Manic Monday Minute is a serious mind-dump that will probably take you one minute to read. Here are some thoughts going through my head right now...
Its the Manic Monday Minute - the one published on the last day of March.
Enjoyed the weekend. Not too busy, not too boring.
Very rainy on Sunday here. It may be just me but it seems like it rains every Sunday to me.
I was complimented on my prompt email response skillz today.
It could have something to do with my speedy fingers.
I tried a new dentist today. He was very cool (as cool as a dentist can be) and I may be back.
Congrats to my blog friends Ben Arment and Jason Curlee on their new positions. Ben is the new event director for Catalyst and Jason announced that he will be the new principal for Corpus Christi Academy and will be leading a campus for Bay Area Fellowship.
I'm excited for both of these guys.
I attended a pastor's prayer meeting today and was asked to pray for this guy named Bob Boyd and his evangelistic association but misspoke and prayed for this guy.
How funny is that.
Welcome new readers. Nearly daily I'm seeing new hits, new commenters on the blog.
BTW, thanks for leaving the comments.
Bloggers who don't allow comments on their sites lose points with me.
Pollen pollen go away.
I read an article earlier by a lady that is encouraging everyone to spend their stimulus checks on new pillows for their bedrooms. I wasn't up on the idea until she shared the latest research on old pillows. Ewww.
I'm actually having a bowl of chili and watching an AppleTV podcast with ChurchyDave and his wife Kim.
Melon fluoride on the teeth. Better than mint.
There have been so many upsets in the Madness tourney
I have Kansas pegged as the champ.
I will announce the winner of the Capture the Caption contest on Thursday.
I sent my weight in today to Youth Specialties. I've got to be running in like 99th place. Yet everyone seems to tell me that I've lost weight. It must be the new longer hair I'm sportin.
I was invited by a pastor today today to go on a Presbyterian Pilgrimage. Never been on one but it sounds cool. I just may do it.
Now I'm listening to Kim's music on her iTunes. Thanks Kim.
Have you started twittering me yet? Twitter me here.
I'm bout to have a cookie.
Ok, Crawford out!
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Labels: Manic Monday Minute
I am STOKED when I see the body of Christ coming together. God is unifying His Church in many ways.
LIFECHURCH.tv exhibits this in so many ways. First of all, they offer FREE resources to churches via their site. If you haven't checked their stuff out you should. Today.
Now Craig Groeschel, Bobby Gruenewald and the guys at LifeChurch have done it again. Craig announced today that he is uniting with other pastors to do a series called ONE PRAYER in June. Watch this vid for a full explanation:
A W E S O M E.
I've worked together with other student pastors and pastors to brainstorm a teaching series and share curriculum (so we'll actually be doing the same series simultaneously - which is so cool)... but this goes a step further and is quite a creative way to have a guest speaker be a part of your worship experience at your church -- and also unify the body of Christ. I love it.
They have set up a website exclusively for this series. Check it for more info.
Labels: Church, Creative, Culture, Hot Topics, Marketing, Videos, Youth Pastors
I realize I may totally tune my blog audience out with this one but I must get this out. However, if you stick with me you may get a nugget or two out of this.
I am a pro-wrestling fan as many of you know and have been for years. Last night I watched the career of "The Nature Boy" (Ric Flair) come to an end at Wrestlemania.
I was stunned.
I guess I did not see it happening. I mean, Ric Flair retire? He is like many of us leaders who will probably never say die. We'll be in this thing called ministry until we draw our last breath.
On Saturday evening he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Ok, that could have been my first clue. However, I still did not see it coming.
He was to wrestle Shawn Michaels (my personal favorite, who I actually met two years ago!) in a career-threatening match. (The Chairman, Vince, made a stipulation that if Ric lost, his career would end.) Ok, that should have been my second clue. There were about 35.7 more clues along the way but again... never saw it coming.
The match was incredible. Shawn and Ric both delivered the best matches of their careers... and thats how Ric wanted it.
In the very last moment of the match Shawn was to deliver his finishing move and he said to Ric "I'm sorry. I love you" dropped Ric with a super-kick (aka "sweet chin music") and pinned him.
In reflection I thought "There is no better way to go. He entered the Hall of Fame and wrestled one of his best friends on the biggest stage of them all." Wow.
This actually made me think about how I want to finish my career. What legacy do I want to leave? If I were to write my own E-True Hollywood Story how would it conclude? I know some of you reading this blog post may be decades away from finishing, but thinking about the end is certainly in order here.
I definitely want to be still working for the Lord in my final years. I want to be serving Christ in some capacity (who knows what that'll look like at the time) and it would be incredible to be serving alongside my best friends.
How do you want to finish?
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Labels: Celebrities, Daily Detox, Sports, Television
“Why love if losing hurts so much? We love to know that we are not alone." --C.S. LewisI thought of this song when I read this.
Labels: Daily Detox
Also in the spirit of competition...
Boo-yah! Beat me. I got 74 wpm.
74 words
(ht to Tami)
Boo-yah! Beat me. I got 74 wpm.
(ht to Tami)
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Labels: Creative, Marketing, Students Only, Technology, Youth Pastors
Ok, Blog readers... in the good spirit of competition and, of course, non-stop hilarity, I welcome Capture the Caption, numero dos.
Guidelines:
Leave your caption entry in comments.
Keep it clean.
You may enter more than once.
Tell your friends, share the love.
Have fun!
Winner receives: Your choice -- Pop Goes The Church (Tim Stevens), In a Pit With a Lion (Mark Batterson),Your First Two Years of Youth Ministry(Doug Fields) or Soul Cravings(Erwin McManus).
Top contenders will be included in posts.
Winner to be chosen and announced on Thursday, April 3, 2008.
Top Contenders so far...:
"Tip 117: Don't put a Confederate flag on your truck unless you drive Bigfoot" (Amanda Hollingsworth)
"And that's why you don't practice parallel parking your dump truck on a job site..." (Joshua Treece)
"The National Transportation Safety Board ... " (Whitey)
"That'll teach him not to steal the twinkies out of my lunchbox!" (Darryl Bridges)
""Unnnnnn-cle!!!!" (Joy Ely)
""Call Enterprise We'll Pick You Up" (Churchy Dave)
(Top Contenders updated as of 10.41am, April 2.)
The winner is... "Unnnnnn-cle!!!!"(Joy Ely)
(Contest closed at 10.01AM, April 3,2008; Winner announced.)
Guidelines:
Winner receives: Your choice -- Pop Goes The Church (Tim Stevens), In a Pit With a Lion (Mark Batterson),Your First Two Years of Youth Ministry(Doug Fields) or Soul Cravings(Erwin McManus).
Top Contenders so far...:
(Top Contenders updated as of 10.41am, April 2.)
The winner is... "Unnnnnn-cle!!!!"(Joy Ely)
(Contest closed at 10.01AM, April 3,2008; Winner announced.)
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Labels: Capture the Caption, Photo Gallery, Straight Up Funny
CreativeMYK.com has recently added a social network to its graphic and photo sharing site. Artists (or leaders who love to design, like me!) can now display their talent, have their work critiqued and participate in discussions with other designers right on the site not to mention the potential of growing their client base.If you've never checked out CreativeMYK you're missing out on a whole lot of photo freebies!
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Labels: Creative, Leadership, Marketing, Youth Pastors
What if ... we celebrated the Resurrection of Christ AGAIN this Sunday?
Labels: Church, Daily Detox, Leadership, Youth Pastors
... I'll be posting a new CAPTURE THE CAPTION contest. This time I'm adding Tim Steven's POP GOES THE CHURCH in the pool of prizes you can choose from if your caption wins. Thats right, you can WIN IT BEFORE YOU CAN BUY IT.Pop Goes the Church releases nationwide on April 7th but you could have a copy in your hands (for FREE) before then. Check out the contest beginning tomorrow, right here!
Also, be sure to check out the new PGTC site here.
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Labels: Capture the Caption, Creative
Ok, Terrace, you have watched this vid too many times.
Sorry, gosh! I just think its SO darn funny how dramatic this lady on the front row is. Oscar anyone?
(ht to Los)
Sorry, gosh! I just think its SO darn funny how dramatic this lady on the front row is. Oscar anyone?
(ht to Los)
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Labels: Straight Up Funny, Students Only, Videos, Youth Pastors
“My reputation grows with every failure." --George Bernard ShawDo you publicize your failures or do you keep them a secret?
Labels: Daily Detox, Leadership
This week Phil Cooke visited the New York City theater that's being renovated by the Trinity Broadcasting Network near Union Square in Manhattan.
They are taking a historic theatre and renovating the inside but adding HD video capability as well, complete with multi-camera control rooms.
Cooke says their plan is to do live shows, concerts and more there. I just wish they'd call in some designers with taste. I was excited to hear they were renovating a historic theatre but then it hit me that they'll probably add their touch-o-gaudiness and ruin it. Check all the pics out here.
They are taking a historic theatre and renovating the inside but adding HD video capability as well, complete with multi-camera control rooms.
Cooke says their plan is to do live shows, concerts and more there. I just wish they'd call in some designers with taste. I was excited to hear they were renovating a historic theatre but then it hit me that they'll probably add their touch-o-gaudiness and ruin it. Check all the pics out here.
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Labels: Creative, Marketing, Technology, Television
“Don't tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results." --George S. PattenHave you so micro-managed your team that you've prohibited their creativity?
Labels: Daily Detox, Leadership
Manic Monday Minute is a serious mind-dump that will probably take you one minute to read. Here are some thoughts going through my head right now...
Its the Manic Monday Minute - the not-so-Manic one.
It has been an exciting weekend.
I've been visiting my family all this weekend in Florence, SC.
It has been so good seeing them this weekend.
Also loved driving my white Jeep Laredo I had for the weekend.
That thing is off the hook.
I also had a speaking engagement @ a church Easter morn.
I think the service went really well.
Was excited to hear the news from Tony about NewSpring launching a new campus in Florence this fall.
Florence is growing like a beast.
I've enjoyed the not-so-manic last few days.
Even my day off gets a little manic sometimes.
Thats not good.
The weather is so nice.
I've had trouble with Google analytics in the last few days. Can't get things set right. Insert frustration here.
Josh Griffin gave us the scoopie that Jason Castro was in the audience this weekend at Saddleback. He seems like a neat guy and definitely has talent.
I just got a text message about XM Satellite Radio and Sirius merging. Nice!
Did I mention how much I enjoyed the Jeep Laredo?
I cannot believe the upsets in the Madness tourney.
I'm currently 7th in the group standings.
Kansas all the way baby!
I've got them pegged to win the whole thing.
Can't wait to hear Gary's version of the egg-drop story on Saturday. A friend of mine attends his church and told me about the chaos and the aftermath that went down. Surprisingly he wants to triple the size of this thing next year.
The blogosphere has seemed very weird to me in the last few days. Has it to you? I don't know what it is, but it just seems weird.
Everyone told me over the weekend that I "look like I've lost weight." They will have to repent for that one.
I missed being at Cornerstone on Sunday.
Gas is so high! But a missionary told me its $8.50 in Spain. Whew, be thankful you are in the U-S-of-A.
Thanks for reading this stuff. Drop a shout-out to me, k?
Peace and hair grease.
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Labels: Manic Monday Minute
“It is never too late to be what you might have been." --George Elliot
So what dream have you give up on?
Labels: Daily Detox
This very moving vid was shared with me today.
Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice. I celebrate you today.
HE IS RISEN INDEED.
Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice. I celebrate you today.
HE IS RISEN INDEED.
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Labels: Church, Culture, Music, Students Only, Videos, Youth Pastors
... where kittens sing your name.
A bank in Australia is doing some unique advertising where they are doing 'different experiments' to find out if a bank can make people happy. For their first experiment they called in some singing kittens. Check this out.
(ht to Marko)
A bank in Australia is doing some unique advertising where they are doing 'different experiments' to find out if a bank can make people happy. For their first experiment they called in some singing kittens. Check this out.
(ht to Marko)
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Labels: Creative, Marketing, Students Only, Technology, Videos, Youth Pastors
I am currently visiting South Carolina as I was asked to speak today for an early service at a church. They have Sunrise Services here, which I'm not quite sure is a southern thing or not. I know they are more popular in the south, for sure. Speaking at 7AM is a tall order. Considering that my body doesn't really function until 10AM or after, it was tough. I used a new tool this morning to wake myself up. It is called "Wakerupper." Wakerupper is the web's easiest telephone reminder tool... and its FREE. You simply go to their site... set the time you want your wake up call, enter your telephone number and you are DONE! I got my wake-up call this morning at o-dark-thirty, courtesy of the FREE service.
ChurchyDave told me about this neat tool. He seems to find out about all the cool new tricks and toys first, so I often turn to the ChurchyMedia guys to make my life a little easier.
By the way, a little birdie told me that ChurchyMedia will be spotlighting Wakerupper in an upcoming feature on their site.
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Labels: Blog Shout, Personal, Resources, Technology
In case you missed this year’s Unleash Conference from NewSpring Church (Anderson, SC), you can now watch the main sessions online for FREE from their new website.The site also comes complete with FREE PDFs of breakout session outlines, including blogger Tony Morgan’s “10 Steps to Becoming Blogging BFFs.”
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Labels: Leadership, Marketing, Resources, Videos
“Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song." --Pope John Paul II
I thought this was an interesting quote.
Labels: Daily Detox
Ok... out of 12 games so far, I've picked 10 of 12 teams correctly in my personal March Madness challenge. Bummer. I thought I had these nailed.
I picked Kentucky to win over Marquette. That didn't happen. I love Kentucky. I would have picked them to win it all this year, but its not their year. I picked Kansas to go all the way. I also picked Kent St to whip UNLV, another incorrect choice.
Click here to view my personal bracket.
Click here to check out the rest of the group's standings so far and see how I measure up thus far.
Check the FOX Scoreboard here to see what games have gone down so far.
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Labels: Sports, Television, Youth Pastors
I love reading Tim Sanders' stuff. He has great ideas on many things but I especially love his ideas for building your network. He recently shared an idea about 'shuffling your network':"I love IPOD's shuffle feature: It takes my entire playlist (5000 plus songs) and randomly plays them for me. I re-discover old tunes, fall in love with new ones and am constantly surprised and delighted by the shuffle's results.You should also check out this great idea he had about Googling yourself.
Try this with your network of personal relationships. Whether you use a Roladex or Outlook, you have hundreds of contacts just waiting to be randomly contacted (shuffled). In many (or most) cases, you haven't talked to these contacts in a looooooong time.
Here's how to do it: Open your personal address book, pick any letter and a number between 1-20. Go to that letter of you book, and count down that number. Pick up the phone and call that person. Don't pretend you have a reason to call them, just contact them and catch up.
Do this once each day this week. This will put you in touch with five of your network nodes, for no particular reason. You'll be surprised how often there is business there, just waiting for randomness to help you find it. At the very least, it keeps your network fresh and vital as you either update, delete or refresh contacts in your book."
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Labels: Blog Shout, Leadership, Technology, Youth Pastors
Awkward[awk-werd] adjective : Embarrassing or inconvenient; caused by lack of social grace: an awkward moment.
Today a friend sent me a TXT message that its National Awkward Moment Day. So I'm curious... any awkward moments happen today in your life? or did you observe this holiday earlier in the year?
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Labels: Random, Straight Up Funny, Students Only, Youth Pastors
“Wanting things, whether we get them or not, is something with which we are all extremely familiar. Sometimes we want stuff, sometimes money, sometimes something harder to find and define like glamour, charisma, or popularity. Our culture has cut its teeth on consumerism. Everywhere we turn, people are talking about possessions. It is fashionable to talk about wanting 'a simple life,' but talk is cheap. In fact, most of us are extremely covetous." --Ed Young Jr. (First and 10)
So what is it that has its grip on you?
Labels: Daily Detox
I've seen this circulating the net and blogosphere for a while and think it is hilarious. So... I had to check out my skillz against the kiddos.
21
I think 21 is pretty good. What are your skills like?
21
I think 21 is pretty good. What are your skills like?
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Labels: Random, Straight Up Funny, Students Only, Youth Pastors
That was funny Ed...
... and yes, Joel, you are very corny sometimes.
... and yes, Joel, you are very corny sometimes.
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Labels: Celebrities, Leadership, Marketing, Videos, Youth Pastors
Manic Monday Minute is a serious mind-dump that will probably take you one minute to read. Here are some thoughts going through my head right now...
Its the Manic Monday Minute - sorry, no green.
Boy, I'm pooped.
It certainly has been quite the Manic Monday.
I was in a mood earlier today but several friends really encouraged me.
Had a nice chat with Zak. Their city won't allow them to have a copter drop eggs.
Hmm... what about Army tanks Zak? Just trying to help find an alternative.
I got so many calls here at the office from telemarketers today. I can tell when the secretary is on vacation. There is no one to help screen the calls!
Got to speak at a Community Holy Week Service today. There were quite a few pastors in attendance. I was so honored.
I get to preach this weekend too. I'm stoked over the message I'm working on!
I'm also stoked I get to see my family! Nothing like a road trip to South Carolina.
I had the weirdest experience at T.G.I.Friday's yesterday. Let's just say an awkward comment was made by our waiter and I could have gotten him fired.
I love Fridays. The restaurant and the day.
Can't wait for our mission trips this summer!
Whoops! I forgot to call a buddy of mine back.
I didn't wear green today.
I wanted to rebel.
Yes, I did get pinched.
Wonder why the heck St. Patty's day is in the same week as Easter? Tim Stevens answered that in a post today.
Can't wait to hear that guy @ WiBo.
It was COLD today! Like summer yesterday. Weird.
Hope all my Atlanta friends survived the tornadoes.
I'm teaching a bible study tomorrow evening for College & 20-somethings. Curricula from Ed Young Jr. Such good stuff!
I'm glad Ed has a blog now.
I did one of those tests today to see what reading level my blog is. Yep, its elementary. What a let down. Apparently I just need to start using big words. So watch for those, k?
I gained some weight over the weekend. I'm not too happy about that.
The children were climbing the walls Sunday. One little girl, who is 7-going-on-42, had a little guy in some wrestling submission hold. It kind of looked like the Camel Clutch. It was pretty amazing but sooo bad. I had to break it up quick because crying and desperately needed to tap out.
Yes, I like pro-wrestling. I would probably blog about it here sometimes but I know I'd annoy a lot of people. HA!
I also watch UFC. Any fans?
I think I'm going to cook dinner now.
...then watch my TiVo'd shows and hit the sack.
Crawford ouuuut!
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Labels: Manic Monday Minute
“The most important thought that ever occupied my mind is that of my individual responsibility to God." --Daniel Webster
So what occupies your mind?
Labels: Daily Detox
Tim Stevens announced earlier today that the Pop Goes The Church book now has a companion website. Tim will publish his speaking schedule, post blog updates and provide reviews of the book there. Additionally, the publisher will be giving away one book per fifty fans that join the PGTC Facebook Fan Page. ... and boys and girls I will be giving away a couple of the books here on the blog in a few upcoming contests. That's right, you'll be able to win it before you can buy it!
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Labels: Leadership, Marketing, Resources, Youth Pastors
