Check In

We have a friend that has encouraged people to think about using social media as a tool to reach those who do not know Christ.

Some people shy away from social media. Some say it is a waste of time and isn't that helpful. While I would agree that it can be a major time sink. I would encourage people to think about the positive influence and the possible witness it can be.

Take last Sunday for instance. I forgot my phone at home and wasn't able to check us in at church through Facebook. So I asked Brandon for his phone and checked us in through his Facebook account.

Because I used his account the 'Check In' at McKinnon Reformed Presbyterian Church was visible to some of his work buddies that I am not friends with, on Facebook that is not in real life :-)

One guy in particular saw it. The following day at work he told Brandon that he saw we had checked into church. He then said that he only lives two blocks from the church. Brandon invited him to join us, even if it was just for morning tea. He said he would think about it. The guy didn't come this week but you never know. He now knows there is a church, with friends attending, that it is only two blocks away from his house.

It has been encouraging to see a friend notice. You never know who is reading your status. And who might be just around the corner when you check in.

Just another opportunity to gently introduce our Christian worldview to others.

Speak clearly and with lots of explanation.

I continue to realize as I teach the kids at home that I need to speak clearly and explain, lots.

Take today for example. I told Jolene to go play her songs (piano music) two times each.

Sometime later she comes into the kitchen crying. She said she couldn't play all of them. I told it was only four songs and that it shouldn't be that big of a deal. J then said through tears and wailing that she couldn't play through the whole book.

I stared for a minute and then asked her to repeat herself. 

Me: "Did you say the whole book?"
J:"Yes"
Me: "Oh Jolene, I just meant the songs that Daddy has taught you."
J: "I didn't know that!"

Tonight I was talking to Brandon in the back room and glanced over at the piano book. It was on page 34. She had tried to play through 34 pages of music. Only four of which she actually knew.

I feel really bad now.  So yes, I need to improve on the explaining.

Working for Free

Brandon here. I posted this to facebook, and I don't usually write on this blog (thanks Meg, for keeping it up to date), but I think this is an important topic and worth spreading to a wider audience.

LINK

Here's an article churches should consider when it comes to employing their own on a pro-bono basis. Church web-designers, clerks, bathroom cleaning volunteers, graphic designers, secretaries etc. often delight in serving for free (and many wouldn't have it any other way). However they can often feel overlooked, taken for granted and taken advantage of when no mention or thought is given to any compensation for their time and talents which they could easily be exerting elsewhere for monetary gain. "Whoever wishes to become great among you must become the servant of all" should be paired along with "the worker is worth his wages."

Ideas please

We would like to have an Elder family reunion when we are in the States next US summer. I need some ideas for places that could accommodate around 22 people. It also has to be wheelchair accessible, so no camping.

What do large families do when they all want to hang out for a few days together?

Ideas are welcome.

Note: I am looking into renting a vacation house. A tedious job when trying to find something that will sleep 22 people, is wheelchair accessible and doesn't cost a gazillion dollars. So far the trend seems to be that the bigger the house is the fancier and more expensive it becomes. We really doesn't need a Victorian themed house or one with a castle turret for that matter.

As a family we are not that picky. Some beds, toilets, showers and a place to hang is all we need.

Made in the AUS

I was listening to talk radio today on the way home from Anglesea. They were talking about Australian industry and whether or not there should be laws regulating the purchase of goods/materials outside of Australia. I do not know much on this issue. It was interesting listening to the host state a few facts concerning Australian laws. 

1. 55% of all TV shows shown by stations must be Australian between the hours of 6pm and 12am. This explains why there are so many horrible shows on TV. Home and Away anyone?

2. 20% of all songs played by radio stations must be Australian. Thank goodness the indie and folk scenes are doing so well over here.

So the radio host was saying we already have restrictions on TV and radio why not on industry as well? He did say that quality should not be sacrificed when choosing Australian.

I suppose having grown up in the States we are not used to these sorts of rules. We are the ones that everyone else is trying to reign in. I suppose if the States stopped making shows/songs/movies people liked it wouldn't be such a problem. Not that I agree with everyone's taste.