This tutorial will give the basic steps to convert the template to your own needs. This will include changing the text, changing the font size, removing generic logo and adding your own. Downloading the finished product is also covered. Don’t worry, it’s super easy!
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This is what your screen will look like when you first download the template.
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We’re going to start by changing the top text. Place your mouse over the word “guarding” and a colored box should appear around the text box.
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To change the text you will need to highlight the current text and replace with your new text. In this sample we replaced “guarding” with “heart of a”.
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Next, we will do the same process for the bottom text. Once again, click the area where the bottom text is located and a colored box should appear around the words.
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Highlight the current text to change the words. In this sample the words have a curve effect on them. After highlighting the text it might appear straight briefly. No need to worry, it will revert to the curved shape after you type the new text. In this sample we changed “YOUR HEART” to “SERVANT”.
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Next we will change the subtext at the bottom of the image. Once again click the words, and the colored box should appear.
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Now, we will change the subtext at the bottom of the image. You’re likely seeing the pattern by now. Highlight the current text to change the words. In this sample we will change “FIGHTING DISTRACTION AND TEMPTATION” to “FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS”.
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As you can see, you have already changed the image to your own custom sermon series title. However, we still need to remove or change the generic logo in the bottom right corner. Click the purple logo and a box should appear around it. Once the box appears, just click DELETE on your keyboard, or click the trash can icon, or right click the mouse and choose delete.
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You could stop here and have a fully usable graphic. If so, you can skip down to step 13. If you’d like to upload your own church logo click on the word “uploads” to the left side of the screen. As a note, this is how you can also change the background image to give a whole new look. See the Advanced Tutorial for a better explanation.
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The next step is to upload the image you will be using. In our sample we uploaded another generic logo. As a side note, if your church doesn’t have a logo, basic logos can be created within Canva.
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After your file appears in the image bin on the left, you will need to drag and drop it on your work area. Depending on the resolution of the image, it might be too large. If so, click the image to get the colored box. Use the little white circles in the corners to resize the image. This will keep the proportions accurate, and the box will remain a square shape.
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This should resize your image proportionally to your liking. If you need to move the image to any corner, you can click it (colored box appears) and drag it any place on the work area. For our sample, we will leave it in the bottom right corner.
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We’re almost done, just need to save the image to your computer hard drive. To do so, click the Share button in the top right corner. Then, when the pull down menu appears, click the word Download.
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Canva defaults to PDF Standard for downloads. But, for our use, a JPG image file is what we will choose. To access the other download options, click the little down arrow just to the right of the PDF standard box.
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This pulls down several options for download, but JPG is going to be the best selection for graphics on the screen. Note: JPG can also be easily used for other places as well such as weekly bulletin or program, website, social media promo, etc.
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Congratulations you have made it to the last step. Just click the “Download” button and choose where you want to save your file. No need to adjust the size or quality sliders. Just click download. If you’d like to explore more features, check out the Advanced Tutorial (don’t worry it’s not really as hard as it sounds)!
It started with the best of intentions. Authenticity. The mantra in many of our congregations has became “be who you are”. On many occasions I have have even publicly said, “If you think the church is full of hypocrites, you are correct, I am one myself.” The intention was noble on my part. We don’t want to portray ourselves as something we aren’t. We don’t want to pretend to be someone we are not. That’s all good right? Well, yes it is. However, maybe this pendulum has swung a little too far. I believe we might have elevated authenticity to the level of a virtue. It’s not a virtue, although I guess one could compare it to being honest or truthful. For comparison sake, let’s say that authenticity is being honest with your life. That sounds so good and right. But, what if the truthful life we are living is contrary to God’s Word? What if we are authentically living a life that is contrary to God’s standard? Over the last several years, I have heard more and more, “at least I’m not fake”, or “I am the same person all the time”. The basic premise behind the statements are an acceptance of a sinful behavior, but justifying it because it’s not done privately. Once again, on the surface these sound right. But, what if we are allowing each other to live a lower standard simply because we are doing it authentically? Aren’t we called to “iron sharpens iron” each other? Aren’t we called to be fruit inspectors? Aren’t we called personally to become more like Christ? The answer to those last three questions is an emphatic “YES”.
Here’s an idea going forward: Let’s continue to be authentic with each other. But, let’s not make that the top priority. Let’s admit that we have sinfulness in our lives that needs to be brought under Lordship. Someone can authentically be a jerk, but that still doesn’t justify the behavior. I’d say to that person, “Thanks for being who you are, and not being fake, but the “who you are” is not acceptable”. The top priority is not authenticity, but rather becoming more like Christ.
God help us to not be fake, but at the same time grow. Help us to never accept a lowered standard simply because it fits “who we are”. God help us own “who we are” in our successes and our failures. Help us to be most authentic in our fight for Holiness.
“In any culture in which God is largely absent, sex, money, and politics will fill the vacuum for different people. This is the reason that our political discourse is increasingly ideological and polarized.” – Tim Keller
Life is an endless pursuit of fulfillment. We all desire to be filled. God has created us with a longing, this is from Him! I’ve grown up hearing and knowing that “only God can satisfy”. If you’ve been around the church for a while like me, you likely have as well. But, have the words that we’ve heard been absorbed into our heart? Do we truly live as though God is my one and only satisfaction? We might know the sufficiency of God in theory, but do we live it out in actuality? To be honest, there are so many other things that satisfy me: Pizza, Football, Hot Wings, Entertainment, Ice Cream … that’s three food references for those keeping score! Yes, those things do satisfy … or do they? What about deeper things? Can a new job making bucket loads of money satisfy me? (I’d sure like to try that one). What about fame? Maybe if I was famous, and everyone looked to me I’d be satisfied. What about power? What if I could say it and it would happen? What about pleasure? To keep it real, we have to admit that sin can be fun right? We live in a society that is continually lowering the moral standard. Go to the bar, get hammered, forget your worries, have a good time, find someone to go home with … have a good time … then repeat next weekend. There is some fulfillment in that. Power, Sex, Money, Fame, Control … they all offer some form of fulfillment. But, as you know, it’s fleeting. It doesn’t last. When you get money, you fear losing it, or you need more. You achieve fame, and find it isn’t as fulfilling as you thought. People in power positions are some of the loneliest people there are. They have many that listen to them and do everything they say, but yet they are lonely.
Only God can satisfy. It’s not just a trite Christian phrase we throw around. It’s truth. Solomon is said to be a man full of wisdom. He had everything life could offer: money, fame, women, power. You name it, Solomon had it. So, what was this wise mans conclusion? Solomon doesn’t waste time in the book of Ecclesiastes. Chapter One, Verse One says, “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” Don’t miss it … that’s his opening statement. I’d like to try that as a sermon introduction one Sunday. “Good morning congregation … Today’s message is, “It’s all Meaningless, Utterly Meaningless”. Now that would be an uplifter right? For twelve chapters in Ecclesiastes Solomon repeats over and over “meaningless, it’s all meaningless”. He gives example after example of his search, but still, “meaningless, it’s all meaningless”. So, twelve chapters later, what is the conclusion? Solomon writes, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Fear God. That’s the answer. Live under his commandments. Basically, do it God’s way.
The quote above also included politics. Politics is the new religion. Many fall into the trap of making politics their hope. The problem is that politics are lead by politicians. I’m not saying all politicians are bad, but I am saying that all politicians are human. Humans are fallible and make mistakes. Humans will disappoint. People will let you down. Underneath the politics is the ideology. We all have an ideology, or a way we see the world. We have an “ideal”. Could it be that our ideology is our hope instead of God being our hope? The thing that is dangerous about ideology is that it is never achieved, yet it’s always out there as something to strive for. Our ideal lingers under the surface reminding us that if we can just get to that next step, get that next promotion, get that candidate elected, etc… then, fulfillment will be found. But we never reach that point. We do fight for it though. Wars are started over ideology. Families are divided over ideology. Churches are split over ideology. Ideology is a silent killer that wrecks us.
So, what to do with this? Sex, Money, Fame, Ideology, Power … none of it will last, none of it will fulfill. Do we really believe that only God can satisfy? If so, how do we practically live that out? How do we live a life that is dependent solely upon God for satisfaction. At this point you might expect me to quote Scripture, which is always a good thing. I have numerous references I could use here. The Bible consistently talks about leaning on God, trusting in God, looking to God, etc. There is no shortage of those verses. That’s a common thing. But, I’d rather end this posting with a practical bit of advice. Here it is …. big drumroll …. RISK! Yeah, live with risk. Risk your life on God. If what you are doing right now has not brought you satisfaction, why not risk it all and go for something completely different? I’m not really a poker player, but if I was, I’d say put all your chips in. Go “all in” on your relationship with God. Risk it! Become the Jesus freak you used to make fun of. Get into God’s Word, listen to Christian music, ask questions, become over involved in your local church. Basically, sell out to Christianity.
I see two choices: Live the way you have been and experience moments of fulfillment, followed by droughts of loneliness and hopelessness. OR, try something completely different and RISK your life on God. I assure you the risk is worth it!
The quote above is from Tim Keller’s book Counterfeit gods (yes with a little “g”). This is one of the most influential books I have read over the last five years. I highly recommend it.
I love this song. It’s message is simple, yet convicting.
Anything I put before my God is an idol
Anything I want with all my heart is an idol
Anything I can’t stop thinking of is an idol
Anything that I give all my love is an idol
Lord, help me to put you first, to want you most, to think of you more, and to give you all. Lord, help me as I “clear the stage” in my life.
OK, so this isn’t necessarily a book review as much as an author review, but I just don’t think you can miss with Tozer. I’ve read several influential books in the past, but Tozer is the one author I continue to return to. His writing style is simple, yet direct. He’s not known for lofty words and grandeur speech. Though he pastored and authored for 44 years (I believe?), he was never formally educated in seminary. He was a self taught man. I think this is why I like him so much. He’s not tainted by over spiritualizing his words. At the same time, his words are incredibly insightful and profound. Once you start reading Tozer, it’s hard to quit. He’s very readable. You’ll find yourself immersed, and then out of no where … A ZINGER! He is known for quotes such as: “A pharisee is hard on others and easy on himself, but a spiritual man is easy on others and hard on himself.” Or, “The neglected heart will soon be a heart overrun with worldly thoughts, the neglected life will soon become a moral chaos.” These are just two of Tozer’s nuggets. His writings are full of them. If you are new to Tozer, I think you’ll quickly become hooked. He’s one of my favorites.
Below are links to recommended Tozer books (click links for Amazon descriptions): If you’re new to Tozer I recommend starting with “The Pursuit of God”.
