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Make a Stand & Share The Message of Christ!

Since our last catalog, I have personally taken hundreds of calls from customers who have tearfully recounted how God used the message of a print to minister to them. Those calls are humbling because we are merely the vessel and I am so honored at what He chooses to do with us and pour through us.

I do, however, have a concern. I’m concerned that many of our churches, Christian bookstores and average Christians are shying away from pure presentations of the Gospel. I’m continually given several rationales that go like this: “I don’t want to offend my neighbors when they come over” or “People will think I am narrow minded”. The saddest statement of all came from a bookstore owner that did not want to carry a print of Christ because “people who put that up on their wall actually have to believe this stuff”. Absolutely. Yes! That’s the point. We really do believe “this stuff” – the Message that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to live and die for me making the way for me to be forgiven of my sins, reconciled to God and guaranteed of eternal life with Him. I personally believe it with all my heart, soul and being. And why? BECAUSE IT’S TRUE. True for me and equally true for you.

It is not the “Legend of Jesus” that we believe. It is not the “Story of the Cross” that we remember at Easter. It is Truth. It is the life, death & Resurrection of the very Son of God – the ONLY Savior and Lord. He is inescapable. Many may choose to mock Him or ignore Him but the Bible promises a day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess “Jesus is Lord”. Let no one deceive you, the Message of Christ is not a fable or a hope… it is the Truth. And we all need to start acting like it.

My encouragement then is to make a stand. Make a stand in your lives, in your purchases, in your family and in your home. Surround yourself with the Message of Christ and be not ashamed to present that Message to friends, neighbors, co-workers, repair men, delivery drivers and even the various wacky cults that come knocking on the door. Let your home, office, work, and school proclaim loudly from the walls the Message of Christ and that you are not ashamed of the Gospel.

Posted on September 6, 2010 2:32 PM

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Thanking God Everyday

Far too often do we only reach out to God when we need or want something. "Lord, please help me pay my bills." As a child I remember praying for God to allow me to win my games. There is of course is nothing wrong with asking for anything from God as Luke 1:19 says ""So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." However, prayer with God does now always need to be a 911 call, a 411 call is equally as welcomed.

Spending time with God is so important for spiritual health. We can't continue to live in the world, and expect to have a close relationship with Christ.

As we go about our lives we are constantly blessed. Did you eat today? Did you have a place to sleep? Thank God for what you have. Let Him know that you are his child, and witness his blessings in your life. Begin to thank Him for everything in your day. You will be so surprised at how long you can go on thanking Him for everything in your life. In my prayer journal, I like to list 5 things that I am thankful for everyday. This also keeps me on alert throughout my day to see His blessings all around.

By remembering to both Thank God and let Him know your prayer needs, you will begin to see God's presence ever more clear in your life.

Print : Lord, Teach Us to Pray by Ron DiCianni
Click here to buy the fine art print

Posted on July 28, 2010 10:33 AM

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Read The Bible in One Year

Have you ever read The Bible in one year? Have you ever wanted to? I have attempted to do this with many new year's resolutions, but have given up at some point. However, I still dream of a world where everyone that I come across with will have read the Bible each day. Can you imagine how wonderful this would be?

Recently I found a tool online and thought it would be a good idea to share with the Tapestry Productions family. I have been using this to help get me back on track. On CBN's website they have a service that will email you everyday with a passage to read. This is a part of their online Bible service that is completely free.

Recently, we discussed how to set up your own devotional space. Remember to follow those tips while you read the Word.

It is also a good idea to read the passages from a study Bible. Many time in our lives we visit the same passages over and over, and begin to skim over the true meanings. By reading these passages with a new perspective, you may be given new insights into the nature of the passage.

To learn more or to sign up for the emails, please visit http://bible.cbn.com

Posted on July 6, 2010 3:42 PM

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The ABC's of Salvation

This past Sunday, my pastor helped remind us of a simple Sunday school lesson that many of us have been taught, the ABC's of salvation: Admit, Believe, Confess. This simple little lesson is what many new believers and those who have not committed their life to Christ need to hear.

I have heard it too many times; my friends who I take church say "sure, I would like to be a Christian, I would like to be saved, but there are too many rules." This happens when they hear a message about everything that need to cut out of their life. But this is not what being a Christian is all about. Being a Christian is your relationship with Jesus Christ as your personal savior, and living your life for Him!

The ABC's of salvation are
1. Admit:
Admit that you are sinner and that you can not free yourself.
Rom 3:23

2. Believe :
Believe that Jesus Christ died for you.
Luke 5:32

3. Confess:
Confess that Christ is Lord and your only way to Salvation.
Acts 19:18

It really is that simple to start your new life. Becoming a Christian is something that you can do right now! When you go through life with Christ by your side, you are not afraid of the challenges that face you. And the best part is that at the end of this life, you will spend eternity in his presence.

Posted on June 28, 2010 9:42 AM

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Evangelism on The Internet

The internet today has to grown to play enormous role in our daily lives. Everyday over 1 billion people access the internet for everything from social networking to shopping. Many Christians have embraced the internet and have been able to use its power to reach an amazing amount of people. However, in the Christian community, there still remains the idea that the internet is the devil's playground, full of sinful websites.

In this day in age, we need to use the internet to carry out our calling. Can you think of a greater way to reach the world than the world wide web? Each person who uses the internet has a great opportunity to share their faith with the world, and bring those who can connect with them to Christ.

Here are some of the online evangelism ideas from OurChruch.com from their recent, 20 Ways to Share Your Faith Online series:

1. Use your Facebook to share your faith
They suggest posting Bible verses and devotional thoughts on your page for your friends to see. You can also comment on group or friend's posts with appropriate Christian resources.

2. Starting a Blog
Blogs are free and easy to create and generally come up pretty well in search engines. Everyday people search for answers to all sorts of questions from divorce to parenting. If you share your thoughts from a Christian perspective on the subject, imagine the impact that you can have on someone's life.

3. Post Videos
Many churches today have embraced digital technology and have begun to post videos of their sermons. Post these videos on your Facebook profiles, blogs, and anywhere else you can think of. If you church has not been able to post videos yet, help them. YouTube is completely free and easy to use.

You can view the entire series on 20 Ways to Share Your Faith Online on OurChurch.com's blog blog.ourchurch.com, or Click Here.

Posted on June 22, 2010 10:27 AM

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How To Set Up Your Own Devotional Space

So often we run around day to day without spending time with God. One way that I have been able to commit to having a devotional every day is to create my own devotional space. This is an area of my house that I pass through every day, and it reminds me that I need to stop, reflect, pray, and spend time with my God.

As a Christian, we are called to give our lives to Christ, as he has done for us. How busy are you that you do not have time each day to praise Him, and study The Word?

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God-what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12.2

Step 1: Find a place in your home that you pass by everyday.
Don’t set up your devotional space in an area of your house that you rarely visit, or perhaps doesn’t bring about positive feelings, such as a place where you pay bills. It’s important that this space bring about peace and an inviting nature to spend time with the Lord.

Step 2: Place a comfortable chair there and make sure you have adequate light. Add a nice reading lamp if you need.
While this step may seem simple, it’s import to make your space comfortable, otherwise the distractions of low lighting, or an uncomfortable chair can get in the way of your daily reading.

Step 3: Make sure you have a small writing table, or side table to place your things on.
This is key, while reading your Bible every day is a great way to stay close to Jesus, reflecting and writing in your journal will allow you to truly engage with what you have just read. I know I am not the only one who sometimes needs to read a passage ten times before I grasp what it is what God is trying to tell me. Writing down your thoughts is an excellent way to keep your mind focused.

Step 4: Find Christian Art and put up on the wall.
This should be something that truly displays Christ's love for you. Ron DiCianni has made some incredible paintings that have inspired thousands. You can find great Christian art at Christian book stores, as well as online on websites such as TapestryProductions.com.

Step 5: Place your Bible, devotional and or journal on your table.
You may sometimes want to take your Bible with you, but I encourage you to leave a separate Bible in your devotional space. This way, The Word is always there.

Step 6: Each day, spend a given amount of time in your new devotional place.
Explain to your family that this is where you will spend meaningful time with God and that you are not to be disturbed. Read The Word, and reflect upon what you have discovered.

I hope this helps you with your walk with Christ. Since setting up my devotional space, I feel like I have become closer to God than ever before. My friends who stop by have commented how inviting my space looks, and I assure them that God is always inviting us to spend more time with Him no matter where we are.

Posted on May 3, 2010 7:55 AM

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