Apart from Twitter's own terms of service which prohibit obvious things like harassment, transmitting viruses and spamming other members, there really aren't many rules to the site. You can essentially use Twitter however you like. However, for people and businesses who want to use Twitter successfully (eg: build a following and grow their circle of influence), there are a number of best practices that can be observed. I cover many of these in my book... Continue Reading

I'm glad I broke it. I wouldn't be here today if I hadn't broken it. No, I'm not talking about a vase I won in a church raffle. And I certainly don't mean the world 100 meter sprint record. I didn't break a nail, though I could probably use a good manicure. And I didn't break a vow of silence. I'd have to be silent for more than ten minutes for that to take place... Continue Reading

It's not always easy thinking up something to write about. However frequently (or otherwise) you update your site, you have to think of a topic, decide whether your users will find it interesting, estimate whether it will bring in ad clicks and turn it into content. Often, that's not a problem. You might be bursting with things you want to say. Sometimes though, you'll be left scratching your head and wondering what on earth you... Continue Reading

I know I am opening myself up to criticism for this post, but it's been on my mind and I really just want to put it out there. I dislike the way multi-level marketing has been done by many companies. I don't dislike multi-level marketers, mind you (well, most of them anyway). I just think that business model has proven destructive to many individuals and families. Continue Reading

Easter morning. New beginnings. A reminder that although the world seems somewhat messy, there is hope. I must confess. I enjoy marshmallow peeps, coloring easter eggs and baskets filled with goodies. But the Western world's twist on Easter is not what it is really about any more than Santa Claus has anything to do with Christmas. No, Easter means much more. Continue Reading

It's Sunday and I'm getting ready to head to church with my family... so I'll be brief. In fact, I usually don't mail on Sundays, but it is to your benefit that I do so today. I'm going to let you in on a little secret that can put cash in your pocket today. Continue Reading

Yesterday, we went to church for Christmas Eve service. And the pastor put a twist on the message that I hadn't really considered before. He asked "How many of you believe that Jesus is the reason for the season?" Hands went up throughout the sanctuary. And then the room when silent when he said, "Jesus is NOT the reason for the season!" Continue Reading

Deck the Halls with boughs of holly... Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way... Frosty the Snowman, was a jolly happy soul... You'd better not pout, you'd better not cry... You get the idea! Christmas is coming! And you can spice up your AdSense blocks with a little holiday cheer using their "themed ads". Want to know how? Continue Reading

Today's entry has nothing to do with Internet marketing, making money online, AdSense or anything else of this nature. It is of far greater importance and consequence. Several weeks ago, a church that we had visited had announced an upcoming series called "My Secret". Acknowledging that people within the church have just as many problems as people outside the church, the point of the series is to help people see that they are not alone... Continue Reading

Henderson Hills Baptist Church (HHBC) is located in Edmond, OK, just off I-35 at 15th street. This church, pastored by Dennis Newkirk, is a fast-growing contemporary church with a superb music program and good teaching. We've been attending this congregation since 2001. Continue Reading

"Bush is stupid" is always a great way to start a conversation. Seriously... bold, definitive statements are the doorway from which we can expand our knowledge base and increase in wisdom. Continue Reading

One of my best friends in the whole world is Mark Jones. I met Mark and his wife Rebecca when attending Trtinity Bible Church in Richardson, Texas. Mark was the worship pastor and we just gravitated towards each other. He and his family are the definition of kind and trustworthy. I love him like a brother and would do absolutely anything for him. *Though he did NOT ask me to do this...) Continue Reading

In the midst of a global war on terror, it's good to see the President coming out for some of the battles on the home front. WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush reignited debate over evolution by advocating teaching concept of intelligent design in schools. That view promotes the idea that an unseen force is behind the development of humanity. Scientists claim intelligent design has no supporting evidence and is an attempt... Continue Reading

As a Christian, I occasionally struggle with the truths of the faith. It is normal and healthy to wrestle with God, continuing to seek Him and coming to know Him better. A recent conversation with my good friend Ken led him to recommend a book to me. The title is Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller. Continue Reading

I believe abortion is genocide, a modern-day holocaust of Biblical proportions. Slowly but surely, people are coming around to recognize the obvious truth. However, what many people have not recognized is that more than one person is hurt by abortion. It is true that an innocent life is killed before it has a chance to truly live. But what about the woman who commits the act? What about the husband who either encourages or stands... Continue Reading

A Presbyterian minister collapsed and died in mid-sentence of a sermon after saying "And when I go to heaven ...," his colleague said Monday. The Rev. Jack Arnold, 69, was nearing the end of his sermon Sunday at Covenant Presbyterian Church in this Orlando suburb when he grabbed the podium before falling to the floor, said the Rev. Michael S. Beates, associate pastor at Covenant Presbyterian. Before collapsing, Arnold quoted the 18th century Bible scholar... Continue Reading

A few days ago I wrote how Target stores have decided to no longer permit the Salvation Army from collecting donations in front of their stores. Big mistake. Today, the headline read Church Leaders Announce Christmas Boycott of Target Stores. Now, I do not necessarily believe that it is the Church's responsibility to boycott businesses as I don't think it really provides a witness that says to the world, "Hey, we want to have what... Continue Reading

It is political correctness and anti-God behavior gone nuts. From the Reuters news wire... LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A California teacher has been barred by his school from giving students documents from American history that refer to God -- including the Declaration of Independence. Steven Williams, a fifth-grade teacher at Stevens Creek School in the San Francisco Bay area suburb of Cupertino, sued for discrimination on Monday, claiming he had been singled out for censorship... Continue Reading

Ask the average American which constitution the phrase "separation of church and state" appears in and the majority will look at you as though only a moron wouldn't know the answer to the question. The most common reply will be "The United States Constitution". Imagine the surprise of these same people when they discover that not only does the phrase NOT appear in the U.S. Constitution, but the words DO appear in a version of... Continue Reading

Way back in July 2004, Disney released America's Heart and Soul without any fanfare. I reported about the release of the movie and indicated that I was eager to see it. While the film received virtually no screen time, it is now available on DVD. I finally viewed the movie tonight and I am perplexed as to why Disney did not put some promotion muscle behind this brilliant and inspiring picture! America's Heart and Soul... Continue Reading

About fifteen years ago, I started using bulletin board services online. These were pre-world wide web servers that ran out of people's homes. You would dial up the BBS on your 1200 baud modem and connect to a text-only based site. These sites would provide forums for discussion, information for reading and programs for downloading. Some of the more progressive boards had games you could play online, text only of course. Way back then, I... Continue Reading

As we approach the holiday season (yes, Christmas will be here before you know it), I am reminded of a poem that I first heard of about a dozen years ago. It is a take-off on 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. The poem subscribes to the theology that says Jesus Christ will return for true Believers one day in an event called the Rapture of the Church. If you read any of the books in... Continue Reading

Mary and I attended a marriage conference at our church the past two days. It featured Gary and Michael Smalley of the Smalley Relationship Center. Gary is a best-selling author and speaker, with over 30 books in print. He has spoken to millions regarding relationships, marriage, parenting and so forth. His son, Michael, is equally gifted, and now has a counseling center and his own syndicated radio talk show. The seven hours spent in the... Continue Reading

It happened. It was bound to sooner or later. Actually, it happened right on schedule. When I was a young lad, a teenager, I remember thinking that forty was a long way off. I did the math in my head and realized that I would be forty in the year 2004. Wow, that was an eternity away. Welcome to eternity. Yesterday was my 40th birthday. I took the day off from work (do I really... Continue Reading

How about some uplifting Spiritual links for this Sunday? America Bless God - God has already blessed America like no other country. How about turning it around and blessing Him for all He has done for us? Creation - a great flash presentation for all ages Dennis Jernigan - One of my favorite worship leaders, Dennis has a heart for seeing lives transformed by the power of God. Henderson Hills Baptist Church - Our church... Continue Reading

I saw The Passion of the Christ last night. I have to agree with something Glenn Beck said after viewing the film. It's unreviewable. Yet, there is so much to say. I hope you will endure my babbling to find something worthwhile in the words to come. By now, you have heard about this movie. I have been writing about it for nearly 9 months now as the opening day has drawn closer. One entry... Continue Reading

Finally, the day has arrived. While I won't see The Passion of Christ until Sunday, I have watched the Primetime Live interview with Mel Gibson as well as The Making of the Passion which showed on PAX TV this evening. It's not like the ending can be spoiled. The reviewers are beginning to chime in, and sure enough, the folks at The New York Times just don't get it. But who expected they would? As... Continue Reading

In what may be a shocker to Hollywood, but I have predicted all along, Mel Gibson's The Passion of Christ is set to be a blockbuster. Here's the latest story from Variety magazine... 'Passion' poised for heavenly B.O. (Variety) The movie that couldn't find a distributor a year ago is now poised to become this year's first surprise hit. Though not a single television ad has aired for "The Passion of the Christ" two weeks... Continue Reading

When we were on our month-long road trip, one of our key stops was in Plymouth, Massachusetts, the place where the pilgrims first set foot on the continent after disembarking the Mayflower. Click here to read about our journey to this historic location. And click here to learn more about the first Thanksgiving. One of the stops on our trip was in Niagra Falls, Canada. While we were there, we visited a church. As it... Continue Reading

A completely uneventful driving day. We traveled from Knoxville, Tennessee to Conway, Arkansas today, covering 550 miles of Interstate 40. Fortunately, the weather was very nice. The mountains helped add to the scenery as well. We arrived in Conway around 7 pm or so, grabbed dinner at Fazolis, and checked into the Best Western. Tomorrow we complete our journey and hope to be home in time for Wednesday night service at church. I can't believe... Continue Reading

We had a casual morning, taking our time to get packed up and on our way. Packing is such a hassle and I do not look forward to "the big schlepp" each time we leave. I have streamlined the procedure a bit more with each stop, but we are also acquiring more souveniers along the way, so the van is getting more and more stuffed. We left our hotel around 12:30 pm and went to... Continue Reading

Today we visited The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. As a Jew, I have been wanting to see the museum for a long time. I knew it would be a "must see" if I ever made it to Washington. I'm not sure I can put my experience into words, and perhaps it is best that I don't even try. I don't want to minimize my visit into simple cliches. I'll sum up by saying this... Continue Reading

I am so exhausted after today! We walked the "Freedom Trail" in Boston with our friends Ro and Kyle. Starting at the Bostom Common (the first public park in the U.S.) and ending up at the Bunker Hill monument, the Freedom Trail meandered, twisted and turned for over two miles through over a dozen historical sites that captured the essence of the struggle for our Nation's Independence. We started by driving to the mass transit... Continue Reading

We got to sleep in a bit this morning. After the kids did their schoolwork and I did some work, we went to lunch. Next stop was the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Museum and Library, south of the city. It is a beautiful building designed by I.M Pei. I was only two years old when President Kennedy was assasinated, so this was a great opportunity to learn more about this man that was much loved and... Continue Reading

Several months back, I blogged about Mel Gibson and his upcoming movie, The Passion. The comments thread has gotten extremely long on that page as a spirited discussion between Catholics and Protestants has evolved. I have created this new entry so the conversation may continue. As a primer for Catholicism and its many errors, I highly recommend Proclaiming the Gospel. As a dedicated Roman Catholic for over 30 years, the site's creator, Mike Gendron, speaks... Continue Reading

Woke up this morning and decided that Bennington, Vermont would be a very nice place to live. The colors of the leaves are absolutely beautiful. I know it won't last long, and before you know it, the cold weather will come and the snow will fall. I don't care. The town has so much charm, history and beauty. After a quick breakfast in the room, we followed the usual ritual of packing the car and... Continue Reading

Finding a church to worship at while out of town is always a challenge. You just never know what you are going to get. As it turned out, I opened the yellow pages, placed a call to a church, asked a couple questions and decided that I had found a place. Redeemer Bible Church is a medium-sized church about five miles from the falls, just off the highway. The church placesa high emphasis on music... Continue Reading

Slowly I turned. Step by step. Inch by inch. Well, you don't have to remember the old joke to appreciate the awesome Niagara Falls. Once more, I say Awesome. That is the word that best describes this natural wonder. 600,000 gallons of water per second rapidly rushing from the upper Great Lakes into Lake Ontario. Standing at the top of the falls, you almost feel like you could be swept away with the rapids towards... Continue Reading

While not a fan of the Catholic Church, this news regarding Mel Gibson's The Passion is interesting. This just in from the Drudge Report. VATICAN THUMBS UP ON MEL GIBSON'S CHRIST MOVIE An influential Vatican cardinal is about to endorse Mel Gibson's PASSION, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned. The controversial Mel Gibson-directed drama about the last 12 hours of the life of Jesus Christ will be praised -- unconditionally -- by Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos... Continue Reading

The slope continues to get the grease. This from Fox News. MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Espousing his reverence of God above "earthly authorities," Alabama's Chief Justice Roy Moore (search) said removing the Ten Commandments monument (search) from the state judicial building is just plain wrong." I couldn't agree more. Unfortunately, the majority of Americans have been deceived into believing two erroneous assertions... 1) "The separation of church and state" appears in the U.S. Constitution 2) That... Continue Reading

This story just in from NY Times, the (ahem) paper of record (not) Thieves Take Figure of Jesus, but Not the Cross Who made off with Jesus? The question hung in the air of the Church of the Holy Cross in Midtown Manhattan on Sunday after caretakers noticed that a 200-pound plaster rendering of Christ had been removed from a wooden cross near the church's entrance. Three weeks after a metal money box disappeared from... Continue Reading

Finally, a movie that depicts the last day of Christ's life in a realistic manner. Mel Gibson has gone against the flow of Hollyweird, stepping out to produce and direct The Passion, a project that has been close to his heart for many years. This movie depicts the last 12 hours of the life of Jesus Christ. And it isn't going to be easy to watch. Just about every Jesus flick I have seen shows... Continue Reading

We've got a full day planned for Sunday. First, we'll head to church in the morning. Afterwards, we've got time for a very quick bite to eat and then its off to Jenna's ballet recital. She is doing jazz, tap and ballet this year, so she'll be in three of the routines. She's just too cute in her outfits! Finally, we're going to see The Matrix Reloaded with some friends in the evening. It should... Continue Reading

Zach and Jenna worked hard these past few weeks to be part of our church Children's Musical, "The Solid Rock Cafe". Both had solo singing parts and both were part of the choreography team on various songs. They did an awesome job! Aren't they too cool? We are so blessed. :-) Continue Reading