The early bird deadline for Whiteboard is today. I hope you'll join me May 21 in Va Beach for [this] great conference.
Labels: Conferences, Resources
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...
This is the Manic Monday Minute...
This is the Manic Monday Minute...
- Is it almost April already? Time is flying...
- Had a great weekend but a very busy one.
- Trees are beginning to bloom and allergy season is here again.
- Hope I'm not having a relapse. The sneezing has started again. *ugh!*
- I may have to go to bed early tonight. Between the thunder storm last night and someone's car alarm going off at 5:00am, this cat didn't sleep well at all.
- #FacebookFact: I don't spend much time on Facebook. I sign on... check my messages... take a quick look at the lastest news in threads... and thats it. That's probably another reason why I could never get into Farmville.
- Our student ministry is having a fundraiser dinner at our local Buffalo Wild Wings this Wednesday. Is there anything better? =) If you're local, email me for details.
- Lots of guests in our services yesterday. Always great to connect with new people.
- Saw the movie Precious today. Had to see what all the hype was about. I especially wanted to see the performances of Gabby & Monique. Incredible acting. The film was very stirring, very raw. The Hurt Locker is next on my list.
- Spoke at a Holy Week Service today in Norfolk, VA. A number of pastors were in the audience. What an honor.
- Shawn Michaels just retired from the WWE. He's been my favorite wrestler to follow for years. I met him in Cincinnati a couple of years ago.
- Gearing up for Easter weekend around Crossroads. We're anticipating a record turn-out this year. Working on an overflow plan.
- One creative thing we do at Easter is Crosswalk. Here's a little blurb about it.
- I have a couple of students that are fired up about a small group we just started. They are inviting everybody they know to it. Our small group is becoming a large group.... and that's exciting to me. I need about 15 more of these teens.
- I hosted a seder meal for students this past Sunday. It was one of the coolest experiences and our students loved it.
- Also hosted a concert on Sunday evening for students. We invited 3 local bands and had a blast...
- Conan Obrien's tweets are my favorite right now. But then again, I'm a superfan of Coco. NBC's loss... just sayin.
- I'm learning so much right now. Being stretched like never before. Read a post on learning today too - how appropriate.
- I occasionally giveaway free resources on twitter. If you're on twitter you can follow me [here]
- Simply just started a rewards program. Details [here]. And [here] is a little contest.
- Cell phone just died. *sigh*
- Ok, I'm out. See you in a minute.
Labels: Manic Monday Minute
A few years ago, someone affiliated with our church took a tour of Historic Yorktown and couldn't help but think of some spiritual parallels between the historic landmarks and some very key biblical markers. This walk became something of significance to her and she later shared the meaningful experience with our children's minister. Soon "Crosswalk," a devotional walk for families, was born and a number of people shared in this experience in preparation for Easter. Crossroads plans to sponsor the walk again this year through Historic Yorktown Easter Weekend. Here is a little news release I worked up for media outlets recently:----
On Saturday, April 3, 2010 Crossroads Community Church will sponsor an interactive devotional walk ("Crosswalk") through Historic Yorktown in observance of Easter.
The Third Annual Crosswalk will consist of 12 different stops at markers throughout Historic Yorktown which will serve as representations of biblical markers during the walk. From the Nelson House Garden (which will depict the Garden of Gethsemane) to Cornwallis' Cave (which will depict the empty tomb of Jesus Christ), participants will receive program guides that will lead them from start to finish in a 60-minute devotional walk prepared for individuals and families to observe the Easter holiday.
Crosswalk is open to the general public and free of charge. The walk will begin from the parking lot on Buckner Street and is open from 9:00am - 12:00pm on Saturday, April 3, 2010.
A friend of mine pastors a church in Hampton, VA and he has been doing a teaching series called "Desperate Sex Lives." A gentleman in that community was ticked off because the church sign flashes the word SEX right across the street from a school. This guy called the news media and, of course, it got attention. Here's a quick vid of the news:
Do you think the church should be tackling topics like Sex? Do you think this church should be sensitive to the fact there is a school across the street and not post controversial messages?
Go Freddy. I'm proud of you. I cannot agree more that the church has been silent too long on such a hot topic. Thanks to the news team who gave him the free publicity for his church. =)
Side note: I recently booked Freddy to speak to our students at an upcoming weekend conference I'm putting together. Can't wait!Do you think the church should be tackling topics like Sex? Do you think this church should be sensitive to the fact there is a school across the street and not post controversial messages?
Labels: Church, Culture, Hot Topics, Issues, News, Youth Pastors
I've been subscribed to a free text message service for a few years that constantly sends me scriptures to my cell phone. At one point I considered unsubscribing to the service. However, I soon changed my mind. One day I was speaking to a lady who was feeling hopeless. She was literally weeping as she chronicled the events in her life before me. Meanwhile, I was praying (in my head) for God to give me some word to tell her, because I had NO CLUE what to say.
Immediately I got a text message sent to my phone and said [to her], "excuse me for a moment, I need to get this." (Which, ordinarily is considered rude to do if someone is sharing with you.) I didn't anticipate this, but it was actually a scripture that was texted to me at that very moment. And yes, it was EXACTLY what she needed to hear. Awesome. And this kind of thing has happened all to often ever since.
If you've been following my journey recently, you know I've been going through rough waters. The spiritual experiences, though, have been just incredible. Let me share with you just a few highlights from just my text messages alone:
01/14/10: "Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving whether by many or by few." (1 Samuel 14:6) - this was sent to me on a day when I felt defeated and that the odds were stacked against me. This has since become one of my favorite scriptures. I say "nothing can hinder the Lord" to myself all the time now.
02/22/10: "Everything is possible for him who believes." (Mark 9:23) - I got this one on a day when unbelief had crept into my head and heart.
02/24/10: "Save me, O God, for the waters have come to my neck." (Psalm 69:1) - Just two days later I felt like I was drowning in the circumstances of life and the enemy had me convinced that no one understood what I was going through.
03/15/10: "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." (Psalm 94:19) - I had a confrontation with someone on this day and the entire situation is what I would describe as a complete joy-killer. I was preoccupied about the whole ordeal and God knew it.
03/20/10: "So keep your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me." (Acts 27:25) - I feel God has given me vision for some things to come; however, at times I've doubted his faithfulness - like on this particular day. That is, until I got this text.
God is Good. Keep txting me Jesus.
Side note:
Some youth groups and organizations I know use text messaging services to send out daily scriptures or alerts as well. I would highly recommend this one and this one to you as a resource. Tell them I sent you.
Immediately I got a text message sent to my phone and said [to her], "excuse me for a moment, I need to get this." (Which, ordinarily is considered rude to do if someone is sharing with you.) I didn't anticipate this, but it was actually a scripture that was texted to me at that very moment. And yes, it was EXACTLY what she needed to hear. Awesome. And this kind of thing has happened all to often ever since.
If you've been following my journey recently, you know I've been going through rough waters. The spiritual experiences, though, have been just incredible. Let me share with you just a few highlights from just my text messages alone:
01/14/10: "Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving whether by many or by few." (1 Samuel 14:6) - this was sent to me on a day when I felt defeated and that the odds were stacked against me. This has since become one of my favorite scriptures. I say "nothing can hinder the Lord" to myself all the time now.
02/22/10: "Everything is possible for him who believes." (Mark 9:23) - I got this one on a day when unbelief had crept into my head and heart.
02/24/10: "Save me, O God, for the waters have come to my neck." (Psalm 69:1) - Just two days later I felt like I was drowning in the circumstances of life and the enemy had me convinced that no one understood what I was going through.
03/15/10: "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." (Psalm 94:19) - I had a confrontation with someone on this day and the entire situation is what I would describe as a complete joy-killer. I was preoccupied about the whole ordeal and God knew it.
03/20/10: "So keep your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me." (Acts 27:25) - I feel God has given me vision for some things to come; however, at times I've doubted his faithfulness - like on this particular day. That is, until I got this text.
God is Good. Keep txting me Jesus.
Side note:
Some youth groups and organizations I know use text messaging services to send out daily scriptures or alerts as well. I would highly recommend this one and this one to you as a resource. Tell them I sent you.
Labels: Church, Devotionals, Personal, Resources, 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...
- This is the Manic Monday Minute...
- My family surprised me with a visit last Wednesday. It was so good to see them. Those visits are always so short.
- Enjoyed Williamsburg, a Ferry ride and dinner at the Outback with the fam.
- Spent most of the weekend in Nags Head, NC. My good friend, and fellow staffer, Debbie got married.
- Wedding and weather was beautiful.
- Darn cough still around.
- Eyeballing a marshmellow bunny sitting on my coffee table right now.
- Caught the show "Minute to Win It" this week on television. I'm thinking one of the creators of the show had to attend youth group at one point.
- #FacebookFact: I keep my chat disabled. I used chat for a while until my friends list grew. When I would sign on in the late evening (just before bed) to check messages I would get messaged by someone I hadn't seen in years who wanted to "catch up."
- I had a craving for Rice Krispy Treats cereal over the weekend. I drove to several stores to find it... only to discover they don't sell it anymore. Except on Amazon.com?
- Stoked about hosting a concert for students this weekend!
- I've eaten at Five Guys twice in the last 3 days.
- Been talking with some great companies and organizations about partnering with me in helping resource leaders. If you'd like to advertise on this site and partner with me, send me an email.
- I gave away some free resources on twitter. If you're on twitter you can follow me [here]
- Really miss my show, Lie to Me. I heard it got cancelled but read an article yesterday that said the show is coming back around late-April.
- Feel like my energy has been sucked right out of me.
- Dear sweet Jesus, please help our leaders figure out the best solution for our healthcare system.
- It seems to take adversity to bring blessing more often than not.
- Just checked out this short eBook on church fundraising [here]
- Crawford out.
Labels: Manic Monday Minute
[The Whiteboard Sessions]
RSS Subscribers: there is video [here]
Labels: Conferences, Creative, Marketing, Resources, Videos
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...
- This is the Manic Monday Minute...
- It rained all weekend and is raining now.
- I was diagnosed with an Upper Respiratory Infection on Friday.
- After two weeks of dealing with this jank I decided to go to the doctor.
- I waited two hours on the doc to see me. I'm glad he called me back when he did. The patients in the waiting room were starting to scare me...
- One lady in a wheel chair was coughing and I kept looking up (from the book I was reading) to make sure she was still breathing. Yes, it was that bad.
- Another lady nearby was covered in hives and a gentleman was on oxygen sitting next to me. Needless to say, I had a hard time focusing on my book.
- I love this time change.
- Spent most of the weekend in Washington DC with students at a Planet Wisdom conference. Mark Matlock and team does an incredible job putting together a conference for teens. I highly recommend their conferences.
- Great seeing Dawson McAllister again on this tour. I use to work for DMLive and the Hopeline a few years ago.
- After hearing about our staff having to take a pay cut in February, a good friend has been dropping an occasional movie gift card in my hands as a special treat. Thank God for friends like this. God is a great provider.
- I cannot wait to see how He is going to provide for my need for a vehicle.
- #FacebookFact: I hardly ever accept "friend suggestions" on facebook. I figure if someone wants to be my friend they'll find me.
- Been reminiscing with friends about episodes of Conan. While some adults were reading to fall asleep, just months ago, I watched Coco.
- I got punched in the gut earlier today (figuratively speaking) by a comment from someone. It took me for a tailspin and I was going to allow it to ruin my day...
- ... but within minutes I got a call from a friend who poured on some encouragement and turned that around.
- A student prayed over me this evening. Very moving...
- I started a new small group out of my home for teens. Very stoked about this.
- I'm convinced that the enemy has set out to destroy me during this season of my life... but God has put together an offense that can conquer anything. I witnessed the offense in action at least 3 times today alone.
- The rest of 2010 is about to blow my mind. I hope you'll keep following along on my journey.
- [this is the end of this post. chin up. there will be more this week.]
Labels: Manic Monday Minute
If I only had $6,000 crisp dollars and were of a little more influence I might find myself at TED. I love listening to the 18-minute messages from world-class speakers and teachers available on the conference website. I recently viewed this vid by a New York designer, Stefan Sagmeister, about the power of taking time off.
Just curious, have you ever taken a sabbatical? Personal retreat? Was it effective for you?
RSS Subscribers: there is video [here]
OK, so maybe Stefan is the taking time off to the extreme. However, if given the opportunity we might do the same. I mean, he definitely makes a great case for ceasing from work.
I've never had a sabbatical. I'm a firm believer that ministry will suck you dry too. If anyone needs a sabbatical its ministers. Perhaps one day we can all take one. In the meantime, I value the power of a day off. I see the importance of retreats. And I plan to schedule more of these for myself this year.Just curious, have you ever taken a sabbatical? Personal retreat? Was it effective for you?
RSS Subscribers: there is video [here]
Labels: Creative, Leadership, Resources, 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...
- This is the Manic Monday Minute...
- ((cough, cough))
- The head cold has lingered...
- Had a huge weekend at Crossroads. We relaunched one of campuses and Sunday was the BIG day.
- Lots of energy and excitement. It was definitely a festive occasion.
- Watched the Oscars last night. I was glad Monique and Sandra Bullock won. Both incredible performances.
- Surprised they left Farrah Fawcett out of the In Memoriam segment and was shocked to hear the Academy refused to apologize until I read this. Apparently, talent like Bea Arthur and Ed McMahon were also left out of the segment.
- Caught a matinee showing of Alice in Wonderland today with one of my students.
- Someone told me that it should be called "Alice in Chains' Wonderland" because it was pretty dark. I laughed.
- #FacebookFact: You can subscribe to my blog on facebook via Networked Blogs.
- Had a great time at Winter Jam. Enjoyed hanging with my friend, Tony Nolan.
- Tony McCollum just started a resource site for church leaders. You can check it out [here]
- I have very recently found out that Tony and I have some very similar passions - resourcing and encouraging church leaders is one of them!
- Started taking doses of cough syrup that has expired because I'm too cheap to buy a new bottle. Or perhaps conservative is the word...
- If I die, tell the authorities about that. Please.
- Still need a car here. Keep your ears to the ground, as they say, for me. God will provide.
- I miss Conan's show ... but he's keeping me entertained with his tweets.
- Love the back stories on churches that my friend, Ben, is doing on his blog.
- Looking forward to seeing the Skit Guys next weekend when I'm in Washington, DC. I enjoyed seeing them again at SYMC in Chicago.
- ((cough)) I'm off to bed. Darn cough.
Labels: Manic Monday Minute
You Rock
Loved this blog post by Seth Godin today. It's about using 5 minutes of your life... but it'll take you about 1 minute to read it. Go read it [here].
Labels: Creative, Leadership, Resources, Youth Pastors
Communicating news to students and parents in ministry can be a real headache. I mean, if everyone used the same medium it would be easy... but its not the case. Some prefer email or facebook, others texts, and then you have a few that would rather you call them. Learning what is most effective for your ministry is key. My friend, Tim Schmoyer, led a workshop while we were at SYMC in Chicago on this very topic. Today I'm sharing the video from that seminar.
RSS Subscribers: there is video [here]
Labels: Communicating, Conferences, Resources, Technology, 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...
- This is the Manic Monday Minute...
- I literally just stepped off the plane.
- Had a blast at the Simply Conference this last few days in Chicago.
- I'll literally be unpacking things (in mind and heart... but also suitcase) for days!
- One of the biggest highlights for me, with any conference, is meeting people I've known virtually. Bloggers and tweet peeps, it was a pleasure.
- I'm so relational and I cannot lie.
- Way to go #TEAMUSA in the Olympics!
- Snapshots of SYMC by my good friend, DC Curry, [here]
- #FacebookFact: I typically sign on to facebook just to check messages. I get asked all the time if I monitor other people's statuses. Wha? Um... no. If I sign on and you post I may actually see your status. There you go.
- Listening to some throwback music. 80's tunes.
- Heard Cyndi Lauper was going to be on the new season of Celebrity Apprentice.
- I'm replaying this, this, and this in my head.
- Got to have breakfast with nearly the entire LISM's mentorship team at the conference. It was really cool getting to meet everyone.
- I took a few books with me to read during down time at the conference. Yea right. There was no down time to be had.
- I'm on the ground now but my ears aren't. I'm having trouble hearing after my flight.
- Take a test drive for a minute... [click here]
- Can't believe the magnitude of the earthquake in Chile. I'm surprised there wasn't greater devastation intially.
- Had Moe's tonight for dinner. Haven't seen Moe in a while.
- HELP! Haitians. Click [here] to provide much needed tents for families in Haiti.
Labels: Manic Monday Minute
