RUNwithGOD

View from our room overlooking Niagara Falls, Canada side

Five Laws of Showbiz - according to Muppets 3D

Guest Blogger: Ultimate Customer Service

I've asked Ryan Eloe to step in as a guest blogger. Ryan is the General Manager @ C28 in West Palm... an old college friend who I convinced to move to Florida and help me start C28's ministry in Florida. He's married to Kim, and they are expecting their first kid in June.

I asked Ryan to share his thoughts on C28's ministry...

- - - - - - - - - -

"Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart." 2 Corinthians 4:1

Because of the adventures, trials, and experiences at c28 this past year 2 Corinthians 4 speaks to me in amazing ways. One of the most important messages to me in this chapter is that it speaks on the topic of the ministry that we have through God's mercy.

The word 'ministry' in Greek is diakoniva (dee-ak-on-ee'-ah), which simply means service. It's a similar word to that which the word deacon comes from.

If we are truly interested in doing or taking part in ministry (diakoniva), we need to serve.

I believe, if we want to minister to the glory of God, then we should provide the most excellent service. Service that would represent that God who has saved us, loves us, and has mercy for us day in and day out.

Fortunately for us who minister at c28, we are in a unique place because we are expected as a mall-based retail store to provide customer service. Every store has customer service, some stores have horrible customer service, some stores elite customer service, some have good customer service.

But because we want to do ministry in the name of Christ we strive to provide ultimate customer service.

For us, this means a lot of things. It means that we'll try to do everything we can to help people find what the clothes/music they're looking for. Similarly we'll help people when they are searching for a certain size, the perfect gift, or the the latest CD.

But sometimes more than a nice button up shirt, or an amazing CD...people are looking for something different. In these cases we help people find the truth about Jesus Christ, the savior of the world. Or sometimes we help people when they are searching for faith, hope, truth, and grace in this world. We'll offer to pray with people, share with people, encourage people, because more than a new purse, belt, or rockin' t-shirt these needs are greater.

For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts...and it is our prayer that Jesus' ultimate service to us in his death, will allow us to serve our customers in a way that will help them see and experience the grace, truth and love of Christ.

"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts..." 2 Corinthians 4:6a

Taking a break from all your worries...

I'm one day into vacation. Wanted to check in and say that I'm still alive. Still wired (no, I'm not turning the cell phone off). Had a blast today txting, facebooking, and microblogging my day. Enjoyed even more all of you who said you were jealous of my vacation (it's nice to be on the other side of that one)... For those of you who read my site through a RSS site (Google, Bloglines, etc) you may want to check out my twitter updates at the RUNwithGOD.com site. I like to have a little fun with the Twitter stuff (trying to figure out how to get that into RSS feeds... coming soon I'm sure).

During my downtime, though, I've asked some good friends to step in and guest-blog for me. These are guys who work alongside the chaos, and I thought it would be neat to hear things from their perspective.

Thanks. Hope your New Year will start off as relaxing as mine will.

I Celebrate the Day, revisited

Another chaotic season has come and gone, and I am left at the end of the day reflective to the season that was, thankful that the one who I've worked for is worthy of my work, and my praise.

Every Christmas, there is just one song that has me streaming tears... I shared it with you last year, and it's worthy of a revisit in 2008.

And on that note, I present to you Relient K's "I Celebrate the Day".

With this Christmas wish is missed
The point I could convey
If only I could find the words to say to let you know
How much you've touched my life because
Here is where you're finding me
In the exact same place as New Years Eve
And from the lack of my persistency
We're less than half as close as I wanna be

And the first time that you opened your eyes
Did you realize that you would be my Savior
And the first breath that left your lips
Did you know that it would change this world forever
And the first time that you opened your eyes
Did you realize that you would be my Savior
And the first breath that left your lips
Did you know that it would change this world forever

And so this Christmas I'll compare
The things I've felt in prior years
To what this midnight made so clear
That you have come to meet me here

To look back
And think that
This baby would one day save me
And the hope that
That you give
That you were born so I might really live
To look back
And think that
This baby would one day save me…

And the first time that you opened your eyes
Did you realize that you would be my Savior
And the first breath that left your lips
Did you know that it would change this world forever
And the first time that you opened your eyes
Did you realize that you would be my Savior
And the first breath that left your lips
Did you know that it would change this world forever

And I
I celebrate the day
That you were born to die
So I could one day
Pray for you to save my life
Pray for you to save my life
Pray for you to save my life

links for 2007-12-21

• Creed's True Meaning of Christmas
  The Office's malcontent, Creed, shares his thoughts on the true meaning of Christmas. While he's way off, he does have a good idea about Christmas 365 days a year...
  (tags: Creed TheOffice Entertainment Christmas)
• Quicken Online to support iPhone
  Really excited about this. Need to get my home finances in as good condition as the business(es). Thank you, Quicken, for making my life easy!
  (tags: MacCentral Online Quicken Finances)
• Fountain Man: Stealing the Illusion or Padding the End of Year Numbers
  (tags: StrangeCulture dreams marketing infrastructure finances)
• Mister Rogers Plays Donkey Kong - Boing Boing Gadgets
  America's Nicest Presbyterian Minister, Mr. Rogers, talks about video games on his TV Show. His spin is very interesting... Check out the archived video!
  (tags: BoingBoing VideoGames MisterRogers DonkeyKong)
• Virtual Cable nav system superimposes route guidance on your windshield in 3D - Engadget
  This is, by far, the COOLEST THING for a car. Forget the GPS. Check this out! (Note: if you've ever driven with me to CFDT, you can appreciate why I need this...)
  (tags: GPS Navigation Car Engadget Dream Cool Design Virtual)
• Is Disney Trying to Reinvent Apple History at Epcot?
  Since I'm not going to Expedition Everest, I'll have extra time to do this ride @ Epcot!
  (tags: Stevejobs disney epcot Apple)
• Winning the confidence of those you lead
  Great insight on leading up, leading down, and leading all around (so to speak)...
  (tags: JimWideman Leadership Volunteering)
• The Seven Deadly Sins of Church WebSite Design
  Reminiscent of eBeliever days...
  (tags: Internet Webdesign digital.leadnet)

Rumors of my demise...

A customer comes into the bookstore today, asks for me by name. An employee gets me out of the back office. The customer takes a sigh of relief... "oh thank God you're alive..."

Jeffery Reeb, a 44-year old Florida Native, passed away earlier this week in the Disney Animal Park Theme Park. I'll let the Associated Press tell the story:

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A pre-existing heart condition caused the death of a man who was stricken while riding a Walt Disney World roller coaster, the Orange County medical examiner's office said Wednesday.

Jeffery Reeb, 44, of Navarre, was unresponsive when removed from the Expedition Everest ride at Disney's Animal Kingdom on Tuesday.

He was pronounced dead at Celebration Hospital.

Following Reeb's death, the ride was reopened Tuesday afternoon after an inspection found it was operating properly.

Prior to Reeb's death, at least 15 people had died at Disney's theme parks in Florida and California since 1989, some with previous health conditions.

Jeffery Reeb, never knew ye. Hope the ride was worth the price.

JeffREy ReeD will be @ Disney (as part of the mystery vacation) December 27-31. I'm sure I'll take a stab at Expedition Everest while I'm there. And I'll be trying my best to stay out of AP while I'm on vacation.

Here's to not being #17!

And no, I'm nowhere near 44 years old. Hairline is. Physically not.

UPDATE: 12/20/07 - 8:07pm
PS - There's some confusion to this guy's real name. Some news sources are saying it's Jeffery ReeB, others are saying it's Jeffery ReeD. I dunno. But if it is ReeD, uh, maybe I'm not going on that ride next week.

On another note, it's pretty sad that a guy died a couple days ago... and we're still not sure what his name is!

10 Reasons Amy & I did not do Christmas Cards this year

Amy and I skipped our annual tradition of sending out Christmas Cards and letter this year. Believe me, I feel horrible. Truly, truly horrible. For many of you, your holiday season has just been ruined, and I hope that by notifying you this far in advance you can get over the heartbreak in time to get back in the season. I sincerely apoligize. But, I've got a lot of good excuses... well, a couple good ones anyway...

10 Reasons Amy & I did not do Christmas Cards this year
10. Come on, like you need to see another picture of my bald head and goatee?

9. God has not answered my prayer request to add an eighth and ninth day to the week. Probably for the best. If I had the option I would work those days too.

8. Don't know if you've heard, but CF has two new campuses...

7. The highlight of the Christmas letter was keeping everyone updated on Amy's and my life. Now with the blog, you get DAILY UPDATES. You get me being stupid 365 days a year!

6. I was informed the other day that Christmas Cards were the tool of the Antichrist. Well, at least all the Christmas Cards I had in stock at the bookstore. After all, they all had verses from NIV translation (not KJV). I was sparing you because I did not want to "lead you into sin". You're welcome. Now, as for my customers... sin away!

5. It's hard to get into the holiday spirit when you own two retail stores. I don't know if you're realized this, but Miami is a RUDE city to live in.

4. $0.41 Stamp per envelope? Let's be honest. I don't like many of you that much. Okay, maybe that's a joke. Depends... I'll have to get back to you. If you're not sure whether I'm serious or not, email me. I'll address all requests on a case by case basis.

3. Dog ate all the stamps. Last year we used him to lick the stamps... and this year he got a little ahead of himself.

2. I truly hate paper... and until eChristmas Cards are a more acceptable medium I am boycotting the industry. Stupid Hallmark. Wait, Hallmark owns Dayspring, my card vendor. I love you Hallmark. I love you Dayspring.

1. Wait, why am I making excuses, when you didn't send me a card last year! What's your excuse?

Trajan is the Movie Font

Back in eBeliever days, I loved doing graphics. I hate doing fonts. Which is why when I watched this, I smiled.

Thanks to RC @ Strange Culture for the find.

links for 2007-12-17

• Vista #1: The 15 Biggest Tech Disappointments of 2007
  Pretty bad when PC World, who should be your biggest fan, rips you mercilessly.
  (tags: Microsoft Vista Windows)

CF Dwntwn's Jumbotron

Okay, so it's not quite Jumbotron, but it is nice to enjoy a worship service with a fully functional projector and screen.

I'll have to get you the model specifics for you guys later, but I am VERY IMPRESSED with this projector. (Hector always does a phenominal job on the Video specs). I was not a big Sanyo Projector guy until Hector came along, and they really are great bang for the buck! The projection screen was a Stewart Rear Projection Screen that we had "laying around" not being used (long story).

Mark Batterson writes about how the "projection screen" is becoming postmodern stained glass, allowing us the opportunity to share the gospel in living, motion pictures (as opposed to stained glass which is a permanent, still image. It is very exciting to see how we can blend these modern elements (screens, metal truss) with the historic structure (stained glass, chandelier).

CFDT has been hard work, but it is SO REWARDING to see the results... and to see people using the product to Connect to God.

God, thank you for being worthy of the work. Help others to catch the vision of what You would have Dwntwn.

links for 2007-12-14

• Wired ridiculously picks Microsoft Zune 80 over Apple’s 80GB iPod classic
  Yeah, Zune over iPod? Really?
  (tags: Zune iPod Music Wired)
• Director Michael Bay: Microsoft fueling Blu-ray vs. HD DVD format war for own benefit
  2008 is the year I buy a High Def DVD player, and I still have no idea what format I want...
  (tags: MichaelBay Microsoft Blu-Ray HDDVD Entertainment)
• Mophie Juice Pack for iPhone
  Battery power weak on the iPhone? Strap on an external battery...
  (tags: iPhone Apple Accessories)
• Who’s In Your Network?
  Another reminder that churches should work together (read: be a resource) to each other... especially in the tech field.
  (tags: Church Technology GregAtkinson)
• Arrest of Christian bookseller focuses attention on China
  While USA Booksellers are raking in preChristmas profits, our counterparts are being thrown in jail in China. Kinda puts things in perspective...
  (tags: News USAToday Missions ChristianRetailing)

Netflix and Small Issues

Netflix has changed the face of entertainment. Their online DVD Rental service has put a major dent into many a DVD rental companies profit. However, while Netflix was pursuing big dreams, they forgot one minute detail.

The United States Postal Service.

Netflix uses these really cool envelopes to exchange the DVDs with the customers. Evidently everybody was happy with the design and process, leaving some people wondering "why didn't I think of this before?"

USPS doesn't like them, though. The mailers are not "machine friendly", and the USPS is prepared to slap a fine on Netflix for their past-crimes... $0.17 per envelope. Not that bad, right?

In total, Netflix is looking at $41,900,000 worth of past fines. If Netflix doesn't resolve the issue, they are looking at an additional $61,500,000 worth of fines over the next two years. What would these fees do to Netflix's profit? What profit? In total, this would kill 67% of their profit, and destroy their biz model.

Uh oh.

It's sad how even the smallest detail can kill the grandest of plans. An assumption, an oversight, a misunderstanding. These can weaken or destroy even the strongest of relationships. Sad thing is that if Netflix had addressed this issue years ago, they would not be in as deep as they are now.

The smallest detail can fester into a business-crippling issue, if it's not discussed. Or it can be addressed and dismissed early, when it can do limited damage.

Thanks to Engadget for the story.

A Little Old, A Little New

Dwntwn is really starting to come together. A big chunk of my stress was alleviated today as we assembled the truss system, built the screen, hung the screen, and installed the rear projector. Not bad for a volunteer crew on a workday! Thanks to those that helped make this happen.

Once fully framed in and lit (probably 24 stage lights will be hung from the truss system), this component will go a long way to establishing a true "Ancient Future" worship experience.

While I was working on this Landon (CF Head Audio Guy) was installing the age-graded equipment in CF Redland. We're so busy multitasking we have to work on separate campuses to get the work done on time.

Honestly, I'm exhausted. It's been too many LONG days. Thursday I'm calling in sick. Call or email if you need me, but don't need me.

C28: 20% off entire store

C28 West Palm is having an in-store sale. 20% off everything in the store. No questions asked. Print the coupon above and take it to C28 at the Mall in Wellington Green. Sale good Friday, December 14th from 4-10pm.

Don't miss it. Don't forget to buy something for you, too!

Death of the Whopper

Burger King started a national + viral ad campaign... Whopper Freakout. They went into one of their public restaurants and "pretended" that they no longer sell Whoppers. They had hidden cameras all over the place, videotaping real customer responses to the Whopper being discontinued.

Check out the video below...

The Miami Pursuit

It has long been a mystery to me why churches in Miami don't work together more often... Call it the missional mindset that I've gained from my experiences owning "The Living Word", but I've realized that if we are going to see the MAJORITY of Miami get saved -- we're going to need more churches!

That's one of the reasons CF went multisite. Get more locations. Get more bases of operation. Put boots on the ground. Attack the enemy! But if we throw in the Law of Exponentials... if two churches can grow, can go multisite... that's a lot more locations, more bases of operation. That's a lot more people excited about reaching the lost. And the mission field is so huge, it's stupid to live in fear that "oh no, our members are going to that other church now..."

That's why I love Miami. You're not seeing people join the church by "moving membership". You're seeing lives changed. One person at a time.

All that to say...

I hung out with some guys from "The Miami Pursuit" today. (No, it's not going to become the next CF Campus location...) TMP is a Church Plant whose Pastor, Matt Mehaffey, I hooked up through my blog I guess about a year ago. Never met him until today. (See, Trav, there's still a chance for us). TMP is a portable church that will soon be meeting in a ballroom in Pembroke Pines. He has a great heart for Miami. They haven't even launched their first service yet (Jan 2008) and they're already talking about starting a second campus... man, I thought CF moved fast...

I got to hang out with their Lead Worshipper (Alex Diaz), Tech guy (Mike) and several of their key leadership... play with some gear... layout their worship center... fun stuff like that.

I asked Matt if other churches had been much help.
Not surprisingly, the answer was "not many".

It makes me sad. We're on the same team. We're striving for the same goals. Why would I not be a resource to them? Why would I not want to help?

The funny thing is that other churches have contacted us lately, asking for the same type help. I and my staff and volunteers will happily provide it. How are we going to reach Miami (all 2.40 million of us) if we're not leaning on each other for support.

God, thank you for the vision of The Miami Pursuit. Thank you for giving them an opportunity to minister. May You bless their ministry, and they see the fruit of their labor. And God, allow us the opportunity to help other churches. May we always lend a hand and come alongside a church that needs a helping hand... not for any selfish agenda but for the cause of Christ in Miami.

CF Dwntwn Workday 12/12

Alright. Any favors I've got on the table I'm calling in. I need a ton of people to show up at CF Dwntwn this Wednesday. We have a ton of work to do (the new screen is going up) as well as a big Worship Center/Youth/Children work time.

Literally, I need thirty people.
There is work to do.
It's time to do it.

Let's flood CFDT with volunteers.

I'll drive whoever. I'll schedule a bus. Whatever it takes. It's time to step up and let Big Brother Christ Fellowship help our new campus get off the ground.

Comment, email, call, whatever.... let me know you're coming. I will be there early on Wednesday (9am), but I can arrange a late shuttle. I'll blog more info once I get the details.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Sunday Television

It's a lazy Sunday afternoon. 3pm. I turn on the TV.

CBS has the Dolphins losing 31-7 at halftime.
NBC has alpine skiing.
FOX has some infomercial on Vonage.

This is why I'm a workaholic.
When I stop to relax, there's nothing to do!

With that being said, did you know you can save a ton on your long distance bills by switching to Vonage?

Possible Apple SubLaptop

Wiping drool from chin...

The Apple Underground is freaking out right now, not about iPhones, not about iPods... but about a rumored MacBook Nano.

Let's set the table:

1) Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster predicts an ultra-portable Macbook is 85% guaranteed to be released in January 2008.

2) CNBC Tech Analyst Jim Goldman is quoting Asian manufacturing analysts as saying the ultra portable laptop will be released during Apple's Macworld Trade Show in January.

Pretty cool, huh? Only Apple could design a 12", Flash-based (no hard drive) laptop/tablet computer that would actually be useful. Imagine a super-thin laptop (thin because there's no hard drive). It could fit in any purse or backpack. Because there's no hard drive, the power consumption would be minimal. And if they could work in the iPhone's touch screen into a 12" Laptop Monitor...

"Wait," you say, "didn't Jeff predict months ago that Apple would come out with a SubLaptop in 2008?" Yes, yes he did. Check the post "Seth Godin's iPhone Challenge" dated May 1, 2007 that predicts Apple's subLaptop release in November 2008. Got the year right (hopefully). Even I didn't think the hype of the iPhone would be as well received across the board (domestically and internationally) as it has been.

So yes, if you are wondering what to get Jeff for Christmas this year, Cash or Apple Giftcards is completely acceptable. I gotta be ready for the release. And finally, if necessary, I'm camping out for this one too.

Anyone going to join me?

Famous Blogger

After intensive research, I'm still ambivalent as to exactly what I'm doing wrong...

Thanks to Monday Morning Insight for the find.

links for 2007-12-04

• Natural Disasters Have Quadrupled
  For the "end of the world" spectators out there, some interesting research showing that God's vengeance has been unleashed upon the planet.
  (tags: ChurchRelevance EndOfTheWorld Revelation Research)
• Apple embraces citizen-made ad
  The iPod Touch commercial is not created by marketing firms...
  (tags: ChurchOfTheConsumer Branding Apple Marketing)
• Are blogs losing steam for some?
  blogs aren't for the popular as much as they are for the nobodies.
  (tags: blog ducttapemarketing dilbert Web2.0)
• The internal blog
  Tips for using blogs as a way of processing. Wow, blog as a way of processing. What a novel idea.
  (tags: blogging business productivity sethgodin journal writing)
• For those bitter social networkers… Hatebook!
  yes, hatebook. For the anti-social networking... gotta love it.
  (tags: facebook socialnetworking web2.0)
• Watch the Innovate Church Conference Online for Free - Granger
  2007 Innovative Church Conference are available online
  (tags: church emerging ministry Granger Conference ChurchRelevance)
• A N I M O T O: the end of slideshows
  Really cool way to create slideshows (without much work). Modern tech is great!
  (tags: video slideshow animation web2.0 Internet software technology music)
• Lost Reflective ''Map'' T-Shirt - Lost - ABC TV Store
  In case you needed another idea off of Jeff's Christmas List
  (tags: ChristmasList)
• chumby
  One of 2007's "Gotta Have It" Tech toys this Christmas...
  (tags: communication wifi ChristmasList culture gadgets community electronics entertainment fun innovation ipod)
• Creating an Enviroment...Changing an Environment
  Why Internet Campus?
  (tags: InternetChurch InternetCampus)
• Ten Things I Would Say To Anyone Entering Ministry…And Anyone Else Living On This Planet
  Interesting reminders...
  (tags: Ministry Church PerryNoble Seminary)

Thinking Outside the Box

Thanks to ABSO Jesus for putting it into perspective...

CF Multi-site Media Openings

As part of CF's "Movin' On" Series, we are challenging 500 people to leave the CF Palmetto Bay Campus and help establish our three new campuses... CF Dwntwn, CF Redland, and CF West Kendall.

Among those 500 people, Media volunteers are definitely needed. Below is a listing of available positions:

CF Downtown
Audio Operators (1 person)
Lighting Operators (2 people)
Video/Imag Operators (1 person)
Stage Director (2 people)

CF Redland
Audio Operators (1 person)
Video/Imag Operators (1 person)
Stage Director (2 people)

CF West Kendall
Audio Operators (1 person)
Lighting Operators (1 person)
Video/Imag Operators (1 person)
Stage Director (1 person)
Set up/Tear down (16 people, yes 16)

For a definition of the positions, check out Worship343.com

The Multi-Sites also need help Saturday night on the CFPB campus. Most of the Multi-Site Media work is done after the Saturday night service. I need three volunteers who are computer savvy to help us coordinate all the computer files for the weekend services on CFDT, CFR & soon CFWK. It takes about an hour...

Even if you're not moving away from CFPB, help someone else who has moved on. See me ASAP!

If you're currently serving in Media at CFPB, consider Movin' On. I know it will be difficult to leave, but we have an incredible opportunity to impact Miami, and help is needed across the board. See me, and help us gain a foothold in reclaiming this city.

Not involved in Media. IT'S NOT DIFFICULT TO START. We have plenty of positions for tech-savvy and non-techie positions. The great thing is we'll teach you everything you need! MOVE ON! Email me, or stop by the Location Booths this wknd at CFPB.

Movin' On? Awesome! Thanks for your willingness to serve.

Light Sleeping

Have you ever been awakened by the sound of your own snoring? Happened to me today... weird...

Small Biz Woes & A Viral Connection

Small-biz is struggling right now. Economy struggling. Stock market dipping. Jobless rates increasing. Insurance rates skyrocketing. As a biz owner, er... bizes owner, it's been difficult to stay positive during the economic struggles. My mother, among other people, often chastise me for my negative attitude.

Then I see this quote, and realize it's not just me:

Economic confidence among small business owners continued to fall in October as many expressed increased pessimism about both the future of their own businesses and the U.S. economy in general.

The quote, taken from Discover Small Business Watch, lists some of the issues that 22 million small business owners struggled with this past year. Check the article.

Thankfully, TLW and C28 are surviving during these times, and prayerfully the holiday season will help us prepare for a lean 2008. Occasionally, I get a tip or see a resource that encourages me. This is one of them.

Duck Tape Marketing had a great video containing tips on how to generate referral based business. Watch the clip below:

Several of these tips I used back in my eBeliever.net days. It was a good reminder, though, that the during the lean times we can use our customers, our clients, our friends to help build our business via grassroots viral methods. (Grassroots is so 1990s...)

links for 2007-12-01

• We've got Church Website Visits... now what?
  What is the point of a church website? To get traffic or generate visitors?
  (tags: Church Internet InternetCampus Analytics digital.leadnet Google)
• The 50 Smartest People in Hollywood | Movie Biz | Hollywood Insider | EW.com
  of interest in the Entertainment Weekly article, 17. Will Ferrell, actor/producer... having seen most of the trailers of his recent movies, I thought he was an idiot. Who knew he was actually intelligent!
  (tags: entertainment movies EW.com business management actors)
• Biking to a Different Beat
  Got some free time? Pimp out your bicycle with a complete sound system and DVD player.
  (tags: Audio System bicycle nytimes pimped)