OK, here they are (10 Reasons not to Blog)

Since you asked, here’s Tony Morgan’s 10 reasons not to blog:

1 You haven’t determined your primary audience.

2 You don’t post regularly.

3 Your posts are too long.

4 You are trying to sell yourself.

5 You don’t use humor.

6 You are attacking other people or ministries.

7 You have forgotten that blogging isn’t private.

8 You are not a thought leader – you’re just taking things from various places on the web and regurgitating it back on your blog.

9 You are listening to your critics. – It is just not worth it. When you respond you give credibility to your critics.

10 You are not revealing the real you.

10 Reasons Not to Blog

Technorati Profile

Back from the Buzz Conf, although I’m still ‘buzzed’ about all that I heard & experienced in the last 36 hours – not the least of which was the breakfast meeting with Tony Morgan on the subject of “10 Reasons Not to Blog”. He convinced me to step it up a notch, and also told us about some neat tools, including technorati, which I’m signing up for right now. Later-

Mark Batterson at CLC

After meeting him and hearing him in person (I already subscribe to his podcast) for the first time, I’m quite impressed with Mark Batterson, and can’t wait for his visit to CLC.

Yep, that’s right: Pastor Mark Batterson, author of ‘In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day’ is coming to CLC this August 11/12! Mark the dates now – you won’t want to miss this!

Since we’ve got some BIG lions of our own to chase at CLC this Fall (you’ll hear about that on August 25/26), his visit couldn’t be more timely – so I’m excited! We’ll have a couple of boxes of the book for sale in our lobby when I return, so no need to go to Amazon to get yours.

Get ready; get ready; get ready; get ready; get ready (ok, that’s my best T.D. Jakes imitation, but you understand…)

Washington D.C again

I flew out here this morning with our own Joe Dascenzo for the Buzz Conference where I had a chance to meet some of my latest heroes: host pastor Mark Batterson and special guest Craig Groeschel of LifeChurch.tv

Thoroughly enjoyed today’s sessions and got some ideas on helping CLC be more buzz-worthy, to get the attention of our community so we can get a hearing for the Gospel. I usually figure if I can get one good idea at a conference, it’s worth attending – so this one is already a winner and there’s still 3 sessions tomorrow before I fly home.

Had dinner tonight with Pastor Troy O’Quin (former CLC staffer who now pastors River Oaks Community Church in South Holland) and we had a chance to catch up a bit. Always good to hang with fellow pastors!

Then I took the “Monuments by Moonlight” trolley tour of some of the key sites/monuments around D.C. Very interesting – if you’re coming this way for a vacation, I’d definitely recommend it. Now I’m headed to bed since I’ve been up since 4am!

one more thing about last weekend…

The reports continue about folks who decided to trust God with their finances last weekend (even though that was just one application from Noah’s life), and this morning Perry Noble of NewSpring Church did it again – his post about his own financial history is inspiring, to say the least. So, CLCers, read this and know there’s hope for you, too!

It’s probably too far for you to attend the seminar at NewSpring tonight, but we’ve got resources in our media center and other ministries that can help you, so don’t be shy to ask. In fact, let us know thru the blog or via email and we’ll hook you up with the help you need.

weekend reflections

Yeah, yeah; I know -it’s already Monday afternoon…but I’ve just now gotten a chance to reflect on this past weekend, and I’m both pleased and pumped!

I’m pleased because of at least 6 different reports I received from folks who stepped out by faith to trust God in the area of finances after hearing the teaching this week. (I figure those 6 who told me about it probably represent at least 60 others who didn’t bother to contact me, but who needed the ‘nudge’ just as much). I can’t wait to hear the testimonies that result from folks who step out in faith to obey God, as Noah did!

I’m also pleased because my wife also taught this message in Shorewood Sunday, but from her perspective, of course, and her emphasis about Noah was simply, “what are you doing for God that requires faith?” WOW! That blessed me and made me think: what is that I’m doing in my Christian walk, not out of habit or routine, but that’s stretching me and causing me to have to trust God in order to do it? That’s a great question for every believer to ask – especially in the light of Hebrews 11 and all that God’s people have done by faith!

I’m pumped because we’re just barely into this ‘Road Trip For God” series (there’s still 10 lessons left) and we’re already gaining such insights and practical stuff for today – can you imagine what it will be like by Labor Day? Are you as excited as I am about this?

Another big question: who are you going to invite this week? If you’ll bring hungry, hurting folks to this series, I’m confident that God’s Word will do a work in their life and they’ll find Jesus as a result! Now that’s something to be excited about.

too good not to pass along

Ever now and then I read something that’s just too good not to pass along to others, and today’s blog from Pastor Perry Noble of NewSpring Church was one of ‘em. (I actually shared an elevator with Perry at a meeting last December, so does that qualify to call him ‘my friend’?) If you’re not acquainted, he’s a young pastor doing an incredible work for God in Anderson, SC. At any rate, here’s the post you gotta read and heed (CLCers, keep in mind: it applies to a lot more than just church planters!)

Thanks, Perry – you really hit it out of the park on this one!

home sweet home & mark your calendar

Nothing like travel to make you feel special – we were delayed by 4.5 hours taking off from DC and spent a lot of downtime sitting around the airport as a result (after frantically battling rush-hour traffic to get there on time!). But it’s good to be back home – and the closing night of the conference included a special treat as Israel Houghton led worship and our new friend, Pastor Joel Brooks brought the Word!

Best of all, we got confirmation that Bishop Joseph Garlington is returning to CLC this September 11-12 - so mark your calendar and plan here for 2 great nights of ministry!

Why do some resist tithing?

Listening to the past few hours of discussion at our Reconciliation! Ministries Int’l team meeting today has raised a familiar question for me: why is it that some Christians resist tithing?

Hearing the pastor’s discussion regarding this great Fellowship that CLC as recently joined just makes me shake my head as I have so many times in the past – I don’t get it – why would any of us resist God’s plan that will ultimately benefit us in that vital area of fianance?

Since you can reply to this blog anonymously, if you are reading and you don’t tithe to your local church, would you help me (sincerely) – why don’t you? I want to help you, and you can certainly help me if I understand what the issues really are. Just hit reply and speak your mind – we’ll get some helpful dialogue going on this blog.

Mark Chironna coming to CLC

Last night was one of the longest church services of my life (well, at least in recent years) as we began at 7pm and didn’t leave until after 11pm….but no one on our team was unhappy, because Dr. Mark Chironna was absolutely on-fire, off-the-charts, in his ministry at the conference!

I don’t have words to tell you about it now, but I want to urge CLCers to mark your calendar for our 2008 First Love Conference, because he’s already been confirmed as one of our speakers. It’s over 6 months away, but I’m already excited!

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