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Confession time: I’ve been unfaithful. I didn’t mean for it to happen … it just … happened.
My blog and I have simply grown apart. I can’t truthfully say that I don’t love my blog, I’ve simply been spending more and more time with Twitter. Twitter really understands me. Understands my short attention span; my need for constant attention; my insatiable desire for sticking my nose in other people’s business; strokes my ego and allows me to be someone I could only wish I were; and fulfills my longings for connecting with other like-minded church communicators smarter than me. Turns out that just about everyone I follow is far smarter than me … So I’m really lucky that way.
Anyway, if you twitter and we aren’t already following each other, click the fancy “Follow Me on Twitter” link to the left and let’s hook up and hang out online. I love the collaboration, conversation, and connection I’m getting from everyone there. You all are helping to make me more infinitely smarter than you could ever know.
Don’t misunderstand me. This blog isn’t going anywhere … we’re staying together. In fact, I’ll be giving some previews of some breakout session goodness slated to happen at this year’s MinistryCOM Conference coming up in September – IF the economy doesn’t put a damper on travel plans from Dallas to Chicago … a real threat right now.
Thanks for hangin’ with me. Twitter with you soon.
I just had the pleasurable … unfortunate … experience of visiting … dealing with … a local auto repair shop, needing someone to repair my brake lights. I did some homework first, of course, checking out their website. I was specifically looking for two things: electrical expertise and open on Saturdays. There it was. They had both. So I threw on my ball cap and headed over.
Gary, my "highly trained" mechanic.
My online experience of the company was promising and positive. My in-person experience … was not. Here are a number of specific phrases used and promises made on their website and my subsequent assessment.
“When you want expert car repair … come to the best … we have highly trained on-site mechanics.” [FAIL] To be fair, they indeed performed auto repairs and did have an on-site mechanic … who arrived fifteen minutes late that morning. I know he was late because I arrived right as they were opening and the office manager – one of two people there at the time – reported that he was en route and would arrive shortly.
Let’s talk about Gary for a moment. In his mid-50s, Gary has been working on cars since he was 13. After spending nearly four hours myself on-site that Saturday morning “helping” him investigate the source of my problem, I’m convinced the new-fangled world of high-precision computerized vehicles has left him behind. But he could certainly chain smoke Pall Mall with the best of them and talk quite a bit about how well he could hold his liqueur. I would not, however, put him in the “highly trained” or “professional” category of specialists.
“[Name of Establishment] is considered a rare gem, an authentic jewel, among the throngs of auto repair businesses in the DFW area.” [FAIL] True, competition is fierce in a big city. What’s rare is the use of such stupid poetic language on a website to describe an auto repair shop. They were clearly neither a rare gem nor authentic jewel, but rather the embodiment of every stereotypical portrayal of hick-town grease monkeys you see in the movies.
“Secure on-site vehicle storage” [FAIL] During my visit into the office I noticed a small box in plain view containing a product called “Imitation Security Camera.” Enough said.
“Finally! An honest mechanic.” [PASS] I do believe, throughout the course of this five-day ordeal, that I was never lied to about costs nor misled to believe something that wasn’t true. In fact, I was able to save some money by going with used parts at half the cost of new ones. Overall, however, they were honestly slow, unskilled, and decidedly over-priced for the level of quality service they provide their customers.
“Why didn’t you just leave?” Because my car needed to be fixed just as those visiting our churches for the first time need God. I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt and happened to regret that decision.
Using flowery language and making lofty claims on your website and printed materials do not make them true. Actions behind the words make them true. Deliver on your claims.
My blog posts have been a little sporadic recently, but our family has been a little pre-occupied the last few days. We’ve been taking care of our youngest child “Princess” Sierra (4) who had open-heart surgery to patch two holes and remove a muscle bundle.
I’m really happy to report that Sierra’s surgery on Tuesday was completely successful and she’s been recovering wonderfully at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas. Literally hundreds of people have been praying for us and we’ve felt every prayer enveloping and sustaining us. Beth and I both are eternally grateful for such wonderful friends, family, and coworkers who have surrounded and supported us through this experience.
God is truly a great God and we give Him all the praise, glory, and honor.
I Twittered pretty heavily on Tuesday and Wednesday reporting updates throughout the surgery and recovery. They can be found at either my @christianjava Twitter feed directly or an expanded version, with Facebook friend comments, over on my Facebook profile.
Sierra’s long-term prognosis is excellent. She’ll continue to be monitored, but we don’t expect to need any more surgeries or treatments.
Here we are at the port in Progresso, Mexico. Our five-day cruise (Cameron’s first cruise ever) on the Carnival Ecstasy was awesome. In fact, it was Cameron’s first experience of the ocean, which he loved … even if it was only Galveston. Caleb and Sierra were up at my parents’ place in Oklahoma all week.
The trip was also extra special because Tuesday, June 24, was Cameron’s, mine, as well as my father’s, birthday. [Yes, that's three generations of the same birthday] He really loved the iPod Nano we surprised him with at dinner that night. Great trip but we’re glad to be back home.
Now it’s preparing to begin the first day on my new job tomorrow. First order of business will be the weekly staff chapel. Then it’s off to lunch for June birthdays. An afternoon meeting at 2pm. I already have a direct phone line and email.
Did I mention I was uber excited?
My blog is still under construction. There’s several more GOOD READS that I’ll be adding, etc. But all that fun will just have to wait until my wife Beth, our oldest son Cameron (who turns 11 on Tuesday while we’re at sea), and I return from our Mexican Riviera cruise! Arriba! No phones or email, but plenty of sun, water, food, entertainment, and shopping. Life is so rough.
Once I’m back, I’ll get back to work on it. I’m also thinking of a Blog Launch Party Contest of some sort. I’ll also blog a little about my new gig that officially starts Tuesday, July 1.
