Nobodies

In christian social networking circles, name recognition means everything. The worlds of FaceBook and Twitter abound with ministry heavyweights. Getting involved is a sign of being connected.

Still, behind the scenes, underneath the celebrities, there is a network of quieter folks, no less inspiring and with compelling stories -- folks that blow you away with their sincerity and friendship.

These "nobodies" (a group which I humbly fall in to) are what make social networks what they are. I know that I can get with Danny with a quick tweet, or shoot the breeze with Pamela, or argue with Karen. I can TokBox with Amanda, Richard, Scott, Ms Michelle and the rest of the Rowdy 180 till the wee hours of the morning.

I know that Waalien is always available; JennFelt is just a call away; I can plan a lunch meeting with Jace, Justin and/or Antoine on the fly. I can talk poetry with Sarah, cyber-box with Paige and call on Ron for some back-up. Cool thing is that I can pray with any and all of these people at any given time.

I could go on and on. I could shut down Blogger if I took the time to detail how my social family affects me and my ministry. From 180 to CB to beyond, I am grateful for the friendship, and for being celebrities in my life.

As a tribute, I am starting a segment... starting with a couple people you may or may not have heard of, called "People I Dislike..."

Stay tuned...

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Street Cred

In ministry, you need street cred.

It's a simple concept, and everybody knows it's true. In youth ministry, the need is even more pronounced.

For instance, everybody knows that in youth ministry, you can "up" your rep with a few add-ons. You can also knock yourself down a few notches with misconceived ideas.

For example: a motorcycle gives you instant credibility. And specific motorcycles give different vibes. A senior pastor on a Harley is uber-cool; on the other hand, a youth pastor will want to get a two-wheeler that sacrifices comfort. Yep, you guessed right: the youth pastor who is serious about projecting street smarts will only ride a crotch rocket. Preferably in neon coloring.

Another instant-rep-giver that may be a bit more ubiquitous is the tattoo. Nothing proclaims "downness" like inked skin. And no, I am not talking about christian symbols like the cross, or ambiguous etches like thorns on the biceps. Dude, I am referring to confusing symbols that originate in the Far East. No youth pastor is complete without at least one. Trust me, youth ministry search committees will ask to see them. Going forward, I suggest going to interviews with tank tops and sleeveless mesh muscle shirts to portray seriousness.

No budding youth pastor is complete without body piercings. Abundance is key. In fact, the "maler" one is, the more exposed piercings are needed. Lips, eyes, elbows -- anywhere and everywhere. If you walk by a microscope and it it does not need to be recalibrated, you are simply not dedicated enough.

Yeah... it's true. Unconventional is in. It is trendy to be atypical. Shoe shines are not enough. Maturity can be a minus. Youth ministry is like gymnastics. 25 yrs of age makes you a senior citizen.

I am in trouble. I married wrong. The woman is perfect... but each time I brought up getting a bike, she ominously presented me with new life insurance policies. I finally gave up. I am not big on tattoos, and henna just doesn't give me the juice I need. The joke, however, is on y'all; I can get all the piercings I want.

Hmph.

Images courtesy of Wiki Commons.

Praise God

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BlackBerry-less

So, I have been cranky... the USB port on my 8320 was ruined, and thus, I couldn't charge or sync my phone.

I had a few options. I could get a refurb unit from Tmo for free, but that would mean getting a new PIN, and switching over the tons of apps to a device that wouldn't be new. I could upgrade to the 8900, but then, I'd have the same problem as above (plus, an expense I could not justify).

I even flirted with the idea of getting a new device and/or carrier, but in the end, I decided thatmy 8320 was too good to let go, and no current device was an upgrade by my standards.

So, I sent in the phone to BBRepairshop. Can't wait for the device to get back.

Stay tuned. I am.

Praise God

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Women and self-worth

Now that I have a daughter, I can authoritatively comment on women and self-esteem. I can authoritatively say I still know nothing: except to listen to my wife and do my darnedest to ensure she understands how she should be treated and how she should view herself.

This post is from dear friend Jen... I absolutely loved it.

Burn away!

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Soccer Keeper Uses iPod

As a soccer coach and former keeper, this bit of news from Reuters caught my eye... a keeper using an electronic device (in this case, an iPod) for on-the-field analysis that arguably helped him and his team win the coveted League Cup via penalty shoot-out.

Ben Foster, goal tender for powerhouse Manchester United, watched penalty kicks previously taken by opponent Tottenham Hotspur designated kickers. He watched the clips with United's goalkeeping coach as a tactical move prior to the shoot-out.

In youth soccer, I think one of the most under-utilized tools is game film. Having film, in my opinion, is priceless. Ever talked to a 12 yr-old about a mistake he/she made on the field ten minutes earlier? Chances are he/she won't remember. Have the same child watch herself on video... they practically troubleshoot themselves. Pointy ball coaches have been doing this forever; you wonder why we, as coaches of a game as fluid as soccer, do not routinely film games for future reference.

It is relatively easy to get parents to tape a game, too.

Hopefully, The FA and FIFA won't overeact and ban the use, though an argument could be made that allowing some electronic aids on the pitch opens the doors to abuse. Still, it goes to show that real football goalkeepers are the smartest folks around.
Praise God!

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That pesky concept known as faith...

Faith is:

* a very, very disconcerting topic. Lord, you're telling me to rest on You? Completely?

* the ultimate log/speck talking point... easy to troubleshoot in others, not so much in self

* is a very humbling concept.

* can be contagious. Sometimes, it takes one faithful person to effect change

* is extremely energy-efficient. A speck does wonders.

* does wonders for mental health.

* is phenomenal when paired with sister pesky concept "love."

Praise God!

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Injured good Samaritan ticketed for jaywalking

Seriously? Please give this guy a break... (and someone finally did).

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The Source

I had gone over to my parents house this weekend to look at a problem they were having with their wireless network. I had installed it a few weeks earlier, and Mom reported that all of a sudden, it had quit working.

I was able to isolate the initial problem fairly quickly, but for the life of me, I could not get it up and running. The cable modem was working fine, and after resetting, it was broadcasting "online" and the router seemed fine. I just could not continue the connection to the world wide web.

Stumped, I decided to take a break and start another project for my Mom: getting her Wii console fixed. My mom had shocked us all by purchasing the gaming system a few weeks back, but for the kids, it made Nana's home even more welcome.

While looking for the Wii serial number, I noticed that my parents were now on DirecTV. Impressive, I thought.

It wasn't till later that the answer to my initial problem jumped at me. I called my Mom.

"Mom... when did this problem start?"
"In December" she answered.
"Well, when did you cancel cable and go to DTV?" I queried.
There was a pause. "In December."

Voila! Problem solved! The folks had cut off cable. There was no internet source.

The teaching moments are analogies are plentiful for every facet of ministry, personal and church. Basically, it can boil down to asking, particularly in lean times: what is your Source? Is it constantly refreshed? Is there something blocking it?

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Prison Break.

In this story from Reuters, we hear about the sad case of a prisoner who requested that the police actually re-incarcerate him. Life in the real world was not pleasant. He needed a break from freedom.

It actually tugged at my heartstrings. I admit it.

I was thinking of the first of the Matrix movies, where a group of rogue humans fought to free other humans from a captive facade created my machines to keep them (humans) under control. A subplot was the idea that some people freed from bondage actually preferred to be returned to the empty existence. In the movie, one of the humans was so intent on returning, he betrayed and killed most of the crew.

How do we present ourselves (as ministers)? Do folks come in all green-eyed, and yearn to get away from our fellowship as soon as possible? Do we really work to maintain the relationships we have, versus letting the newbies fend for themselves?

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Want a mistress? Think again...

In this story that blurs the line between real and incredible, we get yet one more reason why having a mistress is generally not a good idea...

I blame this on Twitter Pal Ben Cotten, who made the tweet that brought it to my attention.

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Sweet tea, me-way and ministry.

I am a sweet tea addict.

Sweet tea defines my identity: in it, I am proud southerner. Nothing gets me out of a funk like some ice cold sweet tea. Now, I like to consider myself smarter than Esau, and I truly believe that lentil soup would never make me sell my birthright, but in my more lucid moments, I have to admit that a pitcher of liquid brown goodness would give me pause.

Now, along with this love of sweet tea comes an absolute disdain of iced unsweetened tea. Just typing that pushes me to the edge of insane anger. Would adding some sugar really be that hard? It gets worse when you go to a restaurant an ask for sweet tea, and they offer you the unsweetened, poisonous version. Then, they rub salt in the wound by offering to mix in sugar for you. Really? It should be criminal. People have been jailed for less.

It's just the way things should be. Sweet tea should be sweet, and it should be cold. When I say sweet, I mean it should hit the brain on the first mini-sip. When I say cold, it should threaten the esophagus with frostbite from beginning to end. Yeah... that's how it should be. As Mr Nezzer of Veggie Tales fame would say: bland, lukewarm, barely-any-sugar "sweet" tea is for sissies!

So, I think something is clear. I couldn't really explain the pros and cons of the latest stimulus bill, but when it comes to serious issues like the chilled consumption of Camellia sinensis, I am very, very passionate. The Boston Tea Party holds extra special significance with me, homie...

Hey, Don't judge me. We all have our individual passions...

It's funny, though, how my way becomes the "right" way. Almost imperceptibly, my way becomes THE way. And, despite my good intentions, that becomes dangerous when it supersedes what should be my true Guide.

When it comes to ministry, it can be a tricky balancing the need for open-mindedness with the requirement of unyielding ethics. On the flip side, we have seen when the "me-way" leads astray when it is paired with an unfettered desire to think outside the box... and that, my friends, is a discussion for another day.

Images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

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True Life

Experiencing true life is the name of the game for '09 at The Branch...

Come join us as we talk about how to do just that...

9AM and 10.45 AM Sundays at Mallard Creek Center in Charlotte...


Praise God!!!

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Heat

On Sunday, our pastor shared a simple testimony that really struck home.

When the church moved to its present location (a rec center), the new spot did not have air conditioning. In NC, that is a congregation killer in the Summer.

To have a system installed would cost about $75K... not a small amount. The human way of thinking would have been to find a new place (or even shelve the idea completely).

As God would have it, someone stepped forward and paid for most of the install of the A/C.

Now, at first blush, this is the end of the story. The Branch Came, It Saw, It Conquered. God wins, and the needs of His people are met. The assurance of such is almost anticlimactic.

But then, Derek pointed something out that was so profound in its simplicity, it had me in deep meditation afterwards.

Now, when the funding was provided, BFC could have done what a lot of us (self humbly included) would have done by instinct: looked up, said thank you, and used the money to find better digs. In fact, the blessing almost demanded it. And why not? It was the logical thing to do.

However, it is a good thing to just sit pat and listen sometimes. Because BFC stayed at the rec center and allowed itself to be used as a tool, goodness was performed. Look at the big picture... now, everybody in the county will enjoy the fruits for years to come.

This is not a thread to declare how holy an individual or church is; it's an admission that even when we mean to do well, we have to understand that human vision is almost always shortsighted when compared to God's.

The truth of that should be sobering AND reassuring.
Praise God!!!

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Sunday blues.

So, we dropped our Sunday game today 1-0.

At some point in my life, I won't get as testy after losses. Not today, though. For now, I am gonna go try my hand at Chicken Diavolo and drown my sorrows in some root beer.

Sent via my BlackBerry.

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Things they didn't tell you about youth ministry

Through the years, I have been blessed with the opportunity to work with some of the best kids and youth (and parents) on earth. I have had the privilege of being able to do so in pews and on the pitch.

Now, I see some of my wards having getting married, having kids, and even becoming ministers themselves. It makes the rough times even more worth it.

Along the way, I have picked up some lessons on the way. Some I have learned by making mistakes; others by seeing peers make missteps. Either way, you learn very quickly that youth ministry will change you. It will eat you up or enrich your life, and it really depends on your walk with You Know Who.

Here are some non-finite life lessons:

1) Leave the ego at the door. Get this song out of your head. You're not hot. You're not fly. Yeah, you think you are, but you don't have all the answers. Trust me: one way or another, you will be humbled.

2) While leading the horse to the pond, replenish yourself. Burnout is a real concept.

3) You know the older guy who is around the church all the time? You know... the one who hired you, does your reviews, and gives you feedback and helpful criticism? That is the s-e-n-i-o-r p-a-s-t-o-r. Believe it or not, he is not your enemy, or a stumbling block to your ministerial greatness. The wise youth pastor leans on his lead pastor for advice and vision. You CANNOT be successful if your head honcho does not buy in.

4) A true sign of genius is possessing the intelligence to network with tenured ministers. Make friends. Pick minds. You and your youth program will be better for it. The old Baptist deacon that comes from the church that does not have the budget for a youth pastor can be your biggest asset. Put your nose down. It helps you see better.

5) 40 hours? Funny. Part-time? Ludicrous. Really. Look, it would be nice if youth needed help from 9-5, but in the real world, it does not happen that way. You're gonna get those midnight calls, and you need to realize that the call is a true blessing. Think about it.

6a) Hold your youth to high standards. Make the rules, have the senior guy approve em, and enforce them... this leads us to...

6b) Compassion and grace must be a part of your ministry.

7) Be authentic, because, while you can fool the senior staff (and even parents) some of the time, the youth themselves will see through you very, very quickly.

8) The Brady Bunch, Ministry is not (now that I have confused both of us, what I am trying to say is that there is going to be conflict). Also, just because someone does not agree with your visionary ideas does not mean he/she is an atheist.

9) Treat your volunteers like gold. Fawn over them. Praise them. Background check them too. Train them. Why? At some point, you will realize that you can't do it alone.

10) Don't forget the most important question. Who are you doing this for? Hint: look up...
Praise God!!!

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Revolutionary Love

Here is a novel idea from LifeChurch.tv: what would happen if people not only believed that love can change the world, but actually armed the belief with action?

This is the premise behind an innovative, cheeky experiment from LC: Revolutionary Love. It's all about paying it forward without necessarily waiting for the love to passed on to us first.

*** thanks to Amanda for pointing out the truth: the love was freely given to us in the first place.

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Out of bounds...

Well, by now y'all know I am sucker for feel-good sports stories. You know, stories that show class and honor the game without sacrificing competition.

In this story from AP (courtesy of Rivals.com), we hear about how Illinois DeKalb High School chose to honor a grieving player during a game against rival Milwaukee Madison High School.

DeKalb High senior Johntel Franklin had lost his mother, and his team was playing without him. After the game started, in need of support from his team, he made the trip to join his team directly from the hospital.

There was one problem: Franklin was not on the pregame roster, and playing him would cost his team two technical free throws in a close game.

The opposing coach actually tried to decline the shots. The referees conferred, and (in what I believe to be the right decision), decided to stick to the rules. In a testament to how honor can exist within the rules, the coach decided on a way that would not contravene the rules, allow the young man to play and honor his mother.

He had his player (who volunteered) to miss the free throws. On purpose. Out of bounds.

In a time when stats rule our collective consciousness, when athletes use drugs to create the facade of excellence, when Ws are the only measure of worth, it is refreshing to see folks who still understand that respect looks most regal when it is given away freely. Compassion is never a sign of weakness when it is doled out in an honorable manner.

Hats off to the coaches, players and officials involved. I have never met Dave Rohlman, but is an honor to share the title of "coach" with him.

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Black History Month: Duck!

So, it's Black History Month.

For some churches, it will not be a huge shift in thinking; for others, it can be a borderline uncomfortable time that has staffers extremely grateful that February is the shortest month in the year.

For churches with a sprinkling of black members, there are a few ways to approach it. You can sit back, praying that no one notices the unusual programming on TV and related ads from corporations, and that you and your church slide through unscathed. The problem is that this is the one month that you can watch Roots and every movie that has Redd Foxx in it. It is likely someone will catch on.

You can go the other way, and hire a Black Affairs Coordinator for 28/29-day period. All you have to do is drastically change your church's identity for less than a full month: get a gospel choir, some "good" beats and have really, really long Sunday services. Your goal is to make everybody uncomfortable regardless of ethnicity (I am so available to serve as your Coordinator; I probably know less than you about running a Black History Month Program, but so what? Appearance is everything).

Or... you can treat the the other eleven months with a decent amount of regard. I think a respect for the cultural sensitivities of all is important, but should not surpass the overall identity of the congregation.

So, you then get the question: why observe BHM anyway? Well, why not? Just as I will not presume to state a church is not healthy because it does not make a spectacle of the month, I can find no reason to state a church should not take the time to recognize the accomplishments of black people in society, particularly when weighed against the backdrop of this country 's history.

On the other hand, ritualization bothers me. I admit to having misgivings aboutcarving out the larger picture of AMERICAN issue, and I wonder if I am wrong to think that way.

The truth is that black history will weigh differently based on geography and demographics. The key, in my humble estimation, is to ensure that God is being glorified. We have to resist the urge to view it as an inescapable annual nuisance. In some cases, it may not even benefit the church to mark the celebration. If it leads to dissension, bitterness or confusion, the church leadership may want to ease into it another time. Conversely, if marking BHM leads to inevitable chest poundings and high fives because of the success of the new "urban" initiative, the goals of the church may need to be reevaluated.

In the mean time, I can completely understand if you feel that the networks should give Abe Lincoln a rest. I concur. Don't switch the murals for confusing artwork referencing Bob Marley and Marcus Garvey just yet.

Be true to God. Every other thing is extra.
Praise God!!!

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Bethany Church of Weddington needs Student Pastor

If you are a youth ministry professional looking for an awesome opportunity to serve, check out Bethany Church of Weddington... they need a Student Pastor.

Get with Bob Williard or Tim Reichert at job at bethany-church.com. I have talked to Tim, and I am sure he is a Carolina fan, as he is clearly a gentleman. I always take my hat off to folks who treat a fellow believer with respect, even when they really don't have to.

If the rest of the congregation is half as nice, this is definitely a great place to serve...

YIC,

TL

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Culture and the church

Great article by Twitter buddy Keith Tackel. In this blog post, he talks about culture and the church, and relates it to Paul's biblical example.

As I said, great food for thought.

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Judges jail kids for cash?

In a story that shivers my spine, AP reports that two Pa. judges are alleged to have been sending juveniles to private detention centers for huge kickbacks.

It highlights how we, as a society, have probably reduced the judicial system to mockery of what it is supposed to be: an impartial sword.

You see, by default, the system targeted kids that had no resources for proper representation. While I tend to be one who favors reasonably strong, logical deterrents, I do feel it needs to be done the right way.

I sense the fallout will be immense. Apparently, a lot of cases will have to be reviewed.

Another dirty vacuum cleaner...

Picture courtesy of Andres Bardwell via Wiki Creative Commons Attribution License

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Dirty vacuum cleaners

I was feeling especially manly the other day, and rather than climb a skyscraper and beat my chest, I decided to do something to make the wife proud.

Our vacuum cleaner had pretty much conked out. I had no suction, and I determined that it would need to be replaced since it was hopelessly clogged.

The irony was not wasted on me; here was a cleaning device crippled by the stuff it was supposed to clean.

Fascinating.

I took it apart, and with the wifey's help, was able to get it back together and working like new. I am so the man around these here parts!

The experience reminded me of a church scandal from years past; a convention president who got involved in adultery and misappropriation of funds. Really messy when church leaders get into stuff like that, and we really hurt the ministry as a whole.

Anyway, did I point out that I am a hero now?

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My article in Prodigal Magazine.

There is only one thing better than reading your favorite publication: reading your own article in that publication!

I have been a big fan of Prodigal Magazine since I discovered it on Alltop; thus, you'll understand my excitement when an article I wrote was published.

I am so thankful for an opportunity to write...

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Real world compassion

My wife made an off-hand remark about the fund-raising pop collaboration "We Are The World" (My parents had owned the VHS tape; I recall it being the first time I realized that Kenny Rogers and Kenny Loggins were different people).

It made me think about the need for the church to truly focus on social issues that were close to our Lord's heart. Of course, such issues should be close to our hearts as well.

I am talking about the need to focus on the less fortunate in our respective cities.

More on this thought to come...

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Is diversity a controversial topic?

Ahhh... the joys of getting blown off.

So, it's no secret that I have been working on a project talking about diversity. Most of the church leaders I have spoken to have been frank and helpful. All have been encouraging. In fact, I can honestly say that plenty have gone out on a limb to assist me.

I did get shut out by one major entity, and it was one that I was especially sure would give me some good talking points. What made it especially strange is that they are right here in the local area; weirdly enough, it was a ministry partner of said church that suggested I talk to them.

Like I said... weird. I figure it had more to do with my relative lack of status than anything else (like the supposed controversy of the topic).

No real need the church... I assume both top dogs have their reasons. I have been wrong in the past.

Sent via my BlackBerry.

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Marijuana, and the gold medal swimmers that use it.

So the web is aflame with pictures and related stories about Michael Phelps, and the word "bong" has been reintroduced to a country sorely in need of post-election buzz words. Awesome.

Now, philosophical discussions about the use of recreational drugs aside, a major issue that has also been regurgitated is whether or not athletes (and other celebrities) should be role models to our children. We know Charles Barkley's view; what is yours?

Basically, I think the world still needs heroes. We all need to see folks do it the right way. Better yet, we want to see them win, and revel in the joy of a victory earned in a wholesome fashion by our wholesome protagonist. Yep, we love a winner, be we want to really, really like the winner too.

This is why the Phelps slip-up is bothersome. Our golden boy made a very, very stupid mistake.

We can't set our hopes or ideals (or that of our kids) in the lives of celebrities. That is just setting oneself up for heartache. If anything, the Phelps scandal should show that anyone is vulnerable. He was raised by an intelligent, strong woman (who reputedly does a good job helping shape the lives of hundreds of kids every year in her capacity as a middle school principal).

The drug discussion cannot start too early, and apparently, it never really needs to end.

So, again, it boils down to the fact that we need cast a few less stones and spend the time saved with a young person today. And tomorrow. And the day after.

Most importantly, hold yourselves (and the folks that you entrust your children to) to high standards.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

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Shrinking world

Earlier this week, I confirmed a friend request on FaceBook that arrived in another language.

One small step for some; huge, giant leap for me.

In the past week, I have been blessed with an opportunity to:

* reconnect with former players across the world (literally; one is in Argentina currently)
* conference with friends via webcam in prayer for another friend
* compile information for my book
* make new (and strengthen existing) professional connections
* search and refine ministry concepts from experienced ministry individuals and entities
* communicate with fellow technology enthusiasts

... and more, using free tools accessible to all of us.

Social networking shrinks the world. Fellowshipping with folks online opens so many doors. You learn plenty about others, and yourself. TokBox, FaceBook, Twitter etc are as strong as you let them be (and that sword cuts both ways).

Which reminds me: time to get a new webcam.

In any case, here is an excellent blog post from fellow Alltopper and Twitter pal Bill Reichart. In it, he discusses the ROI on related concepts that can (and should) govern a ministry's approach to using social media.

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"Bishop" Perry Noble and his evil crew.

In this gem I copped from Greg Atkinson, I just learned the evils that Pastor Perry Noble and his gang of misfits are doing south of the border. What, with the evil bands and fingers pointed up in (somehow) evil. And, by Jove, they use NIV out there? Heathens.

Wow. A lot of venom, no?

Now, I am not usually one at a loss for words. I excelled at impromptu debate (which, somehow, has never helped in marriage, now that I think about it), but this video left me stunned.

I "know" a few of the folks at NewSpring, and respect what they do, and the sincerity with which they do it. Perry himself is a ministry resource that I hold in high esteem.

I am going to see if I can get Perry to dedicate a sermon strictly to respond to the good old Reverend from Arizona. You know, like a good old rap diss mixtape. I can really see God glorified in that!

And to think that all this could probably have been avoided if Perry used an awe-inspiring title...

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Mobile/Electronic Bibles

Here is a list of mobile electronic Bibles for all types of platforms compiled by Antoine at Mobile Ministry Magazine.

Some of them are well known; others not so much, but just about every major smartphone platform is covered. Even the comments have useful information.

Visit MMM for the latest on mobile ministry concepts and discussion.

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Those tweetin' politicians...

For yet another reason as to why Twitter should be a part of your social arsenal, Yahoo! Tech blogger Ben Patterson posts about which members of congress use Twitter.

Interestingly enough, in a stat that may shatter my non-partisanship, he notes that twice as many Republicans than democrats use the microblogging/networking service.

Donkeys and elephants aside, I think it is admirable that are boys and girls on Capitol Hill are getting (and staying) plugged in. Some actually tweet themselves (Representative John Culberson from Texas is listed as one who does); when you think about it, handing off tweets to a press secretary or intern really defeats the purpose, doesn't it.

Which state has the most tweetin' reps? Patterson's blog tells me South Carolina. That would not have made my top 49 guesses.

Pastors/Church staffers: your excuses are beginning to sound even more hollow! Learn how to leverage for your ministry!

Stay blessed...

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Twitter for Churches.

E-Book alert!

Check out this gem from Anthony Coppedge: Twitter for Churches. Great e-book on a compelling topic, and well worth the price, IMHO.

I had an opportunity to talk to Anthony via TokBox the other day, and was struck be his raw hunger to talk about social networking in the church. He is a true ministry resource.

Check him out on Twitter and his blog.

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Online church? Why?

The concept of online church is gathering steam, and people are talking.

Why? Why do we need services online? There are enough brick-and-mortar edifices with empty pews, right? Shouldn't we focus are efforts on the real world?

A more enlightening question is: why not?

I think the reason some find it hard to wrap their minds around the social networking strategies in the church is that we make it an either/or argument by default. We can't use Twitter in the church because it kills real relationships. We should not use FaceBook because it kills face time. Online church is detrimental because it cannot replace "real church."

I think that most fears are based on a precept that is flawed. First, the idea is (or at least, should be) to enhance the physical. The online experience should not be viewed as a lazy generation's excuse to sit at home; it can be looked upon as a non-intrusive way to reach extra people who otherwise would not hear the gospel in the first place.

The argument is clear to me... if the online experience reached just one extra person, isn't it worth it? If a church can provide this extra resource, why wouldn't it, particularly if the demographic it serves uses said medium as a valid form of communication and expression?

I am not gonna sit here and pretend that people should throw away their church clothes and invest in broadband and Twitter clients. I do think that a dose of forward-thinking is sorely needed, and there are a whole lot of leaders who are clearly seeing that. We need to use what we have to do what we need to do. Some places are more ready than others... and that is fine.

The use of mobile technology is a biggie. The one object one is likely to have in common with another person is a cell-phone. Bingo... you see what people at Granger do to leverage this. Relatively cheap, and you meet people on a level they understand. Another wall removed.

At the end of the day, we need to examine why we do what we do. For now, I think expanding to the internet is a useful and necessary transition for the church.

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Olympian gives medal to rival

As a coach, this story caught my eye. It is an interesting examination of sportsmanship and grace.

In this story from the Associated Press, American sprinter Shawn Crawford gave the silver medal he won (by default) in Beijing to Dutch sprinter Churandy Martina, who had been disqualified from the race for a lane violation.

Basically, Crawford felt that lane violation or not, he had been fairly beaten, and thus, he gave the medal up.

Now, it does bring up an interesting debate. On the one hand, it could clearly be argued that Crawford deserved the medal. He competed within the rules. Does giving the medal to a competitor that did not win while sticking to the rules erode the spirit of true competition?

On the other hand, how can you fault an athlete who feels that a he or she was beaten by a better person on a particular day?

Food for thought, I guess. I think Crawford's intentions were honorable, so I tip my hat to him.

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Christian Poetry

Poetry is something that is a very deep part of my soul. Those that are familiar with my story know why; in those dark days, it kept me alive.

I just came across some wonderful work that I simply have to share. If you love inspirational poetry, make haste to Sarah's Poems of Healing.

I "met" Sarah during a LifeChurch.tv service, and consider her a friend. Plus, she is a Blackberry user, which means she has impeccable tastes.... check her out on Twitter.

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WIB

So, we talked about what you need to do as a minority person trying to fit in a new age, predominantly white church. As promised, I will examine the other side.

Now, now... don't trick yourself into thinking that this scenario is impossible. What happens if you get called to speak at a black church? Or, even worse, you are asked to keynote a (gasp!) Black History Month symposium? (BHM is in February, BTW).

So, because I am the nice guy I claim to be, I have created a cheat sheet for those who need an empirical reference when faced with such scary situations.

1) The Entry/Welcome: Jeans? Please tell me you are kidding. If you don't have a suit, don't attend. Dress for church as you would a funeral. Think of the Boy Scouts motto.

2) Welcome pt II: When elderly Sister Johnson tells you to come give her sugar immediately "or else" you better go give her sugar. She will swat you. Hard

3) You see those paper fans that have MLK Jr's likeness on them? Leave them alone. They are for parents with kids. And Sister Johnson. See above.

4) Careful with the Amens. Don't be too loud. Don't be too soft. Definitely don't scream. A double Amen means no other Amens should follow. And please don't pump your fist in the air. That could be misconstrued if you were not at the Olympics in the 1960s. If in doubt, study a Kirk Franklin outro for examples of correct refrains (like "preach, preacher!").

5) Praise and worship: If the choir and congregation break into an old Negro Spiritual, I highly advise you not to join in. In fact, that would be a great time to use the bathroom. If restrained, just nod with understanding and shut up.

6) Yes, that is a Black Jesus. And? Let it go. Don't stare. Let sleeping dogs lie.

7) Remember what I said about no fist bumps? Same applies here. No daps, hood hugs or anything that you saw on BET or the WB.

8) Eat a HEAVY breakfast. There won't be donuts. Service will be LONG. You will be hungry.

9) Offering: The offering plate does not come to you; you get up and go to it. Nuff said. The seeker-friendly movement will arrive eventually.

10) You saw right... that was a modesty blanket, and yes, they are used on men as well.

Sent via my BlackBerry.

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Innovation3

Some real great conversation going on... check it out: INNOVATION3.

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Annie gets it. Do you?

One thing you can count in life is that things will always get a bit tough now and then. I was talking to a friend via Twitter, and this came to mind.

Life can become a drunk prize fighter... swinging like crazy, never conceding defeat and determined to keep you down... and then pounding on you anyway. And unfortunately, in the game of living, the timeouts can be few and far between.

Everybody gets down. As a soccer coach and youth worker, I always know to keep the highs within perspective, because the pendulum does swing at times, and the very people who sang your praises the day before can be calling for your head today. It may sound pessimistic, but people will be human, and I try to understand that. It does help remove any temptations to not be me.

It's that aspect of human frailty that makes what church staff do so critical. Knowing that the cards are sometimes stacked against us makes the inevitable wins all the more sweeter. And, as my mother-in-law says when confronted by injustice, look what they did to Jesus...

Yep, ministry does seem thankless at times.

There is nothing that uplifts more than faith. The inevitability of light at the end of the tunnel is such a great promise. So, no matter what happens, keep ya head up, and remember that even Orphan Annie figured it out.

Put your bottom dollar up. Tomorrow, there will be sun!

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RE: 100-0 scoreline a travesty?

Another quick blurb on the story I linked discussing the 100-0 basketball result. Apparently, the coach of the "winning" team is not too apologetic.

Interesting.

ETA: I heard in the last few minutes that this coach was just fired (via ESPN).

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100-0 scoreline a travesty?

This is interesting.

While checking into news and such, I ran across this article about a school that ran up the score to the century mark against a smaller rival. Yes... 100-0.

I won't cast rocks, as I think the school administration has attempted to rectify the situation in an honorable fashion.

I am not a fan of running up the score; I feel it does nothing for either side. Still, you gotta love the spirit of the opposing coach and his players. They did not quit.

A few different concepts here... graciousness (or what can be perceived as the lack thereof), restoration that followed an admission of wrongdoing, honor, etc. All in all, I think both schools should be lauded. It was an ugly situation, but I think all parties will be better for it in the long run.

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Youth ministry jobs

It's not what you know, but how you go about finding the answers...

Most people in youth ministry know that Youth Specialties is an invaluable resource. Why? Because the contributors continually spit out relevant and timely articles, like this one that gives advice on how to get a youth ministry job even in tough times.

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True political duty

Are you praying for our new president?

You should be.

Now, I think the American church can settle into doing what I humbly perceive to be its duty: to minister to our country, remembering that its Model could have toppled and formally influenced world governments, but chose not to.

One thing we can do, in abundance, is pray. And be grateful for the blessings we continually receive.

Sent via my BlackBerry.

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SplashMoney: Mobile Financial Management Software.

This application is one of my rant 'n' rave items.

SplashMoney is yet another component of SplashWallet from SplashData, and is aimed at being a mobile financial manager. And boy, does it deliver...

Just like its sister app SplashID, it comes in a dual package: a handheld utility and a syncable desktop companion. Both are full-fledged and combine to give the user the ability to manage financial matters on the go.

To start, SplashMoney serves as a secure, password-protected repository of your sensitive data. Each account you have can be entered by type and account number. In this sense, it is the complete financial ledger; you can input financial transactions as they occur. Instead of carrying a check register, you can do it electronically on your smartphone, as this is a complete Register.
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Now, what really sets SplashMoney apart is its online capabilities. SplashMoney, on both the desktop and the handheld (with online access), has the ability to go online and retrieve complete banking information from some major banks. This is a very useful feature for a few reasons. If you bank with an institution on the list, you can set up the account automatically over-the air if you know your weblogin information. Also, with the view transactions feature, you can balance every transaction from these banks, and check them against entries you made yourself. To expand a bit, I seamlessly converted all my banking information to the electonic sheet, and I was good to go in minutes.

When I say complete, I do mean complete. The Budget feature allows you to create and maintain your budget within the device. The budget utility is integrated with the transactions, so you can easily keep track of your overall financial picture. The Reports feature allows you to summarize all the info in easy-to-understand textual information or pie charts (I really loved this). These reports and color-coordinated pie-charts can be printed.

Syncing the handheld with the desktop is independent of the Blackberry Desktop Manager.

I'd love to see the list of online banks increase, even though the list does arguably include every major bank there is. The ability to share databases in a seamless manner between, say, a couple would be a nice enhancement.

All in all, despite my experience with this software on another platform, I was just as impressed. I am an unabashed fan. The features can be expanded beyond just personal finance; I used it to create a mock ministry budget that I could have with me at all times.

SplashMoney is available on every major mobile platform (and for Windows ) at the SplashWallet site. Of course, there is a 30-day trial and a 60-day money back guarantee.

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BOLT: new browser for Java devices

Quick blurb about Bolt, a new browser for Java-enabled smartphones. I didn't expect to be impressed, but I am.

I picked up a closed beta invite, downloaded was up and running fairly quickly. With wi-fi, I felt the browsing experience was relatively fast. I was able to hit the church website, and play around with some other data-intensive sites.

It took me a short time to get used to the layout and click entry, but Bolt provided me with the best handheld browsing experience I have ever had.

Hats off... It deserve the kudos that can only be given in a post created in it.

Stay blessed!

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Through your eyes

The other day, my wife told me about a funny story involving my son. She was eating some treats, and was blissfully enjoying them. My son, being the bothersome chip of the old block that he usually is, quickly honed in along with his older sister and demanded to know what all the goodness was about. My daughter started the conversation

"What's that, mommy?"

"A little piece of heaven," my wife replied.

"I want some" said the boy. My wife gave him some.

A look of pure joy spread across his face. "Mmmm... heaven" he declared.

In that second, in that moment in time, my son equated Cashew Lover's Poppycock with heaven, and knowing my son and his love for goodies, I know his salvation is secure if he believes heaven is filled with such sweets.

Looking at the bigger picture, how do we, as the church, present ourselves to the world? Are we an adequate representation of the love of God? Do people interact with us say "Mmmm... Jesus" when we leave? Shouldn't they?

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SplashID: password security review.

SplashID part of the SplashWallet suite from SplashData serves as a secure database for all of your sensitive information, accessible from the palm of your hand.

SplashID is packaged as two separate but complementary components: the handheld utility, and the desktop application, which resides on the computer or laptop. The integration with BlackBerry Desktop Manager makes it possible to transfer information between both components when the device syncs.

A simple illustration shows why the concept of having a mobile electronic database can be important. I literally have dozens of passwords that I use on a daily basis. Add in banking information, child safety codes, utility accounts, web forums, networking and blogging utilities, email accounts, alarm codes, license numbers, insurance card information, social security numbers... well, you get the point. The fact is that I am not odd, and paper notes don't work. Having an application like this one's PDA is almost imperative.This is why SplashID can be so welcome.

On the device, item entry is easy. Initial start up yields samples of numerous types of data. Setup was a breeze, and the initial sync went without a hitch. I tested the sync process with entries on my computer, and entries on my BlackBerry, and the dual pieces handled my tests well. It is pertinent to note that the handheld portion has 256-bit encryption to secure the data; any ten consecutive attempts to "hack" the password causes the program to lock-up.

With so many ubiquitous things in life that require passwords, there is the temptation to simplify things by using one password (or slight variations thereof) to secure sensitive information. Sadly, that is a hacker or ID thief's dream. In fact, data security experts encourage people to change their passwords frequently; some banking websites actually auto-prompt for password changes after set time intervals.

SplashID has a unique password generator that allows you to create unique passkeys on the fly. So, as you are creating that new entry for, say, an online discussion forum, you can create a unique password for it on the spot. You can even customize it based on length, inclusion of non-alphanumeric characters, and even pronounceability.

The desktop database can be printed, exported, and backed up to your desktop. Of course, the backed up database can be password-protected.The application lives and breathes security as well. It can be programmed to lock after a set period (in minutes) of inactivity. Any ten unsuccesful attempts to login or hack the master password causes the system to lock too.

Do you like customizations like I do? No problem. You can choose cell colors and even font size. The interface was surprisingly user friendly.

All in all, it was easy to remember why I loved this program on my Palm, and why it should be essential on your handheld. The interoperability of the desktop and handheld units is a great idea; it allows for two methods of data entry. The auto-fill feature helps thwart keylogging.

Having a secure database that can store even birthdays is priceless, and I highly recommend this to anyone who has more than one password to remember. The developers offer a 30-day trial period, and also a 60-day money back guarantee on purchases. They have ports for every major platform (including iPhone/iPod Touch, Nokia/Symbian and Android). Users might also be interested in checking out the entire SplashWallet suite which provides solutions for photos, lists, and financial management (more reviews forthcoming).

On Blackberry, it is rated to work with most 7xxx and 8xxx series handhelds.

Software was tested on unlocked Blackberry 8320 running OS 4.5 and HP Laptop running Windows Vista.

Sent via my BlackBerry.

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What are they doing at Granger?

While prowling through the Alltop Church page, a post on Tim Stevens blog caught my eye. They tried out some new technology and had a text-fueled Q&A session with the pastor at Granger Community Church.

As I have posted before, I like seeing ideas like this put into effect. As noted in the comments, it is easy to see that this format, while unconventional, may be actually a bit closer to what our Model did on earth.

I do not have a problem with the leadership at that church temporarily shelving the traditional format. Now, they gave the congregation a chance to ask, and I believe this is crucial in today's ministry.

Head on over to Tim's site to see the specifics. The process was well thought out, and there are plenty of ideas to borrow.

Again, yet another example of innovative ways to minister to folks. Hats off to the folks at GCC.

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Black in White

Believe it or not, I truly try to avoid being irreverent. Some topics are harder than others, so, in advance, I make my apologies.

I have been working on an in-depth article that discusses diversity in the church, with specific attention given to church leadership. Basically, I am wondering aloud: is diversity a problem? What do we do about it? Should we approach diversity like the NFL currently does? Should concern for diversity trump other concerns like compatibility? Or, should the church (and it's leadership) strive to reflect demographics no matter what?

Not as easy as it would appear at first blush.

In any case, I found out that I am far from an anomaly when it comes to being a minority person that goes to a predominantly white church. I have decided, out of the goodness of my heart, to post a primer on how to deal with the phenomenon. As a black guy, how do you act in a white church? How should you dress? How do you dance to the praise music?

Here is an opportunity to revel in the stereotypes...

Please heed my advice; I only do this for the collective good.

1) The entry/welcome: The way you act is key here. Most likely, the welcome and smiles will be effusive and continual. You will even get hugged. Enjoy in it, smile, shake hands. But don't smile too hard, and resist the urge to do "urban" handshakes and give daps. Do NOT do a fist bump. The most recent elections show this is far from mainstream, and it is easily misconstrued. The last thing you want is to be thrown out for making obscene gestures.

2) Praise and Worship (pt 1): You need to understand one thing. Nobody, not even Christians, like a show-off. Well, unless the person is really filled with the Spirit. Anyway, your job is to be accepted. This won't happen if you show people up by dancing or clapping to the beat. What are you trying to accomplish? It will be drowned out anyway. In fact, scratch the dancing. That too, can be misconstrued. Just raise your hands to the sky and sway ever so gently. Bingo! There is nothing less-threatening than that. Hum quietly to seal the victory.

3) Sermon/Message: Please, please, please... if you ignore everything else, do not ignore this! This is not the time to yell "Amen" or shout "Hallelujah" at random moments of abandon. Slight exception: if everyone is wearing suits and/or there is a banner that says PENTECOSTAL at the front of the church. If they are there, then yes, treat it as a black church (the caps are meaningful; if the banner writing is not in all-caps, it is best to play it safe). You might want to just sit and shut up for the first visit. Just observe. Next service will give you an opportunity to let loose (if allowed).

4) Offering (pt 1): No, there most likely will not be an opportunity to grab the "$1000 offering staff" and run around the congregation in "celebration" on that first day. In fact, in the off chance that there is, don't grab it. Nothing is scarier than a black man running around with a stick. Adjust your offering accordingly.

5) Offering (pt 2): It is not a typo... the offering envelope does not have 30 categories. No, they did not give you a stunted envelope because you're different. Do NOT create your own boxes on the envelope!

6) There is no law saying the pastor cannot have frosted blonde hair, a t-shirt and beach shorts or tatoos down both arms. You are not allowed to make a comment on the comment sheet saying that the pastor's flip-flops did not match his iPhone case. It is poor taste to stare. In the same vein, you can wear sneakers to church. However, do not come to the next service with frosted hair. There is no nice way to say this: you'll look crazy. And you'll destroy whatever goodwill you created the week before.

7) No one pulled the fire alarm. It is not break time. Service is indeed over. While I know that anything less than six hours may not feel like service do you, you need to get used to gettin' in and out. Seriously. 10 AM means 10 AM; no need to skim time with orchestrated late arrivals.

8) Exit: See number one. You also should be able to hold an intelligent conversation in the lobby area. Find a sport with absolutely no minority participation, like curling.

9) First visits under special circumstances: If you visit in February, don't get miffed because you don't see pictures of MLK or specially created faux statues of Adam and Eve with ebony skin and dried fig leaves. In December, don't get frustrated because the nativity scene is not ethnically correct. You cannot base your perception on people's salvation on their relative awareness of Black History Month. Since we're here, I might as well point out that it is never a good idea to wear a shirt emblazoned with X. You wanna blend in, don't you?

10) If you do visit during BHM and a video clip that inadvertently highlights a fact that you've known since infancy is shown, act just as surprised as the general congregation.

Coming up soon: White in Black.

Image courtesy of Dan Weingarten via ReelWorship.

Disclaimer: this entire article was written with tongue firmly placed in cheek.

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Patti G: Ministry resource.

Usually, I refuse to deal with people that are clearly smarter than me. In this case of Twitter pal Patti Gibbons, I grudgingly make an exception.

I could go and on about what she does, but I view her as a true resource. That simple, and yet, so complex. Be it YMX, networking, or writing, she leaves such a footprint that one cannot ignore. Yeah, she somehow finds blessings in snowstorms and makes you feel that somehow, an angel escaped heaven, but trust me... she is awesome!

Check out her blog... there is a reason it is a stable of mine.

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Sow the seeds you have!

So, the other day my kid brother PIN messaged me. He asked me about the etymology for a particular nation.

So, I pulled out my BlackBerry, clicked on my Wikipedia application, and looked up the info, which I pinned back to him.

Later, he asked how I got the info so fast.

"With the same device you have, doofus" I yelled.

Yep. He owns a BlackBerry, with the same capabilities that I had on mine. He could have found his answer in about the same time it took for him to PIN me.

He simply did not know how.

My boy Antoine over at MMM is one of those that insists that people (specifically ministers) use the technology they have. I concur. Use it. Revel in it. Make change happen with it.

Based on this kernel of advice, I literally prayed about my device. It had to truly help me be productive. It had to be leveraged as close to 100% as possible.

What do I do? Let's see:

Calls and Email

Social networking (Twitter, FB, IM etc).

Travel (TeleNav plus BT puck)

Bible and devotions

Web access

Financial management (Yodlee and SplashMoney).

Bill pay.

Database management (HanDBase)

MS documents and spreadsheets (Docs2Go)

Web integrated calendar and tasks

Movies

Music/Photos

Security and safety (SplashID)

News and scores.

Mobile Blogging (such as now)

Games!

I am sure a lot of device owners do not know how their devices could help them personally or professionally. Break the cycle!


Sent via my BlackBerry.

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...83 Things...

So, I am always on the lookout for some interesting and insightful literature, and I am quite sure this will fit the bill.

It is a book from fellow Alltopper Milan Ford, who has a book coming out soon: 83 Things I Wish The Black Church Would Stop Doing.

The author also has a FaceBook page for the book; feel free to join.

Looking at Milan's page, I am sure we are long lost twins. Here's a prayer for his success.

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Quickie: Slacker Radio for BB.

This one is aimed at BB owners.

Just downloaded a free application: Slacker Personal Radio for BlackBerry.

Yep... this thing is awesome so far. I am quite impressed.

Slacker gives you the ability to cache radio stations on your storage cards. So, you can literally search for music, and save these to sync to your storage card later.

Playback is smooth. I am still playing around with it, but I have to admit I am quite enamored.

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Courage

My personal testimony usually shocks people. To me, it is just a story. Others let me know they feel touched.

Now, my pastor Derek Turner really knows what it is to lose everything. He lost his wife and unborn child to a drunk driver. Any loss is devastating; under such senseless circumstances, I have no doubt that God alone gave him the means to go on.

Derek had since seen his life restored. Blessed afresh with a wife (Sarah) and two kids, he knew about God's faithfulness. Not in the cookie-cutter, bland my-momma-always-said-that kind of way; I mean really knew it. Like Job did.

Especially in 2009.

On New Year's Day, Sarah was taking their older daughter and her friend to the movies, and Derek received a call that forced him to revisit the horror all over again.

A drunk driver struck the vehicle his wife, child and family friend were driving in. There was a fire. Both cars were totaled. The drunk driver ended up being critically injured.

His family walked away. Sore, scared... but safe. So much so that they were able to pray together at the scene.

I can never understand Derek's strength, but I know its Source. I am so thankful that we are able to share this new chapter of testimony.

What a great God we serve...

Sent via my BlackBerry.

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Internet bullies.

Welcome to the internet age, self.

Yesterday, as further proof of my burgeoning status on the web (look, just humor me, okay?), I ran into my first internet bully. I had no idea that the person would be close to me.

You see, I am married to her.

My wife, for reasons unknown to me, decided that I was long overdue for a haircut. Now in all honesty, she did have a point. I was beginning to look like a blaxploitation era villain, or, more charitably, an exotic UFC athlete.

In any case, I am not one to be cowed. Being the first of several siblings, I am the consummate alpha male. Nobody tells me what to do. I wear the pants around here. Besides, I was convinced that I looked good. Still.

So, I resisted. I admit, not in an alpha male kinda way. And then, she took it there.

She threatened to blog about me.

Are you kidding me? This is what the internet is doing to our marriage? A God-fearing, quiet man such as myself is now held to ransom by the web-whims of his unspeakably mean wife?

The bottom line is that I am supposed to love my wife the same way Christ loved the church. And that is the primary reason why I was up early and I spent the day twittering and reading airline magazines at the barbershop.

I dare any of you guys to cast the first stone!

Sent via my BlackBerry.

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5 smartphone apps that can enhance your ministry

I first became aware of the potential of mobile technology in ministry years ago as a budget-strapped youth pastor who craved the ability to harness simple technology to enhance my work.

Looking back, it's funny how things have changed in such a short time. Back then, the paperless pulpit was barely out of the concept stage. Now, pastors oand leaders are living it.

So, for people looking to truly use their PDAs as MDAs, here is a list of software apps that can make the job easier.

Bible software: Duh! There are a couple of options here. If you have web access and/or a data plan on your phone, the options increase substantially.

Laridian (along with Beiks) provides Bibles to Windows, iPhone, and BB users. Olive Tree does as well, and tosses in a free reader program as well. Got a Palm and/or Treo? Well, you have an additional option: Bible+. Each of these programs gives you the ability to have your bible on your device. Some even give you the option of saving books and related devotional material to an expansion card. E-sword is yet another option for limited platforms.

With web access, you can use YouVersion or the Bible.com, amongst others. Both are free; YouVersion has dedicated ports for BlackBerry and iPhone.

Point is, there are numerous options for the smartphone man or woman.

HanDBase: One of my favorites... database management at its best. Once you use this award-winning offering from DDH Software, you'll wonder how you got along without it. Has an optional (but indispensable, IMHO) desktop companion. Bonus: DDH's founder, David Haupert, is a christian artist. Available for WinMo, Palm, Symbian, iPhone/Touch and BB.

Remember The Milk: GTD, here we come. RTM is a great task manager. It is primarily web based, and it has an iPhone port. It also has optional sync abilities with WinMo and BlackBerry. For BB users, check out the free port beta BBRTM.

RTM integrates with Google Calendar and Twitter.

Documents To Go: Docs2Go is a household name amongst palm enthusiasts, and is becoming one for BlackBerry users as well. For good reason, too. Having the ability to access, edit and create MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents is priceless. Dataviz has this for BlackBerry, Palm, Symbian, and soon for iPhone/iTouch and even Android.

Google Mobile: Wow. Gmail, Google Sync, Maps, Mobile Blogger, Search, Docs, etc. And available for EVERY major phone platform, including Nokia and of course, Android.

Great resources for the mobile ministry professional.

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Church: Get Mobile in 2009

Yet again, I'll rip another great idea and pass it off as my own. And since I try and do this with geniuses, it is only natural that this one comes from Twitter buddy Bobby Gruenewald, Pastor and Innovation leader at Lifechurch.tv.

Of course, I am biased; I completely concur with the assessment based on my belief that mobile technology is such an open field for the church. I think that we have respectfully observed the medium for long enough. Time to snatch it up!!!

The great thing with Swerve posts is that the comments that follow are almost always just as as introspective, so every second spent there is generally very well spent.

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The Green Bible Controversy

Read about this earlier... apparently, a Bible created with recycled materials has some groups unhappy.

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Weird, strange people.

Just when you feel the cup of cynicism about to runneth over, you get slapped (refreshingly) in the face.

YMX Forum buddy Paul posted a link to this awesome story by ESPN the Magazine's Rick Reilly.

This was a very moving story; as a sports coach, it is always humbling to see parents who know what sports should really be about, and a coach and institution that has the integrity to create that environment.

Sometimes, it feels like we live in a world of absolutes. Mistakes change lives forever. Nothing is sweeter than seeing the same type of grace freely bestowed on us bestowed on others. And in this high school football matchup between Gainesville State School and Grapevine Faith Christian School, the participants showed that respect transcends end zones and sidelines.

It could quite easily have gone the other way. Why, these were criminals, right? Societal failures. Booster clubs and school administrators have had coronaries for much less.

But the folks at Grapevine Faith looked deeper. They looked at a team that consisted of boys who, despite being winless, had the courage and honor to suit up and play. They saw a bunch of boys that were probably not too different than their own.

They saw a team that was not blessed with an abundance, and gave.

Why? Why did GF's parents cheer the other team every down (by name)? Why did they give these boys bibles and food? Why did they decide to treat these boys with so much decency?

Simple. It was a symbolic statement to each player: "you are just as valuable as any other person on planet Earth."

Wow.

So, this atypical coach emailed his atypical parents, and the parents had the class to do the atypical thing. And, God was glorified.

You see... it ain't about the food. It was not about the bibles. It wasn't about the banner they made for the other team to burst through, or the 40-yd spirit line made for the opposing team.

It was about showing love. Showing regard and affection, even when some people may think you have good cause not too... when it goes against the grain.

Sounds familiar, right?

This is a huge shoutout to both coaches. I tip my hat to Mark Williams. That guy has to have a lot of heart for his 14 players to be able to get so much for him and still have enough to pump blood through his body. Kris Hogan is just as much a hero. Christian attitudes in christian schools are far from a given, and it warms the heart to see it overlowing at that school.

Huge salute to the GF parents.

My biggest round of applause goes to the kids... forgive me... young MEN. On both teams. It takes love to give, and an equal amount of graciousness to receive.

I pray that everyone I come in contact with can say what Isaiah said: "Lord, I don't know how this happened, so I don't know how to say thank You, but I never would've known there was so many people in the world that cared about us."

Amen.

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A year in 40 seconds...

Video owner attributed within video. As seen on Youtube.

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2009...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

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