Drawing a blank when it comes to God’s name

hello-my-name-is

Exchanging names is the starting point of any meaningful relationship.

Like a company trademark, one’s personal name carries the goodwill and reputation vested in it over the course of a lifetime. When we hear or read a person’s name, we immediately consult countless thousands of information files tucked away in the recesses of our brain. This phenomenon happens subconsciously, almost instantaneously. Upon locating a match, the metaphoric file opens, revealing all we know about that person.

If you are like me, it seems our retrieval capabilities slow down the older we get. We don’t recall names quite so fast as we once did. But those names with whom we have the most experience and first-hand knowledge, those belonging to our loved ones and closest friends, are usually the last names to fade from conscious memory.

Sometimes when a name is mentioned, our minds come up empty. This happens when we have no background knowledge or history with which to associate a name. We essentially draw a blank.

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Holidays, festivities and vacations: great opportunities to share the good news

The Story that Matters SleevesWith the year-end holidays coming soon, many believers around the world are getting ready for different celebrations: Christmas, New Year’s, Thanksgiving and other celebrations. These festivities are with extended family, friends, neighbours and more.

Then there are others who will be doing some travelling. They will meet new people, make friends and have interesting conversations.

As believers, we are on the look out for God-given opportunities to share the good news. And sharing not by barrelling through the message, but with gentleness and respect. One non-threatening way is by giving away a book to let the other person take the time to investigate the gospel message in privacy and in his or her own pace.

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Six ways to share the gospel during the Christmas season

What are Christmas and Easter All About? and The Story that Matters comparison
Christmas is fast approaching and many churches and believers are preparing not only to celebrate this special festival but to make full use of this natural opportunity to share the gospel message with the people in their lives and in their communities. Two resources that are very helpful during this season are What are Christmas and Easter All About? and its brand-new variant, The Story that Matters. This new booklet has the same text as Christmas and Easter but is in a smaller format, and with completely new line art. Now you have the choice of two booklets for your Christmas plans.

Here are six ways to make use of these resources.

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Will the legacy you leave reflect the life you lived?

GoodSeed Canada has recently partnered with ADVISORS with Purpose. They are a ministry of the Canadian National Christian Foundation who are serving charities by helping their donors understand and integrate biblical stewardship into their Wills and estates.

As part of our partnership, ADVISORS with Purpose is offering Canadian supporters of GoodSeed a confidential and complimentary estate plan. Personalized for each supporter, this plan is confidential, biblically based and will help supporters align their Will with their faith, values and desires. We want to assure you that this is entirely free to our supporters and that the folks at ADVISORS with Purpose do not sell anything and none of your personal financial information is ever shared with us or anyone else.

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Mark Zook: he finished the race, he kept the faith

Mark Zook

On October 17, our dear brother in Christ, Mark Zook went Home to be with the Lord. He was 66. Mark and his wife Gloria have spent the greater part of their lives in church planting, missionary training as well as serving as consultants for other missions organizations.

To many believers around the world, Mark and Gloria are best remembered for their work among the Mouk people of Papua New Guinea. Their time there was captured in two docudramas: “EE-TAOW!” and “EE-TAOW!”—The Next Chapter.

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New, simple online giving

Thank you for being a partner!As a faith-based, not-for-profit ministry, GoodSeed relies on a network of financial supporters. Our supporters are partners in ministry because without each of you, our missionaries could not continue their work and the projects would stall. We thank the Lord for each one of you.

We are happy to let you know that we have a newly-launched giving system. It is just as simple to make a one-time gift as it is to set up a recurring monthly donation from your credit card or bank account. Clear menu options make it easy to select a missionary or project, and you can set up a profile account to log into and track your giving or print records as needed.

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Urgent need in the Canadian office: Business manager

Canada Office

GoodSeed Canada is in immediate need of a Business Manager to be based in the Olds, Alberta office.

Basic Functions

  • Provide accounting support for governmental, auditorial and operational reporting.
  • Ensure adequate internal controls are in place and maintained.
  • Conduct financial analysis in such areas as forecasting, budgeting, cost reduction analysis, and operations.
  • Oversee all areas of the finance department, including its bookkeeping personnel.
  • Maintain a documented system of accounting policies and procedures.
  • Maintain banking compliance and relationships.
  • Participate in the capital development program (e.g., planned giving).
  • Assist with cost accounting and pricing.
  • Create additional analyses and reports as requested by management.

Qualifications
The Finance Manager candidate should have education in finance or accounting, or equivalent business work experience. Experience in Not-for-Profit Charity accounting is a plus. Preference will be given to candidates with the CA, CMA, CGA designations and/or Not-for-Profit Charity accounting experience. Should have a working knowledge of spreadsheets such as Excel. A working knowledge of QuickBooks is also a plus. Must be a team player, able to work with others. Continue reading “Urgent need in the Canadian office: Business manager”

Sunday school: Teach live or watch the DVD?

ClassroomOur resources have been creatively used in a wide variety of settings ranging from self-studies to camps and small small groups. Here is one lady’s email to us with a question regarding the use of The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus in Sunday school.

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Please don’t go to the Bible study!

PharmacySome years ago, Kathy* was puttering around in the garden one afternoon when a couple on the sidewalk approached her. In the conversation that ensued, the two strangers quoted some Scripture verses. Kathy was excited. For some time, she had been longing to learn more about God but she didn’t have a clue where or how to get more information. Now, here were two people who were willing to share about the Bible!

Upon their return visit, Kathy invited the couple into her home and had a long conversation with them. She was keen to learn more and enjoyed the time together so much that she invited them over for a third visit. On that occasion, the couple invited Kathy to a Bible study.

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The gospel set to music

GoodSeed Musical
We had staff and friends form a small choir. Though they only had a few short weeks to rehearse, they really poured their hearts into it.

The atmosphere was charged as staff and friends gathered in the hall and found their seats. They were about to watch not just any musical, but one about the gospel. And it wasn’t just any musical about the gospel, it was one produced by GoodSeed.

“I had no idea how it would be like before the performance,” quipped one staff member. “We knew the project had been going on for years, but we just didn’t know how it would turn out.”

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