Scan Directly to Evernote Without a Compatible Scanner

I know this post will be way out of order for my Evernote series, but I am way too excited to not share!

There is a way to utilize a 'non-supported' scanner to scan directly into Evernote on a Mac. I have a Neat Portable Scanner, and before today, I had to scan into the NeatWorks software, export as a PDF, and then add to Evernote. However, I found this on the Evernote blog and have tried it out.  It works!

The setup is quite simple1:

1. Start ‘Image Capture’ – it is a free application that comes with OS X (/Applications/Image Capture)
2. If your scanner is supported (and turned on) you will see a window similar to the one in the screenshot above
3. Set the quality of the scan to either B/W or Color Photo (depending on what you are scanning)
4. Give your scan a title
5. Choose PNG, JPEG as the format. If you would rather scan to PDF, keep in mind that images in PDFs will not be recognized by our image recognition
6. Select ‘Evernote’ as the Automatic Task – this is the key step in this process (NOTE: My 'Image Capture' did not have an option for 'Automatic Task', so I just selected Evernote as the 'Scan to'.)
7. And click ‘Scan’ – that’s all

1 Here is the link to their blog post that I took this info from: CLICK HERE

If you are just getting started with Evernote, then I highly recommend you purchase Evernote Essentials to save you days of learning.  Buy it now, thank me later.

Evernote: Best App 2011

Until recently, I would have never thought that one application (app) could change how I do things so profoundly on my computer, iPhone, etc.  However, Evernote has proved to be, in many ways, the missing link to my quest for increased productivity.

For those that know me well, you know that I'm not naturally the most organized person.  However, in the last year or two, my life has demanded that I pull things together and learn to be more organized.  Having a desire to lead well, write well, and most importantly, pastor well, I have become dependent on technology to help me accomplish my goals.

So, I'm going to take the next several blog posts to share with you the various aspects of using Evernote to maximize my time, efforts, and ministry.

I'll start with this great tip.  Here's a fantastic eBook by Brett Kelly called Evernote Essentials that you need to get, read, and implement immediately.  Read now, thank me later.  Click here to purchase your copy.

I'm looking forward to sharing what I've learned!

What Apps have helped you become more productive?

I Want to MARRY Hyperbolic Statements

Jesus utilized hyperboles to emphasize a point.  I love hyperbole.

Dictionary.com defines Hyperbole as:

1. obvious and intentional exaggeration;
2. an extravagant statement or figure of speech not intended to be taken literally

Last night, I went to the local store (think large, massive, discounted, and from Arkansas) to get a few things for my lovely wife.  She wanted me to get one of those hard covered ice pack things to put into a lunch bag.  I figured it would be in all of the kitchen stuff.  After wondering around, dressed like a person of the store, I could not find one anywhere.  I texted my wife stating, "I'm going to burn this place down!"  She told me to ask someone, but the only people I could find were stock people pushing large amounts of discounted goods down the aisles.  Finally I found a lady, she looked at me like I was an idiot (maybe because of how I was dressed),  and she told me that the ice packs were in Sporting Goods.  Duh!...?

So, as you can see, I was not literally going to be an arsonist, but was using one of our favorite hyperbolic phrases.  

What hyperbolic phrases do you use ALL of the time?

Mission Possible: Bible Reading

I'm a pastor, so that means I'm paid to read the Bible, right?  Well, sort of, but more importantly, I'm a follower of Jesus, so I need to read the Bible in order to know Him more.  I know and believe this, but to be honest, there are seasons where my Bible reading isn't as consistent as I'd like.  I know.  Pray for me.

Followers of Jesus have the privilege of knowing God (John 17:3).  God gives us His Spirit to illuminate His Word.  We know this, but why don't we ever act on this knowledge?  Laziness? Apathy?  Fatigue?

Whatever the reason, it is important that we realize our need for God and for His Word and we cultivate a daily rhythm that allows us time to hear from Him through prayer and through His Word.

One of the ways I was encouraged to get into the Word was to read through the New Testament in a month.  This plan is a great way to get the big picture of the New Testament in the span of one month.  Several months ago I began the suggested bible reading plan in Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney.  It's quite simple really.  I read 2 chapters from the Pentateuch, History, Poetry, Prophets, and NT.  It's been a great way to get the full picture of the story of Scripture.

What Bible reading plans have you found to be helpful?

Broken Systems

A few weeks ago I walked into the school where our church meets and things were slightly chaotic.  This is to be expected in a church plant, for sure.  However, things had been going so well, that I thought that after three weeks we were in the clear.  Wrong.

In leadership, the breakdown is almost always at the top, and this was true in this instance.  I had not taken into consideration the importance of creating systems for various aspects of setting up and tearing down a mobile church.

I'm not much of a technical/systems guy, but it quickly became apparent that I had to learn.  I sent an email to my good friend, Glenn Smith, who quickly referred me to the book System Busters by Phillip Paul Beyer.  This book is an easy read and has already helped me tremendously to begin the process of putting together systems that will help our church to function smoother.  We have a long way to go, but it will definitely be worth it!

I encourage all leaders to take the time to invest in working on your organization and not just in it.

What one area of 'chaos' is currently plaguing your church, organization, business, or family?