The New Morning Newspaper

It's become a habit.  When I get up in the morning I check my bloglines cue to see what posts have come through in the night. To the left is a snapshot of the ones I read most frequently--it's become my morning newspaper. Along with feeds from some actual news sources, these are the ones I read first and process.

Talking with a friend last Saturday, he was amazed at how many blogs I read in the mornings. He didn't know about Feed Readers or Aggregators (did I spell that right?) as he thought you had to go to every blog and read it. Sometimes I do, but mostly I read the posts in the reader.

Print news readership is declining--mostly because people have come to find news information in new ways. Email has replaced snail mail. I wonder what blog reading will replace?

What's your process for reading blogs? Which reader do you use?

Eight Simple Rules --It's My Family

There are just those TV shows that you missed the first time that capture you when they are no longer in production.   Somewhere in my life I was way too busy to watch EIGHT SIMPLE RULES when it was in production for time it was around.  Now that it is in syndication, my kids DVR every episode.  Some of them we've seen two and three times, and they still are so funny. Why?  Because it so closely resembles my family.  

You see we have two girls and a boy, much like the Hennesy family and the more we watch it, the more we see the same traits in our kids.    I won't go into a great amount of detail, but just take my word for it--it is real life; down to the "I LOVE YOU DADDY" and the response "WHAT DO YOU WANT?"   It's all too real- the drama, the issues, the funny stuff.

I guess we're just in that period of life where what we experience and see if real life is sometimes reflected in the media that we watch.  I think that's why this program was  so widely acclaimed at the time--it was aunthentic.   Aunthenticity is something that is rare these days and when people find it, they stay a long time at the gathering spot.  

Season 1 is on complete DVD, I'm sure it will be on our shelf by Christmas and added to the collection of media that has spoken about the times of our lives.  I'm still saving FATHER OF THE BRIDE for those 2 special times coming in the future.  Will I be like Steve Martin---probably so.

Taxes... I'd Rather Be At The Dentist

Having had some major dental work this year, I think I can really say that I prefer the dentist to doing my taxes.  I've devoted today to sort through the mounds of receipts that were tucked away in those files; trying to remember what each of them were--(although I wrote on them what they were)--it's hard to remember.  Receipts just don't hold up very long-some of them have faded and I can't barely read them.

Unless I find major receipts, looks like this will be the year that we are caught in the "vice" and have to pay.  Usually we over pay, but somehow this year the adjustments just haven't worked in our favor.  So, it makes it doubly painful knowing that what you're trying to find is only to keep you out of the deep hole your inital calculations told you.  

We're not rich.  I would consider us a typical middle-class family trying to make it today.  What alarms me is not only the rising costs of gas and food and such, but the rise in insurance rates.  Currently it takes about 20% of my salary to insure my family.  Where will it end? (DEATH--as in DEATH AND TAXES  that is.)   There just seems to be an endless cycle to the skyrocketing prices on everything, while wages seems to lag far behind.   Sometimes there seems to be more month than check and when you look at it most of the overage is just covering essentials. Can I get a witness here?

So, back to the pile--looking for more to help with that bottom line. Nothing is more certain than DEATH AND TAXES! One week from tomorrow it will come calling.

Something Old and Something New

Monday again--time for Something Old and Something New (blogs that I read and have discovered in the last few days)

Something Old:

Verizontal- This is the site of John Voelz, Experiences Pastor at Westwinds Church in Jackson, Michigan.  I met John at Recreate this year.  He has to be one of the most creative minds that I've met in many years.  I'm constantly learning something from him--whether it be about visuals and art in worship to very deep thoughts about life and issues.  He's one person I'm constantly watching.

Something New:

Skitch -This isn't a blog, but a screen capture program I found in order to capture things on my screen.  I used it to post pictures like this which talked about a conversation  that I had on Twitter on Saturday.  Not only will it screen capture, but you can do some sketching or drawing (primatively) on the site and share pictures with others.

The Journey Blog-This is the blog of Chad Wright, pastor in Austin and full-time photographer and graphics artist there.  He always has something creative to show (his pictures are amazing) and always gives great tips on publication design.  He's a fellow Twitter too.

What have you found new this week?  Something old you'd like to share?

Worship Post-fessional April 6, 2008

Today we began a new series WINDS OF CHANGE which will lead us into our 125th Anniversary as a church during the first week of May. I'll post pictures later this week of our stage backdrops and my light boxes that were made for this series.

Speaking of change--we changed up the order today.  Here's the set:

• No Greater Love Than Jesus--Choir (Tommy Walker book again).  We rocked the first services on this one--they weren't expecting a lively opener like this.  Especially the black gospel feel and "talking expressions" at the first.
  
• Greeting
  
• O Worship The King--Tomlin arr.
  
• Welcome
  
• Offertory
  
• Video clip from "THE SANDLOT"--where "Smalls" is introduced to everyone in the group.  Series is about name changes that God makes.  Made the point of everyone having a different name and identification
  
• Sermon
  
• Interview with a member
  
• Indescribable
  
• He Knows My Name (Walker Arr. again)
  
• Yesterday Today and Forever.
  

We're used to singing more up front, so I'll be interested to know what the comments were from folks.  A different feel to the service.

Tonight our Senior Adult choir traveled about 30 miles to a former church that I served.  We sang about 7-8 songs and did some congregational singing too.  It's been a long day.

NCAA! Bracket Mania

My bracket is DA BOMB! I picked all 4 No. 1 seeds to make it to the final four. Too bad I lost some valuable points in the 3rd round.

My picks tonight: MEMPHIS and NORTH CAROLINA

Who did you pick?

Twitter Community Calls Me Out!

I was sharing with someone this morning how much I'm enjoying being part of an online community (Twitters--Recreate Twitters to be exact). This is a group of artist that have gathered together to communicate with each other about everything and about nothing.

It's funny how connected you feel when you know how many coke cans are sitting on their desk (@chadwright--way too many Dr. Peppers), or how many times their computer has crashed or what they are doing at the moment.You begin to know their quirks and personalities in much detail and so you feel like a community. I've accessed the knowledge base of this community when in technical trouble on a project, and even a quick prayer request is quickly answered. You feel like family. I was noticeably missing yesterday afternoon online as I was working on the format of this blog. I was greeted last night with a "fbcjdrake...missing you--hope everything is ok" when I got back on. Made me feel good!

Which brings me to this post. Just like family, there are good times and bad times. There are times you are hoisted on their shoulder and hailed as King, then there are the times you are called out and are the source of the joke.

Imagine my surprise this morning when I first read this entry from Chad Wright

Uh oh! I hadn't noticed the flaw in the template I downloaded. I promise I never put that there! Really!

Then I read this from OKJEDI! I'm glad I gave him a laugh since he was pulling and all nighter last night.

Which led me to my response here.

I was so focused on the links and feeds that I was transferring over from my old template. Evidently it should have said "Tid-Bit", but someone's ENGRISH was off.

Thanks to my buddies for the community and camaraderie and for calling me out when I make a boo boo!

Uh... Dad.. You Have The Dress In Your Car!

So I left the house at the crack of dawn this morning to travel south about 2 hours to see our youngest daughter play tennis ( she won two games by the way--thanks for asking).  So during the third set, my phone rings. My wife is in a dead panic as she's looking for the dress my oldest daughter is suppose to wear this afternoon in a Quinceanara for a friend of hers.   Since I was in my wife's car, I didn't think I saw it when I opened up the trunk, but on further inspection, way underneath my teen's golf clubs--you guessed it.  The Blue Dress.  It's now 12:20 and I'm almost 2 hours away from home.  The ceremony starts at 2:00.  So much for a day to myself in a larger city (so long Starbucks!).  I hoof it back home (in the driveway @ 1:50 PM) just in time for the wife to snatch the dress, iron it, get it on the teen and out the door.  I think they were 2 minutes late for the ceremony.

So--check the trunk before you leave town further than thirty minutes away.

From Wikipedia.org
The Quinceañera or Quince Años (sometimes represented XV Años, meaning "fifteen years") is, in some Spanish-speaking regions of the Americas, a young woman's celebration of her fifteenth birthday, which is commemorated in a unique and different way from her other birthdays

The Culture of Hee Haw

If you are a student of culture and in particular Art in Culture, then you must have your eyes open at all times to observe what is happening around you. Last night I ventured with our Sr. Adult community to a HEE HAW. You ask what a HEE HAW is? Do you remember the 1970's music/comedy TV show by the same name, where country music was sung and short comic episodes were given? It's the same thing... almost the very same thing.

This HEE HAW has been produced by a group of community people now in the Sagerton Community (north of Abilene, Tx) for over 15 years now. They have rules--you can't be in the production unless you live in the community (although most of the band was from Abilene and surrounding areas). It's a family thing from small children to grandparents.

They serve a meal of sandwiches and homemade pies before the production.  I have to say that the pies are the best part of the experience.

The Sagerton HEE HAW takes place in the Old Sagerton school that was built in the early 1900's and ceased to be a school sometime in the late 1990's.  The community has transformed the old building into a community center and kept the old theater as the prize jewel for the HEE HAW.

The doors opened at 6:30 and we listened to  an hour and half of favorite country western tunes (many that I didn't know, but the audience did) and hymns in bluegrass style. Many of the band are into their 70's and 80's and feature the local District Attorney on the guitar.

The centerpiece of the show is Minnie Pearl, the raucous emcee who does two stand up sections in the show.  This lady is 78 years old, and let's just say she and Rosie could go toe to toe.  Her jokes were a little of colored--and made me blush--but everyone laughed. (Maybe I need to relax what people think about what I say!)

After 3 hours (yes 3 hours) the production ended with GOD BLESS THE USA.   This has become such a tradition for this community and just proves that an artistic endeavor is worth it in building community and relationships.

Carrying A Theme In Worship

This post is part of CREATIVE CHAOS over on Carlos Whitakers blog
where each Thursday Artists gather to share a creative thought or activity they have used in their church or will use this weekend. You can visit the chaos here
Sometimes it's hard to carry a theme through a series. Summer time is especially hard-because people are in and out so much, one series themes are hard to pull off.
The Summer of 2007 was going to be a challenge as we were to have weekends with different speakers.
We knew that we wouldn't have consistent teaching from only one pastor during this period, so we needed a way to connect all of these stand alones. We were having about 4-5 different speakers during the summer.

So we came up with a Theme "LIFESONG", where each of the speakers would speak from a life verse that means someting to them or has impacted their life. So, there is no way to connect that except with a theme. We were drawn to this gerbera daisy from stockexchange photo. It was bright, summer like and clean. We also used the LIFESONG "song" as a theme song throughout the series.

We found a backdrop from Backdrops.usthat gave us a visual effect on stage. By in effect branding the series with the flower, we created consistency across our services. Now I canshow this graphic (less the words) to anyone and they can name me sermons and scriptures used. Effective? I think so.

We also asked the congregation to submit their favorite life verses during the series and used these during services.

In using a theme in worship, we've found that visual branding of a sermon series helps people to remember the teachings. In over 3 years of doing this, our retention of topic and teaching has increased. My last test showed that nearly 80% could recall title, text, and teaching clearly.

I'll be posting next week about new series "Winds of Change" where we've chosen the Windmill/Wind Turbine (since we're surround by a farm of 700 nearby) to show change and God's faithfulness. We have two backdrops from Backdrops.us (we sent them our pictures--not their stock photos) and are building light boxes with backlit logos. I think it too will be will remembered.

So my thoughts on themes:
1) Find a common metaphor/picture/story--explore how that can be expressed visually, verbally and through communication pieces.
2) Keep it broad--don't be too narrow. Allow space for it to breathe.
3) Connect uncommon things with a common graphic or representation. It can provide the umberella for things that would normally seem disjointed.
4) Color and Music can also be connectors to themes in music. Look for inspiration in color combinations in fashion, furnishings and more. Music can carry you week to week as a "theme" song is reinforcing the teachings.

What do you do to connect your services when a common scripture or section of teaching isn't used?

My First Blog--Really!

Ok, so I'm almost 2 years into this thing called blogging. What began as a way to communicate to my family while overseas has now turned into a passion and part of my life. I've blogged from Italy, India, Guatemala, London and Paris, and even in Texas and Tennessee!

In a way I've probably been blogging most of my life; now I have an avenue to express that to a wider audience.

In thinking about blogging, I probably began in 4th grade. (the picture to the left is my second grade picture-couldn't find the 4th grade). I had a very very creative teacher, Mrs. Cauley. I loved that class.

Anyway, she took one of her bulletin boards (a large one that went from floor to ceiling) and sectioned it off into squares about 12X12. She gave each of us in the class ownership of the board--to post what we wanted up there ( a picture, a story, a paper we were proud of, etc)

I remember how excited I was when we got the assignement. I would always try to think of what I was going to put up there, and usually I was the one changing it more than once a week. There were others who never posted and ones that posted only occaisionally. Mrs. Cauley would remind us "change your space..it's getting boring". My most creative--a salute to "Charlie Brown"--I created all of the Charlie Brown characters and wrote a story about each. (It was my first series!) I don't think I every put a test paper up there--but that was 34 years ago!

So,you see, I've been blogging for a long time. That was 1974-1975. Maybe Mrs. Cauley was on to something--she was always way ahead of her time! (She had a Dorothy Hamill haircut before Dorothy did).

Just thinking.....

What about you--what is your earliest memory that is like blogging?

Confessions Of A CF Husband: Surgery successful

Confessions Of A CF Husband: Surgery successful

Update on Tricia's Surgery--looks like it was successful.

This Is Me.... My Martial Arts Abilities

Even The Animals Are Artist

Confessions Of A CF Husband: 8 hours

Confessions Of A CF Husband: 8 hours

This is an update from Nate in North Carolina.  His wife is a Cystic Fibrosis patient who is currently undergoing surgery to replace both lungs.  She gave birth in January to their 13 week premature daughter.  Read his blog--you'll be blown away.  We've been captivated by their story and are praying for them right now.

Seven Layers of (Worship Space) Design

Today is Wednesday and it's time for Water Cooler Wednesday on Randy Elrod's blog. It's where creatives get together each week to share a thought or post about something creative. It's also where we talk about culture, art, music and more and try to figure out how we can make and impact on our society.


This information comes from Christopher Lowell's website.Lowell was one of the first persons that I ever heard speak about design. His weekly program on the Discovery Channel was a must for us as we taped (yes, videotaped) each of his shows each day and watched and were amazed at his creativity.


We still miss those "Christopher Lowell Shows". In Christopher's words--they were "Fabulous". He made things very basic and simple to understand. I would watch and say "Hey, we could do such and such". All inspired by Lowell. I believe you can still watch some of those episodes on line and his latest venture is also online where he applies the Seven Layers of Design.


One of his premises for design is that it is all done in layers and he came up with this formula for interior design. We've used it in our home and my office ever since we learned it on his show. It works. Here it is:

• Layer 1 Paint and Architecture (moldings, mantel)
• Layer 2 Installed Flooring (any floor surface that is wall to wall)
  
• Layer 3 High Ticket Upholstery Items (sofa, love seat)
  
• Layer 4 Accent Fabrics (area rugs and drapes)
  
• Layer 5 Non-upholstered Furnishings (the work horses of the room, end tables, chairs, coffee tables)
  
• Layer 6 Accessories (pictures, mirrors, candlesticks)
  
• Layer 7 Plants and Lighting

This got me to thinking one day about WORSHIP DESIGN. I wondered if it was possible to break down the design of worship into Seven steps. And so, here is my attempt to apply some of these principles to worship. See what you think.

• Layer 1: Foundational Truth: What is God's truth for today. What is it in one sentence that can summarize what you are trying to communicate today?
• Layer 2: Space/Architecture. Where do you have to do it? This one is big--because space will play the biggest part of the atmosphere and "feeling" of worship. Look at this picture--what type of worship would you find here? Sometimes it surprises you--but most of the time you can predict what type just by looking at the room.
  
• Layer 3: Personnel. Who do you have to carry it out? Just like architecture--this one is huge. How can you carry off something that your personnel have no gifting, training, etc for. You have only the capacity granted by the Spirit and brought by the team.
• Layer 4: Special Events. Are there an extra things added to today's worship--seasonal, etc. These will dictate some of the theme of the day.
• Layer 5: Equipment. What do I need to carry it out. You are only as good as your equipment. Believe me I've learned this over the years. If you can't get it out--doesn't matter how good it is coming in. Spend a good amount of your budget on quality goods.
• Layer 6: Visuals. What would it take to get to the next level of understanding? The senses--how are they engaged?
• Layer 7: Lighting. What mood do you want to set? I can't tell you how much this makes a differenct. I had a wonderful light set up in my last church--we used it everyweek. Here I have a basic stage lighting system--no color, etc. It makes a huge difference in the setting of the atmosphere of worship

I found this Tuesday night here .It talks about the seven deadly sins of design. Hmmm, could we be on to something with the 7's?

Next week I'll talk about his follow up to the Seven Layers-the Seven Layers of Organization. Heaven knows that we all could use it. I'm especially needy in this tax season for a quick primer.

*** thanks to Danny Poyner Jr. for the help with the title. You're right--Worship Space.

The Reason Pastor's Insurance Is So High!

Because of stalking members.... read this story here

I hope nobody in my choir twists off and shoots one another!

Mad Church Disease

I counseled a family member today about their church situation.  I'm constantly amazed how the experience in the local church is most often marred by an incident or series of experiences that make them feel like leaving the church forever.   It reminds me of Dan Kimball's book "The Love Jesus--They Just Don't Like The Church".  That makes me sad.

It also reminded me of this book which is scheduled to hit the stores in 2009.  Mad Church Disease is written by a Preacher's Kid who witnessed how the church destroyed her father as a minister.  Been there--done that.  I'm anticipating that it will have many common experiences from my past and maybe my entire immediate family should read it and discuss.  You can learn more about this book here.

What do you think?  Has this been your experience with church?

The Art of Family

This is my 70th post for the month.  I know, some of you may say "that's about 69 more than I needed this month."  But with the clock waning on the last day of the month of March, I just had to reach for the number 70.  It seems as if this blogging thing has become a regular part of each day for me.

I think throughout the day of what I can say when I get home.  Some posts are easy-some not so. When I found this graphic the other day, I thought it would be another hook for me to use to Post.  It will be about my family as artists.  I'm constantly being told by people how much they enjoy my family as artists and that the "apple doesn't fall far from the tree", but each of them in their own way is artistic and creative and for that I'm glad.  It truly is a part of me that I've passed on to them.

So welcome to the first post in THE ART OF FAMILY:  The making of a masterpiece.  I got this graphic here where artists in the church share 

their gifts with one another.

This picture is my son's.  Daniel brought it home the other day and laid it on the counter where I could see it when I came in the door.  I think he secretly wanted me to see it and make a comment about it.  It's a picture of a Jazz Musician that he made at school during a period where they were studying Jazz and in concert with Black History Month were talking about other Jazz Players.  It's all hand drawn and colored.  I like the black background which makes the man stand off the page.  He's got some promise in drawing...like his old man did, but didn't stick with it.

I hope to feature each of my children in their own artistry.  Each of them will be in a play this summer at our local playhouse, and they draw and create all the time.

What do your children do for creative activities? Do you encourage their artistry.

My Favorite Coffee Place

So, every day on Twitter I'm subject to posts from Randy Elrod about his favorite coffee spot in Franklin, Merridees.  It's a neat little bakery in the heart of Franklin and we stopped there when we were attending the Recreate conference in February.

We have a coffee house here, The Manhattan Coffee Shop and it's great, but it will never be the place for me.  My place is La Madeline's French Bakery. (For my friends in Atlanta--there are several near you--don't walk, run to this place).

I discovered La Madeline during an especially trying period in my life.  After the depature of our Sr. Pastor, I needed a spot to gather my thoughts each day before heading in to the office.  When you walk into LaMadeline, it looks like this picture.  Warm, welcoming, cozy, inviting and just a place where you can bring a book, paper or journal to think for a bit.  My place was always by the fireplace in the winter and by the bay windows in the spring.  Many a journal page (accompanied by tears) were written here.  Many scriptures were poured over and studied at those little wooden tables.  Several gallons of French Roast coffee with cream were downed in the search for God's will.  

Oh how I miss it and this morning a good friend texted me to say " I'm at 

LaMad for Bfast. Thinking of you".  I wrote back "It's a love hate thing with you".  If I could I would have been right there in the middle of it.  But I have to settle for my LaMad cup and my folgers coffee and dream of the days when I can get to this place.  Some of you have found Starbucks to be this place for you.  I'm glad-but for me it will never be LaMadelines!