Month: April 2010

Posted on

4 Tips on Becoming a Designer

A friend asked me how I learnt to do ‘design stuff’. The truth is, I didn’t one day sit down and plan on learning design stuff. I just gradually got better at making youth group flyers. Quite a functional way to learn! Below is my response to my friend.

  1. Just have a go. If you want to design stuff, just start designing stuff. You’ll probably suck. That’s okay. That’s how you learn to do it better. Have you got Microsoft Publisher? Have a go. Have you got any of the sweet Adobe Design software? Have a go. Got nothing? Download GIMP for free and… have a go!
  2. Look for online tutorials. If you start to progress, you can then find stacks of free online tutorials. Just google them. You’ll find more than enough to keep you busy increasing your skills.
  3. Follow a design blog. Lots to choose from. My tip? SMASHING MAGAZINE. It has galleries you can get ideas from. Free fonts. Free backgrounds. Free tutorials.
  4. Comic Sans font should be illegal. Save yourself grief. Don’t touch it. It’s ugly.

This post might also be useful: Top 5 websites for making free church graphics

Any tips to add?

Posted on

Hey Young Punk – Remember Your Creator!!

George Statheos has really been smashing it with the final KYCK talk on Ecclesiastes 12. This verse is a summary of the whole chapter. Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them” (Ecc 12:1)  Here are 4 reflections:

  1. People are prone to forget – the Bible repeats the refrain to ‘REMEMBER’. Israel forgot God – and worshipped idols instead of God. Because of our sin and forgetfulness, we must keep reminding each other to remember.
  2. Old people are often cranky and bitter – Some old people are beautiful, but some are cranky, bitter, twisted and unwilling to change. If they don’t become a Christian in their youth, they’re less likely to become one in their old age.
  3. Youth Ministry is the bees knees – want to change the world? Work with teenagers. Preach the gospel to them when they’re young. If they remember their Creator in their youth, they’re more likely to remember Him when they’re old.
  4. Are you a young punk reading this? Have you heard stuff about Jesus? Do you actively remember your Creator Jesus? If not. Do it now. Don’t wait until you’ve experienced life. Remember Him, do it now before you get old and cranky.

Find out stuff about God | Learn about how to start following Jesus

Posted on

Free Music Friday 03 // Garage Hymnal – I Am

Garage Hymnal are one of the foremost praise and worship bands in Australia. The 8-piece pop rock outfit play regularly in churches, youth groups and special events. They are currently leading the music over the 3 weekends of KYCK 2010. Give away #1 – They have made their track “I AM” available for FREE DOWNLOAD (link below).

Give away #2 – Two copies of their latest album ‘Garage Hymnal’ are up for grabs. To win one, just leave a comment below. It’s that easy. Entries chosen randomly Wed 21 April & Wed 28 April.

Garage Hymnal “I AM” (right click to download free mp3)

Band website | MySpace | Facebook | Twitter

Got an idea for Free (+ legal) Music Friday? Leave it in the comments. Are you a band? Think I might like your music? If you send me your album and let me give away at least one mp3 for free, no promises, it might be featured! Contact deets.

Posted on

Make me more like Mary

During Ed Springer’s first talk at KYCK #1 2010, I was challenged to spend more time listening and less time speaking. “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.” (Ecclesiastes 5:2) Part of our creatureliness is that we should spend more time listening to our Creator rather than being a motor-mouth.

I normally have good habits in regular personal bible reading. Maybe it was pride, laziness, the devil or a combo, but in the week leading up to KYCK #1, I didn’t take out much time to read the Bible. Challenged by the talk, when I got back to my room, I read the next passage in my reading plan. It was the 2nd half of Luke 10.

Check this out for a timely word to HEAR:

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42 NIV)

Posted on

Killed for their faith in Jesus

The following is a snippet from an encouraging and sobering new website: “Thirteen Three is a youth initiative of Voice of the Martyrs Australia. Our mission is to empower and mobilise a generation of passionate youth to be bound with their persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ through praying, giving, writing, serving and telling others.”


Thirteen Three is inspired by Hebrews 13:3 “Remember the Lord’s people who are in jail and be concerned for them. Don’t forget those who are suffering, but imagine that you are there with them.”

Check it out. Pray.