RUNwithGOD

Death... by Cig or Cell?

Wanted to say this up front... not sure if it's valid or not, BUT it's worth a conversation...

From "The Independent"

Mobile phones could kill far more people than smoking or asbestos, a study by an award-winning cancer expert has concluded. He says people should avoid using them wherever possible and that governments and the mobile phone industry must take "immediate steps" to reduce exposure to their radiation.

Professor Khurana – a top neurosurgeon who has received 14 awards over the past 16 years, has published more than three dozen scientific papers – reviewed more than 100 studies on the effects of mobile phones. He has put the results on a brain surgery website, and a paper based on the research is currently being peer-reviewed for publication in a scientific journal.

Noting that malignant brain tumours represent "a life-ending diagnosis", he adds: "We are currently experiencing a reactively unchecked and dangerous situation." He fears that "unless the industry and governments take immediate and decisive steps", the incidence of malignant brain tumours and associated death rate will be observed to rise globally within a decade from now, by which time it may be far too late to intervene medically.

"It is anticipated that this danger has far broader public health ramifications than asbestos and smoking," says Professor Khurana, who told the IoS his assessment is partly based on the fact that three billion people now use the phones worldwide, three times as many as smoke. Smoking kills some five million worldwide each year, and exposure to asbestos is responsible for as many deaths in Britain as road accidents.

Jeff's Take: I've never smoked a cigarette in my life. Never saw the point. However, if the iPhone was found to cause cancer I can honestly say I do not think I could give up the iPhone. Really. It's communicative hold on me is like crack... (trying to think of a creative joke paring up Blackberry/Crackberry, but I just can't get there...)

So tell me. Year is 2010, and the US Department of Health does find that cell phones do increase the risk of brain cancer... Could you give up your cell phone?

Worship Leader "turned" Cameraman

Okay, so with this being Spring Break many of my Media volunteers were out of town... it was a scramble to put four teams together for all for CFPB services, and fill in gaps at the multisites...

So I picked up the phone, following a hot tip that CFH's own Berchman Paul was interested in learning camera. Got B's vmail. "Yo B. Heard you wanna run camera. You're on. Wear Black. CFPB @ 5pm. I'll teach you."

Berch did an awesome job. Check out his testimonial...

I've heard good reports. Looking forward to seeing B's handiwork again in a couple weeks.

Following another hot tip, drummer-turned-bookstore employee Chris Beckford will be zooming onstage next Saturday night...

What about you? Are you interested in running camera? sound? lights? computers? Now's the time! There are plenty of openings, and we need your help. Holler at me...

links for 2008-03-29

• Wide Awake Developers: Steve Jobs Made Me Miss My Flight
  Uh, yeah, another reason why Macs are cooler than PCs... evidently they're a National Security Risk...
  (tags: Apple Blog Macbookair Funny Security Airport Stupidity)

CFPB Debuts HD, New Control Room

Need to give props to the CF Media Staff and Volunteers...

CFPB debuted our new control room, new HD equipment, new systems for Worship Lyrics and Sermon Slides, tripled the number of cameras... and the service went phenomenal. Couldn't believe how well everyone adapted to the new control systems...

We're not quite at 100%, but we're close. Black burst is not quite working yet on some video inputs, and we're missing a "key" component... our second switcher!

Check out the video below to see a sample of our services...

CFPB Miami Easter Service from Jeff Reed on Vimeo.

Special props need to go to Hector Huyo, who put in a ton of extra hours to get the services working. He really did an incredible job. Kudos to volunteers Charlie Bearham and Juan Musino for directing in the new setup... they adapted very quickly.

On another note, check out Vimeo.com, a challenger to YouTube... I like the compression algorithms MUCH BETTER, although it took well over an hour to upload this video.

Forever Amateur...

Capt. Bart Mancuso: [Ramius comments in Russian to Borodin that Mancuso is a "buckaroo". Ryan laughs] What's so funny?
Jack Ryan: Ah, the Captain seems to think you're some kind of... cowboy.
Captain Ramius: [in Russian] You speak Russian.
Jack Ryan: [in Russian] A little. It is wise to study the ways of ones adversary. Don't you think?
Captain Ramius: [in English] It is.
Hunt for Red October, 1990

I've started reading The Cult of the Amateur: how today's internet is killing our culture by Andrew Keen.

I know, I don't think it sounds like something I would read, either.

Let's be honest...
I am the amateur.
I am the hack.
I am the guy, according to Keen, that's killing the Internet.

To the loved ones of the Internet, I truly am sorry. I send you my condolences.

In the past five years, the Internet has 2.0ed. It's social. It's open. You can say what you want to say, do what you want to do, be who you want to be. And people will listen. Millions will watch some stupid YouTube video, hundreds of thousands will see your photographs, tens of thousands will read your article thinking you are an expert.

The Internet normalizes the playing field. Experts or newbie. Pro or Amateur. Everyone is level. And, according to Keen, this is driving the Experts nuts. Gotta love it.

Looking at my own small piece of the Internet... Do you know what my most popular article ever written is? The article that I wrote on Paula and Randy White divorcing. Life changing stuff I know. (I'm embarrassed that this is the article that I am known for.) Since I wrote the article, Google has me as it's #1 webpage when someone searches for "Paula Randy White". Check the graphic on the left. I'm #1... their (old) own church's website, "Without Walls" is #5. Dude, I beat their own website by an article I wrote... that's pretty sad...

Thus the normalization factor. All of a sudden I'm the expert on the Whites. (To the Whites, I'm not a stalker, really. I'm just a guy that knows how to play a game.)

Keen's view of the Internet sounds a lot like the Music Industry ten years ago, or the Motion Picture Association in the past five... We can save the world, change our culture if we do this or if we change that...

I have a news flash for people who think this...
you cannot change culture...
you cannot make people think like you want them to...

BUT you can play their game.
You can learn their systems, what makes them think.
You can learn their laws, respect their authority.
You can learn their language, communicate on their level.
You can learn their culture, modify from within (instead of fighting windmills)

To think that you can impact, change the culture without obeying it's rules is just silly. Instead of lamenting loss, figure out how to play the game. Leverage culture against itself...

Thoughts?

Momma Knows Best

"Jeff, There is something odd about blog one day laying in a coffin, next day selling bookstore. I hope no potential buyer tries to put those together."

Quote from Linda Reed (Jeff's Mommy) after reading this, and this.

Insert Caption

Come on, like I wouldn't take the opportunity to get my photo taken in a coffin. I've been thinking through what I wanted the caption to say here. The best I could come up with was: "Momma was right. This job would kill me..." but that's just not good!

With the Superhero post you've already shown you're more creative than me. Tell me what you want the caption to be!

FYI the coffin is eerily comfortable.

BTW, thanks to Rick Blackwood for taking the picture with my iPhone. It's not often you find a Pastor who is willing to let you climb in a coffin located in his office, but it's not often you find a coffin located in a Pastor's office either?

What's a coffin doing in Pastor's office? Come this weekend to CFPB or CFH and find out.

Christian Bookstore for sale

As painful as it is for me to say it, I'm selling The Living Word. It's time for me to simplify my life. I've enjoyed the opportunities God's allowed me through the unconventional ministry of a Christian Bookstore in Miami. Initially, when I took the position at Christ Fellowship I thought I could do both. The workload has become too much for me, and I'm ready to let go of the bookstore and put it in the hands of someone that can give it the attention that it needs. I am mentally exhausted from the pace of my life, and with the arrival of myBaby in the Fall - I am the first to admit my life needs to change.

Honestly, the economy is down right now. With that in mind, I have priced the store reasonably to allow the buyer a cushion... I live 4 minutes away from the bookstore, and I want to continue to have a Christian bookstore in my neighborhood! The ministry of The [Living] Word has been in Miami almost 15 years now. Lord-willing it will continue.

So to you, my readers, please pray about the opportunity.

Maybe you'd be interested in ministering to the people of Miami through the unconventional method of retail. If so, comment/email/call me and I'll go into specifics on what I am offering, and what I am looking for. I promise you, it's a good deal.

Maybe you know someone who would be interested in this opportunity. I am offering a significant finder's fee... if a buyer is referred to me by another person, then the referring person will get 1% of the selling price of the business (I look out for my peeps!)

Questions? Please don't hesitate to ask.

God, thank you for the ministry, the experience, the friendships in the community. I pray that You would lead the right person to this ministry, and that Miami would continue to have the resources available to them.

Jesus' Guest Appearance on LOST

In a move set to stun dozens, Executive Producer JJ Abrams has announced that Jesus Christ will be making a 3 week special appearance on LOST for the May "Sweeps Season". Honestly, as a regular viewer of the show, I can't say I'm surprised. Straight up, the show wasn't making any sense before, and having Jesus show up on an island in the mid-Pacific wouldn't be the weirdest thing to happen on that show (or have you forgotten about Smoke Monster or the four-toed mega-statue?)

I kid, I kid. Thankfully we will not be hearing "Jesus, please put down the semi-automatic weapon!"

The above photos are stills from "The Visual Bible: The Gospel of John", a movie-DVD that was released a couple weeks ago. The main actor, Henry Ian Cusick, is known for his role as Desmond Hume on LOST... Henry is going for a slightly different role this time around. Instead of portraying a Irish marathoner with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome known to travel time and run around naked... now he's playing Jesus Christ. No typecasting there. Don't think Henry will do much method acting for this one. The death scene is brutal!

Note to LOST writers, please don't put Jesus Christ on the Island.

Thanks to, well, somebody for finding this. I read this a week ago on somebody's blog, and when I went to find the post again... I couldn't! If you wrote about this, let me know so I can give you credit! Sorry!

Thanks to Jon Sampson for finding this info for me. You can read his post, but I think you'll like mine better.

WMCU's Losing Battle

We talked about WMCU being bought out by a Classical Music Station months ago, and many, many, many of you shared or emailed your thoughts on the issue. Several were optimistic that the FCC, courts, SOMEONE would override it and bring Christian music back to Miami's Airwaves.

Uh, yeah, that's not going to happen.

The FCC last week came to a decision on the complaints/appeals that were filed by those opposing the sale, and needless to say there isn't much hope left. Every complaint was shot down and SpiritFM's options are depleating. See the FCC's findings.

Not sure if SpiritFM has many options left. Check out SaveWMCU.com for more info on the soap opera that is Christian Radio in Miami.

links for 2008-03-14

• Seth's Blog: "Do you have" vs. "Do you want"
  Borders is cutting down on inventory, moving to putting books face-out as opposed to spine-out. Interesting concept of "carrying everything" verses "carrying what people want"
  (tags: books business bookstore marketing christianretailing sethgodin)
• New YouTube Developer Tools Turn Any Website Into a Video Sharing Hub | Compiler from Wired.com
  YouTube opens up an API, allowing any website to use their video encoding/encryption...
  (tags: blogging youtube api Video Wired Web2.0,)
• Hands on with Time Capsule
  Review of Apple's Timecapsule. Now, how do you spell BACKUP?
  (tags: Macworld Hardware Apple TimeCapsule Backup Mac Network)
• Robin Williams Saves the Day at TED When Tech Fails | Epicenter from Wired.com
  (tags: TED Robinwilliams Wired)
• Consumer Reports' Secret Shoppers Have Lots of Explaining to Do
  Inside scoop on how Secret Shoppers do their thing...
  (tags: wired Culture retail secretshoppers business consumerreports shopping consumerism)
• Digital downloads - like those for Apple TV - will be Blu-ray’s downfall
  Blu-Ray is a 3 year option... throw the discs away and get ready for downloads...
  (tags: Blu-Ray Apple Culture Media DigitalTV Movies Downloads)
• Top ten things to do with your now-defunct HD DVD player
  Nothing like humor at the expense of dead technology...
  (tags: Engadget Technology HDDVD Blu-Ray Top10)
• Evolution Wins as Creationists (Accidentally) Switch Sides in Florida | Wired Science from Wired.com
  Interesting story about how Evolution (almost) got to be scientific fact in the state of Florida...
  (tags: education evolution culture news politics textbooks creationism science wired)
• 'World's Greatest Record Collection' for Sale on eBay
  Record collection sells for $3million... wonder what my CD collection will be worth someday...
  (tags: Music Wired Records eBay)
• Obama, JFK vs. Bad PowerPoint
  (tags: PresentationZen Powerpoint Presentation Obama JFK BadPowerpoint)

Jeff the Superhero/Villain

I've got a challenge for you, my readers...

CF recently announced that the next Ministry Rally/Volunteer Festival (in May) is going to be a SUPERHERO theme, and since I'm the comic book junky... I HAVE TO DRESS UP FOR THIS ONE... I'm usually not the guy that gets hyped up for dress up parties, etc... but come on, this is superheroes!

Since it's been established that I'm not that creative... I'm opening the floor to you... who should I be? It could be an existing superhero (Superman, Batman), a "hero" that's not Super (Locke from LOST) or someone you made up... (Captain Underpants). I'm even cool with being a VILLAIN!

Please be sensitive to the fact that I am a LARGE, bald man with a goatee... no one wants to see me in a Catwoman costume... and if you do, then you've got other problems... Just make me: 1) Culturally relevant - 2) Cool looking in my proposed costume - 3) Irresistible to women, well, maybe not.

The winning idea will get a $50 giftcard to C28 or The Living Word... winner's choice. After the winning idea is chosen (by myself and a panel of my choosing) I will open the floor again to costume design ideas...

Comment, email, or call in ideas...

Christvertising

This really has to be a spoof. Really. There's no way this is real...

What the Prosperity Gospel did for individuals, Christvertising hopes to do for businesses. Is your business in "God's good books?" Does your brand need "brand-targeted-prayer"? Do your business need help targeting the ultimate end user, God?

For a chuckle, check out the Christvertising website.

Unbelievable. Sad thing is there's probably a pretty decent demand for this service...

Rick Warren on Colbert Report

A couple weeks ago I posted a video clip of Tony Campolo's interview on the Colbert Report. Funny stuff.

Before Tony, Rick Warren was interviewed on the Colbert Report... I missed that one too... check out the video.

I'd love to know what Colbert really believes... when he's off the camera. God is not some "vengeful monkey throwing barrels at Super Mario". The interview is a series of softballs lobbed up at Warren, helping Rick define God not as a vengeful, hateful being... but a friendly, personal, loving "Daddy".

After all, "God gets enjoyment out of watching you be you."

CFHomestead @ Campbell Drive Middle School

I may have mentioned this in passing, but CFH is moving to Campbell Drive Middle School. For the Worship & Media at CFH, this is a HUGE GAIN! We have a full built-in stage, permanently installed seats, and an opportunity to permanently install speakers and lighting. The venue, when the dust settles, is going to be awesome! We've just got to get it there.

Check out Berch's firsthand account, but also check out Travis Johnson (Pastor, LifePointe Church)'s comments on CFH encroaching on his space. Travis was instrumental in us coming into Campbell Drive Middle, even though we are now DIRECTLY ACROSS CAMPBELL DRIVE from the Movie Theater where his church meets. Instead of being upset at another church muscling him out, Trav has been one of our largest supporters in the Homestead area. Cannot tell you how refreshing it is to work together and support (as opposed to ankle-biting and trash-talking) other churches. Trav, thanks for your support!

To seeing Homestead changed, from Campbell Drive out...

For the first time in months, I produced all four services at CFPB this wknd. Priscilla Armas led worship, Kenzie Moore sang backup. Yep. Both did awesome. Didn't look nervous. Seemed to be comfortable. And the audience connected with them in worship. Eric taught a great message on suffering. As part of our MasterPeace sermon series, it's hard to view God as "Master" over bad things... Natural Disasters, Suffering, Disease, Death, Evil... Check out the message. (Note: it should be online Tuesday - 3/11).

Media Reach Beyond

A couple weeks ago, I coordinated a Reach Beyond for the Media Ministry. Several people heard the story, and I quickly found myself on the other end of the camera. Note: I hate being on camera. And thanks again to the many volunteers who sacrificed a Friday night to come serve Miami.

Check out the video below. Thanks to Hector for making me look good. Believe me, that's not an easy thing to do.

LOST: Via Domus Video Game

Have I been living on a semi-deserted island? How is it that I didn't know LOST was coming out with a video game? LOST: Via Domus (latin for "way home"... yes I know latin...) released two weeks ago and I had no idea. It's for XBOX 360, PS3, and PC. I'm dying to buy it, but I don't want to shell out $60 for a video game that stinks.

Anybody have any gameplay experience on this? Cool? Not cool?

Honestly, most video games (shoot-em up type) I just don't get into. I need to get "lost" (pun not intended) in the environment, "lose" myself in the video game. And the idea of "losing" myself on that Island... well, I'm wondering what time Best Buy opens, or if I'm better off getting it online...

I'm disappointed it's not on Wii, but I'll have to wipe the dust off my 360 (while turning off the cell phone).

If you didn't know anything about the game, either, check out the trailer below, or visit the official website.

BTW, check out my Twitter feed if you want to see who Ben's spy is on the boat. NOTE, I never give up my sources...

Shuffled 080307

In
Simon & Garfunkel :: The Graduate
Various :: X-Files, The Movie Soundtrack
Amos Lee :: Amos Lee

Out
Pillar :: For the Love of the Game
Project 86 :: Rival Factions

Overkill[ed]

I can't get to sleep
I think about the implications
Of diving in too deep
And possibly the complications

Especially at night
I worry over situations
I know I'll be alright
Perhaps it's just imagination

Day after day it reappears
Night after night
My heartbeat shows the fear
Ghosts appear and fade away

Overkill by Colin Hay/Men at Work. (full lyrics available.)

Check out a guest appearance on Scrubs (my favorite comedy) by Colin.

Enjoy the song (btw, Benjamin Gate did a cool job covering this song...)

Chain Smoking Pastor

"...That whole week I chain smoked as I prepared my sermon..."

Hilarious true story from one of CFs Teaching Pastor's during todays All-Staff Worship. I'm not going to out which one, but imagine a young man, nervous about speaking for the first time that buys a carton of Marlboros to calm his nerves as he prepares to preach the week before his first sermon...

Ten Things I Look Forward To When I Meet myBaby

I've had a couple people email/facebook/comment for more info on myBaby. Honestly, I got nothing. Tomorrow is 11 weeks, so we're over a quarter of the way there. Woohoo! Next appointment is in a couple weeks. We should know boy or girl in a month or so (still a ways away).

In lieu of solid info on myBaby, I'm just going to vamp...

Ten Things I Look Forward To When I Meet myBaby
10. Cool new toys. Saw a baby stroller with a builtin iPod hookup.
9. Beowulf as a watchdog. I'm wagering Beo is not going to let anyone near myBaby.
8. Late night feedings. I'm up at 2am anyway. Might as well be feeding myBaby.
7. Having another reasonable excuse for pulling my hair out.
6. Give my parents the grandbaby they always wanted.
5. Counting 10 fingers, 10 toes.
4. New baby smell. Don't know what it smells like, but I can't wait!
3. Seeing Amy as a mother. It's a role she will be awesome in.
2. Hearing a cry, and seeing a smile.
1. Having the rest of my life changed in ways that I haven't even imagined.

Andrew Allard, 1 Year Later

A year ago I blogged the story of Andrew Allard. Andrew, in short, was a young teen who was on fire for God who passed away suddenly about a year ago. Check out the revisits here and here.

Suffering is inevitable.
Stupid Garden of Eden.
But I am still amazed at how people can find God in the midst of the pain.

Kevin Twombly is the Generations Pastor at Grace Capital Church, Andrew's church in New Hampshire. In honor of Andrew, Kevin asked Andrew's Mom and Sister to guest blog. Great posts, sharing insight into how a family copes with loss, finding God even when God doesn't make sense. Check the quote from Andrew's sister, Abbie.

When Andrew passed away, I could have easily blamed God, hated God, or even turn my back on God altogether. Too many questions existed without a trace of answers that could be found by human insight alone. I searched for answers in places beyond myself and my own thoughts, and could not find any there as well. And yes, that was a fancy way of saying I could not find the answers in even God, the only place I knew to look. Yet in the midst of all the confusion and lonesomeness, God wrapped his arms around me and gave me a peace, a tranquility, that was unlike anything I had ever felt before. My heart was not overwhelmed with the sorrow this world expected me to feel. At times I felt guilty because I was not as broken as the people around me that were affected by the loss as well. Instead of pointing the finger at God and blaming him for taking Andrew away from me, I chose to ’sing hallelujah’ and ‘see the good in broken things’; and to my surprise, there were more good things than I expected.

God, thank you for the continued lessons to be learned from Andrew's life. May his life continue to impact people for Your kingdom.

Twitter'd

• 19:29 I've started running again... dude, I am seriously out of shape... #
• 19:29 for the record, 3.5 miles this wknd... #
• 20:12 Bills, Bills, Bills #
• 23:07 stupid coffee... I'm gonna be up all night! #

Twitter'd

• 15:27 Woke up this Saturday AM when my black lab Beowulf (who sleeps in bed with us) sat ON MY HEAD and passed gas. #

"Core Values" of Management

I'm not an "educated manager". In fact, I was "asked to not come back" to my Broadcast Management class in college. It's not my fault that the class started meeting @ 8am. Come on, be realistic! I apologized to my prof for sleeping in class... needless to say I never got past week 2. But even my uneducated self can recognize the quality of this:

Butch Whitmire, Pastor of Creative Arts at Granger Community Church, recently blogged on 12 Core Values they institute in their creative ministry:

1. Do I know what is expected of me at work?
2. Do I have the equipment and tools I need to do my work right?
3. At work, do I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day?
4. In the last seven days, have I received recognition or praise for doing good work?
5. Does my supervisor, or someone at work seem to care about me as a person?
6. Is there someone at work who encourages my development?
7. At work, do my opinions count?
8. Does the mission/purpose of my work make me feel my job is important?
9. Are my co-workers committed to doing quality work?
10. Do I have a best friend at work?
11. In the past 6 months, has someone at work talked to me about my progress?
12. This last year, have I had the opportunity at work, learn, and grow?

Funny, I thought we were doing a good job with our volunteers @ CF. Then I read this and get seriously convicted.

Then I think of the 20+ people that work for me at The Living Word and C28, realizing that in my recent absence from the stores, they may be feeling neglected and have not had the attention they deserve.

Dang it. Just when I was getting my life down to 50+ hrs a week, I see where I have slacked off, and it's time to once again ante up.

God, thank you for the people in my life, those that work for me, those that boss me around, and those that serve for Your benefit. Thank You for what You have for me now. Thank You for what You have done, and what You will do soon.