September 2011
97 posts
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The Seasons of Life →
Seasons are a natural part of life.
It’s something we learn at an early age.
Winter comes, bringing with it death and decay and hibernation. Trees are bare, flowers are non existent, and everything is covered in a layer of white. Unless you live in a paradise that doesn’t get snow. Winter’s barrenness then gives away to spring, with the return of new life. Flowers. Tree...
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Effective Business Card Design →
Your business card is an important tool to market your business. It provides potential and current clients with all your pertinent contact information in one location and allows you to keep your brand in front of them. It sticks with them. Most potential clients will hold onto your card, even if it’s just long enough to input your information into their computer’s address book.
A...
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Mountain Man: Success= Hard Work x Passion →
the-mountain-man:
I do my best to try and lead by my experiences, by working my ass off for something, or forcing myself into awkward situations and learning from it. However, I also make a ton of mistakes. Probably more then anyone I know.
So let’s talk about this morning’s 8 AM humbling…
Great post about what it truly takes to succeed!
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The Comparison Trap →
I have a confession to make: I am a compulsive comparer.
It doesn’t seem to matter what it is I’m doing, how well I’m doing it, or what blessings God pours into my life, I tend to compare myself with others.
He has a bigger ministry. She has a better job. That guy is in better shape. They have a nicer house. His car is cooler. She gets invited to speak more. They like him...
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Deeper: Do Everything for Him →
Every Tuesday, I publish a devotion for the Ignite Student Ministries blog. It is meant to help encourage, strengthen and challenge your faith. Below is an excerpt from this week’s devotion:
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17
We have this idea that doing...
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“We are so obsessed with doing that we have no time and no imagination left for...”
– Thomas Merton (via pheven)
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Back on Track
Last week, I kind of fell off the fitness wagon.
Due to a busy schedule, unexpected home repairs and a ton of meetings, I wasn’t able to eat as healthy as I had hoped. I ate out almost every day, consumed more calories than I should have and didn’t run nearly as enough as I needed. And I put on 2 pounds.
But I got back on track today.
Woke up early, lifted (back and shoulders!),...
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Seeking the Plan →
God’s plans unfold one step at a time.
Those words reached out across the sanctuary and smacked me in the face.
I know God’s plans are revealed one tiny piece at a time. I know that He never seems to roll out the blueprints and show us the details of what’s to come. I know walking His path means that every step, every move, every action we take is an act of faith that we...
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“To be nobody but yourself in a world that’s doing its best to make you somebody...”
– E. E. Cummings (via saddest-summer)
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Your Idea Person →
I love coming up with new ideas.
It might just be the Futuristic talent in me, but I get excited when it comes to brain storming, dreaming and imagining what could be. I’m always thinking, always dreaming, always imagining how things could be better. I’m up for throwing everything on the table, figuring out what works, what doesn’t work and what just plain sucks and trying...
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Tips for Increased Productivity →
In a world where smart phones give us access to email and the internet whenever we want it; where apps and web sites are launched regularly with the promise of getting us organized; where there are seminars and conferences about how to be more productive, it seems we’re still struggling to get stuff done.
The reason? Distractions.
No sooner do you sit down with the intention of...
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Weekly Update....
This hasn’t been the best week diet and workout wise. I have had a lot of unexpected projects I had to do around the house - like fixing a toilet that kept overflowing its tank and replacing the kitchen faucet after I broke the handle (in case you didn’t know, I am the Hulk and ripped it right off!). I thought the faucet would be an easy change, but it required a few trips to another...
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Consider it Pure Joy →
Sometimes, I think the apostle James was on crack.
Bold statement, I know. Who am I to accuse one of the original apostles, a man who helped shape and mold the early church, of doing drugs? But every time I read the book of James, every time my eyes try to stroll pass that second verse without taking it in, every time I’m in a trial and trying to find comfort, I can’t help but...
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“Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are...”
– Thomas Merton (via pheven)
Crazy Busy Night!
What a crazy night!
My kitchen faucet broke this morning, so I went and picked up a new one during lunch, got home and started to install it, as I had a meeting at 7. Before I even opened the box, I realized I had the wrong kind (I needed a 4 hole faucet, not 3). So I made the 15 mile drive back to Galesburg (where I work) to exchange it and buy a new one. I get it all mounted on the sink and...
Faith without deeds is dead, however, deeds not a...
thesojournerr:
Take notes, brethren.
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Deeper: Forgetting What is Behind →
“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14
Paul’s faith never ceases to amaze me.
Not only was he arguably the greatest of the apostles, spent his...
Forget the Plan...
Sometimes God has to interrupt your perfectly scheduled life to turn your day around. I didn’t do ANYTHING I had planned tonight. Instead, I went on a 13 mile bike ride, had to play Toilet Repair Man (I enjoy fixing things around the house. Even the toilet), and chatted with a blogging buddy of mine who has an amazing idea that I’m excited to see get off the ground.
To-do lists and...
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I Can Do All Things... →
There’s an often mis-quoted verse that God has been dropping in my heart lately:
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” — Philippians 4:13
I’m sure you know the verse. No matter what you are going through, no matter what situation, hardship, or obstacle, God will give you the strength to endure. He will help you achieve any dream, impact any...
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“Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person’s...”
– C.S.Lewis (via livetheword)
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Today was kind of rough
I spent the whole day alone, which isn’t always a bad thing. Every once in a while I need one of those “don’t see anyone and just do what I want” kind of days. But lately, they have been happening more and more.
I spend a lot of time alone…and not by choice.
Add to that the fact that I live in a bohunk little town in the middle of nowhere which has nothing for a...
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My Views on Sexuality
If you’re gay, you need God
If you’re a lesbian, you need God
If you’re asexual, you need God
If you’re bisexual, you need God
If you’re pansexual, you need God
If you’re straight, you need God
If you’re not sure, you need God
If you hate on somebody for their sexuality, you need God
Pretty much doesn’t matter what your sexuality, we all need God.
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That's Just Who I Am... →
“That’s just who I am.”
Those words came at me at a defense for the way a friend was acting. No apology for the blow up. No “pardon my language” for the string of cuss words that came spilling out. No making amends, no trying to maintain the relationship, no recognition that we are responsible for our attitudes and our actions.
Just an excuse. A...
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I think I ate...
…some of the apple seeds from the Affy Tapple.
So either I will grow an apple tree in my stomach or the poison in the seeds will slowly eat away my insides. Or I’ll be ok.
I think I’ll be ok.
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7 Components to a Successful Business Proposal →
Whether you work for a corporate conglomerate or just recently started your own freelance business, chances are at some point, you will need to prepare a proposal. A potential client contacted you about your products or services, are considering working with you, but want some details on what you charge and what you offer and you are left needing to prepare a professional proposal.
Google...
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Toby Keathley Photography →
Toby Keathley Photography is a donation-based photographer located in Farmersburg, Indiana who contacted me in need of an innovative and professional logo. I created a logo to include a lens image that was both modern and abstract while incorporating the blue found on his web site. We also designed and coded a Facebook Landing Tab and Profile Graphic to match and link to his new web site,...
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First Glass Advertisements →
First Glass, a full service glass repair and replacement shop located in Galesburg and Monmouth, Illinois, came to us in need of a marketing campaign for their Lifetime Chip Repair service. The campaign started with a bench advertisement declaring the value of this exclusive service. I kept the advertisement clean and simple, while following the company’s brand guidelines.
The campaign was...
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Fields Church Project →
Fields Church is a brand new church in Galesburg, Illinois who came to me in need of a brand identity that would portray an authentic, earthy feel geared towards broken and hurting people. Their desire is connect with people who do not like church, are far from God and are searching.
I started by creating their logo to include earthy and distressed colors, along with an eroded font, to give...
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Do Not Be Afraid →
The past few days, I’ve done a lot of reflecting on fear.
I’d like to tell you that I don’t struggle with fear at all. I’d like to say that I’ve conquered fear and never let it dictate what happens in my life. I’d like to tell you that I step out in faith and courage in every circumstance. I’d love to be able to say that I lean more towards faith than...
