Xagronaut

Hey, everybody! Er, um, that is, anybody?

I’m looking for some input on the Prayer Channel prayer request XML syndication format.

Glenn Slaven has already taken the lead with an initial suggestion. I added two cents worth.

Please leave a comment on the format, alternatives, or other collaboration ideas.

Glenn Slaven has an heir. He told me so when he apologized for his slow reply on one of the most personally meaningful threads that has been generated from blogs4God.com thus far. On a whim, I deleted my blog and reposted it on the techBlogs section, with Dean’s blessing. As a result, I thanked him with some Amazon referral links and got mentioned. So Dean kindly gave me a front-page mention along with the promise of an autograph of the ‘other book’ that I will probably take him up on, especially if I’m ever in his neck of the woods. (I mean that Dean, really, if you don’t mind, I’d love to visit some time.) As close as I could tell, Dean lives somewhere near the Redland Baptist Church in Rockville, Maryland. But that’s hard to tell given the ease with which a person can collaborate on a web project (like the USA-Austrailia connection mentioned in this post–read on!).

Somehow, in all of that hubbub, Glenn Slaven read my archives and contacted me with some real interest about the Prayer Channel idea that was buried in a long series of back links from my recent description of relisting on b4g. I was amazed at how God can use “whims and coincidences” when we’re mourning over his invisible workings. You know, like “God, where are you?”

So, exactly nine months to the day from the Prayer Channel post (see the birth significance here?), Glenn contacted me with this (excerpted) statement:

I was wandering through your archives last week & came across your post ‘A conversation at Dean’ (http://www.xagronaut.com/categories/xagTheRedemptionProject/2003/02/16.html#a209) where you mentioned the concept of a Prayer Channel.

I was wondering if this idea had been taken any further? The reason I ask is because I think it’s a brilliant idea & I’ve been toying around with some XML and PHP this weekend to see what I could come up with. It’s all fairly simplistic at this point, but i’ve got the beginnings of an XML syntax: http://glenn.bluemountains.net.au/dev/prayer/xml.php?orgid=1

To be incredibly honest, I hadn’t yet done anything further. I still had the domain name ready, but gasp!–I hadn’t put up the first bit of content. And, yes, it still is only an index page with a link to the post on my weblog. Correction: I just updated the index page to link to some sample XML files that embody my exchanges with Glenn so far. I may also use Radio’s category feature to create a custom blog for the site. Update: I did use Radio’s category feature, and you can visit PrayerChannel.com to get the basic content now. There’s some lag while Radio upstreams the new content, so please be patient and check back periodically over the next couple of days if there is a problem. I was getting a 403 error just a bit ago.

I appreciate Glenn’s enthusiasm, initiative, and history. Glenn lives and works in Austrailia with Voice of the Martyrs, Austrailia, and other ministries.

He just emailed me apologizing for not replying quickly to my latest suggestion at revision. Something about “Yada, yada, yada…New baby…Yada, yada, yada.” Dude, talk about “real life trumps blogging/coding/whatever!” I totally understand. Congratulations, Glenn, “Mom,” and heir!

Even though Mark Pilgrim agrees with Joe Clark that blogging is talking at someone rather than with someone, this statement is for Dean.

With recent recognition, how will you use the spotlight?  Any particular causes that you would like to pursue/promote?  With the recent clamour over the need for Christian web services, the season is right to start talking about other uses.

Here are a couple of personal thoughts on worthwhile web services:

1.) A prayer request syndication service that allows any ministry or source to publish prayer request that a person can consider during their devotional time.  I reserved prayerchannel.com for such a purpose.  Oddly enough, I received confirmation on the need.  After reserving the domain name, I did a google search on “prayer channel.”  A ministry I greatly respect, Prison Fellowship Ministries, has a page called “Prayer Channel” for exactly that reason: to list current prayer requests for people who would like to support them in their prayers.  I didn’t know this until after God had layed the phrase “Prayer Channel” on my mind.  Plug in whatever prayer channel you want into whatever website you want.

2.) A need syndication service that operates primarily for a geographical region that allows a ministry to publish the material needs it has.  Imagine if an entire community became aware of specific needs in a community.  For instance, a man on the northeast side of town could grab a spare coat from his closet when he reads that a homeless shelter downtown needs a coat for a man.

OK, there I’ve said it.  Now, the question is…Do I let the Lazy Web take over and hope that this is created by someone else who has the passion?  Or do I do as you have, and jump in where I am, and whatever happens next is up to God?

Anyway, one final point I would like to make: This is the beginning of a new wave (”techumenical movement“) of the phenomenon  described in Acts 18:3.

Paul stayed with Priscilla and Aquila because they were of the same craft and they worked together.  The Greek word homotechnos (yeah, see the “tech” part?) is used only one place in the New Testament.  It means “of the same trade.”  There is a powerful output when Christians of the same trade put asside denominational and dogmatic boudaries and come together to collaborate on a work product.  It’s actually very exciting.

Honestly, I don’t know what denomination you’re from, Dean.  I don’t think it matters.  I don’t know what denomination Taylor University is affiliated with, if any.  Or Gospel Communications.  Does it matter?  Maybe a little, but not much.

Let’s unite under a trade banner flown just below the Christian flag.  And march on.

P.S. Forgive me for name-dropping Dean, but you’re such a nice guy, I didn’t think you’d mind.