Seth Godin is "Right"

Seth Godin is a man after my heart. He takes "issue" with the "weird" quoting found all over the place. I don't know if it's because I "read" Unnecessary Quotations, but they stick out like a sore thumb lately. So, no, Seth, you are not the only one. It drives me "nuts."

@loribaily got me thinking, too. Grammar excellence is the last thing I think about when promoting events and designing communication pieces. I'm usually so manic about the design and strategy, that it leaves little time to proofread and refine. Grammar and spelling should definitely come up higher on the list.

I constantly judge products based on what the ads look like and how they communicate. I shouldn't expect any less of a person looking into our church. If I'm not going to buy something because they use Comic Sans and quotation marks, people should assume our church is full of idiots when they see a typo in the bulletin.

Boom. Roasted. I can't believe I roasted myself.

Worship Lessons from a 3-Year-Old

Dave and I took my mom and our two nieces, Emma and Candace, camping this weekend. Dave brought along a worship CD because Candace always requests, "Jesus songs" when she's with us. We popped it in and I was gagging in the backseat of the van because of how cheesy it was. The CD was called "Modern Expressions of Worship." The problem is, it was made somewhere around 1992, I'm thinking. :::gag:::

Candace and Emma were loving it, though. It was right in their groove. Candace even broke out an air mic at one point. They pick up songs quickly (especially overly repetitive, annoying ones).

I let out a groan as a new one started because I could tell that it was only going to get worse. Candace snapped her head back at me and said, "What's wrong, Dan-L?"

"I don't like this song, " I said, as I made my best "yucky face."

Candace's mouth dropped open in shock and she said, "WHY? It's a JESUS SONG!" Then she turned around and resumed her dancing and clapping.

I joined in.

10 Extreme Lessons

This was the most wonderful ministry experience I've ever been a part of. I learned a lot, and I want to get these thoughts down before I forget them.

1. Email, Twitter and FaceBook are the best forms of communication for a quick project turnaround.
2. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition t-shirts are, apparently, worth more than gold. 
3. Teach your children how to listen to directions, or they will grow up to be annoying adults who don't understand anything you tell them. Please: do society a favor and get it done.
4. When people constantly tell you, "You're doing an awesome job, GET SOME SLEEP," you know that you must be on top of your game.
5. Anne Maleno had the most difficult job on that site...and she rocked it. She has the awesome ability to be firm and direct while staying positive and thankful toward each individual. I was impressed to say the least.
6. True colors and motivations come out in times like these. Everyone has struggles and needs, so it's important not to let those things cloud how you view a person on a regular basis. Deal with it, make it right, and then move on.
7. Teaching your church how to love and serve people is the best way to spend your marketing dollars.
8. Don't do something because you want to impress someone, do it because you're serving God. You'll never make it if you try to please people. You'll be constantly disappointed.
9. Don't underestimate the power of momentum and influence. This was just the beginning. If in one year, all we have to show for this is nice flowers on East 21st Street, we missed it big time.
10. Every human being longs for true community. Jesus can unite people more powerfully than I can explain or comprehend. Get to know your neighbors: it will probably change all of your lives.

Here's a link to some photos on flickr.

And here are some media links.