RUNwithGOD

"Vacation" with myBabyGirls

Well, I'm going back to work Tuesday (a day earlier than I was anticipating). This past week by far was the best "vacation" I've ever had! It was great spending time with myBabyGirls (Amy + Caitlyn). While I don't want to turn RUNwithGOD.com into a "Caitlyn" blog, I did want to bring some closure... especially to those following me in the 2.0 world...

God, thank you.

Caitlyn is adorable. You know how some babies look like, well, aliens? Yeah, not my kid! She's healthy, great complexion, has a great hairline, and can already count to 10 (okay, so the counting is a stretch)!

Amy is in great health! She has recovered from birth and adapted to the new role of motherhood. She is doing phenomenally well! I have known Amy for 15 years, and I have seen a side of her this past week that I have NEVER seen before. I'm in awe of my wife.

Together, we've collectively gotten like 10 hrs of sleep since Wednesday. Caitlyn sleeps the day away and stays up all night. It's been a blast... We've done our first songs, first diaper changes, first feedings, first photo op, first doctor visit, first car ride... and now we get back to our "normal" lives...

To the hundreds of people that have visited, called, emailed, commented, facebook'd, txt'd, or twitter'd... thank you. Your support, your prayers, and your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

If you need a Caitlyn fix, check out my facebook photo album.

Caitlyn: Insert Caption and Win...

We had so much fun with "Guess my Baby's Release Date" Competition..." I think we should do it again...

This is a photo of my BEAUTIFUL daughter Caitlyn, during one of her rare moods.

Email, Facebook, Comment and/or Twitter Captions... Best caption wins a $40 Living Word Giftcard...

Caitlyn, World

7lbs, 1oz
19 inches
Healthy

God, seriously, thank you.

How do you feel about today?

Seriously, have no idea how my wife is doing this.

Day started with a doctor spot. We were hoping for a Friday induce date.

Here's the conversation:

Doctor: So when do you want to have this baby?
Jeff: Friday would be great.
Amy: Or Thursday.
Doctor: Let me check the schedule.

--3 min later--
Doctor: Thursday isn't going to happen. How do you feel about today?

She is a beast at handling contractions. And now, on the eve of myBabyGirl being born, I don't think I've ever loved her more.

And yes, I did totally write this post inbetween contractions while my wife slept. Welcome to World 2.0

What's up @ CF - dotcom

Christ Fellowship launched a new blog... whatsupatcf.com... for inside tips and sneak peaks on what's coming up at Christ Fellowship, you'll want to check out the site... whatsupatcf.com. I'm one of the guys writing on it, so all the CF event info I write on RUNwithGOD, well, won't be on here anymore... it'll be at whatsupatcf.com

For instance... if you want to read that Christ Fellowship is listed in Outreach Magazine's Top 100 Fastest Growing Churches of 2008... well, you'd have to go to whatsupatcf.com...

Dang it, I said it here too. Well, there's plenty of other stuff at whatsupatcf.com. Check out the website (or the rss feed) and we'll see you online!

We want to hear your story...

We're launching a new website as part of our next sermon series... "Parables: Stories About You"... StoriesAboutYou.org will give you an opportunity to share your story... (Video Below)...

So what's your story? Email a 1/2 to full page story (and if possible a photo of yourself) to mystory@cfmiami.org so we can celebrate with you!

Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Select, Start

Amazing the contextualization among demographical cultures. Right now every 25-30 year old male is saying "That's Awesome!" Everyone else is saying "What is that idiot talking about?"

Thanks to SnorgTees for giving me a chuckle. I get to relive my youth (until Caitlyn gets to make her debut, that is).

CF on Facebook

Okay, here's the deal. You're on Facebook (and if you're not on Facebook, what's stopping you?) So since you're on Facebook, you want to get hooked up on what Christ Fellowship is doing. So you're going to become a "Fan" of Christ Fellowship through Facebook.

This is another great way to get people connected. Sorta a virtual "Invest & Invite Card"...

Besides, JR told me that if we get 1,000 on Facebook he'd wax his chest hair. Seriously. I know, I can't believe it either.

Look for footage of the "waxing" very soon...

Seriously. Get connected. Invite your friends. Get the word out. See you in 2.0-land...

Horrible Christmas Sermon Series Titles

Even though we've been talking about Christmas since March, the CF Creative team finally put to bed the title of our Christmas Sermon Series... I'm not going to let the cat out of the bag... BUT I want you to enjoy some of the ones we didn't use...

* Deco-Christmas
* Fun in the Christmas Son
* Cafe Con Christmas
* The Truth About Christmas
* The Christmas Lie
* Christmas, 305
* A "Happy Birthday Jesus" Christmas
* Tropical Christmas
* The Amniotic Fluid Christmas
* JIWCASICFSTCWGTCHAHOT (or Jesus Is Way Cool And So Is Christ Fellowship So This Christmas We're Going To Christ Fellowship And Hang Out There...)

Thoughts?

The Living Word Christian Bookstore is going out of business

I've hoped and prayed that I would never have to say these words... The Living Word Christian Bookstore is going out of business.

After being a staple in the South Dade Community for almost twenty years, the decision to close the doors was not made lightly. I still believe the business model can work... unfortunately, I do not have the financial backing to push any longer through the struggling economy.

The Living Word is still for sale, and if someone is interested in continuing its ministry in the South Dade area, I would be more than happy to discuss terms. Call the bookstore at 305/255-9673 and they can get you in touch with me.

To my faithful customers in the community... thank you. Your constant support and prayers have enabled us to grow and expand... thank you for allowing us to minister to you!

Over the next several weeks we will be open in order to liquidate our inventory. As of right now everything in the bookstore is 30% off retail.

Thanks again for allowing us to serve you.

In View of God's Mercy,

Jeff Reed
Owner, The Living Word Christian Bookstore - Miami

Fatherhood Delayed

"No, Caitlyn's not here yet." If I had a dime for every time I've said that this week...

Caitlyn is further proving that she's in control by slowing the process down. That's the Reed motto... Hurry up and wait. Hurry up and wait. Hurry up and wait.

Amy's doing incredibly well (don't you think she looks great). Caitlyn's room is completely prepared. She has more clothes than she will ever wear. She has more toys than she'll ever play with. She has more diapers than she'll ever crap in (okay, that's an over-exaggeration).

We're set and ready to do this thing... except we got no kid. And so we wait...

Did you enter in the RUNwithGOD online pool? See if you're still in the game!

Wanted: "Producers" @ CF Campuses

As Christ Fellowship Campuses expand, and services become more and more complex... it's become apparent that we need help. What CF needs is a group of volunteers to serve as "Producers"...

What's a Producer? A Producer is someone who works with CF Worship and Media Staff to DESIGN the Worship Service. Every weekend dozens of volunteers create the CF Worship environment at CF Campuses across Miami-Dade County by executing plans. A Producer is someone that designs the environment that the weekend Worship and Media personnel will execute on the wknd. How cool is that! You'll get to help design the look!

Are you qualified to be a "Producer" of a CF service?

* Are you creative?
* Does the idea of designing a worship service excite you?
* Do you get hyped up during the worship service?
* After a service, have you ever asked yourself "What if they did this way instead?"
* Are you available on Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday nights?

If this is you, holler at me and let me know ASAP. Call the CFPB office @ 305/238-1818 and ask for me, or email jreed@cfmiami.org. I'll get you connected to the right people.

We have openings for "Producers" on every campus. No experience required. We'll train you! Wherever you are, get connected.

Side note: the ability to sing, dance, or act in a Broadway show is NOT required.

When in trouble, call "The Wolf"

"That's thirty minutes away. I'll be there in ten."
The Wolf, Harvey Keitel
Pulp Fiction, 1994

Mona Lisa, Mythbusters-style

Need a diversion? Enjoy!

Microsoft + Illegal Narcotics = this video

Microsoft Apologists... you know who you are... go ahead and defend this video. Please. Help this make sense to me.

Early predictions

Conversation 9/3 9:40pm

Jeff: so this baby is coming in the next 24 hours
Nurse: definitely. Baby is coming tomorrow.

UPDATE: 9/5 10:16am
yeah, the Nurse was wrong. Caitlyn still TBA

Small Group on your phone? Sure!

We're one week into the Uncovering Revelation Online Small Group, and I've spent Monday AM analyzing the numbers. (Google Analytics, you really are my hero!). This is my first online small group since 2000 (through eBeliever.com) and I was excited to see how well the first week was received. Being a huge numbers guy, I love data. Stats, for the most part, were solid.

There was one stat, though, that shocked me.

This past week, UncoveringRevelation.com had 32 visits from iPhone users. 2 visits from iPod Touch Users.

So wait, you can be anywhere and involved in an Online Small Group through your iPhone? Really, hadn't anticipated that.

Stuck waiting for the Metrorail to take you Dwntwn? Go to Small Group.
Waiting in the Doctor's Office? Go to Small Group.
Bumper to Bumper on I-95? Go to Small Group.
Show up early for a MTG at your office? Go to Small Group.
Coffee break @ Starbucks? Go to Small Group.

Thanks to Apple for creating simple technology allowing people to connect to a Small Group WHEREVER they are!

Interested in Online Small Groups? Check out UncoveringRevelation.com, Christ Fellowship's current Small Group curriculum.

Side note: I did have five visits from Blackberry's this week. I can either infer that there are more iPhone users than Blackberry users at this point, or that iPhone users are more "spiritual" than Blackberry users. You tell me.