Today at Free Chapel, we discussed how to [SPEND LESS] this Christmas and enter the true story of Christmas in the Prince of PEACE! Realizing this is a pretty radical idea, I explained how one professor of mine said that he and his family turn their attention to Jesus during Christmas by providing for "the least" of society...
Anyway, in case you were wanting to provide help to a family in need, I want to suggest Feed The Children as an excellent organization, who will utilize your funds well. I'm all about leveraging my dollar given to see it go as far as possible. Thanks to a matching donation program Feed The Children is able to provide a goat for a family for only $60 donated! So, Get Your Goat, today!:)
Also, a friend of mine suggested the following on his blog: The Heifer Project, Christmas of Compassion, The Moju Project, Bibles Unbound, and Compassion International.
And, by the way, you may search any of the registered charities to measure their overall organizational spending to see how your dollars are being utilized here. (Thanks to Charles at Agency 323 for pointing me to that site!)
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Simply Christmas '09
Cash donations beginning Thanksgiving until December 12th to be raised for Soldier’s Angels Christmas gift packages for Fort Hood victims
WHO: Free Chapel of Lakeway and its Christmas carolers
WHAT: A fun-filled family-friendly evening with Free Chapel’s carolers singing traditional Christmas tunes, hot chocolate and snow (sno-cones that is).
Free Chapel will also be receiving donations from Thanksgiving through December 12th for Soldiers’ Angels, a non-profit organization that helps veterans and their families, for its Christmas gift packages to the 43 families affected by the Fort Hood shootings.
Please Donate Online Here.
(All Gifts are Tax-Deductible)
WHERE: Hill Country Galleria Amphitheater
12700 Hill Country Blvd.
Bee Cave, TX 78738
WHEN:Saturday, December 12, 2009
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
WHY: “Simply Christmas” is an event where friends and family can enjoy great holiday music, hot chocolate and some sno-cones that kids and adults love. It also gives folks a chance to give to those who are in need. This year we want to remember the victims of the Fort Hood shootings.
COST: FREE (although donations for Fort Hood victims will be welcomed)
Christmas Spending via DAVE
Following Dave's advice has completely changed our Christmas season! We set a goal, budgeted, and now have money left over! We've not "arrived" by any means. But our lives are much more peaceful at this time of the year as a result!
Just this week Ashley said to me, "You're not nearly as much of a scrooge this year as you've been in the past!" How ENCOURAGING! Ha!
Friday, November 27, 2009
hope it's not too late...
I hope this isn’t too late . . . I’m afraid it may be . . . Black Friday is here . . . The spending has begun!
THIS SUNDAY @FREE CHAPEL
THE REBELLION BEGINS...
CHRISTMAS REBELLION: Taking Christmas Back
This Sunday,
November 29, 10:30 am
Lakeway Elementary
1701 Lohman’s Crossing
Lakeway, TX 78734
WHAT HAPPENED TO CHRISTMAS?
Remember it? That time of year we used to set aside to celebrate the birth of a savior who came to turn empires upside down with a revolutionary love...Remember? Or, has it become a month filled with shopping, stress, traffic jams, shopping, office parties, worry, shopping, credits cards, debt, stress, complete exhaustion, and, did I say, "shopping"?
Usually, when its finally, over most of us are left with a mountain of presents to return, a boatload of debt to pay off, and this empty, nagging feeling that something's not quite right...
When did stress, traffic jams and shopping lists become more important than really celebrating Christ?
We really believe Christmas can [still] change the world. Discover how in this IMPORTANT series BEGINNING this Sunday with a specially designed I-GEN service.
[WORSHIP FULLY]
[SPEND LESS]
[GIVE MORE]
[LOVE ALL]
Visit our website for more info...
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
consumer-that's me
In our Tangible Kingdom primer last week, we were looking at Community...What is Community? How do we get it?
On Saturday, (which I didn't get to until today), the primer said,
"When we are caught up in materialism our communities suffer. When we are buried in debt or concerned about our 'stuff,' we lack time to build significant, deep relationships with each other. Our lives will begin to focus on things like security and competing with our neighbors for status and control rather than on the good news . . . To put it plainly, materialism poisons community."
This summer, Ashley and I went through Financial Peace University with Dave Ramsey. We've been on a crazy kind of mission to become debt-free! That's an awesome feeling! And, it's really revealed how much of a "consumer" I am. What I never considered was how badly materialism can hinder community.
I've found that debt is kind of like being overweight. I remember when I was little my dad used to use the crass phrase, "fat and happy." It's similar to the phrase, "ignorance is bliss." You know there is a problem and you're okay with it. All of that to say, there have been times in my own life where I was in debt, I knew I was in debt, and I was happy with it. It didn't bother me. I still attempted to build deep, significant relationships with others, though.
However, I can see where this goes . . . living above your means is really living an inauthentic life. You're trying to be someone you are not . . . Ultimately, living in a mountain of debt can prevent community because we aren't being honest about who we really are (reflected in our car, house, clothes, accessories, etc.).
What are some examples you can think of?
Or, do you disagree? (I've heard it argued that if you have a lot of stuff, you can have more friends) What do you think?
On Saturday, (which I didn't get to until today), the primer said,
"When we are caught up in materialism our communities suffer. When we are buried in debt or concerned about our 'stuff,' we lack time to build significant, deep relationships with each other. Our lives will begin to focus on things like security and competing with our neighbors for status and control rather than on the good news . . . To put it plainly, materialism poisons community."
This summer, Ashley and I went through Financial Peace University with Dave Ramsey. We've been on a crazy kind of mission to become debt-free! That's an awesome feeling! And, it's really revealed how much of a "consumer" I am. What I never considered was how badly materialism can hinder community.
- Frequent disagreements with spouse, breaking down the foundation of community...marriage
- Keeping up with the "Jones"~Never let down your guard...inauthentic
I've found that debt is kind of like being overweight. I remember when I was little my dad used to use the crass phrase, "fat and happy." It's similar to the phrase, "ignorance is bliss." You know there is a problem and you're okay with it. All of that to say, there have been times in my own life where I was in debt, I knew I was in debt, and I was happy with it. It didn't bother me. I still attempted to build deep, significant relationships with others, though.
However, I can see where this goes . . . living above your means is really living an inauthentic life. You're trying to be someone you are not . . . Ultimately, living in a mountain of debt can prevent community because we aren't being honest about who we really are (reflected in our car, house, clothes, accessories, etc.).
What are some examples you can think of?
Or, do you disagree? (I've heard it argued that if you have a lot of stuff, you can have more friends) What do you think?
Thursday, November 12, 2009
powerful prayer
As you are likely aware, one of our core values at Free Chapel is "Powerful Prayer." That is, we believe that both individual and corporate prayer is a catalyst for leading people into a life-giving relationship with Jesus Christ.
Up to this point, we have had an "hour of prayer" every Saturday morning since our church's conception. That's why we've seen 50 people trust Jesus Christ with their salvation over the last year!
We've never been able to offer childcare, however. Therefore, involvement has been limited. If we are going to reach the level that God's calling us to, it's only going to happen through corporate, unified prayer!
As we move into a season where spiritual seekers are more open to an invitation to a church service, we want to cover our efforts in prayer. Beginning this Saturday, November 14, 2009, 9-10 AM, we will have childcare available at Derek and Lindsey Mills home and prayer at mine... (We live 5 houses down from each other). If you want to come and need directions or the address, email info at freechapelaustin dot com .
Come on down...Prayer is powerful!
Up to this point, we have had an "hour of prayer" every Saturday morning since our church's conception. That's why we've seen 50 people trust Jesus Christ with their salvation over the last year!
We've never been able to offer childcare, however. Therefore, involvement has been limited. If we are going to reach the level that God's calling us to, it's only going to happen through corporate, unified prayer!
As we move into a season where spiritual seekers are more open to an invitation to a church service, we want to cover our efforts in prayer. Beginning this Saturday, November 14, 2009, 9-10 AM, we will have childcare available at Derek and Lindsey Mills home and prayer at mine... (We live 5 houses down from each other). If you want to come and need directions or the address, email info at freechapelaustin dot com .
Come on down...Prayer is powerful!
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