Craig Groeschel Interviews Satan

Yesterday, in church, my pastor showed us a video that Craig Groeschel of Lifechurch.tv put together, where Groeschel interviews Satan to discuss one of his favorite weapons: Finances.

It's really something that hits close to home with all of us. It's a humorous video, but also something that should make us all take a good look inside ourselves.

Check out the video after the jump:

Friday Funhouse: April 27, 2012

Before you check out the best of the interwebs from this past week, I wanna throw out a quick plug on behalf of my friends at OurShirtsDontSuck.com and MendMark. Both are phenomenal companies doing great work in the clothing industry, while also waving the flag for the name of Christ. If you get a second, please check out both of their websites and follow them on Twitter.

Also, I'm giving away two invites to Gentlemint.com. I will randomly be selecting two members from my e-mail list. If you're already subscribed, you'll automatically be entered. If not, go ahead and subscribe HERE.

Without further ado, here's the latest and greatest:

This Is How We Met

Photo by GrantDeb Photography

I was 28 and single. At that point in my life, I felt like I was at risk of being alone for the rest of my life. I’d dated plenty of people, but never made a connection that I thought could last forever.

The year or two before that point in time, I’d resorted to messing around with a couple of girls who I knew were not only “not marriage material,” they really weren’t even “dating material.” We had nothing in common. It was purely physical and only skin deep. Part of me looks back on that period of my life and mourns. But another part of me is glad for it. Those years and those girls showed me who I was, but more importantly, it showed me who I wasn’t. I learned what I wanted by discovering what I didn’t want.

Read the rest of this post at LeighKramer.com...

TheIsleOfMan Book Review: 'You Are a Writer' by Jeff Goins

Jeff Goins is a writer. But, unless you've been living under a rock, you already knew that. Jeff offers daily help and advice to blossoming writers at his website: goinswriter.com.

Even though he's a writer, he wasn't always willing to come out and announce himself as such. If you write, you can identify with Jeff's struggle to present himself as a writer.

It's vulnerable and maybe even a little embarrassing at first. When you tell someone you're a writer, people expect to see a long bibliography of your works. They want proof that you are who you say you are. 

No one does that with the vast majority of other professions. If you tell someone you're a doctor, it's unlikely that you will be asked to diagnose someone on the spot to prove your merit. If you say you're a store cashier, no one is going to ask you to validate that by telling them the current price of a gallon of milk.

But writing is different, and Goins addresses this issue head-on.

In his new book, You Are a Writer (so start acting like one), Jeff talks about the processes he's had to go through to feel confident as a writer. He talks about how he learned to sell himself, to network and to create a community of readers who participate with him in his journey.

Jeff also talks about the process of writing and publishing your own book. If you're in the process of writing a book, have already written a book or are thinking of writing a book one day, You Are a Writer is a must-read!

The book will be available next week. I highly recommend that you buy it.

Guest Post at RandomlyChad.com: "I Don't Think Tim Hawkins Is Funny"

I've never been a big fan of Christian Comedian Tim Hawkins. Truthfully, his act just isn't my cup of tea. With that said, my friend Chad Jones can't get enough his shtick.

This has been the root of many a verbal tussle between the two of us.

Today, I'm guest posting over at Chad's place to settle the matter, once and for all. I hope you enjoy it!

Check it out HERE.

If you have comments, make sure you leave them at Chad's. Before you head over and check out the guest post, be sure and pick up a FREE copy of my e-book, An Idiot's Guide to the Galaxy. It's getting rave reviews by people in places. 

The Day I Almost Burned My House Down

So, I'm kind of a clumsy guy. From the outside looking in, you might not even notice. I appear to have it together, but every now and then, I slip up and do something terrible.

Like almost burning my entire house down.

Getting to Know You: Volume II

Last week, I released my book, An Idiot's Guide to the Galaxy, FREE of charge to my e-mail list subscribers.

I was happy to see my list of subscribers grow, which means the family of readers is broadening. It also means, there are more people that know me, through my blog, who I may not be so familiar with.

I don't want this to be a one way street. Sure, I'm plenty interesting, but I want to know about YOU! So, whether you're a new subscriber, or you've been around for a while, I've got a few questions:

From the Archives: 'The Top 10 Ways Not to Network'

Networking is overrated and only for working stiffs in conference rooms

If you're a blogger or really any kind of entrepreneur or creative type, you hear non-stop about "networking" and how to do it.

Being the blogging prodigy that I am, I've found the value of networking to be vastly underrated. It's really important. No man is an island...even on "The Isle of Man."

With all that said, I decided to flip the whole conversation on its ear. Any "average Joe" can tell you how to efficiently network. I'm not tryin' to go that route. BO-RING!

Instead, I'd like to share some of my experience, as well as (and even moreso) the experience I've viewed other bloggers undertake in their failure to network properly.

So, here it is. The top ten ways NOT to network:

Test post for Technorati

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Friday Funhouse: April 20, 2012

If you weren't around or paying attention, here's what you missed on TheIsleOfMan.Net this week:

- I wrote an e-book about Idiots and released it...for FREE

- We had a discussion about re-charging our metaphorical batteries

- I talked about Dick Clark and the legacy he has left behind

But enough about me. Here are the funniest, most entertaining and informative pics, vids and articles of the week (in my opinion):

Dick Clark and His Lasting Legacy

Yesterday, the iconic Dick Clark passed away at the age of 82, as a result of a heart attack. He will be missed by many for being a pioneer, not just of his era, but really, for all of time.

Clark did things no one had done before. He was a star if ever there was one.

But what is his real legacy?

Don't forget to re-charge your batteries

This is a post I wrote last week, while sitting in my empty classroom at the end of a long day. Hopefully, you can identify with some of this. If nothing else, how cute is that picture of that cat? Am I right?


It's been a long day.

At 6:45 a.m., I tumbled into my car to start out the 45 minute commute to work. It wasn't great. It never is.

Since approximately 8:00 a.m., I've been corralling middle and high school students, cajoling them to be quiet and pay attention, and, hopefully, teaching them a thing or two in the process.

Amongst all that chaos, I have a million other things on my mind. The end of May feels like it's just around the corner. That means the end of my employment as a teacher rapidly approaches. That means I need to find another source of steady and serious income.

It also means I'm still in the in-between stage. I'm not gone, but I'm not really here either. I have no "next year" to look forward to. I'm not building momentum. I'm winding down.

I feel tired. I feel angry. I feel bitterness creeping in. I feel overwhelmed.

And as my students from my last class retreat in glee out of the door of my classroom, I know it isn't over for me.

Next on deck? Grocery shopping at Walmart. It's the last thing I want to do, but it must be done.

But, after that...surely then I can relax, right?

Not so. After grocery shopping, I've got praise and worship practice.

And then, that must be it. That must be when I'll be able to kick back and truly unwind, correct?

Again, I'm afraid not. After worship practice, I'll have to stay up late to watch a mixed martial arts (MMA) TV program so that I can log the news and information for an article for the MMA website for which I work part-time.

By the time that's all said and done, it will be 12:30 a.m., at the earliest. I'll likely be in bed no earlier than 1:00 a.m., only to awake to the cacophony of my cell phone alarm clock invading my eardrums at 5:30 a.m., signaling the beginning of another race to another finish line that never comes.

Those are my days. All of them.



Monday.


Tuesday. 


Wednesday.


Thursday. 


Friday. 


Saturday.


Sunday.




I rarely rest. I rarely just sit and do nothing. Sometimes, I feel like I rarely breathe.

I need to leave to get the shopping done and over with, but for now, I will sit. I will sit in this quiet and unoccupied classroom and enjoy the silence.

We need that. I...need that. The quiet recharges my batteries. It readies me for the next leg of the race. I'll get up and go in a minute. But right now, I cling to the quiet.

On a sidenote, as exhausting as this week has been and how draining my life can be, all of you fill me right back up again. I love my readers. I love my fellow bloggers and Twitter friends who helped promote the release of my new e-book, An Idiot's Guide to the Galaxy. You guys rock, and I appreciate you.



How do YOU recharge your batteries?

My Free E-Book: 'An Idiot's Guide to the Galaxy'

Can I be real with you guys? I'm nervous. I'm not sure why. I write words and sentences for you all the time. It's not that big of a deal. I know you. I like you. Some of you even like me back.

So, yeah, I'm nervous, but I'm also excited. Here's why:

I wrote an e-book called An Idiot's Guide to the Galaxy. The book is a satire on society. It takes shots at everyone, even myself. Check out this excerpt:

Friday Funhouse: April 13, 2012

Before we get to the funny and informative pics, vids and links, I'd like to take a moment to talk about one of my sponsors: OurShirtsDontSuck.com.

Here's a quick excerpt from their bio info:

"Our mission is to honor and serve God with our talents and help spread the Good News unconventionally. We want to help your ministry grow by providing you with products that are relevant, eye-catching, and affordable. Every design we create is unique and custom. All of our screen-printing and embroidery is produced here, in our own facility, which gives us complete quality control."

Why don't their shirts suck? Glad you asked:

1. They use high quality, fashion fit ringspun tee shirts. These are the kind of shirts that you would find in a retail store. They have endless styles to choose from and can find something to fit virtually any budget.
   
2. They believe that bullet proof clothing belongs on police officers. Therefore, they will try to keep your print as soft as humanly possible. They have a variety of techniques to do this, including ultra-soft water based inks.
   
3. Their design team has mad skills. If you don’t believe me, just check out their gallery. Here is the best part: every design they do is 100% custom, and your first hour of art time is their donation to you! Don’t take my word for it. Check out the “Raves” page on their website to hear what their customers have to say.
   
4. They believe in blessing the ministries they work with, not piling on extra charges.That’s why they waive all set-up charges on embroidery and screen printing. All you’ll pay for is the price they quote you, plus the tax and shipping.
   

I know, I know. You don't come here for commercials. But I wouldn't try to sell you on something I don't believe in. Shawn and Laurel are good people. If you're going to have shirts made for any reason, you should at least contact them first before you make a final decision.

Make sure you follow them on Twitter HERE. Check out their Facebook page HERE.

Also, please understand that any time you guys support one of my sponsors, you're also supporting me, indirectly. I appreciate it.

One more thing. My buddy Tyler Tarver is hosting a Twitter Awards contest on his blog, and he's been kind enough to include me in one of the categories. I'm up for "The Buried Treasure [Should have more Followers]" category, but I'm currently trailing in the ballots. It'd mean a lot to me if you'd go HERE and vote for me (my category is near the middle of the post). It will take you no more than 30 seconds. Pinky swear. Thanks!

Ok. Commercial over. Bring on the funny!

Having a Spouse Who Supports Your Dream

That's a picture of my wife. (If you wanna be technical -- and I do --  it's a picture of my son too.) 

She'll probably kill me for posting the picture, but it was a necessary visual. You see, my wife is flat-out AWESOME. As exhibited by the photo, she's gorgeous, beyond words. But that's a given. This is a post where I'm going to brag on my wife, Kim, and it's based on way more than her external looks.

Guest Post at ChadGibbs.com: "Why I Hate Bandwagon Fans"

Today, I'm asking you guys to head over to my friend Chad Gibbs' site to check out a guest post I wrote for him titled: "Why I Hate Bandwagon Fans."

Here's an excerpt:

"It makes me sick to see people go from team to team like a fat kid in a buffet line. 

We saw it last year when Duke won the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship. Duke Blue was everywhere. 

This year, a lot of those same fair-weather supporters kept the blue, but they changed the logo to that of the Kentucky Wildcats."

So check it out, and if you have comments, please leave them over at Chad's place. Thanks guys!

TheIsleofMan.Net Interview: 'Amanda from MandieMarie.com'

Amanda is many things. She is funny. She is Canadian. Like me, she is in the business of shaping minds in the classroom. She's not a big person by stature, but her brains and wit more than make up for that. She runs a fantastic site at MandieMarie.com. If you haven't checked it out, do it today (after you read the interview, of course). 

At any rate, here is my interview with Amanda. I hope you like it. If you don't, keep it to yourself. Amanda and I are sensitive.

Contest Winners -- Things I Learned This Past Week

First thing's first. Here were the winners of this past weekend's giveaway:

- Rob: You win a free shirt from OurShirtsDontSuck.com, plus an Invite to Gentlemint.com

- Dave: You win an Invite to Gentlemint.com.

If both of you could e-mail me, I'll get with you about how to collect your prizes. Thanks for playing!

Picking the winners for this contest was not difficult. Why's that? Because a total of two people participated. I'm not whining. Seriously. I learned a few things.

Saturday Giveaway: Win a Gentlemint Invite or a Free Shirt from OurShirtsDontSuck!

Do you like free stuff? Silly question. Of course you do.

Today, I'm giving away one complimentary Gentlemint invite and a sweet shirt from OurShirtsdontSuck.com. If you're not familiar with Gentlemint, HERE is a write-up I did a while back.

So here's how you can win.

Each of the following are things you can do to garner yourself an entry in the contest. You can do one of these things. You can do ALL of these things

Friday Funhouse: April 6, 2012

I'm not gonna lie. It's been a rough week. I overextended myself whilst bringing groceries into the house, which resulted in me jacking up my neck. Nothing shows you that you're getting old like a "grocery carrying injury" that leaves you also totally debilitated.

It wasn't all bad though.

This week, Kim and I went to her 20 week pregnancy appointment, in which we were able to see the baby once more via Ultrasound. Check out his latest profile HERE.

I also got to interview Chad Gibbs. He's a cool guy. If you missed the interview, read it HERE.

Anyway, enough tomfoolery. Let's get to the funny pics and vids!

March Madness Bracket Contest Winner

I'm a few days late on this, and for that, I do apologize. 

As most of you know, the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament is all over and the Kentucky Wildcats emerged victorious as the champions.

So, now it's time to unveil which Isle of Man reader had the bracket that sucked the least.

::drumroll::

Chad Gibbs Interview

Chad Gibbs runs and writes for his personal blog, ChadGibbs.com. He also wrote a book called "God and Football." I could explain the book for you, but I'd rather give you an excerpt of what may possibly be the stupidest review of a book I've ever seen, in which a person with no common sense gave Mr. Gibbs a two-star rating for his book:

"So why did I only give this book a 2-star rating, you ask? Simple, because it deserves a better rating, so I shorted the author and didn't treat him fairly. Ha! You see, that is the point. The author realizes that maybe God deserves a higher rating in his own life, but he has been rating his relationship with God a little lower on the scale than he should, so I did the same to the author of this book in order to make a point*."

Dumb, right? 

You know what isn't dumb? Chad Gibbs' writing. He's good at what he does, and he's also a really nice, down to Earth guy. 

This interview also is not dumb.

Tyler Tarver wrote a book and is giving stuff away

Tyler Tarver is my homeboy. Not in the "I made an image of him and ironed it on a trucker hat to be ironic" kind of way. For real. He's my legit homeboy.

On a regular basis, Tyler writes funny sentences and strings them together on his website, TylerTarver.com. Today, he is releasing his new book, "Letters to Famous People."

Head on over to his site to find out how to acquire a copy of this literary masterpiece, as well as how to win one of many fantastic prizes. (One of the prizes is "Tyler's love." You better get on this quickly. That prize is going to go fast and is worth a ton.)

Click HERE to find out more about "Letter to Famous People."

Books I Believe In

Today's post is a short one but a very important one.

Every now and then, you read a book that really changes your life. Within the past year, I've been fortunate enough to read several that qualify as such.

I'd like to share my list with you. Here it is:

Guest Post by Knox McCoy: 'Why I believe in Aliens'

I'm not gonna take a long time to explain who Knox McCoy is. If you have an internet-capable computer or mobile device, you probably see his name multiple times a day.

Knox runs and writes for knoxmccoy.com, themybadproject.com and tvasylum.com. That's what you do know.

Here are some things you may not know:

• Knox really enjoys a good danish. Doesn't matter what time it is. Especially cheese. 
• Knox once beat a man within an inch of his life using a strawberry fruit roll-up.
• Before he pursued a career as a writer, Knox was an award-winning ballroom dancer.
• Knox is fatally allergic to Axe body spray.

Here is Knox's guest post on extraterrestrial beings. I hope you enjoy it. Knox told me himself that he worked extra hard on this one!