Coffee Chemistry

This one was just fun to draw - I've always loved the look of the movie laboratories with the bunson burners and test tubes.

But really, my morning "coffee" is pretty complicated: coffee, chocolate milk, too much sugar, extra cocoa and whipped cream on top. All served in a cup that's so big that other people in the office have mistaken it for a soup bowl.

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Funraising Opportunities

Well, let's face it. That money's not going to just fall in our lap. Finding the right way to raise money is tricky, especially for a church.

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A great idea ... for you.

Visions, grand plans, wish lists ... phooey! I've sat in my share of these types of meetings and personally I think they're frustrating. Churches have a mission and it's not to erect a new gymnasium. Years ago, our church wrote a mission statement that was pretty good: "... to make disciples and meet human needs." But when attendance is down and giving is down, the attention turns to the cold, hard numbers and the questions turn from "how can we make disciples?" to "how can we balance our budget?"

It's a fair question to be sure but adding programs that require the resources of an already tapped-out congregation can be counter-productive. And in the end, it seems the program in question gets a cool reception at best when people are attempting to assume what the "outsiders" would be attracted to.

So here's my suggestion: If you have a group of ladies that like to scrapbook, allow them to use the facilities and invite their friends. If some of your youth love frisbee, suggest they invite others for a game of ultimate on the church grounds. The point is to rely on your strengths, make use of your interests and enjoy what you do. And ALWAYS be inviting friends and neighbors to join in the fun.

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Another Bored Meeting

There is so much good that Christians can do to demonstrate their faith. Volunteering to help the less fortunate, visiting the sick, befriending the lonely ... but personally, I find sitting in a meeting is just spinning my wheels. Of course we need to connect to do things efficiently but that doesn't mean I have to like it. 'Nuff said.

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Face to face, not facebook

Let's all get back to reality, shall we? Cyber pets, sim farms, online romances - they're all a waste of time. Real life doesn't have an undo button. You can't quit this game and start over. Invest time in the short life that you have.

You may have figured out that I don't point fingers without some introspection, and yes I'm guilty of fantasizing too. So let's make an effort together. You get your hands dirty in a real garden and I'll log off of facebook and go meet the neighbors!

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So, when DOES the youth group start breaking things again?

I'm surprised youth groups don't have to have their own insurance policy. If you have a great youth group story, drop me a line and maybe I'll use it in a comic.

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Love your neighbor, OR ELSE!

Not all my comics have a moral but this one ...

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... you might be a redneck.

Look, we all do stuff that we know is the lazy way out and yet temptation gets the better of us. This comic is about me. There is a line where the amount of leaves clearly requires a rake and I've crossed it - big time. Oh well. Call me a redneck, call me lazy. Just don't call too loudly, I'll be busy relaxing on the couch.

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The lock-in

Nothing has contributed to my aging like the tribulations of the lock-in. It is some kind of requirement that the kids come up with some kind of prank or outrageous stunt. I keep telling myself that I'm too old for these things and yet I keep on doing them.

Do you have any lock-in stories? Send 'em to me, I can always use the inspiration.

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Water fountain from (you know where)

Sooo ... this is my church. Seriously, the thing shoots like 2 feet in the air in two separate streams. If I had a camera, it would be total youtube material.

Do you have any equipment malfunction stories? Send 'em to me, I can always use the inspiration.

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budget and finance

Nothing causes more conflict in a church than finances. Let's face it, most churches are run like a business - it's hard not to. And yet, Jesus makes it clear that money should be our last concern. What's a poor congregation to do? Ya gotta pay the bills.

Tell me, what do you think?

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Perils of surfing the web.

Ah, the internet ...

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Young, skinny blonds need the Word too.

One of my favorite people of all time was Dan Vigus. He had a way of recognizing the humor in just about every situation and on one occasion, while vacationing on the beach he made the above comment to his Father in law. The midwesterners in us had been practically shielding our eyes to the bathers on the beach and his impromptu quip lightened the mood. It's a small thing, but it's all the small jokes and observances from people like Dan and others that have formed my sense of humor and inspired Finding Elim.

So remember, God's beauty is all around us: in the sunset, the mountains and in the fleeting, vibrant beauty of youth. Appreciate His creation! (but don't get too enthused or your wife will give you her own thoughts on the matter).

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Happy Mother's Day!

Have a happy Mother's Day!

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Lent is almost over...

Easter is almost here, have you suffered enough? I don't usually give anything up for Lent, but I do think it's a good idea. The real challenge is making it into something that is meaningful to you spiritually. If you are focused on the day when you can get back to chocolate and Cokes, you're missing the point. Instead, try using your cravings as a trigger for a quick prayer. Always remembering the sacrifice that Jesus made for our sake. I'd be interested to hear what you do to make the time of Lent more meaningful.

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Lately I've been feeling a little pregnant.

With hot chocolate and poptarts for lunch, I shouldn't be surprised...

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Indoor sports

Unfortunately, one of my very bad ideas was an indoor frisbee game. Turns out the rubber frisbee wasn't the problem, it was the kid who went through the window. Well, lucky for me, he didn't kill himself.

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I remember when flying was fun.

I'm not a big guy, but anymore, anyone over a hundred pounds is likely to feel squished in today's air travel. Economy dictates more seats in a smaller space, with fewer flights. Maybe trains really will make a comeback...

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Careful what you wish for

There are lots of ways to make your life more exciting - most of which leave you wishing you had listened to those nagging doubts...

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The financial planner.

In THIS economy ... Investing is risky no matter how you slice it. Investing your money, your time, your talents. Ask me, I know. Whatever you do, the safest investments tend to be the long-term ones. Education is the perfect example of a huge monetary and time investment, but it can have great rewards in the end. So, stay in school, read your Bible, and chances are good that your future will have many rewards.

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Our church frowns on drinking ...

Growing up, I was always taught that drinking was a sin. Looking back, while the theology might be questionable, it wasn't a bad thing to teach a kid. Since my parents didn't drink, I associated alcohol with drunkenness which is essentially bad whatever your beliefs. As I got older, I found that like most vices, the sin is pretty much in the excess. Throughout college, I stuck with soda instead of beer, and found that most people admired my abstinence as long as I didn't look down my nose at them.

What do you think?

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Harry Potter haunts the house.

Harry Potter is sinful, evil and the work of Satan! ... Uh, but Aslan is an allegory for the story of Christ ...
When JK Rowling starts a leading a cult of witches and wizards, we might need to rethink her intentions, but until then, remember that authors like Tolkien, Rowling and Lewis are not only encouraging millions of kids and young adults to read, but they are also giving us great models for Good and Evil in stories that allow us to put ourselves into their beautifully (and sometimes beautifully terrible) worlds. As parents and teachers we have the opportunity to discuss huge issues, like agape love and self-sacrifice through the stories that kids love.

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The church treasurer

Even a small church can have a relatively large budget. Unfortunately, my joke is not so funny when embezzlement happens in real life. But beware, there's a special place in Hell for people who steal from God ...

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Please help me out!

You can help support me by voting for my t-shirt design by clicking on the illustration below. Please hurry, the voting ends on 1/20/2010.
Thanks!!
-dave

Inflation trickles down ... and makes a sticky mess!

Make no mistake, inflation is coming. The question is will anyone still be working? Nope, I don't have an answer, just a lot of concern for those who are still looking for jobs.

Have a happy New Year! If you are a fan of Finding Elim, let me know by sending me an email, or joining the fan club at http://www.facebook.com/FindingElim

In trouble again

Welcome to 2010! For some people, staying out of trouble just isn't an option.

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