Vibrant Faith@Home

Early on in the development of Vibrant Faith @ Home, we identified five important features to be integrated into the site in order for the user to have a positive experience. Look for these five features as you cruise around the site and use the faith-forming activities.

1. Solid content for all ages. Each activity and article is uniquely focused on a single topic that is developmentally appropriate for its designated audience group, and is doable, practical, and provides a subtle (and sometimes profound) “ah ha” faith moment. Whether young adult, adult, couple, young family, teen family, or child–you will find good, solid faith stuff that hits home (pun intended).
2. Hand-holding for the timid and reluctant. It’s not uncommon for various roadblocks and barriers to pop up when someone at home suggests an activity that is faith-based. So with each faith-forming activity comes a “landing page” that provides you with 1) “Learn It” — a how-to video for the particular type of activity, 2) “See It” — comments from other users who have done the activity, 3) “Do It” — download the simple pdf of the activity and do it, 4) “Want More?” — suggested activities and resources that pertain, and 5) “Share It” — share your comments, and video or photo about your experience doing the activity. These five options are built into every faith activity on the site.
3. Connections to real life needs. Whatever is going on in your life, we’ve got something for you! To navigate to articles and activities based on your current needs mouse over the side menu item “When Life Happens” and follow the trail.
4. Personal and customizable. When you register and login you have three powerful tools at your fingertips that help you customize and personalize your use of the site: My Bin, My Tips, and My Events. Learn more about how these tools help you find just what you and your family needs to grow in faith together today.
5. Interactive. Of course the faith-forming activities are designed to help you and your loved ones interact with each other on comfortable faith level. In addition, you can use the comment feature to interact with other users, the author of the activity, and all of us here at VF@Home. You’ll find the comment feature at the bottom of every activity landing page and article. Just login and insert your comment.

Next Monday, June 4, we launch the summer season. Over 60 all new articles and faith-forming activities. As you explore the new summer resources, take note of these five user-friendly features.

I don’t have many small children in my life right now, aside from my niece Zophia, who is just six months old. Still, I mouse over the Just For Kids menu on VF@Home often. Like today, I re-discovered Explore a Big Question. What a fun activity! Watch the great little video of a youngster interviewing an adult on the BIG question of “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Then grab the “Big Question” worksheet and tackle your own BIG question! Simple, fun, and not necessarily just for kids.

While you’re there, check out the Bible Trek too. It’s an engaging way to explore such Bible stories as:

• Creation
• The First Sin
• The Call of Abraham and the Chosen People
• Hosea
• Jesus’ Life-Death-Resurrection
• Call to Christian Living

Grab a school-ager near you and explore one of these stories together. The exercises are all laid out, fun and easy! If you don’t have a youngster in your life, well, explore the stories anyway. You’ll be amazed at what you learn!

You’ll also find “Help For Hard Stuff” and “Media Spot.” Spend some time in the Just For Kids section of VF@Home. You and the children in your life will be glad you did! (No login required to access the Just For Kids activities.)

Rave Reviews. Bloggers are discovering Vibrant Faith @ Home. Check out these great reviews:

• Our Good Life, April 26, 2012
• Mama Hall, May 8 2012

If you or some you know/follow blogs about VF@Home, let me know.

Summer Camp. We posted three new activities all related to Summer Camp. Thanks to Melissa Schults of Camp Lutherwood (Oregon) for writing these activities for families of summer campers:

• Go in Peace – to prepare for camp
• First Word/Last Word – while away at camp
• Trash Talk – after coming home from camp

You’ll find these activities from the side menu item “Summer Camp.”

En español. We have one activity that has been translated in into Spanish:

• El día de tu bautismo - Compartir la historia de bautismo de su hijo.

I know it’s only one activity among many, but we plan for more. If you, or some you know, would like to help with translation, let me know.

For couples. Take a few moments to renew your love and commitment with each other and engage in the activity call Keeping a Promise. For those who are married, wedding vows are a promise of lifelong commitment. This religious promise is called a covenant.

Have a great week growing in faith @ home.

May is a GREAT month to grow in faith @ home! As we continue the Easter Season, there is new life and growth all around, and May provides several ideal occasions to regoginize God’s gracious activity in our lives. At Vibrant Faith @ Home we have some terrific faith-forming activites for these occasions!

May Day
Keeping a Journal - A great way to boost your prayer life. What better day to begin!
May Day Thank You - Send thank you notes for kindnesses big or small.
Mother’s Day
All is Gift - Learn how to see all things as gift.
Present, Like a Child - (article) Our children call us into the present moment.
First Communion
Bedtime Meditation - Help your child fall asleep peacefully after a lovely banquet with Jesus.
Your Baptism Day - Make the connection between baptism and Communion with your child.
Memorial Day
Kite Confession - Release your worries on the tail of a kite.
Our Pet Died - Here’s some help to overcome the sadness.

Have you discovered how to customize your use of Vibrant Faith @ Home. It’s easy and fun! Clcik on My VF@Home.

Vibrant Faith @ Home is fully integrated with Facebook. On each page you will see in the upper left corner a Facebook button to “Like” the page to your friends.

When you click that button a notice goes up on your Facebook wall indicating that you like that page and automatically provides a link and an image to that page.

One of our authors “liked” his own article and received great feedback from many of his Facebook friends.

If you find something helpful on Vibrant Faith @ Home, then “Like” the page and your Facebook friends will automatically know about it!

In addition to Facebook “likes” I strongly encourage you to use the comment feature at the bottom of each activity page. Let other users know what you’re thinking or how a particular activity went for you and your family. Check out the comments on Holy Feet and Devotional Garden. Add your own thoughts. Takes about 24 hours for your comment to be approved and posted.