Shine Family Fun Night
Enjoy a fun night out with parents and kids from Shine at Family Fun Night on Saturday, March 6th from 6:30-8:30pm at The Playground in Ankeny (by Outback Steakhouse). The Playground is an indoor bounce house, tree house, ball pit play facility for kids. The cost is $2 per child at the door. Kids through 5th grade are invited. Parents are free. Please sign up if you plan on coming so we can plan accordingly. Click here for a map to The Playground.
Safe Eyes
Safe Eyes is not only a filter but also has built in accountability reports just like x3watch. That’s one of the many reasons why Safe Eyes is the #1-rated Internet filtering software.
Covering 35 categories, Safe Eyes gives you the ability to tightly control access to specific types of websites, blocking your home and family from harmful content. Best of all, Safe Eyes works on both PC and Mac computers.
Harmful content is not only pervasive these days, it is INVASIVE. Therefore, a software filter is a must-have. Protect yourself and your family for less than 13 cents a day.
Safe Eyes Software Includes:
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Usage Logging - Create and review logs of websites visited, programs used on the Internet, and Instant Messaging Chats.
Usage Alerts - Be notified instantly via email, text message, or phone call when someone visits inappropriate websites.
Cost: $49
Boyd - February 2010
First impressions from Sant Marta
I wanted to share a few first impressions from Santa Marta, although I don’t have any photos on my computer in this moment to upload (The photo of El Rodadero above, near where we’re staying, is courtesy of somnoliento).
First, the people have been wonderful so far. The costeño (person from the coast) in general is known for being friendly and fun-loving. That has been our experience. We’ve had more conversations with strangers than you can imagine. The funniest was talking to a guy who must have had a few mental problems because he authoritatively talked about all of the Colombia soccer teams as if I were his best friend and knew all of them as well. The truth is I hardly know the names of all of the teams, let alone the best players in the history of the teams from Cali, Tolima, Bucaramanga, etc. He was with two other guys who were talking about soccer, and I counted about eight front teeth among the three.
Second, I have noticed very few Christian churches, at least on main streets. I wonder if this is because I haven’t traveled around much or if it’s because they are located on neighborhood streets. When I’ve told people that we want to start a new Christian church they tend to say something like, “Oh, okay,” and give me a look of pity or bewilderment perhaps. “Why would you want to start another one here when we already have a few? ” seems to be their thought process.
Third, living in Costa Rica a year was great preparation for the coast. The heat is similar, although it’s hotter here than in San Jose. The culture is also somewhat similar, although I would say that costeños here are easier to get to know than the Costa Ricans were. Holly and the kids are doing very well with all of the changes, for which I thank God.
Matthews - February 2010
A great season in ministry
For those in the frozen Tundra (The Northern US), to give you a warmer perspective on things. We are currently in the middle of the hot season here in Australia. It has been unseasonably humid, but February is generally hot every year. (30+ Celsius everyday) Also, this is the time of year when things start to ramp up in ministry opportunities. We would appreciate your prayers on many items that are on our plate at this time. It is exciting to be part of all that is going on in Sydney.
1. Start of City Bible Forum (We are on Facebook City Bible Forum, Sydney, become a fan) and great series. (Did Jesus Say That? , Journey with Jesus -A perspective from John, Ecclesiastes, Counterfeit gods,etc.) Please pray we can find a new and more accessible venue for Wednesday and Thursday. Please pray for a fruitful year of ministry. Pray for our expansion into Melbourne & Adelaide and continued growth in Perth & Brisbane.
2. Sydney Prayer Breakfast - I was asked to be on the board for a first in Sydney. I know there are many prayer breakfasts around the world, but this one is a first for Sydney. Andrew Scippione (Commissioner of the NSW police) will be our speaker. Good Christian man and a big event. More details and website to come.
3. Spiritual Leadership course- Glorious Hope Baptist will be a running a course for the next couple of months for our leaders. Based on the book by J. Oswald Saunders. I will be assisting with the running of the course. Please pray for the leaders for our church to rise up to the opportunities of our growing church.
4. Life of Jesus course and Bible reading groups – All of our new courses are beginning in the city. Pray for many non-Christians to come to these courses and for a fruitful ministry.
5. Urban Fight Club (Men’s ministry) – UFC gets started next week with a good Aussie BBQ. Looking ahead to the year and how we can serve the Lord.
6. Church plants- We could use your prayers on these opportunities. I will send details soon, but I will be in discussions with some key leaders in the city for two fellowship plants in the city, Sydney. We are asking for God’s wisdom in these exciting new ventures.
7. School- We are still homeschooling for this year, but we are considering putting our kids into a great school next year. Challenges are distance from where we live. Thanks for your prayers on this decision.Also, it is a new curriculum for the kids this year (School starts in January in Australia and it is year round). Pray for their adjustment to a web based learning system.
8. Caroline’s health – Caroline started Kindy this year and is excited about all things. She will be going into the pediatric cardiologist for a second opinion on some tissue growing over one end of her aortic valve that shouldn’t be there and if it continues to grow it could cause damage due to disrupting the flow of blood. Thanks for your prayers for Caroline.
9. Footy season begins- Josh will be playing AFL (Real football-check out the promotion on my Facebook page) again this year. pray for his adjustment and protection for the season. Also, we would be a testimony to the players and families who attend each week.
10. Hope and Becca turn 16- I think the prayers for the parents go without saying on this one. Two words – Drivers Licenses. Two more words – White hair. Actually, pray for the girls. They are amazing young ladies and have servants hearts for the Lord. Pray for them during these challenging teen years. Pray they would continue to be a witness for you and testimony of all He is doing in their lives.
Well…that was supposed to be a quick update. My apologies for the length. Please keep in touch with us through signing up for our monthly updates on our website, just enter you e-mail in the RSS feed box. Also, we are on Facebook. Sorry, Skype is not the best option to contact us.
I will finish with a story: a good friend was all excited about the year of talks in Sydney. He had brought a non-Christian friend to the talks. His friend had commented, “You all really focus on Jesus, don’t you?”My friend stated, “Now he is getting it!”
All praise and honour goes to Jesus. That is what we are on about here in Australia. There is much to be done and we look forward to what he has for us in the future. We appreciate your prayers and support.
The adventure continues…
The Matthews Family
Dangerous Journey
John Bunyan
Edited By: Oliver Hunkin
One of the best-known and best-loved stories in the English language, Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress is here retold in modern language for children ages 7 and up. Beautifully done full-color illustrations by Alan Parry appear on every page. This is a splendid introduction to a Christian classic! Large format hardcover, 126 pages, from Eerdmans.
The Peacemaker
Ken Sande
Conflict-resolution expert Ken Sande shows you how to help permenantly resolve disputes in your church. He takes you and your church members beyond quick fixes to true, life-changing reconciliation with family members, coworkers, and fellow believers.
The Purity Principle
Randy Alcorn
For thirty years Randy Alcorn has been encouraging people-young and old-to pursue the rewards of sexual purity. Too often we settle for a compromised Christianity that's just a baptized version of the world's sad existence, rather than the abundant life to which God calls us. This book deals with - raising children to embrace sexual purity - providing an example of purity in the home - protecting purity in dating (at any age) - and maintaining purity in marriage. Biblical, practical, and concise, The Purity Principle is a one-stop handbook for individuals, families and churches.
Sex Is Not the Problem (Lust Is)
Joshua Harris
Lust isn't just a guy problem – it's a human problem. And unless we honestly confront it, lust will destroy our relationships and our lives. Joshua Harris, author of the runaway bestseller I Kissed Dating Goodbye, calls a generation bombarded with images of sexual sin back to the freedom and joy of holiness. This "PG-rated" book – straightforward without being graphic – speaks to those entrenched in lust or just flirting with temptation. Honestly sharing his own struggles, Harris exposes lust's tactics and helps readers create a personal plan for fighting back. Men and women will find hope in God's grace and learn the secrets to lasting change.
Neither sex nor sexuality is our enemy. We need to rescue our sexuality from lust so we can experience it as God intended.
Bestselling author Joshua Harris shows you how lust deceives you. Specific and honest without being graphic, this book–for both men and women–will guide you in creating a custom plan for fighting lust and celebrating purity.
Come Walk with Me
Carole Mayhall
How can I become the godly woman I desire to be?
Are there things I can do to deepen my relationship with god?
What can I do to help other women mature spiritually?
Women are inherently relational; we naturally respond to people, particularly other women. Because of this, many of us learn best through a one-on-one mentoring relationship--such as the one described in Titus 2 ("...older woman...train the younger women...").
Yet countless numbers find it difficult to find a godly woman prepared to fill this role. That's why author Carole Mayhall has written Come Walk With Me: to stand in the gap as counselor and guide while you grow, and to teach how you, too, can assist younger Christian women in their spiritual walk. Carole's friendly, helpful advice will help you...
Review the crucial basics of the Christian faith
Fall more deeply in love with God as you learn about his love for you, discover the immeasurable value of the Bible and the purpose of prayer, and learn how studying God's Word in different ways can impact your life.
Dig into God's word
Find out which study methods work best for you! Choices include verse studies, personal applications, Scripture meditation, chapter studies, Scripture memorization, character studies, topical studies, and the use of prayer notebooks.
Apply Bible truths
Learn about obeying God, loving your husband and children, being self-controlled and pure, managing a household, and showing kindness (as described in Titus 2).
Pass on what you learn
Learn how to fulfill the biblical command to help other women grow in the Christian life.
Martin Luther: A Man Who Changed The World
Paul Maier
World class author Paul Maier teams up with artist Greg Copeland to produce a gorgeously done, historically accurate telling to Luther's story in a picture style book that young readers can handle and parents and older children can enjoy. A great way to introduce children to the story of the church and to teach them about salvation through Christ alone.