"Prosperity Gospel"? Really? Posted by Ryan J Ford on 8:33 AM

First, I'd like to thank both Jerrold and Charmaine for allowing me to be a contributor to this blog! Now on with why I'm here. So I saw a video this morning by a Pastor explaining why he "Abominates the Prosperity Gospel" the message that teaches God wants you rich. He goes on to say that he finds this a radical message. I looked up the word Abominate and it means, to feel disgust towards; to abhor; to loathe or detest thoroughly; to hate in the highest degree, as if with religious dread; Abominable; detested, which in itself is contradictory to the character of a so called Pastor or Christian in my opinion.

He claims that his message only teaches about how well things will go for you if you follow Christ. He says that he feels HATRED toward the "Prosperity Gospel" His basis for this argument is in 1 Timothy 6:6-10. He claims that Property Preachers are cultivating suicidal behavior he says is described in verse 10. He even says that people are cursed with riches. What is the Prosperity Gospel? The mere fact that such a term even exists would suggest to me that there is a Poverty Gospel that is also being preached.

So what do you think of the so called "Prosperity Gospel"? Are said preachers mis-leading the people of God?

Ryan Ford

twitter.com/ryanjford

Tim Tebow - Heisman Winning Man of God Posted by JD on 7:04 AM

By now everyone who follows sports, college football specifically knows the story of Tim Tebow. I initially heard about him through the hype on Sports Center and all the water cooler conversations. Without going to far into it, my thoughts were, "Yea whatever...another good quarterback." But then I caught one of his games and yea, the dude got a small rocket attached to his shoulder, good pocket presence, and can get out and run if he's got to...yea, he's pretty good." But then after the game, this is the type of post-game interview I saw...




Ok, so not only is this dude a beast on the field, but he's got some sense. Ok, maybe it's just the "Thank God for the win" speech that we hear so often from athletes all the time. But "my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..." hmmm...that was a bit over the top if it was the typic speech. So I decided to do some research and learned the story of his birth via a radio interview Here's a similar video of the story...




I've heard it said like this...his pulpit is on the field instead of in a building.





One of the things I really admire about him is that he seeks to be a role model. He knows his position, the platform he has access to and welcomes it! I tell people all the time, we need more "super hero Christians". People our young people can look up to, people who they consider "stars" and "cool". Tim Tebow is doing an awesome work for The Kingdom and I pray him all the success God has in store for him!

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JD
twitter.com/JRold
twitter.com/EverydayFlavor

Brand Refresh: WDSA (Part 1) Posted by JD on 4:58 PM

So, I noticed a fellow designer blogged about the "refresh" (redesign) on his company's logo (Holy Cow! Creative) and I thought it was a pretty cool thing. So, I'm joining the ranks of the blogging design world. I am tasked with redesigning the site of a company I'm partnering with. Thing about it, this will be my first "official" website design. (Shhhhhh...don't tell anyone!! lol) I am new to the company's team, but the first thing I saw before jumping into things feet first was a complete refresh of the brand. And let me say this, the business is doing so well to the point, a refresh hasn't even been in the plans, NO TIME! (Shout out to the homie Big Mike - much respect bro!) But with my joining the team, I'm going to make time so that we can go to the next level. The brand's web presence is very important.


The company: WheredaSAINTSat?
Interactive Agency, Macork Solutions and Lifestyle Marketing Company, Liquid Soul Media have teamed up to deliver innovative e-campaign and e-promotions solutions to reach the faith-based audience. WheredaSAINTSat? provides e-campaign packages, custom branded e-mail templates and website design and development packages for churches and ministries. With this collaboration of the strategic vision and innovation from two powerhouse firms in the creative media industry, “WheredaSAINTSat?” allows companies and organizations a direct path to reaching the faith-based community.


The first thing I noticed was the logo. It needed some work. Check it out...



And here's the refreshed logo!



Didn't want to stray to far from what the original designer created. But at the same time, I wanted to modernize the fonts and do something a little different with the placement of the words. I also thought it would be cool to add a little character (pun intended). I figure we can use "him" from time to time in different applications. (Just a sidebar: I recently upgraded my OS, so of course I had to wipe clean my HD. I called myself backing everything up...but I can't find the native file of this new logo for the life of me. Looks like I'll have to recreate it based off the jpg. Sucks!) So there, that's done...now on to the site. Here's where it's at right now:



Besides the fact that the site hasn't been updated since it was created, it's just time to...hmmm...refresh!! The clientele has stepped to another level (clients including Tyler Perry, TNT, CNN, Rainforest Productions and the list goes on...), I feel the site needs to step to another level too! I'll be back with Part 2 of this refresh project once I get something to show!


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JD
twitter.com/JRold
twitter.com/EverydayFlavor

Clarification about my Social Networking post Posted by Charmaine on 3:32 AM

Tuesday I posted a blog about my experience with social networking. I accidentally deleted it trying to fix a typo on that post - I was using my cell phone browser because I had no access to the internet for most of the day yesterday. Yes I know...I'm a rookie!!! Won't be doing that again! LOL! Well I didn't get a chance to respond to any comments, but I did get to read some of the feedback and I am kind of glad I deleted it. It seemed like my intention for posting and my message wasn't clear. I'm still trying to figure this blogging thing out so please bear with me!

If you read that post and was offended or thought I was specifically talking about you personally I apologize for that. That was not my intention to publicly call out any one person or group of people to criticize them. My intent was to post some observations I had and to find out what other people thought.

When I first created my Twitter account I had my tweets protected and checked out the people who were following me before I accepted their follow request. However most of the people (real people not organization accounts) have open accounts so you can just follow them without being approved. Because of that I have been exposed to lots of great information, websites, resources, and new music that I probably would not have heard of otherwise. That is what I like about Twitter. I've seen some regular everyday people like me who are doing some pretty darn AWESOME things for the Glory of God and it is very encouraging. I've also been able to peak into the lives of some wider-know people (pastors, artists, etc) and get a different perspective on their lives. I think that's pretty cool.

One thing I've noticed since I've been on Twitter is that I've seen a number of posts from people mentioning something about not knowing the people who follow them, or cautions about crazy people online that follow people. I can certainly understand that. I feel a little weird following people I have not met personally because they don't know me or my intentions for following them and I don't want to come off like some kind of weirdo stalker just reading their posts but not responding. So recently I unprotected my tweets so that I could interact with people who don't follow me (since they won't see my responses to their posts if they are not following me).

Based on my experience with Twitter thus far the question I posed in my last post was is it possible to be "social" on a social network like Twitter? My observation is that it is pretty darn hard to make friends with people you have not had a personal interaction with because you may not know their intention for having an account. It seems hard to tell which people really want to interact. If they have a large number of followers, they may not interact with you because they can't possibly respond to everyone that responds to something they post. Some people don't follow anyone else and only post so maybe they only want a one-way relationship and their intention is not to interact with people who respond to their posts. The point is it seems really hard to tell the difference.

So I wonder if anyone else has had this kind of experience? Or maybe you have some tips on using Twitter to build relationships? Either way I'd love to hear your perspective.

I am going to keep my tweets unprotected. My hope is that I'd get personally interact with people I meet on Twitter -I realize that I may not ever get to for some very valid reasons. But if you are one of those people wondering about the people following you and you see my name, you now hopefully have a better insight into my intentions and don't think I'm the weirdo stalker type!!!

Charmaine :o)

www.twitter.com/mrsJRold

Don't Waste Your Life - CD Posted by JD on 2:07 PM

Just came across an ad while flipping through the program book from the 2009 Legacy Conference that Maine attended a couple months ago (I could only make it to the concert). The ad was for 10:31 Sermon Jams...so I went to the site right quick and came across this video...





Ok, so that video was pretty dope right?! The speaker, by the way, was John Piper. There's a CD that that message was taken from, check it out the site, they have a bunch of stuff available!


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JD
twitter.com/JRold
twitter.com/EverydayFlavor

Ok, So What's the Deal with Halloween?! Posted by JD on 8:58 AM

In the words on my homeboy Mr. Ford...this should be good! It's something I've thought about for a while now, even had some conversations about it, but I want to take it a step further. I've gotten the biblical scholarly explanation of what Halloween is, but something must be out of wack, because I still see and hear about "Christians" participating in Halloween activities (I didn't say "celebrating" Halloween on purpose.) At any rate, I'd like to open this up for discussion, as I think think it's something that we should all be on the same page about so that we know how to conduct ourselves, and more than that, how to lead others in this area. So at the bell, let's get it crackin!! *DING*


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JD
twitter.com/JRold
twitter.com/EverydayFlavor

It's All About Perspective Posted by JD on 8:08 PM

What's going on friend! I'm glad you stopped by to check out today's flavor! When I get ideas for the blog, I normally just email them to myself...the problem is, finding the time to take them from idea to post. At any rate, let's get this one out...

About a week or so ago, I heard a Pastor on the radio deliver a message about the Kingdom, how we're to operate in it, benefits, etc. (I really wish I remember who it was so I could give credit where it's due.) Anyway, he was saying that when you're in the Kingdom, there's a grace that God has for us where we no longer have to rely on our own ideology, reasoning,etc. - we can base our decisions, thoughts, etc. on His Word...what He said about us, what He has for us, etc. He went on to say that many people view the Word of God as too strict, filled with examples of what we can't or shouldn't do. And there is some truth to that, but what he emphasized is that it's all about perspective and how we look at the scriptures where God gives us instructions.

The example he used was the 10 Commandements. We all know how they go right, if not...click the link and refresh your memory. Anyway, the first commandement ..."You shall have no other gods before Me" is normally read like a direct order from God. Like He's shaking His finger at you telling you not to have any other God's before Him. Now, the reality (lol), is that's exactly how He meant it. BUT, if you're saved, sanctified and happily conducting your life as a Kingdom citizen...we have the option of changing our perspective and seeing what He said as a promise instead of an order! What do I mean right?! Check this out, instead of reading it like He's ordering you, read it like He's telling you, reassuring you that you won't. Like, "Because you're with me now, you won't even desire to do that..." I hope you get what I'm saying, because it was freeing to me... I will not kill, I will not steal, etc...because I'm super holy?! Nope!! Because I have no desire to, my induction into His family and my constant meditation on His goodness, faithfulness and mercy - those old desires, thoughts, etc. are being taken from me. So, it's no longer an order (to me), I read those words like promises from Him to me! Yup!! But not just the 10 Commandements, it goes for anytime He's said anything for me to do/not to do. After all, at the end of the day, every parameter He's put up is for us, to keep us, not to keep things from us! It's all about perspective...

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JD
twitter.com/JRold
twitter.com/EverydayFlavor

JD's Photoshoot with Samuel Barr Photography Posted by JD on 6:27 PM

I've been working with Sam for some years now, and I've seen his passion for and skills in photography grow and continue to get better. Normally, working with clients, Sam's creative genuis can be stifled. I wanted to see him just "do him". Whatever he saw, however he wanted to handle the post-processing...he had a blank check. A couple months ago, I was privledged to get on the schedule of Chicago's own Samuel Barr. He happens to be a close friend of mine, but business is business, so I had to get down just like any other client. So for a day in downtown Chicago, I was what my wife likes to call, a "super model" lol. Here are some of the ones I think are extra hot.

(If you are interested in procuring the services of the great Sam Barr, check him out online.)

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JD
twitter.com/JRold
twitter.com/EverydayFlavor

Simply Favre-lous Posted by JD on 9:34 PM

So I just got done watching my beloved Packers lose on Monday Night Football... :( I had been looking forward to this game since they announced Brett was going to be a Viking (still can't understand how a man who spends that many season in the green and gold can don a Vikings jersey, but I digress). The first half was all that it was hyped up to be...but no Peterson. I had to add that, because all the commentators talked all week on how the Pack wouldn't have an answer for him, but at the end of the game, my dude (who I KNOW is a beast, only ran for 55 yards on 25 carries. THAT'S not good. Brett was old school Brett, gun-slingin' and scoring touchdowns! Aaron Rogers actually played pretty good, despite the fact that dude got sacked EIGHT times!! *sidebar* I mean, what do they really expect this cat to do back there if he isn't given any time to do it?! Eight sacks? EIGHT SACKS?! The one dude, Jared Allen, had 4 1/2 by himself!! I mean, can we get a double team on this dude, a substitution...something?! Crazy thing is, even with all the pressure on Rogers, the dude had a career game (as far as yardage)...26 for 37 for 384 yards with 2 touchdowns. What that tells me, is with some sort of protection up front, they could actually do something. We got a good secondary, good DB's, a good front line on D...some good receivers, Grant does his thing...it's just that dang offensive line man!!

Brett did his thing though...can't front on that. Threw for three touchdown passes and 271 yards, leading his team to the W (...with no Peterson). He looked calm doing it, and in classic Brett fashion...like he was having a ball doing it. Yes, him playin for the Vikes is like high treason, but you can't watch a cat like that play for as long as he wore the green and gold and not still be a fan. He's the truth, period. At the end of the day, that was a very rough game to watch as a Packer fan. They decided to make a game of it with like 5 minutes left in the game, but too little too late. At 2-2, I'm not sure how this one's gonna end up. I stay true though...that's never a question, but c'mon Pack...give us something to cheer for!!

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JD
twitter.com/EverydayFlavor

Dope Songs/Videos!! Posted by JD on 7:28 AM

I'm a music head, there's no question there! My choice of music has changed drastically over the years...yes, I still keep my ears to the street, but I don't purchase/meditate on certain music like I used to. I come across some joints that can't be categorized...dope is dope! Same thing for videos, when I come across something that has to be shared, I'm going to put them here. So check back...you never know what you might be missing out on!

DJ Morph ft. Frontlynaz "Can't Break Us" Official Music Video from Frontlynaz Inc. on Vimeo.

Sean Slaughter ft. J.R. - FLESH KILLA (Official Music Video) from Daniel Ostrem on Vimeo.

LECRAE:: GO HARD from Adamson.TV on Vimeo.

Steve "Stone" Huff Love Me Like That Video from The Fog Films on Vimeo.