Chad McDonald

New Blog To Check Out

2009-04-23T12:31:00.000-07:00

I'm very proud of Mom for setting this up all by herself.

www.pat-shelbygrace.blogspot.com

Production Shot 3

2009-03-26T15:21:00.003-07:00

Production Shot 2

2009-03-26T15:21:00.001-07:00

Production Shots

2009-03-26T15:20:00.001-07:00

For a sweet video element we're doing for Easter

Coming Soon...

2009-03-09T10:09:00.000-07:00

Pär'té Promo from Chad McDonald on Vimeo.

Now Playing

2009-03-09T10:08:00.001-07:00

Heroes Need Protection

2009-03-09T10:06:00.000-07:00

Heroes Need Protection from Chad McDonald on Vimeo.

Heroes Are Healers

2009-03-09T10:05:00.002-07:00

Heroes Are Healers from Chad McDonald on Vimeo.

Heroes Control The Flame

2009-03-09T10:05:00.001-07:00

Heroes Control The Flame from Chad McDonald on Vimeo.

Heroes Can Fly

2009-03-09T10:01:00.001-07:00

Heroes Can Fly from Chad McDonald on Vimeo.

The man

2009-02-15T16:43:00.001-08:00

This guy ruled it today.

Promos, Video Shoots, and Daniel Fast

2009-01-18T20:36:00.000-08:00

So the "Heroes" promo #1 video was shown today, I will put it up this week.

Promo #2 will be shown next Sunday.

We are also beginning a few weeks worth of shooting for all the "episodes" this week.

Also I have to shoot a video for Ritchie's sermon next Sunday

And create a unique animation for one of his sermon points.

Not to mention all the other usual duties.

While not eating meat, bread or sweets.

But, hey, I am having a blast!

peace

Advent Conspiracy Sermon Intro

2008-12-10T08:11:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who told me it was awesome.
It made me feel warm and squishy inside.
Here it is.

Advent Conspiracy Intro from Chad McDonald on Vimeo.

You supply the caption

2008-11-24T08:40:00.001-08:00

Verse Video

2008-10-29T06:24:00.000-07:00

Psalm 78 from Chad McDonald on Vimeo.

New Fire Test

2008-10-29T05:47:00.000-07:00

This one is way better than the old one. This is the greatest thing ever,...ever.

Fire Test from Chad McDonald on Vimeo.

New Sermon Series Intro

2008-10-27T10:34:00.000-07:00

I will be posting all of my videos on Vimeo from now on, but I will still link them here.
Here is the intro for our new series that starts this weekend.

Dare You To Move Intro from Chad McDonald on Vimeo.

More Photos

2008-10-13T12:16:00.000-07:00

Stone Cold

2008-10-13T05:06:00.003-07:00

This is how every dude should look when taking a picture next to a hot woman.

The Golden Ratio

2008-09-24T07:22:00.000-07:00

Sounds like a lame band name, but its not...

For centuries artists and designers have used a sum – the golden ratio – to achieve proportion. The golden ratio is about as close as many artists and designers get to appreciating hardcore mathematics: it’s a ratio – roughly 1:1.6180339887, if you’re curious – that is widely regarded to give balanced, harmonious proportions.

Since it was first calculated with any degree of precision in Greek times, the ratio has been applied over the centuries by creatives ranging from architects to bookbinders.

Even if you’re not a math genius, the basics of the golden ratio are easy to understand: a perfectly symmetrical design is less satisfying and aesthetically pleasing than one in which the proportions are slightly asymmetrical. Perfect symmetry being 1:1, and the golden ratio being 1:1.6180339887. In other words, just slightly off.

People studying the golden ratio have found it everywhere from the Pyramids to the Mona Lisa – and even in nature, for example in the veins of leaves, or the human face. That is why sometimes it is called the Divine Proportion or Divine Ratio.

I know this sounds like a lot of mumbo-jumbo, and a lot of people take it to the extreme. However there are certain aspects of this theory that can't be denied.

So the question is,...

Is DaVinci's "Mona Lisa" an amazing piece of art because he used the golden ratio?

Or are the Great Pyramids so great because they also used the golden ratio?

Yearbook Yourself

2008-09-04T16:52:00.000-07:00

You should stop what you're doing and have some fun at this site.

How can I not be wrapped around her finger?

2008-09-02T08:04:00.000-07:00

The Greatest Game Ever!

2008-08-26T07:13:00.000-07:00

For those that know me, you know I never exagerate. This is the greatest thing that has ever robbed me of any free time, and any productive time as well. Warning! This game will control you!

www.FantasticContraption.com

Some designs are simple...
http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=869329

Some designs are complex...
http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=864443

Some are really dumb...
http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=870222

Kid(s) plural!

2008-08-14T10:58:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't blogged much lately. I've been a little busy, with this...

He's a genius, I know...

2008-07-30T19:29:00.000-07:00

Some days are strange

2008-07-30T13:58:00.000-07:00

I don't remember this being in my original job description...

"Livin' Venti" update

2008-07-24T11:37:00.000-07:00

Here is the look we are going for with this new series coming up soon. Andrew helped me shoot the footage being used here. Notice the reflection of the timer on the countertop!

Friday Morning Review

2008-07-18T05:38:00.000-07:00

By no means am I a hard-core movie-goer like Ritchie and Dusty, but I did roll with the big boys last night to the midnight showing of "The Dark Knight". Also in attendance,... Clint White (aka - Dusty's brother from another mother). Brandon Miller went too, but who cares about him, really? Well, I guess Kim does, but the jury is still out with Ritchie.

Anyway, I digest...

There is so much going on with this film that I can't even process it all. It is definitely one of those movies you will see in the theater and then have to buy to try and catch all the action. It's 2 hours and 40 minutes of glorious explosions and fight scenes. I really don't have any negative comments about it at all. Let's just say that the last time I went to a midnight premier (Indiana Jones 4) I was totally disappointed, but now I am the opposite of disappointed,... would that be appointed?

Warrior series (SNEAK PEEK)

2008-07-16T11:59:00.000-07:00

You guys probably saw the teaser video I created for "Warrior" this past weekend and you can look forward to two more before the series actually starts (if you go to Avalon Church). Also I designed this single web page to promote the series as well. Check it out, you can see the sermon intro before anyone else!

www.avalonchurch.net/warrior

peace

I stand in the middle. but I lean to the right!

2008-07-09T06:11:00.000-07:00

I just took the Political Brew Political Gauge and came up as a Centrist on Non-Fiscal Issues and a Moderate Conservative on Fiscal Issues. You can take the test at http://www.politicalbrew.com/politest.cgi - let me know your results!

Random Awesomeness

2008-07-03T13:01:00.001-07:00

I am researching design ideas for a new series coming up called "Livin' Venti" (or living large). I found this, and wanted to share it, because it is awesome. I don't think PBC would approve. wink wink.

peace

p.s. - come see me play with Dusty Beach and the six to midnight band this Saturday night @ Avalon Church!

Video Blogs

2008-06-19T06:43:00.000-07:00

You may have noticed that the two best blogs on the planet have been posting regular video blogs. They have been funny, real, and raw. I have really enjoyed them and so have some of my blog readers. I know this because one of my blog readers suggested that I do a video as well. But, what do I do? I am not the "real and raw deal" like Ritchie, nor am I nearly as sexy and stunning as Dusty. So here is a hidden talent that I have that no one knows about. Enjoy. Peace.

Desktop Backgrounds

2008-06-03T06:35:00.000-07:00

Here is the link for all those who are interested...

www.avalonchurch.net/series.php

Or you can go to Avalon's home page and click on the current series graphic.

And yes, you can download them for fun and put them up on your personal computer!

peace

Invite co-workers, or just for fun...

2008-06-03T06:04:00.000-07:00

So, I had this idea and it could be awesome or it could fall flat and I'll look like an idiot. At any rate we're going to give it a try. Starting this month, we are making the graphics from the sermon series available for the general populace to download and use as desktop backgrounds. Our covenant members can proudly display them on their work computers and then use them as conversation starters to invite people to Avalon Church.

It came to me when I had a few people ask me about a background I had up for our 'Warrior' series that starts in August. I was able to tell them about the church and how we do things,... differently. They already attend a church, but it was a great ice breaker anyway. Also, this is a great time to start this because I didn't create the 'One Prayer' graphics, and I've only designed about half of the 'Warrior' stuff (both series are re-purposed from other churches) so no one can say that it is self-promotion.

Check out my desk, represent the AC!

Kingdom of the Crystal SUCK

2008-05-23T06:15:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to see Indiana Jones IV...

What a steaming pile of deuce!

When I say "deuce" i mean - the number two, as in going number two, as in a dump, poop, turd, feces, crap, dookie, doo-doo, poo-poo, brown town, monkey tail, butt coffee,... a bowel movement

Let me save you the time and money. Don't go see this movie. Unless you're masochist, and then you would enjoy 2 hours of self torture.

I know what you're thinking,... "Chad, you love Indiana Jones, you love history, and archeology. You're an Indiana Jones purist, you probably watched hours of History Channel documentaries about Crystal Skulls in preparation for the movie. Your "historical accuracy standards" are too high for the regular movie goer. Plus you're really smart and good looking.

Well, take it from two guys who are not smart or good looking. Ritchie and Dusty both saw it with and they hated too. So there.

I'm pissed about it. I have to go work now.

peace

Update

2008-05-16T09:12:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in a while so I'll try to catch everyone up...

Recently the Marketing department I work in went through some cut backs. We lost 20% of our staff. To be honest we only had five people to start with so you math wizards out there have figured out only one person got laid off. But the issue is that he was the senior graphic designer and now that leaves me holding the bag with all the design duties of a $300 million dollar a year company. So needless to say I have been scrambling trying to pick up the slack and figure everything out.

The other scary part was that I found out it was either him or me. I do not enjoy other's misfortune, but thank God I still have a job. I am very fortunate to have a job in these tough economic times. I have been dealing with the stress of it all in the usual way I do, bury it down deep and don't talk about it. Not a good idea.

However, after reading a recent blog by my good friend Dusty Beach, I have come to terms with some things. I really related to what he was saying about his insecurities as our Executive Pastor. I don't have any formal design schooling or any formal A/V training, and both are critical parts of my job. Sometimes I wonder how I even got here and why no one has realized that I usually have no idea what I'm doing. What I realized is that God has me here for a reason, and I am in control of my own insecurities and fears and they are not from God at all.

About a year ago I really thought that I was going to be able to go into full time ministry at Avalon and all my wildest dreams would come true. Now that I look back I realize how much God know and how much I don't know. I learn so much everyday about how a professional design/creative team should function, and I learn new tips and tricks everyday too. One day I will be in full time ministry at Avalon and I will be so much more prepared than I was a year ago.

So, I know I've rambled a little and if you've read this far then here is the take away. God is really smart and we are really dumb. He knows it all already, and we have to remind ourselves of that.

"Nothing surprises God"

peace

15 Weeks and Counting

2008-05-01T10:24:00.000-07:00

I took Katrina to her doctor's appointment this morning so that she could have her "Gestational Diabee-tus" test. We should get the results sometime next week. The cool part was getting to do another ultrasound. Last time they couldn't measure her legs or something like that so we got to see her again. Everything is normal, she's got all 10 fingers and 10 toes. They (the doctor's) can't seem to decide on the due date. At first it was August 14th, then it got moved to the 8th, and now it's back to the 14th, go figure. The other cool part was doing a crossword puzzle while we waited, I really enjoyed that, because I'm an über-nerd.

Just for fun

2008-04-29T12:51:00.000-07:00

Inspired by a great tutorial from Andrew Kramer.

Big Red, you will be greatly missed...

2008-04-15T14:18:00.000-07:00

My F-150, commonly referred to as "Big Red", went the way of the Do-Do this weekend. I traded her in for a more family friendly, gas efficient vehicle. I bought a Jeep Liberty so that I can haul around the ever growing family. Conner and I drove it off the lot together (well he was in his car seat, not literally driving) and I think he was as excited as I was. I'm sure he's glad to be riding around in something other than Katrina's car. He kept saying "Daddy's green car!" Pronounced by him as "Da-yeez geen kar!"

Big Red and I shared a lot of good times together and a lot of bad times, but we were always together. Please pray for me as I try to adjust to this new phase in my life. Big Red, I miss you already, but I know you are in a better place.

My new car (pictured below) needs a nickname. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

peace

Family History

2008-04-10T06:56:00.000-07:00

With Brenna on the way, I have been getting a little more nostalgic about family history and I did some research and actually found some cool things on the internet.

This image is a marriage license of John Norman McDonald and Nancy Susan McLeod, dated January 21, 1813. They were both born on the Isle of Skye, Scotland and were married here in the states. They started our family's history here in the U.S. Actually the only reason that we are even here is that Nancy Susan's brother had some problems with the British Government and the whole family had to move here and since her older sister was not married yet, her father would not consent to John and Nancy getting married in Scotland. So John Norman followed her here and waited until they were able to marry. While waiting he served as a Naval Captain in the War of 1812. He had a son named Norman who had a son named Neill A, who had a son named Colin Monroe who had a son named Lauchlin David, who had a son named Allen Lee, who had a son named Chad Allen, who had a son named Conner Lauchlin. Pretty freakin cool huh?

peace

I'm dreaming in PINK!!!

2008-04-02T13:15:00.000-07:00

For those who haven't heard Katrina and I are having a girl! Her name will be...

Brenna Dawn McDonald

I wasn't so pumped about it at first and I even made an off color joke at the doctor's office. When the ultrasound technician told us that she weighed about 12 oz., I said "Wow just like a beer can!" She's daddy's little beer can! Needless to say my wife, mother and mother-in-law did not find it as hilarious as it sounded in my head. Now I am actually getting excited about having a little girl. I'm told that the bond between father and daughter is pretty incredible, and I'm definitely looking forward to that. Plus, Andrea and Dusty are having a girl as well and they're only a few weeks ahead of us. So, they'll be able to grow up together and be pals or whatever little girl friends call each other.

I'm afraid that the mass amounts of pink frilly things that are infiltrating my house are beginning to affect my work. Here is a sneak peak at a series coming up soon, you be the judge.

The Edifice Complex

2008-03-26T06:26:00.000-07:00

As I said yesterday, there is so much information in these chapters I can't really give a complete breakdown, so I am going to give a few things I thought were interesting.

It is important to note that Barna & Viola (the authors) seem to be anti-church in my opinion, and I have tried to cut through a lot of there rantings about how we all need to leave our churches and join/start house churches.

With that being said, if you've ever wondered why we have church buildings when the Acts church only met in homes. Then this is the blog for you.

Many claim that we get our church buildings and altars from the Jewish temples. Well this is may be true, but unlikely. Mainly because by the time that the first church buildings were being built the number of Christians who were born Jews was incredibly small in comparison to the number of Gentile Christians (former Pagans). So, these Gentile Christians used the only frame of reference they had for their buildings and early practices, paganism.

Another important note is that both Judaism and Paganism were centered around three main components; temples, priests and sacrifices. In His perfection, Jesus Christ fulfilled all three, so there isn't a "need" for any of them when you are a follower of Christ.

Fun Facts...

- "Ekklesia" (Greek for church) was never used in the New Testament to refer to a building.

- House of Dura-Europos (AD 232) was a home remodeled for Christian gathering. It is the earliest one excavated to date.

- In the 3rd Century, the pagan custom of having meals for dead family and friends at their graves, carried over to the Christians and the first martyrs. The meals became Communion.

- Over time, they began building small monuments over the graves of the martyrs. The monuments got bigger and became shrines as they began to look at these sites as "holy".

- Constantine (ca. 285-337) converted to Christianity, still under heavy debate, and wanted to make it an equal and legitimate religion to Judaism and Paganism. The main difference in his eyes was that they had no temples and the other two did.

-Constantine began building churches on top of the already existing shrines and naming them after the martyrs (e.g. - St. Peter's on Vatican Hill, St. Paul's Outside the Walls, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and The Church of the Nativity)

- Since these sites were now considered holy, church-goers had to have a purification ceremony to be able to enter (a pagan tradition)

- The architecture was a duplication of the Roman Basilicas (the buildings used by the senate)

- These designs are still employed today.

+ Raised platform for the clergy/senate

+Altar in the center table or chest that held the martyr's bones

+ Eucharist (bread and cup) was on the table. Now considered a holy ceremony because of the pagan meal practice

+ Cathedra (large chair) for the bishop or judge

+ Surrounded by rows of smaller chairs for the elders/senate members

Sound familiar, go into any traditional church and you will probably see the large chair for the pastor and smaller ones for his staff. There is usually a communion table as well.

Chapter 2 coming soon...

peace

I'm a Jerk, and Some Stuff You Didn't Already Know

2008-03-25T07:33:00.000-07:00

I know I promised a weekly update on my book reading, and I have fallen way short of my goals. I didn't realize that each chapter would be so long and have so much information. I will probably post my general thoughts and a few interesting facts.

Just to keep everyone updated...

- I am currently working on Avalon's next series "How To Be Rich". The look of it is way different than most of my stuff. Dusty and I are working on a sweet audio track for it, and it will be awesome. (that was prophetic)

- I am also working on a video montage from our HOPE project this past weekend. I am "re-purposing" (a.k.a ripping off) the new discovery channel commercial for the over-all look and feel.

- I also have a project due this week for Piedmont Church in Macon (they're one of our partner churches). It's a series about bringing the generations together.

- I just bought a guitar amp! Mesa Boogie Mark III (Simulclass, Greenstripe Edition). It should be here on Friday, so hopefully I will melt some faces with it this weekend.

Oh and because someone asked, that is Andrew's (our Worship Pastor) finger on the sermon/song intro for "Playlist" not mine. My hands are not manly enough.

peace

Exploring the Roots of Church Practices

2008-02-22T12:02:00.000-08:00

I know it's been a while since my last blog, but I've got some great ones in the works. Currently I am reading a book called "Pagan Christianity", and it is awesome. Basically it breaks down current Christian traditions (that many churches claim are from the "Word of God") and sheds some light on their origins. Which if you can't tell from the book's title are all based in ancient paganism. Each week I will give you a "Cliff's Notes" version of each chapter and my thoughts. I know some of you may find history boring, but if you just bare with me over the next few weeks I may be able to challenge your thinking and maybe teach you something that you can use next time some one says that we're supposed to dress nice at church because the bible says so (which it doesn't). So check back in a few days for my review of chapter 1, it is all about church buildings and architecture.

Peace

Updates and other stuff

2008-01-25T05:32:00.000-08:00

So, things have been crazy lately so the best thing I can do is try to catch everyone up on what's been happening.

• We successfully re-financed our house,...money!

• We got had another ultrasound to check on the baby and everything is cool.

• I am super busy at work with our annual Symposium coming up next month.

• I am super busy with church work. I am finishing up our next series entitled "Masterpiece" and I am already working on the one after that called "Game Time" and the one after that called "Playlist... Finding God in your Ipod".

• I had a blast playing the guitar solo on "Hit Me With Your Best Shot".

• I am excited to see Dusty play a Keytar this weekend on "Working For The Weekend".

I think that's all the biggies, here are a few fun links for you to kill some time with.

List of bad baby names cataloged in our great state of Georgia.

My favorites are... Badger, Chlorine, and Guitarist

Candidate Matchmaker from Fox5 Atlanta

My top three are John McCain, Duncan Hunter, and Mike Huckabee

But I only line up with 58% of my number one

I thought this was cool too.

An invisible bookshelf.

Peace.

How To Melt Faces One Day

2007-12-31T07:35:00.000-08:00

For those of you that attended Avalon’s Christmas services you witnessed one of the greatest musical moments in my life and I just wanted to say a few things about it.

I had the privilege of playing “Christmas Eve Sarajevo 12/24” by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra on the guitar with a Mr. Dusty Beach. I was so focused that week on learning my stuff that I didn’t really have time to let the whole thing sink in of what I was actually going to be doing. But now that it’s over I’ve had some time to think about it.

I’ve been thinking a lot about when I first started playing guitar and how frustrated I was to not be able to play the things that I wanted to play. I remember the hours and hours I would spend practicing in my room, much to the discomfort of my family’s ears. I remember when I first learned to play “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana or “Today” by the Smashing Pumpkins and how I would just wear those songs out because I was so exciting that I actually learned a song. And a few years later I crossed over to the bass and learned that it can be just as fun to back up really good guitar players as well as be one. I am always excited when I get to see someone wailing on a solo and I’m standing in the back thumping away at a tight rhythm and they get to do their thing. I think I just like being a part of something big. Part of it too was that I never really thought I would be a good guitar player, because mediocre guitar players can make great bass players, and I was fine with that.

After we played the TSO songs for the last service I had this memory flashback of when I was sitting in my room trying to stretch my hand to form chords and being very discouraged at my ability that everyone kept telling me was a “God-given” talent. If God has given me this talent, why is it so hard? I would ask myself. Well I got my answer. If I had just immediately picked up the guitar and was able to shred an melt faces then I wouldn’t have been so humbled and thankful to be a part of that service.

Newsflash!!! God is smarter than we are.

No matter what you are going through and what may seem very discouraging and tough. If you’re being stretched or if literally you’re stretching your hands and fingers, God has a reason for it. Only when we take the time to stop and look around do we see why. And I know it’s a hard pill to swallow at the time, but when you look at it in the grand scheme of things it makes so much more sense.

What are you hoping for, what are you struggling with, what is discouraging you? Just tell yourself, God is smarter than I am and do I trust him. If you do, then it’s all going to work out. It may take 13 years of playing guitar, or it may happen sooner than you think, just remember where you came from when that times comes.

Peace

Denomination Test

2007-12-18T08:16:00.000-08:00

A friend at work sent me this test that you can take to determine what Christian Denomination you best line up with.

Take it yourself here.

I took it the first time and was shocked to find out that it said I should be a Seventh-Day Adventist!? I went back through the test to see why and realized that one of the questions asks if Sunday is the preferred day of worship, and if you answer no it will mark you as SDA. I think preferred is a bad word to use, it's really just tradition.

Since I wasn't happy with that answer, I took it again and got Southern Baptist as my number one answer. Needless to say I was devastated.

I took it again three different times with varying degrees of answers and I keep getting Reformed Baptist. So I guess I'll have to settle with that. Here is my top five.

#1. Reformed Baptist

#2. Church of Christ

#3. Southern Baptist

#4. Seventh-Day Adventist

#5. Presbyterian Church USA

Peace

I'm Bringin' Funny Back

2007-12-13T11:08:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the long boring posts, i'll put the funny back in soon...

"Scrumtrulescence"

Peace

What is in a name?

2007-12-13T11:05:00.000-08:00

Since we found out that Katrina is pregnant again, we’ve been going through all the usual activities. Like, deciding what OBGYN to use and where we’re going to put the nursery and what names we like for boys and girls. This has gotten me thinking a lot about names and what weight they carry, or rather weight they should carry. I don’t necessarily mean the biblical/super-spiritual thing where a child’s name means “God with us” or whatever. I mean more in the heritage part of it.

Let me try to explain better.

Since as far back as I can remember, I have been engrained with Scottish pride. I don’t know why, but my Dad and that whole side of the family have always had a passion for being of Scottish descent. We have records and stories of our ancestor’s journey to the states. They are also proud of the fact that not only are we Scottish, but we are McDonald’s, of the clan MacDonald, Lord of the Isles, from the Isle of Skye. “Be proud of your heritage, son!” is what I’ve been told since birth, I imagine. Don’t get me wrong, I love Scotland and I love my heritage. The “heritage propaganda” worked well on me, maybe too well.

Here is my point.

What is heritage? Your family’s roots and origins, right? And what is pride for your heritage? Being thankful for something that you had no control over? No, it’s embracing the struggles, the successes, the lives, and the history of your origins. And how is that pride carried on? It is carried on through family.

Here is my question.

The McDonald sides of my family are the most dysfunctional, disconnected, and spiritually disoriented people that I know. Plus, my Father only wants to have a relationship with my family and me when it works for him. So my question is, if familial pride is such a huge part of who they/we are then why do they neglect the “family” that they’re so proud of. I can’t wrap my mind around that rationale. It’s contradictory to say the least.

In conclusion.

I haven’t spoken to my Father (note the use of the word “father” not “dad”) since Nov. 2, my birthday. We didn’t see each other or speak over Thanksgiving for reasons that are too stupid to even write about. I know I am not totally innocent in the faults of our relationship, but I’m tired of playing his game. I look forward to the day when I can pass on the story of the McDonald heritage to my children and when I can pass on a love for all things Scottish. However, I pray that it will be passed on through my love for them and not just passed on through meaningless words.

Peace

Proud to be Protestant

2007-11-15T12:35:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately a co-worker of mine passed away last week and his funeral was on Tuesday at a Catholic Church in Stone Mountain. Here are a few of the awesome things that I experienced while I was there. Keep in mind I have never been to a Catholic funeral much less even stepped foot into a Catholic Church before. To say it was eye opening would be an understatement.

Let me also state for the record that I have nothing against Catholic people or the Catholic Church (unless you count the hundreds of years of oppression, forced conversions and murder in the name God) barring that I have no problems.

Anyway, a lot of the stuff I saw I thought was only on TV. Here is a list…

• “Smokey Ball On A Chain” - You know the priest swings it down the aisle like he’s fogging for mosquitoes. Well it smelled like hippie’s B.O. Someone should have told me it was going to burn my nostrils! How can you enjoy a service when there are foul odors? Right, Kelli?

• “Golden Bucket and Dipper” – It’s kind of like a magic trick, he pulls this golden stick out of bucket and only when he flicks it does water… excuse me “holy water” fly out of the end of it. He slung “holy water” all over the casket. Why, you ask, I don’t have a clue. Maybe because he’s the priest and he gets to do whatever he wants.

• “Weird Homely Chick” – We had the privilege of having this weird looking girl lead us in some songs. Well songs may be the wrong word. I don’t know what the term is for completely annoying and high-pitched singing with organ accompaniment. One helpful bit was that she would let you know when it was our turn to sing the chorus by doing the “Miss America Parade Wave” and that was also how she kept us in time. Very resourceful.

• “Stand, Sit, Kneel” – I was actually expecting the church aerobics. This one is pretty standard or so I’m told. I just wanted to yell, “You’re out, Simon didn’t say!” There was a very convenient little padded bar that you could put your knees on. I tried it out, but I still prefer to just pray straight from my heart. Oooh, burn!

• “Catholic Stand and Shake” - The “en vogue” thing to do in church services these days is the “stand and shake”, spreads community I guess and germs. Well have no fear; the Catholics have not let this trend slip them by. The exception is you have to wait until the priest reads a specific scripture, then and only then can you stand and greet your neighbors, but you’re only allowed to say “Peace be to you.” Even if someone has a booger hanging out you can’t tell them you just have to stare at it and say, “Peace be to you, booger… I mean brother.”

There was so much more that I don’t have the time to go into it all.
It has been said that Catholicism is a more intelligent way to worship, well if that is true then I’ll just stay an idiot.

Peace (be to you)

Some Days Are Better Than Others...

2007-11-12T08:22:00.000-08:00

Danny Harrison is one of my greatest mentors and he suggested that since I don’t talk about personal stuff, that I should write it down, so…

Get prepared for some personal stuff…

Some of you may know that I feel like I have a calling (burning passion in my soul) to full time ministry, and at the moment I am technically “on staff” at Avalon Church in a very part time status. And as some of you may or may not know I pray every day that I will get that magic phone call telling me that funds have been released and I can come work at the church full time doing what I love to do and leave a trail of smoke from my comfy desk here at Bennett as I run full speed straight to the church.
Some days are better than others. Some times I understand that it has nothing to do with me as an individual and a full time media guy is a luxury that Avalon cannot afford. And there are times when I don’t understand how a church like ours can’t afford not to have a full time media guy on staff when a lot of people decide to visit the church because of a mail out that I designed or decide to come back because of how “professional the graphics look”. Not to say that it’s all under my own power, I have been given a unique gift from God and he is the source of all my creativity and I give Him all the glory for it.
If I am being honest, I get jealous and envious of people that get hired at the church or moved to full time from part time before me. And the reality is that if we are truly a fluid church then we have to address the staffing needs by importance and not by who’s been in line the longest. There are a handful of other positions that the church needs to fill before they should hire a media/graphics person (e.g. – middle school pastor, small groups pastor, etc…) The problem of course is that I get excited thinking that the church is getting close to hiring me, and then for example the middle school ministry explodes and then there’s another major need there.
Another one of my great mentors (Greg Reed) once told me “nothing surprises God”. When you realize this, then you will also realize He is in total control, and He wants you to be wherever you are for a reason. It’s a hard pill to swallow, I know. But it can be very comforting too, to know that the creator of all life is in control of your situation and you're not!
I go to the church on my lunch breaks and go to staff events and retreats and live the fantasy of being one of the “staffers”. Last year when I was between jobs I worked at the church for 2 weeks re-designing all the interior signage. Those were two of the greatest weeks of my life. I have never felt more fulfilled in my work than I did those two weeks.
If Avalon never hires me full time and I stay part time for the rest of my life I will be thankful that I have a great church to call home and that they were gracious enough to allow me to use my talent for God.
Please God keep me from being jealous or envious and help me to be thankful for what I have. Amen.

Whew! I feel better. Thanks Danno.

Peace

Reel Christmas

2007-11-12T08:20:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I haven’t posted in a while. Shut it! There are only like 3 people that read this anyway.
Lately I’ve been working on the Christmas graphics and intro video for “Reel Christmas” our new series that starts in December. Ritchie is going to be using some classic Christmas movies to illustrate his points. The movies are…

• National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

• It’s a Wonderful Life

• The Grinch

• Elf

I wanted to make sure I used some clips from these movies in the intro, which was a big step for me because usually I only do simple animations of the static image that I create. So this time around I worked completely backwards and started at the end of the intro and worked towards the beginning and then created the static images from the video. I grabbed the movie trailers of off www.imdb.com and made a “video wall” and animated that bouncing around so hopefully no one will notice that it’s all the same clips just 10 seconds apart. Then I animated the title sequence using a tutorial I found on-line. And when I say I used a tutorial I mean I totally ripped it off because it was awesome just the way it was and it worked perfectly.

Paul McCartney said, “Good musicians borrow, and Great musicians steal”. Well the same applies for graphic designers!

I hope you guys like it, you’ll see the final product in a few weeks.

Peace

Offending Co-Workers is Awesome

2007-11-01T07:36:00.000-07:00

So, I offended a co-worker earlier this week regarding his religious beliefs. We were talking about how at Avalon we have Guitar Hero III in the youth room and his response was "Wow our elders would never let us have that! They freaked out when I grew a beard!" I told him I thought that was stupid and that his elders were "elderly" in their thinking because apparently beards are a sign of rebellion?! (According to his elders) At least they were in the 60's and 70's. Then I proceeded to tell him I don't think God cares about what we look like or our beards or length of our hair, he cares about the heart. And that Jesus's whole message to the Jews was that you'll never be able to follow all 8 Billion laws so just love God and your neihbor. I mean if God actually gets upset about our appearance or our clothes then Ritchie is going to hell, because there is now way God can love him when he's wearing his Hawaii shirts!
Well come to find out this guy is "Apostolic". Which is somewhere between Pentecostal and Snake-Handling. At any rate they all wear long sleeve suits every Sunday and the women wear denim skirts to their ankles and don't cut or style their hair and don't wear make-up. His reasoning is that they don't want men of their congregation to lust after the women,...this is where I offended him.
I said, yeah but unkempt chicks with long hair and denim moo-moos really turn me on!
He turned really red and said there was scripture to back him up, but he couldn't go into right now. I apologized later and said I was just joking and didn't mean to offend his beleifs.
I wrote all this to say that I am SO THANKFUL that I go to a true "come as you are" kind of church. At Avalon we focus on changing the hearts and minds of the lost not their wardrobe. I'd be willing to bet you that this guys church hasn't seen a salvation since the invention of the internal combustion engine (17th century) much less a baptism.
Thank you God for calling me to a church that is focused on reaching the lost and isn't appalled at people's appearance, no matter how awful they look in Panama Jack shirts.

Peace

MJ's Thriller, Coffins, and other Sacrilege

2007-10-26T10:26:00.000-07:00

As some of you know, I work a full time job as a graphic designer for Bennett and I also work part time for Avalon Church as a graphic designer. Typically I go over to the church on my lunch breaks (because they're right next to each other) and I see what's going on and try to enjoy my break and visit with family and friends (also known as "Guitar Hero"). But what happens is I get sucked into the vortex that is a conversation with Ritchie Miller or I get stopped by some of the staff members and they ask me to design them stuff or help them print something or fix email or what have you. I hear this a lot "Hey, I'm glad you're here...".
Last week was a little different though, I walked into Andrew's office to find Dusty and Kirk planning this past weekend's illustration. The coffin. Thankfully they were gracious enough to include me in on some of the brainstorming. I don't want to brag,...but Michael Jackson's Thriller was my idea. And man was it awesome. The delivery, the sound, the lights, everything worked perfectly! I am still amazed at some of the things we do. At Avalon Church we are constantly striving to be more and more creative and culturally relevant.
I love it.
I want to thank Andrew, Dusty and Kirk for allowing me to be a part of that creative process. I look up to all those guys and I learn from them and their creativity every day.
I love you guys.
If you missed this past weekend or haven;t been to Avalon in a while, you need to come back. I promise we'll blow your mind and your brain and your head.

Peace

Is Anyone Out There?

2007-10-26T08:15:00.000-07:00

Hello, and welcome to my blog. This is my first time, so be gentle...
Wow, the second sentence of my first post is already in the gutter. Let me go ahead an state for the record that my posts do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Avalon Church or its staff, which includes my mother, so I am sure she'll having something to say about that.
Anyway, I am going to try and post new stuff as much as I can. My posts will cover a variety of topics; sometimes it may be serious/spiritual stuff or it may be something funny/spiritual, sometimes I may post about Graphic Design or my job or the church or my family or about life in general. So, keep checking in on me and make sure you read Pastor Ritchie's blog and Dusty's blog, they're both very good. However one is better than the other I'll let you decide...

Peace