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Back in Chicago and wondering if I'll get to use my convertible again before 2009. Brrrrrrrrrr!

Archive for FREE Stuff

I Dew Win!

November 12, 2008 at 9:15 am · Filed under FREE Stuff, Internet, Post via iPhone, just cool

I never win anything. Ever. Until today when I got a package from Mountain Dew! (actually New Media Strategies) They teamed up with BevReview.com for a Win Dew Stuff contest - all I had to do was comment on a post about Mountain Dew. (not too difficult!)

Next thing I know, I’ve won a hat, a flash drive and a cool light up pen.

My day is off to a good start!

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Why Twitter?

October 10, 2008 at 6:24 am · Filed under Blog World, Computers, FREE Stuff, Internet, Technology

Why do I Twitter? I get asked that a lot. And I seem to stumble around for an answer because there isn’t just one simple answer, so I usually just say “to keep connected with remote friends.” Which is a big part of the reason, but I thought I’d try to expound a little on why it is I have posted over 1000 “tweets” to my Twitter page. Someone recently asked me what the ministry benefits were. I’d probably have to honestly say none, or not much. It’s not about ministry. It’s more about interpersonal relationships.

Here I will try to explain what Twitter is, how you Twitter and lastly WHY Twitter.

WHAT IS TWITTER?

It would help first of all, to try and explain what Twitter is. First of all, it is found here: www.twitter.com. And if you know a Twitter-er’s username, you can simple put it after the domain, such as mine is: www.twitter.com/kidologist. Users can customize their page with a background as well as the color scheme of the page. And their Twitter profile icon of course.

But what IS Twitter? It is a micro-blog whose posts are made up not only of your own, but of those you are “following.” It is similar to a blog except that your posts are limited to 140 characters or less. So you can’t get too wordy. And like a blog, your most recent post is at the top of the page. But what makes it unique is that the post of anyone you choose to follow also appear on your Twitter page. So your Twitter page becomes not only a mini-blog of what you are doing, but a news feed on what your friends (or whoever you are following, they don’t have to be friends, as I’ll get into below) are doing or thinking or posting.

As you can see in the image above, as of this morning, I am following 65 people. 109 are following me and I’ve posted 1208 “Tweets” so far. That means that whenever any of those 65 people post, it appears in my Twitter and anything I post, 109 people are blessed or bothered with what I posted. And I’ve sent 1208 such messages to whoever was following me at the time!

HOW DO YOU READ & POST TO TWITTER?

The key to the success of Twitter’s growth, is that there are MANY ways to post and read the posts that appear on your page. You can simply use the webpage interface, but that is the least used method for me. I have a desktop application called Twifferrific. It can be on top of all windows, minimized, and set to check at intervals I choose and actually “tweet” like a bird when someone posts. A screen shot of it is to the right.

You can also post via text message to your phone.

You can also have your facebook status post to your Twitter. (I do that in reverse, anything I post to Twitter becomes my Facebook Status.)

But I do most of my Twittering directly from my iPhone using a variety of applications, each has its advantages.

If you are an iPhone user try Twinkle, it allows you to also see people who are nearby and Twittering. I tend to use Twittelator the most and love how you can include pictures taken on your iPhone so I paid $4.99 for Twittelator Pro which bosted of extra features and the ability to have multiple accounts, and it flat out doesn’t work and I can’t get my $5 back. Every time I open it is says “Server load error, unable to load Tweets, try again later.” And its been over a month. OK, rant over. Don’t waste your $5 like I did.

With the iPhone application, (showing Twittelator here) you have many more options than the website, or at least, easier and faster to access such as:

But my favorite thing about Twittelor (and Twinkle can do it too, but crashes often) is attach pictures from my iPhone picture library OR simply take and attach a picture:

Then you simply type your message and post!

(note: iPhone changes your spelling a lot,
like: Twitteding, I didn’t type that!)

To most users, the image will look like a link from Twicpic.com and they can click on it to go view it. When Twittelator Pro works, it actually displays the picture IN the Tweet, which was why I wanted the $5 version, to just show the picture and skip the clicking and waiting to view just to see a picture wasn’t worth the wait to see. (see link at the beginning of my first post)

You can see the picture of my laptop I just Twittered here. Curious if these pictures will remain hosted “forever” or if there is a time limit, no one seems to know.

BUT WHY TWITTER?

That, indeed, is the question. Yes, Twittering takes time to post and to read, and can become a bit of an addiction. So what is the value in it? Why bother? Why should YOU Twitter? Here are some of my reasons.

It’s fun. Hey, it’s O.K. to have fun, not everything has to have a profound ministry purpose!
It fills idle time. When you are stuck somewhere bored, communicating with friends is just a text message or iPhone away.
It’s fast. Calling a friend takes time. It’s important, but a Tweet to a friend is a fast easy way to let them know you are thinking about them, praying for them, that they matter to you.
Keep up with friends. I have a bunch of friends around the country that without Twitter I’d only see or talk to once or twice a year, perhaps at a conference. But because Tom Bump, Todd McKeever, Larry Shallenberger, Henry Zonio, Dave Truit and others Twitter, I get to be a small part of their daily life and know what they are dong. If I only see them once a year the conversation goes, “How’s it been?” They answer, “Great!” But with Twitter I know about the ins and outs of their daily lives and can ask more specific questions about the kids, the job, or whatever.
Monitor your staff. Know what your employees are really doing during the work day. Ha! Just put that in as a joke to see if my staff read this. They all have flexible hours and most are part time, so I’m just razzin’ them!
Get to know new friends. When I make new friends at a conference or somewhere, like Ken Wheeler, Twitter is a way that we can get to know each other and keep in touch. Otherwise, those infant friendships might not get the chance to grow.
Keep a pulse on the world, politics and even people unlike you. By following people unlike me, I get glimpses into how other people see the world. I’ve had some people comment that not all my followers (which I can’t control) or those I follow are Christians. Yes, I’ve even seen bad words appear in my Twitter! (oh, no!) If someone gets too offensive, you can block them. (It’s a little tedious as there is no system to how your followers are listed, that I can tell.) But I don’t just follow people who I agree with or who see the world like me. I want to be IN the world (not OF it!) and following people unlike me when it comes to religion or politics is good exposure. I’m trying to reach these people, and it starts with listening.
Argue Politics. As a passionate American, I am very engaged politically. Sometimes that annoys people - which baffles me - as to be a true American you ought to care and be engaged in politics. Not that our hope is in politics, but they do matter and impact our lives, freedom and economy. You can follow streams of political posts here: http://election.twitter.com and I’ve picked up some people I follow there. Warning, most Twitters are pro-Obama and the venom and nastiness can be shocking if you aren’t used to it. Sad but true. Go be a light. (regardless of your political leanings)
Save links and quotes. I use Twitter as a way to save links and quotes I like. Sometimes I come across something cool or funny or helpful or insighful on the Internet and I just Twitter it and then mark it as a favorite. Going back through your favorites later can be like an electronic scrap book
Follow / Broadcast Live Events. When friends get to be places you can’t be, they can Twitter and let you experience a taste of it, like a friend recently did at a McCain Palin rally and like I will at the Chicago Marathon this Sunday or at various CM conferences. When my wife went on a trip across the country with her parents, she Twittered their progress and pictures for me and the little back home. We got to feel a little less lonely and could picture where she was along the trip. It was great to get those glimpses into her days while she was away from us.
Entertain and brighten people’s day. If you are like me, you enjoy telling jokes or looking at life through a humorous lense. Twitter allows you to share those funny moments. Normally, it would be pretty lame when you see someone to say, “last week the toilet bowl handle broke and I had to reach in the water to flush.” But as a live Twitter its funny, as every one can picture you doing this, as it JUST happened. Or like one I saw this morning, “Unless someone actually invented a real flux capacitor, I’m pretty sure I need a new watch battery.”
Communicate with friends. Twitter also allows back and forth communication, either publicly or privately. If you start a post with @kidologist than I and everyone knows the comment is directed at me, though anyone can read and enjoy it. If you put a “d” before it: d @kidologist than only I will get the message. This can be fun. One time I Twittered, “Where should I go to lunch today?” and there were a bunch of @kidologist replies/suggestions. While they were all to me, others got to see the suggestions. A bunch of people separated by hundreds of miles and time zones all collaborated on my lunch destination. (Taco Bell won) That is a part of what makes Twitter unique.
See what’s new on Kidology.org That’s right! One of the best ways to see what is new on Kidology (or other sites that publish to a Twitter account) is to follow www.Twitter.com/kidology as you will get notified when new things post to Kidology. It’s now one of the main ways I click into discussions and see new posts!

There are other reasons I’m sure I’ll think of after I publish this, and please gives yours in comments. But Twittering is a fun way to interact and stay connected with a wide variety of people from literally all over the world, instantly.

Try it, you’ll like it.

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Karl on Christine Yount’s Podcast

October 9, 2008 at 11:34 am · Filed under Blog World, Children's Ministry, FREE Stuff, Leadership, Online Resources, Podcast

If you follow DiscipleBlog.com, you may have caught my post What Happened To The Bible. It fueled a healthy discussion over on Kidology.org. Then, Christine Yount, editor-in-chief at Children’s Ministry Magazine featured it on her blog.

Then, I was honored when Christine asked if she could interview me for her podcast on the subject. You can listen to the podcast here.

Christine Yount is a leading voice in children’s ministry and someone you need to keep in your virtual circle of advisors. I’m excited to see her blogging and podcasting now. I’ve been listening to her for as long as I can remember and her longevity in children’s ministry leadership is a true mark of someone who is dedicated to a mission, not to a business or just trying to being heard. When Christine Yount speaks, I listen. (That doesn’t mean I always agree - but it does mean she forces me to think and constantly be evaluating. And I love that!)

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Get a FREE copy of CM Professional Edition

September 25, 2008 at 1:40 pm · Filed under Children's Ministry, FREE Stuff, Kidology, Leadership

In the current edition of Group’s Children’s Ministry Professional edition, I was honored to be featured in an interview in the Career Coach section titled: Following God’s Call. If you don’t get Group’s Children’s Ministry Professional edition, I highly recommend it.

Other topics in the current issue include:

Leading Leaders
Taming a Talker
The Top Job? No Thanks
Gut Check During Interviews
Families in Crisis
Rumor Weeds
Hopping to Greener Pastures
Good Habits
Beware Informal Communication
Restoring Lost Administrative Tasks
New books on the market
and more!

To find out how you can get a free sample copy of the current issue with my interview, go here.

If you read the interview there is a discussion on Kidology here.

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Win Nearly $600 in Awesome Video Products!

August 1, 2008 at 12:22 pm · Filed under Children's Ministry, FREE Stuff, Kidology

REPRINTED from the Kidology.org home page, want to make sure you don’t miss this! These products are truly amazing and live up to the name “Awesome!” We’ve been working to get these on Kidology for a long time and just know you will find them a huge blessing to your ministry!

We have an ‘awesome’ offer for you this month. Here’s the deal: Join or renew your membership to Kidology.org during the month of August and we will enter your name into a random drawing for an ‘Awesome’ Prize Giveaway.’ (Professional level or above)

What’s included in this ‘Awesome’ prize? How about one of each of the awesomevideostuff.com products featured in our store! Each one is unique, and PACKED with useful resources for your ministry.

Animated Bible Maps uses actual satellite images to create 3D animated maps, and allows you to project them onto a large screen.
Children’s Pastors Tool Box is packed with audio and video clips designed for use by churches. Revolutionize the way you teach!
Secret Weapon will be your best recruiting tool, featuring 6 ‘commercials’ to attract willing volunteers.
Drama Tool Kit allows multiple sound effects, to enhance your drama or skit. Also includes video backdrops!
Stadium FX features a completely customizable animated scoreboard, to take your ministry to the next level!

This prize pack retails for $580! (with shipping this would be OVER $600 - so join or renew TODAY!)

The winner of the drawing will be chosen on September 1st, and will be announced in the September newsletter as well as on the home page.

Like what you see? Anxious to get your hands on your own copy? Can’t wait to see if you won? Purchase now, and if you win the drawing, we will refund you the cost of the products you purchased!

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ChildrensMinistryPodcast.com is LIVE!

July 15, 2008 at 12:14 pm · Filed under Children's Ministry, FREE Stuff, Kidology, Podcast

ChildrensMinistryPodcast.com is now live, as is my second podcast with Gus.

The topic: Making Your Ministry F.U.N.!

You can even subscribe via iTunes so you don’t miss an episode! MUCH THANKS to children’s pastor and voice and technical talent Scott Neubauer for his help in bring my podcast from the dream stage to reality. That’s his voice you hear in the intro and closing, and who is doing coordinating all the technical aspects of the podcast with Kidology’s web director, Steve Tanner. I’m very blessed to have such a technically skilled team here at Kidology so I can focus on the ministry side of things (and sit and talk with puppets!)

Check out the latest podcast today!

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Kidologist.com RSS Widgit

May 5, 2008 at 1:48 pm · Filed under FREE Stuff, Internet, Mac, Technology

Brought to you by evenmoremac.com: (originally posted here, but now updated with search field!)

DOWNLOAD HERE (512kb)

If you have a Mac, you’re in luck! Thanks to Super Mac Expert Chad Gilchrist (and fellow Mac Nerd) you can have your on handy dandy Mac Widget and see my new blog posts via a custom widget! Thanks Chad!

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KidzMatter Articles

April 18, 2008 at 10:49 am · Filed under Children's Ministry, FREE Stuff

My friend, Ryan Frank, in addition to launching an all new children’s ministry magazine this year (K!) has started pooling some great articles for children’s ministry as part of his newsletter. (subscribe here)

This week he sent out an article that I don’t want to lose, so I’m posting it here for my own benefit as well as yours. The list below was compiled by Colleen Oglesby. You’ve got some clickin’ to do:

WHAT ARE THEY USING?

Leadership
1. Transforming your Children into Spiritual Champions, George Barna
2. Children Matter, Scottie May, Beth Poterski, Catherine Stonehouse and Linda Cannell
3. Children’s Ministry Leadership – The You Can Do It Guide, Jim Wideman
4. Children’s Ministry in the 21st Century, Jutila, Wideman, Verbal & more! - Group Publishing
5. Exceptional Teaching, Jim Pierson – Standard Publishing
6. Making Children’s Ministry the Best Hour of Every Kid’s Week, Sue Miller & David Staal
7. Inside the Magic Kingdom, Tom Connellan
8. Teaching to Change Lives, Howard Hendricks
9. Teaching with Heart, Jody Capeheart
10. Growing a Healthy Children’s Ministry, Steve Alley
11. The Family Friendly Church, Ben Freudenburg
12. Leadership Essentials for Children’s Ministry, Craig Jutila - Group Publishing
13. www.jimwideman.com – Leadership CD’s
14. www.barna.org
15. www.kidology.org
16. www.kidzblitz.com
17. www.kidzmatter.com
18. www.allthetimeministries.com – Great Newsletter
19. www.coldwatercafe.com - Great Links
20. www.todayschildrensministry.com
21. www.lifeway.com/kids
22. www.incm.org - International Network of Children’s Ministry

Volunteers
1. Staffing Your Children’s Ministry, Vernie Schorr and Wes Haystead - Standard Publishing
2. Care and Feeding of Volunteers, Bright, Bolton and Cressy – Standard Publishing
3. Do-It-Yourself Children’s Ministry Handbook CD – Standard Publishing
4. Volunteer Leadership Series - Group Publishing
5. Treat ‘em Right, Susan Cutshall

Parenting
1. National Center for Biblical Parenting – parenting resources, seminars, video teaching, books
2. Boundaries with Kids, Henry Cloud and John Townsend - Zondervan
3. Faith Begins at Home, Mark Holmen
4. Ordering Your Private World, Gordon MacDonald
5. Parent’s Guide to Spiritual Formation, Focus on the Family (out of print)
6. Praying the Bible for Your Children, David and Heather Kopp - Waterbrook (out of print)
7. Praying the Bible for Your Baby (out of print)
8. Revolutionary Parenting , George Barna, 2007
9. Rock Solid Kids, Larry Fowler - Gospel Light, 2004
10. Too Small to Ignore, Dr. Wess Stafford
11. Your Child, The Essentials of Discipline, Focus on the Family Video series
12. Shepherding a Child’s Heart, Ted Tripp

Music, Media and Puppets:
1. Dance Praise
2. Made for Praise CDs and DVDs (12 volumes) - Lifeway
3. BabyFaith videos
4. PraiseBaby videos
5. Baby Miracle videos
6. Ablaze with Praise, Fired Up! and Consumed with Him CDs
7. Jana Alayra music
8. Willow Creek - good music CD’s
9. iPod
10. www.audacity.com - edit/record music
11. www.onewaystreet.com - puppets/ministry resources
12. Nest Entertainment -biblically accurate movies
13. www.godtunes.com (coming soon)
14. www.godtube.com
15. www.itunes.com
16. www.youtube.com
17. www.bluefishtv.com – video clips

Curriculums and Teaching resources:
1. The Children’s Ministry Resource Bible - Nelson
2. Adventure Bible For Kids
3. Heroes for Young Readers, Renee Taft Meloche
4. Levels of Biblical Learning & Levels of Bible Skills Brochures - Lifeway
5. Kids’ Discipleship Series, Kay Arthur
6. Crown Financial for Kids – biblical finances for kids
7. www.252basics.com – character driven curriculum, family production
8. www.rotation.org
9. www.onevine.com - Bible Alive online curriculum
10. www.kidssundayschool.com
11. www.KIDMO.com
12. www.childrendesiringgod.com
13. More Than Cookies and Punch, Tina Houser - Warner Press
14. Snip & Tell - Group
15. It’s Not Junk … It’s Resources, Tina Houser - Warner Press
16. New Testament Bible Story Patterns and Old Testament Bible Story Patterns, Sherrill B. Flora - In Celebration (out of print)
17. Children’s Worker’s Encyclopedia of Bible Teaching Ideas - Old and New Testament - Group
18. Egermeier’s Bible Storybook - Warner Press
19. Girl or Boy Scout badge books
20. www.egadideas.com – children’s sermons
21. www.childrensministry.com
22. www.empoweringkids.net
23. www.stevespanglerscience.com
24. www.daniellesplace.com
25. www.applesaucekids.com
26. www.preschoolprintables.com
27. www.themailbox.com

Podcasts:
1. Dick Gruber
2. Jason Rhode
3. Dream ‘07
4. Three Beans

Equipment and furniture:
1. Laminator
2. Accu-cut – die-cut shapes and letters
3. Evacuation Cribs
4. Toddler table

Safety
1. Shelby check-in system
2. Protect My Ministry – screening workers
3. Noah’s Internet – internet safety through National Center for Biblical Parenting
4. www.churchvolunteercentral.com – Group
5. The Safe and Caring Church Nursery - Group (out of print)

Technology
1. www.mediashout.com - MediaShout computer software for presentation development
2. Sunday Software - quality computer software and ideas
3. www.1001freefonts.com - free fonts
4. www.AnimationFactory.com – animated clipart and backgrounds
5. www.biblegateway.com – Bible search engine
6. www.churchart.com - subscribe
7. www.eborg2.com – games, jokes, etc.
8. www.wels.net/wmc/html/clip_art_graphics.html - clipart

Supplies
1. www.newlifepuzzles.com - custom puzzles
2. www.nlsspecialties.com – crafts, giveaways
3. www.orientaltrading.com – crafts, giveaways, party supplies
4. www.plumparty.com - party supplies
5. www.puzzlemaker.com
6. www.smilemakers.com
7. www.guildcraftinc.com
8. www.CTAinc.com – crafts, giveaways
9. www.teacherstorehouse.com
10. Carson–Dellosa – bulletin board supplies
11. www.printfree.com – print your own greeting cards

Grief Counseling
1. www.archildrens.org - click Community Outreach Programs, then Center for Good Mourning
2. www.centering.org - grief resources

Entertainers
1. www.forhiskidz.com - Christian Entertainers
2. www.childrensministry.net – links to everybody!

Colleen Oglesby is an independent children’s ministry trainer and consultant focused on teaching, training, encouraging and equipping children’s ministry teams. With more than 30 years of hands-on children’s ministry experience she has been involved in children’s ministry both as a volunteer and full time Children’s Pastor. Colleen’s passion for children’s ministry is to help others leave an eternal impression of God’s love on the lives of kids.

Originally Posted Here.

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Help Me Choose My FREE CD!

March 11, 2008 at 11:45 am · Filed under FREE Stuff, Family, Kidology, Music

I need help choosing my FREE CD that I have won… well, I haven’t exactly won it yet, but it’s only a matter of time, so I’m looking for suggestions. What album would you have your sister buy you when you won a bet?

You see, I went off Mountain Dew the day after Christmas and went 44 days without any Dew! 44 is my favorite number, so I rewarded myself with an ice cold Dew, which spilled all over the floor of my car the moment I went to sip it as I hit a pot hole! While many claimed this was a sign from God to not have any Dew, I took it as a sign that I, uh, oh, never mind. Bottom line, I was back the bottle, er can, for several busy weeks. So when I got back from CPC last week I decided to not only go Dewless again, but to go TOTALLY WITH NO POP/SODA for another 44 days. (I’m trying to lose weight and get in shape for Yosemite Summit)

Knowing my sister has been on a diet I invited her to join me for some local accountability. (She lives a few house down from me) Later I get a phone message that she has “accepted my wager” and wanted to know what “I would bet!” Yikes! I didn’t know I was inviting a competition - but I accepted and we agreed that the first one, under oath before Gawwwwd, to drink ANY kind of soda/pop would have to buy the other person a CD of their choice. (value not to exceed $15)

So that brings my to my question, since I AM GOING TO WIN (of course!) what CD should I make my sister buy me? Your suggestions are welcome!

UP-DATE: Well, I made my goal of going ALL SODA FREE until Yosemite Summit. I lost 34 pounds and ironically (and sadly) I no longer even like Mountain Dew. (NOT the desired outcome) I released my sister from the bet (sounds better than saying I lost) but she is still going strong, I’m proud of her! You can read here gloating here.

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