Jason Bedell Online

So we started looking around for ideas a few weeks ago and settled on doing a complete rainforest theme in the nursery. I started drafting up a mural concept that I think is going to be awesome... we also found some stuff from fisher-price that matches. Check it out:

So my wife and I take a trip every year to NYC for a couple days during Christmas. It is always a great time of relaxing and being around a city always on the move. But, that morning I was sitting with a crowd of people in the little shop to pick up breakfast for the both of us and I thought to myself "Man, I feel a little alone." Now I know that sounds crazy. Thousands of people, in the big apple with my wife, enjoying the holidays, but for a moment; in the chaos of my surroundings I felt kind of a little alone.

Now how about the church. New person, maybe with a friend walks through the doors into the chaos of "church people" running around, saying hey to their friends, grabbing a latte' and there they are: trying to stay calm in the storm and feeling pretty alone and out of sorts. I wonder if we can change this? Not really sure but it's been on my mind as my annual trip comes up again. Just a thought...

Music I've been digging into the past couple weeks.
A little old, a little new and a few covers.

• Obadiah Parker, "Obadiah Parker Live" (cover of hey ya by outkast)
• Beck, "The Information"
• Idlewild, "Warnings/Promises"
• The Roots, "Do You Want More?!!!??!"
• Scott Simons, "Umbrella" (rihanna cover)

Ever feel like this? You're trying to create a culture for people to come and experience God and somehow they don't fit. I mean you tried everything right? You did the studies, read the books, attended the conference so you are now the master of all that is reaching people, but somehow they don't fit.

Our natural gut reaction is to begin to ask ourselves what is it that makes them not want to stay and get engaged? Once we make that list we begin to try and change people's minds, cut programs and ideas down, shift & try to maneuver around everything to make them stay...

But maybe the issue is simply we need to make a different kind of hole. As leaders we look at our target audience (I pray for that for you the answer is unchurched people), and we ask ourselves this simple question "What shape are these people and what hole have we provided?"

You may find you have to change everything to do this, i.e. rename the church, create a new identity, fire staff, hire staff, change venues, sell your building, and the list goes on. But, one thing remains the same: You still have square pegs looking for a place to fit.

What kind of hole has your church made?

So Stupid.com released their list of the Top 10 Most Stupid Gift Ideas for 2007. If you receive any of these things, you should... return the gift, delete the person's contact info, block them on your myspace and never speak to them again.

1. Mistletoe To Go
In the mood for love but on the go? Consider this portable mistletoe. This attractive arrangement of faux mistletoe comes with a suction cup that attaches to your forehead.

2. The Hillary Nutcracker
Love her or hate her, this is a new take on Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton who, in holiday tradition, is made into a nutcracker.

3. Slingshot Monkey
The Slingshot Monkey is a stuffed monkey dressed like a superhero. It flies up to 50 feet and screams along the way.

4. Larry Craig Action Figure
The talking Senator Larry Craig action figure wears a T-shirt with his declaration: "I Am Not Gay."

5. Uncle Oinker's Gummy Bacon Candy
One of America's favorite smoked-meat product has been reproduced as a candy. Uncle Oinkers Gummy Bacon comes packaged the same way as real bacon and even looks like real bacon.

6. Inflatable Moosehead
No need to go through the expense and trouble of tracking down a moose and shooting it dead when you can simply buy an inflatable moose head for the trophy wall.

7. Electronic Yodeling Pickle
The electronic yodeling pickle is a 6-1/2" plastic pickle with a high-tech interior. When you press the pickle's buttonm, it belts out a yodel reminiscent of the Swiss Alps.

8. Poo-lar Bear Candy
It's a plastic polar bear that you fill with candy poop so when you press down on the bear's hind quarters, he poops out a tasty treat.

9. Get Off the Phone Excuse Machine
If you have trouble getting off the phone from some people, this small electronic device could be the answer. Press a button for "Whoops, there's the door" or "I can't hear you, you're breaking up," and you can get off the hook.

10. USB dancer
This plugs into your computer's USB port and audio port and when sound plays on your system, she dances.

Albert Martin the lost New Kid?! No, but he is the next guy on the block to come out with a worship software that rivals Pro-Presenter in the Mac realm. Martin & Granger Community Church have released the first (after much beta testing) version of iWorship 1.0

It looks to give Renewed Vision a run for their money. Live video playback included and supports HD as well. I'm interested to see how it does in the long haul. I tested the beta copy and found it to run really smooth with no real issues. Check it out for yourself

iWorship Homepage

So I've been toying around with the good ol' Flip Video Ultra and I am digging it. Quick video on the spot and a decent quality for web stuff. Definitely a must buy if you are saying to yourself, "Man, I wish I had that moment on video" and you hate carrying around a big camera.

Alrighty, J-del **over and out**

Need something for the little ones? Maybe this could work...

We started a new series this week and instead of just launching it; we now communicate through email about the series via video, etc. Check out the web/vid deal for our new series "Christianity for Cavemen" Click Here