Why I hide my identity?

After I read Bruce's post on being asked to resign, I had flashbacks. I don't know if blogging had anything to do with it, but here's my story. I was blogging before blogging was cool, three or four years ago and linked by some big blogs of the day, even had a post linked by the big guy, instapundit.com (150,000 hits a day) sending thousands in traffic my way. I was never fired or asked to resign over my blog but when I did leave I was told that the board and members read my blog daily. They checked out the blogs of everyone who left comments to see if they were decent sites. They visited my blogroll daily and those I linked just trying to find something bad.

I get asked frequently of who I am and I respond in email with my name and I've been thinking of just using my name on the blog, but after reading Bruce's post. I don't think I will. Why am I telling you this? Your leaders, board members, & people read your blog and some people are evil and are looking for some reason to bust you. You say they don't know you have a blog, but do you think they can't google your name? Just beware of your blogroll, your comments, and who you link to, the devil is a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. This is just a friendly reminder.

Help!

What must I do to be able to have church E-invites for people to use to invite friends to church? Do i need certain software to add to a site or is there a hosting site? thanks!

Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln

Tally recommended "Speak like Churchill, Stand like Lincoln" on his blog, so I ordered it, and I'm loving it! I find it very interesting to learn things that great communicators do.

Here's a quote: "Churchill once said that a speech is like a symphony. It may have three movements but must have one dominant melody. Churchill would growl out the central chord of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, "da da da dum." Churchill explained that Beethoven already had that Beethoven already had that chord drumming in his head before he wrote that symphony."

Pray for Perry

Pray for Perry Noble. His blog says that he almost died from a loss of blood during an elective surgery and is in the hospital.

Top 5 Books that have Influenced Me

Bob published his Top 5 Books and asked the question what ours were. He's my Top 5 Books that have Influenced Me besides the B-I-B-L-E:
5. Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard
Reminded me it's about life transformation not numbers.

4. Why Revival Tarries by Leonard Ravenhill
This little book rocked my world when I read it ten years ago and it will change you and your church. If you have a hard time praying read this book. I have to go back and read it every so often.

3. The 21 Qualities of a Leader by John Maxwell
When I was a youth pastor, I took this book and taught one chapter a week to my leaders. It challenged me and them. They still talk about this book years later.

2. The Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren
Enough said.

1. Developing the Leader Within You by John Maxwell
This was my first leadership book I read and it blew me away when I read it. It's a classic.

What books have influenced you?

Don't Pray for Me!

This is a weird story where singer "Omarion Nixes Prayer Request".
"The B2K alum and You Got Served star is distancing himself from a press release that said the singer, scheduled to play a gig Sunday in the besieged British capital, "would like his fans to pray that he has a safe trip and a safe return home."
The widely circulated statement, published on PR Newswire within hours of Thursday's bombings, was turned into a full-blown story by the news agency Reuters, which raised the question: With at least 49 rail and bus commuters dead, and hundreds more injured in the worst attack on London since World War II, why should Omarion be singled out for prayers?"

Sunday Stew

Psalm 34:1 - "I bless GOD every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise." (The Message)

Podcasting

I've been getting questions on podcasts and I came across this book, "Podcasting: Do It Yourself Guide". Check it out for those churches wanting to get in the game.

Free Mp3s!

Check it out, fellow blogger Ben added MP3s to his church website! Adding it to my iPod to give it a listen now.

Just finished listening to Tally's "Be Still" sermon. Good stuff. Found out why they call him Tally and that I was not pronouncing it right.

Gary's recommendation of Brian Boyle was a good one. Check him out also.

The Living to 100 Life Expectancy Calculator

Take this quiz to find out how long you will live. Woo-hoo! I should live until I'm 84.7 years old.

Mr.T & T's Top Ten

They finally did it. Terry & Tony compiled a list of the Top Ten Innovative Churches. Check it out. I already visit these churches weekly on the net to see what there doing. I was hoping for a few new ones. But this is a great resource!

I'm working on the Top Ten Non-Innovative Churches in America, you know the ones with no people, no innovation, still doing church like they did in 1950. I'm sure you can think of a few.

Doonesbury on Blogging

Check out this Doonesbury cartoon strip on blogging. Best line, "Isn't blogging for angry semi-employed losers, who are too untalented or too lazy to get real jobs in journalism."

Joel Osteen on Larry King Live

Did anyone see Joel Osteen's interview on Larry King Live Sunday Night? That was the strangest interview I've ever seen. Here's the transcript. It went so bad Joel put out a letter of apology on his website.

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth of July! Shut down the computer and go enjoy the day with family and friends!

Freebies!

Sign-up at wiredchurches.com for their free e-newsletter and receive their "First Impression Manual" free! Woo-hoo!

The Sunday Stew

Galatians 5:1 - "Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you." (The Message)

Live 8

Can a concert change the world? I wish it would but I don't think so. I sure would like to be in London. Watching Coldplay now on AOL!

iTunes Podcast Subscriptions Top One Million

iTunes Podcast Subscriptions Top One Million in First Two Days
"With the release of iTunes 4.9, listeners are voting with their ears,” said Adam Curry, co-founder of the PodShow Podcast Network. “Subscriptions have dramatically increased across our entire PodShow Podcast Network, and I predict over the coming months that iTunes will introduce tens of millions of new listeners to the world of Podcasting.”

This Week's Podcast Recommendation

Every leader that's not a megachurch pastor, needs to listen to "So You're Not Saddleback and You're Up a Willow Creek?" podcast by The Mayberry Driven Church. It starts slow but then gets going, discussing comparing yourself to megachurches. Good stuff! Link via Todd.

Make The Connection!

"People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges." -Joseph Newton

I had an interesting evening last night, one of the "saints" in our church invited my wife and I out to the local state park for a cookout with her and her husband. We really were not looking forward to it and made excuses why we should have cancelled but we went anyways. I find it awkward being invited to go meet unchurched spouses of church members. You never know how it's going to be and I've met some heathen that let you know that they didn't care for you being there.

We prayed before we got out of the Jeep, for God's favor and that we could make the connection with this guy. As soon as we met, he fell in love with our three kids and God opened the door. We ended up talking for over 3 hours about everything and a relationship was formed. I never preached at him, I just built a bridge for when he is ready. He made a promise to visit the church soon. Most people don't realize that making the connection in relationships is a slow process. Alot of people have walls up that were made by other Christians for one reason or another. Jesus took time for people and made connections outside of his circle of influence. Today make a decision this holiday weekend to widen your circle and make that connection.