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When I go to conferences, I have a few things that are essential for me as I attend.
1. iPhone – I will take most of my notes on this. I use Evernote, which syncs with my computer automatically. That way, I can take notes, and have them stored, not having to worry about transferring them from my phone. And to keep everybody updated in real time, I use Hootsuite.
2. Backpack – With all of the S.W.A.G. (stuff we all get) at conferences, I don’t want to carry them in my hands. And a shoulder bag is just too cumbersome to navigate the crowds. A backpack is a must.
3. Laptop – I enjoy processing my thoughts out loud…which means that, to blog, I’ve got to have my computer.
4. Moleskine – Batteries don’t last forever. And sometimes, electronic devices open up too slowly. Enter the good ole fashioned pen and paper. And I’ve found nothing better than a Moleskine.
5. The Sharpie Pen – Gotta have something to write with.
What are your conference essentials?
As summer is winding to a close, I thought I’d share with you one of my major finds.
Some of you may have been on this bandwagon for a long time…and now I see why. I honestly can’t believe that I’ve lived on this earth for 28 years and never tasted the goodness of Nutella. And what makes it better?
Ice cream.
Nutella + ice cream = AMAZING
I can’t even tell you how many bowls of homemade Nutella ice cream I ate this summer. I already can’t wait until next summer (because, let’s be honest…homemade ice cream just isn’t right outside of the summer months, is it?)!
Have you discovered a new snack this summer?
What is your favorite summer snack?
Just a few weeks ago, while my wife and I were stuck in London, I was able to visit the city of Oxford. The main reason we went was for a tour of the various sights associated with C.S. Lewis. We were able to understand more fully the life of Lewis after seeing the places where he lived and worked.
The highlight of the tour for me was “the lake.” Behind the house where Lewis lived was a forest, and in the forest was a lake (really, it was more of a pond) where Lewis would spend hours, alone, thinking and writing. It’s said to be the place where he had the inspiration for his infamous Chronicles of Narnia. And being there, I quickly understood how inspiration could come by spending extended time there behind Lewis’ house.
It was a beautiful spot. There was a walking path circling the lake. There were lots of old trees. And dense shrubs. We were there in the spring, so many plants were beginning to bloom. All around, you heard the sounds of nature: bugs, birds, wind, and creaking trees. Yet there was this sense of quiet and rest that was present, too. No cars. No rustling of people. No distractions.
And I was reminded that we serve a beautiful, creative God.
Spending time outside, away from my normal environment of four walls, a door, and a computer, helps get my creative juices flowing.
What helps you when you need to think creatively?
I have found great benefit in social media. I’ve written about social networking HERE. Primarily, I use Twitter (you can follow me HERE) and Facebook (you can follow me HERE) when it comes to sharing short bits of information. Right now, though I find great benefit in both, I much prefer Twitter to Facebook. Why?
5 Reasons I prefer Twitter over Facebook:
1. It’s quicker. Facebook takes a lot of time. When you read a status update, especially one that you like, you feel the need to read all of the comments. Then you find a friend that you haven’t talked to in a while, and you click on their page. And find a status update…and the cycle continues. Facebook can quickly become a never-ending pit of time-wasting.
2. It’s more information-driven. I’m a “learner” (according to Strengths Finder), so I love gathering information. Twitter is a great tool to share news and ideas quickly and efficiently (especially because it’s limited to 140 characters).
3. There’s no Farmville. Or Mobster. Or Cafe World. Or Treasure Isle. I just can’t get myself excited about that stuff.
4. There’s no poking. I’ve been poked by somebody. Seriously. I just looked at my Facebook page. And I have no idea what that means, why they poked me, or what I should do in return.
5. With Twitter, you can reach well beyond your circle of friends. On Facebook, for us to interact, you have to accept my friend request before I can see anything that you’ve shared. Facebook seems to me to be designed for you to interact with people that you personally know. Twitter is built for interaction with a broader audience.
What about you? Do you prefer Twitter or Facebook?
Before my wife and I got married, we received premarital counseling from our pastor. Though it saved us a bit of money off of our marriage license, the real value that we received was in being a little more prepared for the challenges we would face as a newly married couple. I can’t even begin to tell you how valuable that time was for our marriage. We drew back heavily on those meetings with our pastor as we were trying to create and sustain a godly marriage.
Many couples start their married life with no premarital counseling/training. But you don’t have to.
That’s why I wanted to tell you about the Covenant Marriage event we’re helping to put on at Grace. At this event, designed for engaged couples or ones married less than 2 years, we’re going to help equip you with the essentials for having a healthy marriage. Over the course of 3 sessions, Kent Hughes will help you prepare for a lifelong marriage that honors God.
Your marriage is too important to not work on it right out of the gate.
The event happens on Friday evening, August 27th, and ends on Saturday, August 28th, by lunch. It’s free. You can sign up HERE.
I’m currently reading Salvation on Sand Mountain: Snake Handling and Redemption in Southern Appalachia by Dennis Covington.
Before you’re too quick to write off snake handling, read this passage in Mark:
He [Jesus] said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” (Mark 16:15-18)
What are your thoughts on snake handling? Is it really an expression of a closeness with the Holy Spirit, an unwavering commitment to the Great Commission, and a sign of the presence of Christ in a person’s life?
The way you answer that question says a lot about your hermeneutic.
Leave a comment below and I’ll send you a free, highly poisonous rattlesnake.
Dad,
I can’t get away from your reputation. Everywhere I go. Everyone I talk to. Every event I attend. Everybody knows Pete.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, “Is Pete your daddy?” Or have been introduced as, “Hey, you know Pete Reed, right? This is his son…” Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I look a little bit like you. Or maybe it has something to do with the fact that you’ve left a huge impression on so many people.
No matter where I go, your reputation precedes me.
And Dad, you may not know it, but you’ve made my life much easier.
Dads can make it extremely difficult on sons. Even after we leave home. But somehow you avoided ever doing that. And I don’t have to overcome barriers in Clarksville as I minister to people because I’m able to stand on your shoulders and your character. You have paved the way for me, people know and respect you, and I’ve inherited a respect that you’ve earned.
You’re leaving a lasting legacy. One I’m trying to live up to every day.
Your exemplary life at home and in the community causes others to look at me differently.
Thanks for always being a great Dad.
Dad,
I can’t get away from your reputation. Everywhere I go. Everyone I talk to. Every event I attend. Everybody knows Pete.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, “Is Pete your daddy?” Or have been introduced as, “Hey, you know Pete Reed, right? This is his son…” Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I look a little bit like you. Or maybe it has something to do with the fact that you’ve left a huge impression on so many people.
No matter where I go, your reputation precedes me.
And Dad, you may not know it, but you’ve made my life much easier.
Dads can make it extremely difficult on sons. Even after we leave home. But somehow you avoided ever doing that. And I don’t have to overcome barriers in Clarksville as I minister to people because I’m able to stand on your shoulders and your character. You have paved the way for me, people know and respect you, and I’ve inherited a respect that you’ve earned.
You’re leaving a lasting legacy. One I’m trying to live up to every day.
Your exemplary life at home and in the community causes others to look at me differently.
Thanks for always being a great Dad.
Yesterday, I posted this on Twitter:
Thought it was a pocket flashlight. Turns out it was pepper spray. Dumbest thing I’ve done in a long time.
Lots of people were wanting more details, so here you go.
So I was cleaning up the house, and in one of the drawers beside our entryway table, where we keep the phonebooks that we never use, I noticed this little device. I had just given my son a flashlight to play with (not even 5 minutes before that) so that I could get the work done (it’s so hard to clean anything when a 20 month old is running around the house). I thought, “Hey, this flashlight is smaller. He’ll love this one…but does it work?” I found the button that I thought turned it on, and pushed it. Seriously, this thing looks just like a pocket flashlight. But when I pushed the button, red juice came out. I thought, “Don’t think this is a flashlight,” and immediately realized that the red liquid on my hand (because the nozzle was facing downwards) was pepper spray. “I don’t remember putting this in here” was immediately followed by coughing and burning eyes.
And more coughing.
For a solid hour, my whole family was coughing.
Pure stupidity on my part.
But the thing really looked like a pocket flashlight.
Picture of said pepper sprayer
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