The Case File

Are Bloggers Journalists?

2011-12-08T20:07:00.001-05:00

Mashable published a story this week about a blogger who was fine $2.5 million by a judge because they were not a journalist.

So that's the big question: are bloggers journalists?

In my opinion, it depends.

Some professional journalists blog as part of their job. They are journalists.

But just because an individual can post a blog, choose a topic, and begin to write does not qualify as a journalist, at least in my book.

To dub bloggers as journalists somewhat cheapens a profession that is dedicated to objective, fact-based reporting. Journalists are trained in their craft and hold an ethical standard in terms of reporting truth based on fact in an objective manner.

Journalism's credibility is supported by the checks and balances of the editorial process. While one could argue there is no such thing, all respectable news outlets employ some sort of editorial process that holds reporters accountable with regard to fact-checking and quality control. With most blogs, this one included, it's a one person show.

You can put me behind the wheel of a race car but that does not make me a race car driver. It makes me dangerous. The same goes for bloggers, IMHO.

What do you think?

Should bloggers enjoy the same protections as professional journalists?

Is there a threshold that defines when a blogger crosses over into the official realm of professional journalism?

New Public Relations Job Posting at Nationwide

2011-12-05T13:14:00.001-05:00

The Nationwide Corporate Communications department is looking for the right person to lead our Financial Services PR team. Click here to apply.

Here are the details:

Job Title: Director (H Band)

Job Code: 51504

Function: Communications

Family: Marketing & Strategy

Department: Corporate Communications

Job Description:

We’relooking for the right individual to lead a team of highly engaged associatesand provide strategic public relations support for Nationwide FinancialServices with an emphasis proactive PR, thought leadership, and reputationmanagement. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of developingeffective public relations campaigns and strategies that produce meaningfulresults. The ideal candidate must also demonstrate a history as an effectiveleader of people with an emphasis on collaboration. Strong executive presence,critical thinking, strategy-building and relationship management skills are amust. Experience in various aspects of the financial services industry ispreferred.

Thisindividual will be responsible for external communications support for theNationwide Financial organization and also will collaborate closely withinternal communications to provide counsel and support for the delivery ofcommunications content to internal, associate-based audiences. The positionwill report to AVP of Public Relations in Corporate Communications.

Core Duties andResponsibilities:

Summary: Accountable to lead communicationsteamwork with overall business unit and/or Corp Communications functionalresponsibility. Directs large-scalestrategic plans. Responsible forpainting a vision and driving the team toward accomplishing the vision. Responsible for driving the team to implementcomplex, strategic external communications programs. Directs the design and consultation to seniormanagement on strategic communication plans for the organization and/orspecified business unit.

1. Directs the design, development, production and distribution of strategically,complex external communications projects. Directs communication teams focused on marketing strategies, messagedevelopment, and communication plan development and implementation. Initiates and directs the development ofcomprehensive, integrated marketing communications plans to achieve marketing,sales and/or communications strategies and goals for a business unit.

2. Responsible for development, execution and measurement of strategicplans pertaining to their area of overall responsibility. Generally engages andis accountable to clients at senior management level.

3. Directs the planning, design, development and implementation ofcommunication strategies and programs at the company or division level forinternal/external audiences. Manages thedevelopment and implementation of strategic communication plans for seniormanagement in order to increase associates’ understanding of the business planand initiatives as well as to advertise and promote products and services,strengthen relationships, increase visibility within the industry, and buildcommunity awareness of the company and/or business unit as a respectedcorporate citizen.

4. Develops andoversees the consultation of complex communication strategies andproductions. Partners with businessleaders to develop marketing and communications strategies.

5. Directs theplanning, preparation and dissemination of information concerning the companythrough in-house publications, marketing materials audio-visual presentationsand video projects, and internet/intranet sites. Leads the evaluation on impact andeffectiveness of the materials and programs and provides recommendations tosenior management on new/revised communications practices, programs andstrategies.

6. Directs thedevelopment and implementation of communication plans, discussion guides,presentations and consulting contracts. Oversees the facilitation to senior management or leadership groups oncommunications planning and decision-making.

7. Directs the needsassessments, research and evaluation of possible solutions/alternatives, anddevelopment as well as presentation of proposals for new communication projectsand programs.

8. Develops andoversees the communication department budget. Oversees cost savings through effective budget managementprocedures. Determines the market andbudget for communication and advertising function for a particular businessunit.

9. Develops andimplements communication policies, procedures and practices for the companyand/or business unit.

10. Monitors andassesses project development, establishes quality standards, implementsprocedural changes and evaluates customer response/satisfaction.

11. Makesrecommendations to senior communications management on matters pertaining tostaff administration and operations improvement in their areas ofresponsibility.

12. Directs associatemanagement including: performance management, salary planning andadministration, training and development, workflow and organizational planning,hiring and placement, and disciplinary actions.

13. May help managevarious CAT duties as a representative of Corporate Communications. Duties maybe onsite or out of a designated office location.

14. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Undergraduate studies in communications, journalism,advertising or related field. Masterslevel degree preferred.

Typically 10 or more years related experience in acommunications field including developing and managing focused and actionable corporate communicationsprograms, editing and writing, communications coaching, developing andexecuting complex communications projects, budget management, managingassociates and working in a graphics production environment. Some experience in advertising and marketingis preferred. Must have a proven recordof strong leadership, sound judgment and good decision-making; and success ininfluencing senior leadership toward the right communications solutions. Experience managing a team of communicationsprofessionals.

Proven knowledge in communications techniques andstrategies. Proven knowledge in print,audio-visual, and Web production processes as well as layout and design rulesand concepts. Demonstrated knowledge inadvertising, public relations, and sales marketing communication concepts ispreferred. Proven knowledge in businessoperations and procedures, company structure, and organizational dynamics.

Must have the ability to be accountable for long-termcommunications projects, as well as quick turnaround assignments; and becomfortable directing large cross-functional teams toward a common goal.. Must have the ability to articulate a visionand drive the team to successful and measurable results. Must have the ability to interact, influenceand build a strong relationship with OCEO-level executives. Must have a strong sense of accountability increating and executing on strategies and projects needed to meet strategicneeds.

Must have the ability to analyze business strategies anddevelop communications plans and programs to meet client needs. Must be able to research, plan and developcommunication strategies, projects and programs. Must have the ability to influence and directcreative service teams that are not direct reports and to influence executiveleaders. Must have the ability toprepare and present verbal presentations and demonstrations translating complexpolicy and technical concepts to all types audiences. Must have high-level verbal and writtencommunication skills necessary to consult on communication planning to seniorleaders and to direct development of marketing and internal/externalcommunications materials to project team. Ability to manage both direct reports including management level andproject team members.

Regularly and consistently demonstrates the NationwideValues and Guiding Behaviors.

Staffing exceptions to the above Minimum Job Requirementsmust be approved by the: Vice Presidentand Human Resources.

Job Conditions:

Not Eligible (Exempt).

Normal office environment. Extended work hours may benecessary during periods of heavier volume of work. May be required to travelto field locations to provide media support for catastrophic (CATs) situations.

The above statements cover what are generally believed to beprincipal and essential functions of this job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some associates assigned tothe job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties.

Get that car ready for winter

2011-11-22T13:47:00.001-05:00

Ugh!! I hate winter. I'd much rather live in a warm weather climate year-round, but that is not my lot in life.

One thing I don't often give enough thought to is whether my vehicles are ready for the extreme cold, the ice,a and the snow. Failing to take some simple steps to get ready could actually prevent an accident, as I was reminded today by this video from our PR team here at Nationwide Insurance.

Simple tips here, but probably worth the time and effort. No sale here, just good information for those of us getting ready to head to grandma's house for Thanksgiving and beyond.....

VIDEO: Post-Mortem-Rick Perry does 'Letterman' Top 10 List

2011-11-11T07:37:00.000-05:00

Is this the way to mitigate a crisis?

Rick Perry ran into trouble in the debate this week when he twice forgot that the Department of Energy was one of the federal agencies his policy proposals would impact.

Now we've all forgotten what we were going to say (I do it every day), but the media treated this as if it were a nuclear gaffe that would knock Perry out of the race.

Seeming to learn from the slow and inconsistent reaction that got Herman Cain into trouble, Perry's PR team jumped into action immediately after the debate. The next morning he was on all the major TV shows positioning the error, coming across as human and approachable.

To cap it off, Perry ended his unexpected New York media tour with David Letterman. Check this out:

My favorite isn't in this clip. It was the one where he said he thought it would be a good idea to take the heat off of Herman Cain (LOL!).

This was a fast response to a potentially dangerous crisis by the Perry campaign. Instead of Rick Perry dealing with the image of a "forgetful buffoon", he attempted to own the error and begin restoring some credibility.

PR observations:

1. The Perry campaign acted quickly. They implemented a decisive, immediate plan. I'm most certain Rick Perry had other plans Thursday. But he was willing to listen to his team, scrap his schedule, and attempt to preserve his credibility.

2. They communicated in the right channel. This is a nuanced response. The "gaffe" was made on national TV. Instead of waging a war in the print media, the Perry team went right to work and booked their man on every national TV outlet that would take them. Has it paid off?

3. By proactively taking the bull by the horns, Perry's camp attempted to neutralize the controversy, shorten the media cycle, and move back to the campaigns regularly scheduled programming (i.e. get back on message).

It will be interesting to see how this response impact's Perry's polling numbers.

Do you think his response worked?

Or is he being too glib about forgetting the name of a major federal agency that is the focus of cuts?

Updated 11-12-2011

VIDEO: Marysville OH Marching Band at State Finals

2011-11-11T07:13:00.001-05:00

Here's the video of the Marysville High School Marching Band's performance at State Finals at Welcome Stadium in Dayton, OH on Sunday, November 6. This was by far the best and cleanest performance of the year by the entire band. Take note how many in the crowd stand to their feet during the playing of taps about 6:45 into the video. I waited until today to post to honor our veterans and service members who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. Congrats to the band on a great year!

Clipbook: This one is a keeper

2011-11-10T21:45:00.001-05:00

On a personal professional note, one of our thought leadership programs where I work focuses on positioning our chief economist in top tier media outlets. Today, we were honored to be invited to participate on Bloomberg TV's Surveillance, a mid-day TV show featuring Bloomberg icon personality Tom Keene. Here's the clip. We'll put this one in the trophy case. Thanks to the folks at Bloomberg for graciously hosting us today!

Instant Replay: "Upon further review" on Paterno's Termination

2011-11-10T19:54:00.001-05:00

Lots of great discussion generated by yesterday evening's late post about JoPa's termination at Penn State. Just to be clear, I'm looking at this disaster from a public relations point of view in terms of how to handle (or not handle) a reputation crisis. I'm not for or against Penn State or anyone involved, except for the kids who may have been victimized (I'm for the kids!).

UPDATE (November 12, 2011) I continue to think this through. The more I reflect on this situation from a PR stand point, the more I have to think that firing Joe Paterno and everyone else was the right move (as I originally asserted). In spite of the need for due process to have time to work, there are just too many witnesses in too many separate incidents that make it unconscionable for Paterno or anyone else involved to not contact the authorities and intervene on behalf of the alleged victims. Even if the allegations turn out to be false (unlikely given the number of separate incidents), grown men in positions of leadership should know better. They appeared to have acted not in the best interest of those who could not protect themselves. From a PR perspective, the University had to take action to begin to move past the crisis. I think the PR lessons below still apply. And I also think only time will tell us the truth (hopefully).

Just like instant replay in college football, this whole situation at Penn State is worthy of a review "from up in the booth."

Joe Paterno is no longer the head coach of the Penn State football team. Moral outrage abounds from pundits, students, fans, and detractors.

This one warrants and Official Time Out
Key developments like the one that unfolded last night are worthy of reflection and review. As I keep thinking about this situation, my PR mind keeps asking the question: Was it right to fire Joe Paterno? Or was it a knee jerk reaction forced upon Penn State at the hands of a ravenous media cycle?

Last night, I made the argument that the Penn State Board of Trustees pulled the trigger on the only action it could take with any credibility. Because none of the adults in this nightmare took appropriate action, the board was forced to take a "scorched" earth approach and boot the university president and Paterno.

A questionable call by PSU?

Rewind the tape: Still in question is why the Board did not relieve assistant Mike McQueary also. After all, he witnessed one of the alleged instances of pedophilia. By his own story, he did nothing to protect that poor child from the alleged actions of Jerry Sandusky. That is unacceptable. McQuery wasn't a geeky graduate assistant. He's a former giant college football player. He could have physically taken Jerry Sandusky out and removed the child from the alleged situation. But he says he didn't. Instead, he ran and called his daddy for advice.

Mike McQueary's comments are not fact. They are allegations. They have not been corroborated. We don't know of his motives. We don't know if he is telling the truth. The criminal justice system will have to figure this out. That will take time.

And this is why I'm taking another look at whether or not it was right to fire JoePa and the university president yesterday.

Nothing has been proven. It will take time for the system to sort the facts and make conclusions.

While I stand by the assertion that the Board of Trustees at Penn State did the only credible thing it could do yesterday, there is a part of my PR brain that believes it didn't have to come to last nights action...at least not yet.

The PSU Board's options were limited by it's delay in reacting

Rewind the tape: Penn State may have had other options had it jumped into action last weekend, immediately following Attorney General Linda Kelly's press conference outlining the indictment and allegations against Jerry Sandusky.

The fact of the matter is, it is true! You can indict a ham sandwich. An indictment is not a conviction. It is the first step in the legal process to provide a fair trial for individuals accuse of breaking the law.

As nasty and perverted as the information in that indictment actually is, Jerry Sandusky is innocent until proven guilty in these United States. That's hard for any of us to swallow, given the disgusting details laid out in the report. No one wants to try to defend Jerry Sandusky, but the reality is he is an American citizen and our rule of law demands he receive a fair trial.

The gravity and the appalling nature of the allegations led to an escalating media cycle, first in eastern PA, then spreading on every TV, laptop, iPad, and mobile device. By Tuesday morning, national papers were editorializing (and jumping to conclusions) that the indictment was fact, that Sandusky was guilty, and that Paterno must go. By that time, the media cycle had taken many Penn State's options off the table.

An Alternative Course???
But is it possible that had the Penn State leaders convened more quickly--say, within 24 hours of the initial story--that it could have taken action to mute the media outcry?

Suppose for instance that the Penn State leaders convened by phone or video conference Saturday. At that time, it may have been able to deliberate without the media pressure and realize that a major option could have been to suspend all involved in the debacle until the criminal justice system was allowed to run it's course.

Placing Paterno, the president, McQuery, and others on administrative leave, paid or un-paid, would have demonstrated serious action allowing the AG and others to do their jobs. Media scrutiny most likely would continue, but the University would have been perceived as taking responsible action in the face of a "worst case" scenario. It would have avoided looking like it was reacting to media rather than taking control of the situation. It could have bought time to allow the justice system to weigh the facts and help guide the ultimate disposition of the individuals involved.

It's likely JoPa still would have announced he would retire at the end of the season, but it may have avoided that dicey presser Wednesday evening and muted some of the perception that the University has a "look the other way" culture when it comes to protecting those who can't protect themselves.

And maybe this is all another reason why the president was let go, too.

Is there anything that could have been done to mute the media explosion? It's not likely, but it's interesting to ponder.

The Key PR Lessons
The lesson for crisis communications is four-fold.

1. First, when trouble is on the horizon, develop a plan of action. Penn State obviously failed on this front when they had to know this was coming at some point.

2. Second, when the crisis arises, the nature of the modern media cycle mandates that organizations act quickly. It took less than 72 hours for this situation to spin out of control for Penn State. With every day, viable reputation-preserving options were taken off the table.

3. Third, when a crisis develops, take the bull by the horns. Be proactive. Self-report. Get ahead of the story. If you don't, other parties will set the stage and determine the narrative in a time and manner that is not controllable.

4. Finally, above all else, stay calm and help your primary decision makers remain calm. This is almost a paradox in an environment where quick action is required. Calmer heads are needed in a crisis. Someone has to inject an air of rationality and calmness into the discussion about what to do. It's this ability to keep cool under the pressure that so often determines outcomes in crisis situations.

After further review....
After further review, only time will tell if Penn State handled this the right way. Yesterday, it acted decisively in the midst of a media frenzy threatening to destroy the reputation of the institution. They did the only thing they could do.

If it turns out there isn't enough hard evidence to convict Jerry Sandusky (you know you want to say "HE'S GUILTY" but I really hope it's all not true--for the sake of the kids), they'll have another crisis on their hands.

Could one of college's greatest figures be tarnished, quite possibly, for nothing? Not likely.

But only time will tell.

Joe Paterno Termination: A good move

2011-11-09T23:04:00.001-05:00

While the Penn State local media and the protesting (rioting isn't a fair description right now) students aren't happy with Joe Paterno's termination, it was the best move the board of trustees could make.

By removing JoPa and the president of the University, the board of trustees has made the move to protect the broader reputation of a great institution and to begin the process of moving on.

Even though the legal process has to work itself out and due diligence must be completed in the judicial system, the board could not allow the reputation of the University to be chipped away at through that long and likely arduous process.

This isn't a tattoo-gate situation, like at Ohio State. This situation involves the highest of taboos for our society--pedophilia. Whether or not the allegations are true is not the issue.

The moral obligation of Paterno and the administration to act decisively when the charges first arose are what drives the reputation risk in this case. And the fact that there are not just one, but apparently multiple allegations in play, makes the University look like it held football, JoePa, and the "clean" reputation of the institution above the welfare and safety of children.

Penn State may very well be in a "Catch 22" with the facts. But from a reputation standpoint, this is the right move.

Students will not understand. The local media in PA may not understand.

But when one steps back and gains broader perspective, the board of trustees had no choice but to act decisively now because no one else had done so up until this point. They had no choice.

And what really makes this a legitimate move to protect the University's reputation is that the president of the school was also terminated.

A sad way for a great football career to end. But that pales in comparison to lax attitudes about the welfare and safety of vulnerable children.

Sky Mall: A bag of laughs

2011-11-09T18:33:00.002-05:00

On the way back from a business trip, I couldn't resist scanning through the holiday edition of the Sky Mall magazine. You know the one I'm talking about. It's the catalogue they put in the seat pocket along with the evacuation directions and the barf bag.

For your reading enjoyment, I picked a few of my favorite items that really made me laugh and snapped some photos with my handy dandy iPhone 4S (the lady sitting next to me thought I was a weirdo--so true).

You can click on the photos to view an enlarged version. Why? Because I care. :-)

Here goes:

1. Vintage Express:
For just $99 (what a bargain) wine lovers can use this device to age wine by years in just 10 seconds. Apparently, powerful magnets can turn Welch's Grape Juice into finely aged wine. Just don't sit your credit cards or computer down next to this puppy, or they will get aged right out of usefulness. I'm no connoisseur of wine, but I'm pretty sure this one fails to pass the smell test. Epic fail. And no, this is not how Jesus turned water into wine. :-P

2. MythBuster Bobble heads

Now I'll admit, I'm fond of the show MythBusters on the Discovery Channel, but my passion must not run as deep as die hard fans. I saw these and they automatically made by 21st century knick knack list.

3. Wristband iPhone holder
Now Myth Busters may not be your thing. And you may not be a purveyor of fine wine, but you have an iPhone or a smart phone, don't you? Wouldn't it be great if you could lock that iPhone or Android phone to your wrist for ease of use (just don't high five anyone...or no more phoney). This is insane. My favorite value proposition: Never misplace your smartphone again. If you do invest and you are a man, also invest in shirts with much larger cuffs on the sleeves. Better yet. Wear your Wristband iPhone holder with that trendy button-up short-sleeve Oxford. Nice.

4. Spiked hair hat
Forget those "Just Hair For Men" products. I also skipped over the LED baldness treatment helmet (really!) to share this dandy solution for the folliclely (is that a word?) challenged. Ladies, get him that Spike Hair Hat for Christmas. It'll make him look.....different. Wow! Take a look....

5. The Brobdingnagian Sports Chair

The B..... Chair. Wha-huh???
Really, Gulliver?
$150!!!??
If you want to know what it is like to be a Hobbit at a "Picnic of Man"...this is for you.

6. The Slanket

Look out Snuggie. The Slanket is creeping up on you. Welcome to the "white elephant" gift of 2011. This one just made me shake my head. Click the pic and take a good hard look! My favorite is the Siamese version. Awwww.....

These are all real and available on SkyMall.com apparently.

All signs of a decaying society.

Which one is your favorite?

P.S. I have no connection at all to SkyMall. I couldn't resist the silly factor here.

Yes Siri !!!

2011-10-16T21:43:00.000-04:00

After spending a weekend with the iPhone 4S, I'm quickly coming to the conclusion that Siri is going to be a breakthrough technology for all smart phones that come to market from here forward.

In my original post about iPhone 4S, I'll admit I poo-poo'd Siri, but that was before I had a chance to interact with it. Sounds like many others are in the same boat.

Voice technology is not new. It's been around on smart phones for a few years, most notably well done by Google. Many automobile's have voice technology built in. But for both Google and the vehicles, you have to learn a certain "language" to make it work. You have to think to make the technology work.

But this is where Siri is revolutionary. You don't have to think.

For example, on Saturday night we were looking for a place to sit down and eat dinner following the band contest at Ohio Stadium.

Red Lobster was our first stop, but the wait was 40 minutes. We decided to check out Ted's Montana Grill (one of our favorites). Instead of gambling on a similar wait, I decided to call ahead.

Enter Siri.

I activated the device and simply said "Give me the phone number for Ted's Montana Grill." Within seconds Siri pulled the number from the internet and asked me if I wanted it to call. I said "yes" and within about 30 seconds we found out there was no wait at Ted's. We were eating within 15 minutes.

Had I had my Samsung Fascinate, the process would have worked like this:

Activate the internet browser app.
Enter Ted's Montana Grill Dublin Ohio on the key board.
Hit Search
Wait for the results
Find the phone number
Hit the "Call" phone number that comes up in Google.

Six steps.

With Siri, I asked one question and had the info.

With Siri, I didn't have to think. The experience was simple and seamless.

I'm going to continue to explore Siri's ability. Apple strives for a seamless, excellent experience.

Siri has delivered so far, better than any voice control I've seen so far.

Another win for Apple.

Marysville High School Marching Band at Ohio Stadium

2011-10-16T21:15:00.000-04:00

Here's the Marysville Monarch High School Marching Band performance at the Buckeye Invitational held on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at Ohio Stadium. This is my first video shot with the iPhone 4S camera. The HD quality version is incredible.

The band received a superior rating, including a drum line score of 9.2. The Marysville band was very competitive with the top bands at the competition.

Taking the Punge with iPhone 4S

2011-10-15T14:47:00.002-04:00

I've made my choice.

On impulse, I have taken the plunge with iPhone 4S.

I did not pre-order as millions did. I did not get up early and stand in line.

Nope. I got home from work Friday evening at 5:30. I ate dinner. I decided to drop by McDonalds for a sweet iced tea, and there was the Verizon store.

On a whim, I decided to go inside and see how long it would take receive delivery of an iPhone on order. Of course they'd have sold out by now.

But to my surprise, they still had phones in stock. It was 6:05 p.m After picking the white 32GB model, I was out the door with within 30 minutes (it took a little longer than expected to transfer my contacts).

All I can say is, "Wow, what a great phone." It was definitely one of the smoothest upgrades I've encountered...and I've upgraded many times (Let's face it, my Verizon buddy Kailyn knows me by name! :-) )

After bringing the phone home and doing an initial tether sync with my Macbook Pro, I was set to go.

Super Speed
So far, this phone is FAST. It is faster and smoother than any smartphone I have ever owned. My wife has an iPhone 4 and this phone is noticeably smoother and faster than hers.

Camera
The camera on the phone produces super fine pictures. I'll take some video and share soon.

Battery
The battery life blows my Samsung Fascinate away. The Fascinate with Froyo was a power suck. You could watch the battery charge go down as soon as you turn on GPS or BlueTooth. Not so with the iPhone 4S. I'll keep you posted on battery life.

Siri
The "cool" factor for iPhone 4S is Siri. Like the demonstrations and the reviews, Siri is pretty convenient to check the weather or to find a nearby restaurant. But beyond that, I haven't found additional uses. I hope that changes over time. I didn't buy the phone for Siri, and I'm glad I didn't because it feels kind of overblown.

Twitter Integration
The other thing I want to explore a little bit more is the "deep Twitter" integration built into iPhone's iOS5. I own an iPad, and iPad2 and a MacBook Pro. So far, I'm not seeing the value of the "deep Twitter integration", but I'm willing to give it time.

Retina Display
The Retina display on iPhone 4s (like iPhone 4) is spectacular. I was reading a book on the Kindle app while waiting to get my hair cut this morning and the letters on the screen were as rich and clear as on my wife's Kindle app. When the iPad get's Retina display, it will be like going from regular to HD TV.

Phone Call Quality
I've made a few brief phone calls on the iPhone 4S. Funny, you don't hear much about phone call quality in the reviews. It's OK, but I'll have to admit that the Fascinate is on par, maybe better. The iPhone 4S has a better speaker phone than the Fascinate.

Speakers
The speakers built in to iPhone 4S provide rich sound. They are located on the bottom of the phone and it actually has better sound quality than the iPad 2. I don't like the speaker on the back of the beveled side of the iPad 2. You have to cup your hand around the speaker or set it next to a solid backdrop to get rich sound while watching the screen (but that's a different review, right?).

My one bit of advice for anyone considering a purchase of the iPhone 4S: if you can afford it, go for the 32GB version. My experience with iPod Touch, and iPad is that 16GB is just not enough when you load apps, video, music and photos together. Go bigger. You will be disappointed if you don't.

So far so good on iPhone 4S. I'm simply delighted by the speed and responsiveness of the device. I'm also delighted to be entirely on the Apple platform with my devices. iCloud and wireless synching seem to be very natural. More on both of these coming soon.

Update: Here are some pictures I took with the iPhone 4S camera:

2011 Marysville High School Band at Findlay

2011-10-04T21:28:00.000-04:00

Here's video of the Marysville High School Marching Band performing at Donnell Stadium in Findlay, Ohio on October 1.

The Monarchs received a superior rating. They also won overall best percussion and tied for overall best color guard.

The show this year is entitled "America's Greatest Generation" and features an awesome rendition of the "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy from Company B" as well as a heart touching tribute to those who died in World War II.

A great show with lots of potential. Still needs work on music tone and overall marching, but a very impressive outing.

iPhone 4S: The Choice

2011-10-04T21:19:00.002-04:00

So, here we are.

Tim Cook announces the iPhone 4S to the world today and I've got a decision to make. Do I dive in and take the iPhone plunge? Or should I stick with my Samsung Fascinate and save my pennies for the iPhone 5?

From reviewing the stories posted on blogs and across the internet, it appears that most of the folks anticipating Apple's big announcement today were not impressed. All of the rumor mills were predicting a new iPhone 5 and Apple didn't deliver.

Should we blame Apple? Not really. Today they delivered another fabulous product (probably the best smart phone on the market).

We have blame the gadflies who gin up bogus rumors and get the market so excited that it actually impacts the mindsets of investors. Fortunately, most analysts believe that while Apple under-impressed with iPhone 4S that the company will still sell millions of units of the updated device.

So that brings me to my choice? Take the dive on 4S? Or stick with the Fascinate for another year?

iPhone 4S looks pretty impressive, especially with iCloud and iOS update. I'll have to sleep on this one.

Choices, choices.....

What are you going to do?

Web 3.0? Pay-for-content is here to stay

2011-08-16T16:18:00.002-04:00

If all on-line content came at a price, what would you cut? What would you keep?

In just the past hour, I've come upon news articles and emails that signal the end is near.

That is, the end for free video content on the web.

Now that Fox and ABC are pulling back on free video content, we're starting to really see the pay-for-content online era open up.

Add in major publications like The New York Times putting in place a pay wall earlier this year and it's hard to deny we're really starting to see this monetization of content build momentum.

Web 3.0? What's your plan?
Is this Web 3.0? And if it is, will it work or will it be a bust?

I don't know about you, but I'm already strategizing about which content I will pay for and which I will decide to do without. Here's my current strategy:

I get content from The Wall Street Journal on my iPad via my work subscription. I haven't picked up a paper version of the Journal for nearly two years...and I don't miss it. But I love the WSJ iPad app and read it daily.
I pay for the The Daily, News Corps on-line digital paper that comes in at 99 cents a week. However, I'm strongly considering canceling because the unique content is limited and the pretty iPad presentation just isn't worth it.
I pay for Netflix and will continue to do so. However, I'm considering switching my home Internet to Time-Warner to take advantage of TW's online iPad feature. I'm waiting for the legal eagles to get the contract issues straightened out before I jump.
I've resisted subscribing to The New York Times, although they've begun to woo me with 8 weeks of unlimited access for 99 cents. When the Times put up the pay wall and limited free access to 20 stories a month, I pretty much tuned out. The Times is a great paper, but the value proposition for the current subscription structure is just too steep for me. The WSJ is sufficient, supplemented by the 20 free stories a month here. Sorry NYTimes. There's a recession on, ya' know!

I anticipate regional papers to begin the pay wall process soon, following the footsteps of the Times. I view the new Columbus Dispatch website as a set up to charge for content by the beginning of 2012, although that is totally speculation on my part. When this happens, I'll probably have to re-evaluate my on-line budget outlay.

And don't even get me started if sites like Mashable start charging for content.

What do you value?

Regardless, as more an more on-line content comes with a fee attached, we'll all start quickly prioritizing our resources and looking for the best value.

So how much would you pay for on-line access to Modern Family?

If all on-line content came at a price, what would you cut? What would you keep?

When Social Media Intersects with Your Personal Life

2011-08-15T13:02:00.004-04:00

With great power comes great responsibility. That's not just a great line from "Spiderman". It's a law that applies to social media.

PR News published this report today regarding organizational social media policies and the the intersection of social media with the personal lives of individuals.

In the article, authors Ken Wisnefski and Jessica Cortez offer the following tips for personal media use:

To protect your organization as much as you can, Cortes has these suggestions:

• Discourage employees from friending clients, and discourage managers from friending subordinates.

• Spell out that permission is needed to post company content and views on personal sites (unless such information is already publicly available) and for employees to post anything on the company’s site or blogs, or anywhere else “on behalf of” the company.

• If an employee does disparage your organization online, don’t ignore it. “Go to the employee and talk about the post,” says Cortes. “Don’t let the situation escalate.” PRN

This study provides some great insights, but I'm not sure I agree with the tip discouraging employees from friending clients or co-workers.

I'm a proponent of the theory that individuals cannot successfully compartmentalize their social media lives. And therefore, any professional who engages in social media should appropriately understand the power that lies at their fingertips.

Social media is an extension of an individual's personal brand. What you tweet or share is an extension of who you are. So when you push that button, you better have thought through the implications and be prepared to live with the consequences.

My personal opinion about social media is shaped by those words Momma so often declared: "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything."

So as I reflect on the new insights and information in this article, I'm left with these observations:

Every organization needs a social media policy for it's employees. For those organizations that don't provide guidelines, don't be shocked when something bad happens.
Every individual who participates in social media needs to understand what you share in the social sphere can and will be used against you (almost like social media Miranda rights).

Use discretion and good judgment when posting at all times.

By following this simple rule, a lot of trouble can be avoided.

The problem is that some people just can't help themselves and, unfortunately, have to learn the hard way.

Public Relations Job, Columbus, Ohio

2011-08-03T17:27:00.000-04:00

ARE YOU THE ONE?

I'm looking to fill the position below at Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. This will be a great job for the right candidate who can drive a national PR campaign over a long period of time. We have a very talented chief economist who is media trained and ready to unleash to top-tier print and broadcast reporters. I need someone who can maximize this great opportunity to build Nationwide's brand and reputation.

Drop me an email for more information: casej6@nationwide.com

THE OFFICIAL DESCRIPTION

Job Description:

Provide PR support for Nationwide’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), including financial reporting, thought leadership, and reputation management. This individual is responsible for external communications support for the Finance organization and also will collaborate closely with internal communications to provide counsel and support for the delivery of communications content to internal, associate-based audiences. Position will report to AVP of Public Relations in Corporate Communications.

Core Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Plan, develop, execute, and measure PR support for Nationwide’s quarterly operating results (20 percent)

2. Plan, develop, execute, and measure ongoing national PR campaign for Office of the Chief Economist, including coordination of social media, blogs and other non-traditional communications channels. (65 percent)

3. Plan, develop, execute, and measure external reputation support for issues relating to the Office of the CFO (ratings updates, business development activity, etc.). (15 percent)

4. Partner with internal communications client manager supporting the CFO and the Office of the CFO.

5. Manage demanding clients while driving meaningful PR results that are aligned to the overall corporate PR strategy.

6. The candidate will be responsible for managing and expanding an established high-profile, national media relations campaign for the Office of the Chief Economist, promoting Nationwide’s brand and reputation.

7. The candidate will also successfully be able to be agile in a complex organization, collaborating with peers, effectively counseling clients, and producing results that support and align to the organization’s mission and vision.

8. Will perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Job Requirements:

1. Education: Undergraduate degree in Public Relations, Journalism, or Communications. Business communications background preferred.

2. Experience: 7 - 10 years experience in public relations with a track record of producing national results on a regular basis.

3. Skills and Competencies: Demonstrate strong client management and counseling skills; strong writing and editing skills, fluent with AP writing style; proven ability to partner/collaborate in a matrix environment; strong ability to manage/co-ordinate PR agency resources; strong social media acumen; strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills; proven ability to effectively create, manage, and track budgets; frequent travel required to facilitate media tours and support PR events, strong understanding of insurance and financial services industry/products, financial reporting, and macro-economics, ability to collaborate with internal communications, general counsel, business unit, marketing and finance partners

4. Values: Regularly and consistently demonstrates Nationwide values and guiding behaviors.

5. Staffing exceptions: Staffing exceptions to the above Minimum Job Requirements must be approved by the VP of Corporate Communications and the HR executive. Role will not directly support Nationwide Realty Investors.

Job Conditions:

1. Overtime Eligibility: Not eligible (exempt)

2. Working Conditions: Normal office environment. Extended work hours may be necessary during work periods of heavier volume of work. Travel required as necessary.

3. Salary: H band, based on experience

Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg "Do's and Don'ts"

2011-07-05T20:39:00.000-04:00

Our family has visited the Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg area a number of times and we always leave saying we'll be back.

Since we have visited several times, we've begun to compile a list of "do's and don'ts" regarding a visit to the Smokies. This list is really just my opinion. You may have other tips. Feel free to share below.

Do:

If you can afford it, skip the hotel on the strip and consider renting a cabin. We've stayed at Dollywood Vacations, Star-crest Resort, Sugar Maple Cabins, and The Preserve Resort. By staying in a cabin, you can cook your own food and enjoy great views and activities during your down time. It sure beats stuffing the family in a one-or-two room hotel.
Visit the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. I'm amazed at how many people never make it past Gatlinburg. The park is beautiful...and it's free!!!
Climb to the top of Clingman's Dome in the park. It's a hike, but the view is worth it.
Visit the Foothills Parkway on the west end of the park. Great views, fewer crowds, and totally worth the drive.
If you plan to spend your time in the carnival atmosphere of the Parkway in Pigeon Forge or the main drag in Gatlinburg, bring lots of cash. You can burn $100 in less than 5 minutes.
Paid destinations we found to be a great value: Ripley's Aquarium, Cirque de Chine, Applewood Farms, Dixie Stampede.
Plan lots of picnic lunches. Whether in the National Park or on the strip, you'll save a ton of dough by packing your lunch. Our favorite picnic spot in Pigeon Forge is Liberty Park next to the Old Mill Restaurant.

Don'ts:

Avoid arriving on Saturday afternoon / evening. The traffic is the worst. Think "travel one mile in one hour" type of traffic.
Avoid the Walmart on the parkway for grocery shopping. There are several other grocery stores off the strip that are less crowded. Try the Kroger on Rt. 321, Light #3.
Don't forget good walking shoes. There is lots to see and a lot of walking. Flip flops don't cut it.

I'll update this list as more things come to mind. If you have tips you'd like to add, just post below.

Smoky Mountain "must see": Foothills Parkway

2011-07-04T15:01:00.000-04:00

The entrance to Foothills Parkway
from Rt. 321

If you want great views of the Smoky Mountains without the fuss and hassle of all the crowds and cranky drivers, we may have an option for you to try.

The Smoky Mountain Foothills Parkway is a hidden gem on the west side of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. While the kabillions of tourists flock to the attractions in the center of the park like Laurel Falls, Cades Cove and Clingman's Dome, we found the Foothills Parkway to offer extraordinary views with very little traffic.

To find the Foothills Parkway, you have to travel west out of Pigeon Forge on Rt. 321. Go all the way to Townsend and then keep going for about 10 more minutes. It's about a half-hour away from the Parkway in Pigeon Forge, but the drive is beautiful and well worth the effort.

Look Rock

Don't miss the path to climb up
to the Look Rock tower.

One of the key features on the parkway are several parking areas that feature spectacular views of both the Smoky Mountains to the east and south, as well as the region to the west of the park. You can tell when the designers of the parkway were planning this route, they expected the same type of crowds you will find stopping at Laurel Falls or Cades Cove. But incredibly, there was hardly anyone out here with us, and we were here at peak season right before the July 4th weekend.

Look Rock is about midway through the drive. When you arrive, you'll find a nice viewing stand near the parking area. But don't miss the crosswalk that takes you a half-mile further up the mountain side to the Look Rock viewing Tower. From here you can take in an incredible view on a clear day. We were fortunate. The haze wasn't too bad. We were able to see as far away as Knoxville to the west while able to take in Mount Le Conte and Clingman's Dome to the east.

Look Rock Tower

Following our visit to look rock, the rest of the ride south provides beautiful views and you wind up at Chilhowee Lake created by Fontana Dam. We wound up having a picnic along the water. During our rest, we noticed the damage caused earlier by an EF4 tornado that ripped through the western part of the park. The damage is pretty extensive, but the park is so big, the scope of the damage appears relatively small.

Recommendation
If you are coming all the way to the Smokies for vacation, we'd recommend that you invest the time to visit the Foothills Parkway. The views are worth the drive....and it's free!

Panoramic view from Look Rock Tower
Smokies to the left, Maryville to the right.

Cirque de Chine: Put on your Pigeon Forge, TN "to do" list

2011-07-04T14:22:00.002-04:00

We've been to Pigeon Forge several times. One of the reasons we keep coming back is the wide variety of quality attractions and the great access to nature that the area has to offer.

While you have to be careful about which attractions you chose, some are worth the investment of both time and money. Cirque de Chine at the Smoky Mountain Palace is one of those attractions.

If you like demonstrations of physical strength, daring stunts, and blazing motorcycles (yes, motorcycles), you will enjoy Cirque de Chine. The cast of 40+ individuals hail from China and bring a variety of talents that kept our entire family engaged.

Quality venue
When you arrive at the Cirque venue, you'll be pleased to find a well kept, fairly new facility that looks fairly classy for the Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg area. One gets accustomed to the "down home" feel of the south. Here you feel like you are in a much more urban environment. It feels more like a nice movie theater than anything else. It's air conditioned, has nice theater seating, has clean restrooms and facilities. We reserved our tickets on line for the 2pm show on a Tuesday, but there were plenty of seats. If you do reserve on line, you'll save $3 a ticket.

Amazing talent
There is some pretty amazing talent at Cirque de Chine. Each segment of the show lasts about 10 to 15 minutes accompanied by great lighting, dramatic background music and amazing feats of balance, strength and daring. Consider the following:

8 to 10 ladies riding a single bicycle...with ease.
A woman performing daring acrobatics 20 feet in the air using a 30 foot long red drape.
An incredible demonstration of balance.
And a juggling act you have to see to believe.

Sounds like a circus, right? It is, but it is performed with an element of grace and Far Eastern nobility that is totally out of place in Pigeon Forge. I think that is what makes Cirque de Chine so appealing. You really don't expect to find entertainment like this on a strip that promotes events like "Dixie Stampede" or "The Comedy Barn".

The kicker act is the finale which entails 4 motorcyclists riding 30 to 40 mph in a giant 40 foot steel sphere. Incredibly dangerous. Elegantly performed with class and penosh.

Good value
Our visit to Cirque de Chine cost $92 for all five us of us. As mentioned before, we bought tickets in advance on line and that cut $15 from the total price. In terms of value, you get a nicely paced show that is off the beaten path of the "hillbilly" theme that dominates Pigeon Forge. The show was two hours long with a 15 minute intermission.

Recommendation
For my teenaged sons, they all liked the acts and are still talking about some elements in passing. I think that's a good sign. You can spend $90 to $100 a lot quicker and in a less satisfying manner in a ton of places in Pigeon Forge.

We thought this one was worth the money.

Exploring at Tuckaleechee Caverns

2011-06-28T12:03:00.003-04:00

Vicki & the boys @Tuckaleechee
Visitor Center

If you are up for a moderate adventure on your trip to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, you may want to set aside some time visit the Tuckaleechee Caverns.

For our family, we can only take so much of the Parkway drama in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. So on our second day at The Preserve Resort near Townsend, I pulled up Google Places on my iPad.

(Note: If you haven't tried Google Places, it is a great location-based mobile site / app that allows you to find nearby attractions that may wind up being hidden gems. Gotta love mobile technology.)

Look close: Can you see the woman
in a flowing dress (dead center)

Tuckaleechee Caverns is about a 10 minute drive away from where we are staying and maybe 25 minutes from Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg.

Moderate adventure
We've been to a couple of cave tours in our day, namely Ohio Caverns in East Liberty, Ohio, but nothing that compares to the scale of Tuckaleechee caverns. It's hard to believe this cave was found decades ago by bored 6 and 8-year-old (!).

They say this is about
30,000 yrsold. No touchy!

You know right from the start you are in for a treat when you have to walk down 87 pretty narrow steps to get into the cave. Oh, and that's after you walk into the basement of the Tuckaleechee Caverns visitor center. There are two main areas of the Caverns. The first is an up and down hike that will take you into a vast chamber that measures 300 x 300 x 400 feet. You could fit a football field in this chamber, up, down and all around. In here, they shut off the lights to show you just how dark that dark can be. Hard to imagine those little boys explored all of that area with small lanterns!

This is the huge cavern. See the
little man in the middle. It's about
300 x 300 x 400 ft

There are a number of gorgeous rock formations to take in as part of the trail. The imagination doesn't have to run too wild to see things in the shadows, but you never feel like you are alone or in danger. The tour is well lit, but you will want to wear your tennis shoes and hang onto the rails.

The second part of the tour is much more flat and takes you to several waterfalls and springs. At one point, they even let you take a sip of the water that is running in the underground stream that help create these caverns. BEST WATER EVER!

Great Value
Like most attractions in the Smokies that aren't in the National Park, you have to pay-to-see. But this is a pretty good value. For $81, our family of five took the tour. It last over an hour and fifteen minutes and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. Another perk is that on a hot summer day or a cold winter day, it's a moderate 58 degrees Fahrenheit all the time.

Recommendation
Our family gave the Tuckaleechee Caverns "thumbs up" all the way around. It was a great little "adventure" to begin our week of vacation in the Smokies. We'd recommend it to families that are mobile. There are so many steps that this can't be recommended for folks who are immobile. Definitely no wheelchair access. We saw many families with small kids and it didn't seem to be a problem.

Hike in Wears Cove

2011-06-27T15:47:00.003-04:00

We took a brief jaunt into the the Great Smokey Mountain National Park today.

While most folks come into the park thru Gatlinburg or Townsend, we opted to sneak in at Wears Valley. There is a nice little road that takes you to the Little Brier School.

There is a nice half-mile trail behind the school that we hiked. Its not to bad. The trail takes you across a few narrow footbridges, up a hill and you wind up on the main stream that runs from Gatlinburg to Cades Cove. You can cross a footbridge to a picnic area. It's a pretty cool trail because we found some unique vegetation on the path that I've not seen this far north.

One of the great things about the Smokies is the variety of new little places like this that you can find.

Afterwards, we had a picnic and headed back to the cabin for some AC.

Review: MyWeather.com app for Android

2011-06-27T12:08:00.002-04:00

The MyWeather.com app for Android is the best weather app I have been able to find. Unlike the app provided by The Weather Channel or the one's that leverage AccuWeather, this app is very fast and very functional on my 3G Fascinate.

You can load multiple locations and easily move from forecast to weather radar map to hourly conditions.

For the Android platform this is the best weather app in terms of speed and functionality. It has even worked pretty well when I'm just in 1X coverage areas....which seems to be more and more frequent on Verizon Wireless these days.

TWC and AccuWeather need to invest more for the Android platform but both are preferred on the iOS side of the house.

Pics of the MyWeather.com app for Android:

-- Post From My iPad

Best way to shop for groceries in the Smokies

2011-06-27T08:45:00.001-04:00

If you ever decide to go to Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg and stay in a cabin, you really have to give serious consideration to the services of the Smokey Mountain Grocery Store.

A Great Solution

We are frequent visitors to this destination. We love to stay in different cabins and take in the variety of attractions in the area. The one thing we always dread is that initial trip to the grocery store when we first get to town. Hauling a weeks worth of groceries from the Buckeye State to Gatlinburg is not ideal, especially since we're already packing luggage for five already in our Honda Odyssey.

In preparation for our most recent trip to the Smokies, I came across a Facebook post by the folks at The Preserve Resort (where we stayed). The Preserve was responding to a post by a pending visitor looking for the nearest grocery.

We've been here at least a dozen times. I'd never heard of SMGS, so I hit the link to check it out.

This is an AWESOME service. My wife made up her list. She sends our sons to the store often, so this was no big deal. She also has a "master list" already created based on past trips to this beautiful region. We then went to the SMGS website, uploaded everything we needed, entered a credit card and that's all it took! Easy as pie.

Great Customer Service

We could get used to this. Neither of us like to go shopping for groceries, especially on vacation. The folks at Smokey Mountain Grocery were great. We uploaded the list two days prior to our arrival at The Preserve Resort. The next day, we got a phone call seeking to confirm the list. It was pretty straightforward.

Then on our drive south, Victoria's iPhone rang. They were checking on an alternative to an item we had listed but was not available. Then a few hours later, Victoria remembered she needed whipped cream for a jello cake she was going to make. No problem.

Great Value and Convenience

When we arrived at our cabin (after 7 hours in the van), we walked in to a fully stocked kitchen, with all our food ready to go. As Victoria looked through the list, she checked several price tags on the food. Same price. No mark up. Now some items (like milk) are just more expensive in a tourist area like Pigeon Forge. We can live with that. But for just an additional $25 fee to do the shopping for us, it was well worth it.

The folks at the SMGS even called the next day to make sure that we had everything we needed! This is a great service that I'd highly recommend.

We will use Smokey Mountain Grocery Store every time we pay a visit to the area in the future.

Our Stay at The Preserve (Townsend, TN)

2011-06-26T23:00:00.000-04:00

We're spending a week at The Preserve, a mountain top resort on northern edge of the Smokey Mountains, near Townsend, TN.

Getting There
Be prepared for a beautiful ride as you make your way from Pigeon Forge to this secluded destination. It's only about 15 minutes away from all of the attractions along the main drag in Pigeon Forge and is moments away from the Townsend entrance to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.

When you are arrive at The Preserve, you are greeted by a rustic chapel (a popular wedding locale), main facility, pavilion, swimming pool and beautiful view. We arrived late on Saturday night, picked up our check-in packet and zipped quickly down to our cabin, the Blissful Bungalow.

A Great Value
We've vacationed in this area for several years, and our family agrees that the quality of the cabin and the value are unparalleled.

The cabins at The Preserve are top-quality, modern log cabins that hold all the conveniences of home and much more. On top of the fully equipped kitchen, this particular cabin has a nice 52-inch HD TV, pool table, foos-ball, hot tub and a gorgeous view of the Smokies and natural wild life. It's quiet and relaxing, but there is plenty to do. These cabins are not commercial hotel rooms. They are privately owned homes that are luxurious, comfortable and cozy.

If you are planning a trip to Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg for a week, seriously consider renting a cabin like this rather than staying in a hotel. The view itself is worth it. Additionally, you'll be able to prepare your own food. For our family, that is a big deal. We like to eat out, but doing that 7 days in a row makes for cranky bellies and longing for a home-cooked meal. A thumbs up to the Smokey Mountain Grocery Store. We pre-ordered all our groceries and they delivered our goods prior to our arrival. More on this service in a future post.

Service
You'll also be impressed by the customer service and responsiveness of the staff. Our first evening here, the upstairs air conditioner had frozen over. We found a note on the door stating that the service man should pay us a visit that evening to fix. Let me tell you we were all shocked when he showed up (7PM on a Saturday night) and fixed the problem. I thought for certain there was no way a service man would come to fix the problem on a Saturday night. Apparently, no problem!

Always Something New

We've rented cabin's like this at least a dozen times and have rarely been disappointed. We've come to really enjoy the nature and the variety that this area offers. While we're not fans of the commercialized tourist trap that is the Parkway in Pigeon Forge, we've found the area has so much to offer that every time we come back we find something new that we really love. We also have favorite attractions we'll take in almost every time we are here.

If you want to know how to "do" Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, we're building up quite a bit of experience.

I'll try to share some of those tips in coming posts.

Thoughts on sharing the Christian faith in a post-Christian society

2011-05-15T17:43:00.005-04:00

Christianity holds the exclusive claim that Jesus is the only way to the Father in Heaven.

How we present this exclusive truth in a post-Christian society is something every Christian struggles with, whether they realize it or not.

There are two main ways Christians handle this precious Truth.

The "silent treatment"
The "bully pulpit"

The "silent treatment" group seeks to avoid conflict with people from other faiths or with those who don't believe in God. They hide behind the veil of "peacemaker" and don't say much about the exclusivity of Jesus at all. They don't want to offend friends, family members, co-workers, etc with the message of exclusivity and are uncomfortable claiming to hold "the Truth" over the heads of these individuals. So they stay silent regarding matters of faith. This group feels passionately about their own belief in Jesus, but they do not want to drive a wedge between themselves and those who do not buy into the exclusivity of Jesus.

The "bully pulpit" group is loud and proud about their faith and the exclusivity of the Gospel. They feel it is their duty to "offend" the secular world with the "Truth of the Gospel." In their minds, this is part of the Great Commission directive received from Christ. They are more than willing to confront the lost and non-believers, driven by their sincere faith and zeal. The "bully pulpits" believe they have a mandate and sometimes their presentation of the Gospel comes across like a hammer rather than a hug. They will say "the Truth hurts", unaware or not caring that their presentation of the Gospel comes across as non-loving or worse, not appealing at all. And they will often say they act and speak "out of love." They are sincere. They believe with all their heart. But they drive a wedge between themselves and those who do not buy into the exclusivity of Jesus.

Is there a better, third way? Is there a more effective approach to sharing the good news in a manner that is relevant, authentic and consistent with the heart of Jesus?

Sharing the Gospel is not a transaction of persuasion. The first thing I think every Christian should realize is that sharing the Gospel is not an argument to be won. We cannot persuade anyone into a decision for Jesus. Human persuasion will likely result in a short-lived commitment. People have to enter into belief on their own. Our job isn't to persuade them to decide. Our job, as Christians is to prompt seekers along the way, asking questions, sharing experiences, and praying for those who have embarked on the journey from unbelief to belief. When we cease to view evangelism as an argument to be won, we are liberated to "live with" our brothers and sisters who are exploring and growing in their own faith journey.

Acts of friendship, kindness and love speak louder than any words we may utter. We can have the best thought-out theology. We can have the most sound Scripture. But as the old adage goes: "People won't care how much you know until they know how much you care." The point isn't to persuade. The point is to "be". Live your faith, not in words, but in action. Love. Don't be self-centered. Share your joy. Share your peace. If you have not these things, stop trying to persuade others until you find them through your own personal experience. If we are miserable and complaining, yet insist on "persuading" non-believes to "accept the truth", those folks are going to think we are nuts! And we are! Who would want to buy what we're selling if it makes us miserable? You have to "have it" before you can "share it". And once you really have it, sharing it will be natural, loving, joyful, and full of peace. The most persuasive thing Christians can do is to live out their love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, self-control, etc. If non-beleivers see it working in our lives, they may want some of what Christians have.

Understand Christians no longer enjoy "privilege" in society, so stop acting like it. The "silent treatments" inherently understand this Truth. Christianity is no longer the driving influence in society, like it or not. We do live in a post-Christian society where other influences wield greater control on morals, mores, and culture. Its the driving force that keeps the "silent treatments" quiet. They sit on the sidelines because they sense this. The "bully pulpits" lean to the other end of the spectrum. They are either unaware of this emerging dynamic, or they don't care. The problem with the "bully pulpit" approach in this environment is that these individuals lose all credibility with non-believers because every one gets the joke but them. The problem with the "silent treatments" is that they have raised the white flag with out a fight. Christians today, more than any time in modern history, must earn their way to the table, so to speak. We will only be able to this by living an authentic life before the world.

The Gospel message is exclusive in terms of Jesus being the only way to Heaven. However, let's not forget that the Gospel message is also INCLUSIVE of every man, woman and child. For God so love the world that WHOSOEVER believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. The Gospel is for everyone. It's not an exclusive club. There is no "privilege" in being "in Christ". So let's stop acting like it. When we approach ministry or church with a "country club"-exclusive attitude, we're missing the point.

The third way? Conversation. Rather than "preaching" at non-believers, our best chance to bring people into the Kingdom is to strike up a conversation. It means we have to be willing to listen to their point of view. It means we have to have a personal experience that we can actually share in the conversation. It means we have to be authentic about our own questions and doubts in our faith journey. It means investing time, maybe years, in the dialogue.

It also means learning to love, regardless of the presence of sin and leaving judgment up to God. If we can let go of judging others, we can have an open, authentic dialogue that builds the kingdom.

Downside to iBook App

2011-02-26T18:42:00.005-05:00

If you've read my blog in the past, you know I'm a big fan of the iPad and the Kindle App.

Occasionally, I will read a book on Apple's iBooks App. Recently, I downloaded a copy of Hugh Ambrose's "The Pacific" on this App and have been enjoying it on these cold winter days.

But the iBooks App has a flaw, especially if you are an owner of an Android phone (your probably know where I'm going with this).

Unlike the Amazon Kindle App, which seamlessly updates your current reading material from device to device, regardless of platform. So since Android Marketplace will never have the iBook App, there's no shot to read my iBooks content on my Samsung Fascinate.

Another gap for Apple: while the Mac App store has a Kindle App available, there's no such App available for iBooks so I can read my books on my laptop. This may be a temporary problem. Apple has made Mac App versions available for it's other popular software, including Facetime.

The platform compatibility gap for iBooks is one more reason why I'll stick with the Kindle App moving forward.

?

2011-02-26T18:42:00.003-05:00

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.6

Why this Verizon Wireless customer will wait to buy an iPhone

2011-01-11T22:02:00.005-05:00

The day has finally come.

Of course, it didn't hold the drama of last winter's announcement of the iPad by Apple CEO Steve Jobs--but it's still a pretty big deal.

iPhone is coming to Verizon Wireless.

My excitement level isn't nearly has high as it was for iPad and here are a few reasons why....

1. I'm not eligible for an upgrade on my Verizon account until May. More accurately, my 15 year old son's phone will be eligible for an upgrade and I will plan on hijacking that opening to make the switch. Poor kid (heh heh).

2. I'm really interested to see how Verizon's network performs under the demands of all those new iPhone users. I'm assuming all of us Android phoners will be able to tell if/when all those new iPhones start dragging Verizon's network. Of course Verizon says it has this covered, but the jury is still out. It will be worth the wait.

3. I'm actually pretty satisfied with my current smartphone. I'm carrying a Samsung Fascinate that provides a very slick user experience. I'm an Apple fan and one of the original iPod Touch and iPad adopters. I love the Apple interface, but I have to say that Google's Android platform, especially since the 2.1 upgrade delivers an experience that rival's Apple on the smartphone platform. The app developers have become more sophisticated and the hardware (the Fascinate is an excellent phone) is pretty snazzy.

I'm set up for now with my current phone. Time to sit back, relax and watch this all unfold.

And who knows? Maybe by the time my son's phone comes eligible for an upgrade all the buzz will be about iPhone5.

That, my friends, will make it worth the wait.

2010: Year in Review

2010-12-31T11:20:00.004-05:00

It's time to take a quick look back at 2010. Here are some of the highlights of what happened this year...not ranked in any particular order...

1. I turned 40.

2. Victoria and I took a cruise to the Bahamas with some great friends. Here's a video, too.

3. I was one of the first iPad adopters. Best purchase of the year!

(synching the iPad for the first time)

4. I struggled through the summer with vertigo and an ear infection.

5. My oldest son got his drivers license.

6. We said goodbye to Grandma Billheimer. (blog post)

7. We put our house up for sale and are looking to buy a new house in 2011.

8. We had a wonderful vacation at the cabin in Pigeon Forge....again.

(at Cade's Cove in the Park)

9. Two kids in marching band was a great time!

10. Was blessed by a great God and Savior throughout every single day.

To all our friends, co-workers, and fellow sojourners....Happy New Year to you all!

May 2011 find you blessed and content.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T15:26:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas to all. May everyone discover the peace and the hope of the baby Christ Child on this holiest of days.

May God bless each and every one.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

The Galaxy Tab Challenges iPad

2010-11-10T21:35:00.003-05:00

The Samsung Galaxy Tab is here.

It's out to challenge iPad. The Wall Street Journal has a new review posted on the tab.

The upside:

The Tab is cheaper than iPad.
The Tab can multi-task (but iPad will be able to also in the next week or so).
The Tab has two cameras.
The Tab plays Flash videos.
The Tab runs Android.
The Tab is smaller (7 inch screen, which some may consider a downside), about the same size as the newer Kindle model
The Tab is lighter.

The downside:

The Tab has less horsepower.
The Tab has a smaller screen (which some may consider an upside).
The Tab has a plastic case.
The Tab has a much less efficient battery.
The Tab does not come in a "WiFi" only version.

I'm certain this will be a popular "knock off" option for holiday gifting. And those folks who absolutely hate Apple may go for this just to spite Steve Jobs.

One thing is for certain. I won't be waiting at the door for the UPS man to get a Tab. Instead, I'll be waiting for the iPad iOS upgrade.

ALSO: Also, BlackBerry is announcing it's new tablet, the Playbook, will be priced under $500.

State Finals-Marysville Ohio High School Marching Band

2010-11-06T20:28:00.001-04:00

The Marysville Ohio Marching Band performed at OMEA State Finals on Friday, November 5, 2010. Below is a video of the performance. Percussion and Auxiliary earned a Superior rating.

It was really hard to believe, however, that the judges gave the group an overall Excellent rating, rather than a Superior.

Marysville's show, "New to Blue", included the songs New Era and Rhapsody in Blue. It was a difficult book musically and a challenging show to march. The band received Superior ratings throughout the season, but, the judges were stingy on the final night of competition.

I haven't seen the scores, but I can only think that marching was the challenge.

Regardless, the kids should be very proud of their accomplishments this season. A very difficult show presented very nicely. This will help each of these musicians be even better in the future!

Congrats to the band and to the staff / directors who led they way!!

Can't wait until next year!! Go Monarchs!!!

Location-based Social Media

2010-11-06T20:04:00.000-04:00

No surprise in this NYTimes article regarding consumer hesitation to play the Four Square game.

It blows my mind that so much money is being invested in technology that, in essence, opens our lives to every company we do business with....let alone the government.

I'm not a right-wing conspiracy theorist, but I do value my privacy. And my money is that the vast majority of the public values privacy just as much.

Right now only 4 percent of the population participates in the location-based social media game.

Give our Orwellian-driven fear of Big Brother, I'll be surprised if we see a spike in that number any time soon.

You Know It Is The Holiday Season When.....

2010-11-06T10:17:00.001-04:00

Starbucks holiday themed cups are being doled out at the java stand.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Blogging from the Fascinate

2010-11-06T09:45:00.001-04:00

I am testing a new app for Droid that allows me to post to The Case File from my Droid-based Samsung Fascinate.

Using the app and Swype, it seems to work pretty well. Not sure yet about content sharing. I will experiment and report back soon.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Sustainability and Social Media

2010-11-06T08:31:00.002-04:00

I'm not certain how many people who participate in social media can be so active, so often over time.

In my life, I find that when I'm actually busy at work, or at home, or in other areas of my life, the social media presence is likely to take a hit.

Sure I have my Samsung Fascinate to keep me plugged into the digital world, but having the actual time to put in the effort to maintain a presence in my Twitter stream or my Facebook world is challenging when life in the real world get's busy.

I look at these Twitter feeds where content is being shared every 10 minutes and I scratch my head wondering how in the world some folks make this happen.

The answer is obvious:

a) Scheduled posts: This is what drives a lot of the individual Twitter accounts I follow. There's no way a person can keep up the 24/7 presence without using scheduled posts. Which begs the question: where's the dialog?

b) Unemployment: I continue to think that a lot of the folks who have a heavy Twitter presence have a lot of time on their hands. In the past several years, as Twitter has grown up and as the age of the "social media evangelist" has increased, one just has to wonder how much of this content is just a show.

All I know is that when I get busy (and I've been tremendously busy the past few weeks), my social media presence tends to suffer.

I'm not too worried about it. I have a real job and a real life, after all.

Script Ohio

2010-10-16T18:44:00.002-04:00

Here's a video of the Marysville Ohio High School Band performing Script Ohio at their homecoming game on October 15, 2010.

Reading more

2010-08-24T22:56:00.000-04:00

Six months into life with iPad, I can honestly say that I am reading more....and it's not just because of that device.

While iPad certainly has influenced my reading via electronic device over the past six months, I give more credit to Amazon that I do to Apple for that change.

According to a new survey published in the WSJ tonight, a pretty significant chunk of the population is reading more.

I would have to say I definitely can identify with the folks identified in this trend. I blame the Amazon Kindle App.

The Kindle app's WhisperSync technology is terrific when you have the Kindle application loaded on multiple devices.

I have the app loaded on my MacBook Pro, my iPad, and on by Droid Eris smart phone.

The app's ability to instantly update each device so you can pick right up where you left off makes it incredibly convenient to "read on the run." I'll find myself catching a few pages of the selected book I'm reading on my cell phone while waiting in line for lunch or if I find a rare spare moment in my day. And if I'm sitting at home on my MacBook Pro, I just open the device and I find myself right where I left off.

Cool and convenient.

iPad is fun to read on but the ability of the Kindle app to span across all my devices is an even more powerful reason why I read more these days.

Toy Story 3 Review

2010-06-22T23:07:00.002-04:00

Took the gang to see Toy Story 3 in 3D tonight.

There are not many sequels that come close to matching original flicks, but you have to give the Pixar and Disney folks credit. Every scene is quality. Nothing is wasted. Everything wraps up into a nice perfect bow.

I have heard some say this plot is darker than the first two movies, but I was more scared of Syd in the original than anything in this movie.

There are many special overtones in this movie that make it work for multiple audiences. For my 11 year old, the plot and characters on their face were highly entertaining. For my older sons, they clearly identified with the "growing up" theme through out the film. I hope they were touched by the "give it away" theme that played out at the end of the film. They grew up with these films and I think this entire portfolio will carry special significance for their generation.

For any parent of a teen / young adult, this film will pull at your heartstrings more powerfully than you might expect. I was touched by the way the characters transition at the end of the film. You'll also be jarred by the reality that Andy is your kid, growing up fast and launching into the next chapter of life.

I was a bit disappointed in the 3D effects. When you pay a premium for 3D, you expect a lot more than this flick delivers. It is my one knock on this film.

I like movies that cause me to reflect. Toy Story 3 delivers. Entertaining. Touching. Thought provoking. Complete.

Save a few bucks. Skip the 3D version. You won't be missing a thing. but don't miss this movie.

-- Post From My iPad

Like A New Phone: Android 2.1 Update Pumps up Droid Eris

2010-05-17T22:45:00.003-04:00

When I purchased the HTC Eris back in January I made a calculated choice.

I liked the sleeker, iPhone like design of the Eris over the Motorola Droid. But there was a calculated drawback. The Eris was not yet loaded with the updated Android 2.1 OS update. It was stuck in second gear with version 1.5

At the time, HTC and Verizon were saying the update would come any day. Five months later, my phone updated on Sunday.

The difference the new upgrade makes on the Eris is like night and day.

The phone runs faster. The apps are better. And the device is made much more versatile.

One of the things I like about the new upgrade is that it is much more versatile and much more flexible. For instance, while the OS sucks down a lot of power, there are a tone of shortcuts to extend your battery life. I'm sharing a video below that provided some great tips on conserving battery life.

Another thing I really appreciate is the access to more advanced apps. This expands the phones ability to become what I need it to be.

A key favorite app I discovered quickly is the iSyncr application by JTR. This app allows you to sync your Droid phone up with your iTunes library. The app comes in a PC and a Mac version. I loaded the Mac version on my phone ($2.99 charge), hooked my Droid to my Mac, and after a few simple clicks had synched my entire iTunes library with my Droid phone. Yes, including art.

I'm 48 hours into the new update. It's a winner...and was worth the wait. So far.

I'll keep you posted. Maybe I don't need that iPhone after all....

Here is the video on how to improve battery life (features HTC Desire, but for Eris, you'll get the point)

I may make my own version for the Eris soon.

Bahamas 2010 Cruise video

2010-05-15T22:20:00.004-04:00

Here is a little video of our recent cruise to the Bahamas. We sailed on Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas with stops in Key West, Nassau, and Coco Cay. Review to come. Meanwhile, enjoy this short recap I put together on my Macbook Pro.

Sent from my iPad

-- Post From My iPad

Cloud Computing: I trust the internet like I trust my dentist

2010-05-14T17:21:00.001-04:00

Cloud computing is all the rage. Walt Mossberg offers a pretty good overview of the concept in his WSJ video log from last week.

So is cloud computing for all of us?

I can't say I'm exactly comfortable with the concept for a key reason: I don't trust my internet service provider to always be there for me.

It reminds me of why I stress out so much when I go to the dentist--it's because I've had bad experiences in the past that have conditioned me to distrust our fine dental professionals (my current dentist Dr. Yim is the exception)

We've all been in that place where we've needed online access, but it wasn't available. Maybe our wireless card was on the fritz. Maybe the modem wasn't working. Maybe the phone company made an error at a switching station. Maybe. But you needed access online....and it wasn't there. You got burned. Because access to the internet was limited.

Burn me once...shame on you. Burn me twice....shame on me.

Cloud computing seems like a huge leap of faith that we will all have easy access to the internet. Yes, availability and speed of the internet increases by leaps and bounds everyday. However, the tether that connects us all is a thin wire. From a risk management standpoint, I just am not comfortable operating "from the cloud" all the time.

There is security in operating directly from my computer. My data is secure on my laptop (unless someone steals it). Do we really trust that bad-doers aren't out there trying to hack into our stuff on the cloud? I'm not certain my confidence level is there yet.

There is also security in knowing I have direct access to my stuff, regardless of my internet connection. My mind always goes to those points in time where I needed to depend on technology to come through for me...and it failed.

For me...for now...the cloud seems awful risky. I'm certain many enterprise risk management folks are also going through this exercise. Becoming too dependent on third party sources to get work done makes one too susceptible to hackers, terrorist attacks, and a lack of guaranteed access to the world wide web.

Cloud computing is all the rage, but we're just one major incident from exposing it's weakness-it needs the internet.

Am I paranoid?

Goodbye....for now

2010-05-06T23:21:00.004-04:00

As I sat in the old-fashioned German Baptist church for my grandmother’s funeral, I couldn’t help be struck by the diversity of the audience that had gathered to pay tribute to Grandma.

It was a traditional German Baptist funeral. Have you ever seen Little House on the Prairie? The church is like a modern version of that church. Plain and simple, hard wood seats, white washed walls, and teeny tiny hymn books. The clergy members were even dressed like the Rev. on Little House. They looked like they had stepped right out of the 1800’s.

So you have this very old-fashioned environment and this very, very conservative group of German Baptists ministers leading the service. You also had a small number of church members who participated in the service.

Then you had Grandma’s family: sons, daughters, grandchildren, great grand children, spouses, etc. None of us are German Baptist. Most are Christian, but all of us brought a more modern flavor to the setting. While most are Christian, some are Nazarene, some Presbyterian, others Methodist, and so on.

We all represent various social classes and represent different careers. Some ministers, some nurses or medical professionals. Others are truck drivers, machinists, mechanics, and several retired.

All this diversity, brought together by my mild, meek, humble, quite Grandmother.

One of the ministers preached about the distinctive doctrines of the German Baptist church, as if he were going to set us all straight about non-conformism and other interesting doctrinal points-of-view. Grandma would have liked the sermon. She was very devout, but never pushed it on others aggressively.

While there were numerous Scripture readings about the Good Shepherd and peace, the Scripture that kept coming to my mind was 1 John 3:

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

It’s funny how your mind works as you sit in a funeral. The minister was speaking, but I was thinking about this passage. I was thinking about how happy I was for my Grandmother who was realizing the promise packed in these words. We don’t really know what happens when we pass on to the other side after death, but that Scripture promises to us that we will be made like Christ in his new, post-resurrection form.

That is a promise that transcends any doctrinal differences this diverse group of people may have had among themselves. We may not have been dressed alike. We may not have worshipped alike. We may not have even really known each other all that well--well, at least some of us.

But there were two common denominators for most folks in that room.

The first? Grandma. She was the reason we were there.

The second? Most everyone in that room shared a common faith in Christ as Savior and a confidence in the truth behind that passage in 1 John 3. For a believer in Christ, faith in this truth is the pay off, even as we grieve the loss of a special, sweet individual who lived an incredible life over 97 years.

In spite of our diversity, our common faith allowed us to say good bye to a mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

Not forever. Just for now.

See you soon Grandma.

Crossed over the MacBook Pro

2010-05-02T22:36:00.001-04:00

After some considerable thought and a lot of shopping, I took the plunge and bought a MacBook Pro this weekend to replace my old PC laptop computer.

My Toshiba laptop performed admirably for six long years (a life time in the computer world). I owe a lot to that old computer (a master's degree and a whole lot of other stuff), but it was just soooo slooooowww and a I recently realized it was time to go shopping.

With the arrival of the income tax refunds I really started doing some research on the upgrade, I decided to go with the Mac for a few key reason.

1. Mac's versatility. As an old PC guy, I was really wary about all my investment in PC/Windows based software, in which I run my personal life. The guy at the store really helped me find the right solution for my needs. Using Parallels software, I have seamless integration between Snow Leopard and Windows 7. Everything seems to work excellent so far. I'll keep you posted.

2. Mac speed. I've been playing with a ton of laptops lately. Although Windows based computers seem to perform better on the new Windows 7 platform, I really thought that the MacBook pro was lightning quick even compared to the latest and greatest from Mr. Gates camp. Tonight, I booted up the old Toshiba to transfer some files and found I'm already spoiled my new MacBook's speed.

3. Mac's interface. For my video, blogging and music hobbies, the Mac just seems so much more simple than the Windows platform I grew up with all those years. Give Apple credit for really doing a good job of making the experience with their product a delight from the moment you crack the seal on the box. I must say that I haven't had any problems adjusting to the Mac environment. It will take some time to become as proficient as I am with Windows. However, I found that there is even a learning curve with the new Windows 7 platform, so I considered this change worth the risk.

Please so far. I'll keep you posted on my experiences with the MacBook Pro.

Greetings from La-La Land

2010-04-15T00:08:00.003-04:00

Found this article from USA Today regarding how technology is blurring the line with regard to work life balance.

This one hits me square between the eyes. My son often has accuses me of being in another world when I get home from work and drop into my Lazy Boy recliner. It's true. The tech can suck you in and be a real impediment to family time.

And I have a feeling it is just as much an issue for kids, with their iPods and laptops, as it is with me.

This is one of the downsides of tech. One that will take some discipline and intentionality to overcome.

-- Post From My iPad

Starting Small-Go Long

2010-04-13T23:31:00.000-04:00

How often do we start something and never finish? Why is that?

Often, we fail to follow through because we bite off more than we can chew. We initially engage with an unsustainable passion that eventually ebbs to a whimper of it's initial self. And when the embers of this initial passion fade into that soft red glow, we feel inadequate, frustrated, an incapable. Our self esteem takes a hit.

When we start a new endeavor I believe it is important to start small and to start with along term perspective.

Why start small? I don't suggest this because my ambition is low, but rather because a small first step ensures we will take the subsequent steps to complete the journey. As I started running, what made the difference was being OK with taking baby steps at first. Had I attempted to run three miles my first day out of the gates I can assure you I would have given up on my goal to run a 5K in a week. Instead, I started walking for five minutes and running just one minute. I did this for 30 minutes three times a week to start.

Why maintain a long term perspective? True growth happens over time. It is true for all life. Growth and development are long term commitments. Effective change is not delivered in a box, nor does it happen overnight. I've honed my running ability and my endurance through a long term commitment. Yes, I began only running one minute at a time, but tonight, I ran 2 miles in about 23 minutes....all because I have been at it for 8 months or so.

When we endeavor to incorporate spiritual disciplines in our live, I think it is important to take this "start small" and "long term" approach. If we can sustain baby steps over a long period of time, rather than attempting a sea change in our lives overnight, the journey will be more joyful, the fruit will be more abundant, and the change in us will be dramatic.

Start small. Go long.

-- Post From My iPad

Posting from Blog Press

2010-04-09T23:13:00.000-04:00

Downloaded BlogPress from the App Store to more efficiently post to the blog from the iPad. This is my first test run post.

BlogPress allows you to post video, photos and other content more easily from iPad than from trying to do so through the Safari browser.

Here is a picture one of my kids made with a drawing app.

-- Post From My iPad

Is Twitter Changing or am I?

2010-04-07T23:52:00.001-04:00

Is Twitter changing or am I?

Tonight I watched my first baseball game of the season. (The Reds bullpen handed one to the Cardinals.) But tweeting the game was different.

Last season, I enjoyed watching and participating in the #Reds hash tag community conversation. I met a bunch of great fellow fans and it was a cool experiment.

This year it is different. As I began to watch the game, I became self-conscious about flooding my Twitter feed (and my followers feeds) with commentary about the game. After all, I don't want to lose precious followers, right?

So I laid off the commentary for the sake of my Twitter sphere.....and the game wasn't nearly as fun to watch. It was like I was watching it alone.

Is the evolving nature of Twitter and the cultivation of followers sucking the life out of the medium? Should I just go ahead and Tweet the game and cast care to the wind regarding my followers who could give a rip about the Red Legs?

I'm not sure. And that lack of certainty has sapped some of the fun out of Tweeting the games.

Sometimes it stinks to grow up. I'm just not sure if it is me or Twitter doing the growing.

How to post to Blogger from iPad (and other reflections)

2010-04-07T00:20:00.000-04:00

One of the initial shortfalls I discovered with my iPad is that I am not easily able to utilize the Blogger posting tool to update this blog.

After some careful experimentation, I discovered that if I switch the editing tool to the "edit HTML" mode, it does allow me to interface.

So far the experience with the iPad has been very positive. While some are airing complaints about Wifi connectivity and overheating batteries, I have not had that experience. As a matter of fact, this has been one of the better tech device experiences I have ever had. Not a lot of bugs, and a lot of "up" time using the device with positive results.

The simplicity of the iPad is a huge asset. The interface is so simple, even my anti-tech mother said she would like to have one of these devices. That type of response has been typical of most everyone who has taken my Ipad for a test drive.

A laptop killer? Not certain of that yet. A net book killer? Maybe. A mouse killer? Yes.

Probably the greatest irony of the IPad is that Apple brought the computer mouse into the world and this device probably spells it's demise.

iPad Review: April 3, 2010 Video

2010-04-03T17:52:00.000-04:00

iPad Review: Initial Thoughts

2010-04-03T17:20:00.018-04:00

Here are my initial thoughts on the iPad (video also). While many folks were sitting in line at an Apple store, I had taken the risk (which is very unlike me) and pre-ordered a device with shipment directly to my house.

My early conclusion is that the iPad is exactly what I was hoping for in terms of quality and experience.

A Platform for Content Consumption, Not Creation

Okay, so we all read this early on and it is true. The iPad fulfills it's intended purpose of content consumption very well. It is not a content creation platform. I could not even post to my blog from the Safari browser, which is a gap that will close in future updates, I'm certain. You can't take pictures or video with iPad either.

On the flip side, watching videos and surfing the net are awesome experiences. Even without Flash, there is plenty of video content to consume from Netflix and other apps.

Performance

A major source of appeal for me is the quick boot up time for the iPad. Unlike my Windows-base laptop, which can take several minutes to boot up, you pick up the iPad and you are in action as soon as you hit the power button.

The interface is smooth and slick. Frankly, I'm shocked at the battery life built into the device. I used it for about 4 to 5 hour straight this afternoon and it still has more than 60 percent battery life. Try that on your Droid, iPhone, or iTouch. And thank Apple, for making sure that battery was fully charged before it left the factory in China on Wednesday. I had 100 percent full battery power out of the box.

No glitches and smooth interface have made for a very fun experience so far. Not all the apps are perfect, but I'm certain developers will be sending out updates faster than we can download them.

Favorite apps

My favorite iPad app so far is the Kindle app from Amazon. It's exactly what I was hoping Amazon would deliver. I download the app, entered my username / password, and in about a minute, all my Kindle books purchased on my iTouch were on board and available.

I also downloaded iBooks. The experience is different, but I'll definitely give it a try with some free books before I write it off.

Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and USA Today have free apps to download. We'll all be paying for the content soon. I accessed the WSJ content through my print subscription ID. Now more than ever, I believe iPad-like tablets will definitely save newspapers. Yes, the solution has arrived and the need for high quality, high journalistic content will be stronger than ever with these devices.

Surprisingly, Facebook doesn't have an iPad app available today. Quite honestly, I was really surprised at that, but I'm certain that will be resolved quickly. Meanwhile the iTouch app and access through the Safari browser give users complete access to Facebook. I had initial issues with the Tweetdeck app (see the video), but I think I have it figured out now. It's pretty decent.

Conclusion

The iPad isn't perfect. If you are in a lit room, the screen is too reflective and hard to see. Maybe a protector will fix that a bit, but I found that to be one of only a few minor issues so far.

Was it worth the risk to pre-order? Yes. Absolutely.

But don't toss away your laptop. If you plan to create and post content (blogs, video, etc.), Apple still has some work to do on that front.

But if you are looking for a convenient, slick, well-crafted platform to consume content, the iPad rocks!

Happy iPad Day!

2010-04-03T08:43:00.000-04:00

Got this email from Apple today:

Also got a note from UPS that my package is in route from the hub down in Columbus. I'll offer my own initial review of the iPad later today, with more in-depth reflections moving forward.

While I wait, I'm updating all the Apple software on my computer this morning, so I'm ready to go when the UPS man arrives.

I'm Not an iPad Technophile: Kindle Made Certain of That

2010-04-02T20:42:00.002-04:00

I read with interest some comments in this New York Times story today. Specifically, the following quote drew my attention.

"The people who have already ordered an iPad or will show up at the Apple store on Saturday “are technophiles — the phrase ‘leading-edge technology’ sends goosebumps all over their skin,” said Eitan Muller, a professor of high-tech marketing at New York University’s Stern School of Business.

I take issue with Eitan Muller's comment because I am not a "technophile."

To be honest, I'm not typically an early adopter of much. If anything, I am a skeptic and play it conservatively until I'm certain that a product or service has the "standing power" I desire. I spend my money wisely and prefer quality in the product and the experience. I'm not interested in being a guinea pig on new products--most of the time.

But the iPad is different. From the day I learned how to download apps on my iPod Touch, I've always thought a larger version of that platform would be ideal. And now, Apple is delivering.

The kicker for me was the Kindle App for the iPod touch. I remember shopping on Amazon for a Kindle. The price was about $300 dollars and the Kindle looked clunky and "experimental". I wasn't looking to be an "early adopter". THEN, I found the iPod Touch app for Kindle for FREE. That was an easy decision. Save the money, download the free app, and test the experience. (A pretty conservative approach).

After downloading two or three books, I was hooked on the Kindle App. As a matter of fact, that app solidified my desire for a larger version of the Touch as an alternative reader platform. I believe, unwittingly, that Amazon, through the Kindle App, helped convince me to not buy the actual Kindle, and instead desire what I am supposed to receive via UPS on Saturday.

I'm pumped by the WSJ story today (and this updated blog post confirming Kindle is in the app store-thanks to @KindleEmily on Twitter), referring to the fact that Amazon is making an iPad Kindle app to sell me books. Sure, I'll try the Apple iBook app, but I think Steve Jobs knows that people like me will probably use the Kindle app when it is available.

Until then, I hope Steve and the gang will let me use my iPod Touch Kindle app on my iPad. We'll see.

Meanwhile, the speculation that "technophiles" are the majority of the early iPad adopters, I believe, is dead wrong. Amazon made sure of that.

Refreshing: Google Takes a Stand on Principle

2010-03-24T14:08:00.002-04:00

Google is taking "heat from the Street" for it's decision to take on China in a battle over access to information. Co-founder Sergey Brin is talking to the Wall Street Journal about the principled stand the company is taking in it's decision to close down operations in one of the biggest emerging markets down the road.

To shareholders, yes, Google is basically denying itself access to one of the biggest internet markets on the planet. Expect growth forecasts to be trimmed. Expect an impact on the bottom line.

But give Google credit. The company made a business decision linked to it's core values rather than it's return on shareholder investments.

I'm not a stock owner of Google, but if I were a shareholder, I think the company gains intrinsic value for taking a stand on principle against practices by China that hinder the free flow of information that we so greatly enjoy in the free world.

People in China are not free. They are oppressed by a government that will take extreme measures to hide the truth and inhibit anything but allegience to the state and to Mao.

Google is a company that can afford to say no the potential growth and revenue that a market like China offers. Say what you may about the company on other fronts. It takes guts to take this type of stand with an emerging world power leaning on one shoulder and shareholders leaning on the other.

Will Baidu, Microsoft's Bing, and other search engines move into fill the gap left by Google? You bet. Google knows this, but it sounds like the company is more committed to the free flow of information than it is to making a buck.

For that, I respect Google.

A Day at Northwood Elementary

2010-03-19T16:27:00.001-04:00

So today, I took a day off work and adventured in to the land of 4th graders with my youngest son, Andrew. He was really excited about the day because his birthday is Saturday and he got to celebrate with his class.

Things started off with a bang as Andrew got picked (on the spot) to be one of a handful of kids to go to the office to lead the entire Northwood student body in the Pledge of Allegiance during morning announcements. He also got recognized during announcements for his birthday. (I'm amazed at what a sticker and pencil can do to make a child's day!)

It seems every time I volunteer at Northwood, there is some sort of student assembly. Today did not disappoint as the 3rd graders shared their musical performance with the student body. They were cute.

After a fabulous school lunch in the cafeteria, it was off to recess to play Four Square (not the social media platform--the real game). It was fun getting to know the kids!

Then it was back to class for some more work and Andrew was able to share some Rice Krispy treat goodies with his friends.

All in all, a good day. You can check out my TwitPic feed for a few more photos and commentary.

It's No Longer About Health Care Reform (Never Was)

2010-03-18T20:19:00.002-04:00

Update March 24, 2010: The litgation has begun to challenge the constitutionality of the health care reform bill as predicted last week.

So state attorneys general are lining up to sue the federal government over the pending enactment (or whatever we can call it) of the federal healthcare reform legislation.

From the Democratic side of the aisle, this is no longer about the issue of health care reform. This is all about pushing through a reform package, any reform package, to help save the reputation of the party. If no healthcare passes this weekend, the Dem's have to explain why they wasted two years on this while jobs and other key issues were relegated to the sidelines.

They're gambling that if they can get ANY package passed and signed by the President, it's better than the alternative of no action. (There is also the motivation that Rush Limbaugh will leave the country, which would tempt me to vote for this thing.) Either outcome will be an incredibly tough sell back in home districts for congress members who vote yes.

From the Republican side of the aisle, it's all about sitting back and watching the Dem's squirm for every vote they can possibly get. The GOP knows (and the article mentioned above confirms) that as soon as this bill is "enacted" and signed by the President, interest groups will seek injunctive relief from the judicial system and challenge the reform bill's constitutionality based on the interesting procedural steps taken to push the package into reality.

While the issue is bogged down in the courts, Republican's will use the unpopular package to bash vulnerable Democrats this fall in attempt to regain some semblance of power on The Hill. For the GOP, that will mean they have to actually contribute some real leadership, unlike the last time they were in charge.

This debate is not about health care reform. (Was it ever?)

It's about politicians desperate to gain or maintain their grip on power and influence.

Love it When Hard Work is Validated

2010-03-16T17:58:00.001-04:00

Don't you love it when someone says or does something to validate all the hard work you've put into a project.

PR News recently recognized the hard work my team has been churning away at for the last three years to combat the distracted driving problem.

I'm proud of all the folks I work with who have supported this program.

Is Flash Doomed?

2010-03-16T11:35:00.000-04:00

Here's an interesting article from ReadWriteWeb about how big ticket media outlets like NPR and WSJ are planning to build "Flash-free" applications for the new iPad.

In and of themselves, these developments are "market-leading" and pave the way for other media outlets to follow suit, which in turn build anticipation for the arrival of iPad on the market in Q2.

So is Apples refusal to incorporate Flash into it's browser interface starting a negative trend that could impact Flash?

Highly doubtful. Flash is so ubiquitous and creates such a dynamic presence on-line, it's viability seems pretty entrenched.

However, Apple's ongoing insistence to refuse accomodation of Flash is probably just an ongoing sign that they are working on a competitive solution.

Barnes & Noble App Legitimizes iPad

2010-03-15T11:43:00.000-04:00

So Barnes & Noble is getting ready to release an app for Apples iPad, according to Information Week's website.

The link above states that B&N's app will be available around April 3, just in time for the arrival of pre-ordered iPad's at the doorsteps of eager Apple customers.

This development legitimizes the viability of the iPad as a competitive e-reader platform. Interestingly enough, Information Week speculates that Amazon is getting ready to jump into the game also.

With reports speculating that Apple received 120,000 pre-release orders over the weekend, it looks like the iPad could very well be the game changer.

For Barnes & Noble and Amazon to jump into the app game for iPad is an acknowledgement that there is money to be made on this new platform.Are B&N and Amazon raising the white flag to iPad by releasing an app? Hardly.

The Nook and Kindle both seem to be building their own base. At a lower cost, and with accessibility to the actual content, it looks like both companies are making the bet that they can co-exist with iPad, while still driving revenue through their own proprietary platforms. Both companies offer applications (and are generating additional revenue) for iPod Touch and the iPhone already. This seems like a logical extention.

It'll be interesting to see how long Apple allows this leveraging of the iPad to occur. If the Apple ebook store doesn't take off in the first six months, look for the spigot to be shut down for Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other e-reader competitors.

Two 5K runs come to Marysville, Ohio

2010-03-10T21:46:00.000-05:00

I was excited to read in the local paper this evening that there are two 5k races coming to Marysville, Ohio this spring.

This is great news for Victoria and I as we strive to run a 5k race before we turn 40.

There are two races on tap. Both are being hosted by Premier Sports.

The first race is on March 20, 2010 and is called Warm Up for Relay. This one falls on the same day as our little guy's 11th birthday, so I'm doubting we'll be able to do this race. I must say, however, that if I had to do it, I'd be ready to participate in this event.

The second event is on May 22, 2010 and it is called the Loving Care 5K Run, which will support one of the local hospice organizations. Sign us up for this run. First of all, it works better on our schedule. Second, this is the organization that helped a close family a few years back who lost a loved one to cancer. That will provide extra special meaning for us.

Chile Earthquake in our house

2010-02-27T10:56:00.000-05:00

So how did you find out about the Chile earthquake this morning? For me, I read about it on Twitter from my iPod Touch while trying to decide to get out of bed.

Even CNN is asking Tweeters near the epicenter to help report on the disaster.

As we watched coverage for a little bit my 10 year old son asked if we would have a tsunami here in Ohio. My wife explained that wasn't a problem for us.

This led to a discussion about an earthquake we had back in the 80's on a Sunday afternoon here in the great Buckeye State.

Remember that one?

I was in my bedroom at my Mom and Dad's house doing homework. I remember sitting back in my chair on two legs and almost being knocked to the floor. I also remember one of my siblings being angry because they thought someone was playing a joke on them. Strange how the memories flow back.

Then, as happens often, 14 year old Steven asked, "So, what's for lunch today?"

Pray for the folks in Chile....

Getting Closer to being 5K ready

2010-02-25T22:01:00.002-05:00

Tonight, I was able to run 3.1 miles in less than 30 minutes.

My legs hurt so bad as I ran tonight, but I kept pushing along because I know I'm so close to achieving my goal of hitting the 3.2 mile mark within a half hour. It is so rewarding to still be going after six months of consistent work!

If I can maintain some consistency and continue to improve, I should be ready to give the 5k a shot sometime soon!!

I'm pumped!!

Enabling or Entertaining?

2010-02-25T21:55:00.001-05:00

I've been giving a lot of thought lately to my personal focus regarding ministry. Whether your an official member of the clergy or a layperson, everyone who calls themselves a Christian is called to some sort of ministry...whether we're aware of it or not.

Unfortunately, so much ministry today is so self-centered. We're so "media trained" that we approach religion and faith with the same attitude we approach our TV watching habits. Are we guilty of treating our worship and our service as entertainment? That scares me.

Approaching faith/worship/ministry as entertainment is shallow.

We know we fall in this category if we find ourselves judging "performances" on a regular basis. From the worship band to the preacher's message, if we're pulling a Siskel and Ebert after church on Sunday, we just may have a problem. We also know we fall in this category if we're defensive about other forms of worship or methods of ministry that fall outside our comfort zone.

A church that views faith/worship/ministry as entertainment is doomed to extinction.

The church needs to wake up and begin approaching ministry as a form of enablement. Is that a word?

We need ministers passionate about helping people find their personal calling and then enabling individuals to pursue that call.

We may be enabling people to engage in ministry that looks nothing like traditional church.

We may be enabling methods that seem way outside our comfort zone.

This is challenging work, but for those willing to straddle the line the divides the modern and post-modern, know that your work, your enabling ministry, is the fuel that will build the Kingdom for coming generations.

Why the new Facebook Homepage stinks

2010-02-09T22:11:00.002-05:00

Did I miss something? What am I doing wrong?

This past weekend, I was part of the rollout of the new Facebook home page. I must say what I've seen so far is pretty poor. Facebook has a blog post about the new features, but it basically ignores the downside issues that seem to dominate interaction with the platform.

Here are some of my gripes (they may seem petty, but here we go):

Where did all my friends go? Most of the folks I find interesting have suddenly disappeared. And I've noticed a dramatic downturn in the volume of posts and responses to my own content. I think it is because they can't find me as much as I can't find their stuff. Way to Go Facebook!

Not so "newsfeed". Facebook has done a poor job of instructing users how to beef up the "news feed". I was poking around the site tonight and stumbled upon the "edit options" link at the bottom of the news feed. If you go into this, you'll find that the feed settings "automatically" choose who you may want to interact with on the newsfeed. All those folks content you were seeing before you got the new home page? Probably gone. Play around with the manual settings to see if you can regain access to your friends content.

Sounds vain, but where did I go? Before the "upgrade" to the home page, I knew my content was viewable because when I posted, I would see it on my news feed. The past several days I have encountered several instances where content I posted does not show up. This sounds self-centered, but if I can't see it, can others? Given the drop in volume of interaction with my content, I'd say no. I think this all goes back to my point above about manually adjusting the newsfeed settings.

Facebook says that it's been testing the new home page, but the way they've marketed this puppy, it feels like they are intentionally avoiding the issues described above.

I understand making changes to improve the experience. I actually like some of the new features. But it feels like going on a treasure hunt to figure out how to get back to normal after the change curve hits you. That, my friends, isn't a well thought out game plan (in my opinion).

If you figure out some answers, let me know. I'll do the same. Meanwhile, Twitter keeps looking better and better.

How Open is your Theology?

2010-02-03T21:09:00.003-05:00

This is a great blog post by one of my former professors, Dr. Thomas J Oord

In my opinion, open and relational evangelical theology is the most practical way to do theology.

In my personal faith journey, I have found the need to reconcile the facts of science and the scientific method with the inerrancy of Scripture. I agree with Dr. Oord's comments:

Open theists appreciate and draw from reason, experience, and the Christian tradition. But open and relational theologians place primary importance on the Bible for things related to God, salvation, and the big questions of life. Scripture is principally authoritative.

Open and relational theists are typically not committed, however, to affirming everything the Bible says about science, history, or culture.

I feel this approach to theology is much more relevant in today's world. Acknowledging the value and validity of science is a critical factor in holding a legitimate dialogue with non-believers.

An inability to reconcile science with Scripture renders many Christian's as non-credible witnesses to those who cling to the facts of science but who also seek deeper meaning through faith.

.....in my humble opinion....

Marysville Tax Increase Alternative

2010-01-29T21:12:00.003-05:00

I read Mayor Chris Schmenk's column in the Marysville Journal-Tribune tonight which focused on answering questions about the proposed .50 percent income tax increase coming up on the spring ballot. I've yet to hear a good answer to the question regarding why taxpayers should approve an increase during one of the worst economic down turns in the post-war era.

The column did provide some insight into how the income tax, if passed, would be used to help fund city needs. According to the mayor, "$1.3 million" would be used to bolster the budget deficit and maintain current service levels in the budget. "$2.8 million" generated by the half-percent tax increase would be used to build new city facilities. This is straight from the mayor's news paper article.

If I read this correctly, the city needs approximately a third (31.7 percent) of the proposed tax increase to maintain current levels of service. The other 68.3 percent is going to fund new buildings.

I don't know about anyone else, but it feels like City Hall remains a bit out of touch. Our Mayor is a good person and, I believe, has the best of intentions for our City. But the request for a .50 percent tax increase is excessive and inappropriate for the economic times.

How do you run your household finances? If you were short on meeting the bills every month, would you continue planning on building a big new house? In reality, you would be seeking to shore up your balance sheet by cutting expenses and finding ways to make ends meet. You would NOT be looking to build a new house until the economy recovered and you found yourself in a better position to expand your obligations.

Here's a reasonable, alternative proposal (based on the numbers published in the Mayor's newspaper article):

Reinstate the tax credit for residents who work and pay taxes in other cities.
Repeal the .50 percent income tax and replace it with a .20 percent income tax. A .20 percent income tax should generate more than the city needs to maintain services levels.
Back away from the building program for a year and let's revisit the matter when the economy has had a chance to recover.

That, my friends, feels like a more appropriate approach, given the current economic challenges impacting households on a daily basis. Regardless of the accuracy of my math, I believe the city may find support for a more conservative revenue generation approach. The current proposal on the table feels inappropriate.

What do you think?

Hey! We're Printing Your Salary in the Paper

The local paper, the Marysville Journal-Tribune, has been running a series over the past several days listing the individual salaries of county employees. While pursued with noble purpose, I must say I'm a little bit disappointed in the outcome of the series.

I used to be a public employee, so I understand what it is like to potentially have your salary published in the newspaper. It comes with the territory, so let's dispense with any indignation by county workers. You work for us, we pay the bills, and we have a right to know how much you are paid. If you don't like it, get a public sector gig.

Regarding the series, I do think it is legitimate to say that the newspaper failed to deliver on in-depth analysis of the dynamics that are driving county fiscal problems. If they were trying to help me understand the story behind the numbers, consider the task left undone. I know how much individuals are making, but I don't know if the salaries are fair. In some cases, only the county portion of the salaries was provided, leaving me as a tax-payer with unanswered questions regarding the big picture.

The lack of analysis on the numbers is what should leave county officials unsatisfied. Why? The result of the series doesn't result in building understanding of the counties fiscal situation. Instead, it has only resulted fostering "salary envy" among county employees who now know who has the biggest paycheck in the office.

Ouch!

iPad: Sky is the Limit

2010-01-28T22:39:00.002-05:00

Just read a great blog post from Fast Company regarding the real potential offered by the iPad.

While many tech gurus and geeks were not impressed with the iPad, I tend to agree with the FC folks regarding the potential that the iPad offers as a platform.

I remember when I first purchased my iPod Touch a few years back. For several months, I just treated it like my old iPod. I used it to play music. Then one day, I received the operating system upgrade that gave me access to the App store and a whole new world opened up.

I, like everyone else, was able to uniquely customize the blank slate that was my iPod Touch into a tool that suited my needs to a tee. I'm pretty sure there are no two iPod Touch or iPhone devices that are configured exactly the same.

I have my apps (news, games, social media) tailored to my needs. This combined with the slick experience is why I'm finding myself going to bed and waking up with my Touch.

If app developers can elicit this kind of behavior from users with the Touch, I can only imagine what will be delivered on the larger iPad platform.

For those who are disappointed in the iPad as delivered this week, you've lost that lovin' feeling. I think it is premature to pan this device. It's literally a blank slate waiting to be sculpted into something much more useful than anyone (even Apple and Steve Jobs) can imagine.

The sky truly is the limit.

iPad: Will it Meet Expectations?

2010-01-27T22:03:00.001-05:00

Well, now we know. After all the waiting, Apple unveiled the iPad today.

Like the name or not, I personally think this product will succeed. While some tech geeks are probably disappointed that the iPad doesn't cure cancer, it looks like it will deliver an expanded "iPod Touch" experience for users.

I love my iPod Touch. The experience is great, and I became hooked on the device when I began using it as an eReading device. I always thought, "Man, if this thing was just a bit bigger, it would be perfect." Apple has tapped into that iNsight and appears to have delivered a platform that will open opportunity for new content delivery moving forward.

Here are some of my initial thoughts, pro and con about the iPad.

What I like:

Expanded iPod Touch experience: As I mentioned earlier, I really like the similarity to the iPod Touch experience that is built into the iPad. If the experience is comprable, this platform will far exceed the experience of the best Kindle device (or any other reader I've seen). I use my Touch to read the news, read multiple books, play an occassional game...and listen to my favorite tunes while I'm at it. The apps make the Touch superior. The fact that the iPad will automatically use all App store apps out of the box makes it a winner to me up front. And who knows where the creativity of the app developers will lead. The sky is the limit.

WiFi: I'm glad Apple opted to go with a WiFi only version of the iPad. It's a model that is working with the Touch and it will work here. I'm assuming I would not travel with the iPad, but use it primarily at home. If I travel, I still have my Touch, which is an acceptable alternative to me.

Price: I think we were all surprised at the $499 price tag for the iPad. While prices will vary, it sounds like a 16GB or 32GB WiFi version will still come in lower than what the experts were predicting.

Content: Again, the sky is the limit on content. It will be interesting to see if magazines and print publications develop apps to bring this platform to life. I believe there is a market for eContent on a platform like the iPad. I hope content creators and publishers agree.

Kindle App compatability: The iBook store looks cool, but I was won over on this device when I heard the Amazon Kindle app will work on the iPad. It'll be interesting if Apple enhances (or allows the enhancement of the Kindle app) to drive sales for the Kindles store. The iBook store appears to be a direct challenge to Amazon, so we'll have to pay close attention to where this goes. And hey, if Apple can sell me on iBook, I may abandon the Kindle app and drink the Apple kool-aid on the reader.

What I don't like:

AT&T 3G: I was tremendously disappointed that Apple is opting to stay with AT&T on an exclusive basis. But the more I process this, it makes good business sense. Truth be told, AT&T probably decided to go along with the "no contract" 3G support for the iPad to keep it's exclusivity with Apple. Apple is in the driver seat and probably used the potential to expand iPhone compatibility with other carriers to get what it wanted from AT&T on this launch. We can only hope this marriage doesn't last so more of us can have access to the iPhone.

No multi-tasking. I'm disappointed on this front, but not as much as some. Multi-tasking isn't that big a deal to me. As long as the device works, I'm ok. As long as I can listen to my music while I read, I'm ok. I am kind of shocked that Apple put so much horsepower in this puppy and missed the opportunity to multi-task.

No camera: All this effort, and no camera. This is intentional. Apple will make a future device like this with a camera. And those who buy this one, will have to hand it down to their teenager, so they can buy the upgraded toy. It's all about marketing. I don't like it, but I get it.

No Flash. I thought it was interesting that during the demonstration, it appeared very clearly that Flash plug-ins will continue to not be compatible with the Safari browser. Apple has to resolve that. Flash is becoming more and more ubiquitous and we can only hope a future Safari upgrade resolves this significant gap in "experience."

Unanswered questions: In coming days, the tech geeks will come up with more and more questions about what this device can and cannot do. That's ok, but I feel I know enough to be very attracted to this platform.

Bottom line for me: No it doesn't have iPhone compatibility, but can you imagine people holding this thing to their ear? I already have a cell phone. Jobs even said it's and "in between" device.

As I stated earlier, some tech geeks who want holograms, hyperspace, etc are never going to be satisfied, but I think the iPad will satisfy a huge need for a superior multi-media experience that is only just emerging in our WiFi society. At the $499 price, count me in.

It'll be a fun experiment. I can't wait to get my hands on an iPad and start play.

What if Apple Doesn't Give Us the Tablet Today?

2010-01-27T08:21:00.004-05:00

Mainstream media is abuzz about Apple's big press conference today. But what if Apple doesn't deliver the goods today? What a let down that would be.

I don't think we should fret. Here's why?

All the buzz is very calculated and being deliberately created by Apple's PR machine. Today is the climax of months of public relations work that has seeded anticipation not only among Apple geeks, but also among general consumer folks like myself.

If Apple did not have the tablet ready to deliver, the company would be downplaying the speculation so as not to miss expectations.

So fear not. The fact that Apple is not refuting the speculation is proof positive we will see the long-awaited tablet today.

Will it live up to the hype? Based on my user experience with the iPod Touch, I think Apple can deliver. They experimented with the "thin" laptop. They have the App Store and iTunes fine-tuned to deliver user customization. And now we're reading that Apple is negotiating with the media God's to deliver content.

I'll be happy to test the new tablet for Apple, if they just reach out to me and send one my way. I think I can offer a good honest opinion.

My big question right now isn't whether we see the table today. I'm interested to see if Apple makes the iPhone available to Verizon Wireless or other cell phone carriers.

If that happens, it will be double Nirvana.

On the Ropes: Will Democrat Desperation Lead to a Double Dip Recession?

2010-01-23T18:02:00.001-05:00

After Scott Brown's stunning victory in Massachusetts this week, the White House seems to be staggering to get up from the mat and fight to regain some momentum.

Not only has Brown's victory resulted in throwing a wrench in the advancement of the Obama health care plan, but symbolically, the timing of the victory just one year after the President's historic inauguration has dealt a double blow to the administration as favorability plummets.

The election seems to not only be a rejection of health care, but also of what history may determine was an overreach by liberal Democrats, most notably underscored by historic deficit spending.

From a strategy standpoint, it looks like the White House is finally realizing that it is time to shift the message away from the health care debate to an attack on financial institutions. This is a risky, potentially all-or-nothing strategy as the White House works to position Congressional candidates for mid-term reelection.

Why is attacking the banking industry so risky?

Just look at the stock market. Is it coincidental that the market retracted this week with President Obama's announcement of a new tax on banks and a new reform package? Likely not.

The bank tax is just bad public policy. Rather than taxing financial institutions deposits, payment for programs like the TARP and TALF efforts seem they would be better funded through FDIC or some other mechanism.

The reform package to fix the moral hazard created by the governments intervention to stop the market crash in 2008 is another story. In my opinion, this needs to be fixed to prevent risky behavior by large institutions moving forward (again, just my personal opinion).

However, this is all complex. The general population, and sometimes the whimsical stock market, don't think deeply about the market actions of politicians.

The president has decided he will take the populist approach and govern "campaign trial-style" by attacking the banks and banking that the public will will join the pile-on, leveraging profits and bonuses to stir the masses.

It's all great to get the people on your side, but the support may be short lived. As the attack on the banks (whose loans and ability to loan are the backbone to any recovery) continues, it's very likely the stock market will continue to slide.

As the market slides, so goes perception on the overall health of the economy. Mix in what appears to be a new rise in fuel prices and continuing unemployment, not to mention the powder keg that could explode if the Bernanke confirmation is rejected, and the White House and the Democrats have big problem moving deeper into the election cycle. It might be too late already (not that the GOP is any better equipped to deal with the situation).

The bottom line here: The President's desperation to regain political momentum by attacking the banks may actually result in a double dip recession and, subsequently, solidify Barrack Obama as a one term president.

How the New York Times Charging for Content May Be Good for Me

2010-01-21T23:36:00.000-05:00

So yesterday, the New York Times acknowledged that it will be charging for content in 2011. No doubt other news organizations will follow suit over the next year or so. They must or they will perish. It's simple economics.

I'm not really shocked this is happening and the more I got to thinking about this, not only is it inevitable (said Agent Smith to Mr. Anderson), but I believe I have actually discovered a way this may benefit me.

I'm the type of guy who, upon the arrival of birthdays or Christmas, never knows what to put on my wish list. This has resulted in a varied collection of ugly ties, knick knacks that collect dust, and a number of money clips (I don't carry cash).

As the news outlets move to the payment model (and make no bones about it, this will include the CNN's, Fox's, and others), I now know what to ask Santa to bring.

I can hear the conversation now with my wife and sons. "So, what do you want for your birthday?" My response "Oh, maybe an iTunes card and a gift subscription for a year ot the New York Times."

I figure if I play my cards right with my wife, my kids, my parents, and my in-laws, not only am I an easy gift purchase moving forward, but I get exactly what I want and need. It's no different than that gift subscription I got every year for Newsweek.

This all assumes I stay off the "naughty" list.

Domino's New Pizza Is Blast from the Past (Kind of...)

2010-01-11T23:31:00.000-05:00

When I was a kid, the first pizza we ever had delivered was Domino's Pizza. The doughy crust, lots of cheese and great pepperoni made it a favorite for many years.

Then Domino's got cheap and ruined their pizza. The crust tasted like and had the texture of cardboard, the sauce was boring and the cheese tasted fake.

Now, Domino's has changed the recipe again, and my family was pleasantly surprised last night. We had a large pep and a medium pep, ground beef and onion.

I hadn't even realized Domino's had re-invented it's pie. Haven't seen any advertising. But all three of my boys indicated they were aware. I guess I watch the wrong channels on cable. Domino's is promoting the "new" pie online. I'm linking to their YouTube video below.

I'm not one for many food reviews, but here's my take:

The crust: They brought the doughy crust back. And this time, it's covered with garlic butter. The texture is great. The garlic butter is yum. The dough holds the pizza ingredients very well and is very complimentary to the overall experience.
The sauce: The memo on the updated pizza box says they added some hot pepper to the sauce to give it an extra kick. To tell you the truth, I didn't sense that much of a kick. The sauce, to me, had a good tomato paste taste with a bit of sweet and salt. If there was a red pepper kick, it went right over my taste buds. In my opinion, the way to ruin a good pizza is to over do the sauce. These pies had just the right amount.
The cheese: I don't know what they did with the cheese, but it didn't taste fake or processed like recent past Domino's pizzas had tasted. It was very good.

Overall, you can tell Domino's has done quite a bit of focus group product tests to get this relaunch right. To me, it taste more like the older Domino's pizza, the one I grew up with. The big win is that the crust is back!

We had sworn off Domino's for a while, but the general consensus around the table was pretty positive last night all around.

Domino's is back on the menu at our house--for now. We still like Benny's the best, but with Papa John's absent from the area, we have another pizza option in the 'ville.

New Years' Resolutions

2009-12-30T17:20:00.000-05:00

Tis the season for New Years' Resolutions.

What is your's this year? Lose weight? Read through the Bible? Stop drinking soda pop?

If you are like most people, it really doesn't matter where you land on you resolution. Give it a few weeks, and the resolve will have disappeared.

Why is it so hard for us to stick to our New Year's resolutions? I have a theory.

Most resolutions ring hollow because they are made in isolation. They focus on things we know we should probably fix, but they never come to fruition because they lack any accountability.

We like to make New Year's resolutions, because we know, in reality, they are really toothless tigers. If we don't follow through, there really aren't any consequences. So if we're really serious about making substantial change in our lives, we need to do so in community, not in isolation.

I've been learning this in my quest to run a 5K before I turn 40. This wasn't a choice I made in isolation. It's one I made in partnership with my wife. We made commitment in August...and here we are moving into the New Year and we're still consistently working toward the goal.

In August, I wasn't doing any physical activity. For the past 10 years, I really haven't done much in terms of physical activity. I got busy in my 30's and physical fitness wasn't really a priority. I gained weight and could climb two flights of stairs without wheezing. As a matter of fact, I don't think I ever had run a mile in my life up to that point.

But, together, Victoria and I made our little commitment (can you say "resolution"?). We've been exercising three times a week (with a small break for Christmas) for more than three months. As off today, I'm able to run a little over 2 miles in less than 20 minutes. I can run a mile in about 8 minutes, 50 seconds. Not breaking any records, but not bad for an amateur like me.

Had I made such a commitment on my own, I guarantee it would not have lasted past the first run that humid evening in August. But Victoria and I joined in this together...and that has made all the difference.

We encourage each other and hold each other accountable. We're spending more quality time together. Sharing the goal in common has boosted our self-esteem. I can breathe!!!

The point: we can effect great change in our lives when we join with others in the journey. When we try to do it alone, we are likely to fail quickly.

I'm not sure if Victoria and I will reach our goal to run a 5K by 40, but we're still on track because we're doing it together.

How about you? What do you want to change in 2010? If you really want to move the needle, don't "resolve" in isolation.

Find a partner.

Resolve together.

Enjoy the journey.

Is Preaching the Greatest Enemy of Modern Chrisitianity?

2009-12-19T23:50:00.000-05:00

Go to any protestant evangelical church on any Sunday and, more likely than not, the sermon is the main event. But could it be possible that preaching is the greatest driver of spiritual apathy in the modern church?

It seems almost heretical to make such a statement, but it may be the most profound paradox the Christian church must successfully wrestle with in order to maintain its relevancy.

That's right. Preaching may be greatest detriment to spiritual formation in the 21st Century. Before we dismiss this notion, it is important to consider how the modern church's addiction to the the preaching paradigm is growing more and more irrelevant in a post-modern society. This is difficult for the traditional Protestant to handle.

We've been conditioned for the "sermon model" since birth. In fact, the sermon has always been an important part of Christian liturgy, dating all the way back to the book of Acts. The sermon will always be important, but over-reliance on any single method can be counter productive.

How?

Primarily, preaching enables neutral engagement with the Word of God.

For the preacher, the sermon is an incredibly engaging experience with the Word of God. A well-crafted and well-delivered sermon requires hours of deep thinking, theological wrestling, and preparation. When I preach, I find the experience intense and spiritually nutritious. I find God speaking to me and shaping me through the entire process.

For the congregation, the sermon can be incredibly engaging, but it can also be the easiest part of worship in which to "check out". Don't misunderstand. Preaching can be effective and is. The Holy Spirit can work through the worst sermon and still produce kingdom building results. My argument here is that, for many people, the sermon is the least engaging portion of worship.

How easy it is to day-dream or drift during even the best of sermons? And when the Holy Spirit moves, there is no externally driven accountability to act on that movement.

Additionally, the passive posture of the congregation in the "sermon model" does not allow for active engagement with the word, mentally or spiritually. It's easy to let the words go in one ear, come out the other, and leave the worshiper unchallenged and unchanged.

I think this passive posture explains, in some way, the spiritual apathy we see in many congregations today. The apathy is driven by the fact that we don't force people who are actively seeking to actively engage in the Word on a consistent basis. One way, "from the pulpit" communication does not force the congregation to actively wrestle with the Word or the concepts being delivered in the Sermon.

Our post-modern culture is about "interactive". This means less control over the agenda. "Interactive" hands at least some of the control over to the audience. "Interactive" may be less efficient than preaching, and possibly more risky.

It is bizarre to think that sitting and listening to a sermon may be encouraging spiritual apathy. To grow, we need to do more than just listen. Every man, woman, and child who darkens the door of a church needs to be spiritually nurtured. That means they need to be given more opportunity not only hear the Word, but to also be able to digest, discuss, and respond to it in community. We can argue that Sunday School or small groups is the place for dialogue. True. But the biggest and most relevant opportunity to spur dialogue is in that primary worship time. The question is "how do we change our methods to foster more engagement?"

This is where the seeds of the next spiritual revival reside. Not from behind the pulpit, but out in the congregation, as believers are encouraged to grapple with the Word in a more active manner.

The church is asleep in the pew. It's time to wake them up and get them talking.

My Christmas Wish: An Apple Tablet in 2010

2009-12-09T19:32:00.000-05:00

If I can have only one thing for Christmas, it would be confirmation that Apple IS going to unveil a tablet device in 2010. Today, Reuters published an online story further fueling the rumors.

I'm hooked on my iPod touch. I love the apps and the ease of use. I find my iPod Touch so useful that I find myself opening my laptop only when I'm in "content creation" mode. The Touch allows me to access my content and share in a WiFi environment. Since I typically use it at home, that's no big deal.

The only drawback to the Touch is it's small size. A larger screen (maybe a bit bigger than the Amazon Kindle), would be ideal, especially of the iPod apps transfer right over to the new device.

A friend of mine shared a YouTube video that shows how a tablet could change how we read and collect information. It's pretty cool. Take a look.

Letterman on Tiger Woods

2009-12-09T12:45:00.000-05:00

I viewed this video over my lunch this afternoon.

I'm keeping an eye on how David Letterman is using his own sex harrassment crisis to discuss the Tiger Woods situation on his show. In this clip, he interviews Barbara Walters who makes a very good point that athletes are very talented but they are not role models (although as a culture we idolize them).

Dave is witty and funny...and potentially a PR genius.

Is he using Tiger's situation to deflate his own crisis, which is ongoing? He's been very transparent on his show about his own failings and now it feels like there is a subtle effort to use Tiger to leave the impression that "gee...I'm not as bad as this guy."

Am I reading too much into that?

Here comes the wind...again

2009-12-08T20:23:00.000-05:00

Old man winter 2009 is making a vocal entrance in the Midwest. A blizzard closed down parts of Iowa today and now forecasters in central Ohio are saying we're in for winds as strong as those brought on by Hurricane Ike in September 2008.

The National Weather Service forecast discussion this evening says Ohioan's can expect rain, a little bit of snow, but mostly strong winds. And since there is no Tiger Woods connection to Ohio (at least not yet), the local media is gearing up for coverage of the storm, as noted here by the Columbus Dispatch.

The big worry has to be power outages. Even though the temperature is supposed to warm up over the next 48 hours, everyone has to be just a little queasy about losing electricity for several days due to the high winds. And then I think off all those folks who had their roofs replaced because of the wind damage. Hope we can avoid that....

How strong are 60 mile per hour winds? Here's some video from September 2008 I snapped from my eNV2 demonstrating the wind speeds, literally, in our 'hood. Let's hope this isn't another Ike!

Marysville Holiday Parade

2009-12-06T16:14:00.000-05:00

It was chilly, but the Marysville, OH 2009 Elks Holiday Parade was a pretty good time on today.

In my opinion, this parade is the best of the year. While it's the same crowds and same attractions, I think the holiday theme makes it the most enjoyable.

This parade and the annual Care Train auction are the signs of the season in Union County.

My son Andrew actually caught a stuffed bear in addition to a pretty decent stash of candy. He collected almost as much sugar this afternoon from the floats as he did on Trick or Treat night. My oldest son, Curtis, was in the marching band.

The only downer for the parade was the mob of out-of-town petition collection folks. They were everywhere seeking signatures to let Ohioan's vote next spring on video slot machines for horse tracks. We politely declined about 50 times. They were polite, but obviously from out of town. Not at the holiday parade folks. Please.

Regardless, the parade was a good time. Here's some video.

Cemetery or Swimming Pool?

2009-12-05T22:42:00.000-05:00

Which one is the more important public service? Maintaining the cemetery or keeping open the local pool next summer? That's the issue in the big city of Marysville, Ohio. Or is it?

I read in the local paper tonight that there were some concerns expressed about Marysville's decision to lay off the cemetery workers to help manage the city budget. And there is talk of keeping the pool closed to save money.

Sounds like city leaders plan on really tugging on the emotional levers to get passage of a half percent income tax increase on the next election ballot.

Earlier this year, the "ask" was for a half percent income tax increase to build a new police station/city hall/fire station (whatever). Now, we're talking about shutting down existing services.

If we need to generate more revenue to maintain essential services (like maintaining the cemetery), then it's probably a good idea to just be straight with voters. But now, it really feels like the story has changed.

Are we being asked to increase taxes to build new stuff, or to just keep the lights on in some departments? Or are the cemetery and pool issues being used as emotional leverage to get the funding for the new facilities.

What is the real story? Or is there some manipulation going on?

If the city is in the dire financial situation being reported in the paper, then we probably shouldn't be thinking too much about new bricks and mortar.

If my household budget is struggling to pay the bills, I'm not thinking about building a new house or buying a new car.

The same type of fiscal prudence should rule the day at city hall.

Thinking about summer vacation

2009-12-05T00:03:00.000-05:00

It's cold tonight. I'm thinking about summer vacation.

This video is from our vacation in TN this summer.

We watched the Pigeon Forge fireworks from our cabin just outside of town.

2009-12-04T23:56:00.000-05:00

A little bit of experimentation today as I posted my first video to YouTube.

YouTube has been around so long and I've just never taken the time to try it out.

We'll see where this goes moving forward. If anything, more diverse content for my blog.

Do you test God?

2009-11-28T22:16:00.000-05:00

So much of the time in our search for God, it's common to throw out a fleece.

"God, I'll know you want me to do x, if you do y." Sound familiar?

I'm not thinking God likes to be tested like this.

I've been studying the story of Gideon lately. In my Christian education, Gideon has been treated mostly as a faith hero. He defeated, no, he routed the Midianites with just a handful of men. But was this because of Gideon's tremendous faith in God? Maybe.

I would argue that Gideon was a spiritual wimp. And we can learn lessons from him.

If you look at the story of Gideon, he's always questioning God. When he meets the angel of the Lord, he basically says "Wait here so I can go get an offering and make sure you're the real deal."

Then when God orders him to take the Midianites, he doesn't march straight onto the field of battle. Instead, he throws out a fleece to test God. Not once, but TWICE, just to make sure God's not yanking his femur. This doesn't portend a bold faith, but rather a skeptic seeking confirmation.

This whole story about God reducing Gideon's army? I think this was God teaching Gideon a lesson about doubt.

God told Gideon he would be victorious, but Gideon doubted. So God had to take action to make sure Gideon got the point. He whittled down his army until it was only a fraction of the opposing force. Now Gideon was really sweating. So God sends him down to spy on the enemy camp. Only when he overhears a conversation about the fear of the Midianites does he finally have the guts to take action on God's promise.

And then finally, Gideon so quickly forgets about God's deliverance. He take part of the plunder, creates an ephod (an idol) and it becomes a snare for he and his household.

Great man of faith? I don't think so.

It makes me wonder. Am I a confident believer or a skeptical follower? There's a big difference.

It's ironic that Gideon is so conservative and risk aversive. His lack of faith (steeped in his risk averse nature) robs him of the happiness and fulfillment he's longing for in his life.

Yes, Gideon does wind up acting on God's direction in many instances. And he does so on faith. But it's a weak faith, diluted by doubt.

Imagine how much more he may have accomplished if he were more confident in God's promises.

Or maybe Gideon is a hero. He doubts. But in his doubt, he acts in faith. Can I say that?

Why we should resist studying the Bible alone

2009-11-21T22:52:00.000-05:00

I'm convinced more and more that the Word of God needs to be increasingly shared and studied in community. This occurs in small group bible study and in other forums like Sunday School. While sermons, combined with worship and prayer are effective, they represent one-way communication. Dialogue about The Bible is another necessary tool to that can promote significant spiritual growth.

There will always be a necessary place for private study and meditation on the Word for a healthy Christian walk. However, the study of the Word takes on a different, and necessary, dynamic when studied together with other Christians.

This "community" dynamic is important, both to the community, and to the individual. The Word comes to life in a unique way when it is read, shared, probed, debated, and discussed among fellow believers.

Every individual in the dialogue brings a unique point of view to the discussion. They bring a view shaped and formed by their own personal walk and interaction with the Scriptures. Sometimes these views easily confirm the corporate view of the meaning of a particular passage.

And sometimes these views are mis-shaped, warped, or even just plain-old-wrong. But it's okay, because a healthy dialog on the Word can provide correction, deeper understanding, and application of the letters on the page in real life.

When we get together and share our insights and thoughts about the Scriptures, and we do it the right way, we wind up teaching one another.

How does this impact small group and Sunday School discussions. Here are a few items to consider.

1. Facilitate rather than teach. To foster a healthy dialog around a particular passage of Scripture, Sunday School teachers and small group leaders need to learn how to talk less. And when they talk, use words efficiently. Rather than make statements, ask questions that lead others to share their thoughts about the passage.

2. Open ended questions work wonders. Good discussion will be fostered by a teacher or group leaders ability to ask relevant open-ended questions about a passage. What is an "open ended" question? It's a question that when asked DOES NOT lead to a yes/no answer. Simply asking "What do you think this passage means?" can open a rip roaring discussion.

3. Draw comments out of participants. Most of the time, people small group or class have lots to say. People are very opinionated, especially about Scripture. Your job isn't to "teach" them. It's to draw them into the conversation. Many times, a response will be just a word or two. A simple technique you can use to draw more insight out of that individual is to ask "Say some more about that?" or "So what do you mean when you say that?" Resist filling in the blanks. When they are done responding, sometimes it is a good idea to restate their thought to make sure the group understands their point.

4. Teach with a strategy in mind. When I study to prepare for a Sunday School lesson or small group discussion, I have a deliberate goal in mind. In my study and prep, I often uncover two to four key points I feel need to be made. I deem a class a success if I can get the participants to make all my points for me by sharing their own insights and wisdom about my topic. My goal: get them to teach the class or group. I'm just along for the ride. That means I need to know where I want the discussion to go. It also means giving thought to the right questions that need to be asked to get there.

5. Be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. I love to watch the Holy Spirit move in and through a group dialogue on a particular passage. I view my role as facilitator to be sensitive to the narrative that is being woven by the community discussion. Be prepared to let the Spirit dominate the agenda, not your game plan.

In many ways, facilitating community discussions on the Word can be more challenging that just preparing a lecture session. The key is for the facilitator/teacher to be well versed in the passage being discussed. If you do your homework and personally study and internalize the passage, you will be so much better prepared to lead the group down the right path. Don't try to wing it or you may be sorry and frustrated.

There is great value in studying the Word in community. I have other thoughts I'll share soon.

Hitting a Wall--and finishing the race!

2009-11-12T22:37:00.000-05:00

I've made it no secret recently that my wife and I have set a goal to run a 5K before we turn 40 next summer.

We've been training for three months now. While we still have a long way to go, I'm able to run two miles! I'm excited about that type of incremental progress over 90 days. Every time we go to run, I realize just how much of a mental game the who "exercise" actually is for me.

Some nights I'm just in the right mental zone and I'm able to get my running regimen in with relative ease. Other nights, it is very difficult and I struggle to finish the course.

This evening as I was just coming up on the en d of my run, it hit me just how weary we can sometimes be as we're finishing a leg of the race.

For some reason, that passage in Hebrews came to mind. You know, that one that talks about how we will be surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses when we enter into heaven and finish our personal race. I can't help but think that we will be exhausted rounding the corner into that arena. We'll be tempted not to finish. Our souls will ache (just like my legs did tonight!). Our lungs will burn. We may feel as if we just can't go another step.

But it's amazing how motivating it can be when we're running with others and know that even more eyes are watching.

Victoria and I run together nightly. Despite my strain in our run, I was encouraged to finish the course, in part, because I knew I wasn't alone.

Just as Victoria's quiet presence encouraged me to finish my run today, I truly believe that the presence of that great cloud of witnesses will help encourage us to finish the greater race down the road. They'll help believers not only then, but knowing their is a great crowd cheering us on in heaven right now should encourage those who are tempted to falter.

We are spiritually formed in fellowship with our fellow believers. I see that clearly every time Victoria and I run. I see it in that visionary passage in Hebrews.

If you are weary and are tempted to give up, know their is a great cloud of witnesses watching and cheering for you.

When we see our sisters and brothers struggling, we should never underestimate how a simple word of encouragement (and even our presence) can be an encouragement.

Run your race. But know that you don't run it alone.

Joy Suckers

2009-10-20T23:37:00.000-04:00

In Philippians 4, the apostle Paul doesn't just tell the church in Philippi to rejoice. He commands them to do so with an emphatic "!" behind the order.

Why do we need an order to be joyful? Shouldn't that just come naturally to us?

I don't know about you, but sometimes I forget about my reasons to be joyous and Paul's emphatic command to rejoice is just the kick in the pants that I need to remember the true victory I share with my sisters and brothers in Christ.

Sometimes I forget and let my emotions get me down. I think this is natural for human beings. Sometimes I forget and let immediate circumstances drive my attitude, not the heavenly circumstances. Those are typically those moments when I say words I wish I could pull back in. Those are the moments when I speak in anger when I should sit in silence.

The joy that comes from knowing Christ has a way of making earthly things that can upset us seem so trivial. When I compare trivial, temporal issues to the all surpassing grace and love bestowed on me by a living God, I feel like schmuck for even worrying about those issues.

Sometimes when we talk about joy suckers--those things that really prevent us from being able to REJOICE--we automatically go to external things. I'm thinking of things like illness, conflicts with others, stress at work, etc.

However, I think that one of the biggest joy suckers out there is just plain busy-ness. We are so busy. Schedules packed, bags packed, I'll see you when I see you relationships with loved ones.

Busy-ness leads to spiritual numbness. It's almost as if we are addicted to "busy". When we are "busy" we have an excuse to ignore the issues in our lives that most deeply need addressed. When we are "busy" we have "more important" things to do.

Busy leads to apathy. Apathy is the biggest joy sucker of them all. I don't rejoice, frankly, because I don't care.

How do we remedy this? Apathy can only be effectively neutralized when we're kicked in the seat of the pants. Hence the need for Paul's command. He knew what it was like to be lulled into apathy! He sat for days and months in a jail cell all by himself. He walked across southern Europe to spread the Gospel (you don't think some of those afternoons on the roads of Greece and elsewhere were totally boring? C'mon, no iPods!)

Paul understood a simple principle for humans on the faith journey. Simply put, we regularly need reminded of our reasons to rejoice. Hence, liturgy, worship, etc.

Even our commitment to daily prayer and devotion acts as a reminder for us that God is good, that He loves us, and that He's taken great pains a (literally) to save us.

So, please: REJOICE!! Even if you don't feel like it. You can, because the Big Guy has things under control.

Breathing

2009-10-15T22:09:00.000-04:00

I've been running / jogging quite a bit lately.

As I continue to stretch my endurance and the duration of my ability to keep moving forward, I've noticed that I'm able to keep making progress if I don't focus on moving forward.

There is a mental hurdle that crops up for me when I run if I focus on my legs and my progress. It's harder to run longer if I'm placing my attention on the pain in my legs, the stop watch, or objects off in the distance.

I have found it useful to take my mind of time and strain by focusing my thoughts and energy on each individual breath. That's right--every breath.

When I focus on bringing air fully into my lungs and the exhaling smoothly and freely, it takes my mind of what discourages me and what impairs my ability to make progress. After coaching my wife through the natural birth of three sons, I finally understand the principles of all those Lamaze classes we took in preparation for labor.

The focus of my attention on breathing helps me stay focussed right in the "now". When I focus on this simple--and natural---process of breathing, my endurance increases. And as my endurance increases, so does my physical ability.

How does this all apply to spirituality?

When we face long-term and difficult situations in life, maybe there is value in focusing on the presence off God in the moment. With each breath--pulling air in and pushing air out--we can focus our attention on drawing the presence of the Holy Spirit into our being.

Instead of trying to look forward at the insurmountable obstacles in front of us, maybe it is a better idea to focus on the presence of God in the moment. "I don't sense God's presence", you say? Breath in deeply. Feel the oxygen expand your lungs. Know that as real as that sensation is, God is also fully present and with you in the moment. He wants to fill you and expand your spirit to give you the strength and the energy to withstand that moment.

Instead of focusing on the slow passage of time during a difficult situations, don't dwell on the clock. Focus on God who is as dependable as that next breath you draw into your body.

As we draw our attention to the Father, with every breath, every step of the way, know that you are making progress. Know that God is sustaining you, training you, maintaining you as you make progress.

The terrain may be steep in front of you. The challenge may seem too much. Don't focus on the pain.

Depend on him in every breath. Pray his presence with every step. He wants to help you and hold you up, if you'll give him your attention.

Solomon's Loose Grip on Stuff

2009-10-14T22:05:00.000-04:00

The wisdom of King Solomon isn't just a myth. His wisdom is evident in the appropriate balance he brought to his life.

Solomon was the most powerful man of his time. And he was the richest. But he had the right perspective. When he prayed to God, he didn't ask for more money or power. He asked for wisdom so he could appropriately fulfill his role as the leader of the nation of Israel.

I don't know about you, but if I knew I could ask God for anything I wanted, I'm not sure I'd have the wisdom to ask for wisdom.

I think Solomon was an even keeled soul. Not only did he ask for the right stuff in his prayer to the Heavenly Father, he was an incredible steward of the resources at his fingertips.

In Solomon's stewardship, I find a balance that not only tells a good story in the Bible, but a balance that also informs how wise women and men today should live their lives.

Solomon invested extravagantly in a home for himself and in treasure. BUT, at the same time, Solomon invested extravagantly in building a home for God. That home was the great temple in Jerusalem. Although that temple was torn down by man, Solomon made a financial investment in his faith commensurate to the investment himself.

Can we say that in our own lives? Can we say we equally (or at least significantly) invest as much in things that are important to God as we do things that are important to us?

Solomon understood that how he invested his resources was (and is for us) an outward sign of the inward investment we have made spiritually.

In 2 Samuel 1, Solomon talks about how God owns everything that we have. We're just stewards of all this stuff.

The more loosely we hold to the things of this world, the more tightly we can grasp the eternal, spiritual, and more deeply meaningful things of God.

The Root of ....

2009-06-16T21:23:00.000-04:00

You ever get a letter in the mail from one of your utilities or some other service provider where they tell you they are raising their prices or cutting back on what you get out of the deal?

I got one of those letters recently and it really ticked me off. After allowing the issue to simmer for a while, I was able to be a bit more introspective about the situation.

What caused my reaction of anger to that notice in the envelope? What caused me to (at least mentally) lash out at the sender of the notice?

At first, I found myself going through a justification process. I was working through my mind how I was the victim. This isn't fair! That's MY money. They can't have it.

Then it struck me. Is there something God was trying to teach me through that letter....and my knee-jerk reaction of anger.

As I become more honest with my reaction, I had to admit that my anger, my sense of being victimized, my sense of being wronged....were all legit. But there is something deeper.

My reaction is/was rooted in a deep sense of selfishness. I'm realizing that I'm more enslaved to my money and my posessions and my rights than I care to admit.

No it's not fair. But how we react to "unfair" correlates directly to our attachment to material things.

Attachment to stuff lashes out in anger when it is poked.

We're passionate about our attachments. I know I am.

So how can I unattach myself from material things and attach myself more to God?

It's a start just to be aware of the attachment.

Christians Should be "Inquiring Minds"

2009-06-13T11:33:00.000-04:00

Been a while since I've posted.

I'm thinking about the teaching of Jesus regarding prayer.

In the Sermon on the Mount, he puts a heavy emphasis on praying with the right intent, seeking the Will of God in our lives here on Earth as it is being done in Heaven.

He says we need to ask, seek, and knock. More correctly, he says we need to be asking, seeking, and knocking...............continuously.

We are a quirky lot, we humans. We like instant answers, instant response, instant results to our needs. The cliche "microwave" society is overused for certain. We want outcomes and we want them fast.

But then, we're back wanting more stuff to fill our lives. It's a viscous cycle.

The National Inquirer used to have a slogan on commercials that said "Inquiring minds want to know." While they were going after the gossip market, the Inquirer's motto fits in nicely with the path a growing Christian should consider.

A growing Christian should be one who is constantly inquiring of God. Asking. Seeking. Knocking. Part of healthy spiritual development is this constant "going to God" for provision, guidance, and barrier removal.

It doesn't mean that God will answer to our every beck, call and desire. However, prayerfully seeking God out continuously is something that helps shape us spiritually into His image.

Learning God's will and doing God's will in our lives is a process of constant inquiry, discovery, and obedience. If we're not actively asking, seeking, and knocking (note nagging is not included on this list) then we're setting ourselves up for spiritual stagnation.

Fresh Take on The Christmas Story

2008-12-21T12:28:00.000-05:00

So I've been thinking about the Christmas story from the characters' points of view. They don't have the luxury we do today of having grown up with the story. They don't have the luxury (like I do) of knowing exactly what happens next.

For instance, Mary didn't know if Joseph would keep her or kick her to the curb, but she was obedient anyhow. And Joseph was exactly the type of support Mary needed....just the man for the job.

Mary and Joseph were probably "nesting" in Nazareth and were not planning to travel to Bethlehem right around the due date....but they did. Talk about a curve ball--and yet they were still right in the middle of God's will.

The shepherds found themselves looking down the barrel of God's army of angels. Can you imagine that? (Scenes of the armies from Lord of the Rings comes to mind). No wonder they were scared out of their wits (sore afraid is an understatement).

So your Joseph, and you are working from your new home in Bethlehem, when a caravan of Magi show up on your front porch and unload a boatload of treasure on your front porch. Talk about winning the lottery. Your set for life in this little town now, right? Errr, wait, take the money and run, because Herod is coming. Good thing we had these goods, because they'll help us make it to Egypt.

A friend of mine told me of an observation she recently read regarding the Christmas story. The person observed that the Christmas story HAS to be true. It's got too many quirks and turns for it to made up.

What a wonderful story of God's provision, protection, affirmation, and salvation.

And he's still doing it today!

Merry Christmas.

A Christmas Verse

2008-12-12T23:59:00.000-05:00

Tiny baby,
Tired parents,
No room to stay,
No one cares
No home for this child.

Born in the elements,
Born in the dark,
Only the sheep herders care to notice.
Just another silent night.

Royal baby,
Blessed parents.
Humble birth,
Angels sing on high.

God from heaven
In flesh among us.
Light of the world,
Ignites our fire.

Heavenly Hosts and wise men worship
Silent night,
Holy Night.

Resurrection: The Real Deal

2008-11-08T16:46:00.000-05:00

I’m pondering what the Bible has to say about Resurrection.

We know that Resurrection is the cornerstone of our hope and faith.

Resurrection is the touchdown catch that wins the game. It’s the grand slam home run that seals the victory. It’s the slam dunk. The hole in one.

Resurrection is at the center of the Christian faith.

Today, the reality of Resurrection finds itself overwhelmed by punts, foul balls, bricks, and bogeys.

Our culture today hopes for Resurrection, but, scientifically speaking, it’s a hard thing to swallow.

Where is the evidence? With all our modern medicine and science, we still can’t bring a dead person back to life. Death is so…final.

Resurrection? Just like in sports: “What have you done for me lately?”

As a person of faith who believes in the actual, physical resurrection of Jesus from the dead, it is hard not to be overwhelmed by our experience (a real Resurrection would make the news world-wide) and by the seeming finality of death all around us.

We get beat down by experience and then we get distracted by the “now”, the immediacy of living life. We deliberately medicate our fear by getting busy, accumulating, achieving, gathering, and serving others. Anything but face this uncertainty around the big question: Is there really life after life?

I think we’ll all be shocked by the Truth. I believe that is what happened to the eyewitnesses of Jesus’ Resurrection. They were astonished and shocked. At first, the were bewildered by the empty tomb and they were potentially afraid they were being set up. Wouldn’t you feel like someone was yanking your chain?

But then, they realized the shocking Truth! Jesus was physically resurrected, a new body “swallowing up death in victory”. The old body plus new features we can’t imagine.

The Resurrection witnesses were shocked, just like this world will be. The impossible had happened. Glory! The IMPOSSIBLE REALLY HAPPENED!

I play bogey golf. I’m not a good free throw shooter. I stink at baseball. I’ll never score a winning touchdown…….in this body.

In spite of science and conventional wisdom, I believe in a God that can pull it off. Resurrection is real.

Facing Pain and Suffering

2008-09-22T11:50:00.000-04:00

This is a good story that illustrates how we don't have to face pain and suffering alone. There is no miracle at the end of the story, because it isn't over yet.

Endurance

2008-09-01T09:46:00.000-04:00

It's been a while since I've posted....

Lately, I've been studying about endurance and hanging in there for the spiritual long-haul. I think today's society and our demand for instant satisfaction make it tempting to give up on the journey of spiritual transformation.

We are so heavily conditioned to expect immediate results in in our drive-thru, fast-food, 21st century mentality, that we don't have a long-enough attention span to stick with our spiritual journey over the long-haul. It could be that the greatest threat to vibrant Christian spirituality in this day is APATHY. We don't get results--we get bored--we become apathetic--we move to the next "quick hit" opportunity.

With the Olympics just past, it is too tempting to pass up the imagery of the marathon and the marathon runner. How do they do it? How do they go the distance? How do they weather the pain, the pressure, the competition, the boredom, the monotony of that long, long run?

I know several marathon runners, and most of them talk about the mental discipline it takes to go the distance.

For those of us on the spiritual marathon to Christ-likeness, we need to depend wholly on the Spirit to carry us, but there is an element of mental discipline we need to stay the course.

There is an element of "intentionality" (a real word?) that is required of the follower of Christ. We have to be intentional about our spiritual life. We can't move forward in neutral. We can't allow ourselves to just be carried by the currents of our everyday existence. We have to willfully decided to follow Jesus every moment, every hour, every day.

That's tough work.

Spiritual Recession

2008-07-20T08:18:00.000-04:00

We Westerners are so caught up in Ben Bernake's comments as the fed chief on the economy. Things are tough, but there is another type of recession that is growing--spiritual recession.

Just today, Pope Benedict has made a profound observation in Australia:

"The world needs this renewal," he said. "In so many of our societies, side by side with material prosperity, a spiritual desert is spreading, an interior emptiness, an unnamed fear, a quiet sense of despair."

In our most prosperous age (even in the wake of economic downturn), we are in a spiritual recession described as....

Spiritual desert

Interior emptiness

Unnamed fear

A quiet sense of despair....

But, alas, there is hope. Let your light shine today!

Surfing the Net

2008-06-27T06:51:00.000-04:00

Richard Foster says that "it is a positive virtue for us to remain ignorant of much of the attention-getting, ego-driven, greed-motivated words that whiz by on the information super highway. We do so in order to be attentive to words that speak life into our souls. This, too, is discipline."

Surfing the net is becoming the pass-time activity for most people who have a computer. These days, that is a lot of us.

All these words and images are now available to us 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Millions of people (this blog included) and organizations post ga-zillions of new web pages every day and we're all consumed with roaming through these piles of information on-line.

With all this information "whizzing" past us and coming at us, it is so easy for our mental energy to be consumed by the clutter. We are conditioned to consume-consume words and images in a new way in the age of the Internet. We chew fast and swallow, so we can move on to the next tidbit of information.

We are being conditioned to "speed read". I have a book about reading faster on my desk. I bought it because I have too many things I need to read and not enough time to read them.

But, as Foster asserts, "Some words deserve sustained attention, others do not."

Now, more than ever, is it possible those who follow Christ (or desire to do so), must learn to slow down our reading when it comes to the Scripture? Absolutely.

We can't "speed read" the Bible if we truly want the Word to penetrate our souls and change our lives.

We can't read the Bible the way we zip through the Internet, but that is the way our minds are being conditioned every day.

So there are a few implications for us with regard to "how we read."

First, we need to learn how to slow down as we read the Bible. If we read for speed, we are going to miss key truths God is trying to speak into our souls. When you crack open the Scripture, intentionally slow down and resist reading for quantity.

Second, we need to read the Bible with some sense of purpose. How many times do you find yourself aimlessly surfing the net? Doing so leads to trouble, but I've found most of the time, I surf the web with a purpose. Those bookmarks I have saved? Those guide where my eyes go. We need to read the Bible with purpose. Have a plan. If you just randomly open the Scriptures you are less likely to get what you need. Study the Bible purposefully.

Finally, with all this information flying around, things can get dangerous. There is information and images online that can get us into trouble. The reality of the Internet begs for us to develop the discipline of discernment. We need good judgment. Taking the first two points above seriously will help us develop a sensitivity about which words we need to pay attention to and which ones we need to "remain ignorant of", as Foster puts it.

What words gain your attention everyday? For me its the news content out there. I'm a junky.

What words to we need to focus more on? I need to focus more time and effort on studying Scripture.

Wow! If I spent as much time in the word as I did surfing the net......

God Writes Better Stories Than I Do

2008-06-19T20:40:00.000-04:00

A buddy and I were talking last night, sharing some recent experience where God is working in our lives.

We came to the joint conclusion that God writes amazing stories when we are obedient to the still, small voice.

Sometimes, I ignore that voice. How many times have a stifled God right as He is crafting an incredibly wonderful story?

How many good stories have I shut down because I feared to trust in God? Did I somehow think that by keeping my own hands on the wheel that I could do better? Did I somehow think that by ensuring my agenda is maintained would result in a more valuable outcome?

Our obedience to the still, small voice opens doors for God to work. He won't force the story. He has granted us the privilege of writing it with Him. And if we blow the privilege, we lose out on some really good stories in our lives and have to settle for our version.

And God? He moves on to others who allow Him to write really cool stories of grace and mercy and wisdom and redemption and healing and.....

Disicpline of Study: Looking at Familiar Objects from Different Angles

2008-06-17T23:02:00.000-04:00

The best way to view a globe of the Earth is to spin it and turn it and look at it from all the different angles.

You won't learn much about the geography and topography of China if you are focused on the North American continent. Moreover, your broader understanding of how the different geographies relate to each other is much more accurately understood with a globe rather than a map on a flat piece of paper.

The Scriptures at times have become so familiar to me that I can read them and they teach me nothing. They lull me to sleep.

Do the Scriptures lack life and truth? Or is the problem more with me? Since "beauty is in the eye of the beholder", I'd argue the problem is with me.

Familiarity breeds contempt. As we study the Scriptures, we should take great pains to not allow them to become so familiar that we become numb to the voice of God calling out to us through the letters on the page. Fight the familiarity syndrome.

One good way to go about this is to read the Scriptures and study them from a different angle. Read someone else's thoughts about familiar passages. This often brings new light to the words and new life and meaning to our souls.

Study the roles of the characters in your chosen passage from the point of view of another culture. This takes some extra work to develop that point of view. However, when done properly, studying a passage through the eyes of a different culture allows us to contemplate familiar passages in new and fresh ways.

Be creative. The word of God is living and active.

Spin the globe and look at passages from a different point of view--a different angle. When we do this, familiar Scriptures become beautiful jewels over which we can marvel from any vantage point.

Creative study can revive our perception of the Word and bring greater light and Life into our lives.

Study the Roses! Don't Just Stop and Smell Them

2008-06-09T21:43:00.000-04:00

The discipline of studying should not be confined to our daily office.

All of life presents an opportunity to study and learn more about ourselves and God. How can we affirm this? God works through all things for the good of those who believe in him, so goes the Scripture.

Life is our classroom. It's ebb and flow are the teacher. We would all be wise to not miss the opportunity we have right now to ask God what he is trying to teach us.

Sometimes we can recite the facts, but we miss the lesson.

Sometimes we see the lesson, but we forget its meaning so quickly.

Most of the time, the lesson is reiterated in our daily lives, but we're too busy to stop, reflect, and allow God to remind us.