Have a Great Thanksgiving

God has blessed us all in many ways, and I love that we can take a day to meditate on that. I pray that you all have a great Thanksgiving, and eat lots of turkey. Here is what I will be making, any special recipes you readers have?

Stuff I’m Jealous Of.

Here is some creative that I am jealous of. The simplicity, beauty and story that is told in these amazes me. Work like this helps push me to try new things, but I’m still jealous. Name some things that push you and make you jealous?

All work taken from Graphic-ExchanGE.

What Are You Reading?

I find reading to be a very stimulating and intellectually/spiritually challenging practice. It shapes the way I understand the world, and prompts me creatively. At any given time I’m in the process of reading 2-3 books,  a handful of magazines, and more RSS blog feeds than I know what to do with. I have found that most of the time I’m just skimming the content looking for words or phrases that peak my interest. However, every once in a while a gem comes along that I can’t “put down”. Be it a book or blog there are only few sources out there that fully resonate with where my soul is, and I can’t help but to devour every last word. 

My question for you today is, what is/are your gem(s)? What can’t you put down at this moment? 

Here is my top read right now. If you like living wide awake I encourage you to check it out: 
The Trouble With Paris: Following Jesus in a World of Plastic Promises - Mark Sayers

I’m almost done with this book and am looking for a new mountain to climb. So let’s here from you!

Arm Yourself with a Dagger

So if the bible is our sword, then I guess the small new testament pocket bible is a dagger, and these daggers look killer! I would like to introduce you to the Dagger Project. The Dagger Project is based out of my hometown of San Diego, and is doing something I have never seen before. They are using pocket new testament bibles as canvas for scripture based stencil art. They also put on workshops where kids can pick their bible, chose a base color, pick a stencil and create. Not only does this promote art, but it gives kids a bible that they want to carry and show others. Here is the description from their site.

The Dagger Project is a Jesus-lovin’ ministry that strives to inspire and equip today’s generation to read God’s Word. Since July 2007, TDP has placed hundreds of vibrant, funky, culture-savvy spray painted pocket-sized New Testaments, known as “daggers”, into peoples’ hands. Starting here in San Diego, TDP has been reaching out to this generation in various ways. Through art shows, bible display pieces, church and university presentations, and spray paint workshops at youth groups, skateboard parks, and beaches, God is using TDP to connect in non-traditional ways with the people He so loves.

The Idol of Marketing

I have heard many sermons on idols. Most talk about the idol of money, television, or even family. They tend to be objects that we spend more time with or put more importance on then God. But what about the idols that we trust more than God. I am talking about the idol of marketing. Now don’t get me wrong, I am a big fan of marketing, but it can be dangerous. Here is the definition of marketing.

Marketing is the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large.

Now this all sounds fine, but the dangerous part is us. We do the work, we come up with the creative and we see the results. We forget about the Creator who gave us creativity and worship our products. Websites are worshiped the same as any statue in the old testament. Copy writing can become gospel to those who read and write it. We place our faith in these idols in looking at church growth, and God becomes a side note.

So what then do we do? Should we just give up? No, may it never be! We take these tools and place them before God. We trust in our Lord and pray that He will use the tools he has given us for His glory. We will work hard at what we do, but not rely on our man made products. God is the creator of the heavens and earth. He made us from dust, and through Him all things are possible. That is something I need to remember when working on my next campaign. Marketing can point to God, but it can never become Him.

The Marketing King

Earlier this week we talked about a post Tony Morgan, the marketing brain behind NewSpring Church, made on his blog and his spin on why churches should immediately seize all traditional marketing efforts. Though there may be some disagreement on whether or not Tony’s post is taking things a little too far, we can all agree that this next guy is The Marketing King…

Word has it that fast-food giant, Burger King, has dispatched it’s agents to major U.S. cities to take part in a large covert operation. The “King” has been misplacing his wallet in high traffic areas. When a passerby picks up and opens the wallet they get a bit of a surprise!

Burger King has loaded these wallet with actual cash (bills ranging from $1 to $100), Burger King gift cards, a map of the local Burger King restaurants, and an awesome “King” state I.D.

I thought this was a totally brilliant guerilla marketing campaign for a fast-food chain! It reminded me a bit of the days when the church youth group would go to the mall and hand out tracts, except this time there’s free cash, a yummy treat, and no cheesy faith guilt trip (sorry not a tract fan)! Here are some pics of the found wallets:

HT: So Good

Death to Church Marketing?

Tony Morgan had an interesting post on his blog tonymorganlive.com this past weekend in which he encouraged all churches to immediately stop their marketing efforts. He writes that our hearts are pure in wanting more people to be in a relationship with Jesus Christ, but that traditional marketing and advertising are not going to make this happen.

I agree with the core message that Tony is getting at here. That if we choose to rely on our marketing strategy to bring people to Christ we will fail miserably. The only true way to attract people (like flies) is by sharing the life changing love of Christ with others. Though Tony seems to be taking a pretty extreme and radical view on this subject the questions he is asking are ones I think all churches should be considering before they design and distribute their next direct mail piece. Here are a few of them:

• If we stopped marketing, what would we have to change for people to invite their friends?
• If we stopped marketing, would the environment make people want to come back?
• If we stopped marketing, would the conversation be relevant to people’s lives?
• If we stopped marketing, would the relationships keep people connected?
• If we stopped marketing, might we actually help remove some of the noise from people’s lives?
• If we stopped marketing, would we get a better response when we start using marketing tactics?
• If we stopped marketing, are we more likely to be sensitive to God’s leading?

So, what do you think? Are we just adding to the noise with church marketing at the expense of truly changing lives? Let’s here your take on this.

Saving Like Grandma Used To

So, our economy is going down the drain. Financial institutions are needing billion dollar bailouts. People’s retirements are being flushed away overnight. What can we do? Well, I like what K-Guy did, he created some awesome art. He took everyday objects and used them to tell the story. Be inspired!

From Graffoto Blog

Video Game Friday

It has been a couple weeks since the last game, but I am back on it. Here is a game for all you font geeks, and I know you are out there! Have a great weekend, and play the font game!

A Roundhouse to the Face

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. —Colossians 3:23-24

This verse is like a roundhouse to the face for me. It hits me hard. As a designer I think it is in my DNA to complain about clients. Add on top of that churches who are unreasonably demanding and I am even worse. Now with all that said, read that verse again. Do you work for men or for the Lord? Do you serve others with all that you have for the reward or men, or from the Lord? I need to lets this verse sink in, and fall back on it when I return to my designer complaining mode.

Nothing like hardcore dancing. Oh the memories.