CWD NEWS

Update: We are excited to let you know about our newest EZ-CMS function, our copy function. Now available – use the copy function (copy icon) to create a new copy of an existing text editor page. The copy will show up in the draft section of the management system. This new feature allows you to modify the copied page and view changes before making it active. It also allows you to use an existing page as a template for a new page.

As always, we are here to help. Please remember the fastest and easiest way to contact us is through the ticket system. Under Get Help click on Get Support and fill out the form to create a ticket. Allow us a few hours then check your ticket status for updates.

Thought for Today

Below please find a guest blog from the desk of Pastor Ed O’Leary

The Word of God, the Bible, does not change. What is true of God is true of his Word. In Malachi 3:6, God proclaims, “For I the Lord do not change.” The author of Hebrews declares, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Speaking of God, James writes that with God “there is no variation or the slightest hint of change” (James 1:17). And speaking of God’s word the apostle Peter proclaims, “the word of the Lord endures forever” (1 Peter 1:25). This means that God does not change or adapt with shifting cultures and times. Likewise, every bit of God’s word does not change or adapt with shifting cultures and times. What the apostles preached and taught is the same thing we are to preach and teach throughout every generation of the church. There is no exception.

However, the tools we use to share, preach, teach, and proclaim God’s Word can and should change to meet and reach the changing cultures and times. For example, PowerPoint is a wonderful tool, which people are very much comfortable and at home with presentations using it. It would seem strange to continue to use an overhead projector (some of you read that and are wondering, “What’s an overhead projector”).

Speaking of tools for our time and culture, it is said that YouTube has had an unprecedented social impact, influencing popular culture and internet trends. Even if this were only half true, we would be remiss if we didn’t use such an effective tool to broadcast God’s Word, and especially the gospel.

Though those of us who teach and preach God’s word should use this tool, there is an important caveat. We must be absolutely sure that we are proclaiming sound doctrine. Scripture must be taught contextually and exegetically.

It is extremely important to study Scripture in context. The main reason being to obtain a correct understanding of the Bible. Misunderstanding a portion of Scripture can lead to misapplying it in our lives as well as teaching something wrong to others. Another concern with taking the Bible out of context is the temptation to make the Bible say what we want rather than what it originally meant.

Exegesis is the process of seeking to understand what a text means or communicates on its own. It is the exposition or explanation of a text based on a careful, objective analysis. The word exegesis literally means “drawing meaning out of.” That means that the interpreter is led to his or her conclusions by following the text.

With this caveat cemented firmly in our minds, let us use this effective tool to spread God’s eternal word.

If you would like, check out our channel, which we have titled, Thinking Contextually And Exegetically Through Scripture.

YouTube Channel Link

Celebration Web Design’s Updates

We are very excited to inform you that our staff has just completed updating EZ-CMS version 4, the latest management system. Our CMS Development team has been rolling out EZ-CMS4 on every new site. Version 4 adds more consistent and modern controls, drop, and drag functionality, and a more streamline appearance. This new version speeds up page editing and makes developing new pages easier. We further enhanced EZ-CMS by adding a section that allows you to view the latest news from Celebration Web Design, and the main management screen now displays page statistics from Cloudflare.

If you would like to know more or would like us to upgrade your management system to version 4 please contact us. Remember, the upgrade is free, the cost is covered under your Hosting and Management service agreement.

Featured Partner – Thought for Today

LeonaChoy.com

One of these days, each of us will finish our life course. No exceptions. Why think about that at the beginning of a new year? Because our finish may come suddenly under a variety of circumstances, as Jesus reminded us in the Gospel of Luke. Remember His story about the prosperous businessman with ambitious long-term plans who didn't make it through the night?

While the clock is still ticking and our hearts are still beating, let's live life to the hilt and bear fruit for God to the max. Since time is running out, let's run the last mile Home and prepare well for our take-off. Celebrate each day as a loving gift from God. Not with mindless drift. Let's wisely finish our life assignment from God with a flourish to glorify Him.

It's our choice whether to squander the rest of our lives drifting “merrily, merrily, merrily, gently down the stream” to the Finish Line not far ahead, or greet our Lord with a JOYFUL FLOURISH, handing Him a basket full of spiritual fruit at His coming. He's counting on us to be about His business. That's why He planned for us to live this long and to this particular time in history. Didn't He tell us “Make use of what I have given you until I return”? (Luke19:13)

Excerpts above from A flourishing Finish by Leona Choy. Leona will be 97 years young this year and she has just finished a bout with Covid. She is an amazing lady. Our staff at Celebration Web Design are so thankful that in 2018 she contacted us about developing a new website. At Celebration Web Design we feel it has been a privilege to help Leona with her author website.

If you would like to read more or sign up and receive Leon’s posts go to leonachoy.com.