There is nothing worse than being misunderstood. You have to have such clarity when it comes time to communicate. Greyhound bus lines are dealing with this exact problem. The clear idea in the latest Greyhound campaign was to articulate that you can travel easy, without the stress of commuting, with Greyhound. Great idea, right up until the point when a man beheaded another rider on Greyhound recently. GREAT. So Greyhound has pulled the campaign.

How clearly are you communicating? What are you doing to stay on task with your message? Are you articulating EXACTLY what you planned? nothing more nothing less? Zone in on who you are talking to, what they expect to hear, how you can deliver and still give them something they did not expect, and still stay true to your message. Be creative, laser focused, and clear that your message and your audience match. Ready…GO.

Hillsong released their new album, This Is Our God, yesterday. As you know, this record includes the song that is rocking peoples worlds, HEALER. For sure go check out our ECARD and share it with your friends. Now you can get this record in your collection and in your life. Do to an issue between iTunes and Sony, you can not buy the record on iTunes this week. If you want to order a record, you can get it HERE.

If you have not seen the Healer Page, here is your chance to do so…

Last night I was watching the Teen Choice awards. As I was watching, I decided its time for a good old fashion battle. A dance battle! Its time to call somebody out! Okay, I am kidding, but it would be so much fun to have a dance battle. Jay and I VS Ben and Brad. Haha. Today is Hillsong day, so more on that later.

I am so excited about this record. It is going to be a rocking worship experience. I posted these songs a few weeks ago, however, I think between Healer and Imeem, they got pulverized. So now, with no further delay, 2 great new songs off the Parachute Band album Technicolor. Street date is 9/30/08

LIVING RAIN:

I hate long meetings. I like them less when I am leading them.

Had an idea for a sermon series. I have not heard of anyone digging into this sector yet. Online dating/matchmaking is taking over. You put in information about yourself, and then you end up being paired with someone of equal interests. This is not just for Jerry Springer fans anymore. “I met him/her on the internet” is no longer an instant divorce sentence. What if we created a series around the concept of eHarmony. Your needs, your life, your desires, your wants, your interests and how they intersect the God of all creation. Just a thought. Have a great Monday, mine has been a meeting mess already…YIKES.

Was catching up with Jay on Friday about our teams, projects, etc and we kept coming back to communication. Misunderstandings probably cause a majority of problems, not really peoples intentions. Then there is the balance of understanding different peoples languages. Some people need affirmation, others need to feel they are part of the team. Some people need to be left alone to find success. It is a funny dynamic. @ Integrity we take personality tests to find out the best ways to communicate with each other and how we are created, best work flow etc. It takes discipline to dig in to how different people work, feel, think, etc…but when you do, you can get the most out of your team, and probably learn some things about yourself. I have learned that not everyone thinks about things the same way that I do (DUH!), and that at times, my intentions and how I communicate them do not line up.

We talk all the time about expectations. We have to manage what people expect versus what we can deliver. This is done through communication. Asking hard questions, being accountable for our words, living up to what is required of us, and each other. TALK IT OUT!

I am @ the mall. There are thousands of people here, way more than a normal Saturday, all for “tax free day.” Is our economy in such a place that a 6-9% reduction in price can move this many potential customers? If this theory is true, how can we capitalize on such a small incentive to maximize our products, services, churches, etc? Do an outreach event and give away a 250-1000 gas card, record crowds will follow, if u promote it. ‘Free gas for a year’….just some thoughts.

After just 1 week live, and with only blog promotion, our Healer site has received 18 pages of prayer requests and 7 pages of praise reports. We are so encouraged that so many people are sharing their needs, victories, and helping each other. Tonight I received news of a friend who has had hospice called in due to cancer, I am heading over to post his request shortly. I wanted to share a few things from the site. (sidebar: we are praying for these requests as a marketing team on Mondays and in our staff intercession time on Fridays, so they are not just getting posted, there is prayer behind them):

PRAISE:

• Mark Powell: Healed of cancer
• Joe & Kathy: After 13 years of trying, JD was born
• Mary: Husband protected from a bombing in Iraq
• Missy: Restored Marriage 
• Beverly: Showing this to patients in hospital
• THERE ARE SO MANY MORE…I am not doing the stories justice, go check them out.

I would like to introduce you to the FAMILYFORCE5 remix of LET IT OUT by WORTH DYING FOR! (that is way to many caps but I am excited) On Friday night, WDF opened for Casting Crowns. Below you will find a picture of Mark from the crowns rocking his blindfold! Tell me what you think about the remix baby.
WORLD PREMIER: