you to convert their videos, sites like YouTube and others do. But how? Go the website of the video you want that sermon or teaching illustration from and copy the URL Go to zamzar.com and follow their 4 step process. Now you will need to know what format you want to convert to before you get started, so check that DVD burning software and see what you need. After the video uploads you will get an email in a few minutes from Zamzar that contains a link to download your converted file with. Check it out here at zamzar.com

This is a series of blogs on how small churches can use technology to help their ministries. Emails I just found out about a site called mailchimp.com. Like Constant Contact they allow you to create and send professional emails. You will be able to use a number of third party applications as well as track your email campaigns from your iphone. It's worth checking out, especially if your email list is smaller than 500. Then it's free. Go to mailchimp.com

"Why do I have to speak in tongues?" I hear that question quite often. Many people struggle with it because they think it makes them look funny or crazy. Well from this worlds point of view, it is funny and crazy. But from God's point of view, it's music to His ears. The Baptism isn't about this world, it doesn't require mankind's approval nor yours. It is God's gift for you that fits into His plan for your life. How many of you believe in Jer 29:11? "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Well then, if you want that plan for your life and it includes the Baptism in the Holy Spirit evidenced by speaking in other tongues, then what's the problem? But back to the original question? "Why do I have to speak in tongues?" In James 3:5 - 9 it says that the tongue is the most unruly member of your body. Think about it

My messages this month have been centered around the Holy Spirit. Specifically His presence in your life. Last Sunday I announced that at the end of the service I would pray for people who wanted to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit evidenced by speaking in other tongues. I was actually taken back by how many people said that they were going to respond. I am REALLY stoked about this Sunday!!! But here are a few things that you can do that will help you prepare for what God is going to do. #1 - Don't over think it. People who try to figure out how focus on the mechanics of what is happening and not on glorifying God. #2 - Don't try to control it. If you think that you are going to "oversee" what God is going to do, then you've definitely got it backward. #3 - It's and act of faith! If you think that God is going to move your mouth, you are mistaken. You will be talking, you are going to trust God for what you say. #4 - Remember, it's a gift.

For years we have been telling our children that it's all about them. Get good grades! We will reward you. Get bad grades! It's not your fault, it's the teachers fault. Going though a divorce? Here let me get you a cell phone. Spending less time at home? Here is a video game. Not good enough to play on the team? Well that's the coaches fault. When we reward our children for going through tough times, when we over protect them from the pain of a divorce or rejection, do more harm than good. These children will grow up without the ability to cope with life coupled with unrealistic expectations. When we send the message that they deserve things for facing adversity we also teach them how to become co-dependent on someone or something. At the turn of the 20th century our country went through the Great Depression WWI and WWII. It wasn't easy. When times were tough, the whole family suffered. But for their hard work and resolve, they were rewarded with t

I got this from Perry Nobles blog. It really spoke volumes to me and helped me to refocus some of my parenting skills. What it - he is absolutely right. FYI - Don't be surprised if I don't use this sermon illustration someday. The words you speak from NewSpring Church on Vimeo .

Recently we celebrated the 4th of July. A day set aside to remember what our forefathers did in order to be free from oppressive and unfair government. But when you ask people today what independence means you will usually get an answer that goes something like this. "Do whatever I want, whenever I want as long as I don't hurt someone else." That isn't independence, that's entitlement. Entitlement by definition is a guarantee of access to (fill in the blank here). In others words we think that we are entitled to a car, a job, health insurance, etc and so on. This really gets goofy when our children say things like, "I deserve a DS or I should have a iPhone." They are saying, "I am entitled to these things." then expect their parents to give it to them. These kids grow up and expect society, government, church and other institutions to do the same. It isn't our love for independence that drives this, but our love for individuality

This 4th of July Sunday at FFWC is going to be GREAT! 9:30 a.m. is Faith Cafe' Discovery Class, Youth Life Group and Transformer Kids. Then at 10:30 a.m. morning worship is going to be a life changing, God worshipping, hope giving time where God will meet us at our point of need. Then after service EVERYONE is welcome to join us for a free luncheon as we celebrate this great Independence Day together. We will be service steak, shrimp and chicken kabobs cooked on the BBQ. We ask that everyone bring their favorite side dish or dessert to share. Then after the luncheon, you can join us as we reach our community with a bottle of water. Actually 400 bottles of water. We would like to go to local parks, bridges and boat ramps and offer them some cold water. So make plans now to attend! It's going to be a great day at FFWC!!!

Matthew 10:42 - "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." (NIV) How do you show Christ's love to people? Really? If you were to allow someone to show God's love to you - what would you expect? How about a cold bottle of water? That's it. Just some cold water to refresh you on a hot Florida day. This Sunday after lunch, would you like to help to do just exactly this? Just take about 30 minutes of your time to go to some area parks and offer some cold water. As Jesus said in Matthew 10:42. You have nothing to lose from doing it. Email, text or call me. Let me know