Externally Focused at Watermark

First of all, it’s important to know that at my previous place of employment, I was voted the ”webmaster” simply because I used an electronic calendar.  This tells you something about the technological environment that I have been in for the past several years.  So, it was shocking when I started this blog several months ago….thanks to many patient friends and some serious hand-holding.  Then, someone mentioned twitter! I was already maxed out savvy-wise, but thought I’d explore it.  In full transparency, initially I was not enamored with learning that someonne was eating ribs, was really tired, that their flight was delayed, or that they had spent two hours naming the family pet.  Really?  Nevertheless, I must say that it has really been a great tool and here’s why…

1) in the world of “outreach,” things move fast, and it has been very helpful to get the word out quickly about needs, opportunities, things to celebrate, and places for folks to get plugged in in “real time.”  For example, when I learned in a conference call that IJM had just secured the freedom of almost 50 slaves in India, I was able to shoot that out to folks who would be interested. 

2) one of the best things about this role is the opportunity to meet people who are “all in” loving Jesus and living lives that demand an explanation.  I want others to meet them as well and/or get directed to a website, if only in a brief message of 140 characters.

3) people twitter that wouldn’t otherwise subscribe to the blog.  And, so, when the blog is updated, so is twitter.

4) twitter is a great way to connect with other like-minded folks and learn about what is happening in their world, what they’re doing, and who they’re meeting.

5) it can be updated instantly from my phone, wherever I am, and even when I am un-hitched from the computer.

6) it causes me to consider where I am spending my time and whether I am spending it on significant and eternal things that I would love to share with others…constantly keeps me asking whether I am stewarding my time well.

7) it keeps me from going on and on….forcing me to summarize in a few sentences what would otherwise take pages.  This is very helpful and one of the reasons that I enjoy following others… I know that I won’t get hammered with long treatises.

it allows me to keep folks informed about local outreach events that are worthy of note, like the Dallas Justice Revival (www.justicerevival.org).

9) it’s just really cool to say that I am on twitter and twittering…it’s both a noun and a verb!

There are many more and I’m sure as I continue to twitter those will emerge.  So, if you’re not already in…c’mon in the water’s great!  Get started by following my external focus twitter – @outwardfocused!