What in the world are you talking about? We’ll I’m telling you that I truly love your blog-thoughts and I’m going to read you consistently.

So, mac friends, I ask you…Do you use the RSS feature in your mac Mail yet?? I just figured out the “show in inbox” feature several months ago and I’m loving it – so I thought I would share with my other mac family members who are dog paddling their way through the Mac’lantic like me, how all this really works.

RSS, u may know is just a simple way of saying “what’s new on this site” or “keep me informed when they post something new here.” Well, I tend to forget to go check out all my pal’s blogs and I often find myself playing catch up and reading the last 30 posts of my bestie’s life journey…omg, You had a baby? What???

I am, however, in the religious habit of knocking out that little RED number above my mac mail eagle-soaring inbox. So, I thought to myself, I wish there were a way I could just get my friends new posts into my inbox, since it’s “sooooo much trouble” now to actually click that bookmark link in my browser….so once again, the Mac’lantic life-savers came to my rescue.

I’m using Firefox (but Safari has this built in feature as well) – just go to your favorite website, like your daily news, or your favorite friends blog, and click the little blue RSS button on the right side of the web address box (or you can click ‘Bookmarks,’ then ‘Subscribe to this page’). The button looks like this in Firefox:

A drop down box appears with options, just click “Subscribe to RSS” (not sure yet if it matters which one, but I choose RSS 2.0). Click “Specify a Custom Feed URL” – the URL (or link) should already be listed in the box…THEN, this is the fun part, make sure the BOX is checked “Show in Inbox.” And Voilà! You’re done!

Now go open that little eagle-soarin’ Mail application, select View, Show Mailboxes. Look down the list in the box on the left to see the RSS folder. Open it, and you shall see your new pal’s blog, with most likely the last 10 – 20 posts (and they should have popped into your Inbox as well.) IF you want to just READ the blog post in the RSS folder instead of your inbox, right-click on the RSS box for that feed, and simply uncheck ‘show in inbox.’ happy RSS’ing.

This morning I woke up like any other Sunday, stumbling into the kitchen around 8ish, grabbing the airtight canister of my Starbucks Guatemala Antigua beans, with their “subtle cocoa texture and gentle spice flavors,” to help percolate my morning. With the beans freshly ground, and my Hamilton Beach coffee carafe filling up, I then turn around to prepare the oven for my 30-year standing Sunday morning tradition (thanks Dad and mom) of Pillsbury Cinnamon rolls, with icing. Yes, the 8-pack kind in the round refrigerated can. Mmmmmm. A tasty combo.

But as the morning progressed closer to our go-time, the subtle cocoa texture kicking in my brain alerted me that my millionaire man was not hopping into to his regular routine. “Bless his heart” the guy strained a big-bad muscle at work Friday morning, had to take a trip to the Doc and get some meds & has spent the major part of the weekend rotating shifts with the heating pack. Last night we went to our other job, “facilities management” (i.e. cleaning the church) and I think he over did it. Having just cranked up iTunes Radio to some get-me-going worship, I canceled my 20 minute makeup session with Mary Kay and sent texts to alert the media that we would not be in our usual ‘front row’ seats for morning worship. Then I settled in for Plan B: a long-loved adventure with going to church online.

Being the marketing thinker that I am, I started wondering ‘How in the world did I ever stumble onto Gateway Church Live today?’ Ok, lets trace back my (insert crazy backwards ‘Shorewood‘ YouTube video) random twitter clicking steps using a numeric list…

1. The ultimate “click” to Gateway Live, came when I spotted my new ‘follow’ Vince Marotte, @locustfist on Twitter, saying ‘we’re live @ gateway.”

2 which really was led by me logging into Tweetie and seeing a precious digital friend (we met through twitter last year, i think tweeting about reality TV?) – posting that SHE was visiting LifeChurch.TV (I am an avid fan of Craig Groschel’s weekly podcasts), and I thought OH yeah, that’s what i can do today – go to church online!! And I then I had a feeling that I wanted to look into a NEW place. —-> immediately after that post was Vince’s link to gateway, and I thought, “Okay, lets see…”

3. But why was I following @locustfist to begin with? Well, He’s a guest contributor for a new site I discovered just over a week ago, which I am absolutely enamored with called ChurchCrunch. I’ve even logged in on a few intense debate discussions, because i love it sooo much. yes churchcrunch.com, “like” – click.

4. What made me inspired to follow VM on TWTTR anyway? this article, of course.

5. What made that article so special? An end of the year “perspectives list” and conversation with God and my millionaire man, that my Greatest Focus in this new year should revolve around all things Voice – my ‘au natural, who am I down at the core, what did God create me to do’ gift. The first few days reflecting in the new year, I simply could not get past this term/concept “Voice.” I just kept hearing that one word. Nothing else. Whatever that truly encompasses- time will tell. But for this moment, the Church Crunch article struck a ‘vocal’ chord (haha) in me.

6. But how did I come to find this beloved ChurchCrunch? Glad u asked. Besides the fact that I love combining church with technology, what led me there? Well, I’ve been an active RSS-er of TechCrunch, a site for all things tech. For me it’s truly like trying to dog paddle through the Atlantic Ocean, but I find the ‘sparkly water’ of the tech world intriguing and exhilarating. And as I usually do, I pop in occasionally to ‘get my tech on.’ But 8 days ago, I opened the RSS link to watch the Crunchies (because for some reason winning awards and watching Award Shows just flips my pancakes!) I was so jazzed and ready to watch some great award ceremony, with shiny gold statues, and grand finale music, wardrobe changes, and out of this world graphics and lighting! Aaaahhhh!! — But, No-Can-Do, ultra geeks, I guess a little pomp and circumstance is not your thing. Needless to say, my twitter ranting says it all…disappointing indeed! While my TechCrunch RSS is still active, watching the Crunchies will never be on my list of things to do again, ever.

(hang on – i’m getting somewhere)

7. …so I’m so ticked with the disappointment of my Tech world lack-luster award show and I started thinking that night (Eight days ago) – I REALLY wish the CHURCH would offer some kind of “ChurchCrunch?” Man, that would be super cool – I wonder if someone already has? Google search. click. Really? Wow! sweet. An new RSS, that I even ‘allow’ to pop into my inbox!! Love it.

8. But I know by now you are wondering…But Jenn, what led you to go all techie and watch the Crunchies to begin with? Glad u asked. After surfing back through, my twitter clicks – I found where it all started…Da da da dummmm. Here, with this post, from @davidrussell – my all time techHero (2nd’d to dad, of course, the techGenius). The music is playing and a super-model like figure presents the lovely statue to our winner, but this time, Kanye is NOT allowed in the building. My ‘little’ brother, @davidrussell is a greatly anointed minister and church techie. I am certainly following his footsteps with this whole technology in the church thing. But I realized today, that my steps into ‘one of the greatest internet campus experiences I have ever had’ with @g8wayaustin, can be traced back 8 days ago to one little inspirational tweet. Thanks Dave. ~

There are so many articles, forums, blogs & coffee shop chats about church online, i.e. “Internet Campuses” – bottom line: Can they truly achieve real fellowship (church speak for social interaction or community)? Well, my fellow digital coffee shop friend sitting across from me today, I would have to ask – Have you ever been to an internet campus?? You’ll have to see this for yourself…

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Personal Reflections about Gateway Live:
I’m not sure, but I think this might be a sort of new project for them, with a bit of beta testing, the graphics and interface were seamless and eye-appealing. I was actually overwhelmed at one point with a real sense, an actual feeling, of Community and belonging. It was definitely Holy Spirit inspired and anointed. the people/leaders in the “room” had huge caring hearts and a knack for socializing. First Impression: through the roof!

The lead pastor, whom I have never seen before or heard of, is a fabulous orator, I really enjoyed listening to his voice. He comes across very balanced, maybe even low key, like polite and poised, but from his message, we hear that he is all together like the rest of us creative peps, high strung and easily distracted.

A few thoughts from Pastor John Burke’s Message this AM @ Gateway Church life.
“if peter can be deceived – anyone can be deceived” Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way…psalm 139:23-24

Have you ever been sitting at home, and the caller-id says “by best friend is calling” – you know, the one who lives a million miles away and you haven’t seen in forever? And you get this big warm smile on your face, and you snuggle into the couch, because you know it’s going to be a while? It’s an hour your gonna enjoy spending.

I truly count it an incredible blessing that God chose my life to be lived in the 21st century. I LOVE all forms of technology, and often find myself in a media tilt-o-whirl, screaming for more! Like that feeling you get half way through the ride, when you are over the nervousness and you think to yourself, as soon as I get off here, I’m buying more tickets so I can do this again! However, in today’s ultra-fast, media-based, electronic world, we have somehow ended up conversating via 140 characters per moment.

Friends are precious gifts from God. Cultivating that friendship can be achieved through social-media tools. And as rewarding as a DM or @reply can be – it still in no way compares to the ever precious voice mail that says, “Hey girlfriend, I was just thinking about you and I miss you – I miss dropping by your house on my way home from work to rant about my work drama! I miss my Jenn-time.” (like the one I received last week that I listened to four times, and made my husband listen to twice that was followed with an hour-long skype session with that precious gal)

Oh! I miss you too real-life friend! Lets not forget today to take time for social engagement, and not just interaction. So go plan a “friendly drive by” and call them up and tell them I’ll be there in 5 minutes for a quick Chick-Fil-A sweet tea run. You never know how special you will make them feel…just between friends!

photo via: lorimarsha

Just as I was getting snug in bed, in the quiet of the night, the answers to all of the recent big GOD questions started coming in like a flood. I could have jumped up and stayed up all night filtering through this new revelation, but for the first time in many nights, the post-it-note-pen-and-bible-by-the-bed-routine pays off.

#1 What does it take to really fight the enemy?

#2 How can we truly be delivered / set free from our struggles that so easily beset us?

I have been personally experiencing the unexplainable roller coaster myself, this past winter. And, somehow recently the Lord led me to three conversations with young women just like myself who have struggled with the winter blues (I prefer to call it the mean reds) or the roller coaster ride of life struggles . The word says no weapon formed against will not prosper. Which tells us that even though they may come close or even snag us, they will not last, their mission will not succeed. Thank you Jesus for giving us success over our adversary.

Growing up the daughter of a Children’s Pastor, I am often reminded of simple little illustrations to help even my biggest adult dilemmas. This week, I’m reminded of one of dad’s many real-life characters, “Tom the Toolman” *arrgh, arrgh* – a spin off of Tim ‘The Toolman’ Taylor from Home Improvement. He was equipped with power drill, tool belt, safety glasses – and seemed to always get himself in trouble by making the adults choke with laughter…but that’s another story.

Question one and two, are found in the tool belt, the all powerful belt of truth. The Lord showed me that without this belt we are defenseless to the enemies lies. It’s a vital peice of our armor, and we can be destroyed, our well-being, our mental and emotional state, and even our life can be destroyed if this one tiny piece of armor is not in tact.

What’s in the spiritual tool belt that I wear everyday? My bible of course…I actually physically take it with me most places. Note cards & Sharpies to jot out moment altering scriptures. A book called, “God’s Creative Power” by Charles Capp (learning to declare the word of God) along with other Christian study books, online podcast messages and of course plenty of worship tunes — a YouTube or Itunes Worship Playlist (Jason Upton, Hillsong, Rita Springer, Christ for the Nations). Without these tools active in my life I become defenseless to the “lying arrows” that are coming my may.

God’s truth in our life is amazing. His perspective is the best one to possess, because it’s the only RIGHT, TRUE one. If things in your life are turned upside down, start activating the belt of truth tools and reclaim all the benefits they behold: true joy, true wealth, true love, real relationship, real peace, real life!

Sunday morning I woke up early (rare) and had so many thoughts on my brain, I simply could not wait to share them all with hunny bunny. Sooooo, the techie-wife that I am, put my creative skill to good use and announced my love and all my “lets talk about this sometime” thoughts into a document which I saved to his desktop. clever. cheesy. silly. romantic.

My version looked a little something like this:

When he embarked on his daily – Shower, Coffee, Desk, Email, Weather, News, Reading, Quiet Time routine….there I was pasted right on his screen, showing some love in the first part of his day.

Those who know me understand that simply finishing a project is never enough. Noh-way! We must go overboard, over-the-top, above and beyond to get our point across (as expressed in my usual lengthy blog posts). So I continued to meddle on his previously customized Citation 10 desktop and decided I truly needed a background graphic with a giant cupids arrow pointing the way, to make my efforts well established.

So I created from scratch, the jenn-style background – perfecting my love note mission (which he *loved* by the way!).

To add to the fun, a friend on facebook asked me how in the world I did it. And the one semester in college teacher wanna be came bubbling out. I put Jing Project, (a free video cast tool) to good use. I also had to use ScreenCast to publish the file, but all in all my little sweet-home-alabama video tutoral took about 15 minutes, and was surprisingly fun!

It’s a slightly rough round one for my video tutorials – but here it is….enjoy!

Today, my eyes are burning and I’ve snuggled myself into the big pink robe on the couch, for yet another day. I’ve just downed round 14 or so of the Mucinex, w water, while choking out the nasty bronchial cough and sore throat with halls and hot tea. I think the winter flu is trying to get the best of the Hudson home – but it will not win!! *cough, cough*. Hunny Bunny wasn’t feeling par Monday as he left for his first night-shift back to work since the holiday break.

We have been so sick, we used up all the kleenex in the house and have resorted to using rolls of toilet paper. I know we are not the only ones in the world who have been so sick that you actually sleep with the toilet paper roll by your pillow and unroll during the night at leisure. Yes, it’s that bad, for about a day we were just not up to going to the store to fix our situation. It’s also hilarious to me how many places you can come up with to stuff a mound of tissue to keep on hand for future sneezing….rolled up in a shirt sleeve, in the elastic band of your sweat pants, hanging in the collar of your t-shirt, or for the very sneezy desperate kind – just left hanging in your nose. My G’ma, a.k.a. ‘Ramblin-Rose’ taught me the tissue rolled up in the shirt sleeve thing when I was little….maybe it’s a throw back to the greaser days of rolling up boxes in your t-shirt sleeve, I don’t know.