The mission for Magis Sanctuary has finally become clearer, so that it can be stated, well, relatively concisely! Here we go:
Our mission is to train the children up to know they are children of the Almighty God, creator of the entire Universe, the God of abundance; that we are all brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ, our Savior, Redeemer and Friend; and that we are all able to experience the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
The goal for these children is to help them develop into strong, spiritually-rooted leaders.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Monday, May 14, 2007
The Greatest Gift
Lately the Bible story of Solomon has really been popping up a lot. You know, the one when God asked him to choose anything he would want. He ultimately said he felt inadequate to lead the people of Israel, so he asked for wisdom. God not only granted him that, but great prosperity as well. Our God is indeed a God of abundance.
What should WE ask for?
It seems there is much honor in the gift of tongues. The ability to speak directly, as it were, to God, in spirit. Especially when you learn that Satan doesn't get to understand you when you use the spiritual gift of tongues.
Or what about discernment? Don't we all want to know, at any moment, what really is the will of God? (Not that we would always follow, anyway. We still have our flesh to contend with.)
This question has really been at the forefront of thought lately. Thanks to some recent grant-proposal work with YfC (Youth for Christ) and with the church, an answer is finally revealing itself. These people really epitomize what Paul was trying to explain, when he said in 1 Corinthians "...but the greatest of these is love."
I have decided that is what I most need in all my ventures. If I can share the love of Christ with those around me, and even with those I casually encounter - if God will multiply that gift in me, then I will have served Him well.
How do we know God isn't offering every one of us the same opportunity? I think He will still honor the answer to that question. So, my question is -
What would you ask? Trust God to provide it, and more. That's magis thinking!
What should WE ask for?
It seems there is much honor in the gift of tongues. The ability to speak directly, as it were, to God, in spirit. Especially when you learn that Satan doesn't get to understand you when you use the spiritual gift of tongues.
Or what about discernment? Don't we all want to know, at any moment, what really is the will of God? (Not that we would always follow, anyway. We still have our flesh to contend with.)
This question has really been at the forefront of thought lately. Thanks to some recent grant-proposal work with YfC (Youth for Christ) and with the church, an answer is finally revealing itself. These people really epitomize what Paul was trying to explain, when he said in 1 Corinthians "...but the greatest of these is love."
I have decided that is what I most need in all my ventures. If I can share the love of Christ with those around me, and even with those I casually encounter - if God will multiply that gift in me, then I will have served Him well.
How do we know God isn't offering every one of us the same opportunity? I think He will still honor the answer to that question. So, my question is -
What would you ask? Trust God to provide it, and more. That's magis thinking!
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Criteria for Magis Residence?
Working on a new thought, and we need to bounce it off several people.What if the children weren't orphaned yet? What if they were simply from unwanted pregnancies?
This bears more investigation, but it seems there are homes for pregnant teens so they have a place to go during that period. But where do they go after the baby is born? What if they absolutely will not keep the baby? (Just think of all the abandoned infants we read of...) What if we could tie in with some of these agencies and with the schools, and we could offer to place the child, upon qualification criteria, after he or she is born? We would work diligently to keep the connection to the teen - MAYBE even house (her? and the father?) and provide schooling IF she or he qualifies (how?) so parent and infant stay together. Parents would have to work at the sanctuary, but would NOT have to work long hours away from home. It is worth going to GREAT lengths to promote that parent / child bonding! And then to develop the appropriate level of independence as the child matures.
This is the next line of thought we will be "chewing on" for awhile!
PLEASE post your comments to this blog - thank you!
This bears more investigation, but it seems there are homes for pregnant teens so they have a place to go during that period. But where do they go after the baby is born? What if they absolutely will not keep the baby? (Just think of all the abandoned infants we read of...) What if we could tie in with some of these agencies and with the schools, and we could offer to place the child, upon qualification criteria, after he or she is born? We would work diligently to keep the connection to the teen - MAYBE even house (her? and the father?) and provide schooling IF she or he qualifies (how?) so parent and infant stay together. Parents would have to work at the sanctuary, but would NOT have to work long hours away from home. It is worth going to GREAT lengths to promote that parent / child bonding! And then to develop the appropriate level of independence as the child matures.
This is the next line of thought we will be "chewing on" for awhile!
PLEASE post your comments to this blog - thank you!
Friday, March 9, 2007
Our First Grant Proposal Seminar
Today was the first grant proposal writing seminar. It was taught by Jo Sanders, who has years of experience both writing proposals and granting funds. She defined and described the 10 key steps for developing a good grant proposal, and really cleared up a lot of the mystery associated with responding to an RFP.
Thanks go to Jo for teaching, to Teresa Metzger for coordinating, and to Alan Ehler for telling me about it. Also to Haggen for providing breakfast, and to the Stanwood Fire Station for hosting us!
The next step appears to be either becoming established as a 501(c) (3), OR affiliating with an existing non-profit that already has this vision. Hmmm. More to come on that...
Thanks go to Jo for teaching, to Teresa Metzger for coordinating, and to Alan Ehler for telling me about it. Also to Haggen for providing breakfast, and to the Stanwood Fire Station for hosting us!
The next step appears to be either becoming established as a 501(c) (3), OR affiliating with an existing non-profit that already has this vision. Hmmm. More to come on that...
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Finding a Grant-Writing Seminar
Well, there is bad news and there is good news...
We researched on the web to find some good options on attending a grant-writing seminar. The company that sounded the best no longer comes to Seattle. They said that last time they came, there were only 13 attendees, and the fees were insufficient to cover the costs. So there is another company presenting a seminar that sounds very worthwhile, that will be later in February (in 2 weeks!), for about $600. I mean, I just don't think we will have that kind of money that quickly. That was the bad news.
We continued in prayer and faith, not ruling out any options. 3 days ago, on Thursday morning, Pastor Alan sent an email and identified a contact for a grant-writing seminar right Here - I mean HERE in our town! I wasn't going to call right away - there were many items and calls on my list already. I figured I would wait until Friday.
As I drove along, praying about how to prioritize my errands and phone calls, I really felt God prompting me to call Teresa about that local seminar. So I said, "Yes, Lord", and I did.
God is so very good! Not only is the seminar MUCH less costly - $25.00 - it is 2 weeks later! Plenty of time to raise the much lower funds! And even though we registered in advance, we don't have to pay until the day of the seminar. So, that's the good news. PRAISE GOD!
During the same phone call Teresa mentioned an event she was coordinating for the next day. It was a breakfast to recognize 5 outstanding philanthropists, and to honor the Philanthropist of the Year. I decided to attend, and was able to briend a friend. It was not only a valuable networking opportunity, but also a great contact was establsihed for possible funding sources! Teresa promised that since I was asking about grants she would sit me at the table with Nancy Nelson, the Community Resource coordinator - in charge of raising funds for Warm Beach Christian camp. Nancy proved a great resource, and share that there would be a board meeting in several weeks of a brand new, startup venture, already established as a 501(c)3! She promised to connect us. Wow - this will be good :)
More soon...
We researched on the web to find some good options on attending a grant-writing seminar. The company that sounded the best no longer comes to Seattle. They said that last time they came, there were only 13 attendees, and the fees were insufficient to cover the costs. So there is another company presenting a seminar that sounds very worthwhile, that will be later in February (in 2 weeks!), for about $600. I mean, I just don't think we will have that kind of money that quickly. That was the bad news.
We continued in prayer and faith, not ruling out any options. 3 days ago, on Thursday morning, Pastor Alan sent an email and identified a contact for a grant-writing seminar right Here - I mean HERE in our town! I wasn't going to call right away - there were many items and calls on my list already. I figured I would wait until Friday.
As I drove along, praying about how to prioritize my errands and phone calls, I really felt God prompting me to call Teresa about that local seminar. So I said, "Yes, Lord", and I did.
God is so very good! Not only is the seminar MUCH less costly - $25.00 - it is 2 weeks later! Plenty of time to raise the much lower funds! And even though we registered in advance, we don't have to pay until the day of the seminar. So, that's the good news. PRAISE GOD!
During the same phone call Teresa mentioned an event she was coordinating for the next day. It was a breakfast to recognize 5 outstanding philanthropists, and to honor the Philanthropist of the Year. I decided to attend, and was able to briend a friend. It was not only a valuable networking opportunity, but also a great contact was establsihed for possible funding sources! Teresa promised that since I was asking about grants she would sit me at the table with Nancy Nelson, the Community Resource coordinator - in charge of raising funds for Warm Beach Christian camp. Nancy proved a great resource, and share that there would be a board meeting in several weeks of a brand new, startup venture, already established as a 501(c)3! She promised to connect us. Wow - this will be good :)
More soon...
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Learning How to Start Learning!
So far, we have met with our pastor to gain his perspective on this project. Pastor Alan of Warm Beach Church (http://www.warmbeachchurch.org/index.htm ) recommended we research grant-writing seminars and attend, to begin seeking funding. It was good to hear from him and have his prayers.
We have started down the path, and learned that we will need to begin by establishing articles of incorporation, by-laws, an application for state tax exemption (if applicable) and an application to the IRS for a 501(c)3 letter of determination. And that filing fees will cost approximately $600. WHEW! SO we have a ways to go before we can actually start!
God is in control. He is the CEO, CFO, and everything else :)
We have started down the path, and learned that we will need to begin by establishing articles of incorporation, by-laws, an application for state tax exemption (if applicable) and an application to the IRS for a 501(c)3 letter of determination. And that filing fees will cost approximately $600. WHEW! SO we have a ways to go before we can actually start!
God is in control. He is the CEO, CFO, and everything else :)
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Magis Sanctuary
Welcome to Magis Sanctuary! Isn't there something wonderful about that name? ... "Magis"
It sort-of connotes the wisdom embodied in the term "magi", as in the 3 who traveled to far to visit Christ in the stable, doesn't it? The word Magis appears in Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magis) as follows:
Magis (pronounced "màh-gis") is a Jesuit phrase that means "the more". It is taken from Ad majorem Dei gloriam, meaning "for the greater glory of God". Magis refers to the philosophy of doing more, for Christ, and therefore for others. It is an expression of an aspiration and inspiration. It relates to forming the ideal society centered around Jesus Christ.
Oops - let's not jump into details. Who is writing this, anyway?! And, why?
1/10/2007
I am Heather, an ordinary person building a BIG team for a BIG dream! I am happily married to Darrell, and we have several children over a wide age range: Doug, 26; Andrea, 25; Alex, 16; Daniel, 8. Darrell works at Boeing Aircraft Company. I am an independent beauty consultant with Mary Kay cosmetics. We are committed Christians seeking to do more with our lives than just...live.
This dream has grown over a period of time, partly out of individual passions, and partly out of the desire to fill a need. It really started coming together, though, when we received a photo of a castle-looking home built on the Tennessee River. That's when it started to become "visual", and thus "real"!
Suddenly dreams that had come and gone at different ages and in different phases of life started aligning. Then, in a course taught by Lou Tice of the Pacific Institute (http://www.pac-inst.com/) the term Magis just commanded attention. This encompassed a wide range of dreams and goals, and daydreams, and fantasies. Like -
wouldn't it be neat to someday live in a castle? But, shouldn't it be environmentally "green"?
Ohh, and wouldn't it be wonderful to build an orphanage that had a Christ-centered, Bible-based, Spirit-filled church, and a GOOD school with exciting, experiential curriculum, and a library like in the Disney version of "Beauty and the Beast"; and grounds where you could grow fresh fruits and vegetables, and of course world-class staff who are all there because they LOVE to be there, who are passionate about their lives, their work and their environment.
And, oooh - shouldn't there be animals?
And a theme park nearby.
And a way to serve and support the local community.
All the while nurturing young souls and minds and bodies to train them up in the way that they should go.
That is a bit of the dream. We invite you to dream big with us, as we plan and build this incredible community. Rescuing orphans and building them up in the love of Jesus Christ.
We welcome your constructive, family-friendly comments. Thank you for visiting - please check back on our progress!
It sort-of connotes the wisdom embodied in the term "magi", as in the 3 who traveled to far to visit Christ in the stable, doesn't it? The word Magis appears in Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magis) as follows:
Magis (pronounced "màh-gis") is a Jesuit phrase that means "the more". It is taken from Ad majorem Dei gloriam, meaning "for the greater glory of God". Magis refers to the philosophy of doing more, for Christ, and therefore for others. It is an expression of an aspiration and inspiration. It relates to forming the ideal society centered around Jesus Christ.
Oops - let's not jump into details. Who is writing this, anyway?! And, why?
1/10/2007
I am Heather, an ordinary person building a BIG team for a BIG dream! I am happily married to Darrell, and we have several children over a wide age range: Doug, 26; Andrea, 25; Alex, 16; Daniel, 8. Darrell works at Boeing Aircraft Company. I am an independent beauty consultant with Mary Kay cosmetics. We are committed Christians seeking to do more with our lives than just...live.
This dream has grown over a period of time, partly out of individual passions, and partly out of the desire to fill a need. It really started coming together, though, when we received a photo of a castle-looking home built on the Tennessee River. That's when it started to become "visual", and thus "real"!
Suddenly dreams that had come and gone at different ages and in different phases of life started aligning. Then, in a course taught by Lou Tice of the Pacific Institute (http://www.pac-inst.com/) the term Magis just commanded attention. This encompassed a wide range of dreams and goals, and daydreams, and fantasies. Like -
wouldn't it be neat to someday live in a castle? But, shouldn't it be environmentally "green"?
Ohh, and wouldn't it be wonderful to build an orphanage that had a Christ-centered, Bible-based, Spirit-filled church, and a GOOD school with exciting, experiential curriculum, and a library like in the Disney version of "Beauty and the Beast"; and grounds where you could grow fresh fruits and vegetables, and of course world-class staff who are all there because they LOVE to be there, who are passionate about their lives, their work and their environment.
And, oooh - shouldn't there be animals?
And a theme park nearby.
And a way to serve and support the local community.
All the while nurturing young souls and minds and bodies to train them up in the way that they should go.
That is a bit of the dream. We invite you to dream big with us, as we plan and build this incredible community. Rescuing orphans and building them up in the love of Jesus Christ.
We welcome your constructive, family-friendly comments. Thank you for visiting - please check back on our progress!
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