What about this blog! & why you should be watching.

I want to give y'all an idea of what sort of content you might see here. I have lots of ideas, i always do! anyone who knows me knows i am like a never ending fountain of ideas. So let me start by saying i don't want the intent here to stimulate theological debate. there are plenty of blogs doing that. While The Fellowship Of Christian Woodworkers is a christian organization we are in the business of woodworking, not debating. Part of the reason for this is because our members come from many different denominations and we like it that way! we are united in our cause and we are one under Christ's lordship! I myself am a theological "mutt."

Lets get to it!

• I will be posting a lot of information on F.O.C.W's successes and failures because I believe it may help others seeking to do the same thing.
• I will be posting woodworking instructionals, whether it be an article i write, a video, possibly some plans so long as we aren't crossing any legal boundaries.
• I will to encourage others to "put their hand to the plow" if you've been sleeping spiritually....WAAAKKKKEEE UUUUUUUUPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!! there is work to be done!
• there will be links to similar organizations.
• there will be guest bloggers, I know you don't want to be reading my typos all the time, so we'll get some guest typos to mix things up!
• there will be project reports, updates, etc about what F.O.C.W. is doing.
• there will be biblical teaching, for the purpose of encouragement.
• There will be humor, whether in writing or a posted joke or what-have-you. this is fun stuff we're doing!
• We will be posting our calender and upcoming events pertinent to Christians or woodworkers or christian woodworkers.

I hope you keep checking back with us. I want to be an encouragement to others if you would like to contact me please do! i would love to meet others interested in joining us or starting your own thing. we are all on the same team!

In Christ

JEF E.

How did this thing get started

Back in November '08 I was sitting in Grace christian reformed church in Inver Grove Heights, MN. I was attending this small congregation while working out of state in Minnesota. Great little church it is! But that's beside the point. Anyways, the pastor gave me a little booklet called a "gifts survey", you do an online questionnaire and it helps you to discover your particular spiritual gifts. so i did this thinking "hey i already know my gifts but maybe I'll learn something i didn't already know about myself". Boy, how right I was! As i answered the questions i found myself thinking, "5 years ago i was better at this" and "2 years ago i was much more giving than i am now" and on it went until i had come to realize that i had allowed my spiritual muscles to atrophy!

You see, years ago I was very involved in the inner workings of a church. I played on the praise team, worked with the teens, attended every service...8 days a week! After so many years i burned out, I just grew weary. Simultaneously i was diagnosed with carpal tunnel, i was completely unable to play, the pain had become so great. So i had to "take a break" well a break turned into semi-retirement. for almost eight years i did NOTHING! I'm ashamed to say it now, but even if i don't say it, its still true.

fast forward to November:

So I'm sitting in my little room face to face with my failures and suddenly some thing happened. Desire returned! I decided that even though i may never play my bass guitar as often as i once did, i can still play it, and should. But i realized that my "talents" no longer lied, primarily, in music.

I have a passion for woodworking. so i thought "how could i use that to serve the Lord? " so i started to search for "christian woodworking clubs", to no avail. Undaunted i decided i would start my own club and call it "the Fellowship Of Christian Woodworkers"! After ongoing thought and prayer. I contacted some friends i knew may be interested. So it seems like we may have more than just myself at the first official meeting! That's always a good thing! There is a long way to go however, so stay tuned.

I will describe the intent with this blog in my next posting but for now let me just say, i will be blogging about about the frustrations and jubilee associated with getting this thing off the ground. I will share my successes and failures, anyone desiring to start their own "christian woodworkers club" can read along and learn how to NOT do it! lol. I will also shed light on others doing the same thing or something similar. For we are all on the same team!

In Christ
JEF E.