RUNwithGOD

Microsoft Updating the Updater to allow for future updates...

Okay, I'm a "Mac lover", which by definition means I'm a "Microsoft hater", so I really enjoyed this one...

Thanks to the Creative Department at CF, I was able to upgrade my Microsoft Office to 2008 version. I'm pretty happy. For a Microsoft-developed app, really not that bad... well... they are on version 12 for the Macintosh Platform... so, I guess they've had plenty of practice.

Anyway, I opened a Word doc and got this notice. Think about it.

Forbes Take on "Sin City"

Forbes.com just released a listing of America's Most Sinful Cities... guess who made the list.

WOOHOO! I have never been so proud!

Forbes took one of the "Seven Deadly Sins" (Aravice, Envy, Gluttony, Lust, Sloth, Pride, Wrath) and then analyzed it from a practical standpoint... for instance...

Vanity/Pride... How does one define vanity? Plastic Surgery, according to Forbes. And Miami's general population has 5.2 plastic surgeons for every 100,000 people. That right there is good enough to get us a #3 Ranking Nationwide. We're ranked third! Awesome. Maybe I should get all this fat sucked out?!?

Miami also ranked 10th for Sloth and 10th for Avarice (aka Greed).

Honestly, we fared better than I thought we would. Being from the second-most unchurched counties in America, I was preparing myself for the onslaught of sin.

While some of their "practical analysis" is skewed ("wealthy people must be 'greedy'"), it still makes for good conversation. Check out the lists, with a ton of analysis, at Forbes.com

CF Media Update (& Concert)

Open letter to CF Media Volunteers (all campuses)

It's been a crazy couple months, and in typical CF fashion we're not slowing down. CFWK launches this week, CFH is relocating to Campbell Drive Middle School next week, CFDT and CFR has it's official launch in mid-March, Easter is just around the corner, and the CFPB Studio Relocation is in it's final, final stages...

With all that going on, I've got some great news...

CF is having an All-Campus Worship Service and Live Recording Saturday, April 12 during the CFPB Worship Service. The Concert will include all original music from all of our Campus Worship Leaders (Sammy, JR, Berch, Abiel, Carlos, Brandon) and is going to be a phenomenal time for us to bring all our campuses together, under one roof, and celebrate our God!

On top of the concert, we are producing a live recording in our new Recording Studio (ProTools HD rig) and we are also producing a DVD of the Worship Celebration...

All the effort that we have put into Easter Pageant in past years we're putting into this Concert, and I am excited about the ministry opportunities and evangelical outreach that we are gearing up for through this event.

In the Media, this is an opportunity for all of our Directors, Coaches and Volunteers to work together, to serve together, to produce this Worship Environment. It will also be a great opportunity as Worship and Media people from all the campuses to come together and use our gifts, talents, and skills to create a worship environment, to worship God.

We're going to need help. Help building stages. Help programming lights. Help designing props. Help creating video vignettes. I'll be sending out some notices requesting some volunteer help in the coming weeks. If you're interested in helping, drop me a line.

We cannot do this event without the help of our volunteers. Thank you, in advance, for your willingness!

Larry Norman: At least he was ready...

Got an email from a friend today:

I know he was way before your time, and for that matter, before mine as well, but CCM pioneer Larry Norman died over the weekend at the ripe old age of 61. Most of the current generation have no idea how much this guy impacted the Christian music scene and I was wondering if you planned to blog on Larry?

This one totally snuck up on me as well. I had no idea Larry died, and the fact was confirmed on Larry's website. Larry was from a different era, but his strides in Christian music are instrumental into where we are today.

My favorite from Larry's discography was his song, I Wish We'd All Been Ready. The song, covered several times by DC Talk, help bring awareness to a younger generation. Lyrics are available here. I've included a couple vids below. First is Larry singing I Wish We'd All Been Ready. Second is DC Talk's cover of the same song, including a video tribute to Larry done in the 90s.

Larry, thank you for your gift, your work, your sacrifice. Enjoy your time as you stand before our Father in worship.

Tony Campolo on Colbert Report

Not sure how I missed this the first time around, but Tony Campolo was on the Colbert Report promoting his new book, Red Letter Christians earlier this month... just happened to catch a repeat of the show Monday...

Check it out...

Campolo: The truth is marriage is in trouble in this country. The heterosexuals are getting divorces. The gays... they want to get married. Colbert: So they can get divorced too? They're jealous... they're jealous of our divorces.

Ironically I just brought Red Letter Christians home from the bookstore today and put it on my pile of books to read... or at least start...

40% of Miami-Dade's Registered Christian Voters are registered Democrats. That is a higher percentage than what Tony referenced in his interview (he said 30% nationwide). Interesting concept, and should be an interesting book. More to come, I'm sure...

022408 Shuffled

In
Leeland :: Opposite Way
The Classic Crime :: Acoustic EP - The Seattle Sessions
Jon Foreman :: Fall & Winter
Angels & Airwaves :: I-Empire
Angels & Airwaves :: We Don't Need to Whisper
Mainstay :: Become Who You Are
The Goo Goo Dolls :: Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 - The Singles
Inhabited :: Love
Edison Glass :: Time Is Fiction
Passion :: God Of This City
Jack Johnson :: Sleep Through the Static
Jack Johnson :: In Between Dreams
Pillar :: For the Love of the Game
Foo Fighters :: iTunes Essentials

Out
Various :: Transformers Soundtrack (selections)
Ruth :: Secondhand Dreaming (selections)

(been a while since I've posted a Shuffled. guess I had a pretty good mix since it lasted six months.)

Superbowl @ Church? What Church?

Last year I posted an article about how the NFL was putting pressure on churches for having unauthorized Superbowl parties. Evidently the NFL believes they should restrict the viewing size of the game (limited to 55 inches), and church projection screens are TOO BIG! There was a great quote from a local pastor that the ruling by the NFL was "totally whack".

Well, times are changing, and now the NFL is allowing Superbowl parties to show on larger screens. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell evidently had a change of heart, or maybe his lawyers told him there's no way to enforce it... who can tell?

Which begs the question... THEORETICALLY next year where do I want to watch the Superbowl... which Christ Fellowship campus will get the nod...

CFPB: Potential huge gathering, electric atmosphere. Theater seating is a plus, sound system a major positive, screens so far away from audience is negative for football viewing.

CFH: Intimate, close family group. CFH is a portable campus and the fact is I'd be stressed that I had to tear everything down after the game.

CFWK: Huge honking screen. CFWK meets in a movie theater, so it really doesn't get any bigger than that. Unfortunately, the screen would likely be showing some chick-flick, and not the game of the year.

CFDT: Arguably the brightest, clearest screen of any in Christ Fellowship. Stained glass and historical landmark do help create the worship environment, but not so much football watching.

CFR: Beautiful screen that takes up more stage space (percentage) than any other screen. Audience is very close to screen. The players will literally be larger than life... Comfortable seats. Intimate atmosphere. And, knowing these guys, they'd be having a barbeque before the game.

It's a tough call for who would win this THEORETICAL contest... Gun to my head, I think I would attend CFR, but more because I'm a sucker for smoked brisket... and knowing that crowd, I bet we could convince them... stay tuned!

NOTW impacting Haiti?

John R Evans is a youth evangelist based out of the Orlando area, and has been a friend and supporter of C28 since we started in Florida. Love the guy. Love his heart. Love the ministry!

He shot me an email yesterday ...

i've got a great testimony to share...last summer i spoke at a camp in florida. one of the campers from that week took a few notw stickers with her for whatever purpose the Lord might have. three weeks ago i spoke at a disciple now in georgia and that same camper was there. she had just gotten back from a week of mission work in haiti. while in haiti a 12 year old boy saw the notw sticker she had posted on her notebook. he asked what it meant which sparked a conversation and a few minutes later he gave his life to Christ!!!

HD DVD is dead... PORN LOSES?!?

Honestly, never thought this day would come. Porn loses!

Toshiba has pulled out of HD DVD business, and others are following suit, which means that Blu-ray is now the winner of the High Definition DVD battle. HD DVD is officially dead.

While the war never got as ugly as VHS vs. Betamax, it's nice to have it over.

Side note, in three years will anyone care?

More importantly, the Porn industry backed the HD DVD format. I blogged it a year ago. "Adult" Production Companies tried to move their films to Blu-ray first, but were unable to find a manufacturer that would work with them... rumor had it Sony was putting pressure to keep the Red-Light District out of the Blu-ray family... (come on, I worked hard to come up with that...). Ironically, the local Porn Shop already has HD DVD discs on a buy 2 get 1 free clearance sale... I'm sorry, I read the lighted marquee sign outside their shop!

Honestly, through the history of American technology, I believe this is the first time something the Porn Industry touched didn't turn to gold. Not sure what this says about our current society... I'll let you figure that out on your own. For now, though, enjoy the moment where we now have a culturally significant technological medium that Porn is not allowed into.

If you want to place a wager on how long that will last, let me know.

LOST on Leadership

JACK: Wait, wait, wait, where are you going?
LOCKE: To find some more water.
JACK: I'll come with you.
LOCKE: No. You need to finish what's you've started.
JACK: Why?
LOCKE: Because a leader can't lead until he knows where he's going.

LOST, White Rabbit
Season 1 Episode 5

Written by Christian Taylor
Directed by Kevin Hooks

Thanks to About.com for the photo.

Meet myBaby

myBaby, meet my blog readers. Blog readers, meet myBaby...

Oh, wait, did I neglect to tell you that Amy's pregnant?

Yep, we're on the road to having a kid. Remember that vacation Amy and I took back at the beginning of the year? Yeah, the kid is Canadian! God bless our continental brothers to the north.

Enough of the embarrassing stuff.

We're almost nine weeks pregnant. Had extremely positive doctor visit today. Heard the heartbeat (162 bpm if you're curious). Saw this picture. myBaby actually moved while we were looking. myBaby is quite the showoff. myBaby is healthy and growing. A couple weeks ago myBaby was a speck, now myBaby is about the size of a jumbo cashew (1 1/2 inches).

myWife is doing excellent. She's been carrying fine, and other than the physical symptoms of being pregnant she's doing fabulous. The fibromyalgia has been a non-issue and we both are looking forward to meeting myBaby.

myBaby should be making her global debut on September 27. Stay tuned for more info...

Seinfeld on Bookstores

A bookstore is one of the only pieces of evidence we have that people are still thinking.

Jerry Seinfeld

My Paul? My Timothy?

Met with the CFWK Staff last night at their weekly staff meeting. It was a great time of celebration, planning and critiquing of their preview service. Also, as a staff they are going through I Timothy together, so I (briefly) got to be a part of their small group Bible Study.

Side note, I love I Timothy.

During their discussion, I was reminded of a Youthworker @ CF/FBCP back in the day... Mike. Mike and his wife, Rose, were instrumental in both Amy and my spiritual growth when we were young teenagers at the church. As mentors, as friends, they "raised the bar" for us and challenged us to live a life beyond reproach - physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Periodically I'll see Mike when he comes back in town, and every time he will work in two simple questions...

Who's your Paul?
Who's your Timothy?

As you read Paul's Letters, you can see the mentoring relationship that Paul had with Timothy, how Paul was trying to duplicate himself through Timothy. And history shows how Timothy soaked up the relationship with Paul, taking the opportunity to learn from his mentor.

Almost fifteen years later, I've had many Pauls in my life. Men (and women) that have mentored, trained, helped, rebuked, corrected and beat (yes, beat) God be part of my life.

And fifteen years later, I've had many Timothys as well. People who have looked beyond my own limitations and see that God can truly use a person if they simply open themselves up to Him.

So to you, the Pauls of my life (and you know who you are), thank you for being that influence. And to you, the Timothys of my life (and you know who you are), thank you for allowing me to be part of your life. It's poetic to see how God uses both of these relationships to bring you towards a closer relationship with Him.

So, right now in your life...
Who's your Paul?
Who's your Timothy?

How do you spell "workman's comp"?

It's a tough job working in the Media Ministry @ CF. And until you serve at one of our portable campuses, you really can't appreciate how difficult.

Two of CF's Media Directors got beat up this week.. Photo on the left is newbie Brian Lanza, Media Director @ CFWK Campus who received the first recorded injury on the CFWK campus... slicing a nice chunk out of his finger. Photo on the right is Oscar Roque, Media Director @ CFH Campus who slammed his finger while unloading a box truck of CF gear on Monday. I've blogged in the past my own pain and misfortune dealing with the portable church scenarios.

Their effort in reproducing Christ Fellowship in non-permanent venues is greatly appreciated. And while their efforts are impressive, their pain threshold needs a little work. Wimps...

Thanks to AJ and Nancy for the respective photos.

Controlling Chaos, Jeff style

Years ago, when I first bought the bookstore, I was a well-documented control freak. Recently, though, I've made myself release some of that and trust the people that are in place. Today was one of those days.

I spent today @ CFWK (5am-noon working on that). Great start. Probably blog on it later this week.

So while I focused on gathering the final pieces of CFWK, other people were watching my other interests.

I get a TXT message from Jonathan C, a friend of mine (and a youthworker at CFR). Great guy. Evidently he was at a Shane & Shane Concert... below is the conversation:

Jonathan: I am at the shane's concert... and they gave you a shout out! You here?

Jeff: What'd they say?

Jonathan: Some girl came out and said buy stuff. LOL... Not like that but something in that nature.

Jeff: For C28? Awesome. Where's the concert?

Jonathan: Yeah man, its in Palm Beach Atlantic... Man you don't even know when your company does stuff. HA HA

Uh, yeah, probably should have known that we were out at a concert. In retrospect I remember talking about it (thanks Ryan and Emily) but didn't remember it was this wknd.

Another example at the bookstore... We just hired a new employee (Chris B). Good guy. Hard worker. Looking forward to seeing him in this role. I saw him today when I was at CFH. "Hey Chris, did you get trained this week? Are you on the schedule yet?" "Yeah, I did the training. I start this week." Kyle and the entire bookstore crew have done a great job making the bookstore function without me.

Not only with the businesses, though, it's exciting to see it on the CF campuses. This was a busy week at CF. Seemed like a lot of volunteers were traveling/sick/unavailable this weekend. Coupled with the fact that Landon and I were at CFWK's launch, and Hector was at CFR to assist in their Video Teaching service... not many people were left at CFPB to ensure the service went smooth. I, honestly, was a little nervous.

I get an email from Charlie, one of our volunteer camera directors, giving me the scoop on how Sunday went at CFPB sans all Media Staff.

Hey today I got a chance to get a quick glance at your life at CF Palmetto Bay. By that I mean, I got a chance to see volunteers at work that really had it together. It was cool, very cool. I wish that the employees that I pay would care as much as the folks I saw today.

He gave me a heads up on some of the volunteers that did a phenominal job this week. Steven, Anthony, Juan, Jay, Donadi, Phillip, Jackie, Amy... THANKS! You all are greatly appreciated. Thanks for helping to fill in the gaps!

God, thank you for these opportunities to be overwhelmed with ministry. Thank you for the stress. Thank you for the potential impact. May we continue to do great things for Your kingdom.

Buy Gear? Do I have to?

Alright. I think I'm done. Other than a couple VGA cables and some minor adapters that I've probably forgotten to buy, the buying for the multisite campuses are done.

Thank God.

I used to be the guy that loves gear. I'd flip through the newest B&H or Sweetwater Catalog... drool through the MacZone flyer or the CDW ad...

And now, after buying for four campuses (CFH, CFDT, CFR, and CFWK) and creating multiple venues on each campus (Anchor Harbor, Way Station, Revolution, and the Adult Venue) the CF Crew has bought A LOT of gear over the past year.... 16 venues worth...

Happily, I'm done.

No more specs. No more diagrams. No more charts. No more salesmen. No more descriptions.

It's time to stop. Stop acquiring and start using...

Of course, there is still CFPB's Studio Relo, and a ProTools HD Recording Studio we're currently building... so I guess the buying never stops!

Buying... You can't stop it, you can only hope to control it.

James Srodulski: "Reseeding a life"

Mentor and friend James Srodulski, President of Church Health and Growth, has gotten some articles published recently online. I linked to an article a couple months ago, and I'm happy to see Part 2 and 3 published.

Part 1: The Single Greatest Threat to Any XP
Part 2: All You Need is Love
Part 3: Reseeding a life - Maybe your own

Here's a snippet from Reseeding A Life...

There really are three kinds of hurt that we can experience that might cause a person’s soul to need reseeding.

There is the kind that others inflict on us. Let’s face it—people are people. We learned before that not everyone’s motivations are always altruistic. Sometimes, thankfully not always, people just intend to do us harm. Other times people don’t mean to hurt us but it happens anyway. That Deacon really wasn’t questioning your ability to lead in a certain area. It just came out that way. Still other times things are innocently said or done that when viewed through our perception lens become skewed. Then there is just plain old misunderstanding. It doesn’t matter that nobody intended harm—it still hurts.

Secondly, there is the hurt we inflict on others and ourselves. Anger over some perceived misdeed or statement, guilting people into doing what we want, treating them with disrespect or without any concern for their well-being as individuals. Emotional disconnection as punishment, not granting forgiveness even when asked and the right thing to do, beating ourselves up over some failure of some kind, even possibly holding onto this guilt and shame for years after the fact and long after the aggrieved party has forgiven and moved on.

Finally there is the hurt that others experience. This kind of hurt has nothing to do with you personally other than you can sympathize or empathize with them and offer encouragement.

However, our responses to these different kinds of hurt can be very telling with regards to our position in Christ.

When we’re hurt, the natural tendency is to lash out somehow. It could be in the form of anger, harsh words, bitterness, degrading speech, silence, emotional and/or physical withdrawal, hate, and deceitful behavior among other things. Scripture warns against responding like this. In Leviticus 19:18 we find the commandment most often quoted in the New Testament “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself …”

Thanks, James, for being open, honest, and vulnerable. Looking forward to hearing more from you soon...

Virtual? Was it ever?

Thanks to ABSO Jesus for the reminder.

What just happened here?

Tonight, I witnessed 700+ people from all over Miami gather together to share their excitement about God...

Sure, it was one of the few times all five CF Campuses come together.

Sure, the band was all of the CF Campus Worship Leaders (+ JR) combined.

Sure, Media debuted HD Video tonight, and my crew had little or no time training on new equipment.

Sure, we had a little fun on the sound board, pushing levels beyond our standard norm.

Sure, the crowd applause was actually louder than the worship music itself.

Sure, we could focus on each of these elements individually. Instead, what I saw was a Church who is excited about God, and are not afraid to show that excitement on a multitude of levels.

I also saw a multitude of new volunteers show up. Landon had six new guys in the audio booth. Andy had four or five Photoshop guys in his office. Hector had a couple video editors. I get goosebumps thinking about how God is bringing these people together at such a pivotal time in our church, as we reach beyond our boundaries and strive to impact this city for Him.

God, thank you for allowing me this opportunity.

New Respect for Volunteers

This was a humbling couple days for me.

At the Palmetto Bay and Homestead Campus, Rick spoke this week on serving, and how at CF we ask our members to serve, not for earthly benefit, but for eternal reward.

Within the past couple days I've had experiences with people serving above and beyond the established "norm" without so much as batting an eye. And even though they do it selflessly, and not for earthly recognition, their dedication drives me to do more than I already am. Let me give you some examples:

* Willy. Willy helps in the Building and Grounds area at the Palmetto Bay Campus. Having been at CF for years, I've seen Willy around the church many times. Serving. Sweating. Physical labor stuff. I talked with him a couple days ago (he was drenched in sweat) and found out he's not on staff, but he volunteers every week to do physical labor stuff around the Palmetto Bay Campus. Let me repeat that... Volunteers to do physical labor stuff every week.

* Aubrey. Aubrey is one of the humblest, meekest guys I know... For years Aubrey has coordinated the Palmetto Bay Adult Worship Center. Guest Services. Ushers. Room Presentation. He's always one of the first guys there (even before most of the Media) and I have much to learn from his servant attitude. I had a nightmare last night about what CFPB would look like w/o Aubrey. It wasn't pretty.

* Eric & Jason. These two guys are my Media Dynamic Duo for CF Redland. Their drive for excellence in the CFR Adult Worship Venue is pushing me faster than I can move my crew. Pretty sad when the volunteers basically call and harass you because you aren't giving them the information they need to serve God better.

* Keith. Having recently accepting a part-time position as CF Downtown's Media Director, Keith has been putting a sick amount of hours and effort into helping create the worship environment at CFDT. Being sensitive to the time he has put in at CFDT, I recently pulled him away from some projects on the other campuses. Keith chastised me yesterday that while his paid job was working at CFDT, he would still be volunteering/serving on some of the other campuses... and I needed to stop giving his work to other people!

* Landon. Mike C. Mike S. Luke. James. We got some news from the theater where CF West Kendall is meeting. We need to fly some speakers, and were waiting to schedule a time. We were given a window Saturday night. We can install Monday from 6-9am Monday and 6-9am Tuesday. So I needed to find a crew of people who are willing to do hard labor at 6AM w/o even 24 hours notice. Ironically, it took maybe 10 minutes to put a team together. These guys agreed to do it w/o hesitation. (BTW, if you want to help, call/email me).

God, thank you for these and the MANY OTHER volunteers that serve thankless jobs so that we (as a collective) can worship You. Thank you for being worthy of our work, our worship, and our praise.

Nights & Wknds

Today, Sunday February 3rd, between the hours of 7am and 3pm I had fifty conversations on my cell phone. Not an exaggeration. Exactly 50. Honestly, I don't think I talked to that many people face to face today... but evidently I can on my cell phone.

I guess that's the side effect of the Multisites...

And yes, I kept my phone on VIBRATE lest I get the wrath of the dirty look when the phone rings in the middle of the message.

Needless to say, thank God for Cingular's Free Nights & Wknds.

Ministry Rally in HD

Alright, I'm excited...

In case you're wondering why you should be attending Christ Fellowship's Ministry Rally Friday night, February 8th, I'm going to give you a reason...

HD. Yes, you heard me, HD. High Definition. Sharp. Crisp. Bright. B-E-A-utiful.

Several weeks ago Hector set up a test run of what our cameras will look after the studio relocates to the Worship Center... in a word... incredible.

So, after doing some thinking, talking, and planning, I'm hyped to announce that the Ministry Rally Friday night will be shown in HD. If you weren't planning on being there for the CFPB's debut into HD, change your schedule and be here for the Rally... I promise you, it'll be worth it... if not for the HD, then to see CF Staff make themselves look like idiots!

Haven't signed up yet? Do that here.

This will be the only sneak peek of HD @ CFPB before the studio is officially moved, which is stuck until we get the official permits (electrical, etc.)

Religious Propaganda

So often we as Christians look at the world, wondering what they think of us...

Needless to say... we still have a long way to go.