Why You CAN Find Time For Social Media

April 23rd, 2010 Mark

Michael Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers – the largest Christian publishing company in the world and the 7th largest trade book publishing company in the U.S., uses social media like we drink coffee or water.  He swims in it and you can and should too.  See his April 23, 2010 article at http://michaelhyatt.com/category/social-media A MUST read.  If you don’t get it, plan your retirement.

Now don’t miss this quote (from me) which sums it up: Don’t add social media to your work, integrate it into all you do. Problem solved and you rock!

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Four Ways To Discern God’s Will

April 23rd, 2010 Mark

Contrary to public opinion, I don’t think it takes a brain surgeon to discern God’s will for your life.  Too often you hear of people who are”struggling” or at wits end with this issue.  Well, here are four things you can use, within the framework of prayer, to discern God’s will for your everyday life and future:

1. Ask yourself, “Does this matter have a Biblical basis?”.   God often spells things out, just look.

2. Ask yourself, “Is this matter in tune with the giftedness that God has endowed me with?”  Don’t do something that is not in your skillset (howbeit, sometimes we just need to be developed in areas too).

3. Ask yourself, “Do others confirm that this matter is right for me to be involved in?”  Your faith community should be able to confirm with you that your skillset, passion, and opportunity fit.  Other people may be wrong, but as a group in tune with God, they ought to be able to give you insight.

4. Ask yourwelf, “Is this matter providentially placed before me?”  The opportunities we become involved in should clearly show signs that God is in it.

Bottom Line:  Don’t miss out on doing something God has prepared for you!

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College Enrollment Upward

April 22nd, 2010 Mark
  • 39.6% of all young adults ages 18 to 24 were enrolled in either a two- or four-year college in October 2008. College Enrollment Hits All-Time High, Fueled by Community College Surge Pew Social Trends
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    Social Media: Advancing or Destroying You

    April 20th, 2010 Mark

    Domino’s is back in the news!  You will recall that in December they made a great video that showed just how serious they were about making pizza.  www.pizzaturnaround.com They were honest that their pies tasted like cardboard and so they went to work to change their pizza AND image.  It worked.  But it only took two idiots with a camera and access to YouTube to destroy all their hard work.  http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/16/business/media/16dominos.html

    So how are you using social media and are you ready to respond to media that truthfully or falsely comes after you?

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    Reconsidering Life Stages

    April 18th, 2010 Mark

    Leave a Comment about how your church handles this:  Last Friday,  Dr Timothy Paul Jones of SBTS spoke at College Metro on transitioning church youth from HS to college.  He made some great points!  Here is the first set of observations about how churches (unwittingly) may be viewing  their ministry to the various life stages.

    1.  Churches view Children as a way to get and secure stable familes into the organization.

    2.  Churches view Youth as a way to get and secure stable families into the congregation AND because of the idolatry of adolescense.

    3.  Churches view Unmarried Adults as a way to retain and fulfill stabilization into the organization.

    4.  Churches view Families as stable servants and givers to the organization.

    5.  Churches view Older Adults as required toleration because they offer financial stablity to the organization.

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    The Cubs

    April 13th, 2010 Mark

    I am a NY Yankees fan.  Right now you are thinking one of two things.  I hate this guy or ‘boy do I like him’!   For that reason, whenever I travel to a city, other than NYC, I wear a Cubbie baseball hat.  No one hates the Cubs…they just feel sympathy for them.

    While wearing my Cubs hat at Purdue University last Thursday, I was reminded of just how important it is to be in tune with the people you are around.  In my walk to the student union, I ‘bumped’ into a student from Atlanta.  He was taken back that another Atlantan would wear a Chicago hat but appreciated that I would do that for others.  From there we spoke of life and spiritual things.

    It is important to connect with people in a way that they can appreciate you.

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    Twitter Cheaters

    April 7th, 2010 Mark

    Have you ever wondered how some Twitter users get so many followers!  Well I have the answer for you.  My UT-Dallas nephew  tells us how they do it at http://tommyswanson.com/top-5-tools-for-twitter-cheaters/

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    Kindle and Kalvinist

    March 28th, 2010 Mark

    Other than sounding like they go together, research does show that Calvinist prefer using a Kindle and don’t want it changed.  They like things black and white:)

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    The Life Book

    March 26th, 2010 Mark

    The Gideons have finally done it and it is awesome.  The book of John in a translation other than the KJV.   They even used a newer translation, the Holman Christian Standard Version.   Wow!  Who would have ever thunk it.

    Writter Carl Blunt has created a masterpiece.  A creative introductory collage of thought just for students followed by a dynamic weaving of interaction with the text.  Nice job Carl.  Good move Gideons.  www.thelifebook.com

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    By The Numbers

    March 26th, 2010 Mark

    Int’l Students in the US

    2008/09 103,260 from India

    98,235 from China, 29,001 from Taiwan, 8,286 from Hong Kong = 135,522 Chinese Students

    Here is the kicker: While we send missionaries into their countries, it is said that 7 out of 10 of these visiting students will never be invited into an American home.  Something is wrong with that.  So what are you doing this weekend?  Call the international student office at your nearby campus and they will be thrilled help make a dinner happen in your home.

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    Common Denominators

    March 23rd, 2010 Mark

    Have you looked at www.us.dk.com? They are some of the largest publishers in the world.  I know we all think that everyone loves to expland our minds through reading but have you seen their highlighted adult reading list for March 2010?  Of the 31 featured books, 23 are basically travel guides.  Right in the middle of a recession, while so many are home with nothing to do but read and study,  travel guides are the hit!  Maybe it is related to cheaply priced lottery tickets.  You daydream about winning something you have no chance of securing and traveling to places you will never go.

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