Friday, July 29, 2005
ouch
So I'm sitting at my laptop this morning and realize my screen is getting brighter, then darker and brighter again. I also noticed my battery indicator was doing funny things. So I decided my adapter must be loose.
And low and behold - something cut the cord on the adapter.
It looks as though something ate through part of the cord, but maybe I kicked it somehow weird under my desk and cut it.
Either way, it needs to be repaired or replaced and Toshiba wants $89 to replace it.
Ouch.
I think I'll run next door to RK Bass and see what they think.
Lets hope they can fix it.
And low and behold - something cut the cord on the adapter.
It looks as though something ate through part of the cord, but maybe I kicked it somehow weird under my desk and cut it.
Either way, it needs to be repaired or replaced and Toshiba wants $89 to replace it.
Ouch.
I think I'll run next door to RK Bass and see what they think.
Lets hope they can fix it.
Church Communications Minister Gene Mason
Church Marketing Sucks has an interview with Church Communications Minister Gene Mason. It's a good look at communications, marketing and sharing our message with the world.
It's interesting that Mason says that despite any and all marketing their church does, the best marketing of the church is still word of mouth.
There's nothing better than people hearing your story and how God has impacted you. And there's no better invite to church than a friend telling a friend about their church and their friend Jesus.
Gene Mason is the Communications Minister at the 5,000-member The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Ala. He's been doing communications ministry in local churches for 18 years, and this is the third church where he's started such a ministry. He also runs a web site called Communicorps.org that shares some of what he's learned.
It's interesting that Mason says that despite any and all marketing their church does, the best marketing of the church is still word of mouth.
There's nothing better than people hearing your story and how God has impacted you. And there's no better invite to church than a friend telling a friend about their church and their friend Jesus.
At The Church at Brook Hills, my desire is to use tools at our disposal to effectively communicate the message of the church to inform and inspire. Our effort centers in five areas:Imagination - creative use of promotional tools Innovation - presenting things in a fresh way Integration - using all the media means at our disposal together in an effective way Involvement - coaching lay leaders to communicate Inspiration - telling the stories of God at work in people's lives
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Prime Minister
Texas Monthly has a great article on Joel Olsteen. It talks about how his church has grown from an old feed store that his father started, to moving into the former home of the Houston Rockets - The Compaq Center this month. It also talks a lot about the marketing the church does to help spread their message.
"FOR MOST PREACHERS, MONDAY IS A DAY OF REST. FOR JOEL Osteen, the 42-year-old pastor of Houston's mammoth Lakewood Church and the face of the world's most popular religious television program, Mondays have become devoted to meeting his public."
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Blank fax
So we just received a blank fax from Ft Hood.
I asked our ad rep why people are always sending blank faxes.
He said, "It's because they heard we were running low on paper - so they decided to help us out and fax over some blank paper."
Funny. That's funny - I don't care who you are.
I asked our ad rep why people are always sending blank faxes.
He said, "It's because they heard we were running low on paper - so they decided to help us out and fax over some blank paper."
Funny. That's funny - I don't care who you are.
Classified Special
So in about 10 minutes we put together this ad special for Harker Heights today.
I think it should be a good sale - I almost want to say - if you pass on this deal, you're an idiot. But you can't do that, now can you.
Here's the sale: Buy a 2x3 (classified) ad or larger at our regular $6 a column inch rate, and get an unlimited number of line ads (20 words or less) for $1 an ad.
If I were a realtor or salesperson - I'd jump all over that.
Get the office or dealership to buy the 2x3 ad and then each salesman can buy as many ads as they want for $1 a piece.
What do you think?
I think it should be a good sale - I almost want to say - if you pass on this deal, you're an idiot. But you can't do that, now can you.
Here's the sale: Buy a 2x3 (classified) ad or larger at our regular $6 a column inch rate, and get an unlimited number of line ads (20 words or less) for $1 an ad.
If I were a realtor or salesperson - I'd jump all over that.
Get the office or dealership to buy the 2x3 ad and then each salesman can buy as many ads as they want for $1 a piece.
What do you think?
Observations of a traveling musician (v. 2)
A few months back a friend and I spent an evening with singer/songwriter Allen Levi.
Now as a disclaimer, that might sound like it was me and him just hanging out – and that’s not entirely true – but in the intimate venue it felt like it was just Allen, me and a few friends.
Allen pointed out that as a singer/songwriter his main job is to notice things. I thought that was a good job summary.
As an editor/columnist/storyteller, I think that’s my main job as well.
I was listening to Allen's music this week and thought I'd share some of the observations I remembered from an evening with Allen Levi.
People are big. Houses are small.
I think we’ve all seen drawings done by younger children.
People are rarely drawn proportional, but nine-times-out-of-ten, they’re all smiling as big as they can.
They may have eight fingers on one hand and two on the other.
They may be as skinny as a blade of grass, with a giant pumpkin for a head.
They may have no clothes or feet, but the people in drawings by children, don’t seem to mind.
They’re a part of a great big happy universe, where judging and laughing at others does not exist.
Allen told the story of a four-year-old friend of his who loved drawing with chalk on the sidewalk.
Her drawings were a wonderful representation of how she viewed the world.
Levi noticed that in all of her drawings, Oliviawould always draw the people big and the houses small.
These giant people that Olivia saw would never be able to fit into their tiny houses, but that wasn’t important to Olivia.
She put the importance upon the people.
And scripture tells us that that's exactly what Christ did as well.
He didn’t care what house you lived in, what position you held, whether you were a leper, a blind man, or a He-man. You were important in His eyes.
I have several friends working in Russia right now with orphans. My sister just returned from working with orphans in China.
As they send back their pictures and as I look at Kara's picture book, I see what's really important to them.
While if I went, I might take tons of pictures of big, fancy, ornate buildings, their pictures are full of smiling, happy children.
Their homes don't matter, the clothes on their back don't matter. They're all "precious in His sight."
People are big. Houses are small.
Southern Living vs. Southerners living
If we were to take two houses, you might find a stark contrast in their make up.
The house at 610 might be the picture of beauty and class.
While the house at 612 might be cluttered with bikes in the yard, mud on the floor and a wet dog chasing kids over the couch.
610 has a ghost of a man, with a wife and two kids who are never seen.
612 is a family of five who love each other and those around them.
610 never has company, they’re too busy with their job, school and soccer games.
612 never minds the interruptions of “happy lightening,” when people stop by unexpected, just to enjoy the company of friends.
It’s never really known if the people at 610 are home or gone.
The house looks the same; no one outdoors, no bright welcoming lights on and no invitations to the neighbors to visit.
You can always tell if the family at 612 is home, there kids are playing in the yard with the neighbors, the barbecue grill is smoking, there is laughter and music in the air, and an unwritten “Welcome” sign always hangs in the yard.
610 was pictured on a post card and a part of Southern Living magazine.
612 is the picture of where real southerners live.
Which house are you?
Are you concerned with the appearance of perfection, or the appearance of a friend?
The moon is round
As we left the gathering that Friday night, we looked up in the sky to see that the moon was about the shape of a football.
Some days, the moon is full and bright in its glory.
Other days, it’s a sliver of silver that fell to the floor from a carpenter’s bench.
And some days it doesn’t matter what shape the moon is, because the clouds are so thick you’ll never be able to see it.
But in all of its seasons, in all of its changes, the moon is round.
The very same moon is round in America, Asia, China, Russia, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan.
The moon is round on your day of birth.
The moon is round on the day you find your first love.
The moon is round on the day you get your first kiss.
The moon is round on graduation day.
The moon is round on the day you get your first promotion.
The moon is round on your wedding day.
The moon is round when your first child is born.
And the moon is still round when you discover you have cancer.
The moon is round when you company closes down.
The moon is round when your parents pass away.
The moon is round when your child is hurt in a car accident.
The moon is round when your sister dies suddenly at the age of 24.
The moon is round when your spouse passes away.
And the moon is round when you pass away.
In all of its changes and in all of its appearances, we know – the moon is still round.
“The heavens declare the glory of God. The skies proclaim the work of His hands.”
If the moon is faithful to be round, isn’t its Creator the ever more faithful?
There are many more things I learned that Friday night from a storyteller, a songwriter and a singer who took the time to notice -- and chose not to hold it all inside, like the house at 610.
What will you notice this week from the Creator?
Now as a disclaimer, that might sound like it was me and him just hanging out – and that’s not entirely true – but in the intimate venue it felt like it was just Allen, me and a few friends.
Allen pointed out that as a singer/songwriter his main job is to notice things. I thought that was a good job summary.
As an editor/columnist/storyteller, I think that’s my main job as well.
I was listening to Allen's music this week and thought I'd share some of the observations I remembered from an evening with Allen Levi.
People are big. Houses are small.
I think we’ve all seen drawings done by younger children.
People are rarely drawn proportional, but nine-times-out-of-ten, they’re all smiling as big as they can.
They may have eight fingers on one hand and two on the other.
They may be as skinny as a blade of grass, with a giant pumpkin for a head.
They may have no clothes or feet, but the people in drawings by children, don’t seem to mind.
They’re a part of a great big happy universe, where judging and laughing at others does not exist.
Allen told the story of a four-year-old friend of his who loved drawing with chalk on the sidewalk.
Her drawings were a wonderful representation of how she viewed the world.
Levi noticed that in all of her drawings, Oliviawould always draw the people big and the houses small.
These giant people that Olivia saw would never be able to fit into their tiny houses, but that wasn’t important to Olivia.
She put the importance upon the people.
And scripture tells us that that's exactly what Christ did as well.
He didn’t care what house you lived in, what position you held, whether you were a leper, a blind man, or a He-man. You were important in His eyes.
I have several friends working in Russia right now with orphans. My sister just returned from working with orphans in China.
As they send back their pictures and as I look at Kara's picture book, I see what's really important to them.
While if I went, I might take tons of pictures of big, fancy, ornate buildings, their pictures are full of smiling, happy children.
Their homes don't matter, the clothes on their back don't matter. They're all "precious in His sight."
People are big. Houses are small.
Southern Living vs. Southerners living
If we were to take two houses, you might find a stark contrast in their make up.
The house at 610 might be the picture of beauty and class.
While the house at 612 might be cluttered with bikes in the yard, mud on the floor and a wet dog chasing kids over the couch.
610 has a ghost of a man, with a wife and two kids who are never seen.
612 is a family of five who love each other and those around them.
610 never has company, they’re too busy with their job, school and soccer games.
612 never minds the interruptions of “happy lightening,” when people stop by unexpected, just to enjoy the company of friends.
It’s never really known if the people at 610 are home or gone.
The house looks the same; no one outdoors, no bright welcoming lights on and no invitations to the neighbors to visit.
You can always tell if the family at 612 is home, there kids are playing in the yard with the neighbors, the barbecue grill is smoking, there is laughter and music in the air, and an unwritten “Welcome” sign always hangs in the yard.
610 was pictured on a post card and a part of Southern Living magazine.
612 is the picture of where real southerners live.
Which house are you?
Are you concerned with the appearance of perfection, or the appearance of a friend?
The moon is round
As we left the gathering that Friday night, we looked up in the sky to see that the moon was about the shape of a football.
Some days, the moon is full and bright in its glory.
Other days, it’s a sliver of silver that fell to the floor from a carpenter’s bench.
And some days it doesn’t matter what shape the moon is, because the clouds are so thick you’ll never be able to see it.
But in all of its seasons, in all of its changes, the moon is round.
The very same moon is round in America, Asia, China, Russia, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan.
The moon is round on your day of birth.
The moon is round on the day you find your first love.
The moon is round on the day you get your first kiss.
The moon is round on graduation day.
The moon is round on the day you get your first promotion.
The moon is round on your wedding day.
The moon is round when your first child is born.
And the moon is still round when you discover you have cancer.
The moon is round when you company closes down.
The moon is round when your parents pass away.
The moon is round when your child is hurt in a car accident.
The moon is round when your sister dies suddenly at the age of 24.
The moon is round when your spouse passes away.
And the moon is round when you pass away.
In all of its changes and in all of its appearances, we know – the moon is still round.
“The heavens declare the glory of God. The skies proclaim the work of His hands.”
If the moon is faithful to be round, isn’t its Creator the ever more faithful?
There are many more things I learned that Friday night from a storyteller, a songwriter and a singer who took the time to notice -- and chose not to hold it all inside, like the house at 610.
What will you notice this week from the Creator?
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Web surfin
It's always fun to see what kind of information you can find on people when running a Google search.
My sister Kara, the Dean's list & track star:
http://www.geocities.com/mgmurch/results/baylor99.html
http://www.doitsports.com/newresults3/client/14717_20136_2002.html
http://www.geocities.com/mgmurch/results/plano00.htm
http://209.198.135.156/mcneilxc/MCNEIL%20GIRLS%20GOLD%20TEAM.HTM
http://www.obu.edu/news/story.asp?ID=791
I imagine one day all her results will have to do with her speech pathology. We'll see.
--
Order a Blundell Family Yearbook
--
Did you know?
I have a blog? - If you're reading this, I suppose you knew
I'm a newspaper editor
I wrote a book on Sociology?!
In 1818 and 1824 I was mayor of Liverpool
I've been working on a book with The Head of Department, Janis Griffiths, BA (hons), PGCE, M.Ed., Dip. Ed. Man., Cert Ed. Media.
I own a media company
I recently made the A/B Honor Roll in Garland ISD
I had my luggage left in Chicago by United Airlines
I had an internship with Enterprise Rent-A-Car
I know movies better than scripture
--
Did you know?
My dad, Fred Blundell, is on the Pontis Task Force
My dad is a vice chairman for the 2300 club
My dad is a math professor at the City College of San Fransisco
My dad is Dr Fred Blundell, of the 1984 class at MIT and wrote with an invitation from the suburbs of Boston: "Hui and I have a new daughter, Mei Zhou Blundell, born July 3, 1999. The math and physics days are behind me. Now I develop software for a transportation consulting company. Hui is working in biotech. We have a house in Woburn and enjoy relaxing in the back yard. Look us up if you are in the area."
--
Did you know?
My mom was born in 1460 and married to Robert Wingate Robert was only 19 when he married. There's also a weddding picture
--
I guess you can't believe everything on the Internet.
And just an FYI I tried a search for Charis Adams but Google said I must have meant Chris Adams
My sister Kara, the Dean's list & track star:
http://www.geocities.com/mgmurch/results/baylor99.html
http://www.doitsports.com/newresults3/client/14717_20136_2002.html
http://www.geocities.com/mgmurch/results/plano00.htm
http://209.198.135.156/mcneilxc/MCNEIL%20GIRLS%20GOLD%20TEAM.HTM
http://www.obu.edu/news/story.asp?ID=791
I imagine one day all her results will have to do with her speech pathology. We'll see.
--
Order a Blundell Family Yearbook
--
Did you know?
I have a blog? - If you're reading this, I suppose you knew
I'm a newspaper editor
I wrote a book on Sociology?!
In 1818 and 1824 I was mayor of Liverpool
I've been working on a book with The Head of Department, Janis Griffiths, BA (hons), PGCE, M.Ed., Dip. Ed. Man., Cert Ed. Media.
I own a media company
I recently made the A/B Honor Roll in Garland ISD
I had my luggage left in Chicago by United Airlines
I had an internship with Enterprise Rent-A-Car
I know movies better than scripture
--
Did you know?
My dad, Fred Blundell, is on the Pontis Task Force
My dad is a vice chairman for the 2300 club
My dad is a math professor at the City College of San Fransisco
My dad is Dr Fred Blundell, of the 1984 class at MIT and wrote with an invitation from the suburbs of Boston: "Hui and I have a new daughter, Mei Zhou Blundell, born July 3, 1999. The math and physics days are behind me. Now I develop software for a transportation consulting company. Hui is working in biotech. We have a house in Woburn and enjoy relaxing in the back yard. Look us up if you are in the area."
--
Did you know?
My mom was born in 1460 and married to Robert Wingate Robert was only 19 when he married. There's also a weddding picture
--
I guess you can't believe everything on the Internet.
And just an FYI I tried a search for Charis Adams but Google said I must have meant Chris Adams
Weird email
After my gripe last week about e-mail, I received this from a client...
"Call me if you don't get this e-mail."
"Call me if you don't get this e-mail."
Monday, July 25, 2005
Picture from Six Flags
Sunday, July 24, 2005
CWF Updates
Well we finished our summer schedule at our Rockwall warehouse Saturday night.
As of right now, we don't have any other shows scheduled there.
I'd love to see us continue our free shows there once each month, but we'll see how that goes. We have noticed more and more "church folk" at our shows and not as many neighborhood kids, but we had a good number this past week and I think they are still interested and still bringing their friends. It's amazing to think what God could do in that area of Rockwall with a few Christian kids on fire for him.
--
Here's a quick run down of Saturday's matches:
Battle Royal - Three way tie with Chris Idol, Michael Malick and The Zealot. The match set up a three way number one contenders match for the CWF title.
Jonah def. The Bishop
Eagle def. Son of Thunder
Jonah def. Michael Malick and Chris Idol. After a horrible beat down on The Zealot by Eagle and Chris Idol following the Battle Royal, I had no choice but to pull The Zealot from the three-way and I let him choose his replacement. He chose Jonah who defeated his former teammate Chris Idol and Michael Malick - making him the number one contender for the belt.
We had an interesting night Saturday night. Rob "Jesus Freak" Vaughn was away moving into his new home and left the logistics of the show up to Chris and I. I think the show went fairly well, but we did have a few gliches here and there. Our sound guy was sick and our backup was not available either. We even called other possible options and got no love. So I did most of the ring announcing from the sound booth as I played intro music and such.
We were also amazed to see a group of three college-age "fans" who traveled from Alabama to watch our show. Last month we had two kids from Kansas who were on vacation and made sure to stop in Rockwall for our show -- and now Alabama. So weird.
--
I've been thinking a lot about CWF lately and continue to be amazed at how God has been working through the ministry and the refocus on ministry from several key players as well as a focus from all the green guys.
God has been doing some amazing things and I think he plans to continue doing some amazing things.
I wish I could go into everything, but since several things are still way up in the air I'll just mention a few.
Last week we had a couple from HBO come and film part of a documentary during our weekly Bible study and work out. Apparently since the 2004 election, even HBO is getting interested in Christianity.
We also had another couple from NYC come and get notes for an upcoming book on Christians in America. They took pictures and talked with several of our guys about why we wrestle for Christ.
Earlier this year we had a Japanese television crew come and tape us for a game show of some sort in Japan. As far as we can figure, they played portions of several matches and the contestants had to figure out what was unique or different about us.
In the end they showed that we were the Christian Wrestling Federation. We're not exactly sure what was said about us, since it was all in Japanese, but any chance God can use us - let's let Him do so.
We've also had another group interested in doing a documentary on us, been contacted by a former WWE Superstar - interested in working with us as well as several other projects that just seem too unreal.
I'll keep you posted on how all it turns out.
--
Prayer requests: As are the opinions above, these are my personal requests for CWF as a whole, and would ask that you consider each one as you go before the Throne of Grace.
1. A continued focus on ministry and not the wrestling or amazing shows.
2. A continued burden for the lost.
3. A continued peace and building of strong relationships between the team.
4. A dependable sound-man who is passionate about ministry and loves wrestling. Someone who is able to travel when needed and can setup and teardown sound equipment when needed.
5. A new portable sound system, capable of amplifying our intro music and mic work to large audiences. I'd prefer the system have a mini-disk player and two handheld wireless mics.
6. Churches to see and understand how God can work through our ministry and continued bookings across the U.S. to reach the lost for Christ.
--
Well I know this is a longer update than normal, but I thought I'd be a little more open about the ministry and encourage each of you to lift us up in prayer daily.
There is a spiritual battle going on for lost souls and we hope to be on the front line, but pray that we will remain steadfast and true to our calling.
God bless you all.
As of right now, we don't have any other shows scheduled there.
I'd love to see us continue our free shows there once each month, but we'll see how that goes. We have noticed more and more "church folk" at our shows and not as many neighborhood kids, but we had a good number this past week and I think they are still interested and still bringing their friends. It's amazing to think what God could do in that area of Rockwall with a few Christian kids on fire for him.
--
Here's a quick run down of Saturday's matches:
Battle Royal - Three way tie with Chris Idol, Michael Malick and The Zealot. The match set up a three way number one contenders match for the CWF title.
Jonah def. The Bishop
Eagle def. Son of Thunder
Jonah def. Michael Malick and Chris Idol. After a horrible beat down on The Zealot by Eagle and Chris Idol following the Battle Royal, I had no choice but to pull The Zealot from the three-way and I let him choose his replacement. He chose Jonah who defeated his former teammate Chris Idol and Michael Malick - making him the number one contender for the belt.
We had an interesting night Saturday night. Rob "Jesus Freak" Vaughn was away moving into his new home and left the logistics of the show up to Chris and I. I think the show went fairly well, but we did have a few gliches here and there. Our sound guy was sick and our backup was not available either. We even called other possible options and got no love. So I did most of the ring announcing from the sound booth as I played intro music and such.
We were also amazed to see a group of three college-age "fans" who traveled from Alabama to watch our show. Last month we had two kids from Kansas who were on vacation and made sure to stop in Rockwall for our show -- and now Alabama. So weird.
--
I've been thinking a lot about CWF lately and continue to be amazed at how God has been working through the ministry and the refocus on ministry from several key players as well as a focus from all the green guys.
God has been doing some amazing things and I think he plans to continue doing some amazing things.
I wish I could go into everything, but since several things are still way up in the air I'll just mention a few.
Last week we had a couple from HBO come and film part of a documentary during our weekly Bible study and work out. Apparently since the 2004 election, even HBO is getting interested in Christianity.
We also had another couple from NYC come and get notes for an upcoming book on Christians in America. They took pictures and talked with several of our guys about why we wrestle for Christ.
Earlier this year we had a Japanese television crew come and tape us for a game show of some sort in Japan. As far as we can figure, they played portions of several matches and the contestants had to figure out what was unique or different about us.
In the end they showed that we were the Christian Wrestling Federation. We're not exactly sure what was said about us, since it was all in Japanese, but any chance God can use us - let's let Him do so.
We've also had another group interested in doing a documentary on us, been contacted by a former WWE Superstar - interested in working with us as well as several other projects that just seem too unreal.
I'll keep you posted on how all it turns out.
--
Prayer requests: As are the opinions above, these are my personal requests for CWF as a whole, and would ask that you consider each one as you go before the Throne of Grace.
1. A continued focus on ministry and not the wrestling or amazing shows.
2. A continued burden for the lost.
3. A continued peace and building of strong relationships between the team.
4. A dependable sound-man who is passionate about ministry and loves wrestling. Someone who is able to travel when needed and can setup and teardown sound equipment when needed.
5. A new portable sound system, capable of amplifying our intro music and mic work to large audiences. I'd prefer the system have a mini-disk player and two handheld wireless mics.
6. Churches to see and understand how God can work through our ministry and continued bookings across the U.S. to reach the lost for Christ.
--
Well I know this is a longer update than normal, but I thought I'd be a little more open about the ministry and encourage each of you to lift us up in prayer daily.
There is a spiritual battle going on for lost souls and we hope to be on the front line, but pray that we will remain steadfast and true to our calling.
God bless you all.
Matt Update 2
Hey,
Its 1:30 in the morning. I'm going to my first camp
in the morning.
I'm going to have my first encounter with the
children. I will be helping with different things.
Pretty much where ever they need me.
But please pray for Thursday, Friday, Saturday. We will be at a camp with teenagers. I'm going to be in a drama skit, also I will be talking to the guys about
lust and other things related.
Pray that God with prepare there hearts and that God will speak words through me for them.
We went to church this morning it was different, but were felt at home because it was Gods house. There was a interpreter there so we were able to understand.
I learned that people do not have the right of way here. Also you can't smile at people walking down the street because from a stranger it means your making
fun to them.
Well its much a long line to get on the internet here that by the time I get on its late. So I'm going to bed.
love ya'll
mmlehmann
Its 1:30 in the morning. I'm going to my first camp
in the morning.
I'm going to have my first encounter with the
children. I will be helping with different things.
Pretty much where ever they need me.
But please pray for Thursday, Friday, Saturday. We will be at a camp with teenagers. I'm going to be in a drama skit, also I will be talking to the guys about
lust and other things related.
Pray that God with prepare there hearts and that God will speak words through me for them.
We went to church this morning it was different, but were felt at home because it was Gods house. There was a interpreter there so we were able to understand.
I learned that people do not have the right of way here. Also you can't smile at people walking down the street because from a stranger it means your making
fun to them.
Well its much a long line to get on the internet here that by the time I get on its late. So I'm going to bed.
love ya'll
mmlehmann
Update from Matt
NOTE: My best friend Matt Lehmann and Ron Shindoll joined Kathryn's team for 10 days before she returns to the states. Matt's e-mail updates will be posted here as well as on Kathryn's blog.
===
Good morning,
Its morning over here right now. Ron and I are here.
The trip was smooth. I was up for 17 hrs before I got to go to bed.
God blessed us with very cool weather when we got here. So the room I slept in was cold and no mosquito's. I slept all night.
Its very different over here. I've already realized how comfortable we live in the USA. We walked around the town where Kathryn will live. She had already gotten some news about moving over to work full time teaching English and other things. She is really being obedient to Gods will.
Im just dropping a qick email before I go to devotion.
Love ya'll
mmlehmann
===
Good morning,
Its morning over here right now. Ron and I are here.
The trip was smooth. I was up for 17 hrs before I got to go to bed.
God blessed us with very cool weather when we got here. So the room I slept in was cold and no mosquito's. I slept all night.
Its very different over here. I've already realized how comfortable we live in the USA. We walked around the town where Kathryn will live. She had already gotten some news about moving over to work full time teaching English and other things. She is really being obedient to Gods will.
Im just dropping a qick email before I go to devotion.
Love ya'll
mmlehmann
Friday, July 22, 2005
You don't use email?
Early this week I sent an e-mail to a co-worker at another office.
I waited a couple days for a response and after not receiving one, I called to see if they had gotten it.
"No - I only check my email every three or four weeks."
HOW! How does someone working in a modern office, with e-mail not check it at least once a week?
Today I needed to send information to that same person and offered to send it via e-mail.
They told me "No. I don't ever check my e-mail. Just send it with someone next time they come over here."
Being that it was at least semi-urgent, I offered to fax the information to them.
And that was fine they said.
How do you encourage or get someone to check their e-mail more often than three to four weeks?
We have an 87 year-old-woman that works in the same office and she uses Microsoft Word and will type up responses to any e-mails I print for her.
I would imagine that if I actually networked her old Macintosh, she would learn to check her e-mail and respond to it daily.
My fear would be that she would get too many e-mails and respond to each of them.
She does have her own fan club (well sort of).
Any ideas on encouraging e-mail use within the office.
It just seems so time consuming and inefficient to do things any other way - especially when you're working at different offices and neither person is in the office all day.
I waited a couple days for a response and after not receiving one, I called to see if they had gotten it.
"No - I only check my email every three or four weeks."
HOW! How does someone working in a modern office, with e-mail not check it at least once a week?
Today I needed to send information to that same person and offered to send it via e-mail.
They told me "No. I don't ever check my e-mail. Just send it with someone next time they come over here."
Being that it was at least semi-urgent, I offered to fax the information to them.
And that was fine they said.
How do you encourage or get someone to check their e-mail more often than three to four weeks?
We have an 87 year-old-woman that works in the same office and she uses Microsoft Word and will type up responses to any e-mails I print for her.
I would imagine that if I actually networked her old Macintosh, she would learn to check her e-mail and respond to it daily.
My fear would be that she would get too many e-mails and respond to each of them.
She does have her own fan club (well sort of).
Any ideas on encouraging e-mail use within the office.
It just seems so time consuming and inefficient to do things any other way - especially when you're working at different offices and neither person is in the office all day.
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
4 Ways Blogging Can Change Your Church
Lifeway.com has an article on how blogging can change your church
So what is your church or ministry doing?
The April 5th issue of Business Week magazine had as their cover topic 'Blogs will change your business.' The article was both interesting and thought provoking. The article focused on the trend of blogging and how businesses will need to tap into this tread to stay current.
So what is your church or ministry doing?
Annoying RSS Reader
Well, the press called - wait - no they didnt. I waited till 6:40 and finally called them, after they said they'd call me in 10 minutes at 6:03.
So I've caught up on some of my blog reading - then there's the podcasting. I should really listen to those more often, but at work I need music to keep me going, not more gibber jabber.
I'm in a funny mood tonight. Maybe it has to do with my paper being belittled by my publisher and thinking I wasn't concerned about the print costs and other things it takes to put a newspaper out. Anyways, I believe it't time to head home.
I think I'll bring my laptop home with me for a change. I think I'm in the mood for more blog reading, research and a glass of wine - or maybe scotch. Hmmm.
Oh - about my title. I use RSS Reader 1.0 to read my blogs. I like its cause its free. But one thing I've noticed is that it constantly grabs old blog entries, that I've already read and downloads them and then flags them as new. What gives?
Any ideas? Maybe I should just wise up and buy a reader rather than trust one that's given away for free.
I'll keep you posted - Maybe.
Until next time -- I'll see you on the flip side.
So I've caught up on some of my blog reading - then there's the podcasting. I should really listen to those more often, but at work I need music to keep me going, not more gibber jabber.
I'm in a funny mood tonight. Maybe it has to do with my paper being belittled by my publisher and thinking I wasn't concerned about the print costs and other things it takes to put a newspaper out. Anyways, I believe it't time to head home.
I think I'll bring my laptop home with me for a change. I think I'm in the mood for more blog reading, research and a glass of wine - or maybe scotch. Hmmm.
Oh - about my title. I use RSS Reader 1.0 to read my blogs. I like its cause its free. But one thing I've noticed is that it constantly grabs old blog entries, that I've already read and downloads them and then flags them as new. What gives?
Any ideas? Maybe I should just wise up and buy a reader rather than trust one that's given away for free.
I'll keep you posted - Maybe.
Until next time -- I'll see you on the flip side.
HB 3 is dead -- again
Common Sense writes:
And to think they gave themselves a raise this year.
We only asked them to do one thing this year, get school financing done. But they couldn't do it. So they called a month-long special session. They still couldn't do it. These have got to be the most useless people on the planet. I know we don't pay them much, but still, they could do some actual work. The only thing they did accomplish was to make gay marriage illegal... again!
And to think they gave themselves a raise this year.
Jump Into Blogging
Is your ministry or organization blogging? Why the heck not? Church Marketing Sucks writes:
Read it.
Some days I feel like I'm beating a dead horse, but in case you've missed our previous calls for pastors to blog, maybe you'll listen to General Motors vice chairman Bob Lutz. For those who don't know, he's one of the most well-known corporate bloggers. Some days I feel like I'm beating a dead horse, but in case you've missed our previous calls for pastors to blog, maybe you'll listen to General Motors vice chairman Bob Lutz. For those who don't know, he's one of the most well-known corporate bloggers.
Read it.
Be A Design Group: Projection Advertising: Branding a City
Be A Design Group writes:
How cool is that? What if churches travelled and rather than a simple "First Baptist Church of Timbucktoo" on the side of the van they were playing videos with simple gospel messages on the buildings they passed.
Anyone want to buy a portable projector and work on it with me?
"What if you could project an advertisement onto any surface? Imagine a 7000 watt projector that could bounce logos and images off of buildings, signs, or anything you pointed it at. You could put it in a van and drive around flashing images all over a city. Sound like science fiction? Well, believe it or not, the technology exists, and it is starting to catch on."
How cool is that? What if churches travelled and rather than a simple "First Baptist Church of Timbucktoo" on the side of the van they were playing videos with simple gospel messages on the buildings they passed.
Anyone want to buy a portable projector and work on it with me?
I'm tired
I'm really tired today. I want to go home. But I have to wait for the press to verify they have all my pages.
I don't want to head home and then get a call halfway there and have to come back. That was really annoying last week.
So I guess I'll catch up on all my blogs.
[]Deace.
I don't want to head home and then get a call halfway there and have to come back. That was really annoying last week.
So I guess I'll catch up on all my blogs.
[]Deace.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Kathryn has new pictures
My sister, Kathryn, has pictures on the web from her current trip to Russia.
Dallas Morning News
For those interested:
Here are some of the stories I spent the afternoon reading.
Rotten to the Corps - a story about the White House Press Room (great for a West Wing Junkie)
We're going to heaven; we're taking you, too - about a Nigerian church building a huge campus (and waterpark) in Floyd, Texas. What's interesting here is that they view America as their mission field - not the other way around.
After shocking attack; a stunning recovery - A Lakewood man recovers after an attack
A rumbling on the other side of the church aisle - A look at the Christian left
The deal of a century - about a Texas banker who battled poker pros with his knowledge of math and poker
Harry earns his wings - Christians have begun accepting Harry Potter as possibly a parable to the Gospel - and not a series of books set on destroying our children
Waiting to take off - about D/FW's new international terminal, which was designed for pre-9/11 traffic.
Steve Blow's Column - on America's immigration policy - or the lack there of
Editorial on The Wright Ammendment
Found this one online
Many patrons and an expert agree: Sound is better at Fair Park Music Hall after a $450,000 tune-up
Here are some of the stories I spent the afternoon reading.
Rotten to the Corps - a story about the White House Press Room (great for a West Wing Junkie)
We're going to heaven; we're taking you, too - about a Nigerian church building a huge campus (and waterpark) in Floyd, Texas. What's interesting here is that they view America as their mission field - not the other way around.
After shocking attack; a stunning recovery - A Lakewood man recovers after an attack
A rumbling on the other side of the church aisle - A look at the Christian left
The deal of a century - about a Texas banker who battled poker pros with his knowledge of math and poker
Harry earns his wings - Christians have begun accepting Harry Potter as possibly a parable to the Gospel - and not a series of books set on destroying our children
Waiting to take off - about D/FW's new international terminal, which was designed for pre-9/11 traffic.
Steve Blow's Column - on America's immigration policy - or the lack there of
Editorial on The Wright Ammendment
Found this one online
Many patrons and an expert agree: Sound is better at Fair Park Music Hall after a $450,000 tune-up
Lazy Sunday afternoon
Well, today has been an odd day in a few ways - but very enjoyable.
I'm sure its the new work schedule and the fact that I have to BE at work every day by 9, but I feel like I've been going to bed earlier each night, which is changing my weekend sleep schedule too.
I was up and working by 10 a.m. Saturday, which may seem late to some, but Saturdays are my normal sleep till 1 or 2 days.
So after getting up early and staying busy all day, I was pretty beat by the time I got home from watching The Wedding Crashers last night.
Matt, Erin and I went to to 10:30 show in Killeen. We had a good time, but I was about to fall over asleep when we got home around 1 a.m.
I tell you all that to setup my odd day today.
I woke up at 9:30 a.m. and lounged around while waiting for my jeans to dry in the dryer. It takes forever since I don't actually have a heating element that works. I think I've gone through four dryers since I graduated college in 2003.
So I waited and waited for my dryer to finish. And around 10:20 I finally pulled my jeans out (still damp) to finish getting ready.
Since I resigned from my position as Singles Intern at Immanuel Baptist in early June, I've been meaning to take the time off to visit other churches in the area. I had originally planned to visit Taylors Valley this morning, but I was told that Immanuels Associate Pastor was preaching this morning, so I planned my morning around going to IBC at 10:45.
But somewhere between pulling my pants out of the dryer, getting dressed, feeding the dogs and getting in my truck, 15 minutes had passed, so I knew I'd be late. I hate being late.
So I decided to drive by Taylors Valley and see what time their service started instead.
Out front was a nice sign that said Taylor's Valley but no times for their services.
I drove by four other churches and none had a service time posted. What gives?
Is it a secret that the general public can't know? Now several of these churches proudly told me who their pastor was and their website address.
But what good does that do me if I'm driving by looking for a church to attend on Sunday morning?
Needless to say, I didn't make it to church this morn. And while I'd like to gripe about the churches not having times posted on their signs - we have no times posted on our office either.
About that time, it started raining so I really lost my desire to get out and go to church somewhere.
So I set my MP3 player on a reading from 1 Corinthians and decided to drive to Salado to check on one of my newspaper racks.
While there I picked up a copy of the Dallas Morning News and made my way home.
Ariving at home around noon I ate a quick bite of food and sat down with the Morning News in my reading chair.
Yes - I have a reading chair. Now normally it becomes a catch all for clothes and other things - but its there, in my bedroom next to my lamp.
I am constantly impressed with the Morning News and their layout and editorial content. So impressed, I finally decided to apply for several jobs I saw posted in their Jobs section.
After cutting out a number of ideas for our paper, I decided to spend the rest of the afternoon getting a head start on the week. So I took the super scenic route to work and hear I am.
Typing Obits from this weekend and organzing things for the next week.
And at somepoint I'll probably head home to finish cleaning my house.
Well, that's about it. I'm sure no one but my mom is reading this anymore, but hope you've all had a great weekend.
Let me know what you did.
I'm sure its the new work schedule and the fact that I have to BE at work every day by 9, but I feel like I've been going to bed earlier each night, which is changing my weekend sleep schedule too.
I was up and working by 10 a.m. Saturday, which may seem late to some, but Saturdays are my normal sleep till 1 or 2 days.
So after getting up early and staying busy all day, I was pretty beat by the time I got home from watching The Wedding Crashers last night.
Matt, Erin and I went to to 10:30 show in Killeen. We had a good time, but I was about to fall over asleep when we got home around 1 a.m.
I tell you all that to setup my odd day today.
I woke up at 9:30 a.m. and lounged around while waiting for my jeans to dry in the dryer. It takes forever since I don't actually have a heating element that works. I think I've gone through four dryers since I graduated college in 2003.
So I waited and waited for my dryer to finish. And around 10:20 I finally pulled my jeans out (still damp) to finish getting ready.
Since I resigned from my position as Singles Intern at Immanuel Baptist in early June, I've been meaning to take the time off to visit other churches in the area. I had originally planned to visit Taylors Valley this morning, but I was told that Immanuels Associate Pastor was preaching this morning, so I planned my morning around going to IBC at 10:45.
But somewhere between pulling my pants out of the dryer, getting dressed, feeding the dogs and getting in my truck, 15 minutes had passed, so I knew I'd be late. I hate being late.
So I decided to drive by Taylors Valley and see what time their service started instead.
Out front was a nice sign that said Taylor's Valley but no times for their services.
I drove by four other churches and none had a service time posted. What gives?
Is it a secret that the general public can't know? Now several of these churches proudly told me who their pastor was and their website address.
But what good does that do me if I'm driving by looking for a church to attend on Sunday morning?
Needless to say, I didn't make it to church this morn. And while I'd like to gripe about the churches not having times posted on their signs - we have no times posted on our office either.
About that time, it started raining so I really lost my desire to get out and go to church somewhere.
So I set my MP3 player on a reading from 1 Corinthians and decided to drive to Salado to check on one of my newspaper racks.
While there I picked up a copy of the Dallas Morning News and made my way home.
Ariving at home around noon I ate a quick bite of food and sat down with the Morning News in my reading chair.
Yes - I have a reading chair. Now normally it becomes a catch all for clothes and other things - but its there, in my bedroom next to my lamp.
I am constantly impressed with the Morning News and their layout and editorial content. So impressed, I finally decided to apply for several jobs I saw posted in their Jobs section.
After cutting out a number of ideas for our paper, I decided to spend the rest of the afternoon getting a head start on the week. So I took the super scenic route to work and hear I am.
Typing Obits from this weekend and organzing things for the next week.
And at somepoint I'll probably head home to finish cleaning my house.
Well, that's about it. I'm sure no one but my mom is reading this anymore, but hope you've all had a great weekend.
Let me know what you did.
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Friday, July 15, 2005
Word Press - Evening Star
Update on The Evening Star website:
I got some help from my webhost, Brian.net and decided to give WordPress a go.
It's pretty simple to run once you get it going - but for anyone not knowing anything about computers - it could be a bit of a headache.
I'm gonna play around with it some more, try different themes and designs, but so far I like it.
Check it out and see what you think: www.one21media.com/blog.
It's still in its infancy stages, but see if you like the way the stories are catagorized and layed out (graphically it will change a bit).
And let me know what you think.
I got some help from my webhost, Brian.net and decided to give WordPress a go.
It's pretty simple to run once you get it going - but for anyone not knowing anything about computers - it could be a bit of a headache.
I'm gonna play around with it some more, try different themes and designs, but so far I like it.
Check it out and see what you think: www.one21media.com/blog.
It's still in its infancy stages, but see if you like the way the stories are catagorized and layed out (graphically it will change a bit).
And let me know what you think.
New songs
My buddy Aaron Lehmann has posted some new demo/scratch tracks on his site - check em out.
Word
Word
Newspaper websites
Well, we've had someone trying to sell ads for our online presence in Belton for oh - 6 months or so. Never had any sold. Now that I've moved to Heights they sold one - and I was just informed I'm supposed to update the Belton website as well as start a new Harker Heights website - or train someone else to do it.
Now, the training would be a headache - especially since The Belton Journal is done in Dreamweaver.
And - I own Dreamweaver. I'm not using company software to build and update the site - I just do it from my own personal laptop. I want to get away from that because of the time invovled and the cost of buying software for the Mac computers in both of our offices.
I've thought about using WordPress or another blogging software, so that anyone (on staff) can update the site with news stories from anywhere.
I'm thinking I mainly just need a blog software with categories to organize the various columnists, sports, news, etc.
Anyone have any thoughts or ideas on this?
I really like Blogger, but there are no categories - so it seems like it would be hard to use as a newspaper website.
Now, the training would be a headache - especially since The Belton Journal is done in Dreamweaver.
And - I own Dreamweaver. I'm not using company software to build and update the site - I just do it from my own personal laptop. I want to get away from that because of the time invovled and the cost of buying software for the Mac computers in both of our offices.
I've thought about using WordPress or another blogging software, so that anyone (on staff) can update the site with news stories from anywhere.
I'm thinking I mainly just need a blog software with categories to organize the various columnists, sports, news, etc.
Anyone have any thoughts or ideas on this?
I really like Blogger, but there are no categories - so it seems like it would be hard to use as a newspaper website.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Muhammad responds
Last Thursday WWE aired a promo featuring several men in black ski masks along with Arab-American wrestler Muhammad Hassan.
You may have seen some of the coverage already, but WWE was ripped on by numerous media outlets (who don't understand wrestling at all). The problem with the promo and bit was that it aired the night of the London bombings (it was taped on Tuesday night). WWE representatives apolgized for the bad timing but stuck with their guns. The promo was edited out in the UN and UPN ran a scroller announcement to warn parents of the upcoming promo.
While it may seem tacktful and distasteful, it's interesting to see that the media and others immediatly jumped to conclusions that henchmen wearing camoflauge and ski masks were terrorists.
The New York Post actually called Muhammad a terrorist in their headline: 'Terrorist' wrestles after bombing By Don Kaplan
Whether or not this was planned from the beginning or not, WWE and Hassan have used this incident to more adequatly tell the story of Hassan's struggles in America as an Arab-American.
If you have a chance to watch Smackdown tonight - do so. Apparently Hassan cut a great promo Tuesday night on the media and people who generalize.
Also, read WWE's response to the incident.
It will be interesting to see how the media covers this story after tonight.
You may have seen some of the coverage already, but WWE was ripped on by numerous media outlets (who don't understand wrestling at all). The problem with the promo and bit was that it aired the night of the London bombings (it was taped on Tuesday night). WWE representatives apolgized for the bad timing but stuck with their guns. The promo was edited out in the UN and UPN ran a scroller announcement to warn parents of the upcoming promo.
It would have been better if this segment did not coincide with the events in London last week. Putting timing aside, we believe the segment added an interesting dimension to our exploration of the Mohammed Hassan character and the plight of Arab-Americans in this country.
Essentially, Hassan called in some additional muscle in last week’s SmackDown! to beat on the Undertaker to give him an advantage in their #1 Contender match at the Great American Bash, a tactic used by other Superstars to gain a competitive advantage before a crucial match.
Because these henchmen wore masks and camouflage pants, and because Hassan is of Arab descent, some viewers may have leapt to the conclusion that these henchmen are terrorists. They are not, as our viewers will learn in future episodes.
Anyone who has followed the story of Mohammed Hassan knows that he is an American, born in Detroit, of Arab descent. He believes that since 9/11, he is being treated differently by his fellow Americans because of his Arab background. This has driven him to embrace his Arab roots, further estranging him from his fellow Americans. Many of the points Hassan raises have relevance to the prejudice of our society today. However, the way he goes about expressing these arguments is what turns people against him.
While it may seem tacktful and distasteful, it's interesting to see that the media and others immediatly jumped to conclusions that henchmen wearing camoflauge and ski masks were terrorists.
The New York Post actually called Muhammad a terrorist in their headline: 'Terrorist' wrestles after bombing By Don Kaplan
Whether or not this was planned from the beginning or not, WWE and Hassan have used this incident to more adequatly tell the story of Hassan's struggles in America as an Arab-American.
If you have a chance to watch Smackdown tonight - do so. Apparently Hassan cut a great promo Tuesday night on the media and people who generalize.
Muhammad enters admist signs that read: “Get the hell out of America Hassan” “U Suck” and USA chants
I stand here tonight, probably the last true patriot in America
I stand here tonight perhaps even a martyr against tyranny and injustice
Because the fact is – I am an American professional wrestler
But because of my heritage, because of my background, because of who my ancestors were – I’m labeled, we’re labeled terrorists, terrorists. I’m a terrorists
Well it must be true
Its gotta be true because its right here in black and white
In a reputable source like The New York Post
You don’t believe me?
Here it is: Terrorist wrestles after bombing
I’m a terrorist, we’re terrorists, we wrestled after a bombing
Well mister Don Kaplan.
Have you ever met Don Kaplan? Have you ever spoke to Don Kaplan? Have you ever spoke to Don Kaplan on the phone?
Well I never have either, so if Don Kaplan of the New York Post has never met us or talked to us, how does he know we’re terrorists
Also, read WWE's response to the incident.
It will be interesting to see how the media covers this story after tonight.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
The 49 States of America
My co-worker just forwarded this to me. The intro is a little late - but the rest is fun - and good to know.
THE FUTURE OF TEXAS if Kerry wins the election -
Please note that Texas is the only state with a legal right to secede from the Union. Please refer to the Texas-American Annexation Treaty of 1848.
We Texans love y'all, but we'll have to take action if Kerry wins president over Bush. We'll miss you, too.
Texas has given all those complainers plenty of time to get used to the results. After seeing the whiners along the campaign route, the folks from Texas are considering taking matters into our own hands.
Here is our solution:
1. Let John Kerry become President of the United States, all 49 states.
2. George W. Bush becomes the President of the Republic Of Texas.
So what does Texas have to do to survive as a Republic?
1. NASA is just south of Houston, Texas. We will control the space industry.
2. Gasoline - We refine over 85% of the gasoline in the United States.
3. Defense Industry - We have over 65% of it. The motto "Don't Mess with Texas" will take on a whole new meaning.
4. Oil - We can supply all the oil that the Republic of Texas will need for the next 300 years. Yankee states? Sorry about that.
5. Natural Gas - Again we have all we need, and it's too bad about those northern states. John Kerry will figure a way to keep them warm.
6. Computer Industry - We currently lead the nation in producing computer chips and communications: Small places like Texas Instruments, Dell Computer, EDS, Raytheon, National Semiconductor, Motorola, Intel, AMD, Atmel, Applied Materials, Ball Semiconductor, Dallas Semiconductor, Delphi, Nortel, Alcatel, etc. The list goes on and on.
7. Health Centers - We have the largest research centers for cancer research, the best burn centers, and the top trauma units in the world, and other large health planning centers.
8. Education - We have enough colleges to keep us going: UT, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Rice, SMU, U. of Houston, Baylor, UNT, Texas Women's University, St. Mary's University, San Antonio College. Ivy grows better in the South anyway.
9. Laborers - We have a ready supply of workers. We just open the border when we need some more.
10. We have control of the paper industry, plastics, insurance, etc.
11. In case of a foreign invasion, we have the Texas National Guard and the Texas Air National Guard. We don't have an army, but since everybody down here has at least 6 rifles and a pile of ammo, we can raise an army in 24 hours if we need it. If the situation really gets bad, we can always call Department of Public Safety and ask them to send over a couple Texas Rangers.
12. Food - We are totally self sufficient in beef, poultry, hogs, several types of grain, fruit, vegetables, and let's not forget seafood from the Gulf. And everybody down here knows how to cook them so that they taste good. Don't need any food.
This names just a few of the items that will keep the Republic Of Texas in good shape. There isn't a thing out there that we need and don't have.
Now to the rest of the United States under President Kerry:
Since you won't have the refineries to get gas for your cars, only President Kerry will be able to drive around in his 9-mile-per- gallon SUV. The rest of the United States will have to walk or ride bikes.
You won't have any TV since the space center in Houston will cut off your connection to space communications.
You won't have any natural gas to heat your homes, but since Mr.. Kerry has predicted global warming, you will not need the gas.
Have a nice day!
Signed,
The People in Texas
THE FUTURE OF TEXAS if Kerry wins the election -
Please note that Texas is the only state with a legal right to secede from the Union. Please refer to the Texas-American Annexation Treaty of 1848.
We Texans love y'all, but we'll have to take action if Kerry wins president over Bush. We'll miss you, too.
Texas has given all those complainers plenty of time to get used to the results. After seeing the whiners along the campaign route, the folks from Texas are considering taking matters into our own hands.
Here is our solution:
1. Let John Kerry become President of the United States, all 49 states.
2. George W. Bush becomes the President of the Republic Of Texas.
So what does Texas have to do to survive as a Republic?
1. NASA is just south of Houston, Texas. We will control the space industry.
2. Gasoline - We refine over 85% of the gasoline in the United States.
3. Defense Industry - We have over 65% of it. The motto "Don't Mess with Texas" will take on a whole new meaning.
4. Oil - We can supply all the oil that the Republic of Texas will need for the next 300 years. Yankee states? Sorry about that.
5. Natural Gas - Again we have all we need, and it's too bad about those northern states. John Kerry will figure a way to keep them warm.
6. Computer Industry - We currently lead the nation in producing computer chips and communications: Small places like Texas Instruments, Dell Computer, EDS, Raytheon, National Semiconductor, Motorola, Intel, AMD, Atmel, Applied Materials, Ball Semiconductor, Dallas Semiconductor, Delphi, Nortel, Alcatel, etc. The list goes on and on.
7. Health Centers - We have the largest research centers for cancer research, the best burn centers, and the top trauma units in the world, and other large health planning centers.
8. Education - We have enough colleges to keep us going: UT, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Rice, SMU, U. of Houston, Baylor, UNT, Texas Women's University, St. Mary's University, San Antonio College. Ivy grows better in the South anyway.
9. Laborers - We have a ready supply of workers. We just open the border when we need some more.
10. We have control of the paper industry, plastics, insurance, etc.
11. In case of a foreign invasion, we have the Texas National Guard and the Texas Air National Guard. We don't have an army, but since everybody down here has at least 6 rifles and a pile of ammo, we can raise an army in 24 hours if we need it. If the situation really gets bad, we can always call Department of Public Safety and ask them to send over a couple Texas Rangers.
12. Food - We are totally self sufficient in beef, poultry, hogs, several types of grain, fruit, vegetables, and let's not forget seafood from the Gulf. And everybody down here knows how to cook them so that they taste good. Don't need any food.
This names just a few of the items that will keep the Republic Of Texas in good shape. There isn't a thing out there that we need and don't have.
Now to the rest of the United States under President Kerry:
Since you won't have the refineries to get gas for your cars, only President Kerry will be able to drive around in his 9-mile-per- gallon SUV. The rest of the United States will have to walk or ride bikes.
You won't have any TV since the space center in Houston will cut off your connection to space communications.
You won't have any natural gas to heat your homes, but since Mr.. Kerry has predicted global warming, you will not need the gas.
Have a nice day!
Signed,
The People in Texas
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Tim Storm push and HBK
So it looks like my buddy Tim Storm is about to get a push at PCW.
Don't guess they saw Storm getting Superkicked in the face by Shawn Michaels.
But I guess if Hogan and Piper can take the kick - so can Storm and Apoc.
And I just came across this: God's Smackdown. I think I've seen it before - just not in this format.
DeMarco and Turner won the match, but they paid for it afterwards, especially DeMarco. The Dark Circle charged in, and Tim Storm slammed DeMarco through four chairs set up in the ring. Storm then said he wanted a World Title shot at Sick 'N' Twisted, PCW's next major card, on August 27.
Don't guess they saw Storm getting Superkicked in the face by Shawn Michaels.
But I guess if Hogan and Piper can take the kick - so can Storm and Apoc.
And I just came across this: God's Smackdown. I think I've seen it before - just not in this format.
Honey I Been Thinking About You by Jackie Greene on Yahoo! Music
I've been loving launchcast.com since moving to the Evening Star. I've subcribed to Yahoo's Unlimited Music service and Launchcast Plus is a part of it. I just come in to the office, turn on my laptop and let the tunes play.
Check out this "new" song I've been digging today:Honey I Been Thinking About You by Jackie Greene
Check out this "new" song I've been digging today:Honey I Been Thinking About You by Jackie Greene
U2's Amazing Grace
noticias.info has a good review of the recent U2 show in France - right after the G8 summit.
Speaking of U2... I'm still looking for 4 or 6 tickets to the U2 show in Houston or Dallas. Anyone have a suite they'd like to let me use?
Tonight he could see the world 'in green and red and blue' during Beautiful Day, and changed the lyrics to add that yesterday, Friday, had been a 'beautiful day for Africa' - to great applause. A week after debuting the number with Paul McCartney before several billion people, the band finished
Beautiful Day with Sgt Pepper: 'Hope you will enjoy the show..'
As Edge played the haunting piano chords and Bono blew into his harmonica, suddenly the whole dark night was burning with lighters and mobiles. 'That's beautiful!' said Bono, so inspired that he took the track off into a hymn at the end, breaking into Amazing Grace as the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights began scrolling up the back of the stage. The applause and cheering from the audience was a tonic. 'I once was lost, but now I see..'
Speaking of U2... I'm still looking for 4 or 6 tickets to the U2 show in Houston or Dallas. Anyone have a suite they'd like to let me use?
The United Church of Christ's God is Still Speaking Campaign
ChurchMarketingSucks.com talks about marketing for the United Church of Christ.
I had a long discussion with my aunt Sunday night and we talked all about Christians shooting their wounded and being afraid to accept the lost and go to them where they are.
The United Methodists have a strong campaign about Open Doors and Open Hearts.
While it both campaigns may come across to many as too accepting or too liberal - I wonder if that's where the real problem is.
Granted I'm not going to accept a homosexual pastor, but I wouldn't accept a pot-smoking or adulterer in the pulpit either.
I think the real problem is that people caught up in whatever sin they might be struggling with feel shunned from the Gospel they need so badly.
What is your church doing to reach the lost?
You may disagree with their theology, but you've got to love their marketing. The United Church of Christ made headlines late last year when their TV commercial featuring a bouncer at the gates of a church and a voice-over saying, 'Jesus didn't turn people away. Neither do we.' was rejected by NBC and CBS.
I had a long discussion with my aunt Sunday night and we talked all about Christians shooting their wounded and being afraid to accept the lost and go to them where they are.
The United Methodists have a strong campaign about Open Doors and Open Hearts.
While it both campaigns may come across to many as too accepting or too liberal - I wonder if that's where the real problem is.
Granted I'm not going to accept a homosexual pastor, but I wouldn't accept a pot-smoking or adulterer in the pulpit either.
I think the real problem is that people caught up in whatever sin they might be struggling with feel shunned from the Gospel they need so badly.
What is your church doing to reach the lost?
Easy Ways to Keep Me from Visiting Your Church Because I Visited Your Website
tony morgan | one of the simply strategic guys: 10 Easy Ways to Keep Me from Visiting Your Church Because I Visited Your Website: "10 Easy Ways to Keep Me from Visiting Your Church Because I Visited Your Website"
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Amy's Marker
I know this may be a bit morbid - I'm not normally one who takes pictures in cemetaries or funerals, but I decided to take a picture with my camera phone of my sister's marker today.
They just installed the new permanent maker on her resting place. And while it may seem morbid too some - It's an amazing blessing and comfort to know that she's no longer sleeping but Alive in Jesus' love.
The marker seems a little discolored - but that's because my dad had a little to much fun watering the site today and washing the marker off.
It has a rose on either side, Blundell written on the top, Amy Elizabeth on the upper left with her life's markers (Dec. 22, 1980 - March 21, 2005), a cross in the middle and Psalm 139 on the bottom.
I was so honored and privaledged to design the marker. My parents decided to get a slightly bigger one and added the two other spaces for names at a later date, but I think it turned out really good and I'm sure it's something Amy would have liked.
We love you and miss you so much Amy. See you soon.
They just installed the new permanent maker on her resting place. And while it may seem morbid too some - It's an amazing blessing and comfort to know that she's no longer sleeping but Alive in Jesus' love.
The marker seems a little discolored - but that's because my dad had a little to much fun watering the site today and washing the marker off.
It has a rose on either side, Blundell written on the top, Amy Elizabeth on the upper left with her life's markers (Dec. 22, 1980 - March 21, 2005), a cross in the middle and Psalm 139 on the bottom.
I was so honored and privaledged to design the marker. My parents decided to get a slightly bigger one and added the two other spaces for names at a later date, but I think it turned out really good and I'm sure it's something Amy would have liked.
We love you and miss you so much Amy. See you soon.
Amys marker
Amy 2
Friday, July 08, 2005
Work break
So, I haven't been blogging much this week. I've been slammed trying to straighten my new office and get things set up.
But somehow I stumbled upon this super cool website:
Apparently it's been around for a while. I called my sister to tell her about it and she said, "Oh I know all about that site. It's all over campus."
Guess I've been missing out since I'm not in school anymore.
Anyways, check it out. They've got some really good and funny shirts.
Well - back to organizing old faxes. And when I say old faxes - I really mean throwing way faxes that have been sitting in piles since 2002.
I should have taken a before photo so you could see how much progress I've really made.
Speaking of which - I need some artwork or something in my office. If any aspiring artists are out there and want to show off your work in Harker Heights - let me know.
But somehow I stumbled upon this super cool website:
Apparently it's been around for a while. I called my sister to tell her about it and she said, "Oh I know all about that site. It's all over campus."
Guess I've been missing out since I'm not in school anymore.
Anyways, check it out. They've got some really good and funny shirts.
Well - back to organizing old faxes. And when I say old faxes - I really mean throwing way faxes that have been sitting in piles since 2002.
I should have taken a before photo so you could see how much progress I've really made.
Speaking of which - I need some artwork or something in my office. If any aspiring artists are out there and want to show off your work in Harker Heights - let me know.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Piecemeal lives
This past weekend I had the joy of seeing the Body of Christ truly in action.
Maybe I’ve been looking in the wrong direction, but this weekend I found it, in a cowboy church in Crosby, Texas.
A body of believers who believed in something far greater than themselves.
A body of believers who realized that their small, sometimes menial tasks were just as important as everyone elses.
It didn’t matter if they were sweeping floors, pouring tea or pushing a button on a sound board -- they were there to serve, and they never questioned how important their role was.
They were there to help a bunch of crazy wrestlers put on a couple shows to share the Gospel. And whatever that took -- they were going to help put on the best show ever.
I can’t think of anything they could have done better. Well, other than maybe give earplugs to my roommates to help drown out my snoring (Sorry about that.)
NOTE FROM CHRIS: You should have heard it -- oh wait you probably did. What meteorologists thought was an approaching thunderstorm was actually Blundell snoring. By the way, Breathe Rights -- worthless.
Scripture reminds us that we’re all an important part of the body, no matter how menial or piecemeal our lives may seem.
“By means of His one Spirit, we all said good-bye to our partial and piecemeal lives. We each used to independently call our own shots, but then we entered into a large and integrated life in which He has the final say in everything.”
As a ring announcer for the CWF sometimes it’s easy to think, “My job is not really that important. I just talk. Anyone can do that. The wrestlers have the really important jobs.” Or, “You know I’m really the important one here. Without me, no one gets welcomed to the ring. I think I’ll just say whatever I want and introduce people as I see fit.”
But whether other people can or can’t do my job, it’s my job and it’s what I’ve been asked to do. And while I may want to try and steal the limelight, if I’m not working as a member of the team, nothing will get completed -- and I’m sure I’d get a number of vicious chops in the process.
But what if my sound guy gets bored with being a sound guy? What if he wants to be in the ring getting beat down and tossed around like a bag of potatoes?
Suddenly we don’t have sound or entrance music and our ministry becomes a bunch of guys with sore throats from trying to yell over the crowd.
What if a cook in the kitchen decides she wants to prepare Indian cuisine instead of steak and potatoes? While the rest of her team is baking potatoes and grilling steak, she comes along and starts throwing curry and asafoetida or hing all over everything.
The otherwise wonderful, simple meal is suddenly ruined.
The Apostle Paul writes, “If Foot said, ‘I’m not elegant like Hand, embellished with rings; I guess I don’t belong to this body,’ would that make it so? If Ear said, ‘I’m not beautiful like Eye, limpid and expressive; I don’t deserve a place on the head,’ would you want to remove it from the body? If the body was all eye, how could it hear? If all ear, how could it smell?”
Each person has their own place. And each place is valued just like the rest -- no matter where you are or what you do.
“But I also want you to think about how this keeps your significance from getting blown up into self-importance. For no matter how significant you are, it is only because of what you are a part of. An enormous eye or a gigantic hand wouldn’t be a body, but a monster. What we have is one body with many parts, each its proper size and in its proper place. No part is important on its own.”
No matter how independent you think you are or how unimportant you are -- you have value and no one else can take your place.
As we wrapped up our second show in Crosby Sunday night I began talking with a church member who had been working the parking lot detail earlier that evening.
He told me he was proud to be able to play such a “little part” in something much greater than all of this.
As we talked, I remembered times that I’ve been stuck in parking lots with poor direction and communication.
I’ve sat in parking lots for hours as people try to direct traffic back on to the roads.
What seemed menial and trivial to him was a blessing to everyone who attended one of our shows.
No matter what part you might have, where ever you might be, you’ve been placed there for a reason and without each person in place -- the show (or dinner, or ball game, or office, or church service) would never be the same.
Strive for excellence. Work as if everything you do depends solely on you -- because when it all comes down to it -- it does.
“The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part... If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance.”
Maybe I’ve been looking in the wrong direction, but this weekend I found it, in a cowboy church in Crosby, Texas.
A body of believers who believed in something far greater than themselves.
A body of believers who realized that their small, sometimes menial tasks were just as important as everyone elses.
It didn’t matter if they were sweeping floors, pouring tea or pushing a button on a sound board -- they were there to serve, and they never questioned how important their role was.
They were there to help a bunch of crazy wrestlers put on a couple shows to share the Gospel. And whatever that took -- they were going to help put on the best show ever.
I can’t think of anything they could have done better. Well, other than maybe give earplugs to my roommates to help drown out my snoring (Sorry about that.)
NOTE FROM CHRIS: You should have heard it -- oh wait you probably did. What meteorologists thought was an approaching thunderstorm was actually Blundell snoring. By the way, Breathe Rights -- worthless.
Scripture reminds us that we’re all an important part of the body, no matter how menial or piecemeal our lives may seem.
“By means of His one Spirit, we all said good-bye to our partial and piecemeal lives. We each used to independently call our own shots, but then we entered into a large and integrated life in which He has the final say in everything.”
As a ring announcer for the CWF sometimes it’s easy to think, “My job is not really that important. I just talk. Anyone can do that. The wrestlers have the really important jobs.” Or, “You know I’m really the important one here. Without me, no one gets welcomed to the ring. I think I’ll just say whatever I want and introduce people as I see fit.”
But whether other people can or can’t do my job, it’s my job and it’s what I’ve been asked to do. And while I may want to try and steal the limelight, if I’m not working as a member of the team, nothing will get completed -- and I’m sure I’d get a number of vicious chops in the process.
But what if my sound guy gets bored with being a sound guy? What if he wants to be in the ring getting beat down and tossed around like a bag of potatoes?
Suddenly we don’t have sound or entrance music and our ministry becomes a bunch of guys with sore throats from trying to yell over the crowd.
What if a cook in the kitchen decides she wants to prepare Indian cuisine instead of steak and potatoes? While the rest of her team is baking potatoes and grilling steak, she comes along and starts throwing curry and asafoetida or hing all over everything.
The otherwise wonderful, simple meal is suddenly ruined.
The Apostle Paul writes, “If Foot said, ‘I’m not elegant like Hand, embellished with rings; I guess I don’t belong to this body,’ would that make it so? If Ear said, ‘I’m not beautiful like Eye, limpid and expressive; I don’t deserve a place on the head,’ would you want to remove it from the body? If the body was all eye, how could it hear? If all ear, how could it smell?”
Each person has their own place. And each place is valued just like the rest -- no matter where you are or what you do.
“But I also want you to think about how this keeps your significance from getting blown up into self-importance. For no matter how significant you are, it is only because of what you are a part of. An enormous eye or a gigantic hand wouldn’t be a body, but a monster. What we have is one body with many parts, each its proper size and in its proper place. No part is important on its own.”
No matter how independent you think you are or how unimportant you are -- you have value and no one else can take your place.
As we wrapped up our second show in Crosby Sunday night I began talking with a church member who had been working the parking lot detail earlier that evening.
He told me he was proud to be able to play such a “little part” in something much greater than all of this.
As we talked, I remembered times that I’ve been stuck in parking lots with poor direction and communication.
I’ve sat in parking lots for hours as people try to direct traffic back on to the roads.
What seemed menial and trivial to him was a blessing to everyone who attended one of our shows.
No matter what part you might have, where ever you might be, you’ve been placed there for a reason and without each person in place -- the show (or dinner, or ball game, or office, or church service) would never be the same.
Strive for excellence. Work as if everything you do depends solely on you -- because when it all comes down to it -- it does.
“The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part... If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance.”
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Its official...
Well its official (as official as anything goes in our office - it might change 5 minutes from now)...
But Thursday I will be moving to our Harker Heights Evening Star paper.
I'm excited and doubtful all at the same time.
I'm excited about new opportunities. A new office to work in. A new change of pace. I think I can help make the paper very profitable and I already have a number of ideas to do so.
But I'm also doubtful and worried that it could mean more work and stress and/or I may become disenchantment with the new position soon.
I hope not.
Well in other news - I know this is what you've all been waiting for.... (drumroll)
Sunday and Monday's CWF results:
Sunday -
Chris Idol & Tim Storm def. Jonah & Michael Malik
Son of Thunder def. The Zealot
Tim Storm def. Apoc
Jesus Freak def Chris Idol for the CWF World Championship Belt
Monday -
Jonah NC Michael Malik
Chris Idol def. Apoc
Tim Storm def. Son of Thunder
Jesus Freak def. The Zealot (titlematch)
Apoc & Jonah def. Chris Idol and Tim Storm
But Thursday I will be moving to our Harker Heights Evening Star paper.
I'm excited and doubtful all at the same time.
I'm excited about new opportunities. A new office to work in. A new change of pace. I think I can help make the paper very profitable and I already have a number of ideas to do so.
But I'm also doubtful and worried that it could mean more work and stress and/or I may become disenchantment with the new position soon.
I hope not.
Well in other news - I know this is what you've all been waiting for.... (drumroll)
Sunday and Monday's CWF results:
Sunday -
Chris Idol & Tim Storm def. Jonah & Michael Malik
Son of Thunder def. The Zealot
Tim Storm def. Apoc
Jesus Freak def Chris Idol for the CWF World Championship Belt
Monday -
Jonah NC Michael Malik
Chris Idol def. Apoc
Tim Storm def. Son of Thunder
Jesus Freak def. The Zealot (titlematch)
Apoc & Jonah def. Chris Idol and Tim Storm
Apoc v. Tim Storm
OK... so maybe one photo before bed.
Apoc slams Tim Storm to the mat Sunday night.
Mobile Blogging Failure
Well - sorry the mobile blogging quit. I was hoping to post a number of photos and updates all weekend long, but there were issues beyond my control. Apparently a number of people in our group were having problems with their cell phones in Crosby.
I don't know what the issue was, but I couldn't send messages after a while and apparently I missed numberous text messages and calls as well. My phone almost blew up with messages once I got closer to Houston on the way home.
Either way - we had a blast. I'll try and get some photos up soon. Crosby Church has to be one of the most open, serving and loving churches I've ever been to. And they're not afraid to get dirty doing it.
One of their members took 481 photos of the weekend and had them all on CD for each of our group before we left town.
Another member decided we didn't need to simply walk through a doorway this year and he helped put together a curtain intrance with lights, fog machine and the works.
We had a blast - even riding in Crosby's 4th of July parade.
Here's a quick run down of the "stats."
We had over 900 people at both shows.
9 people made decisions Saturday night.
14 people made commitments to follow Christ on Sunday as well as 15 rededications.
Awesome. Awesome.
I'll post the match results later today. Right now its almost 4 a.m. and its time for bed - Holla!
I don't know what the issue was, but I couldn't send messages after a while and apparently I missed numberous text messages and calls as well. My phone almost blew up with messages once I got closer to Houston on the way home.
Either way - we had a blast. I'll try and get some photos up soon. Crosby Church has to be one of the most open, serving and loving churches I've ever been to. And they're not afraid to get dirty doing it.
One of their members took 481 photos of the weekend and had them all on CD for each of our group before we left town.
Another member decided we didn't need to simply walk through a doorway this year and he helped put together a curtain intrance with lights, fog machine and the works.
We had a blast - even riding in Crosby's 4th of July parade.
Here's a quick run down of the "stats."
We had over 900 people at both shows.
9 people made decisions Saturday night.
14 people made commitments to follow Christ on Sunday as well as 15 rededications.
Awesome. Awesome.
I'll post the match results later today. Right now its almost 4 a.m. and its time for bed - Holla!
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Saturday, July 02, 2005
Friday, July 01, 2005
Message from Dad
1. Abraham was 99 years old before he received God's promise of a legitimate heir.
2. Joseph was enslaved, imprisoned, and an outcast from his brothers for 13 years before God used him to fulfill his mission in his family's life (as this devotional mentions.)
3. Moses spent 40 years in the back side of the desert before God could use him to lead the Israelites to the promised land.
4. Joshua, who was told how to continually be successful, watched Moses for most of 40 years while Joshua's contemporaries died, before God used Joshua to lead Israel to overcome the inhabitants of their promised land.
5. Gideon "fleeced the Lord" twice before he was convinced God would use him to drive the Midianites out. God even gave him a special spy trip to get the inside scoop on the thinking of the Midianites on the the night of the attack, as I remember.
6. David (as recounted in this devotional) was hounded and harassed by Saul for years before God fulfilled His promise to make him King of Israel.
7. Jesus was born a baby, raised to adulthood, and thirty years old before He was anointed with the Holy Spirit and began His public ministry.
...in His time...God makes all things possible in His time. In His time, as He develops you and places where He wants you in the future, there are some things you can count on that will bring blessing to you and those you whom you work. As you delight in what God wants, He will not only develop your desires, but He will show you your desires, and He will see that those desires are fulfilled in your life.
--
Thanks Dad.
2. Joseph was enslaved, imprisoned, and an outcast from his brothers for 13 years before God used him to fulfill his mission in his family's life (as this devotional mentions.)
3. Moses spent 40 years in the back side of the desert before God could use him to lead the Israelites to the promised land.
4. Joshua, who was told how to continually be successful, watched Moses for most of 40 years while Joshua's contemporaries died, before God used Joshua to lead Israel to overcome the inhabitants of their promised land.
5. Gideon "fleeced the Lord" twice before he was convinced God would use him to drive the Midianites out. God even gave him a special spy trip to get the inside scoop on the thinking of the Midianites on the the night of the attack, as I remember.
6. David (as recounted in this devotional) was hounded and harassed by Saul for years before God fulfilled His promise to make him King of Israel.
7. Jesus was born a baby, raised to adulthood, and thirty years old before He was anointed with the Holy Spirit and began His public ministry.
...in His time...God makes all things possible in His time. In His time, as He develops you and places where He wants you in the future, there are some things you can count on that will bring blessing to you and those you whom you work. As you delight in what God wants, He will not only develop your desires, but He will show you your desires, and He will see that those desires are fulfilled in your life.
--
Thanks Dad.
Crosby, TX -- Here we come
If you're in the Houston area this weekend come join the CWF in Crosby on Sunday and Monday night.
Scheduled to appear: Tim Storm, Chris Idol, Apoc, Jonah, Freight Train & more.
Tickets are $5 and we're looking forward to two great shows.
If you need a map, here ya go: MAP
Or if you'd like more information on the church, visit crosbychurch.com.
Scheduled to appear: Tim Storm, Chris Idol, Apoc, Jonah, Freight Train & more.
Tickets are $5 and we're looking forward to two great shows.
If you need a map, here ya go: MAP
Or if you'd like more information on the church, visit crosbychurch.com.
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