by Clarence E. Stowers | Sep 20, 2010 | Apple/Mac, Computers, Technology
How would I describe Evernote?
Evernote is my personal digital executive assistant!
Evernote is a free tool I use to capture ideas and take notes. I use it with my iMac, MacBook Pro, iPad, & Droid 2. It is like a digital file cabinet. I can enter a random note, take snapshot of something I want to remember (e.g., a business card or a book), and even record a voice memo. It is my augmented brain. It also syncs with my all my computers via the Web.
With a keyboard shortcut, I drop in articles and blog posts, sermon notes, images, and pictures. I have several notebooks for book ideas, one for meeting recaps, and one for sermon ideas, and it’s completely searchable. One of the coolest things about Evernote is that the search feature recognizes text inside of images. This means I can take a picture of a brainstorming session and Evernote will find a word from the whiteboard image. Again, there’s a web app, an application, and an iPhone/iPad app that keeps notes and ideas synced all of the time.
Check out this video to learn more about Evernote!
Do you use Evernote?
If so, how do you use it OR how do you plan to use it?
by Clarence E. Stowers | Sep 16, 2010 | Mind Dump, Personal
Tonight, I’m having great difficulty focusing my attention on what I must complete. My mind’s racing with so many thoughts, so I decided to stop working and free my mind.
Here’s some thoughts that have been running around my head this week:
- I love my wife – she’s the glue that holds it all together!
- Today my 2nd mom lost her mom & I had to hold it together & serve the family. I confess: I cried in the car.
- More and more, I realized that I need to be around visionaries and dreamers. People that only think here and now drain me.
- Im beginning to sense, “We Cant Stay Here.”
- I need to get away to pray, think, plan, & prepare for what God has in store for Mars Hill.
- Here’s what’s coming soon @ Mars Hill: Website redesign integrating our social media strategy, an Internet Campus where you can view our services via On Demand style, Podcasting via iTunes, & Renovation of our facilities to reflect our unique way of doing ministry.
- I’m starting a Men’s mentoring group. I will disciple 8-12 men for one year. I will coach them in ALL areas of their lives to become men of influence! I’m TOTALLY excited about this!!!
- Our choir held an anniversary concert for my wife & I (11th year pastoring) and they did an OUTSTANDING job. They can really sing…I mean really sing.
- I love my church & believe I have the best job in the world!
- God is shifting our church & I’m sensing that some won’t be able to handle the shift because of denominational loyalty.
- Spiritual warfare is increasing. The enemy is not happy about life change!
- Sometimes I feel we’re too Full Gospel to be Baptist…Too Baptist to be Full Gospel.
- Here’s a thought: Drop ALL the labels & be BIBLICAL. Yea, I like that!
- Ministry can be frustrating – but it’s a good frustration!
- I’m considering getting an MBA. Why? I believe it’ll help our church as we expand the reach of our ministry though multiple campuses.
- Over the past couple of years, I’ve come to understand more and more that the local church really matters. Social work and missions that isn’t connected to a local church isn’t going to accomplish anything long-term.
Whew, it’s out & maybe I can get back to work!
by Clarence E. Stowers | Sep 9, 2010 | Christian, Computers, Conference/Workshops, Empowerment, Events, Leadership, Technology
The NINES is an online conference worth attending!
The NINES is a totally online conference and gathering for church leaders that will happen today, September 9, 2010 @ 10:30AM (CST). I attended the conference last year and it was brilliant – no seriously, it was brilliant!! The format is that each leader speaking at the conference is given six minutes to give their thoughts on the conference theme – this year the theme is “Game Changers.”
Here are some answers to some commonly asked questions (from the Q&A page of the NINES website)!
I know it’s short notice, but, trust me: YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED! Registration is free, but you can also register and get lots of good stuff.
See you online @ The NINES!
by Clarence E. Stowers | Sep 8, 2010 | Apple/Mac, Computers, Decisions, Technology
I often get asked what tools I use to stay productive in a busy world. Consequently, I’ve decided to share my favorite software, hardware, iPhone/Droid apps, & cloud storage tools. Today, I’d like to introduce you to one of my FAVORITES: Dropbox
Dropbox is basically a hard drive on the web, a cloud where you can store files. A 2GB account is absolutely free, and if you use this link, both you and I will get a little extra space for free. I can easily share my sermons, shared church documents and official graphics with everyone on staff – it’s like an easy to use/free network.
I moved every one of my documents to Dropbox, which means they are synced with my computer, any computer, my iPhone and my iPad at all times. You can drop pictures in an image folder to create an instant photo gallery and drop files in the public folder and send out a download link – that works much better than trying to attach large files.
No matter where I am in the world, I have access to ALL my files!
Do you currently use Dropbox?
Do you plan to?
by Clarence E. Stowers | Sep 3, 2010 | Current Affairs, Decisions, Empowerment, Family, Goals, Money and Finance
For the past two weeks, I’ve shared the importance of reaching out to expand your network of trusted advisors. Included in the mix are: 1) A Personal Banker or Branch Manager; 2) Mortgage Broker, 3) A Fee-Based Financial Planner; 4) An Insurance Agent, 5) A Certified Public Accountant (CPA); and 6) A “Proven” Real Estate Agent.
In my opinion you should have them on speed dial if you desire to build wealth and leave a lasting legacy. Your aim should be to develop a team that understands your financial goals and advise with a human touch. Today, I’d like you to consider adding a seventh and final financial friend:
An Estate Planning Attorney
I Don’t Have Enough Money…
Wrong! People often think of estate planning, wills, and trusts as tools and services for the wealthy. Not so! Why? The laws governing wills and trusts affect the wealthy, middle-class, and the working class. Additionally, there’s a lot of confusion surrounding wills and trusts. People, they are not synonymous. “A will controls your assets in your individual name when you die, but a trust is used to hold your assets during your lifetime,” according to Vicki Lee Parker, writer for Black Enterprise Magazine.
As a pastor of a thriving church, I can’t tell you how many family fights I had to mediate because no one took the time to consult an estate planning attorney. Today, many siblings and relatives do not speak because no one took time to plan accordingly. Since each state has different laws regarding inheritance, your estate shouldn’t be left to the state or do-it-yourself wills. “An estate planning attorney can help you set up a trust that offers more flexibility and control over how your assets are managed after you die,” says Steve Hartnett, an estate planning attorney in San Diego and associate director of education at the American Academy of Estate Planing.
I Confess…
As I conclude this series, I want inform you that I practice what I preach. I have six of the seven financial friends on speed dial and I’m currently interviewing estate planning attorneys. I plan to make my decison by the end of September and will keep you posted. Thanks for reading and reflecting on my blog posts and my prayers are with you as you assemble your team!
Did I miss anyone? Who do you have on your team that I missed?
