Is it a bugs eye? A dirty lens? A banana?

Click here for the answer, and be amazed!

I’m a sucker or space pictures. I just think it’s amazing, incredible that thousands and thousands of miles away this little spacecraft is out there, all by itself, sending us these pictures.

Check out this nice collection of Saturn & moons from the Cassino Equinox Mission.

Follow JPL on Twitter.

Follow Cassini on Twitter.

Follow some astronauts on Twitter tweeting pics from the ISS, here and here.

Read up on the Cassini Equinox Mision here.

Let’s see if this works. If you’re watching LOST tonight on the West Coast, let’s chat it up!

If you don’t read Seth Godin’s blog every once in a while, you are missing out. Here are a few of his latest & greatest (in my opinion):

• It’s easier to teach compliance than initiative
• Genius is misunderstood as a bolt of lighting
• The best reason for a big event
• Frightened, clueless, and uninformed

Another great thing about Seth’s blog is that these are bite-size and easy to digest.

Here’s one from Ed Setzer:

• Gospel Definitions

One from Michael Hyatt:

• The Scourge of Cynisism

This is an awesome article from FastCompany.com dealing with Burn Out:

• Do Something: Six Tips to Reinvent Non-Profits

That’s all for now. Have a wonderful day.

Well, it’s a little too early to do the 2009 wrap-up (have you read the 2008 wrap-up?). But I do need to share some breaking news…

I’m changing jobs, again… sort of. Over the course of my life, I have worked as:

• landscaper
• paperboy
• burger flipper (at McDonalds)
• sandwich artist (at Subway)
• salesman (at a music store, yes I got paid to tune drums & guitars all day)
• delivery boy (at my future mother en-law’s restaurant)
• AC fabricator & installer
• sign shop manager
• business owner of my own graphic design firm
• framer
• snowboard designer
• youth pastor
• worship leader
• media pastor
• executive pastor
• communications pastor

I was hired on at Rancho Community Church and School in 2009 as, “Pastor of Communications for Church & School” (I know, kind of a lame title). My basic job description was to help with the look & feel of both the church and school, and help with the internal and external communications of both organizations. I began my time at Rancho in March (February, really, but who’s counting), and basically I split my time equally between church and school – I even had two separate offices. I went to work immediately on helping re-brand the church, with Pastor Scott’s vision of five values – we landed on a really cool logo, and are currently in the process of slowly re-branding and re-skinning the church (it’s a huge process). I knew that the school would have to go through the same process, but I just couldn’t land on a look & feel… So it waited. I spent my school time trying to connect with staff and parents, to get a good idea what the vibe was over there; know what I learnt? School is VERY different than church. But I really got to get a good feel and began honing in on how we could really revitalize our look, and maybe create a whole new sense of excitement. Little did I know this was a catalyst to a pretty major change for me.

(By the way, that picture up there, that’s the new School logo – pretty stoked about it).

And here’s the news:
As of December 1st, I will be known as “Director of Admissions & Family Relations” for our school. I’m not really sure exactly what that all means and entails, but I do know that I get the opportunity to work with some really gifted and committed people at our school. For those who don’t know, our school is pretty amazing – it encompasses preschool through 10th grade, and currently has about 750 students.

I’m excited and a little freaked out at the same time. Here’s why…

I’m excited because:

• This is a great opportunity to learn and grow – it’s a challenge.
• I get to work with our admissions department, marketing, public relations – really creatively marketing our school.
• I get to be on the same campus where my kids are going to school.
• We’ll be going through a major look & feel overhaul – which I love!
• I get to use leadership gifts, serving the staff and sharing some of the things I’ve learned, and hope to learn.
• I get to reside in one office – this is new for me, I’m usually mobile.
• I get to work closely with school parents (our customers) to help make sure we as a school are serving their needs in a way that honors Christ and meets the highest standards.

I’m a little freaked out because:

• I’m pretty sure I’m not qualified for this position – I NEVER thought I’d be a school administrator.
• I’ve been a pastor for the past 12 years – that’s been my identity, this is new. And yes, “pastor” is relative – there are tons of “pastors” out there who don’t pastor, and I realize that this is ministry – it’s just a little funky & I’m trying to be real. I guess what I am saying is that I will continue to “pastor” even though I won’t have the title. (this is a whole ‘nother post).
• School is a different atmosphere than church, it scares me a bit (actually, a lot).
• I could fail pretty hard-core and it wouldn’t be pretty.
• I “get” to work in one office – this means I’m not as mobile as I’m used to being.
• I think I have to dress better.
• Did I mention that I could fail at this job?

Anyway, just thought I’d let everyone know what is up. I will continue to be very involved with the church, especially with the look & feel, graphic design, working with our Ministry Communications team, and working closely with our Executive Pastor, Don Hallworth (who, by the way is a stud, my mentor, and an all-around amazing guy) – Don and I strategize on a number of things pertaining to our church and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.

I can’t believe how God continues to show himself faithful to our family, not only meeting our basic needs, but giving us the desires of our hearts. If you think of us, please keep us in prayer as our family adjusts to what this means for us as a family, and as I adjust to this new role personally. We’d appreciate any prayers.

Thanks for readin’ (hopefully I can get back on the blog every-once-in-a-while).

I don’t like it when it gets over 95.

I don’t like bad drivers (there’s a TON in Temecula).

I don’t like bad attitudes.

I don’t like political shows.

I don’t like made up rules about religion that are followed simply out of tradition.

I don’t like people who are always pointing fingers.

I don’t like paying bills.

I don’t like that there’s no decent internet in Wine Country.

I don’t like nuts (peanuts are ok though, same with pistachios).

I don’t like Christians who polarize around a non-essential issues.

I don’t like confrontation.

I don’t like the 91 Freeway, at all.

I don’t like that Mexico isn’t safe right now, because I really like Mexico.

I don’t like the “sauce” on In-N-Out Burgers.

I don’t like Chipotle – call me a heratic, I do not like that place.

That’s about it for now – what about YOU?

The rumors have been flying for a while, ever since the Promenade has had it’s “Extreme Orange County Makeover”. I’d say that the rumors are true…

• according to Monster.com
• according to Apple

So, now when you’re iPhone locks up, or your wireless card goes out on your Mac – all you have to do is head over to the mall!

Oh yeah, you can also buy cool stuff there too – seriously.

Anyone know when the open date is?

I saw this idea over here & thought, what the heck – I’m not blogging much and this is a good idea for a post.

• I like my kids’ imagination (that’s them as Jedi Knights)
• I like my job
• I like living in Temecula
• I like Twitter
• I like Facebook
• I like Wii
• I like that Conan Obrien is the host of The Tonight Show (I can go to bed an hour earlier now)
• I like good design
• I like good photography
• I like the beach
• I like people (really, I do)
• I like epic movies
• I like walking with my wife (anywhere)
• I like playing drums
• I like playing guitar
• I like to strategize
• I like to cook
• I like to have friends over
• I like it when the kick & snare are really tight & loud
• I like the internet

What do YOU like?

Truth be told, I am spending more time on Facebook lately, but I never update my status from there – I use Twitter (as I’m sure many of you do). Here’s some reasons why:

• I was using Twitter before I joined Facebook
• When I update Twitter, I’m (a) reaching an immediate network of over 600 people, and (b) reaching potentially thousands more thru friends of friends on Twitter
• I can do it from my phone, anywhere, anytime
• I can do it from an app like Tweetie (not having to open a webpage)
• Did I mention that I can do it from my phone, anywhere, anytime?

Maybe I’m putting the cart before the horse here – maybe you’re not convinced that Twitter is a valuable use of your time (to which I would argue that if you update your status on Facebook, ever, than Twitter will be valuable to you). Or, maybe you just don’t understand Twitter, to which, I propose you watch this little video:

Now back to the main point: How to connect your Facebook account with your Twitter account. Rather than reinvent the wheel here, I went out and found the best tutorial I could find.

Here’s a little tutorial on how to have Twitter update your Facebook status. (note: on step #2 you may need to click on the “Application” tag. See screen shots below).

Click on the “Applications” tab.

Click on the application name: Twitter, and then continue following the tutorial.

That’s it. Now you are a power Facebook/Twitter user. Every time you update your twitter, your Facebook status will be updated. And from my experience, there’s not much lag.

Any questions?

Oh yeah, if you’re not following me on Twitter, go on over and follow me.

One of the biggest questions I get about pages is, “How do I tell people about them?” which really means, “How do I tell people about the page, online”. It’s really a lot easier than you might think & here’s my three step process to promote your page.

When you’re on your Facebook Page (not your Profile Page), look over to the left, under your photo and there’s a small button labeled “More” – go ahead & click on that.

When you click on “More”, it will reveal “more” options for you, one being, “Suggest to Friends” – click on that.

When you click on “Suggest to Friends”, another window will pop-up with all your friends. Simply start typing the name of a friend who you want to suggest this page to and click “Send Invitations”. You can add as many of your friends as you want here (I think).

And there you have it! They will all get a little notification that you think this page would be something they’d be interested in, and before you know it, you will feel like a rock star with a plethora of “Fans”.

Till next time…