You’ve probably received direct messages, replies, or read other tweets that ask you if you’d like 1,000 new followers per day or something like that? Some people would probably just think this is an easy way to gain recognition, or maybe that it would boost our self-esteem by knowing that so many people are reading what we’re saying. I haven’t attempted having someone / some website get me all of these followers automatically. If it’s like the rest of the internet, I can guarantee that getting 1,000s of new followers who don’t know anything about you probably won’t benefit you as much as you think.

Twitter is taking social networking and the way people read to a new level. Actually, the way people DON’T read to a new level. We’ve all become better content scanners over the years. With our eyes flying over content, picking out bits and pieces here and there. The problem with that? Sometimes we miss the best content. Especially with the more people we follow. While more people join Twitter, two things seem to be happening. 1. The tweets we are posting are becoming a smaller fish in a big ocean. 2. There’s a better chance of us connecting with someone else who might be focused more on what we discuss.

I’ve challenged myself to keep a different mindset than most would want me to. I don’t want thousands more followers if none of them will interact with me. I don’t want to follow thousands more (automatically), and never directly communicate with most of them at all. When I look at social networking, I long for communication. Not to see how many followers I can get, or how many people I follow or am connected with. It’s sort of like prayer. Saying you follow God is one thing, but praying and communicating with Him. That’s a whole different story. That takes time and focus, doesn’t it?

PRAYING for our communication to get a little more personal, and not so shallow. PRAISING God for following us, and wanting to communicate with us directly.

Hopefully I’ll make the change I am talking about a bit more clear than our President is at the moment. See that odd Twitter bird image? That’s you. That’s me. It’s been all of us at one time or another. We’re on Twitter, with words to say that usually aren’t life-changing. With words that our followers’ really could go through the day without. Posting tweets that generally aren’t “re-tweetable”. Sharing links that only get a few clicks. Asking questions that get no responses. What most don’t tell you is that we all really do look like this at moments. The flight path we’re all taking with our tweets isn’t perfect. We’re all flawed, some are just better at hiding it than others!!!

One thing I’ve grown to love more and more about social networking is that it becomes clear just how selfish we all are at times. Who doesn’t like to be thought of as important, needed or even recommended to others as a person “to follow”. I hear more and more people these days being shocked that they’re starting to follow people they don’t even know. Step one to not looking like an odd Twitter bird? Admit that the internet is not just yours and step out into the world! This is a perfect time to ask what Jesus really would do, that’s for sure. He didn’t walk the streets hoping only to talk to those familiar with his message. You’ll see tweeps out there that only follow those that they’d talk to if they were confined to one room in heaven someday. Oh, how they will be shocked to realize that our God has no prejudice.

You are not the only blue bird on the block. Shockingly, there are even some birds that look quite a bit like you. Sure, you might need to become less of an introvert or maybe even an extrovert, LOL. That’s where true change really happens. How? Start following people you don’t know, you just might learn a thing or two. I know I sure have! What are a few ways you’ve looked odd on Twitter? Or how have you met birds you never new before, and learned something? More to come!

PRAYING that Christians truly look to Christ as their example for change, both online and offline. PRAISING God for creating a few birds that I can relate to!

We’re back, but not for long. Thanks to a crazy east coast trip, this 52 Zoos in 52 Weeks tour is close to completion! I’ll have pics soon, but I’m currently moving my Aperture library over to a larger hard drive just to hold them all! I think we had maybe 25,000+ pics in the library since 2002, but these zoo trips are adding to the total quickly. We usually average maybe 200 pics per zoo.

I’ll keep it short. A future post is coming on how and why families should start connecting, getting out of the house, or at least spend more time together. God’s been amazing at showing us ways to do that. It’s amazing to connect with families that are willing to open their homes and begin new friendships. If you’re ever near Ohio, we want to be that family. We’ve all met new friends we’re looking forward to seeing again.

Thanks to their help, we were able to go to zoos in Buffalo, Bronx and Central Park in New York – Philadelphia, PA – Washington D.C. – Baltimore, MD. If that weren’t enough, our girls were up to the task of also stopping to see Niagara Falls while in Buffalo, the Statue of Liberty in New York, the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall in Philadelphia, and a long walk around Washington D.C. to see the White House and Lincoln and Washington Monuments. We also took some time to stop by the Great Falls just outside of town in Virginia.

We saw God’s hand through it all, and look forward to sharing even more details in Marla’s new book. Thanks to our girls, our new friends, those that support us (ad space is still available here), and the God that created all we’ve seen and provided a way to see it!

I designed this blog for the director of our Kids Community ministry at Vista Community Church. Parents are able to connect online, and read interesting articles or even stories / testimonies from other parents within the church.
PLATFORM: WordPress

We’re leaving today! Sorry Sinatra, I just had to. The girls last day of school, and when they get home we’re heading out on an insane tour. If you haven’t heard yet, my wife (blogger and author) Marla is writing a book. A project that has been only possible by God providing every step of the way. Going to 52 Zoos in 52 Weeks, starting last August 1st and ending this August 1st right here at the Columbus Zoo with a party. You can RSVP for the bash, see photos, read some excerpts of the journey, and more over at 52Zoos.com.

The title of this post should give you some idea where we’re heading today, or at least one of the stops! New York City! Really looking forward to taking the girls, remembering riding into town with my parents for a Yankees game when I was young. In the span of 5 days, we’re hitting these 6 zoos:

Buffalo, NY on 6/10 —– Bronx and Central Park Zoos in New York, NY on 6/11—-Philadelphia, PA on 6/12—-Washington D.C. on 6/13—-Baltimore, MD on 6/14

We’re kind of used to these insane kind of schedules by now. But one thing I am more excited about is seeing how God provides, sometimes when we don’t think it’s possible. That’s mainly what Marla’s upcoming book will be about, since our friends Jon (just created his blog two weeks ago) and Alan have already done a great job with their book reviewing zoos! If you want to keep up with what’s going on, or hang out with us at any of the zoos, be sure to go check out Marla’s blog or 52zoos.com.

PRAYING for our family to rely on God more, whether the times are easy or hard. PRAISING God for the amazing miracles we’ve witnessed through all of this.