As “live blogged” in my last post, I was fortunate to be able to attend an advanced screening of the new Veggie Pirate Movie. Since Kidology has volunteered to be a promotional partner (we do not accept paid advertising) I was just a little nervous… what if I don’t like it? (not that this was likely coming from Big Idea, but it’s our first time being an official promotional sponsor, so positivity is kinda assumed.) Well, not only can I rest at ease - you can too!
THE MOVIE IS FANTASTIC!
And exceeded even my high expectations! Any concerns of it feeling too long (“half an hour” is part of the Veggie theme song!) or missing the mark of appealing to a wide range of ages quickly evaporated.
Steve Tanner and I with our shirts we
won answering movie trivia at the end!
I’m happy to let you know that the movie hit all the marks for me!
Great for kids!
Humor for adults too
Great message
MANY teachable points
Visually stunning
Creative and fast paced
With the recent hit of “other other Pirate movies” - I wondered if it would feel like the thrill of pirates had faded. (They did note that their screen play was written first!) I loved the opening scene, granted the temporary music was from the Pirates of the Caribbean, but it was a lot of fun. I wondered how modern times and “Somewhere in the 17th Century” would blend, but it was done creatively and with little over-explaining.
This film is not a direct parody of a Bible story, such as Jonah was. While some may find reason to criticize that, I actually found this approach stronger. In a Bible-story adaptation, you have to explain what is “real” or “true” from the story, and what was make-believe. In this approach, the entire thing is make-believe, so you have a LOT more freedom to draw lessons and teachable points. Some, perhaps, not even intended by the writers. It’s too soon for spoilers, but let me say, you could pause this movie often and make teachable applications, or show clips to teach even some spiritual issues that adults wrestle with. The animation may lean toward younger kids, but the message is both hard hitting and encouraging at the same time. There are lessons for kids, but a strong message for Dads too to give your kids a reason to look up to you.
Of course, the question is always: see it in the theater, or wait for the DVD. I would really encourage the giant screen experience. From the thrilling music, to the beautiful vistas and even giant rock monsters… the giant screen will be a blast to enjoy, as well as keep kids focused for their first exposure to the story and message. I’m eager to see the final version when it comes to theaters.
While I like to see wholesome Christian films in the theater to help support and encourage their creators and to send a message to Hollywood to make more wholesome, fun, clean movies… this one I’ll see in theaters simply because it will be the best viewing experience.
Karl gives Veggie Pirates four thumbs up! (holding up my son’s thumbs for extra votes)
In case you are wondering why our logo is on the trailer above, Kidology is a promotional partner for the film. You’ll see our logo on the bottom of the pages at the screening site, and it will be showing up in some other places… yet to be announced. We helping to spread the word about the film via Kidology.org, for now with a forum discussion where you can discuss the upcoming Veggie Movie! Seems we attracted some attention with the discussion we did for the Jesus Camp film and the Q and A with the directors of that film. We really excited to be having a Kidology Forum Q&A with Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki in November, so STAY TUNED FOR THAT! You’ll not want to miss a chance to interact with the creators of VeggieTales right on Kidology.org!
I’m excited because I am going to the PREVIEW SHOWING TOMORROW NIGHT here in Chicagoland!
Yes, it’s true. I waited in line for an operating system. But then again, this was not just any operating system… it is an Apple Operating System, something truly worth looking forward to, every time. Originally, I wasn’t going to wait in line for Leopard like I did for my iPhone, but as it turned out, I was doing training our youngest Kidology Team Member and decided it would be fun to do with him, so we went and got in line!
Chad and Karl - Mac Nerds, and Proud of it!
We got in line with several hundred other Mac fanatics… many busy on their iPhones, and were happy to see we were close enough to get the free t-shirt!
Me with my free Apple Mac T-Shirt!
The Apple Store employees are a hoot. Literally! They cheered for each group of 10 that were allowed in forming two lines that you passed through to enter. You kinda felt like Moses walking through the Red Sea. The enthusiasm was a little silly - but it made it a fun event. Come, on! Who would cheer for the lastest version of Windows… that’s more like, “Well, OK, I guess I should upgrade, the version I have stinks and is riddled with problems, maybe the new one will be better, at least for a little while. How much is it gonna cost me? Sigh. Ho Hum. A new Windows operating system.” But with a Mac, you just know it will be loaded with cool practical stuff that actually does what it claims.
Happy Mac Fanatics!
Soon we were back at Chad’s installing our beautiful new operating system. Chad’s installed in just under 1.5 hours. I did a full erase and install to get a clean start with the new OS and mine installed in under an hour. But of course, then I had to re-install my software, and restore Mail, Calendar, Address Book, Bookmarks, Preferences, Music, Pictures, data, etc. But after all the stuff I install and uninstall, I like to use an OS upgrade as an opportunity to start with a clean “out of the box” machine.
Mentoring sometimes means sharing Mac tips!
By the way, I gotta tell ya, I was meeting with Chad to train him on some projects, but I love young people because I left learning a ton too… (like try this: apple-option 8 and then use apple-option + or - to zoom in or out on your screen, and move the mouse around! Just do apple-option-8 again to go back to normal!)
If you don’t have a Mac, you know I recommend it… and I won’t even go there now. If you do have a Mac, Leopard is sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!
It’s outtathisworld!
UP-DATE: (sent to me by Chad)
If Microsoft had designed the iPod packaging. (This is too funny and too true)
I get asked a LOT for advice on blogs - how to start one - what to put on them - how to add pictures - what to say - how to promote - etc. I’m not going to answer any of those questions here! Instead, I’d like to suggest the First Question any blogger should answer.
Before I go on, let me start by saying I do NOT consider myself an expert on blogging - nor to I think my blog lives up to my own suggestions listed below. But I have been bloggin’ for 32 consistant months, which makes my blog rare and reading blogs since 2002. In fact, I was making blog posts since before there were blogs! (sample, sample, & sample)
As one noted pessimist once stated, “The Blogosphere is exploding- like a self-replicating supervirus bursting with mundane observations, bad poetry, and generously misrepresentative photos. Never have so many people with so little to say said so much to so few.” - Dr. E. L. Kersten, Founder - Despair, Inc.
O.K. - here is the “BIG QUESTION” I ask anyone who asks me any question about blogging - the most important question is:
“WHY are you starting a blog?”
A blog should have a unique purpose. As of today, Google says there is around 1,570,000,000 blogs or sites referring to blogs. If you want to have readers, you need a reason to have a blog that is UNIQUE to YOU. Why should I come to your blog and not one of the millions of others, or better yet, go outside and ride my bike?
When I don’t like a blog:
When it was last updated in 2005. Delete it already.
When it rambles on about pointless personal details that no one cares about. Stop blogging and get a life.
When it shamelessly exists to sell something. This doesn’t mean I don’t buy from blogs or from links on blogs, but if it smacks of “we started a blog just to sell our product” I’m gone.
When posts are too long and don’t ever get to a point. If I want to read a book, I’ll go to the library. Just because Internet pages have no limit in length, doesn’t mean you have to try to create the infinite post.
When it copies from other blogs and puts it out there as its own brilliant thought. Be original, and if you must copy to have something to say, give credit.
When the posts are just short pithy posts that say nothing other than, “Got my post in for today.”
When it blogs about blogging. (oops!) Seriously, though, a blog filled with posts about whether to blog or not or whether anyone is reading, or whether or not the blogger may continue, or begs for comments or it will shut down, etc. is a sure way to say, ‘Don’t come here again, I’m dying already.’
When it loaded with so many plug-ins and features that it is hard to find what the owner has contributed. If I want the weather or news I’m not coming to your blog to get it - give me a better reason to come and read.
ADD YOUR OWN BLOG GRIPES IN COMMENTS, unless it describes mine, of course!
Quite possibly, the most blogged boy in America!
(select category LUKE on this blog!)
Why I blog:
CHRISTMAS LETTER: It is so hard to keep in touch with family all over the country. My blog is the annual “Christmas Letter” on steroids… why wait until Christmas or be limited to one or two pages, and why pay postage? For family, my blog is my weekly Christmas letter. Pass the egg nog, please!
FRIENDSHIPS: The upside of the internet and modern technology is that you can make friends all over the country - even around the world. The downside is that it is very hard to maintain and keep in contact with these friendships. Blogs enable me to keep up with friends even when I don’t get to talk to them that much. There are friends I may talk to only every few months, but via their blog I get to keep up with their family and life often weekly! My blog gives me a way to “keep in touch” with people that I meet where ever I go, and comments at times are a blessing beyond the words because I see a familiar name has checked in.
THE REAL ME: My main ministry site, Kidology.org, was once my personal site. It was this guy named Karl sharing his ministry ideas and experiences with whoever would actually want to read it. By God’s grace, it grew to become an incorporated non-profit ministry that out grew being just one guy’s site, and is now the site of a team and has contributors all over the world. As the site grew and got more professional and the contribution base broadened (all good things!) some said they kinda missed knowing the personal side of the guy behind the ministry. My blog gives people the opportunity, if they desire it, to get a glimpse into the life of the founder of an organization they enjoy and/or benefit from. I wish more leaders of ministries would come out of hiding and let us get to know them. There are many writers, founders, etc. that I wish I could get to know better. If they had a blog I’d be able to feel a little more connected to them and their ministry. I hope my blog does that a little for those who love Kidology.
DIGITAL SOAP BOX: Sometime I just want to share something that has me bursting and I want to tell the world or I just don’t want to bore my wife with it. It may be something about politics, or a lesson in life I just learned, or an observation or insight that I think or hope others might enjoy or benefit from. Many times it’s not important to me if any one reads it, just writing it out helps me form and define my thoughts on it.
DIGITAL SHOE BOX: The last reason I blog is simply for my own archival benefit. There are often times I come across things on my computer or on the Internet that I enjoy and want to make sure I always have access to it, especially on the road. By blogging about it, I can always find it if I need it with a quick search, or tell someone, “Go to my blog and search for Cedar Point,” for example, if I want to share my videos taken from the front seat of every coaster at Cedar Point.
Why Should YOU Blog?
How you answer that question will determine the success of your blog. Keeping in touch with family may be the most important to you - if so, your readership will be smaller, limited to those who know you and actually care about baby’s first steps or that you remodeled the bathroom. There is no “wrong answer” to why you blog - but you should have one, and I HIGHLY recommend it be as unique as you.
Suggestions:
Have a PURPOSE
Pick a THEME and stick with it.
Consider what makes you unique and share it.
Ask yourself, “What do I have to offer the world?”
Then be consistent, at least 2-3 times a month.
Use pictures - they say a thousands words, and better!
Use humor - smiles go miles!
Make people think - challenged people return
Help Someone - a blog in need, is a blog indeed
Bottom line: make it interesting, or spare the world.
SERIOUS BLOGGERS: You might find this article fascinating: Christianity Today on The Death of Blogs
Just wanted to let you know you can order this free book HERE!
The title seems interesting. TIME.com writes, “It used to be, says David Kinnaman, that Christianity was both big and beloved in the U.S. — even among its non-adherents. Back in 1996, a poll taken by Kinnaman’s organization, the Barna Group, found that 83% of Americans identified themselves as Christians, and that fewer than 20% of non-Christians held an unfavorable view of Christianity. But, as Kinnaman puts it in his new book (co-authored with Gabe Lyons) UnChristian, “That was then.”
Barney Kindard, aka, the “Kidhelper” has been a friend of mine since I was a kid. In fact, I got my Call to children’s ministry in one of his “Barney’s Barrel” 5 day programs when I was a kid.
BUT ANYWAY - the point of this post is that Barney has launched a new site (with the help of a friend who will remain safely anonymous on Alderan) and I’m quite proud of how fast he has become an interesting and regular blogger!
CHECK OUT HIS NEW SITE, and add his RSS feed to your feed reader of choice!
It’s been the plan since the Kidology website began in 1994 - to provide training for children’s ministry leaders 24/7 anywhere there was access to a computer. We’ve provided training through the thousands of posts in the Zones on the site, conferences like Kid U, Kidology To Go and now Yosemite Summit, and the interactive forum - but now Kidology’s dream is coming true to take training to a whole new level: ONLINE TRAINING that not only trains leaders, but equips them to train others. It is finally here!
People used to ask me how I did so much… two full time ministries, writing, speaking, performing, family, etc. Well, for starters… for much of my ministry I was doing too much!! And I was last guy to recognize it… after all, I would say, can you ever be doing too much for God!? (Um, yes!) In the last year, I have learned some life-changing lessons in how to live a healthier, slower paced, balanced life. Family is finally genuinely first. (I say genuinely first because I would have always claimed it was first!) That is why the very first Kidology Online Training Leadership Lab is titled First Things First. If you life and/or ministry is running out of control (even if only you know that) please make some time to view that online video - it’s free to members of Kidology.org
There is also a Download Kit available that includes the video of the training, the 100th TBT, (made for CPs not kids!), plus a customizable PowerPoint so leaders can train their volunteers through the First Things First lessons, and the first installment of the NEW Kidology Handbook - Leader’s Edition - six chapters addressing First Things First. The download kit is $29.99 but SAVE $20 if you use discount code: LL1BLOG (expired 11-30-07)
I pray that many children’s pastors and leaders will find these Leadership Labs helpful and that especially this first one will challenge many to take a hard look at their life and ministry so they can make some positive proactive changes to make their life and ministry healthier.
I’ve made a decision. After several weeks of prayer and reflection I have finally settled on a project / goal that I am calling “4000 in 40!” Yes, I will be doing something 4000 times in the next 40 days. (Officially beginning on Monday, and ending the last day of November) Please pray for me. This won’t be easy, but that’s what goals are for - to push and challenge us to press beyond where we are today. To improve… to grow… to develop… to make life better!
“4000 what?” you ask?
Sorry, no can tell, not yet… but you are welcome to guess in comments. But I will report on my progress. Those of you gifted in mathmatics didn’t need a calculator to figure out that averages out to 100 a day… something I won’t be able to do in the beginning, but hopefully can make up toward the end.
What? you want a hint?
O.K., here is a hint… not that it will help you, but I’ll explain the hint at the end. This pictures was taken in high school! It looks like I am levitating in the woods. (You can click on it to enlarge it) However, there is NO trick photography here! In fact, there was no such thing as a digital camera or image editing when this picture was taken. Well, not outside a dark room or without double exposure, neither of which was used here! Yes, this picture of me floating in the woods is my hint at what 4000 in 40! is all about!
WISH ME LUCK!
(No! Pray for me!)
I haven’t set a challenging goal like this in awhile so I’m looking forward to it. Posting my progress here will help spur me on when I feel weak or get behind. I will report my progress in future posts simply with a number at the end with number accomplished / days left, such as 2674/16.
You may remember a few months ago when I went to One Way Street’sI-FEST conference as a Kidology Reporter to check out this event and report on Kidology the status of Puppet Ministry.
Well, it took longer than I’d hoped, but the Kidology Report on Puppet Ministry is now live, and features I-FEST as evidence that puppet ministry is alive and well. In addition to the MP3 interview with OWS’s new president, Todd Liebenow, I put together a video of several interviews I did while there, appropriately with puppets - both Gus, my main puppet, and a new little guy I bought while there. (already seen in a post about Puppet Team names interviewing a baby!)
It’s nearly 15 minutes long, but it will give you some glimpses into I-FEST as well as show you how I use a puppet to interview people. ENJOY!
