joshinthe818

"The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive."

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:00:00 -0800

““The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive.””

- Albert Einstein (via john5280)

Lent Update: 12 Days Without Twitter

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 09:00:00 -0800

It’s been an interesting 12 days since Lent began. Although there have been moments where I’ve been tempted to open up UberTwitter and tell the “world” what I just saw, smelled, or ate, I can honestly say that the break has been nice.

I’ve been able to complete some long overdue projects.
I had dinner with an old friend in town on business.
I haven’t had one person tell me that I’m not looking at them during our conversation.
I literally began reading Crime & Punishment (let’s see how long this lasts).
I haven’t been the first person in my sphere of friends to hear about breaking news…and I don’t feel like I’m missing out.
I’ve had more time to think about my life and areas where I need to seek God more.

I’m looking forward to the remainder of Lent and what it has to offer. May I know Him more.

God our Father, help us to hear your Son.
Enlighten us with your word, that we may find the way to your glory.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

(prayer source)

Repentance Over Romance: Or Why I'm Giving Up Twitter For Lent

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:21:00 -0800

Growing up in the pentecostal tradition, I did not practice the season of Lent. The only thing I knew about it was that my Roman Catholic friends weren’t allowed to eat meat on Fridays and McDonald’s always seemed to bring out another Filet-o-Fish campaign.

As I began to study a little more about this season, I fell in love with it. Lent provides Christians everywhere with an opportunity to reflect on priorities and make any needed adjustments to their lives. The major theme of Lent is repentance!

This past Sunday, instead of preaching a Valentine’s Day message at Encounter I chose the idea of repentance.

Repent
1 : to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one’s life
2 a : to feel regret or contrition b : to change one’s mind
(source)

A common thought throughout the scriptures, repentance is a change of one’s heart and mind towards sin that leads to a change of direction. The prophet Joel puts it this way:

“Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Joel 2:12-13 (NIV)

I love how the prophet pleads with the people of Israel to turn back to the Lord. God isn’t looking for outward appearances of piety (the rending of garments), but an inward change of heart (repentance). Joel’s emphasis on God’s grace and patience is encouraging.

The scriptures show us the direct result of repentance in our lives:

Salvation (2 Corinthians 7:10)
The Gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38)
Times of Refreshing (Acts 3:19)

In my study of Lent, I discovered the three traditional practices that are taken up during the season:

Prayer (justice towards God)
Fasting (justice towards self)
Almsgiving (justice towards my neighbor)

So this, my first observing Lenten season, I have chosen to step back and reflect on my relationship with God by:

Spending a more focused time in prayer
Fasting Twitter
Become more deliberate in my giving to others

For those of you that know me from Twitter, you know this will be difficult, but I look forward to this season of introspection. I hope and trust that my faith is stretched and deepened through the experience.

If you are observing Lent this year, how have you elected to do so?

An entertaining look at how famous filmmakers might ‘direct’ the...

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:34:04 -0800

An entertaining look at how famous filmmakers might ‘direct’ the Super Bowl? Video courtesy of SlateV w/ a h/t to @Criterion.

"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you..."

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 06:00:00 -0800

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can.”

- John Wesley (via jodyearley)

Great video find on internet usage among Latino-Americans by...

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:24:44 -0800

Great video find on internet usage among Latino-Americans by @marcpayan (via marcpayan)

For those of you that remember The Cardigans, or for those...

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 09:05:00 -0800

For those of you that remember The Cardigans, or for those who’ve never heard them, here’s Lovefool. This song takes me back to geology lab at Mt. San Jacinto College.

Speaking With Conviction. I came across this video entitled...

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 07:30:00 -0800

Speaking With Conviction. I came across this video entitled Typography by Ronnie Bruce. The video is a typography animation project Ronnie did for a class project. The words spoken are that of poet Taylor Mali (h/t to Mike Brown of Tribe Church).

I know most of you living outside of Southern California...

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:30:00 -0800

I know most of you living outside of Southern California don’t think we get much weather here, but the past couple of days have been pretty wild for us. The video above shows a tornado in the OC.

Here’s some footage I shot yesterday of the rains in the San Fernando Valley.

doctorswithoutborders: MSF (Doctors Without Borders) teams...

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:13:34 -0800

doctorswithoutborders:

MSF (Doctors Without Borders) teams treated 500 patients in the first 24 hours of working in Carrefour. Here, a Haitian doctor, UK surgeon, and German nurse treat a patient with two broken legs. © Julie Remy

Comedian Mitch Hedberg (1968-2005) was known for his surreal...

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 10:00:00 -0800

Comedian Mitch Hedberg (1968-2005) was known for his surreal humor and unconventional comedic delivery. Enjoy.

Video: #FollowFriday Todd Bishop & The X Conference

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 04:30:00 -0800

I was introduced to church planter Todd Bishop in May 2008. Todd serves as lead pastor of Point Community Church in Westbury, NY. Since meeting Todd, I’ve been challenged by his passion and vision for church planting, Long Island, and the Church.

On May 20, 2010, Todd and Point Community are sponsoring The X Conference, an exciting one day event for church leaders. Presenters include Mark Batterson, Nelson Searcy, Buddy Cremeans, and others; all for an early bird rate of ONLY $59.00! Here’s my Follow Friday interview with Todd about The X Conference.

Please follow The X Conference, Todd, and Point Community Church on Twitter.

"Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness...."

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 07:00:00 -0800

““Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.””

- Henri Frédéric Amiel

Yiddish Word of the Week: Schmaltzy

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:00:00 -0800

Schmaltzy (shmältsē): [adj] 1. Of, relating to, or marked by excessive or maudlin sentimentality; 2. Excessively sentimental, gushing, flattering, over-the-top, corny.

Do you have any *schmaltzy* friends/family?

From shmaltz, which is rendered chicken or goose fat used for frying or as a spread on bread. (Source: Daily Writing Tips and The Free Dictionary)

Video: “Just Grab It!” (via @garyvee?) gary: It is...

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 07:00:00 -0800

Video: “Just Grab It!” (via @garyvee?)

gary:

It is 2010….you can get to anyone…just grab it

I am stunned by people not seeing the fact that you can get to just about anyone, so … do it

Video: #FollowFriday Ashley McCue

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 08:45:00 -0800

Last year, I met a bunch of amazing and talented people through Twitter. In addition to being a talented photographer, Ashley McCue has to be one of the funniest* people I’ve met on Twitter with less than 150 followers.

Please check out my #FollowFriday interview with Ashley and see why I follow her. Make sure to visit her website, blog and follow her on Twitter.

*My favorite tweet from @ashleymccue

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has..."

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 09:00:00 -0800

““The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.””

- Jesus, Luke 4:18,19 NASB

Yiddish Word of the Week: Shlemiel

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 07:30:00 -0800

Shlemiel (shləmēl): [n] a clumsy, inept person, similar to a klutz (also a Yiddish word). The kind of person who always spills his soup. (Source: Daily Writing Tips)

If you’re old enough to remember the 1970s sitcom Laverne & Shirley, shlemiel along with the Yiddish word schlemazel are used in the show’s opening. And now for your viewing pleasure…

*The Yiddish Word of the Day will now be posted weekly as the Yiddish Word of the Week.

socialmetoo: Introducing sixth sense technology…

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 07:30:00 -0800

socialmetoo:

Introducing sixth sense technology…

Video: Merry Christmas & Special Announcement!

Fri, 25 Dec 2009 07:00:00 -0800

Hope you have a blessed day with family and friends. If you know someone I should have for a Follow Friday Interview, email me here.