My friend Matt McKee just announced something incredible. It’s called 1000 apps for Christmas. His company, ROAR, is offering 1000 free apps in the next 30 days. That means if you want an app for your ministry, they’ll build it for you for free. All you’ll pay for is the hosting. This is an incredible deal. I’ve seen places where you can get apps for cheap, but in most cases, you get what you pay for. ROAR is different. They build quality apps that are fast, stable and current technology. So, if you’ve been thinking about getting an app for that ministry or program… now’s the time!

Go Get your App Right Now!

[instagram]What I’m Loving:

• The filters offered immediately make my images look awesome.  I can take a picture of my breakfast, and instantly make it look cooler with Instagram.  The big question, is why would I want a picture of my breakfast to look cool?  Good question.  Oh, are you looking for an answer.  Sorry, I got nothing.
• It’s on or off the social media grid.  I can share a picture with Twitter or Facebook or I can NOT.  Sometimes things make it onto Instagram, that I would never put on Twitter.  I’m cool like that.
• There are so many cool pics out there to see.  Instagram runs a special Popular section with some of the coolest things you can find out there.  Really, really cool stuff like this, and this.

Right now on the bottom right corner of my website, you can follow along with my Instagram Feed.  Take the time to download the iPhone App today (It’s FREE!), and check out the Instagram WordPress Plug-in I’m using.

And what’s your Instagram name?  I’d love to follow you on Instagram too!

Today, I’m a part of something super special that CM Connect is doing for the greater Kidmin Community, and I’d like to invite you to be a part.  Take some time during this busy, Easter season to learn, laugh, and live with those committed to helping you.

Join us at http://Radio.CMConnect.org on April 19, 2011 from 1 to 4 PM EDT (GMT +5).

Michael Chanley, founder of CMConnect, will host the following guests:

• Craig Johnson of Lakewood Church
• Steve Adams of Saddleback Church
• Mike Johnson of Fellowship Church
• Gina McClain of Faith Promise Church
• Greg Baird of Kidmin360
• Lori Bethran of Lakeview Church
• Jonathan Cliff of Trinity Church
• Bo Harrington of Hope Church
• Sam Luce of … dude, it don’t matter… it’s Sam Luce!
• and there is more to come…

This unique conference experience will allow you to listen, learn, and interact. You can join us in the chat room, participate in the forums, and call in to ask questions on the air.

We hope this event is a blessing to you and your Children’s and Family Ministry team… please join us by inviting others.

What I’m saying is that you will NOT want to miss this Podcast Radio Gold.  Listen right now, and watch how much better your day starts to get.  I guarantee that your day will start improving almost immediately after listening to this.  Not because it couldn’t get much worse than this radio show, but because it’s full of feel-good fairy glitter that will make things better.  I’m now going to stop talking. There is a strange delay right at the beginning.  The Internet Hates Funny Man Dan.

(via someecards)

What are the tools exactly:

• 13″ Macbook Pro. 2.66 GHz Intel Core2 Duo, 4 GB Memory, 3
20 GB Hard Drive
• InCase Hardshell Case for a 13″ Macbook Pro. -> Love this case, and cannot more highly recommend an easy way to keep your Macbook safe while walking across the living room.
• iPhone 3GS 32GB -> It’s crazy to me that people think I have the “Old” iPhone. It’s still a great phone!
• The Original SwissGear Computer Backpack -> Got this on a 60% off all SwissGear sale at Amazon.com, and love, love, love this backpack.

Online Backpack:

• Google, Google, Google. -> I live with gmail, google docs, google reader, google calendar, google voice and google maps almost every day of my life.
• WordPress -> I’ve tried Blogo, and Marsedit as an offline blog editor, but I always end up back at my WordPress Dashboard for all my blog editing and creating.
• YouVersion -> I use this for all my online bible study, and any bible links I use at jonathancliff.com
• Vimeo -> I use it to host videos for everything I do videos for.

Macbook Backpack:

• Tweetdeck -> It’s still my preferred way to sort, manage, and contribute to Twitter. I don’t love it, but always come back to it.
• Chrome -> I made the move to Chrome as my browser of choice this past year, and love it’s speed and agility online. If you’ve not used it before, or aren’t using it currently you are only missing out on the best, fastest, plug-in rich browser known to man.
• Woopra -> I use the Desktop Application of this blog site statictics program, and refer to it daily for a free, real-time statistical update on everything related to the three blogs I manage online.
• Syncplicity -> I use this desktop app to keep my files folder backed up online at syncplicity.com and it automatically syncs to my Google Docs account. It’s an awesome tool!
• DavMail -> Something I use because a I have to. At the church we are still using Exchange 2003 for all our mail and calendaring. DavMail allows me to use iCal for calendaring, and Postbox for all my church related mail. The moment my church upgrades their mail and calendar setups this program is toast!
• Postbox Express -> I’ve transitioned to this program for all work-related emails. It’s so much easier to use than Apple Mail, and integrates nicely with iCal.
• Evernote, Wunderlist, and Things -> I’m trying to pick one to go with…but can’t yet endorse one over the other.

iPhone Backpack:

• Instagram -> This is one of my favorite apps at the moment. So many fun things to do to pictures, and it’s like a totally new online community of photos.
• Facebook -> Because I want to be cool with people like you.
• Twitter -> I’m an original Tweetie app fan, and now love it’s newest incarnation.
• Pandora -> I’ve almost forsaken all my purchased music for Pandora instead. Almost….
• Google Voice -> I don’t know how all you iPhone users live without voicemail transcription. You need Google Voice!
• Rowmote -> Totally worth the price to have control over my Macbook when I connect it to the Television.
• Alarm Clock Pro-> I use the iHandy version, and use it to wake up to everyday.

So that’s me. But what am I missing?

Anything that helps your digital life run seamlessly, that I’m missing out on?

Ian asks a final, important question.

What’s in the Bible? is the new 13-DVD series from VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer designed to walk kids and families through the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. DVDs 1-4 (Genesis – Ruth) are available now. Check out www.whatsinthebible.com to learn more.

I know, I know…But Jonathan.  You don’t like puppets!  Why are you linking to this?  First of all, I’ve clearly written in the past that I’m only against BAD puppets.  The What’s in the Bible? series is genius.  It’s funny, educational, and funny.  My kids have been fans of Jelly Telly in the past, and now they love the WITB DVD’s just as much.

WE have some winners!

Visit http://www.jonathancliff.com/2010/12/whats-in-the-bible-contest-winners/ to find out who won what, and see if you were one of the lucky winners!

We’ve had it in the house for a few days, and it’s a big hit.  My boys at age 7 and 8 are the perfect age for the Cue box, and are loving it.  I’ve been trying to think of a creative way to let my parents at the church see what the Cue Box is, and how they can get it.  I thought of doing a video review, or maybe a long 500 word review of what I like and what I don’t like.  Instead I created this…

Thanks to Dan Scott for the video idea.

We have our winners!  // http://www.jonathancliff.com/2010/11/cue-box-winners/

I will say that I’m an non-traditional user of Google Reader and do not, except in rare occurences; actually read my feeds within Google Reader.  I love to view websites in their original environments.  Google Reader lets you do this with the “Next” button.

As Google explains in the original post announcing the feature, “The ‘Next’ bookmarklet allows you to use Google Reader through just one link — clicking on it takes your browser to the next unread item in your reading list (marking it as read in the process). I like to use it to go through my photoblog folder. It’s also useful for subscriptions that only include snippets, or when I want to read an article in context.”  If you’d like to grab yours, just go to “settings” and then “goodies” inReader. It’s the best of both worlds: RSS in context!

And of course you should follow me in your own Google Reader account.  You can even receive updates from this blog in your email account if you don’t want to follow along in Google Reader.

On her much less written upon blog I now present here my favorite posts:

1. Sinking // I love, love, love, love this post.  I have asked her to submit it to something like a magazine for months now!
2. Falling in Love // In this post, Starr shares how being married to me is like climbing a really treacherous mountain. :)
3. India: Family Night // This is a great recap of one of our favorite family nights.
4. Widen the Circle // Yes.  Even my wife thinks orange.
5. Should Mom’s Quit Volunteering? // This is a thoughtful post, that solicited some great conversations in the comments.

Besides the obvious (I’m bragging about how far I’ve run), the updates have become a way for me to track how much I’m running and where I’m running and compare it with others in my area.  The link on the Twitter and Facebook updates will take to the greatness of RunKeeper.  Check this out.  Here is how it works.

I installed the RunKeeper app on my iPhone.  There is a free version, but after using the Free Version for a few days I upgraded to the $9.99 paid version.  The only difference is that the Pro Version allows you to set your own training schedule.  I’ll get to that…

With the free version you turn on the app, select what iPod playlist you want to listen to, tell it how often you want verbal updates (every mile? every kilometer? every minute?, etc…), press the start button and run.  The RunKeeper app takes advantage of the GPS location tracker to track where you are running, thereby telling you how long you’ve been running.  Genius!  And yes, you can set your type of activity to cycling or other outdoor activities.  You can even do things like swimming and treadmill walking; but of course you have to enter the data into your RunKeeper account after the workout.

Here is where it gets good.  The paid version of the RunKeeper app allowed me to setup training specific to what I’m doing.  I was running the Couch to 5K program that you see so often online, and found a variation of this program from RunningMateMedia.com that I liked.  However, when I downloaded the podcast from Running Mate with built in verbal cues telling me when to run and when to walk it was also full of cues telling me what shoes to buy and what websites to visit.  Who wants to listen to ads while running?  Here is where RunKeeper proved worth the money.  RunKeeper allows me to setup exactly what cues I want, and then it interrupts my playlist at the appropriate times to tell me when to run and when to walk, and it even tells me my mileage, time, and pace.

Here is what I am using:

• iPhone 3GS
• Apple stock white earphones // I’d love a new running set.  Gifts can be my love language…
• RunKeeper Pro Application
• eForce City Sport Armband Case Cover for iPHone 3G // Yes, it is only 0.18 cents on Amazon.  It’s cheap, but sturdy and works for what I need it for.
• Nike Initiator Running Shoes // But I have my eyes on a pair of New Balance shoes…

You can check out all my stored runs with RunKeeper HERE and follow along by visiting my Facebook and Twitter feeds.  And this October 2nd I’ll be running in the 2010 Komen Lubbock Race for the Cure with a group of friends.  It’s only a 5K, so it shouldn’t kill me!  If you’re in Lubbock you should join us!

Since that time Matt has transitioned into a very different role, yet still maintains a great understanding of all things Children’s Ministry.  If you follow his blog or twitter feed, you might be tempted to just label him a technology nerd, or maybe a marketing sign snob…but he’s so much more than that.  He’s one of the few people that I can talk to about doing Children’s Ministry, and he keeps that part of his expertise hidden way down there under all the geekery.  Don’t believe me?  I dare you to just fire off an email to him about anything Children’s Ministry related and he’ll quickly become a great resource for you too!

When did I meet Matt?  I met Matt for the first time at The Orange Conference in 2009.  Believe it or not he was one of the guys I shared a hotel room with at that conference.  Yes, I did share a hotel room with complete strangers that I met online at the Orange Conference.  Strange, but true…  I’ll never forget awaking one morning and Sam Luce, Kenny Conley, and I being shocked that he was going to actually walk out of that hotel room with white pants and orange combat boots on.  And believe you me…that brother can work the white pants and orange boots.  I’ve met up with him again at the Orange Conference this year, and many, many, many times I’ve video chatted with him from his office.

Today Matt McKee is one of the very few friends that just calls me to see what’s going on in my life.  And by the way…that’s a good way to judge a friend.  Do they ever call to just call?  I’d be a bad friend if I didn’t tell you to check out www.r04r.com and see what Matt is up to right now.  His company can create some super great iPhone and Android apps for your church.  Take the time to see what R04R can do for your church.  And take the time to visit the often neglected, but rarely NOT read blog that Matt runs over at www.mattmckee.me.

I did finally meet Kenny at the Orange Conference in 2009, and 2010.  I’ve also had Kenny and his family over for an evening in Lubbock once when they drove through town on their way to Colorado.  This summer my family returned the favor (albiet staying for much longer) and we all had a blast.  Ask him to tell you about the time he almost killed me and my oldest son on the San Marcos river in late July 2010!  My kids knew him much before they actually met him; because when we had some family medical issues a few years ago, Kenny and his wife Sara paid to have some pizza delivered to our house.  Such a special thing for my family at the time, and much appreciated!

Kenny is somebody worth following, and he can be followed at www.childrensministryonline.com.  He’s worked in small churches, and big churches; baptist churches, and pentecostal churches; and he’s been through some pretty great ministry highs, and some pretty sorry ministry lows.  For being only in his early 30′s, it’s amazing what Kenny has seen and been through as it relates to Children’s Ministry and now Family Ministry.  In Austin he’s transitioned to a more family ministry leadership role, taking the coolest job title in the word; “Next Generations Pastor” at Gateway Church.  While he no longer teaches kids with weekend regularity, or recruits 3 year old teachers with reckless abandon; he’s still committed to leading others into leading churches to intentionally equip children.

He’ll try anything, and has a closed mind about very few things in ministry.  He’s easy to get time with, and I promise if you email him…he will eventually return your email.  And when he does, I can guarantee you it will be sent between the hours of midnight at 2:00 a.m.

What’s different?

• Families can check-in using a RFID key tag.  Each family is being given two key tags that they will then be able to use anytime they visit Kidsplace.  Previously we used name tags with magnetic stripes that kids “swiped” on a reader.
• After check-in for each child, there will be a name badge printed for them next to the kiosks.  Previously we used hard plastic name tags that had to be returned each week to be used again the next week.  Can you say time-intensive?
• All visitors are entered into our ARENA database program when they visit.  Using Family Registration, every visitor will be entered in, and subsequently checked-in to their appropriate location.  Previously we kept a running spreadsheet and didn’t enter a child until they had attended 3 times or more, and then we would create a permanent name tag for them.
• Visitors will be able to check-in using their phone number on there very next visit to church.  No more visitor line for them!  Previously, they continued to visit this visitor line until they had attended for a few weeks and were moved to a permanent name tag.  I’m so excited to be able to give our first-timers a real special experience!

I’m real excited, and mildly concerned about how easy this will all pull off this weekend.  I can tell you that I’m gonna love the RFID name tags, as we no longer have to deal with barcodes or magnetic stripes at check-in!  Here is a short video that was distributed to parents this week to prepare them for the transition.  Now…fire away with those questions in the comment area!

But I’ve also met Keith.  For months and months we would exchange emails about various things happening in and around our lives.  Once I emailed him and asked if he would give me a run-down of all the U2 songs that a newbie to U2 like myself should listen too.  See, if you’ve read BON you would know that Keith rarely listens to other music and is the quintessential U2 snob.  (That’s not an insult!)  As I awaited his return email with a list of songs I should buy on iTunes, I instead received a package in the mail.  This Internet stranger had sent me a mix-tape of his favorite U2 songs, along with the reasons for him including each song on the mix-tape.  Seriously, he did this!

I’ve read and exchanged emails while he nursed his sick mother, who would eventually pass away.  I’ve followed along from a distance as he visited her native land in Vietnam along with his wife.  And recently I’ve watched him learn to be a father for the first time!  Keith is a seeker of truth, and I love his spirit and perseverance to find answers to his questions on spirituality.  We would all benefit from his curiosity.

So when have we actually met?  A few months after he sent me the U2 mix-tape, I had an extra ticket to a Dallas Stars game; so I invited him and we got to hang out for the evening.  I think we may have had lunch before I left the Dallas area and headed to Lubbock, I think we did; but I’m not sure.  But last September on a Sunday afternoon I got a call from Keith.  He had purchased two tickets to the U2 show in Arlington for a Monday night, and through a series of unfortunate events (and more close friends being unable to attend) he asked if I was interested.  So in a matter of 24 hours I was back in Dallas, camping out in his spare bedroom and standing right next to the stage for the U2 concert at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX.  What a thrill!  I count this as one of the more spiritual experiences of my life!

Keith is a long-distance friend, and is one of the many reasons that I love the Internet.  If you’ve not taken the time to shoot of an email to that blog author that you read, then do it.  It’s always worth is to make a new friend, even if it’s an Internet friend!