FlowerDust.net

QUICK READER POLL - Help Shape This Blog!

Anne Jackson — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:46:51 +0000

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE FLOWERDUST.NET READER POLL

During this blogging down time, I will probably sporadically update but it won’t be consistent. Brad is in the process of redesigning the look and functionality, and in order to make this the best experience for you, I would LOVE for you to take a quick Reader Survey.

I shamelessly stole this idea (and most of the questions) from my friend Mike Hyatt. It’s around 20 questions and most are multiple choice. It should take you just a minute to complete and will provide me with valuable information to make FlowerDust.net even more applicable and encouraging to you.

If you take the survey, leave a comment and be entered in a contest to win an autographed copy of Mad Church Disease (which, by the way, if you have ordered or won any in the last two weeks, I am doing my best to find them. They are still packed from our move and as soon as I unpack them, will ship them out to you!)

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE FLOWERDUST.NET READER POLL

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TeriRN at 2009-07-02T22:45:38Z: QUICK READER POLL - Help Shape This Blog! http://www.flowerdust.net/?p=2841

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Taking Another Blogging & Twitter Break

Anne Jackson — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:36:42 +0000

At least for a little while. Be back soon.

Somewhere we know that without silence words lose their meaning, that without listening speaking no longer heals, that without distance closeness cannot cure. - Henri Nouwen

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Caption Please

Anne Jackson — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:00:30 +0000

My best friend got married last Friday.

Her husband Shawn has a Harley.

About ten years ago, I saw a guy get hit by an 18-wheeler on a motorcycle on I635 in Dallas (a HUGE highway). Then, my friend Denise fell off of one and had a compound fracture and now has six pins in her arm. I’ve promised I would never EVER ever ride a bike.

At her rehearsal dinner cookout, peer pressure got the best of me and I got on the bike with Shawn and he actually took me out on a highway. For like, fifteen minutes. In flip flops.

So with that story…caption please (for the picture below - not above!)

CAPTION PLEASE ...
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BOOK GIVEAWAY - 200 Pomegranates and an Audience of One

Anne Jackson — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:42:01 +0000

One of the “second opinions” in Mad Church Disease was written by my friends Shawn Wood. I met Shawn at a conference three years ago. Shawn did a talk called “Brand Schizophrenia” which he ended with what he called “the artist’s mandate.” The mandate was pretty simple and as an artist right up my alley.

Here is how Shawn puts it: We are all artists (Moms, web developers, baseball players, single dads, CEOs, Authors, Pastors etc.) and we have a mandate from God to be Great at the art we produce. The mandate is simply living a life of influence and meaning in a way that will affect others and leave a legacy that all shines back to the master artist that saved us all - Jesus.

There was a publisher at that conference and that simple mandate turned into a book that encourages everyone to be artists called 200 Pomegranates and an Audience of One.

Shawn is a story teller. It’s a great story. I like great stories. So, I wanted to give away ten copies of a great story.

As with all book giveaways I would love to give you all one, but alas I only have a limited number…so here is how you can win.

Leave a comment to this post with your favorite book that we should all be reading this summer and a few of you will get the chance to have a autographed copy of 200 Pomegranates and an Audience of One sent your way soon!

Use Tweet This below to double your chances!

**MORE FREE BOOKS**
Shawn’s second book Wasabi Gospel comes out in August and I heard a rumor that he is setting up a book bomb and blog tour for July 8, 2009 - contact him at shawn@shawnwoodwrites.com if you want score a free copy of Wasabi Gospel (and an advance digital copy to boot) by being a part of the tour! Only 100 free books available so act fast!

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Be a Lab Rat and an Early Bird

Anne Jackson — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:43:06 +0000

Last year, I had the amazing opportunity to host Catalyst Backstage - a behind the scenes look at Catalyst with interviews with speakers, pastors, and conference attenders. You can see some of those interviews here.

This year, I will be hosting Backstage again, and also will be speaking at Catalyst Labs with Los and Jon. As much as I love the Catalyst experience as a whole, the Lab day is secretly my favorite part of the event. Smaller environments, people sitting on the floor, up the walls, wherever there is space hearing exclusive and intimate conversation and thought by the Lab speakers. So…I must highly recommend you not only register for Catalyst, but please register for the Lab day. You will NOT regret it!!!

Anyway, today (Thursday) is the last day you can register at the cheapest rate. And rumor has it if you use the word “TONY” when you register you save even more money.

I personally wonder what other four letter words will get you a discount.

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I’m Having Heart Surgery (and no, this isn’t a metaphor…)

Anne Jackson — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 04:02:26 +0000

The Hubs says I look drunk in this video. I’m not. I promise.

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Anyway, so there you have it. A little surgery for this little heart problem. August 14.

I’d appreciate the prayers, and any other reposting of this video to get your readers praying too.

Much love.

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People Are Afraid to Be Amazing

Anne Jackson — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:45:26 +0000

The last few days, I’ve been in the Kansas City area for my best friend’s wedding. The Hubs and I fell in love, got engaged, and were married here. A few months after our wedding in 2003, I started working full time at a church here.

I don’t mention it in Mad Church Disease, but Kansas City was the launching pad for the book. The church I reference when I ran 120 mph, didn’t rest, and ended up in the hospital…all here. The question on the back of the book, “Is working in this church interfering with your communion with Christ?” was asked to me here. I was told my dreams were “too big” here. I got in trouble for unwisely expressing my idealistic ideas here.

But the lesson most learned was how to heal after being hurt.

That’s where Chapter 11- the final chapter of Mad Church Disease - comes into play.

If you haven’t read it, you can download it here if you’d like. It’s title is Processing through Pain.

Driving by my old church, my old Starbucks, my old house…all these things brought back so many memories. Every time I’d go somewhere public, my heart would race a little bit. I was afraid of running into the person who hurt me four years ago.

Four years..it seems like a lifetime ago. But the hurt still hasn’t gone away. And it’s still impacts me, my ministry, and my ability to take risks. I don’t assert myself like I normally did. I stay really quiet and don’t speak my mind as much as I should. I choose my battles too carefully.

In the chapter, I quote something Penelope Trunk said to me at SXSW08 when I met her after a session. (I also had spinach in my teeth and she told me about it. Nice, Anne Jackson. Nice.)

“People are afraid to be amazing.”

I wish I had it figured out by now. I’ve forgiven, the bitterness usually stays at bay, but that fear of getting crushed again keeps a part of me silenced. I’m afraid to be amazing - to live to my full potential - because last time I was there, my dreams were shot through the heart.

What about you? I know with as many people read this blog, there have got to be some walking wounded. We are each responsible for our own healing…I’m not as consistent as I’d like to be, but I try taking risks or speaking my mind even when it’s scary. What are some steps that you’re taking to live again and to trust again?

This is part of a group blogging project for Mad Church Disease. You can read a different perspective on each chapter at the links below. Thanks guys for doing this!

Andy Darnell – http://www.andydarnell.com – Chapter 1

Santos Samayoa - http://www.santzonthejourney.com – Chapter 2

John Gruber – http://johngruber.us – Chapter 3

Kevin Martineau – http://kevinmartineau.blogspot.com – Chapter 4

Larry Johnson – http://man4god.wordpress.com – Chapter 5

Adam Shields – http://www.mrshields.com – Chapter 6

Chris Downs - http://christglass.chrisdownsonline.com – Chapter 7

Dawn Carter – http://decarter.wordpress.com – Chapter 8

Jenny Wilburn – http://jennywilburn.com - Chapter 9

Vikki Huisman - http://reclinerreflections.wordpress.com - Chapter 10

Anne Jackson - http://www.flowerdust.net - Chapter 11

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Tweets about this post:
sandyboone at 2009-06-23T21:28:58Z: People Are Afraid to Be Amazing http://www.flowerdust.net/?p=2806 What do you think? Are you afraid to be amazing?
stevegrossman at 2009-06-23T21:08:26Z: @flowerdust Anne does it again: "People Are Afraid to Be Amazing" - http://www.flowerdust.net/?p=2806

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BOOK GIVEAWAY - Just Courage by IJM Founder Gary Haugen

Anne Jackson — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:03:03 +0000

Six months ago, I had the opportunity to chat a little with Gary Haugen, the founder of International Justice Mission. My friend Bethany, who also works at IJM, set up the call and I blogged about it here.

As I was flipping through the channels a few weeks ago, I stopped on a Dateline episode with the title “Children for Sale.” As soon as I hit the channel, I saw Gary being interviewed by Chris Hansen. The show was about Dateline going undercover with IJM in Cambodia. It was a couple of years old but the content is timeless. I was instantly taken back to the way I felt after reading Gary’s book Just Courage, and processing the conversation I had with him in December.

Even though I returned from India a little over a month ago, I find it so easy to let my heart slip back into the mode of oblivion. In the back of my mind I know there are life and death issues and injustice occurring all over the world but I retreat into my to do lists and my calendar and my email and making plans for myself.

I shove out of my heart the very things that make up the heart of God.

So, I talked to Bethany and asked if I could give away ten of Gary’s book on my blog today. It is such an important book. I think it’s one I need to read a little every day to simply be reminded that we are called to fight.

Ever feel like this?

“There must be more to the Christian life than this–more than church each Sunday and waving to my neighbors and giving some clothes to Goodwill when I go through my closet each spring.”

These aren’t bad things, of course. But they’re safe and comfortable and easy. And there’s a reason they’re not satisfying your desire for something more significant and meaningful–we’re created by God for adventure.

International Justice Mission president Gary Haugen has found that engaging in the fight for justice is the most deeply satisfying way of life. This book shows how we too can be a part of God’s great expedition.

I wish I could give a copy of this book to all of you. It is one of the most profound books I’ve read. But hey, you can win it. To be entered, leave a comment related to anything having to do with injustice. Your questions, your thoughts, your actions, your desires, whatever. I’ll pick winners next Thursday and the winner shall be notified via electronic post. (That’s email). Use the TWEET THIS button below to earn double credit.

Tweets about this post:
uwsreader at 2009-07-02T03:35:23Z: BOOK GIVEAWAY - Just Courage by IJM Founder Gary Haugen http://www.flowerdust.net/?p=2801

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A Video Addressing Some Very Serious Questions…

Anne Jackson — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:08:04 +0000

Recently, there have been some very serious questions asked about Mad Church Disease, and instead of writing an impersonal post, I thought I’d address you guys a little more formally, via video.

Please see below:

(This is what happens when you have some free time and a video camera late at night after the NBA Finals are over. And, just to clarify, no pastors were insulted in the making of this video. Andy Stanley also looks good, and Ed Young knows how to lead. Thankyouverymuch.)

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A Tale of Three Smart Phones

Anne Jackson — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:29:38 +0000

It was the best of phones, it was the worst of phones.

Let me begin by saying I am not a technically apt person. I understand how to use a smart phone. I understand how to even set up a smart phone. Heck, on this journey, I learned (after a painstaking four hours) how to jailbreak a smart phone. But if you’re looking for an in depth review of a very technical side of a Palm Pre, an iPhone, or a Blackberry, you’ll probably be disappointed.

However, if you’d just like an ordinary girl’s opinion on three popular smart phones, you’ve come to the right place.

BEGINNINGS AND HISTORY….

You should know: I don’t like a lot of frills - Email, text, an actual phone, GPS of some kind, a little internet here and there, and of course…the illustrious Twitter - that’s all I really need. I’m not a “must have the latest gadget” kind of girl either.

I’ve been a Blackberry Pearl user on AT&T from the beginning. For several years. Once I finally learned how to type on the darn thing, it was actually a very easy phone to use. It was constructed terribly; I went through THREE replacements in one year, usually as a result of the trackball falling out, sticking, or the A/S key not working but that’s what insurance is for, right?

I found AT&T quick and helpful in replacing it. The battery life on it was spectacular. I could use it heavily for a couple of days without needing a recharge.

IPHONE TEMPTATIONS…

Then one day last summer, my friend upgraded to the iPhone 3G. He asked if I wanted to have his old iPhone (1G). I said sure. And so the iPhone and I became friends. Aside from it’s width and me dropping it all the time (it was hard for me to grasp and I have pretty long fingers!), it wasn’t too much larger than my Pearl. Typing on it was fairly easy after a few days (although the auto-correct feature got me in trouble on more than one occasion…). And it was fun. The email fetching and resulting hangups/reboots were a little annoying, especially when email is such a large part of my life but overall, it wasn’t too bad.

As I began to travel, I noticed my battery life would be drained extremely fast with moderate usage and honestly, the AT&T signal isn’t the best in the parts of Nashville I frequent the most. It’s not good in SoCal. Or Texas. Traveling with my iPhone became frustrating.

Then it broke.

Out of nowhere, the phone stopped receiving a signal altogether, although it took me a day to realize it. I just assumed AT&T didn’t reach Wichita Falls, where I was when it stopped working.

I went to the Apple Store, and they replaced it (even though it was out of warranty) for no charge. I thought maybe I’d get a better reception with the new phone, but was let down.

FRUSTRATED AND SPRINTING…

So, several months into traveling regularly, I talked to my husband, who just happens to manage a Sprint store (and managers don’t make commission.) I learned that Sprint not only uses Sprint towers, but they also ping off of Verizon towers when roaming. Double the signal? Hmmm. His phone sure had a signal wherever we went. So, I decided to sell the iPhone to get out of my AT&T contract and move on over and return to my first love, the Blackberry. A Curve this time. The data plan was $20 a month cheaper, too. I jailbroke my iPhone for a friend in South Africa and sent it on her merry way.

A week before I made the jump, the Palm Pre confirmed it’s release. The Hubs, fully knowing my deep rooted affection for all things Blackberry, told me to hold off. He went through some training with the Pre and kind of compared it to a iPhone/Blackberry Hybrid. It looked cool, it had a keyboard, and it was on Sprint. I was a new customer and could get a good rebate on it. So I decided to wait.

PRE EXCITEMENT. POST DISAPPOINTMENT…

I got the Pre and for the first couple of days, I LOVED it. Sure, it had a few nuances that annoyed me - no auto correct spelling at ALL on the phone, no way to change the notification for a text message or an email, and some counter-intuitive user interface bugs, but I’m sure enough people would complain about these basic features that they would be fixed in the first update. However, even though the Google Syncing features were incredible…even though the screen quality was incredible…even though the font smoothing was incredible…with moderate use, my battery would be gone in under 8 hours.

Unacceptable.

The battery thing ruined it for me. Sure, there are some other random bugs which i know will get worked out (email syncing was unpredictable, and switching between applications was slower than I’d hoped for) but the combination of these inconsistencies plus no battery life took me right back to the Sprint store today, only a few days later.

BRINGING BLACKBERRY BACK…

Thank you, Sprint, for having a 30-day money back guarantee.

I traded in my Pre today for a (much cheaper) Blackberry Curve.

It’s the smart phone equivalent to being with a soulmate. There’s a spark of newness, yet there’s familiarity. Sure, it’s not the best looking guy in the place, and not even the most fun, but it’s stable. It’s loyal. It’s consistent. It’s reliable.

OVERALL…

If you get good AT&T reception and like to have fun, get an iPhone. If you could care less about the fun stuff on your phone and simply want it to be functional, the Blackberry is for you. And if you find yourself in the middle and don’t mind waiting until the Pre gets its bugs worked out (especially the battery life), The Pre might be worth the wait.

Might.

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