The next session after lunch was by Rick Dempsey (senior VP of character voice direction for Disney), Glen Keane (senior supervising animator at Disney) and Aaron Reynolds (children's ministry guru).
Rick talked a lot about stories and they their truth relates thru the story. Jesus told parables where an earthly story has spiritual truth w/in it.
Some great points he made were:
* Know your audience/be relevant
* Avoid talking down to your audience (Heb 5)
* Good stories have heart (Jonah) - good setting, identifiable situation
Glen Keane told his story of conversion and related it to his characters The Beast and Ariel.
Aaron tried to tie Rick and Glen's points into children's ministry directly:
1. In order to reach kids, we must know kids.
2. We must equip kids for transformation through "ruthless application" (Phil 4:8 - XBox temptaion illustration)
3. Use/tell stories w/ heart and sincerity - we MUST bring the Bible to life
It was a great first day!
More to come on day 2: TWO sessions w/ Phil Vischer and Timbuktoons!
Monday, May 05, 2008
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Conspire Conference in Chicago (Part 2)
After the first session, I saw that Phil Vischer was doing a book signing. I'd been meaning to get his 2 children's books so I did and got him to sign them for my sons. He remembered me from NRB (and emails) and we talked for just a minute and I got another pic. It was great to see him again.
The second session was by John Trent and Kurt Bruner mostly talking about ministering to the family. They had some great illustrations and references to mini-vans and how we neglect these years of parenting.
But that they are the best years! Also, the most important spiritual years for kids though parents are the least likely to be intentional about their children's spiritual growth.
They had some great stats:
* 65% of Christians become believers as young children
* 31% of Christians become believers before 13 years old
* 4% of Christians become believers after 13
Generally it's believe that the loss of faith has led to a loss of family in societies and cultures. However, recent research is showing that the loss of family has led to a loss of faith. And many children today are growing up and leaving the church - I believe the number was 50%.
So churches are starting to see more of their congregation being made up of previously unchurched people. Also, people that aren't believers, but think their kids need something good and figure church is it.
Another good point they made was that the family can't be the church and the other way around. Both are vital.
They gave more information and things we can do to help. A great resource is here: http://willowcreek.com/innovationsalliance/
The second session was by John Trent and Kurt Bruner mostly talking about ministering to the family. They had some great illustrations and references to mini-vans and how we neglect these years of parenting.
But that they are the best years! Also, the most important spiritual years for kids though parents are the least likely to be intentional about their children's spiritual growth.
They had some great stats:
* 65% of Christians become believers as young children
* 31% of Christians become believers before 13 years old
* 4% of Christians become believers after 13
Generally it's believe that the loss of faith has led to a loss of family in societies and cultures. However, recent research is showing that the loss of family has led to a loss of faith. And many children today are growing up and leaving the church - I believe the number was 50%.
So churches are starting to see more of their congregation being made up of previously unchurched people. Also, people that aren't believers, but think their kids need something good and figure church is it.
Another good point they made was that the family can't be the church and the other way around. Both are vital.
They gave more information and things we can do to help. A great resource is here: http://willowcreek.com/innovationsalliance/
Conspire Conference in Chicago (Part 1)
I got back from Conspire in Chicago on Saturday. I wanted to take some time to write about it, but if I wait for "enough" time, I'll never write about it so here goes...
I got there Wednesday morning and heard Christina Yount Jones speak about "Erase Your Fears." It was great to hear her and others make the point that "you are the right person to be here." It was comforting to believe the God meant for me to be there and that I was the right person to be there.
She talked a bit about how Jesus calmed the wind and the waves (Luke 8) and how that related to all the "storms" we go through. She encouraged us to "Stick with It" and not just change courses for the sake of fearing we might not be doing enough (Ecc 11:4). Don't just change, but if there are problems address those. Also, don't give up best practices for "quick" results.
She also talked about what your "worst case scenario" might be. We fear something bad that can happen be she encouraged us to "lean into" it. She told a heart-wrenching story of losing her husband. She's lived thru her worst case scenario and God is faithful (Ps 23:4).
The last fear she talked about was "Fear of Breaking Something." She encouraged us to "breat it" (Dt 31:8). In many cases God might be calling us to change things up completely and if so He's prepared the way. She felt led to change up her church's children's ministry a few years ago which was strange b/c she wasn't the leader. However, when she shared her thoughts w/ the leaders, she found out they were praying for God to raise someone up to take over!
I'll try to post more in the following days of the rest of the conference.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Conspire Conference in Chicago
I'm heading out tomorrow to the Conspire Conference in Chicago.
I'd appreciate your prayers for a safe, productive trip of learning and meeting others ministering to children.
Also, please pray for my family while I'll be away for a few days. Thanks!
I'd appreciate your prayers for a safe, productive trip of learning and meeting others ministering to children.
Also, please pray for my family while I'll be away for a few days. Thanks!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Booples: Do Everything Without Complaining
Just a quick note to let you know that the latest Booples video is onlne now! Watch it here!
I'd love to hear your feedback!
Also, thanks to all the bloggers and others taking part in the 1-Step Affiliate Program. 40% commission is our way of saying thanks!
Booples is a series of Christian children's animated videos designed to entertain kids with silly, funny videos that include a lesson based on a Bible verse and a song with the verse in the lyrics (learn the song = memorize the verse!).
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Livin’ With Me! Reviews "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!"
Livin’ With Me! Reviews Booples: "A cute DVD for your kids that teaches Biblical lessons, has fun music and is cheap? What else could you ask for?"
A very positive review of "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" from Livinwithme.com.
A very positive review of "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" from Livinwithme.com.
Monday, March 17, 2008
NRB Convention highlights
The NRB convention was too big and great to sum up, but I also don't want to overwhelm anyone w/ a sea of words. So here's the highlights...
- Got in free thanks to Kirk Longhofer
- Met Phil Vischer the first day (pic on left)
- Met several other great people
- Heard Michael W. Smith play
- Met George and Daniel Temple from SermonSpice.com
- Went to Phil Vischer's session on his upcoming Jelly Telly and got to hang out w/ him some more
- Heard Mark Zoradi and Glen Keane from Disney speak
- Met countless great people on the expo floor who were all very encouraging and inspiring especially Maralee Dawn (pic below)
I hope to follow up on the contacts I made at the expo and look forward to some great opportunities to partner w/ people for broadcast, production, distribution, etc. It was great to be in that environment w/ so many people who share a heart for ministry through media!
Praise God!
- Got in free thanks to Kirk Longhofer
- Met Phil Vischer the first day (pic on left)
- Met several other great people
- Heard Michael W. Smith play
- Met George and Daniel Temple from SermonSpice.com
- Went to Phil Vischer's session on his upcoming Jelly Telly and got to hang out w/ him some more
- Heard Mark Zoradi and Glen Keane from Disney speak
- Met countless great people on the expo floor who were all very encouraging and inspiring especially Maralee Dawn (pic below)
I hope to follow up on the contacts I made at the expo and look forward to some great opportunities to partner w/ people for broadcast, production, distribution, etc. It was great to be in that environment w/ so many people who share a heart for ministry through media!
Praise God!
Friday, March 07, 2008
NRB Convention
I'm flying out tomorrow to attend the National Religious Broadcasters convention in Nashville. I plan on meeting with TBN's Smile of a Child, SermonSpice, Axiom.TV, the Australian Christian Channel and others while I'm out there.
I'll try to post some updates while I'm out there???
If you're going, let me know!
I'll try to post some updates while I'm out there???
If you're going, let me know!
Booples wins a Telly Award!
I just found out this morning that Booples won a Telly Award for "Jonah and the Tarshish Fish"!!!
It's for the 29th Annual awards so it's not on their site yet, but I got the letter this morning!
Praise God!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
HollywoodJesus: Features Booples on front page!
HollywoodJesus: "Booples 2: Yikity Blar | Light-hearted Fare | Melinda Ledman"
HollywoodJesus links to the recent review of "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" from their front page!
Thanks to Melinda Ledman for her great review!
HollywoodJesus links to the recent review of "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" from their front page!
Thanks to Melinda Ledman for her great review!
Monday, February 04, 2008
HollywoodJesus.com - Booples 2: Yikity Blar
"Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" reviewed at HollywoodJesus.com...
HJ Live! � Booples 2: Yikkity Blar: "I’m not sure I could ask for a more ideal use of film in my child’s life."
HJ Live! � Booples 2: Yikkity Blar: "I’m not sure I could ask for a more ideal use of film in my child’s life."
Booples 2: Yikkity Blar
With food for the soul
I reviewed the original Booples cartoon a year or so ago, and really liked it for what it had to offer—scripture memorization, the easy way. Truth is, I know that words put to music are much easier to memorize, but I’m just not a musician. I’m a storyteller… which also helps with memorization, incidentally. A story is an excellent mnemonic device. So, when Booples came along, combining the stories, the verses, and the songs, I was pretty pleased!!
This second installation is pretty much more of the same. Some of the episodes on the DVD are better, while others are pretty corny. I had hoped the visual cartoon quality would improve a little this go-round, but I understand the fact that indie filmmakers don’t have giant pocketbooks to make all their dreams come true. Still, the device is successful. My kids not only remember the words to Bible verses, but they remember the application through the stories.
A true story: My oldest daughter was unprecedentedly generous to her little sister one day. I asked her why she did what she did and what prompted her kindness (you know, one of those typical stupid mom questions that she’ll roll her eyes at when she’s older). She shrugged and said, “I don’t know. I just wanted to share. Like that story.” Then she flippantly went off bobbing her head and singing to herself, “Be kind and compassionate to one another…” I’m not sure I could ask for a more ideal use of film in my child’s life.
There is an ongoing debate about whether there truly is a market for “Christian” films and family friendly movie fare. One side argues for clean, moral content, while the other side argues that audiences are already too film savvy to go for it. I think there is definitely a market in children’s programming. Not only will young children ALWAYS go for a cartoon, but parents are still quite protective of their children at young ages. They want only the “best” information going in—hoping that the best information will also come out one day. But we have to be careful not to let television and film become a crutch, an excuse not to teach. Plopping a kid down in front of Veggie Tales or Booples doesn’t necessarily produce clear-thinking, well-behaved teenagers. I believe media is a tool in the hand of a parent. “Good” media and “bad” media can achieve the same result, if handled right.
In the end, I support the ventures of independent filmmakers like Bear Cahill (Booples) who give parents alternative media to work with—because even I don’t always feel like being a model parent every day. There are just some days when I don’t feel like making up a spontaneous Bible lesson or finding applications for the shows that don’t have anything good to say. Sometimes, it’s nice to have a break. Sometimes, I simply need to veg out and let someone else do the talking (and singing, and dancing, and entertaining!). So I’ll keep my Booples DVD handy. Give them a try while they’re still way cheaper than Veggie Tales. You can find them online at www.Booples.com.
Monday, January 07, 2008
Next Booples! Episode: "Children of God" - John 1:12
I'm currently working on the next episode of Booples! which will be the first episode on the 3rd DVD.
The episode is currently titled "Children of God" with the message verse being John 1:12
I have made some improvements to the Booples' world - adding some depth to the background (as you can see from the images below) w/ additional hills and a focus range so the distance objects are slightly blurred.
The song by Pete Buchwald is great as always and I'm really excited about some new aspects of the stories I don't want to write about just yet.
Let me know what you think!
The episode is currently titled "Children of God" with the message verse being John 1:12
Yet to all who received him,
to those who believed in his name,
he gave the right to become children of God
I have made some improvements to the Booples' world - adding some depth to the background (as you can see from the images below) w/ additional hills and a focus range so the distance objects are slightly blurred.
The song by Pete Buchwald is great as always and I'm really excited about some new aspects of the stories I don't want to write about just yet.
Let me know what you think!
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Past Booples! News...
| 11.30.07 | -- | Booples affiliation program featured on the Christian Affiliate Network (CAN) (full article) |
| 11.26.07 | -- | "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" featured on MamasLike.com (full article) |
| 11.24.07 | -- | "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" featured in the MamasLike.com "Holiday Gift Guide" (full article) |
| 11.21.07 | -- | "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" reviewed at Bergers Reviews (full article) |
| 11.17.07 | -- | "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" featured Christmas gift idea at Christianity.About.com (full article) |
| 11.16.07 | -- | "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" reviewed by Laura Williams (full review) |
| 11.06.07 | -- | "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" reviewed by Trish Berg (full review) |
| 10.27.07 | -- | Booples' "Jonah and the Tarshish Fish" wins best animation and fourth place overall at the Seguin Film and Arts Festival 2007 (press release, official site) |
| 10.23.07 | -- | Booples review at Kiddie Clique and Bambina Ballerina (here and here) |
| 10.12.07 | -- | "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" earns "Dove Family Approved Seal" (details) |
| 10.10.07 | -- | Booples earns Parents Television Council Seal of Approval (details) |
| 10.05.07 | -- | Booples to air on AngelTV.org (details) |
| 9.28.07 | -- | "Jonah and the Tarshish Fish" a finalist at the Seguin Film and Arts Festival (details) |
| 9.7.07 | -- | "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" DVD released (Press Release, Details) |
| 7.4.07 | -- | Booples "David Rocked Goliath" completed. |
| 4.4.07 | -- | Booples "Forgive Each Other" completed. |
 | ||
| 3.3.07 | -- | Booples.com website redesigned. |
| 3.1.07 | -- | Booples "Jonah and the Tarshish Fish" completed. |
| 12.19.06 | -- | SermonSpice.com lists Boople videos in their children's section |
| 12.06.06 | -- | Signed w/ SermonSpice.com as online distributor (link) |
| 12.05.06 | -- | Booples is about.com's Christmas Day 5 "Children's Movie of the Day" (link) |
| 12.01.06 | -- | Added Booples books and clothes to Booples.com (link press release) |
| 11.17.06 | -- | Mary Fairchild made Booples #6 on about.com's "Top 10 Christian DVD and Video Series for Children" (link press release) |
| 10.27.06 | -- | Submitted "Truth" to COMIX35 web animation competition |
| 10.15.06 | -- | Informed that "Love One Another" was selected by Seguin Film Fest (link press release) |
| 08.24.06 | -- | Interviewed for Pearls of Shalom on Denton public access ch25 |
 | ||
| 08.22.06 | -- | Got first Booples T-shirts (link) |
| 08.09.06 | -- | Submitted Google video "Love One Another" (link) |
| 08.08.06 | -- | Interviewed for Denton Perspective public access ch 25 |
| 08.01.06 | -- | kidssundayschool.com ministry of the month (link) |
| 06.12.06 | -- | Airing on Denton public access ch. 25 |
| 05.17.06 | -- | Contract and airing on Smile of a Child network (link press release) |
| 05.15.06 | -- | Dove Foundation approval (link) |
| 04.27.06 | -- | HollywoodJesus.com review (link) |
| 04.04.06 | -- | Booples DVD officially released |
| 03.28.06 | -- | Booples First sale |
Friday, December 28, 2007
Booples on Cross-Eyed Reviews
Booples! - Childrens Bible Songs DVDs free clips online
Booples! gets 5 out of 5 on Cross-Eyed Reviews!
And is awarded their "Seal of Approval"
Thanks!!!
Booples! gets 5 out of 5 on Cross-Eyed Reviews!
And is awarded their "Seal of Approval"
Thanks!!!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
The Laughs Will Go On...: Booples!
A review of Booples! on another site...
The Laughs Will Go On...: Booples!: "Once again, it had great lessons - like forgiveness, or God's faithfulness and each episode has a fun song at the end of it. Of course Tate had fun doing new dance moves to the songs (haha!) and I had fun watching both the DVD and him!"
The Laughs Will Go On...: Booples!: "Once again, it had great lessons - like forgiveness, or God's faithfulness and each episode has a fun song at the end of it. Of course Tate had fun doing new dance moves to the songs (haha!) and I had fun watching both the DVD and him!"
Friday, December 14, 2007
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Boople fans are geniuses!
I ran my blogs through this analysis site and one got 'elementary' and another got 'high school', but my Booples blog got 'genius'!
It just goes to show how smart Booples fans are...
It just goes to show how smart Booples fans are...
Friday, November 09, 2007
Books for Moms: Booples - DVD for Kids
Books for Moms: Booples - DVD for Kids: "I kid you not, before the second story ended, I could hear her singing along with the Bible verse song, and my heart melted."
Read the full review here
Read the full review here
The new Booples DVD, "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" has been released by Booples.com and is available from their website!
"The new Booples DVD, 'Booples 2: Yikity Blar!' has been released by Booples.com and is available from their website! "
press release
press release
Booples video "Jonah and the Tarshish Fish" wins at Seguin!
Booples video "Jonah and the Tarshish Fish" wins at Seguin!
(I-Newswire) - For the second year, Booples.com has submitted a video to the Seguin Film and Arts Festival ( http://www.seguinfestival.org/ ). This year not only did the video "Jonah and the Tarshish Fish" win best animation, but also fourth place overall!
(I-Newswire) - For the second year, Booples.com has submitted a video to the Seguin Film and Arts Festival ( http://www.seguinfestival.org/ ). This year not only did the video "Jonah and the Tarshish Fish" win best animation, but also fourth place overall!
Thursday, November 01, 2007
SermonSpice.com
Booples are available for downloadable sale at SermonSpice.com!
Check out the site to view videos, see descriptions, reviews, etc. of Booples videos and other videos and countdowns.
"The goal of spice info is to provide information
pertaining to who we are as a company, our
philosophy, and other information that we
hope you'll find helpful and useful."
It's a great source for videos for sermons, countdowns, Sunday school, etc. Check it out!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
New Booples Affiliate program...
You can copy and paste text from the Booples site into your website or blog and you're selling Booples products! Booples.com takes care of payment, processing, shipping, etc. You just email in your contact info and URL. Click here for details
The items look like this:
scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0">
You can add your own comments around it using text from the site, your thoughts, quotes from other reviews, etc.
The items look like this:
scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0">
You can add your own comments around it using text from the site, your thoughts, quotes from other reviews, etc.
Friday, October 05, 2007
Booples Bible Verse Songs CD!
The Booples Bible Verse Songs CD has been released!
The Booples songs CD includes all the Booples songs from the first 2 DVDs each containing a Bible verse in the song...
* "Not Curly, But Straight"- Proverbs 3:5-6
* "Love One Another" - John 13:34-35
* "Treasure In Heaven" - Matthew 6:20-21
* "Forgive Each Other" - Ephesians 4:32
* "Don't Want to go to Tarshish" - Luke 11:28
* "David Rocked Goliath" - 1 Corinthians 1:25
* "For All to See" - Psalm 33:4
* BONUS TRACK: "Look Around" - John 1:12 - Not Previously Released!
Also available for download at CDBaby.com and iTunes.
Booples named #6 on About.com's "Top 10 Christian DVD and Video Series for Children"
Friday, September 07, 2007
"Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" DVD Released!!!
The second Booples DVD: "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" has been released!!!
You can view clips at Booples.com.
The Booples site has be redesigned as well as the clothing and other merchandise.
"Yikity Blar!" is also available to buy at Booples.com. There's even a combo deal of the 2 DVDs.
"Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" contains...
* "Forgive Each Other" (Ephesians 4:32)
* "Jonah and the Tarshish Fish" (Luke 11:28)
* "David Rocked Goliath" (1 Corinthians 1:25)
* "God is Faithful" (Psalm 33:4)
* Plus all 4 song videos from the episodes!
* And a Booples! short: "Fruit of the Spirit"
Each episode uses a Bible verse to teach a lesson from God's word to the Booples and the viewer. The episode's song includes the verse to help apply the message. The songs are catchy and help children remember the lesson and recall the verse!
The DVD also includes the song portion of each episode as separate titles!
Approximate runtime: 45 mins
Closed Caption and English Subtitles
Check it out here!
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Anne Hoag's blog mention of Booples
Check out Anne Hoag's mention of Booples in her media blog.
She's doing a research paper on media entrepreneurship and interviewed me about Booples a few weeks ago.
I've seen an early version of the paper and it looks very good, very impressive.
She's doing a research paper on media entrepreneurship and interviewed me about Booples a few weeks ago.
I've seen an early version of the paper and it looks very good, very impressive.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Yikity Blar!
The second Booples DVD, "Booples! 2 Yikity Blar!", is done and off to the duplicators!
I intend to update the website soon to get ready for it and send out announcements, press releases, review copies, etc.
I intend to update the website soon to get ready for it and send out announcements, press releases, review copies, etc.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Booples - "God is Faithful"
Hi!
Another Booples video is posted at Booples.com - "God is Faithful"
In the story, Doodle Boople wonders where rainbows come from and what they mean. Bah explains they are God's promise to not flood the earth again and that God is always faithful to His promises:
Psalm 33:4
"For the word of the LORD is right and true;
He is faithful in all He does."
Check it out here and send any thoughts you have (comment below or here)!
Friday, July 20, 2007
You got somethin' to say?
I'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback on the Booples videos. Let me know what you think and what you'd like to see. What do you like about Booples and what would else would you like to see?
Thanks!
Go here to send your thoughts.
Thanks!
Go here to send your thoughts.
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