November 21, 2007

travisjohnson.net has new diggs *Update your links

I'm leaving my Typepad diggs behind for the "land of the free!" 

Wordpress is my new home because I really like free. I also like the feel a tad bit more. I regret leaving behind the incoming links. But, there is more to life than your Technorati authority. So, make sure you update to the travisjohnson.net address or to travjohnson.wordpress.com.  Also, update your feeds.  It may be the same if you've already subscribed...depending on how you did it.  And, if you're not a subscriber, click here.

Anyway, go here or here and make your mark.  Grab a coffee.  Say hello.

June 10, 2007

New Bloggers

Check out these guys.  Some are new.  Some are new to me.  All of these guys are half-way decent and new additions to my blog roll.

Jesse Santoyo - a lifetime Chicago goodfella and Rock and Roller turned Life Pointe Church worship and arts pastors.  He also sports the coolest hats I've ever seen.

Dave Anderson - the Movie Pastor in Decatur, AL, leader of Cross Point Church.  They are two weeks into a HUGE transition.  They moved out of their building and into Regal Cinemas!  Sound familiar?!?! 

Benny Salas - a Chicago-guy (Humboldt Park) turned Miami Church planter (Freedom Culture...a really great name).  I moved to ?Humboldt Park and started a church and then came back home.  Now, he's moved from Humboldt Park to plant Freedom Culture in my town...welcome to Miami, Benny.

Paul Hollifield - bald, flavor-saver wearin' ministry consultant.  I've known Paul for quite some time...got good feelings about this guy.

Mathias Grehn - Miami church planter of Vision Church (same in English and Spanish...witty).  He's also a neighbor.  He lives here in Homestead so you know he has some sense about himself.

May 19, 2007

Tagged: a word about our volunteers

Jason Curlee tagged me to say something awesome about our volunteers.  I've only responded a couple time to these traffic building, social networking ventures.  But, sharing appreciation for some really selfless people is a great idea.  Plus, I think you might like Jason's blog.

Simply put, our volunteers have varying levels of buy in to the mission.  Some have high commitment.  Some are exploring Christ and working that out through volunteerism.  But, I believe all of them serve because they want to give back to people around them and to a God whom they know or are actively seeking.  The way, you live speaks loudly to your world that God is at work in you.  Thank you.

So, Joe Case, Carlos Whittaker, Rick Womack, Ray Hughes, and Mike Macon, you've been tagged to pass on the love.  I am adding an honorary 6th, Chris Elrod since he is sending my man child a man bag.  Don't worry, my little girl needs a bag to store and transport her Polly Pockets.  It won't go to waste.

May 14, 2007

Around the Blogosphere in 30 seconds

Fingerboard
I love my blog.  Through it, I've made some amazing friendships.  I get a chance to talk WITH the crew at Life Pointe between Sundays.   Even the most mundame comments (many of which are found in the whole "man bag" and the "toilet lid" controversies) are an expression of community, which I highly value.

Anyway, let me clue you in on the recent conversations/activities involving me this week around the blogosphere:

  • Tony McCollum, Jeremy Farmer, Ray Hughes, and Joe Case recently added me to their blog rolls.  That means on some level they want others to enjoy my blog.  I think that's cool and I say thank you for sending people in your circle of influence to the Travis Johnson blog castle.
  • Tony Wheeler and Gary Lamb had some comments about post 1 and post 2 on "Leaving a Legacy" (my entries about my grandpa also known as the Silver Fox).
  • Brad Martin referenced this post and admitted that in addition to the other man bag carrying girly men, he too carries a computer purse.
  • The Jobless Minister (who happens to have a cool graphic of what appears to be a lego assistant pastor being knocked down by a Bible weilding senior pastor) referenced my Atheist versus Christians post and shared some great thoughts on the whole Kirk Cameron video debate.
  • Then, in the big shocker of the week for me, Jason Salamun says, "Have you ever been on a hot streak when playing basketball? When every shot would go in. Travis is on a hot streak the last several months with his blog. Travis is a smart guy with a great personality and it shows in his blog. I’m not just saying that because he gave me a Life Pointe Church coffee mug either."  I have to say, Jason...your observations are spot on.  Obviously, you are going places in life!

May 11, 2007

The Man Bag Controversy Continues

I've tried to drop this controversy because these man bag carrying pastors are my friends.  I don't want to heap condemnation on them.  But, at some point, you have to draw a line in the sand and say enough is enough.  Popeye says, "I've had alls I can stand and I can't stands no more."  Chris, Tony, Tadd, and Gary, the spinach can is in my hand.  Apparently, Rev Scottie and Dave agree with my perspective as well.

In justifying the stylish, over the shoulder accessories, Tony shares Scripture showing that Jesus told the disciples to "carry a money bag and a traveling bag."  Tony, the disciples wore dresses too!  What's next for you guys, "The Fabulous Four"?  A fanny pack and penny loafers?

Chris, that's cool that you guys get to wear a bag called the "Hip Hopster" or some such thing and be considered, dope, fly, funky, or fresh by confused 9th graders.  But, here the kids carry transparent backpacks to make sure no guns are sneaking into the schools.  I think here you might get roughed up wearing your pin stripe shorts, a polo with a flipped up collar, and your stylish purse.  At least you can soak in Bath and Body Works bath salts after you are beaten by "the gooch."

Regardless, I will say that you guys are pretty decent guys.  If you want to carry your purses, I can handle it.  I'm mature in my faith.  I will chalk this up to a stumbling block issue and continue to carry my drab black computer "brief case."  Who cares if it digs into my shoulder?  Are those purses you guys carry that much more comfortable?  Let me know via email.  We'll keep that discussion off the blog.

May 03, 2007

Man Bags?!?!

What???? First, Chris.  Now, Gary!  Have we no more testosterone?!?!

For what its worth, Chris thinks he returned fire for my post about his purse because I picked up a couple back rubbers for free at the conference.  But, they were free surprises for my two girls and I needed a positive way to channel their energy.  It might as well be by working out the knots in my back!

May 01, 2007

3 Cool Things about Troy Gramling

Cool thing #1: He slipped down the stairs at Flamingo Road Church while he was preaching and then posted a video of it on his blog.

Cool thing #2: The Miami Herald did a great article on their virtual confessional at www.ivescrewedup.com.

Cool thing #3: I just saw that the old boy linked to world renowned blogger, Travis Johnson.  It might be total coincidence but, it appears that I rank in at #2 which is lower than Stephanie Gramling, yet still ahead of Tim Stevens, Perry Noble, Tony Morgan, and the Miami Heat.

April 30, 2007

Blog additions: links and tools

Hey. Its Monday am.  My phone is off and I'm kicking around on the couch.  We're getting ready for a little family outing.  So, I figured I'd do some spring cleaning on my blog, sweep some stuff away and make some additions before we head out.  Really quick, I:

Also, another reminder...have my content delivered to your Google Reader, newsgator, or other RSS subscription service by subscribing to travisjohnson.net by clicking here.  Peace!

April 29, 2007

Drew Goodmanson on Internet Evangelism

I was in Drew Goodmanson and Brad Abare's session at Exponential.  Some of this material was presented then.  Check out the powerpoint/pdf that went with the full session on internet evangelism.  (source: drew goodmanson)

April 28, 2007

New blogger to add to your list

Ryan Hartstock is a creative guy at 4Corners Church in Cincinnati, OH.  He does some of the most creative church stuff you can find (see his flickr).  He's a blogger.  I didn't know that.  But, I do now.  As you can see he is now firmly installed on my blogroll.  I just wonder when Ben will blog...or does he?

April 24, 2007

Wayne Corderro and Chickified Pastor/Blogger

100_7723 100_7722
Picture 1 - large gathering of new church pastors.  Wayne Cordero speaking in the first session about returning to the basics of faith in Jesus, eating and giving away fresh bread/fresh experience with the Scriptures. 

Picture 2 - Chris Elrod Fox News expert on "Man Church" wearing a "Man Bag," "purse," or some other similarly termed chick-like accessory.

April 21, 2007

My Favorite Posts

Blog traffic has remained up over the last few weeks...averaging around 200 unique guests and 460 page views per day.  That's pretty decent for my blog.  For those of you that are just joining me, I thought I'd share some of my favorite blog entries (see below).  Also, if you want to stay up-to-date on everything here, subscribe to the blog so you don't have to randomly check back.

A Conversation About the Church
Playing It Safe Sucks
Why Do We Meet in a Theater?
Prayers for Dave Crowley
The Jesus Consumers
Some Pics of Life Pointe
The Simplicity of Community
The Priority of Culture
On Hospitality
On Continuationism
Lamenting the Loss of Masculinity
In Pursuit of a Missional Denomination
Disappointed in Seattle
Church Marketing
Blogging the COG General Assembly
A Call to the New Hudson Taylors

April 18, 2007

Comment Contest: More Swag for the Winner

I'm 109 posts away from 1,000 posts.  I've got some more swag for the 1,000th commenter.  How does our newest T-shirt and the Knights and Maidens CD set Saturn Project cd sound?! (no feelings are hurt, Ela).

April 16, 2007

top visiting cities to travisjohnson.net

  1. Miami, FL
  2. Conroe, TX
  3. Atlanta, GA
  4. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  5. Hollywood, FL
  6. Indianapolis, IN
  7. Los Angeles, CA
  8. Charlotte, NC
  9. Cleveland, TN
  10. Tampa, FL

This doesn't calculate subscribers, only the viewers that type in www.travisjohnson.net.   I subscribe to blogs using google reader.  Whenever a new blog entry is made, I'm notified.  That saves me from having to check when nothing is being added.  You can subscribe to my blog by clicking here.

April 13, 2007

Some of My favorite blogs

Ben Arment - I've really enjoyed watching the relaunch of his church in Reston, VA.  From a distance, I've been very encouraged as a pastor by reading his stuff. 

Derek Brown - Derek is pretty insightful, straight-forward.  I love the feel of his Harmony logo.  The new black blog background with read titles is a little hard to read.  No worries though.  I hit him through google reader.

Mark Driscoll - I can't listen to or read enough of his stuff.  I just wish he would blog more. 

Michael Lukaszewski
- He's his own guy.  The information he posted about how they started their church would be as helpful and practical as just about anything out there.

Church Hopping Blog - a Cincinnati blog about church visits.  A critique is given from the perspective of two people who are not church pros...though it would seem like they are getting there after so many visits.  I've actually pushed a bit of traffic over to them earlier on in their life cycle.  They should start linking to pastor's blogs so that they can encourage blog hopping as well. (hint)

Rich Tatum - Pneuma Blog champion.  Rich is an AG blogger.  His content is excellent.  I think I'd probably want to hang out with him if I still lived in Chicago.

Acts 29 Blog
- Church Planting Network Blog.  Mega respect for those guys.

John Smulo - Good guy.  Great Mind.  Excellent at networking with other people.

Who are some of the guys you enjoy reading?  Who do you think I should read that's not on this list?

April 11, 2007

Do It Yourself Barber Fade

Google "Do It Yourself Barber Fade."  You'll find, I'm the number 1 result.  Weird.  However, the traffic gets here, I'm glad for it.  I hope you got a good fade.

March 24, 2007

Blogs I Follow

Granted, I don't read every stitch of each word written.  But, I do track what these guys are saying in Google Reader.  I do have others in my reader.  But, these are my staples.  If you know of a blog that you think I'd enjoy, drop a note in my comments.

March 20, 2007

I Hate Technorati Too!

I hate technorati and I'm not going to read it anymore...not really.  But, when Steven Furtick, pastor of Elevation Church in Charlotte said this, he got ranked number 2 on Technorati's Top 10 most searched list.  I'd settle for #9.  Keep up the good work, Elevation.

tags - steven furtick - technorati - elevation church - top 10
related - steven furtick is a popular guy - steven furtick, pastor and ex-technorati user - steven furtick says no mo' technorati

March 18, 2007

700th Commenter Gets Some Swag

I need 96 more comments to hit #700 here on my Typepad blog.  I thought I'd recruit your good will by asking you to spam this topic with witty comments.  The 700th commenter will get the new life pointe coffee mug free and your pick of our latest message series on CD.  I'll now close my eyes and hope that more than two people respond to this Swag offer.

March 03, 2007

New Look

TravisJohnson.net has a new look.  A little cleaner and not so dark.  I also added a few more of my favorite articles to my "Articles of Note" section on the right.

February 28, 2007

ChurchPlanters.com Conference Bloggers

Here is the list of the bloggers at the roundtable.  Have at it.

www.shawnlovejoy.com
www.garylamb.org
www.jayganble.com
www.travisjohnson.net
www.genejennings.com
www.chriselrod.com
www.rogerblackmore.com
www.jonathaneverette.blogspot.com
www.brekonelmwood.com
www.jasonaldridge.blogspot.com/
www.greenhillscc.blogspot.com
www.fatguyinalittlecoat.blogspot.com
www.douggregg.blogspot.com
www.moviepastor.typepad.com
www.youcanknowGod.com
www.gregoraham.blogspot.com
www.joshuagregory.net
www.byron-harvey.com
www.launchachurch.com
www.thinkinginprogress.com (Jason Salumun)
www.theresurgence.com/es_blog (Ed Stetzer)

February 10, 2007

Missionary Bloggers

Yesterday, I taught a session on Marketing the Mission at the Gold Coast Missions Conference in Cooper City.  Some of the most unique, genuine, and decent people I've met were there.  Some were pastors, educators, social workers and clinicians (like Evan and Charity), and pilots (like Richard Bechton).  Others were national leaders of church planting movements.  We discussed blogging as a tool to carry out mission.  It was cool to see that while I was teaching, one of our leaders, Nick Park, our National Overseer of Churches in Ireland started his blog during the session.

You've got to check out his first post on Using the Irish Republican Army As an Example for Missionary Support Groups.  I'm anticipating a great social network emerging from guys like Nick and others over the next few weeks.

February 07, 2007

Brian Hunter Blogs

Brian Hunter and I go back to college and seminary.  I was maybe a year or two ahead of him at Lee U.  I didn't know him well during our undergraduate.  But, we ended up working together at North Cleveland doing the Master's Commission program there.  From there, I went to Chicago.  He went to Toronto.  We both ended up in Florida.  I came to the promised land (Miami).  He went to the den of the devil (Tallahassee, home of the Semi-noles).

Since arriving in Tallahassee about three years ago, he and his team have absolutely rocked taking Genesis Church from 9 to somewhere over 1,000 people.  Brian is a thinker.  He's solid as a person.  He's a gifted speaker and leader.  He's a decent person.  He's the newest addition to my Blog Roll.  I bet you anything, he'll be a daily read for you.

December 12, 2006

Thank you for the links

It's always nice to get a new link from another blog.  When someone thinks I have something worth sharing with their readers, I notice and am appreciative.  So, thanks for the links, fellas.

Check each of these five guys out:

Friend of Missional
Adrian Warnock
Steve Wright
Church Marketing Sucks
Clint & Heidi's Blog

December 07, 2006

Follow My Conversations

If you are bored and would like to stalk me around the internet, you can follow my conversations on other bogs around the net by clicking here.  You can also click on the CoCommentTravisjohnson_cocomment chicklet on the left sidebar under "Blog Utensils."

December 05, 2006

New Blog Linking Policy

The new policy is on my left sidebar. Reciprocal links.  Check it out. 

December 01, 2006

Subscribe to travisjohnson.net

Guys and Gals, if you've been reading my blog by clicking a link and checking to see if I've added an entry, you are so 2001.  Subscribe to my feed and make your life easier.  I track about 50 blogs daily ranging from missional church to marketing to blogger friends without having to click through a long list of blogs.  I do it all at one site: newsgator.  For you super-organized types, Newsgator allows you to create subfolders for your feeds so you can keep like content together as well as tracking keywords.

Also, if you are a blogger, consider showing some link love.  If you have good content and link to me, I'll reciprocate.  Just let me know with a comment or an email to tjohnson at life-pointe dot com.

November 24, 2006

Blog Notes

Two quick notes:

1. NEW on the left sidebar - articles of interest, flickr, and neoWORX.  Very cool.  Check them out.

2. New blogs I'm enjoying (can also be found on my blogroll): Derek Brown, ChurchHop Blog, Church Rater, Friend of Missional, The Movement, and very much enjoying a series of John Smulo's posts on the missional church:

Waking Up From a Dream, I Dream, 12 Reasons Why I Prefer "Jesus-Follower", 11 Reasons Why I Don't Like the Term "Christian"

November 06, 2006

Blog Round-up

I'm grabbing the girls and we're heading to the beach.  I thought I'd share a little blog round-up from some of the blogs I read before we left.

  • Chris and Bob havTrav_and_janet_reno_1e a famous people blog entry going that is kind of funny to read.  Check out my wall of fame.  I had to remove my picture with Larry Coker after the Hurricanes were beaten by Mississippi School for the Blind.  But, here's one of my favorite pictures.
  • Chris y Holly adoptaron a un nuevo bebé. Congrats!
  • Results of the Johnson Family Pumpkin Carving Contest.  Can you guess which one is mine?
  • Jeff Richard reviews "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day."
  • John Smulo, a really super guy and one of my favorite blogger/pastors is in a season of change.  We had a good talk this week.  I can't wait to see what God does through he and his family.  I know it is going to be awesome.
  • Scott Hodge does a TBN Spoof and I love it.  He also links to an article that gives 21 tips to start blogging.  Nice find.
  • I really dig all of Tadd's church plant visit photos, especially his latest photos at Summit Church in NC.  Tadd thanks for all of the ideas.

That should keep you busy for a bit and give you a peek into what I find interesting.  Peace.

October 04, 2006

Books by Batterson and Ferguson

I just placed an order on Amazon for In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson and The Big Idea by Dave Ferguson.  3-5 day shipping.  I need to finish Experience the Message before they get here.

Inapitwithalion3722036 Big_idea_cover_4

tagged: - -

September 18, 2006

DAILY LIT: An Awesome Find for Readers

I just discovered an awesome resource for readers.  I read Steve McCoy from time to time.  While there, I clicked over to Joe Thorn's blog.  They seem to be like the Batman and Robin of the SBC.  While at Joe Thorn's blog, I found a link to Daily Lit.

Daily Lit delivers daily bite sized portions of the Classics into your inbox.  I just finished part 1 of 7 parts of Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner."

tagged: - - - - -

August 27, 2006

Geneology of My "One Book Meme"

Rich Tatum put together the "Geneology of the One Book Meme".  Check it out.  Its a response to this.  Pretty cool.  Quickly, this is the history of the meme (most recent at the top):

August 26, 2006

Tagged by Dan Ohlerking

I've been tagged by Smooth Daddy Dan Ohlerking from Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge regarding books I've read.  He also tagged Matt Fry, Dino Rizzo, Robert Pooley, and Carole Turner

I'll answer, give his site some prime, top page real estate on travisjohnson.net and, then tag 5 others, giving them some link action like Smooth Daddy Ohlerking did for me, and see what kind of books they are reading in the process.  Here are my responses:

  1. One book that changed your life:  Without a doubt- the Bible.  Most books I read simply support THE Book!  Aside from the Bible, a book that changed my daily behaviors was "The Millionaire Next Door."  The book showed how that the profile of a typical millionaire was that he skimped on consumables and splurged on items that grew with value.  Super spiritual answer, no?!

  2. One book that you've read more than once: "10 Apples Up on Top" by Dr. Seuss I loved it as a kid and read it to Kourtney a couple times a week. 

  3. One book that you'd want on a desert island:  Bhutan - it would make a great shelter.

  4. One book that made you laugh:  "Confessions of a Reformission Rev" by Mark Driscoll.  Simply an honest book by a big shot pastor.  I love the fact that he's real and doesn't paint a ridiculously fluffy picture of the Church.  His passion for mission and the Scriptures is inspiring.

  5. One book that made you cry:  "God Smuggler" by Brother Andrew.  I read it in the 8th grade.  It is one of the most humbling and inspirational books I've ever read.

  6. One book that you wish had been written:  The Travis Johnson story.  I'd like to know how it turns out.  I know that I will finish faithful.  I've settled that question between God and me.  But, I'd like to know who I meet, what great things happen in the lives of people I love, and if I get to go to the next College National Championship Bowl Game that the Hurricanes will dominate.

  7. One book you wish had never been written: Maybe the Bible.  The fact that it has been written means that man fell in the Garden and no longer walks with God like we did in the beginning.  I am thankful that the Bible has been written because it gives us a way back to God where we can know God as we are known.

  8. One book you are currently reading:  Experience the Message by Max Lenderman, Small is the New Big by Seth Godin, and Breaking the Missional Code by Ed Stetzer and David Putnam.

  9. One book you've been meaning to read: Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell and The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman.

With all that said, I now officially tag: David Russell, Troy Gramling, Rich Tatum, Barbara Sanders, and John Smulo (honorary "tagee"=Kevin Fisher from Miami Vineyard...brother, hook up that blog, dog.)

August 17, 2006

Top 10 Ways to Maximize Your Reading

1. You'll read a book a week if you read a chapter in the morning and a chapter at night.
2. Leave a book in your car to kill time when you are waiting for people.
3. Keep a book in the bathroom.
4. Go to work a little early and down a couple chapters before the day gets busy.  You'll avoid traffic and grow in knowledge.
5. Instead of sitting in front of the TV all night, steal away for a few minutes of a relaxing read.
6. Download books and listen when you run, walk, or workout on your iPod.
7. Publish what you read and scan what others (like Bob, John, and Chris) are reading or what Dave and Tony are writing to keep your interest peaked and your horizons new.
8. Put down books that are boring.  Don't burn yourself out trying to read through a book that does not captivate you.
9. Review or excerpt books you read from time to time.  You'll spare people from wasting money on a lame book and help people to make a good investment on an exceptional book.
10. Keep a journal for your "to do" lists, big ideas, and thoughts.  Among those notes, record the nuggets you got from each book.  Then, loan out or give away the books you've finished.

August 16, 2006

Seth Godin Skypecast and "Small is the New Big"

I pre-ordered Seth Godin's new book, "Small is the New Big" about two months ago.  I got the email that it shipped from Amazon today at 4:02 pm (along with "Experience the Message : How Experiential Marketing is Changing the Brand World" by Max Lenderman).  For this reason, I love FedEx Ground trucks!

With the release of Seth's new book (we are on a first name basis, you know), he is doing a Skypecast interview led by TypePad's General Manager, Michael Sippey on Tuesday, August 22 at 2:00 PM (PDT). 

I like the little Skypecast spiff and releases to fire up some buzz over his book, which is basically a collection of 184 really great ideas-mostly from his blog.  It gets me (a blogger) to bang away at my keyboard like a zombie, trying to be one of the first to brag about the book.

In a perfect world, the good Dr. Godin would give me some link love for telling everyone that I need the Fed Ex truck to deliver his book to me ASAP. 

Technorati Tag: Seth Godin - Small is the New Big - Skypecast - Max Lenderman

August 02, 2006

Life Giving Groups

At Life Pointe, we are constantly preaching community, involvement in Life Groups, and connection with one another.  It isn't only something we just preach.  We also model it.  For instance, I am involved in three regular groups.  My Pastoral Covenant Group, a south Florida pastors group at Cooper City Church of God, and now I've got a new crew to hang with which I spent time with for the first time today. 

These guys were pretty decent folks.  I found out that Steve reads my blog regularly (sup, dude?!).  I found out that Kevin used to milk cows in Wisconsin.  Rick sat behind me at C3.  Great fun. 

So, why does this matter?  It matters because we were made to live life together, not alone, isolated in our own universe where we get a limited view of what God is doing.

July 29, 2006

Is your blog link missing?

A few bloggers have asked why I removed their links from my blog.  Easy.  Nothing is free.  If you don't have a link to my blog, I took your link down, even if you are my right hand man.  Link my blog and I'll hook you up. 

Also, I have a new addy here (www.travisjohnson.net) and there are still a lot of blogs pointing to my old site (www.pastortrav.blogspot.com).  Hook a brother up and give me some love by fixing your links!  Thanks, people.

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