Just watched the Innovate08 trailer from the Granger crew. Looks like it’s going to be a great conference. You can find out more info and register here.

Adobe’s After Effects is becoming the mainstream choice for many videos, especially trailer, intros and the like. I’ve used AE for about 5 years now, but I haven’t taken time to learn the “new ropes.” Does anyone have any suggestions or thoughts? Anyone currently using AE?

This video promo is probably THE best I have ever seen. Kudos to the gang @ LifeChurch.tv for putting this piece together. Enjoy!

I had an unfortunate run-in with some glass yesterday. My wife had set up some candles for communion over the weekend and I was helping her remove them from some glass containers. One candle in particular was stuck in a long 10″ glass cylinder, and when I pushed on the cylinder it completely exploded – directly into my right hand.

As a musician, my hands are an important part of my livelihood. Not that everyone’s hands aren’t important as well, but this is a major part of who I am so I was a bit concerned. After 17 stitches I hope things will heal properly and I’ll be back to normal in no time. I’d appreciate you prayers that everything goes as planned.

In the meantime, I can’t play my instrument (although I have a gig on Friday…we’ll see…), I’m out of softball for a few weeks, my typing is very sucky, and most importantly, I haven’t figured out how I’m going to wipe myself when I have to use the ole’ potty!

For your viewing pleasure, I’ve included a few pics below.

I never got around to posting our “opener” video for the “Take This Job” series. We were within a few days of launching the series and some quick creative content was rapidly in the works!

Thanks to Steve for the initial artwork design and some ideas for the video. And of course, thanks to the “star” of the opener, the infamous Wilbur Leach!

We shot about 10 minutes of footage including some quick “stop time” stuff. It took a total of about an hour to edit, render and export. A quick idea that didn’t turn out too badly. ENJOY!

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. TITUS 3:1-2 (NIV)

Our new teaching series, “Take This Job and Love It” has generated a lot of great discussion about God and the workplace. I’ve heard many of you talking about how this series has stretched you out of your comfort zone – especially dealing with many of your co-workers. While it’s been a great personal challenge for each of us, I’d like to shift the focus to a different topic.

What does it look like to honor God up, across and down? Sometimes we live in our own world, but the Bible is very clear about submitting to one another, including those in leadership above us. Listen to this passage in Hebrews 13:17, “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” God has commanded us to submit to authority.

What about leading across? Have you honored God by loving and respecting your co-workers? This is one of the challenges Jeremiah issued this past weekend. How is that going this week? Are you making progress?

Finally, God has asked us to lead down as well. This means those that you have authority over. Go back and re-read Hebrews 13:17. Are those under you leading up? If not, you may not have set a very good example. Instead of blaming them, take a look inside yourself and identify ways you can improve.

The workplace can be a fulfilling environment. If you’re facing challenges at work, let me encourage you to keep God’s word close to your heart. How are you doing leading up, across and down? Are you honoring God and others? I pray for an incredible closure to your work week as you continue to “take this job and love it!”