Tory Farina

Elizabeths Big Give

Elizabeth gave a huge gift this at Sunday as she cut 11 inches of her lushes brown hair off and gave it to those who were without hair due to sickness. She talked about how we can be creative in our giving and give out of the normal everyday things we have. Enjoy the video...

Plagued by CSED

We just finished connection group and now I am sitting down to finish my message. I am talking about how going green is good vertical... in the things we do. But truly Going Green should draw us into a horizontal expression of worship to God. A few days ago we were enjoying the warmth and the green was about to show. Now we have had blizzard conditions and ice and cold and I am suffering from CSED- creative seasonal effective disorder. I need green and sun and warmth and God to shine his creative grace on me. It took me a couple days to figure out why I was having a creative drought. Now that I realize it i am thinking and dreaming about next week.  60's, fresh grass growing, animals coming out and frolicking, people outside all of it sounds so inviting.

I see in nature a physical expression of something that God is trying to show us spiritually. Like the transition from winter to spring is the transition from a heart out of worshipful connectivity with God and a heart responding to the Son and his glory. The grass reaches to the sky to catch the life giving sun and right now my soul is trying to reach out to God.Look through the bible and notice how many times it says that nature or creation responds to God. The trees clap their hands, the stones will cry out, the stars proclaim the glory of God. Nature is in a constant state of worship. We are apart of nature but I think we can find ourselves effected by so many things that worship is really not a constant in our life.

This week as the snow melts and the grass greens lets respond to the glory of God... Get in his creation and call out to the lord, Pray, sing, lift your hands, laugh, cry, shout for Joy, make a cheer Do something to respond to the glory of God.

You may feel far from God... he is not far from you. You may feel tired or worn out... He refreshes. You may feel like life has beat you down... He wants to give you a new life.

Live Green... Worship God.

On Mission

Dan Kimball describes the “missional church” as a body of people sent on a mission who gather in community for worship, encouragement, and teaching from the Word that supplements what they are feeding themselves throughout the week. A place where we encourage people to live in "the way of Jesus" -- sacrificially living for him and others and adopting a missionary stance in relation to our culture.

In other words, a missional church will see themselves as a community or family on a mission together.- Paul Stewart

High Point is about inspiring people to discover their Potential.

I often get the impression that people are wanting church to be a place that they can just come check it off there to do list and maybe see a friend or two while there and then go on with life without getting involved. High Point is not that kind of church.

We are a family who has responsibility and opportunity to partner together In a great mission. We are a group who take the mission of Discovering Christ Seriously and who are willing to leverage all we are to help people discover their potential which ultimately means discovering Christ but also entails deliverance from addictions, stronger relationships and a more fulfilling life. You and I are equally responsible for reaching this community. I have a sphere of influence and so do you... it is our job to live a life "in the way of Jesus" And to help others discover Him in there life.

We are all on mission.

ENTEROUGE OR IMAIL?

This may mean nothing to most of you but it is on my mind so since this is a blog about what I think about then you can enjoy.

I switched to a Mac at Christmas time. I know it doesn't feel that new to me either. I spend a ton of hours a week at my Computer every week. Probably more time than any other thing I do. I write and study and blog from my computer. I was so fed up with Microsoft I had to make a change. Along came MAC... the best hardware I have ever used and the software is just simpler. I cant totally make sense of it but it just makes my life easier.

The funny thing is that because Mac controls such a small piece of the computer pie Microsoft makes an Office version for the MAC. It is definitely not there prized child and has some quirks along with a hefty price tag for the new 2008 full version. In years past you could get a multi license of home/teacher/student with exchange server support. Awesome! for what we do that works great. We have 3 macs and it makes sense. This year with the new software release I was surprised to find out that now the home/student/teacher version has no exchange support. I am stuck having to buy full versions for 3 computers if I want to run Microsoft. It runs retail about $400 per license. Which brings me to the point of this post.

Mac comes with imail and Imail has exchange support. Hello! All of the mac Iworks software works with Microsoft and can be exported into Microsoft for $99 for 3 licenses. So right now I am testing out using iMail instead of entourage. If it works Microsoft just lost a ton of money from me. If it doesn't... I am trying to get copies from MICROSOFT employees and if that doesn't work... I may not upgrade to the new software until I absolutely have to.

There is a cost to doing business but for a non-profit or a small business it is hard to afford all of the software that one needs to do business. I have decided to be ethical in our software purchases but to try and do it the most cost effective way possible.

So pray Imail is all that it is cracked up to be. So far I like it... but I am noticing some quirks.

On another note... Check out the new Hillsong United Album! HOT!

Going Green Saves a lot of GREEN...

I am trying to encourage you to be a better steward with your environment. I also hope to help you be a better steward with your pocketbook. Going green often can save you money in the long run. Take a look at what Prestonwood Church came up with and how it has effected their Green. They saved so much money with the savings they launched a second campus. A church exists where one had not because they saved GREEN. What if you gave your savings to God? How many more people could be reached with his love, touched by his spirit and needs met?

      Prestonwood Energy Conservation Program 

In following Jesus’ command to his disciples in John 6:12, “…… Let nothing be wasted,”
we implemented an Energy Conservation Program in July 2006. By doing so, we’re not
only being good stewards of our church’s energy use, we are saving money that is then
used for ministry work. Since then, we have saved more than $1.5 million. (Updated
March 2008)

Although we were always energy conscious, we began looking at everything at
Prestonwood that uses energy – electricity, natural gas, water and sewer – and developed
a plan to use it in the most efficient way possible. 

• Implemented software program that tracks energy usage 
• Installed approximately 300 compact florescent light bulbs in office desk and
table lamps throughout the church
• Installed approximately 140 motion light sensors in bathrooms, meeting rooms
and offices throughout the church
• De-lamped 22 beverage vending machines
• Installed timers on 22 beverage machines to limit the compressors
• Disconnected the water cooler compressors from running during the fall and
winter season
• Installed a well and pump to fill the lake north of the Upper School without using
city water
• Installed timers on all kiosk units throughout the church to limit the lighting each
day
• Installed timers on all interior Christmas light displays so that lighting was limited
during the holiday season
• Installed 28 Weathermatic Irrigation Controllers to more efficiently irrigate the
500 irrigation zones around the church and Prestonwood Christian Academy
(These intelligent controllers determine on a daily basis how much water is
needed to keep the grounds appropriately irrigated, thereby eliminating
over/under watering.)
• Converted Time Clocks from Mechanical to Digital Astrological on several
Exterior Lighting zones, the Prayer Garden, and Lake Fountain
• Hold seminars and classes for members and guests to learn how they can be
energy efficient at home

We continue to tweak our plan regularly, always looking for additional ways to
conserve energy.

Notes from sunday

I wanted to give you access to mu notes from Sunday. I realized today as i was about to post that I didn't have all of the sources that I used on the document. I will work on adding that to my notes in the future.

Download waste_management_wk2_web.doc

Our wake of waste is a direct reflection of our fallen state away from Gods ideal and best. I wonder what it would be like to want for nothing? I think about the Garden State and wonder how advertisers would sell anything.
"You cant get a girl unless you use this body spray."

"drive this car and you will get the corner office."

"Eat this sandwich and your boss will like your presentation."

"Drink this Soft Drink and you will be lean and athletic like this athlete."

"No thanks I am satisfied... I have more than I NEED."

What a thought? Our pre-fallen, in the garden with God and Adam, state was this way and our post-fallen, sin having separated us from God, state will be this way. I can not fully grasp what that would actually be like. We will live and have meaning and a job like Adam did, we will just do it from a different motivation. That messes with me in a good way.

Ever thought about how loud Heaven will be?

Revelation 7
9After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10And they cried out in a loud voice:
   "Salvation belongs to our God,
   who sits on the throne,
   and to the Lamb." 11All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12saying:
   "Amen!
   Praise and glory
   and wisdom and thanks and honor
   and power and strength
   be to our God for ever and ever.
   Amen!"

That is going to be one loud worship service. Billions of people lifting their voice praising God! WOW! Sunday is just a foretaste of the great worship environment Heaven will be. Come ready to worship Sunday...

Practice right now... put on some music or go for a walk or lay on the floor and just thank God... Make a list of things that he has done in your life. Love him like he were sitting in the room (he is). Praise Him, Love Him, Honer Him and let his presence soak you like a warm bath. Feel his love and acceptance. If you feel strange tell him about it. If you feel sad explain it to him. If you feel happy, Let it out. Let your Praise Ring out and know that He is pleased. Sunday is going to be a sweet time.

I saw life...

I was walking the dog praying about this weeks message and it happened. I saw under the leaves and grim and gross that has covered the earth a little green sprout! We are going to see spring!

What a statement to Gods glory. I am working on this for Sunday but let me work it out with you now. Nature responds to the sun. Its rays bring warmth and life. Plants rise out of the earth to meet the sun and to receive the necessary light to start photosynthesis. Which then produces oxygen and gives air for the animals and us to breath. Marvelous!

What a natural statement to the way God works... We are to catch the son's raise and be lifted out of our muck and mire and gross situations and worship God. When we are worshiping and communing with God he is transforming us and our by product... is the fruit of the spirit...

God has called us to worship Him (Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit). To stretch our hands out, clap our hands, lift our voices, write and declare his glory and wonder, Make a joy filled noise. To respond to Him and intern experience His sustenance.

We are intended for His pleasure to make Him happy. Nature does this on a day in day out basis. Creation exists to bring God pleasure... animals and plants don't have a choice in the matter. But We humans do.

On the surface the very fact that we breath and have such complexity to us point to the Goodness and Glory of God. The way we live and the way we think and the way we can choose to connect with God or we can wander through life with little connection speaks to our independence. You and I choose to worship God or go about life with our heads down and miss God. Others make another choice... they actually worship the wrong thing. They make there own Gods up and worship the trees, money, people, or themselves.

My challenge is to call us to Worship God like never before. This week I want us to look at the opening up of creation and nature to the sun and envision ourselves opening up to our God in a similar fashion. Maybe write your prayers and thoughts down to God, Sit in a nature spot and thank God, Walk in the warm weather, Listen to the birds chirp and imagine it as a concert of prayer to God. Whatever you do Connect in worship to God. When you do you will see life as well... in you.

Water...

I wanted to give you a link to an article in Fast Company that I used on Sunday about water.

Watch your Wake of Waste...

I really worked hard on this last message. It is a topic that I have never heard taught on and one that I was especially challenged by. I hope that is came across well.

Waste management is a difficult challenge. someone said i have never prayed, "Lord help me waste less." I think it is a good and proper thing to pray. Like at the harbor when you bring your boat in there are signs... "Watch your wake" we have a wake of waste and must watch ourselves from getting out of control.

What are things that we can do to minimize our WAKE of WASTE?

Water Conservation:

• spend less time in the shower
• Set your hot water heater to a lower setting
• replace shower heads with water reducing heads
• older toilets use more water than newer ones and a kit can be purchased to use less water
• check for leaks from the tank and the bowl of your toilet.
• Fully load your dishwasher and clothes washer instead of running more smaller loads
• Stop pre-rinsing dishes... See if your dishwasher can handle it
• Use reusable water bottles such as Nalgeene

Electricity Conservation:

• Request an energy audit to see if there are leeks in your walls
• Turn of lights in rooms you are not using
• Use rechargeable batteries
• Do things manually instead of electrical... such as a can opener
• Use florescent or Led bulbs
• Close doors to the house as well as the refrigerator
• if building a new house look into thermal heating and cooling

Cars:

• Turn the car off when Idling
• Car pool
• Walk into the bank, coffee shop or fast food restaurant
• Look for cars that get a good mile per gallon rating
• buy for the size car you need... super sized isn't always better
• keep tires fully inflated and the engine tuned to maximize fuel efficiency

Other Ideas:

• Give electronics that are still working away
• start a compost pile of all your organic waste
• recycle
• add insulation to home
• use recycled materials
• Use less of what you are already consuming
• use reusable products first
• bring your own cup to the coffee shop or use a reusable one of theirs

Green Websites:
creationcare.org
green.yahoo.com
xcelevision.com
Treehugger.com
ourearth.org 
geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/4990/
thegreenguide.com
enginesoff.blogspot.com/
earth911.org 

I hope that this is helpful. If each one of use looks for a way to make a difference we will together make a massive change in the world.