Countdown Videos
Most youth ministries are using countdown videos nowadays (heck, many churches are using them as well!). Not only do they look cool and flaunt the media capabilities of your ministry, these countdown videos serve 3 practical purposes:
- Time for socializing. Students want to talk to their friends. When I was in youth group, this always took place during the lesson. By providing a countdown, it gives your students a set amount of time to talk before the worship/lesson.
- Prompt start time. When I speak to students, I like to chat and joke with them beforehand. This draws the students attention to myself, and relaxes me before I speak. By using the countdown timer, I am able to limit the amount of banter.
- Creates Anticipation. I don’t know what it is about countdowns, but whenever I hear a countdown, I have to join it. Whether it is New Year’s Eve, a basketball game, or even a standardized test (SATs anyone?), there is a sense of anticipation with a countdown. It draws the participant to focus on what happens when the clock strikes zero.
There are some great resources out there for countdowns. My favorite is the T-Minus series by Simply Youth Ministry. They are creative, visually interesting, and easy to use (each video comes in Quicktime format).
Dennis over at YMIMexico.org created an online Egg Timer, which is a FREE way to have a simple countdown. You can also purchase the Countdown Creator, which makes fully customizable countdowns (both in
Editor’s Note: This is the first post in a running series entitled “Youth Pastor Toolbox,” which will discuss different “tools of the trade” for youth ministry. A new “Youth Pastor Toolbox” will be posted every Tuesday.
Get Smart
We went to the late night showing of Get Smart last night, and it was definitely worth it. The movie was funny, the plot was decent, and Steve Carell absolutely made the movie. He was a perfect Maxwell Smart, with all the klutziness and goofy behavior associated with the character. And I must admit, the best part of the movie was the trailer for Step Brothers, the new comedy with Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly.
And We’re Back
Yes, after almost 1 month of going without a computer, I am back to the addiction resource that is known as the Internet. My MacBook Pro (number #2) came in last Friday, and I spent most of this weekend setting it up, putting all my files on it, and overall enjoying it. Regular posts to follow.
Engagement
Two reasons I have been lax in my posting:
- I am still without a laptop. I finally arranged for a replacement, with an expected delivery date of last Friday. Well, last Friday came and went, and it turns out I had to ship my old MBP to them before they ship me a new one. Fun, especially when I did not have a box to ship it in, so I made my own box out of scrap cardboard and a whole roll of shipping tape.
- I am engaged!! I have been planning this for some time, but last night I proposed to Megan, and she said yes. Details are still being made, but we are very excited.
So that is it. I will resume regular posts once my new laptop comes in.
MacBook Pro update
Well, the Mac experience has been good and bad at the same time.
The Good: very sleek interface, awesome programs, and a simply glorious device to work with.
The Bad: This laptop has had it’s share of problems. The fans have constantly been running at 6k rpm, the screen and programs freeze at random times, and there are times it will not start. I took it to the Apple store today, and the geek told me to replace the computer (via the Online Store). But when I called them, Apple had me try another software thing (a complete reinstall). The fans are still at max, but no freezing yet. I will call them tomorrow and see about a replacement.
The Verdict: Jury is still out… but I am not holding the hardware problems against Mac.
Indiana Jones 4
Megan and I saw Indiana Jones 4 tonight, and I must admit I really enjoyed it. Sure, I kept comparing it to the previous movies, and it did not measure up. Maybe after years of viewing I will have the same affection to this movie as the other 2 (I HATE Temple of Doom).
Now I know that some people are complaining about the plot line and it’s absurdities (will not say anything else as a spoiler). Sure, it may have been unrealistic, but weren’t the other movies? Let’s see: the first film had the Ark melting everyone with their eyes open, the second film had hearts beating out of bodies, and the third film had the Holy Grail providing unending life. Throw in some secret passages and a healthy dose of enemies, and you have the formula for an Indy movie. This one lived up to the hype, used some great CGI scenes, and provided closure for the Indy story.
New Lappie
Received my new MacBook Pro laptop in the mail today… It is glorious!! Will now resume regular posts tomorrow.
Dead Lappie
Sorry for the recent lack of posts… my Averatec laptop died on Friday, with no hope of resurrection. Now the big question: Mac or PC. Actually the question is MacBook or MacBook Pro? Thoughts?
Goodbye Toby
Just saw this deleted scene from last week’s season finale of The Office. Watch the whole thing, because Dwight’s last line is killer:
A Time for Everything
In case you have not heard, the 5 year old daughter of Steven Curtis Chapman died yesterday after being hit by a car. Read the full story here. I have recently been thinking about death, mainly due to the two funerals I attended in the last week. Just as The Teacher says in Ecclesiastes, I have seen that our life on Earth is short and fleeting. The great part about Ecclesiastes is the end, in which The Teacher says that our job is to “Fear God and keep his commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Amen.
(photo by Leposava)
