I’ve never been a big fan of blogs with lots and lots of words. Maybe it’s my short attention span, or the fact that I peruse around 150 sites a day (and in those volumes you have to become a scanner). Regardless, I’d like to tell more of a story; and utilize video, image, and hand-drawn scribble. Let me show you what’s inspiring me, or maybe (and more interestingly) show you the results of my inspiration. So let’s see where this goes.

And I put together this little promo for our upcoming 10th anniversary services.

Point made. I thought it was pretty effective.

The aim was for a series that was a little warmer and human, something that really touched on the concept of the invitation. Home is warm, home is inviting, you can always go home. And then to carry the story a little further we opted to build first half of the story into the 5:00 counter that begins the services. (so hey, if you missed it this week get there early next Sunday to watch the entire piece).

This is a first for us, composing a shot story into the series open, then extending the story earlier into the service. My favorite part of the process was watching every person on the production team contribute a hand. That may be one of my greatest joys of the holiday season, media-wise.

SERIES COUNTER

SERIES OPEN

I should also direct you to Adam’s post, etc. He did a beautiful job on this piece.

– OFFICIAL COPY BELOW –
Just to refresh your memory, the contest will be run as follows:

1. We will give away a pair of tickets to whoever makes the best dirt mashup video of their own.
2. They can download raw video footage of each person we interviewed.
3. That includes Dino Rizzo, Greg Surratt, John Seibling, Kellen Coldiron, Daniel Gonzales, Kristen Becnel, Randy Bezet, Joe Champion, Stovall Weems and a whole lot more.
4. Post their own video on vimeo and their blog…and also give us a link and we’ll judge all the videos and give away tickets the last week of September.
5. They can use whatever effects or music they want.

The contest starts today and will end on October 1.

The files for the contest can be found here:

(Sample footage (4.7 MB))

Remix Kit (140.9 MB)

Joshua provided a great assortment of “devil parts” for me to animate, including the “devil jet” featured in the open and the yet-to-be-seen “devil crane,” which unfortunately had to be cut due to time limitations.

[SERIES OPEN]

[SERIES PROMO]

[SERIES COUNTER]

[LOGO, TREATED]
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[MESSAGE TITLE SLIDE]
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[TEXTURE BACKDROP]
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Great job, Adam, on the Unleash 2010 promo. Others are coming, won’t you come?

I did want to include some personal visuals, stuff you won’t see on their site, that I’ve particularly enjoyed.

It all started with this gentle reminder of technologies’ past.
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I love the warmth of Watermark Church’s beautiful facility.
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… And the fact they gave me Starbucks. And let me take it inside the auditorium.
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Here’s a little pre-show electronic doodling going on before the first keynote.
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…And the suppertime BBQ frenzy. I’ll say this, those Echo folk sure know how to feed us well.
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I’ll leave you with this thought from John Dyer’s breakout on Using Technology without letting Technology use you: The use of technology will change you, or shape you. You get to decide if that shaping is for your betterment.

Here’s how I use it for my quiet time journal. I use this from my iPhone, a paper Bible, from my laptop, or from another computer.

Benefits of this workflow:
- Access to your journal (both input and output) everywhere
- Search. Ever think “what was that verse I read on anger?” Now you can find it.
- Backup. Because it’s stored at Evernote, you won’t misplace your journal.

Typically I use YouVersion.com as my Bible. I occasionally use a hard copy Bible (especially if I’m journaling from my iPhone).

In Evernote, I create a notebook called “Journal.” Each month, I create a new note called “July 2009 notes,” changing according to the date. This way I have a grouping of notes by month.

For each day, I create the entry like this:
“date” – “scripture for the day” (ie. 7/17 – Psalm 73). This way I have the date referenced, and regardless which Bible I pick up I have my place marked. This gives me flexibility in my routine.

How you notate is up to you. I keep all my notes in plain text (no Bold, italics, etc.). I do this primarily because the iPhone only lets you append info to the end of a note with that has formatting (you can’t edit into the middle of the note). I typically quote scriptures, and include verses referenced like (3) or (v4-10) so I can figure out what I was referring to later on, then add the thoughts that God shows me in and around the scripture clippings.

I’ve been using this technique since fall of last year and have really stuck to it. For me I’ve always struggled with paper based journaling. Doing it this way allows me to stay with a workflow I’m already using with everything elsee. Sidenote: I also use this “Journal” notebook for any sermon notes or conference notes I take. That way this information is all in the same location and easily retrievable.

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–
5 questions of self examination.

2 Corinthians 4

Why do we do what we do?

1 – Am I obsessed with his mercy or my ministry?

- “it takes more than prayer to make a crop grow”
- laziness and loss of focus.
- you don’t have a job, you have a ministry.
- A job is where you seek to do the least to gain the most. Ministry is where you sacrifice yourself daily.

2 – Am I being careless or cautious?
(v2) – renounced secret, shameful ways.
- is there anything in my private life that would disqualify me from ministry?

WATCH
- your marriage, be a husband first. be planned, intentional. HOW? Ask your spouse “what about our marriage would you change?”
- Morality. Be legalistic about setting boundaries.
- Money. Guard yourself.
- Walk in a consistent attitude of confession and repentance.
- Don’t think every scripture is for someone else, realize that God is speaking to you.

3 – Am I obsessed with his word or my word?
- Our theology must drive our methodology.
- Spend time daily with God.

Reasons people distort the Word
A – they don’t know it.
B – they don’t like it.

“If I’m not hearing the word of God, I’ll have an unfruitful ministry”

If we get away from the Word, we eventually won’t hear his voice

4 – Am I a fighter or a flake? (v3), (v4)

Spiritual Warfare
- supernatural. it’s real. But don’t glorify Satan by giving it more attention than it deserves.
- natural.

A – critics (subtle, “sounds too loud”), if you need the affirmation of your people, you lose. If you need people then you can’t lead people. Honor the one who called you.
B – conformity.
C – clock. “if I put in more time it’ll get better.”. ministry of presence, ministry of absence.
D – control.

5 – Am I making much of Him or much of me?
(v5-6)
- The temptation is for others to see how cool you are.
- Remember we have this ministry because of God’s mercy.

- our passion is to be a servant, not to be innovative.

- This church is not dependent on our creativity, but on our obedience.

Meg, you are the one God chose for me, and for that I am eternally grateful.

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