http://www.kezrush.com/2008/05/its-thursday-already.html

It's been a busy week, with a lot of good and some bad, that has kept me hopping.

I'll try to get you caught up later today!

Grace and peace!

http://www.kezrush.com/2008/05/first-of-all.html

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIS!

She's the one holding the baby, in case you didn't know ;)

Andrea was born on May 1st, 1979. If my calculations are correct, that makes her 29!

http://www.kezrush.com/2008/05/can-you-kill-me-now.html

I spent a lot of time on the phone with, and at, Verizon Wireless.

About two weeks ago my phone would reboot anytime I went into my inbox. I dropped it off last Wednesday [April 23rd] to have the software updated. A few hours later I came back to pick up my phone. It was just before closing and they told me "We tried to update the software and now it won't boot up at all. Come back tomorrow and we'll get you a new one."

The next day I went back to get my new phone. I also decided to up the minutes on my family plan from 700 shared minutes per month to 1400 minutes with unlimited text messaging.

Why? Since I've been contacting potential partners to support our church plant, I have been over our alloted minutes for two consecutive months. Our bill was usually $90/mo. Now it's been steady at a horrendous, $180 per month.

As they were finalizing the settings on my new cellphone into Verizon store comes Sondra, my wife, flustered carrying Selah.

What are you doing here I asked? I can't find my phone, can you call it?

Long story short, Sondra lost her phone. We had to call and suspend service until we knew it was gone for sure. On Tuesday of this week we went and got her a new phone. She got the an LG-VX8350.

But you thought this was the end of the story... Oh No! Now we are looking at adding two more cellphones to our family plan. One for my Mother and the other for my Brother.
[to be continued]

http://www.kezrush.com/2008/05/can-you-kill-me-now-continued.h

For Mother’s Day we want to get my mom [and brother] added onto our Family Plan. I sent them a list of the phones that we can get for free and here are the phones that they want…

For my Mom… SCH-U340


For my Bro… SCH-U540

Is any one out there using these phones? If so, give me the skinny! Good, bad or otherwise.

http://church20.blogspot.com/2008/05/muddy-river-media-missionaries.

http://church20.blogspot.com/2008/05/spotlight-dear-god.html

Those of you who had interest in Kindle, might have interest in Dear-God.net

A site to post prayers, confessions, dreams, etc.

It's very similar to Post Secret Project, but is specifically for prayers.

http://www.kezrush.com/2008/05/daily-wanders.html

Coldplay is giving away Violet Hill, a free track[mp3] from their up and coming album. It's tight and I'm pumped for the album! Album is suppose to have elements of death and resurrection laced throughout, which is encouraging people compare them to their predecessors and heroes, U2.
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Amy explains the fundementals [and discipline] of music, baseball and Jesus and how they are in common.
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Basic Instinct's Director is publishing a book suggesting that Jesus was an illegitimate child of a roman solider who raped Mary.
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CCM final issue...
Legacy... of bad music! I'm kidding their is some good music in the Contemporay Christian scene. However we really need to be listening to Charlie Peacock, he is a Prophet in Christian Music.
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Six Great Ways to Ruin a Brainstorm

1. Having no clear objectives
2. Too homogeneous a group
3. Letting the boss act as facilitator
4. Allowing early criticism
5. Settling for a few ideas.
6. No closure or follow through.

http://www.kezrush.com/2008/05/go-crew.html

Hanging out at the Crew game.

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http://www.kezrush.com/2008/05/jeffrey-richard.html

Congrats to our friends, the Reeder's

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http://church20.blogspot.com/2008/05/spotlight-streamzy.html

Streamzy is a free search engine, play-list creator, and prayer to stream full length audio clips from all of your favorite artist. Out of curiosity I did a search for songs by Hillsong/Hillsong United and found nearly every song I could ever want to listen to from them.

Practically: You or you Worship Leader could use Streamzy to create and share a play-list for your worship team. And the best part - it's legal!

http://www.kezrush.com/2008/05/grand-theft-auto-pleasentville.

Can't wait for it to come out! :)

http://church20.blogspot.com/2008/05/spotlight-other6.html

We often feel God's presence at Church, but where do you find him the other 6 days of the week?

Other6 is a website where you can view and/or add where you find God in the other 6.

This could be a great place to start brainstorming what an externally focused church or ministry might look like in your community.

http://www.kezrush.com/2008/05/congrats-to-tj-barbie.html

Ethanah Joy Waters was born on 5/4/08 8lbs 10oz, 20 3/4 inches. Something must be in the water. All our friends are have babies!

http://www.kezrush.com/2008/05/less-meetings-more-ministry.htm

I’ve been hearing this message over and over again. ‘Stop making committees and start doing ministry!’ And it stuck.

One thing that has to go in ministry is committees. We spend too much time trying to decide what needs to be done instead of meeting needs that are brought before us everyday.

Stuff Christian’s Like put it this way…

[At Church…] We turn "Wherever two or more are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them" into, "Wherever two or more are gathered, so shall a committee be formed with a logo designed by someone's artistic son and an official sounding title."

It’s so true!

Seth Godin encourages us to skip some meetings
[check out funny ad]

At Renovo we want to create Organic Communities [OCs] that are empowered to meet needs where they see them. Whether it’s with money, publication, help, networking, etc. we want to empower our people to be ministers right where they are at. Take care of the poor, broken, the not yet, and the hopeless with a servants heart. A servant of the King!

http://www.kezrush.com/2008/05/selah-and-i-on-my-b-day.html

http://www.kezrush.com/2008/05/10k-coffee-table.html

Imagine having a coffee table you can...

• play video games on
• play piano on
• search the web
• watch tv
• steam videos from the internet
• access your music
  
• scan photos into by laying them on the surface
• set your digital camera on the surface and it would automatically display the pics
• and much much more...
  

Take my word on this. In 15-20 years, when these are affordable, every middle class family will have one.

http://www.kezrush.com/2008/05/gods-arent-angry-dvd.html

Pre-order your DVD and get a free CD of The Gods Aren't Angry speaking tour.

I went to see Rob speak in Cleveland [read posts I mentioned the tour]

http://church20.blogspot.com/2008/05/spotlight-litmus.html

Shows you how your customers will see your designs...

litmus is an online service for your to test what your website and email promotions will look like, before you finalize it. They give you screenshots for 13 different email clients, and 23! different web browsers.

Now it's not free, but it's reasonable. And it's worth the cost compared to the price you paid to have those websites and emails designed in the first place.

They do more then just previews too, like tracking, publishing, and version management.

Check it out Litmus

http://www.kezrush.com/2008/05/wi-fi-why.html

More and more places have become free wi-fi hot spots. From Starbucks to Denny's, now Kroger's? These companies need to ask themselves why? Or at least how does this make the shopping experience better?

Answer: At Kroger it doesn't! And I have yet to see someone use it and/or care that they have it.

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http://church20.blogspot.com/2008/05/link-love.html

Here are some sites, posts, and articles that the C2.0 - the blog audience might be interested in.
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Tony Morgan (and soon NewSpring) says, 'Goodbye to Microsoft Outlook' and switches to Google Apps.
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If you like FixMyVideo, you should check out FixMyPhotos. Here is a post from Guy Kawasaki on FixMyPhoto.
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Find the cheapest gas in your area [links provided by Mashable]

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Could twitter be a cool tool for your ministry? MMI highlights how they use twitter.
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http://www.kezrush.com/2008/05/happy-mothers-day.html

Selah at New Life Church of Christ on Mother's day.

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http://church20.blogspot.com/2008/05/presentation-tips.html

Here's a good video on how to give a presentation. It's a few minutes, but well worth it.

PresenTired: "The Voicemail" from Scott Schwertly on Vimeo.

http://www.kezrush.com/2008/05/kanye-and-chris.html

I enjoy rap music for the following reasons [not limited to these]

• No rules - they have the freedom to mix any kind of music together
• New relationships - the good rappers [Kanye] work with people who stretch them [John Mayer, Adam Levine of Maroon 5, Chris Martin of Coldplay, etc.]
• A Foundation of Rhythm - they recognize that building block of all music is rhythm, not melody.
• More Story - since rap doesn't have to stick with a melody, they have freedom to tell more of the story.
• A ReBirth - the great rap artists [Tupac, Dre, Kanye] find a way to recreate, renew and restore old sounds in to their music. In turn they reinvent their style completely.

Disclaimer - I do believe that most rap songs contain a toxic message. How ever as an art form - I greatly enjoy it.

http://church20.blogspot.com/2008/05/online-design-apps.html

I just got my beta test for Aviary.

Aviary is a suite of web-based applications (RIAs) for people who create. From image editing to typography to music to 3D to video, 18 apps in all. Right now I have access to the image editor and pattern maker.

Phoenix is the image editor, it has a clean interface and the loading time is fast. The image editor has all your basic functions, from cropping and rotating to the magic wand and lasso tool. And after you have finished image editing, you can export your file back to your desktop in any major file format including .psd files. If you have ever used photoshop or gimp shop you should feel right at home.

Peacock is the pattern generator. The pattern maker is a interesting idea, although I can't say that I have a huge need for a pattern maker and the interface takes some getting use to. It might come in handy to use it to create reusable filters that you can use in phoenix.

I can't help but see a lot of potential for web based design apps. Check out their blog Here to see the power of these apps or you can get your Beta Test Here

http://www.kezrush.com/2008/05/are-you-in-gap.html

Seth Godin wrote a great post on how businesses get caught in the gap between the Passion Market and the Pop Market. [graph below]

I would say that this can happen in many aspects of your life; your ministry, your job and your spirituality.

Ministry/Church: I've seen it time and time again. Churches that have been firing on all cylinders, meeting their original passion, shoot for the 'pop market'. Some gain from this shift, others get caught in the gap and loose 'the passionate people' they already had.

Job: I work in I.T. for a school district. When I try to make my abilities meet what my co-workers 'think my job description' should be, I am miserable and nothing gets done as it should. When I stick to my passions and come up with creative ways to meet the needs that I'm not passionate about I'm much healthier.

Simply put - when I define my job by what everyone wants from me, I get caught in the gap and no-one is happy. When I meet the needs I'm passionate and designate the one's I'm not everyone is happy. I can't function in the 'pop market' in my job, but I flourish in the 'passion market'.

Spiritual: The spiritual pop-market wants prescription... 'do _____, get ______. ' But God primarily works through Grace, instead of morality. Also we all are wired in many different ways. In my spiritual life I find that my passion is expressed in a different avenue/venture then it is in the masses. I often find myself taking the pop prescription and working it out in my own (passionate) way.

I have a feeling I'm more of a passion market guy, less of a pop market. I expect that is why Renovo is taking shape the way it has.

http://www.kezrush.com/2008/05/killing-me-softly.html

Tech Example: I was talking to my friend who works at Verizon Wireless. He told me that on the day of the blizzard [a few months ago] only four people came into the store. All four came into pay their bill which could of done on the internet or from their cellphone.


Health Example: Most health and environmental concerns could be dwelt with if we would just cut down on the amount of meat and processed foods. [watch this TED talk]

http://www.kezrush.com/2008/05/cheeky-smile.html

My daughter is so cute with those chubby cheeks!

http://church20.blogspot.com/2008/05/prayer-20.html

More and more sites built on Web2.0 technology are popping up that focus on prayer. We have already highlighted MySecret, Kindle, Dear-God, and Other6.

Now check out WeTheChurch.org.

It's a website to post prayer and praise reports.

Simple and to the point. It's very cool! Take a minute and see what people are praising and praying about. Maybe add your prayers and praise to the mix.

http://www.kezrush.com/2008/05/daily-wanderings.html

• The Vatican keeps getting goofier! Now they are explaining Aliens, as brothers, and you are allowed to believe in them and still remain Catholic.
• What would you do if you disagreed with your pastor on a non-salvation issue? Check out this poll's results.
• Deadly Viper Assassins asks are the stats that pastors are leaving the church correct? If so, why?
• This post, Rob Bell makes me angry: a pastoral response to Velvet Elvis, is going to force me to go back and revisit Velvet Elvis again.
• Panel explores free college tuition for Mansfield students - this could be a huge blessing for the working poor of our city.
  

http://www.kezrush.com/2008/05/every-monday.html

What if every Monday mattered?

A group of people are starting a movement called 'every monday matters' with a vision to...

create a collective action of ordinary people - a national movement - making a difference that benefits our society. By the virtue of volume, the difference will be significant for our children, our communities, and our country. As a country, we will set an example for our children to follow; we will leave a legacy for the next generation; and, we will generate a social awareness and social consciousness of giving back. People matter.

I encourage you to check out EveryMondayMatters.com every Monday.

http://www.kezrush.com/2008/05/bible-according-to-lego.html

http://church20.blogspot.com/2008/05/pd-conference-live.html

Check out the live feed of the behind the scenes Purpose Driven Conference.
Webcast by Ustream.TV

http://www.kezrush.com/2008/05/new-blog-theme.html

What do you think?

http://www.kezrush.com/2008/05/g-ross.html

This video is funny, yes, but it goes to show how absurd our marketing is [and will continue to be] towards human sexuality. It makes me sick to see how we treat women, and the demeaning lengths that some women will go to feel be valued, empowered, and loved.



Sorry I haven't been posting much 'content' lately. I'm over my head at work, trying to be a good husband and father, while planting a church on the side.

http://www.kezrush.com/2008/05/dc-church-leadership.html

I'm cleaning out my RSS Reader and came across posts that I think all church leaders should read...

Are you are ‘rubber-stamp church’ or a ‘re-create church’?

What gauges are on your churches dashboard?

Where are the church planting churches?

Are we creating an optimal environment for worship and fellowship?

http://www.kezrush.com/2008/05/sunburn-bruises-and-kick-in-fac

This past weekend I went to West Virgina to go white water rafting for a bachelor party. I had a lot of fun on the New River, but my knees are REALLY BURNT, I hit a rock with my knee and I got kicked in the face when my friend fell out of the raft. OUCH!

Now I think I'm coming down with a cold. Ahh!

Here is a funny 'church' video I saw over on Ryan's blog

http://church20.blogspot.com/2008/05/design-and-religion.html

There is a new book out called Graphic Design and Religion by Daniel Kantor. A much need book in my opinion.

The touchy topic of whether design should be viewed by the church world as a necessity or a marketing gimmick is debated heavily. Daniel supports the idea the graphic design can move beyond just visual communication, it can be a form of scared art.

He has a great quote about when design is seen without any real strategic context, it is often viewed as meaningless. I think this is what has gotten the church criticized. We are infinitively creative coming up with title slides for new sermon series, Sunday morning bulletins, and new fund raiser campaigns, but where is the church creating sacred art?

Something to think about.

Check more about the book by Daniel Kantor