Xagronaut

I’ve been reading ’s blog, , initially because his blogroll link to my blog showed up on .

It’s been a pleasant surprise. Douglas is “assistant professor in the at the .” I checked out the with some interest, and I that I would enjoy having, given the time. A task like that is indeed daunting, especially with my current full-time job and other life responsibilities. Plus, St. Paul is geographically distant (I didn’t check on the distance learning option).

Douglas covers a range of topics, including computing (like the - neat!), Christianity, higher education, and combinations of the same. But, above all, the title and theme is “Apprehension,” not the negative emotion, but that kind mentioned by Paul in :

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

I will definitely be visiting again. You can check out Douglas’s smooth-sounding voice in his podcast, “.” You can subscribe to his podcast . You can subscribe to Apprehension .

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

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

has already with an . I added two cents worth.

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

. We’re putting together a mission team from our church to go to Mexico and build houses there. As a fundraiser, we decided to do a charity screening of The Matrix Reloaded, in co-operation with Greater Union Castle Hill. They have several packages available, based on the size of the cinema. []

So, maybe there could be some controversy over movie choice for the less-than-open-minded, but as I see it, this is a very progressive idea that bridges modern culture with practical Christian outreach.  Kudos!

Words to live by:

Paul brings the church back to reality by reminding them that Paul and Apollos are merely servants of the Lord who are fulfilling their responsibilities of Christian service. Paul was the planter and Apollos was the one who watered. Then Paul declares that God is the one who gives the growth. Resoundingly Paul trumpets the truth in verse 7: “I am nothing and Apollos is nothing. God is everything! He is the one who brings the growth!”

It might be wise for every minister and every layperson to daily read these words and be reminded who is in charge.

where to buy the penguins of madagascar - operation - dvd premiere film

 

Thanks to Dean for to my .

By the way, I certainly wasn’t calling Dean to task in my earlier remarks.  Sure it was a bit of a challenge.  And I was legitimately curious.  Sure it was a little name dropping.  It’s funny–in the blogosphere, you can do that, and the person on the other end of the name-dropping might read at least one post.  In fact, most of my referral traffic (outside of ) is from people checking out my links to them.  Dean was actually kind enough to post a response.

Deep down, I think Dean’s right.  Maybe the call for collaboration is too soon.  Let’s all do some useful things and then collaborate.  I know that Dean is very busy.  So am I.  There are days that I think that my head is going to explode because I keep thinking of all of the things I want to do/learn/read/etc.

Is it enough to work independently?  Is there any need to “unionize?”  Sometimes I think that one or two people with a good idea and the right talents can do more than an army of well-meaning people.  Start small then release to the world.  Can we keep from reinventing the wheel?  Is there some way to stay informed about others’ efforts without being involved and committed?  Is blogging about ideas enough?  Something to think about.

I think I need to revise my earlier thoughts about the two web services candidates.  The more I think about it, publishing information through an XML feed (similar to RSS) would prevent abuse.  In other words, read-only information available for syndication.  Just agree to the terms of use, and download away.  I know, that’s not web services.  But it is collaboration.  It is syndication.  The means of submitting the prayer request doesn’t necessarily need to be a web service, but that would be handy.

Need to go to bed.  Rambling now.  In closing, Dean is one of many Christians working on the Internet these days.  I’m glad he’s leading by a consistent example.  I won’t put him on a pedestal, but I will thank him for his work and give God the glory for the results.

When thinking about the whole “six degrees of separation” and my imagined “,” I have often wondered what the application space looks like between a local web geek going to a local church and the mission field, both foreign and domestic. I have come to the conclusion that there is no single application that connects everyone from cushy suburbia (please forgive any generalizations about audience here–only wear the shoe if it fits) to Africa, Asia, the 10/40 window, etc., etc. Oh, and let’s not forget our own back yard with homeless ministries, helping widows and children, visiting prisoners, helping those with disabilities, etc., etc.

So without being able to come up with a single application (other than your typical contact and appointment manager–yawn) that crosses all these boundaries, it does seem that some patterns exist. These patterns (not at all exhaustively listed here) can be observed, predicted, and leveraged in the march along the evangelistic journey.

Here they are:

Are you beginning to see a “pattern?”

Here are a few “pivot points”:

You see the pattern? Any number of websites could be constructed to facilitate and improve communications in any of these areas.

What are the obstacles?

What’s the solution?

So, Dean is still waiting for my audition. I’m working on that. I’m giving serious thought to the long-term lamenting about my unfulfilled intentions that have been recorded in my weblog for the last year+. Well, with God’s help, I am committed to doing something about it. Even to the point of making it a priorty like never before. Ouch!

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

With , how will you use the ?  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, , has 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 take over and hope that this is created by someone else who has the ?  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 (”") of the phenomenon  described in .

Paul stayed with Priscilla and Aquila because they were of the same craft and they worked together .  The Greek word (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 is affiliated with, if any.  Or .  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.

Dean Peters of will be for on Thursday.  He has also had recent mentions in Christianity Today related to the Bible Gateway API, etc.

I’m sure, as is probably true with most innovators, the outcomes of initiative can never be predicted or anticipated.  Yet, this is exactly what can happen when someone is outspoken in a positive way.  All of a sudden a person finds himself in the role of spokesman or advocate.  Way to go Dean.  Keep up the good work.  Even if you do have to be “Mean” about it sometimes.

If I can ever get organized, I hope to also have a great impact on some part of the things that I touch.

Sam Ruby wrote about Manufactured Serendipity being the act of putting in place factors that would increase the chance of something wonderful and coincidental happening.

Well, this time, serendipity has gotten help from two actions I took spontaneously.  I suppose I was actually practicing the manufacture of serendipity.  I posted Joshua Claybourn’s request for ideas to take to an “Innovation Forum” in Indianapolis that mixes local pastors with web-savvy people to see what comes out of it.

My first action that helped things along was adding my weblog to the blogs4god list.  Suddenly, Mean Dean and Joshua Claybourn had both read my weblog.  So I started camping out on those weblogs and, surprise, I see Joshua’s post–serendipity!

The second action I took was to post a link to his request on the ICCM (International Conference on Computing in Missions) group on Yahoo Groups, as well as the Internet Evangelism discussion group.  To my surprise, both posts resulted in comments left on Joshua’s weblog–serendipity.

Now, at least three more people have made contacts that did not exist before.  I don’t know what will become of those comments or the information that they bring, but that’s the point!  There could be some more serendipity happening very soon!

By the way, I know that God has all of this orchestrated.  I’m just giddy with excitement as I wait to see what happens next.

Ancient tablet echos Bible passage [Christdot]