As a part of the worship ministry in our Church, I screen the songs that we sing, musically and theologically. Planetshakers have a good selection of songs in their albums. Same goes to Israel Houghton, who has a great voice singing praise to the Lord. And I just love it when God’s children gives out their best to worship and praise Him.

And… they’re coming here in the Philippines to have a worship concert! Planetshakers and Israel Houghton & New Breed will have a back to back worship concert this coming April 21, 2012 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. And I really hope I would be able to come to that worship concert.

For more information, visit BMI’s website here.

Would love to greet you all a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.
God bless!

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. – 2 Cor. 13:14

Image: Aleksandr Kutsayev / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I’ve been experimenting (even currently involved) in ministries that takes advantage of technology (the internet and computers at least). And hopefully, I could also use this to reach more.

Just a short burst of thought. I’m just pumped up!

God bless.

On my last post, I stated the reason why I want to record our Church services and put it online. And with the experience earlier, I think it only means there are a lot of ways to make it happen (not just watching a recorded Sunday message, but interacting with other Christians).

Some may argue that the Church should be “physical”. And I do agree with that. But we can’t set aside the fact that there are a lot of Christians (for me, Filipino Christians) who are scattered around the globe who wants to interact/have fellowship with/grow with Christians from the same place they came from. And I do think using the internet is a great way to accomplish this.

Basically, with Skype, the host should have a premium account in order to host a group video chat. However, there are still other alternatives in doing this. One that comes to my mind is Google Plus which will also allow for a 10 member video chat (they call it Hang Out), and that would be free. All you need is a Google account and access to Google Plus (if you don’t have a Google Plus access, send me a message. NOTE: you need a Google Account – like gmai l- to get access).

Here is a screenshot I took while we were talking, the other is a excerpt video Mike recorded.

Online Bible Study Group test from Mike Wendland on Vimeo.

Note: Whether you agree or disagree on the system of an Online Church, I think “connecting” with other Christians via internet is not a bad thing.

One of my goal in our Church is to record our weekend services. There’s a few reason why I am pushing it.

Reach more audience by making it available in the internet.

There’s a lot of Filipino Christians all over the world who doesn’t have an opportunity to join or attend a local Church due to language barriers, geographical, political, and other reasons. If they can have access to messages (in Filipino language, Filipino context), they would be able to continue growing as Christians. There are very few Filipino Church that has their weekend messages available online.

Make it available for local Church members.

Making it available for the local Church members will enable them to review the messages. It’s a fact that a person won’t be able to absorb everything that had been said in a 40 – 60 minute message unless they hear it again (multiple times).

Personal development of the preacher.

I have already recorded a few of my messages (audio only) and found out I am using words that is a bit awkward when used in the pulpit. I was able to record one message in video and found out that I move a lot when I preach. Being able to review my messages enables me to develop that message, build new messages as a supplement to that message, see mannerisms that should be avoided (both in action and in words) or have someone else review it for constructive criticism.

Would it encourage members not to attend weekend services anymore since they can get a hold of last Sunday’s message in audio or video format? I don’t think so. Looking at the Churches who are already doing this, their weekly attendance is continually growing. Used properly, recording weekend services and making it available online/media would serve as a way to invite more people to come to a local Church every Sunday.

Our Church’s Recorded Weekend Services

As I’ve said, I was able to record a few messages from our Church (both from me and our Pastor) in audio format. I’ve already made it available in our Church’s website. Last August 14, I was able to record my message in our Youth Service in video and already made it available online. That was my first attempt and there are a lot of things that can be improved (primarily the audio).

What’s my point?

I was able to do the recording using an old laptop (our Church’s laptop), an ordinary webcam (donated by a friend). and a free software for capture (Adobe Flash Media Live Encoder). I was able to upload it to a free online video service where you can view the message or embed it to websites. Therefore, for starters and Churches who doesn’t have the budget to buy high end cameras, computers, video hosting providers, software, etc, there is still a way to achieve it.

Not all might be interested doing this. But I would like to encourage Churches (whether big or small) to try it. I believe we should take advantage of the technology we have for the greater advancement of the Gospel.

On the upcoming post, I’ll share how I was able to record one of our messages without spending too much.

Change is inevitable.

I did heard that phrase a lot of times. So what? Starting this August, this website’s focus will change from just sharing my life experiences about anything to reflections about God, Bible, life and other stuff.

So what will be different?

Instead of posting random, disorganized, nonsense posts, I will be writing about my personal (hopefully daily) Bible reflections, ministry reflections, leadership reflections, life reflections and even reflections about technology. It differs because I won’t just be posting “anything just so I have a post” but will post something that had a real impact in my life.

Am I going religious?

If that’s how you say it, then that’s it. But let me explain a bit. I am a “Born Again” Christian. I studied in a seminary. I am currently the head of our Church’s Christian Education Department. I lead a small group every Saturday evening. I preach, teach, share the Word of God. Isn’t it logical to put this website on the same track I am walking? I want to be a “practicing” Christian (a Christian who actively practices his faith). And no, I will never be ashamed of the Gospel that God has given me!

What about the readers?

History tells us that not everybody accepted Jesus Christ. History tells us that the world had been hostile to people who actively voice out and practice their faith. If you still want to read this blog, I’d be glad that you did. If you decided not to anymore, I would understand your side. But I do really hope that you’d give a chance to read and “reflect” on your own the things that you will read here (at least the posts that will come after this).

Goodbye Google Ads?

Nope, they’ll stay there.

Preparations

In line with this change. I’ve already changed my tagline. I am also changing the category of this blog on some blogging network from Personal Blog to Religious Blog. I might change the template (currently looking at some). I am also compiling articles, devotions, preaching, etc.. I’ve done before.

Disclaimers

Just to note, I am not an expert theological, expert preacher, expert Church leader, etc… I’m just a simple Christian longing to serve an extraordinary God.

Thanks for dropping by Marvin’s Place. This change is part of my growth as a Christian and a servant of Christ.

God bless you.

See you (hopefully) on my next post.

Image: porbital / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

So what’s happening?

• Wife’s back to school, as a teacher. She taught at our Church’s pre school for three years before. Then she stopped to take some professional education units (in preparation for teacher’s licensure exa). Now, she’s teaching again (three levels almost 30 students all in all). It’s a full time job for her.
• My son will go back to school also. He’ll be on the kindergarten level now. New school for him (since my wife will be teaching on my son’s former school, so just to avoid any issues/conflict of interest, we moved him to a different school). New environment for him. New teacher, new classmates.
• I’m the house-band (husband staying in the house). Since I haven’t found any work yet (there’s an offer, still praying), I am the one staying at home. I will be the one responsible for preparing my son for school, bring lunch to wife (school’s just walking distance from our house), and take care of our small store.
• And since I am in the house, I am also spending time in a “project” we started (with some of my friends). It will be a community website for Christians that have no opportunity to join a local Church (and even if they have a Church but want to extend their community and help out others). There’s still a lot of work to be done. Currently, we’re laying down the foundations and at the same time, I am talking to some people that is willing to be contributors for the website. It’s even possible (still praying) that we will be able to partner up with a Christian magazine.
• I was also able to start a small group for our Christian Education department. I’m taking it as training for our teachers and other workers in our Church.

BTW, I’m glad I was able to change our Church website’s (http://libertypresbyterian.org) theme. I find the new theme more suitable for a semi-static website (the former theme was a magazine template that requires more frequent content updates). Please check it out and share any feedback.

That’s about it. I might post more updates regarding “the project” soon once we’ve finalized some stuff.

Image: nuttakit / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A few days ago, there was a storm that hit our place and the temperature again dropped. And as usual, she felt the temperature change. Wet season might come in a few months now (or might not, weather’s really weird) and I’m already thinking on how to help my wife with her ‘cold weather’ issues. We could buy a few stuff (if money allows) like a thicker blanket or thermal clothes. Anything that would give her warmth. Or I could also just embrace her and let my love give her warmth for the night.

In any ways, everybody feels some sort of ‘coldness’ in our lives, literary or emotionally. But it is a good thing that there’s always someone out there that could give us warmth. Most importantly, there is a God that continually gives us a warming love even if we keep on getting back to the cold.

Well, it’s still summer and I hope we would be able to save some money to buy some warmers. It’s never bad to prepare early.

Cheers.

We have a son and he is 4 years old. We always want to buy him boy’s sandals. My wife usually spot some good ones but the problem is, we can’t buy it because we’re not sure if it will fit my son’s foot. We don’t want to buy something only to learn that it won’t fit. One time, what we did is (as what some usually do here in the Philippines) to trace my son’s foot on a paper and use it as a template in choosing the right size for him. Unfortunately, it isn’t really accurate. We missed a few millimeters and I’m glad we chose a ‘bigger’ one.

I just recently saw this video. It’s quite amazing that there are already online store that have that kind of idea. I am not sure how accurate their results are, but I think it was a nice move for that company to make sure that the footwear their customer will receive will fit. It’s also a ‘very’ thorough step by step guide.

Reflecting a bit on this, our life is not a ‘one size fits it all’. We can’t just ‘assume’. We have to make sure that what we are doing will really ‘fit’ what we are designed to do. And just like looking for the right shoe or sandals for you or your child, most of the times, you have to try out a few before you find the right one.

Cheers.

My problem is, I have some books that I want to read and use in our ministry, but I have to keep it somewhere away from the computer. It is somewhat hidden so I usually forget that there is a book that I need to read.

I’m really thinking of getting an etagere where I can place those things that I need easy access. Like a few books, magazines, or properly display our family picture (etagere is a piece of furniture consisting of a set of open shelves for displaying small objects and sometimes having an enclosed cabinet as a base).

And while writing this, I just came to reflection that sometimes, the mess we have in our lives can be resolved if we just put the right thing on the right place. We tend to overcrowd ourselves with a lot of things and we forget which one we are going to prioritize.

So, now back to planning the best way to organize my stuff. Hmmnn, do we also need a bathroom etagere?

Cheers.