Looking for life beyond the edge.

So,  I’ve recently found myself glued to my iPhone using a popular application by a company called Tapulous to update my Twitter account called “Twinkle”. Unlike many other Twitter applications for the iPhone; Twinkle adds a new layer of social networking by letting you see other Twinkle user updates that are “nearby”. Essentially it allows you to meet people in your area that Twitter or “Twinkle” on a regular basis.

So far in the few months that I’ve used this application I’ve had the following happen:

1. I met a fellow Twinkle user while out of town on vacation when we both posted that we were in the same mall. We ended up meeting face to face and realized that we were from the same town back in Ohio and both were visiting family in Tennessee.

2. I’ve met other IT people to network with and discuss the IT market and business strategies for owning your own business.

3. I’ve even managed to arrange to meet people selling items such as laptops and can go see the product in person and saving myself shipping and eBay fees should I decided to buy it.

With all this it brings an interesting question… could social networking applications like Twinkle change the very way we do business and meet like minded individuals in our community?

- John

What. A. Week.

So this week has been hard for me some reason. I’m not sure if it is all the running I’ve been doing or the fact I’m still recovering from the public speaking or I’m just “in a funk”. Let me put on my “spiritual” hat and dust off my little soap box and allow me to entertain you with some feelings I’ve been having this week.

I struggle with the things that God calls me to do that I don’t enjoy or that I feel I’m not good at. It never fails that the enemy seems to always know this as well. Approaching Sunday of this week I had a lot of strange things go through my mind and a lot of strange feelings. I had never met so much internal opposition when thinking about Sunday and what Brad was going to have me talk about.

First I went through this thing where I didn’t know what I would say. Then I began to second guess my answer I gave in the creative meeting. After that I had a brief moment where I thought about never coming back to church (yeah… that came out of nowhere). It seemed as the days went by these negative thoughts piled on top of me. Finally during some, what I like to call, “downtime with God” I realized that clearly I was meeting opposition because this was something God wanted me to do. 

You see, it was no accident I was standing in that office when the topic came up, it was no accident that the entire time Brad was sharing his feelings about the subject the thoughts of, “no, I don’t have those feelings” were going through my head. It was God’s plan for me to do all that. So finally last Saturday evening I decided that it was time to face that decision and face it with all I had inside.

First service I felt it didn’t go so well. I had no clue what I was saying and I think our timing was just off. I survived… Brad recovered it well and we got through the service. After a short conversation after the service I think Brad knew what to change and I had built up some confidence because I made it through without tripping, stalling or throwing up… so I figured I could go another round and be ok.

Second service my family was there, a lot of my friends from church was there and it was a full house. This time Brad threw me for a complete curve and put me somewhere near the end of his message. I walked up and sat there and looked out upon a lot of smiling faces. Then suddenly I had all the words I needed. Even when Brad asked me two or three questions I wasn’t ready for… the words just seemed to be there.

Third service I felt comfortable and shared with the small crowd there and was ok with it. After it was over, all I could think was, “THANK YOU GOD. I MADE IT.”

Monday morning I wake up and everything is crazy in my world. I’m going into the office at one of my clients, my home computer has fallen apart and my life is just crazy. Well… to make a long post, shorter, it just went downhill from there. 

Thursday and after 12 hours of sleep I woke up to not feeling great. It was that feeling of being emotionally drained and maybe even spiritually drained. I was to film tonight for our Christmas eve video and Brad caught me on Facebook to chat for a minute. He asked if I would stay for youth and I made up a lame excuse that I had to work to give me an out. Well, I do have to work but it wasn’t like an hour was going to make a world of difference.

I got there tonight, late. I did my filming and our always energetic and funny Children’s Pastor, Pete, was setting up chairs for youth. As always Pete never asks for help and I told him I would help him without him asking. As we did this and Pete, in only the way Pete can, made me laugh – I decided I would stick around for youth.

Even though I stayed in the back and ran sound I found myself enjoying being there. Then I was reminded how much I loved working with Teens and Kids. After youth I talked to Pete and asked him if he needed help with our new Wednesday nights starting in January. He was excited to see I was interested. Looks like I’ll be helping out there too.

As I came home tonight and sat down to process my thoughts about the week and how I still feel defeated I was quickly reminded of the following three things:

1. I’m doing what God wants me to do. Even if it isn’t easy or “comes naturally” to me.
2.  I need to work with God and realize that I’m being broken in the process to change my life.
3. When I’m down, I need to turn to my faith and remember that the road isn’t always easy. 

Right now, here are the top 6 songs that I’m into right now. I thought I’d change it up and quote from each some things that have jumped out to me.

1. “In my darkest night, you brighten up the skies. A song will rise.”
   Song of Hope (Heaven Come Down) by Robbie Seay Band
2.  “Every eye proclaim. The mercy of your name. On earth as it is in Heaven.”
   As It Is In Heaven by Matt Maher
3.  ”At the cross you beckon me. You draw me gently to my knees. I am lost for words, so lost in love, I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered.”
   Sweetly Broken by Jeremy Riddle
4.  ”I try to be so tough. I just not strong enough. I can’t do this alone, God I need you to hold onto me.”
   Savior, Please by Josh Wilson
5.  ”When I feel like caving in, My heart my soul is wearing thin. I just want to give up. Nothing at all seems at all to add up. Can you hear me Lord? My face is down upon the floor. It’s then when you whisper in my ear. Be still and know I’m here.”
   Be Still by Story Side B
6.  ”Look at these hands and my side. It swallowed the grave on that night. When I drank the world’s sin so I could carry you in. And give you life. I’m gonna give you life.”
   By Your Side by Tenth Avenue North

I’m not sure that I’m ready for Friday to begin. Then again I am ready for this week to be done. I guess I just need some prayer. God and I have a lot to talk about tonight…

Night,
- JM

About a week or so ago I was standing in my pastor and close friend, Brad’s, office when he threw a book at me, “Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller”. He asked me if I had read it, in which I replied, no and he said I should give it a read. Then in the normal Brad fashion added the disclaimer that if I had too much on my plate or didn’t have any interest to feel free to say no. This would be the third book Brad has recommended… I loved the first two so I had no doubt I wouldn’t like this one as well.

Well, it sat on my beside table for a few days as I was hectic and had no time to read. Finally the other night when I wanted to just wind-down for the day I picked up the book and began to read. Two chapters later I realized I needed to sleep if I wanted to be productive the next day as it was already late when I began reading. I wrote down a quote from that first reading which impressed me because I have to like a book A LOT to want to quote from it…

Another day or two passes and I’m trying my best to read whenever I have a free second because I’m that intrigued by this book. Finally tonight after work, dinner and some household cleaning I decided to read. I had a feeling I would be reading for some time so I got prepared. I went into the great room and lit a fire in the fireplace, put on some quiet Christmas music and began to read as the snow started to fall outside.

TEN chapters… yes… TEN as in about 125 pages later I finally decided it was time for me to start getting ready for bed. I’m addicted to this book. I was thinking about finishing the book tonight but since I’m getting tired I wanted to make sure I didn’t fall asleep while trying to read so I think I’ll finish it tomorrow night (if possible). The book is amazing.

I have been in the church all my life and have been a Christ-follower for years. This makes you look at your faith and relationship with God in a completely new light. The book is very deep and as a believer will make you think but also I feel inspire you. I can’t wait to finish the book and look at maybe getting some of his other work to read. I have a huge list of things I’d like to publish on this blog… I just need to find time to write them, one of them being a book review and maybe a post or two about the deep content of this book. I think I could form some spiritually deep articles derived from the inspiration and theme this book presents. We’ll see what I come up with.

Just thought I’d share. If you’re looking for an AWESOME read… believer or not… go pick up a copy.

Night,
- JM

I must say that I’m glad the election is over. I don’t care who you voted for but it’s over and things are going to change. For better or for worse things are going to change. One thing I don’t publicize is my political views. The beautiful thing about this awesome country that I’m blessed to live in is that I have the right to keep those to my self and a right to have my political views. It’s always around this time that I often stop to think how blessed I truly am to live in a free country that allows us to have a democracy. 

Other (much smaller) changes are happening around here. I was able to get memory for my iMac. I now have 4GB of memory. It makes a big difference with all the editing/Photoshop work I’ve been doing lately. I’m a few steps closer to moving (gasp!). We’re having beautiful weather that makes me want to be outside all the time. I’m starting to book out for the rest of the year and into next year with different things. Time change happened this week and like always… my sleeping is so thrown off it’s not funny. Hopefully I can recover by the weekend.

I’m busier in now than I’ve ever been. I’m very thankful every day for my iPhone. I don’t miss at all the days of carrying multiple devices out of the house to keep my life together. Now I just have my iPhone… that’s it. Half the time my laptop doesn’t even leave the house/car. I use my iPhone for everything and it’s about the only thing that keeps me on track these days.

Though I’ve said it multiple times… I really am working on a new blog (along with a few other unannounced websites). I am really liking the changes that WordPress is making to the 2.7 release and I will be sticking around with them. I must admit though that working on a Drupal project has made me think that I should switch but I might use that for some of the other sites that I still have hiding up my sleeve. 

Well, I’m going to get off here and try to get some sleep. Just trying to update more often to keep some of the readers I have.

Night,
- John

Today has been a perfect fall day. Leaves are changing and it’s cold but not too cold. I enjoyed the day by beginning with early church, an outreach project, taking a drive to Delaware (on back roads next to the water, which was awesome) and running some errands.

To top it off I’ve been driving around a 2008 Acura RL (fully loaded). Columbus Acura really likes me I guess. My TL is in the shop getting some maintenance done and this was my loaner. I hate to give it back . I do like my TL though so it will be nice to see it.

This weekend saw the movie Max Payne… HORRIBLE. I would not waste the money to go see that movie. I thought it would have a better story line, action and overall be a better movie than it was. I think most of us that went slept through (or fought sleep) through the almost three hour movie. So, save yourself some money and skip the movie.

Life’s busy as usual. Working on finalizing my plans to move. It’s going to be a very much welcomed change and a chance to move on in life. More on that later.

Well, I better get off here and finish my chores for the day.

Later,
- J