2014 Benefit Dinner Video

Some 175 friends of FaithSearch gathered for our annual Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction on May 17.

Last year it took me nearly a year to edit and post the video from our Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction. This year, having learned from last year’s experience, and equipped with the right tools, it was a much easier process. I was able to edit and post the video after only two months! If you were unable to attend or would like to experience it again, you can see it on our Web site.

Although I have learned efficiency with these tools, it seems there is always something that goes wrong. This year, it was the audio recording of the house sound: it didn’t happen as expected. As such, the video uses only the on-camera audio, which is dominated by my laughing and other reactions, since, as operator, I was the one standing closest to the camera’s microphone. Sigh. Continue reading

2014 Benefit Dinner Blessings

FaithSearch Board chair Fred Bills prayed for the staff at the conclusion of the 2014 Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction.

FaithSearch Board chair Fred Bills prayed for the staff and gifts at the conclusion of the 2014 Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction.

Nearly 175 friends of FaithSearch gathered at Grace Church in Eden Prairie, MN, on May 17, for our annual Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction. The event raised funds for the continuation of our ministry of proclaiming the Gospel with evidence to all peoples everywhere.

After months of preparation, the event went off without a hitch (well, maybe only a couple of them) and proved to be a very successful, entertaining, and enlightening evening. Michael Pearce Donley provided musical entertainment and kept the evening moving as emcee. The theme of the evening, “As You Say… LORD!,” played out well, through table decorations and the presentations, including the host’s composing a new verse for the theme of TV’s Andy Griffith Show.

No sooner was the event concluded that we began planning for next year’s event. We hope to see you there!

Shut Out of Heaven?

The run up to our annual Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction is always a very hectic time here at FaithSearch—so much so that my co-laborers have often heard me lament that it is my least favorite time of the year. It is also a very important time of the year, as the event enables a large part of our ministry budget. It also celebrates highlights of the ministry year and anticipates another year of active service in the mission God has called us to: “Proclaiming the Gospel with Evidence to All Peoples Everywhere.”

As they say, “No pressure.” Right!

As I was preparing to lead staff devotions on Wednesday, I happened to read a devotional by Charles Spurgeon, based on 1 John 4:13. Spurgeon was a nineteenth century pastor in London, known as the “Prince of Preachers.” He was also a prolific writer.

This devotional focuses on John’s discussion of love, as in “God is love” and draws out the argument that we “abide in Him.” (Read the complete devotional.)

Spurgeon Quote

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A BLAST, from the Past!

“A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….”

Rick and Neil at MSP

Rick and Neil at MSP… What a couple of old codgers!

Well, actually, it was in this galaxy; and it was in about 1975, so it was not really that long ago.

After high school, I worked for a few years before attending college. One of my old friends from school (Neil) happened to be in town one day in the summer of 1975, home from university. He happened to look me up, and happened to find me at home. When he unexpectedly knocked on my door, he found that I was a miserable mess, having recently experienced some severe interpersonal relationship distress.

The rest, as they say, is history. Continue reading

Spring Break in Texas

Corpus Christi Surf

Enjoy the Corpus Christi Surf, at least five minutes worth!

My wife and I noticed that spring break for her teaching job coincided with our daughter’s break from graduate school. So we packed up the car and headed to Denton, Texas. While there (it was a WONDERFUL time, by the way) we drove a bit deeper into the heart of Texas, all the way to Corpus Christi, on the Gulf Coast.

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