Tech Talk: Great, But Now What?

    by Phil Ware

        Okay, we all agree that the Internet is the cool way to get information and stay in touch with folks via email. But now what? How do we effectively use Internet resources, and especially HEARTLIGHT resources, in practical ways?

        We're committed to be more than "spiritual cyber-glut"(my term for nice, but impractical spiritual information via the Internet). Our mission is to provide positive resources to help Christians live for Jesus in today's world. So, how can you use HEARTLIGHT web and e-mail resources to deepen your walk with God, to make your witness more effective, and to bless and enrich other believers?

        One set of resources that is already widely used by the Heartlight Community is the HeartGallery. If you are not familiar with the HeartGallery, it is our growing collection of over 300 Scripture graphics. These powerful Scripture-based images are already used in a number of practical ways:

    • Computer wallpaper
    • Screensavers
    • Images in reports and devotionals
    • Projection graphics for worship
    • Background or illustrations for PowerPoint presentations
    • Electronic Greeting cards
    • T-shirts iron-ons
    • PowerPoint e-mail encouragement cards & witnessing tools
    • Witnessing tools
    • Brochure Graphics
    • Church posters
    • Scripture memory tools
    • Daily Devotionals

        And that's probably not all the ways these images have been used to make a positive difference in the lives of others!

        However, The HeartGallery graphics are copyrighted material. The copyright is enforced for several reasons. First, we are committed to providing these images free of charge for non-commercial use to Christians and churches. To do that, we have to make sure we have the rights to the images and can control them -- we don't want someone else bundling them, claiming the copyright, re-selling them, or using them to sell other products. Second, a number the images involve the rights of others to protect their work that they share. To use the graphics, you must be a nonprofit and noncommercial entity (or a church), or just using them for own personal use. If you use the graphics, you must not alter them in any way and must include the following copyright tag:

    (c) HEARTLIGHT, http://www.heartlight.org , used by permission.

        To market these images, or any product using these images, violates their copyright and is prohibited unless expressly licensed by Heartlight Inc.

        So, how do you go about getting these images to use in the first place? Oh, that's very easy. Most browsers allow you to right mouse click (control + mouse click on Macs) on a web page graphic, and then you are given a set of options, one of which is to save the image to a disk. (BTW, you can grab almost any Internet image in this way!)

        Let's talk about a way to use the graphic that is very simple. Use an image for your computer wallpaper or send it as an attachment to an e-mail message. Let's give it a try. Go to the Romans 15:13 gallery image at this link. Now save the image to a disk drive for your personal use. To use it as wallpaper, follow the directions for converting it to Windows or Mac Wallpaper (for Windows based machines, when you right click on the image, you are given the option of making it your wallpaper, making this job very very simple!).

        Why would you want to use one of these images as your wallpaper? Well, we've heard from a large number of folks who have done this and have found it to be a powerful way to do several things in their work place. First, it becomes a powerful discussion and witnessing tool. Others see the image and bring up the subject of their faith. They can explain what they believe or how they feel in response to that question and share their faith. Second, it becomes a tangible way for other Christians to know that you are a Christian and make contact with you. Third, the Scripture Graphic wallpaper is a constant reminder to you of your personal faith, of your need to live an exemplary life before your co-workers, and of your assurance of Christ's place with in the market place.

        In addition, you can use the images you have saved on your hard drive to send to loved ones, friends, and fellow church or Bible study group members. Using the Romans 15:13 image, you can e-mail one of your friends or relatives and give them a dose of encouragement. Include a personal message in the text of your email and send the graphic as an attachment to the email message. Or, you can collect several images and drop them into a PowerPoint presentation with a text message or two interspersed, add a Scripture quote or two, and send an encouraging message to friends and loved ones as an email attachment.

        The Lord has been opening some really cool doors for us the last several months, and we will be offering an astounding array of tools and resources to complement the ones we already have! Yes, we're excited! But, we also want you to be able to put our resources to practical use in your walk with Christ. So join us over the next several weeks as we try show very practical ways to use HEARTLIGHT resources in practical ways!

    Posted: 07/19/2000
    URL: http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200007/20000719_tech_nowwhat.html

    (c) 2000, Heartlight, Inc. http://www.heartlight.org" -->

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