Why was the Touched Creations web site created?

There are many reasons why this web site was created.  Some 'lofty', some curious, some selfish; but all hopefully guided by the Holy Spirit. Here are some of the reasons I can identify:

To bear witness to the fact and power of God's love for you and me:
I spent many agnostic years doubting the existence of God as described by the Christian religion. In 1999 He has made himself known to me. It was a powerful experience. You can read about this experience that I call "Coincidence?" in the Inspirational Messages section of this site. In my new "awakened" state, I feel that the Holy Spirit calls upon me to share my experiences with others that may be floundering in unbelief. Maybe ... coming from someone who has "been there", they will tend to listen a little closer.

To share the Good News; the gospel of Jesus Christ:
Since the "awakening", mentioned above, I have become involved in my local Church and completed several Bible studies. I have also felt the call to become a Lay Speaker in hopes of sharing the simplicity of God's salvation.  I have always been a quiet person and never would have dreamed of getting involved in any kind of public speaking;  but the power of the Holy Spirit has changed all of that.  I am still pretty quiet, but now I have something to say. I will say it before my local congregation when given the opportunity; but that doesn't seem like enough.  So I'll try the World Wide Web too. This sharing will be in the form of my sermons (not too many right now) and anything else that I run across that moves me and maybe you. These messages can be found on the Inspirational Messages page.

To use a talent for the benefit of God's house:
I got into stained glass as a hobby several years ago and just dabbled.  I made several things for our own home and a few gifts; but I never wanted to get into it very deep (making things for other people) because then it might not be fun anymore. I really wasn't very good at it, anyway. Since rediscovering God's love, I have used my limited experience to make some stained glass pieces for my Church. I enjoyed that. Our church's stained glass windows are old but in pretty good shape.  The plexiglas protecting these windows from the outside is old too.  And sun-baked. And yellowed.  While the Church building is old, it is still beautiful; but I felt that the faded plexiglas detracted from it and needed to be replaced.  As you probably know,  churches are always in need of more money for one project or another; especially small churches like ours.  New plexiglas is fairly low on the list of priorities.  So ... I thought maybe I could raise the money for the plexiglas through sales of stained glass artwork. And what better objects to make and sell than the messengers of God, His Angels. So far, I've raised about half of what is needed to replace the plexiglas. Currently, 100% of the proceeds is donated to the plexiglas fund. Maybe this website will generate more interest to get the job accomplished. Click here to go to the Angel page and see the (currently limited) styles available.

April 2002 UPDATE on plexiglas: By Christmas, 2001, I had raised most of the $2500 needed (according to estimates received) through the sale of stained glass angels, but being wintertime and too cold to install it, I was in no hurry to run right out and get it.  Then, as usually happens, springtime followed winter and I got interested again. That's about the time that the son (who works at a glass sales company) of a good friend told me that he might be able to get the plexiglas at a better price.  Great! I gave him the dimensions required. During a Church Board of Trustees meeting we discussed some air conditioning problems that our old church has and determined that we needed to raise about $1000 to get them taken care of.  We all kind of cringed at the idea of having to go to the congregation with yet another request for money. The next day, Scott (the friend's son), called and said that his employer would happily get us the plexiglas at their cost plus the 10% fee that they charge their employees!!!  The price was under $1000!! Well ... that leaves plenty in the plexiglas fund to take care of the air conditioning problems too!!  The Lord works in mysterious ways! Thank you Lord!

October 2002 UPDATE on plexiglas: Praise the Lord! We finally got enough time and people together to remove some of that old nasty looking plexiglas and put  some of the crisp and clear new plexiglas up.  WHAT a difference. Still have some to go.  We were afraid to tackle the great big windows that require scaffolding to get to; but now that we have some experience under our belts, we should be able to go for it!  When?? We'll see ...

To explore the realm of cyberspace:
I don't claim to be an Internet guru.  Far from it.  I know enough to get a simple web site out. And that is about it.  I don't possess the programming skills to get real fancy or the photographic skills to produce stunning photos of the angels you see at the site.  And what's more ... I don't really want to. At least not yet.   I've got too many other things going on in my life to be an expert in any of them. So ... what you see, is what you get.  Simple stuff.  No fancy animated objects. Just some text, some mediocre photographs, email, and snail-mail. It is kinda fun (when I have the time to devote to it) and I do learn some as I go. (But then I forget it too, if I don't use what I've learned real soon). So please bear with me. 

Conclusion:

I hope you get something out of all of this. And I hope that "something" is a deeper commitment to each other and to God. For, God does love each and every one of us. We are each special to Him. So special that He sent His Son to wake us up and announce to the world that He cares; that we can come closer to His Kingdom right here on Earth if we would only love each other as ourselves. We are so special to Him that He also sent His Holy Spirit to be with us and in us; so that we will be reminded of that love and guided by it, if we would only take the time to listen and act upon those sometimes gentle, sometimes dramatic reminders.

All praise and glory be to God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit. Amen.