the LORD is my computer tech, I shall not want

July 6th, 2010-

So today was the first official day of working on CREATE as a full time job. We are very excited to see who GOD will bring along to join us, as well as how He will provide. Something amazingly cool and miraculous happened today that I still can hardly believe, so I have to share it with you.

One of the perks of my last job was that I was able to use one of the Church's computers. So for the last 6 years I have had a laptop at my disposal. The reality of having to turn it in hit me today as I realized how necessary a computer is to what I do. Not to mention that all of my files were still on my old computer, so I found myself with a dilemma.

1. I needed a computer
2. I had no money

So I did what any good American would do, I began to think of how to get financed for one. But as I entertained that idea, I thought about all of the amazing things that GOD has done so far in leading us towards this ministry. I found myself wondering why GOD would want me to get in debt. Why couldn't I just pray and ask for one? So Laurie and I prayed and asked GOD for a computer.

As a few hours passed I discovered what a great man of faith I was as I was already scheming again to figure out how to buy one on my own. I called my wonderful wife on the phone to get her input, and she gently rebuked and encouraged me. She said, "I know we could get one, and it probably wouldn't be wrong, but I feel like GOD wants to do something else."

I had been feeling the same thing, so as she shared, my conviction grew against financing one. But would GOD really provide one? How long would I have to wait? What if He didn't?

So I worked the rest of the day, using my trusty old fashioned pen and notebook (which are actually my favorite combination in the world). Then as I was headed home, I looked at the clock and realized I was about 10 minutes ahead of schedule. So I turned around and headed out to Staples to buy some envelopes to send out our mailers with. As I was walking out of the store I saw an old friend who I haven't seen in about a year. He doesn't live in town, and he had just borrowed a truck from his uncle and come into town for a few hours. We just happened to be here at the same time.

He asked me how everything was going with the new adventure, and I filled him in on all the latest development. As I was walking out he grabbed one of the newspapers that advertised all of the specials this month at Staples, and he pointed to a computer and said, "I am here to buy one of these. They are a great deal."

I looked at the photo, and thought that is a great deal, could I finance one? NO, not again with my amazing faith. I then mentioned we were praying for GOD to give us a computer. He then said, "here, walk over and check it out with me." So I walked with him, and then after a few moments of discussing it's abilities, he told the clerk he was buying two!

I was in shock. Only a few hours later, through impossible situations, GOD had answered our prayers. Again confirming that we are headed in the right direction.

My friend then came over and spent a few hours helping me get my computer all set up.

I hope this encourages you that GOD does hear, and He will answer. We can be so impatient sometimes, and rather than have faith we can put it on credit. I wonder how many times we miss what GOD wants to do because we won't wait.

May GOD allow you to be in situations where you need His provision, and may you be forced to wait so He can prove Himself faithful.

Thank you to my friend & thank you to my daddy who always provides.

Here we go...our initial support letter

Dear Friends and Family,

There are some awesome changes going on in our lives that we want to share with all of you! After working as a pastor at Real Life Ministries for the last six years, I am leaving that position at the church.

We are beginning a new ministry called CREATE. It is a non-profit, parachurch organization that will focus on bringing “a revival of the arts in the Church and Church in the artist.”

Can you imagine the Church being known as a place of abundant creativity, where artists felt like a necessary and valuable part of the body?

Can you imagine the Church being known as one of the most influential and supportive patrons of the arts?

Can you imagine the Church going outside its walls to show the love of Jesus by serving the community through the arts?

We can!

Over the years we have seen a huge need in the area of the arts in the church. Many who are artistically gifted find it very difficult to find their place in the church, and conversely the Church has had a difficult time embracing the arts. We believe that the arts are an immeasurably valuable gift that GOD has given us and are a necessity to the Church.

We are going to begin working with the local church to:
-Support the Church to embrace the arts
-Connect artists to be a part of the Church
-Equip artists to use their gifts and abilities
-Reach our community with the Love of GOD by serving them through the arts.

We have a detailed plan of how we believe GOD wants us to do this, and have already begun working with the churches in our area to make it a
reality!

What we need now is your support. Will you consider partnering with us in this new adventure? Here are four different ways you can help.

Prayer- Will you commit to pray for us? We believe this is GOD’s idea and that He has already been at work here. We desperately need Him to lead us,
empower us, and provide for us.

People- Do you know people who need this valuable ministry? Will you tell them about us, suggest us as a friend on facebook, or give us their contact
information so we can invite them to be a part of what GOD is doing?

Join us- Do you have skills and abilities that could help get this ministry off the ground? We need to develop a team that is passionate about the Church and the arts.

Financially- Are you able to support us financially with either a one-time gift or monthly support (any amount is appreciated)? Our goal is to be a privately supported non-profit. So if you believe in us and what we are doing PLEASE be a part of making it a reality!

Checks can be made out to “CREATE”, and sent to:

CREATE c/o ryan hadden
802 indiana ave.
Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho
83814

We are a licensed 501(c)(3) non-profit, so all donations are tax deductable.

Thank you for your time and support. We look forward to telling you all of the stories of what GOD has done. Keep up to date with us by reading our blog, or becoming our friend on facebook.



Ryan and Laurie Hadden
208.818.4176
www.facebook.com/artandchurch
artandchurch@hotmail.com
http://artandchurch.blogspot.com/