I’m back…

First, I want to thank my web/blog designers Chris and Erin for designing an incredible site.  Thank you Chris for masterfully handling the coding and hacking.  Also, thanks Erin for the design work – especially the color selection.  My web designers, Chris and Erin of Arcane Palette Creative Design, spent the last two weeks porting my blog from TypePad (my previous blogging platform) to WordPress.  This has been a big project-much bigger than I expected.  Oh, I only wished I had started with WordPress when I began blogging two years ago.  You’ll notice several changes:

• The design is much different. Not everyone will like it, but I’m pleased.  I think it feels professional but also personal.  That was my goal.

• The photos of me rotate. Every time you refresh the page or move to a new page, you get a new photo of Shauntai and I.  “Big deal,” I know.   But I couldn’t just settle on one photo.   My life is too multi-faceted.  Plus I thought you might enjoy peering into the visual aspects of my life.

• The search engine is easy to find. People often email me, asking for links to articles they remember seeing but can’t find.  The WordPress search engine is very robust, and I think it’s placement and functionality will make it easier for you to find the stuff you are interested in.

• I will add additional pages. I get asked to speak a lot and in the very near future I will accept advertising.  However, I will only run ads for products or services that I personally use and can recommend.

There’s still more to come, so let me set your expectations:

• You will probably discover broken links. This was the biggest challenge in moving from TypePad to WordPress.   We did the best we could, but there will likely be problems.

• Not all my images are displaying properly. In fact, some images in older posts won’t display at all.   I am having to upload these to my new server and adjust the links.  The good news is that all the content is here.

• You will need to re-subscribe to my RSS feed. This is probably the worst part of the move.   TypePad just uses a completely different feed mechanism.  You can just click on the link in the right sidebar.  It only takes a couple of mouse clicks and you’re done.  I apologize for the inconvenience of this.

• We are going to do a major comment upgrade. We plan to install Intense Debate.   It is an extremely robust comment plugin.  It will allow for “threaded comments,” ratings, user profiles, etc.  I have wanted this for a very long time.  The bottom line: please be patient with me.  If you discover a problem, please email me.  We’ll try to get it fixed as soon as we can.   By the way, if you need a web designer/developer who specializes in WordPress blogs, I highly recommend Chris and Erin.  Not only do  they know everything there is to know about WordPress, they is also one of the most responsive vendors I have ever used.

Question:

What do you like about the new blog?  What don’t you like?  Tell it to me straight.  I can take it.  (I think.)

Ok, here we go:

You know you’ve been thinking about it.  Everyone is doing it.  Who wouldn’t when they look at their ugly black Dell compared to one of the macbooks?  Of course Macs look good, however, I’m sure you want reasons other than “they’re the finest looking computers out yonder.”  Let me first give my testimony.  I used (“PCs”) for 18 years.  Then when Apple came out with OS X, I was a little intrigued, although that didn’t stop my jeering.  After watching it develop, I caved in and purchased an MacBook & an iMac G5.  Now I wouldn’t switch back for money or fame.  I sometimes forget the horror people go through with their computers—although I am jolted back into reality when a friend calls with problems, and is fixed after running Ad-Aware or some other utility.  Defragers, disk doctors and utilities, registry repairers, virus protection, spy/adware removers, and more all need to be bought and run frequently.  It isn’t worth time, money, or stress.

(Ooooo…looks so sweet…you know you want it)

1. Stability. Mac OS X is built on UNIX, which is synonymous with stability.  Windows, on the other hand is synonymous
   with the blue screen of death.  Tired of your OS (Operating System) hanging and applications crashing?  I was too.  Say goodbye to applications crashing your OS.
2. Things Just Work. This doesn’t really need explanation.  Hook up your Microsoft mouse.  Put in a USB key.  Connect
   your video camera.  It just works.  Really.
3. No Viruses. Which means all those emails can’t affect you, you don’t need to buy anti-virus software (although in the
   future you may), and no yearly anti-virus subscriptions.
4. No Adware. No more popups constantly!  No more programs being installed without your approval!  Free yourself from your bondage!
5. No Spyware.
6. Boosts Your Productivity. Because of all the above reasons, you have more time to work (or play) and not have to
   worry about your computer.  Ever said “Why can’t this just work so I can get my work done?” Well, it can!  In fact, you will most likely notice getting more things done because OS X is just fun and easy to use.  On top of that, the entire Mac interface lends itself to productivity and polish.
7. Better Desktop Management. A friend saw me use Exposé, and said “Wow, you are living in the next century.”  I use Exposé constantly and it has revolutionized the way I work with open programs.  But there is even more to come in Apple’s OSX Snow Leopard to be released this year.  What will my friend say when I get Spotlight, Dashboard, and Automator?
8. Security. Tired of Microsoft waiting months upon months (after the months it takes for them to acknowledge it) to fix a
   security issue?  Mac OS X is already configured to be secure right out of the box—even a preconfigured firewall to keep you safe from hackers.  You get the benefit of UNIX security combined with the beauty and polish of Apple.
9. Encryption. Need to keep others out?  When turned on, FileVault automatically encrypts all of your files.  You are 007.
10. Application Ease. Installing applications on PCs are a big deal, and watch out if you move any of the program files!
    With Mac, you drop the application into your applications folder and it just works.  If you want, you can move it into a subfolder and nothing breaks.  Just try that on a PC and see what happens! Well, on second thought, don’t try it.
11. Disk Maintenance? Defrag, Scandisk, CHKDSK, Norton Utilities… kiss those wonderful pains goodbye.  Don’t know what those are?  That’s probably why your PC is so messed up (that and all the spy/adware/viruses).  Switch to Mac.  Your hard drive defrags automatically as files are moved, so you don’t have to worry about all that disk maintenance stuff.
12. MS Office Compatibility. If you purchase Office for Mac you get full MS Office compatibility.  Don’t want to do that?
    Apple now has an inexpensive option for you with Pages and Keynote that are included in iWork, which are 100% MS Office compatible.  In fact, iWork may be better fitted for you (and cheaper) if you are not a hardcore MS Office user.
13. Incredible Pre-Bundled Applications. You get the full set of iLife applications, World Book encyclopedia, and a full version of Quicken.  iLife is not simply individual applications—they all work together seamlessly like you (should) expect.  Make a video in iMovie with background music from iTunes.  Make a slideshow of images in iPhoto, send it to a friend in Mail and then put it on the Internet.  Then put both on a DVD with iDVD.  Have a tune in your head?  Record it in Garageband—any instrument imaginable is there and a breeze to play.  Want to video chat with a friend in Japan about the song you just recorded?  Start up iChat.  In a phrase, the Mac has everything you need to organize and edit your digital photography, make movies from your camcorder, listen to all your music, create and record music, video chat with friends, and author your own DVDs.  Did I mention that it all comes free and pre-installed?  The software itself is worth over $500 in my opinion.
14. Any Document Can Be PDF. Every application (that can print) can save files as PDF.  Now that is handy, and sure beats shelling out all that cash for the full version Adobe Acrobat!
15. Network with PCs. Stuck in a network full of PCs?  Don’t worry—it’ll work.  Just plug it in.  Internet, file
    sharing, printer sharing and more with ease.
16. Better Third-Party Applications. With free programs like Quicksilver, NetNewsWire Lite, TextWrangler, VLC, and
    other incredible applications like Photoshop, Transmit, Final Cut Express/Pro, and others.  And of course your favorite browser, Firefox, also works like a charm if you don’t want to use Apple’s Safari.
17. Control. No more will you be awash in ignorance along with the brainwashed proles.  You will make an educated decision to purchase something that you can control and won’t control you.  You are not going to Walmart blindly picking a PC.  You have considered the alternative, weighed the options, and chose accordingly.  You are a Mac user.
18. Look.  It just looks so d#@n good

To those who want to make the right decision (and those who have already made it), I applaud your intelligence and good taste.  May this help banish your burdens and be a boon for years to come.

The"text me" project is your chance to get biblical answers to burning questions, concerns and hot issues in our culture.   Over the next few months, I will preach on the 10 Hottest Topics that address spiritual, ethical or controversial issues facing Christians today.  And guess what, you get to choose the topic!

All you have to do is submit your topic for selection via text message at (773-358 0356) or on our website by April 25, 2008. Your submission, along with others, will be posted on our website.

Members, guests, family and friends will cast their votes for the top 20 Hot Topics.  The selected 20 Hot Topics will be posted on the website beginning April 27th. Beginning May 4th – May 10th, members, guests, family and friends will vote for the final 10 Hot Topic Sermons that I’ll preach on.

GUESS WHAT, IT GETS EVEN BETTER…

When the Top 10 Topics are confirmed, at the end each message you can (are you ready for this) text me a question relevant to the topic.  For better or worse, I’ll answer the question ON THE SPOT!

That’s right, DURING WORSHIP you will be able to use your cell phone, BlackBerry, iPhone, PDA during worship and "text" me your question…TALK ABOUT INNOVATION…

I know you’re interested and would like to know more about the series and the official voting rules. 

I can’t wait to hear your feedback!!!