What it Takes to Broadcast Live

This is the gold standard, obviously. The NFL on broadcast TV is the best of the best. But after designing and installing two new web broadcast systems this year, this makes me happy. What we did was so far from this, but so much of the “live” aspect is the same.

Best line: “Ultimately when it comes down to it everything that we’re trying to do is all about telling a story and giving the producers and directors the tools that they need to tell that story. We want to give the viewer the best experience graphically, visually, orally, audio, everything is all for the viewer.”

Now if I could just get my volunteer team members to think like this….

How Far, How Far

Just a few hours left of 2009 here in New York City.  We’re going to celebrate with friends in Queens.  I was thinking today as I drove back from the church in Syosset how many things changed and happened this past year.

When the year began we had only moved to the city a couple months earlier.  Neither Olivia nor I had a job yet and our savings were pretty much gone.  I had interviewed at on church, but it didn’t work out — all we could say was, “Lord, do what You will.”

Olivia got a job at a doctor’s office almost right away.  I interviewed with another church (that one wasn’t it either!) and got ready to do some temp office work.  In the meantime I walked pretty much all the neighborhoods in New York just praying and trying to hear what He was saying for us.  (This was one of the most wonderful seasons yet in my walk with the Lord:)  I finally got a temp job at an office and then another at the NFL.

Olivia found a new opera coach that turned out to be a great help to her as she gets ready to go to the next level in her career.

I went back and forth as to what the Lord wanted from me…did He want me leading worship in a church?…did He want me to go back into songwriting?…did He want me to pursue business at the NFL and lead worship part-time?

Towards the end of 2009 the Lord revealed what He had here for me.  I was called as the worship pastor of Shelter Rock Church on Long Island.  I started a couple weeks ago and He’s already doing wonderful things.

So, here comes 2010.  I’m beginning to see that I need to stop making all these elaborate plans and just follow Jesus. The Spirit will order my steps.  He will lead me on a an adventure that I could never come up with on my own.

Lord, I give You 2010.  It is Yours, I am Yours.  I rejoice in Your presence and Your ways.

(Check out the archives for more details on all our happenings!)

Little Bit of Life

I hope everybody’s ready for a great weekend…I am!  This has been a long week…

Just wanted to update everybody on what’s going on these days and ask you for your prayers.

If you follow our journey, you know that I have been seeking a new position as a worship leader at a church.  While I’ve been waiting on the Lord, I’ve had a temp job at the NFL.  It’s been such a blessing and a lot of fun, but it’s coming to an end sometime in November, so I’ve been asking the Lord what’s next.

I’ve interviewed with a church in Long Island and am going to lead worship at one of their campuses this Sunday.  In addition to the possibility of the position, I’m also just excited about leading worship in a corporate setting…it’s been awhile.

There are a couple of other possibilities if it’s not the right place, but I would appreciate your prayers!

Olivia and I are also trying to decide whether to move closer to Midtown.  It’s a long commute to her current job (in which she was just promoted!!) and, if I get the LI position, I would need to be closer to Penn Station for the train.

This obviously involves moving (which is always a big deal) and paying more in rent.  So we’re just laying it all before the Lord.

He knows what we need long before we need it.  He knew about these situations before the foundation of the world.

So, thanks for reading (and listening:) and thank you for praying.

Count Those Beans

ESPN Limits Social Networking

The media is all abuzz the past couple of days over new “Social Media Policies” that some entities are issuing.  Mainly it has to do with some NFL teams and now ESPN (see link) saying that their players / employees cannot tweet (or Facebook for that matter) as freely as they would probably like.

In the case of the NFL teams, it’s more a matter of not wanting the teams / coaches tweeting from the sidelines and possibly revealing secrets.  Slightly understandable.  But the ESPN order is a classic corporate land grab.  In their minds they own their broadcast personalities and any opinion or word they have on sports.

Both entities in this case should make the lawyers and bean counters sit down and just listen (or get a Twitter account, for that matter).  Celebrities / personalities that tweet are drawing fans and the curious in droves.  This is not only interesting for the fans, it connects them with the personalities and encourages them to be a part of their activities and endeavors (i.e. fans are more likely to buy things like tickets, merchandise, subscriptions, etc.).

So, if ESPN and the teams would cool it they might find that the players and personalities that are “utilizing social networks” will bring them more revenue.  And they don’t even have to pay them more!  That’s a heck-of-a deal –- count those beans :).

Who’s your favorite celebrity / personality that you follow on Twitter?

Update

It’s been forever…I know!!  Lots going on here in NYC.  Just following the Lord and doing a lot of waiting and listening.  I’ve been reminded lately of a great word from “My Utmost for His Highest” where Oswald Chambers talks about the “glorious uncertainty” of being in the Lord.  I am not certain of what today will bring, but I am certain of Him.  I am still searching for that place He has for me to lead worship, but I’m more content everyday just doing what He has set before me and waiting for Him to move how He wills and surprise me.  I did get a great new long term temp job at the NFL in their charities department.  It’s cool to come through the doors and see the original Vince Lombardi trophy in the the reception area.   I’m thankful God has given me something to do while I’m waiting :).

Been writing a ton and just enjoying the city.  I’m excited to see what’s coming up in this “glorious uncertainty.”