Westwinds.org and Twitter

We just got our webpage all set up at Westwinds.org to update our church Twitter feeds via a feed aggregator. SO, if you visit this link on the church webpage you will get our most recent updates. It refreshes for new updates every few minutes.

This is such a great way to get updates to the folks who aren’t using Twitter regularly.

It is also a great way for us to disseminate information and get a quick view of all the latest Westwinds updates at once.

Also, the front page of our website now includes this message:

“These days we have been fond of Twitter—the social networking site. We have used and continue to experiment with Twitter live in our weekend Fusion experience as well as keeping a conversation going throughout the week. If you are interested in joining the weekend series' conversations and/or following the updates and conversations our staff is having throughout the week, please go to Twitter and sign up for an account.

It is free! Once you are hooked up with Twitter you can "follow" "WestwindsSeries" or any of our staff. You can search for staff members on Twitter simply by typing their names in the search box. Once you follow a staff member, you may want to see who they are following, and meet some new friends.

Join the conversation today. Once you are signed up and signed in to Twitter, you can follow anyone listed below by clicking on the link. You may also visit the link on this page to see the ongoing conversation if you don't use Twitter. “

• To sign up for Twitter, click here
• For news and information on Westwinds' message series, updates, and live Fusion conversation, click here
• For occasional updates on general Westwinds stuff, click here
• For John Voelz, our Coriolis:Experience, click here
• For David McDonald, our Coriolis:Narrative, click here
• For occasional Coriolis updates, click here
• For Bed Redmond, our Student Journey designer, click here
• For Lori Tate, our Kids' Journey designer, click here
• For Frank Meely, assistant to John Voelz, click here
• For Noma Racey, assistant to David McDonald, click here
• For Becky Veydt, our Causemology/Satellite link, click here
• For Juan Cordova, our Tech Media Guru, click here
• For Andra Campo, our Coffee Aficionado, click here
• For Brad Kimpell and the Image Team, click here
• For David Buchanan and Co-efficient Media (our website dude/jack of all trades), click here

Server Theology

The following is a true story. Mostly. It is my way of dealing with current IT difficulties.

I cannot connect to our server today. No mail. No charts. No notes. Nothing. (very true)

The notification on my screen says, “The server may not exist.” And, you know what? I believe it.

I mean, I think I have been connected to it before but I am not sure. Maybe there is some other explanation for how I got things done in the past.

I haven’t seen the server. I suppose I could walk down the hall and see if it is there in the room they say it is in but, I don’t want to and my computer has no reason to lie to me. They say it looks like the one in the picture above but that is just a visual representation of someone’s idea of what a server looks like.

Come to think of it, I don’t think anyone in this office has seen the server. They just say it works for them.

Some are complaining about the server even though they are connected. I don't get mixed up in this because, bottom line is, the server doesn't work for me and these petty complaints don't make it any easier for me.

I just want stuff to work. I just want to be connected to something outside my laptop. I'd love to be part of the larger network.

I have tried and tried to connect to no avail. I have tried everything. I have asked for advice and called in the experts. No one can help me.

No one else seems to be having quite the same trouble I am and no one understands my pain. They have never been where I am. Which is funny because we all have the same server.

Though they are all connected, I am sure my problem is the server’s fault.

I can get by without the server, however. I don’t need it. It’s not like my server is the only way to connect to all my important documents—or . . .

A Site 2.0 Behold

Imagine having a staff where, 4 years ago there were 15 people doing the work that 6 people now do because of budget restraints.

Imagine that same 6 people turning up the heat and creating some of the most innovative art and hatching some of the most intriguing experiments to engage the church in conversation that we have seen in the church’s 20-year history.

Welcome to Westwinds.

Whenever I meet someone who says they could not possibly do the things Westwinds does because they don’t have the budget, resources, or staff, I chuckle inside. Lie.

One of the things I am most excited about recently is the brainstorm of my partner in crime—David McDonald. David, as our Narrative:Coriolis has begun creating websites dedicated to individual teaching series we have here at Westwinds through the use of iWeb.

We have been publishing “teaching atlases” of each series for the church which have been full of great art and notes and sidebar conversations surrounding the series’ for some time. They fly off the shelves.

Now, people will have an option to visit a series’ site, download all the notes and manuscripts, pdf’s, vodcasts, and podcasts of the series.’

Our maiden voyage begins with the series “Smoke and Dust” from the book of Ecclesiastes.

Be watching for future series sites. All artwork and material is created in-house. The artwork is usually Dave’s art, my art, Angie’s art, or any combination of those. This Smoke and Dust series is all Angie’s artwork and Dave’s material.

P.S. Angie is my assistant. The artwork you will see on the site is all because we said, "Angie, we want it to kinda look like the Sin City artwork." Done. Angie rules.

There is no other staff on earth I want to work with at this time.

This post is also being featured as part of Creative Chaos over at Ragamuffin Soul. Face the Chaos.

CCM on the WWW but not Paper

(CCM Final Cover)

So, after 29.75 years, Christian Music’s attempt at a Rolling Stone for the churched culture is not going to be printing magazines anymore. Rather, they are going to a totally online format.

I have mixed emotions about this. Not that I am a huge CCM Magazine fan now (though I ate it up as a kid), but there is something sad to me about digitizing this magazine. There is something to be said for paper magazines. All online? I don’t know.

It may sound like I am talking out both sides of my mouth so I will explain myself fast.

Of course, anyone who knows me knows I love technology. It is hard to have a conversation with me without me dropping words like Jott, Twitter, HTML, code, blog, 2.0, wiki, Google, Stumble, OSX, Evernote, mac, and any other various sundry terms. Just ask my wife.

But, anyone who also knows me knows I am addicted to books and magazines. Reading. All the time. I read fast and I read often.

Books are not about “information” for me. Sometimes they are, but they are more about an experience. I like getting lost in a book. I can take a book anywhere and let it take me anywhere.

I love shopping for books. For hours. I love the way they smell. The way they feel. I like good paper. I get mad when books have “bad” paper. I have bought books simply because they feel right. I buy hardcover as often as possible.

So, my first huge hiccup for CCM going digital is all about experience. Some would say it is a digital world and we need to get used to it. I agree and disagree.

100 years from now, people will still be reading paper books.

Paper is a “different” experience than the computer screen. Not superior, but different. And yes, in some cases, superior.

Part of me wants a Kindle so I can take tons of books on a flight and not have to check in multiple bags. Part of me is resisting the urge because it won’t feel the same. I like to lay by the pool on vacation and get suntan lotion all over my book as I scribble in it.

Okay, back to CCM.

CCM, I think I understand your move but I am kinda bummed.

I remember getting my CCM in 1986 with Steve Taylor (my hero at the time) on the cover and getting all giddy. Nearly my entire life, there has been a CCM on the shelf at my local bookstore. Sure, I am not a huge fan of a lot of the bands CCM wrote about but SOME were VERY special to me.

CCM is where I turned to read about 77’s, Vector, Poor Old Lu, Crumbacher, Adam Again, Tonio K, Mark Heard, Larry Norman, Rez Band, Petra, AD, Altar Boys, Undercover, Stryper, Leslie (Sam) Phillips, Steve Taylor, Audio Adrenaline, Phil Keaggy, Third Day, Caedmon’s Call, Big Tent Revival, Daniel Band, Servant, Randy Stonehill, The Choir, Sweet Comfort Band, LSU/Lifesavors and the list goes on. I turned here because, once upon a time, no one else was writing about Christian music.

As a 14 year-old boy I read an article on a band I had started following after hearing a song called “I Will Follow.” I heard that the members were Christ followers but nobody was really writing much about their faith. This band would go on to become the biggest influence on my life outside of The Beatles. The band’s name? U2. To read the original article I read as a young boy go here.

CCM magazine is an icon. If you were a Christian artist and you made it in an issue of CCM, you were cool, or the bomb, or rad, or the shiznit, or awesome, or bitchin’, or . . . whatever term described CCM in your generation.

Haven’t bought an issue in years though. Maybe I contributed to its downfall.

The Wittenburg Door did this same thing to me and made me mad (though The Door and CCM reside in two different zip codes). P.S. I am a regular subscriber to The Door online. But, I miss holding the magazine. I miss their crazy covers. The Madonna holding Barney anyone?

I had some favorite CCM covers over the years but I have to say my most favorite was probably the brave Nichole Nordeman cover where she showed her untouched face side by side with the airbrushed final.






Then, I loved the Steve Taylor cover when I was a senior in High School. It wasn't "shocking" or "cool" necessarily but, I love the guy.








CCM’s last cover is kinda weird for me. Matching outfits is a little creepy but, I understand.

So let’s talk about the cover for the finale : : :

I think Smitty and Amy HAD to be on the cover no matter what. They have represented Christian music for almost all of CCM’s history. Like them or not.

(P.S. I got to meet Amy two years ago at a private engagement and got a pic with her (this picture also makes me sad because the only pic I will ever have of me and Amy is when I packed on 30 pounds and sported a dumb full- beard—why didn’t someone slap me?)


Aaron Gillespie was an interesting choice. Indeed, Underoath has made a scene and caught our attention. So, I guess his presence upstaging everyone is some kind of “the shape of things to come.” Good choice.

Toby Mac had to be there for sure. Good choice.

Steven Curtis. Yep.

CeCe? Hmmm.

Okay. Mark Hall—the Casting Crowns dude? Why? P.S. Does anyone else think he looks like a 1980’s/early 90's era Bob Hartman ala Petra?


People that should have been on the cover (Google them if you don’t know them). P.S. these are not ALL in my collection, but they have to some degree defined Christian music over the years : : :

• Steve Taylor.
  
• Bob Hartman.
  
• Glenn Kaiser.
  
• Michael Sweet or other Stryper boys.
  
• Mark Stuart.
  
• Nichole Nordeman.
  
• Dan Haseltine.
  
• Bryan Duncan.
  
• MXPX.
  
• Third Day.
  
• Mike Roe.
  
• Undercover.
• Randy Stonehill
• Mylon LeFevre
• DeGarmo and Key
  

To name a few. Too bad Larry Norman died. They could have just put him on the cover and called it good.

It must have been hard for them to put the cover together. I would have been happier with one of those Rolling Stone-esque multi-cover covers where they show great covers from over the years.

Better Yet, why didn’t they just wait until July (their 30th anniversary) and put out a huge 30 Year Anniversary cover and celebrate? That is so weird! Especially because they did a big 20 Year cover.

Oh, well. CCM, thanks for 29.75 great years. I have loved you and hated you. But, you have continued to look professional in a very non-professional looking industry at times. You have definitely made a mark. Yeah, Legacy is a good word.

Se you on the web.

"Roll me and call me the tumbl'n dice"

Is anyone else using Tumblr?

I love this site. It allows me to post quick pics and quips that I wouldn't necessarily post on my Vertizontal blog. Plus, I set mine up (and you can too) to post all your blog posts to Tumblr as well, so . . . people can check your Tumblr and also get your blog posts.

I can also quickly share websites I think people should check out.

Go to my Tumblr site and check it out! You might want to get a site too.

If you already Tumbl, (seems so weird to leave that e off the end), let me know by leaving a comment.

2.0 be or not 2.0 be. That is the Question.

(actual screenshot of last night's ah-ha moment)

Needed to unwind last night. Everyone asleep. Me—still feeling a bit whacked. So, what better way to unwind than with my laptop?

I got a few Twitters from @spencesmith (his Twitter) as we joked about how old we are getting (although, now that I think about it, I think it was more about how old “I” am getting). Talked about The Tubes, Wings, 8-Tracks, cassettes, the “introduction” of the debit card . . .

It reminded me that earlier on in the same day my daughter asked me if I was alive before DVD’s.

Then it hit me in the face—just how much my world has changed in the last few years. The revelation came to me as I stared at my laptop and looked at the multiple windows and frames that were up and running.

iTunes playing the soundtrack from Once.
Twitteriffic open
Email open
Word open
My blog open
Watching ragamuffinsoul play ping-pong live on Mogulus
Chatting with everyone who was watching ragamuffinsoul vid
iChat open

This is how I unwind. Loving every minute of it.

Some mock me. Some don’t understand.

What’s not to understand?!?!

I can play my iTunes library straight for 950 days straight—that’s 24/7—and not hear the same song twice. I can talk into my cell phone and have it turn my message into text that immediately posts on the web for hundreds of my friends and thousands of others. I can watch my friend in ATL play a game on live streaming video while writing a post for my blog and chatting with my friend in Nash-Vegas. Duh.

Most opponents to this tech-saturated life say things like,

• “That stuff is supposed to make life easier and I just see people spending more time.”

• “Technology is hard to learn and I have done just fine without it!”

• “If you really want to simplify your life throw that computer away!”

You know what? They are right.

My life is not “easier.” My life is not “simplified.” Technology is “hard to learn” sometimes.

We need to stop talking in terms of web technology “simplifying” our lives and stop defending that stance. Sometimes, it just doesn’t. We need to use a new vocabulary when talking about what web technology can do for us and stop apologizing.

1. What technology (2.0, apps, digital, etc.) does for me : : :
2. Puts me in touch with people I rarely have a chance to talk to
3. Introduces me to new ideas
4. Stretches my creativity
5. Helps me learn processes that help me in multiple venues
6. Keeps me sharp and talking the current language of our culture
7. Helps me communicate what I want to say
8. Makes me more accessible
9. Makes my friends more accessible
10. Helps me promote business
11. Invites others into a conversation with me I couldn’t have otherwise
12. Helps me network
13. Helps me meet new friends
14. Helps me share about Jesus and what He has done for me
15. Promotes collaboration
16. Introduces me to new things fast!
17. Helps me learn what people are saying about the church and me
18. I can speak my mind before others spread what they “think” I said
19. Get my news fast!
20. Helps me not lose touch with my kids
21. Share and spark ideas in real time
22. Emergency alerts through a variety of vehicles
23. Conference with people when they are inaccessible
24. Exchange important data stat!
25. Warn people of impending robot domination (this one is just to make sure you are paying attention)
    

This list was off the top of my head at breakneck speed (you should see how fast I typed them!). I’m sure the list isn’t complete.

Bottom line : : : If an easier life is what you want then let life pass you by, clean your VCR and go buy a roll of stamps. Then again, if you are reading this that last sentence probably doesn’t apply to you.

Don’t get into a battle with anyone over things “not getting easier.” It is the wrong battlefield and a losing battle.

Life is not getting any easier.

For those who choose to embrace this new life2.0 however : : : it is exciting, friends are closer than ever, new friends are waiting to be met, new businesses are waiting to be dreamed and promoted, brilliance is a Google search away, and the world is indeed very, very, small.

By the way, I talked with (2-way conversation) over 50 people while writing this post.