Jeffrey A. Miller: XAG

Apprehensive? Not exactly

Wed, 03 Aug 2005 18:01:13 GMT

I've been reading Douglas Bass's blog, Apprehension, initially because his blogroll link to my blog showed up on my Technorati list. It's been a pleasant surprise. Douglas is "assistant professor in the Graduate Programs in Software at the University of St. Thomas." I checked out the Certificate programs with some interest, and I found one 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 sudoku puzzle - 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 Philippians 3:12-13:

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, "Belief Seeking Understanding." You can subscribe to his podcast here. You can subscribe to Apprehension here.

Why Blog? Because Neil Cox Says So!

Wed, 01 Jun 2005 21:27:52 GMT

I like Neil Cox's content. I don't read enough of it, though, so I'm going to highlight some of my catching up here. Let me start off by saying that this is probably going to sound like I'm kissing up. Whatever--think what you want. In preparing for a presentation on a Drupal community website implementation for a ministry in Columbus, Ohio, I wanted to find material that would reinforce my recommendation that the participants start blogging. Blogging is great stuff, but explaining why to the uninitiated can be a challenge. After all, you don't want it to sound lame, right? To gather ammunition for my persuasion, I searched Google for the phrase "Why Blog." I found a few good hits, and I'll probably go back for more goodies. Ironically, though, I found Neil's "Why Blog" through other means. I was exploring the site, again in preparation for the presenation. I use his site as an example of a weblog that is relevant to ministry. It's obvious from the themes on his website that Neil enjoys making change happen. If nothing else, the names "Got Change?" and "Loving Change" should make that obvious. I can tell that he's making a splash in Indy, spreading hi-tech to ministries that need it very much. Next, Why Feed RSS to the Aggregators makes compelling arguments for why people should use RSS. He personifies news aggregators as the modern "secretary" (very funny, LOL):

Secretaries used to run the world. We all know that, right? ... But then came the information age, economies tightened, and we lost our secretaries. ... Our organizations failed. Global competition overtook us. Enron had to take shortcuts. Gas prices went up. Our dog ran off. Maybe our wife. Life was chaos without our secretaries. Well, baby... SECRETARIES ARE BACK! And they have voracious appetites for digesting & prioritizing information. In fact, now we've gone beyond calling them secretaries or executive admins, we now call them 'aggregators'.

Unfortunately, (and I know this is a stereotype), my aggregator doesn't take dictation or make coffee. :-) I haven't gotten to meet Neil in person yet. I hope to someday soon. We met through this wonderful medium we call the Internet, and he introduced me to someone who has become a dear friend and colleague, Jeff Koenig. Jeff K. was working just seven miles from where I live, and I would have never met him if not for Neil. God works in very cool ways.

Exchange of Words

Fri, 25 Feb 2005 03:29:54 GMT

Paul Hoy and I had an "exchange of words" today. While you might think of this phrase as meaning an argument, we instead had a literal exchange of words. We traded new words. I told him about my word, techumenical, as in an a technical ecumenical movement that brings technologists together to build God's kingdom, crossing denominational boundaries to work on shared projects. I wrote about this word in my article on Evangelistic Serendipity. He told me about a new word that a friend of his, Ford Taylor, created: biznistry. Biznistry is a combination of business and ministry where professionals use their everyday job skills to serve others in a ministry capacity.

Contest for faith-based orgs

Thu, 04 Nov 2004 18:23:00 GMT

Contest for faith-based orgs. The Faith and Service Technical Education Network (FASTEN) is hosting a new contest for congregations and faith-based organizations. The “Partners in Transformation” awards program will give $5,000 to ten FBOs who bring about tangible, positive results for kids, families, or neighborhoods while working with groups outside the faith community (schools, police, HUD, Chamber of Commerce, etc.). FASTEN will publish a report highlighting the ten winning programs and distribute it to hundreds of private charitable foundations. Get your contest application here.... [World Magazine Blog]

Prayer Channel Request for Comment (RFC)

Tue, 06 Apr 2004 02:10:04 GMT

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.

Congratulations Glenn, Mom, and heir

Mon, 01 Dec 2003 10:16:43 GMT

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!

Thinking in Pivot Points and Pivot Portals

Mon, 17 Nov 2003 03:21:37 GMT

When thinking about the whole "six degrees of separation" and my imagined "evangelistic data conspiracy," 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:

People are generally tied to geography.

People in the same geography can still live in isolation.

Portals are web sites organized around a common theme that present many types of information in one place for the purpose at hand.

Every person has his or her own "context" which overlaps and inter-rotates with other contexts.

This inter-rotation can be seen as pivoting.

The focus of the pivoting could be thought of as a "pivot point."

A "pivot portal" (yes, I'm coining a term, here--cue the band) could be thought of as a website that focuses on key points of inter-rotation.

Websites, portals or otherwise, that focus on commonality, either through geography or other theme, can bring otherwise isolated people together, providing opportunities for who knows what? (Hopefully progress, right?).

Are you beginning to see a "pattern?" Here are a few "pivot points":

You (personal information, how you relate to your world)

Family (2.5 kids, a dog, and an SUV, again generalizing--sorry)

Church (Mean Dean Peters has plenty to say about this on a regular basis)

Trade organization (Not like the WTO, rather a group of people with a common occupation--the Greek word homotechnos, meaning "same trade" in Acts 18:3 might clue you in here.)

Geographic region (Neil Cox in Indianapolis with his neck-of-the-city-reaching-movement knows something about this)

Ministry focus (pastors, children's ministries, etc.)

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?

Fragmentation (We work in isolation on identical goals only varying in result domains (read "places"))

Lack of real personal relationships (We're no longer impressed with just any .com that comes along, so let's start with real people we know and build our tools around the people we know.)

Lack of time (Mean Dean has addressed this as well)

Lack of knowledge (when people work in isolation, they fail to benefit from others' strengths and knowledge)

What's the solution?

Extend real relationships

End isolation by introducing our personal networks to each other (more "inter-rotation")

Look for patterns: application patterns, collaboration patterns.

Think in applications

Provide open reference implentations of pattern applications for adoption and/or imitation

Connect pattern applications at the edges (key phrase here--"open at the edges") by means of web services and data formats (i.e., XML)

Let the connections between the six-points-from-here-to-yonder remain in God's hands

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!

Amen and Ouch both

Tue, 20 May 2003 17:49:27 GMT

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.

We are nothing, and God is everything. This work of the church is not about me; it's all about God and His Kingdom. My focus should be upon serving King Jesus. In order to do this successfully, I am going to have to get myself off the throne so that Christ may be glorified.

More cool ministry ideas

Fri, 02 May 2003 03:44:11 GMT

Thanks to Dean for mentioning this post about a cool ministry idea. I can't take credit for the idea. The only thing I can take credit for is posting it, which is pretty standard for bloggers anyway.

The credit must go to the wonderful weblog called Kingdom Come. It's slogan is "Exploring the Christian experience across continents and denominations." I certainly identify with the title: it smacks of a longing for unity that reaches beyond labels and manmade traditions. I hope to uncover more gems like this one as I read KC in the future. You can subscribe to the RSS feed for the Kingdom Come weblog.

While I'm posting about cool ministry ideas, Joni Eareckson Tada's ministry has created an outreach program called Wheels for the World that refurbishes wheelchairs for distribution to needful disabled persons around the globe, using the caring hands of prison inmates to do it.

Heres a quote from another article about WFTW:

RESTORATION: The second division of Wheels for the World is restoration. Searching for new and effective ways to restore wheelchairs is an on-going process. In 1996, the idea to use inmates to restore wheelchairs was suggested. In 1997, we opened our first wheelchair restoration center in a prison in Buena Vista, Colorado. Since that time, we have opened four other centers, two state run facilities and two in partnership with Corrections Corporation of America. This program has won praise from both the inmates and prison officials as contributing to the rehabilitation of prison inmates.

How's that for cool?

Cool ministry idea

Tue, 29 Apr 2003 23:03:15 GMT

Australia: What if the prophecy is true?. 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. [Kingdom Come]

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!

Saving Face and Fixing The PA System (Can You Hear Me Now?)

Wed, 09 Apr 2003 22:49:39 GMT

Thanks to Daniel at wyclif.net. for pointing out some broken links that I had on the home page. And of course they would have to be links to my feature stories, the XAG principle and Techumenical Movement/ Evangelistic Serendipity. Go figure.

Daniel linked to a site called King's Meadow by Dr. George Grant lists some great scriptures in line with the XAG principle.
"...every Christian is uniquely gifted to serve in the dispersal of grace and mercy to the whole of culture (1 Peter 4:10)."
"It is the task of mature Christians in every vocation to train others around them—especially the coming generations—to do good works and to fulfill their unique callings with beauty, integrity, and passion (Ephesians 2; Titus 2)."

Thanks for visiting, helping me save face, and adding my site to your "lollodex." I hope it will be worth it at least for a while.

Every Man's Battle

Tue, 01 Apr 2003 20:56:35 GMT

Books on breaking and avoiding addiction to pornography.

Narnia and more

Tue, 01 Apr 2003 13:32:26 GMT

As often happens, a Google search leads me into unexpected places. While searching for a particular USA Today online article, I found another one entitled, "'Narnia' won't write off Christian values." C.S. Lewis was "the 20th century's most revered Christian apologist" and authored other works such as The Screwtape Letters and Mere Christianity, a book that Chuck Colson credits as being influential in his conversion to Christ.

"...in hindsight it becomes startlingly clear that this tweedy, pipe-smoking scholar was not only a clever author of children's tales and a keen apologist, but also a true prophet for our postmodern age. Lewis might seem an unlikely candidate for the role, not being a theologian but an English professor, and what's more, a convert late in life. What was it that made him such a keen observer of cultural and intellectual trends?

"For me, the question has intense personal significance. Twenty-five years ago, my friend Tom Phillips read me "The Great Sin," a chapter in Lewis's Mere Christianity dealing with pride. The words pierced the heart of this White House hatchet man, and the book became instrumental in my conversion.

"The ministry of Prison Fellowship is likewise indebted to Lewis."

While the controversy and the article from USA Today are a bit dated (2001), the article does talk about the following important issues:

What makes "Christian" literature "Christian?" The Chronicles of Narnia series is written in allegory, but contains a clear Christian message behind the story.

Should spin-offs of older classic works be produced? If so, what responsibility is there to remain true to the original, both in style and in message?

Focus on the Family has recently announced the availability the of the Chronicles of Narnia in a dramatized audio form. It will be available after April 15, 2003.

A thorough list of C.S. Lewis' works on Amazon.com is available here.

Thanks Dean; More to Think About

Mon, 17 Feb 2003 04:56:54 GMT

Thanks to Dean for responding to my remarks.

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 people looking to steal software) 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.

A conversation at Dean

Mon, 17 Feb 2003 01:57:07 GMT

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. :-)

Quite the Celebrity lately...

Mon, 17 Feb 2003 01:25:35 GMT

Dean Peters of blogs4God will be guest-blogging for Joshua Claybourn 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.

It's starting! The ball is rolling! What's next?

Thu, 13 Feb 2003 21:16:37 GMT

Bible Is Getting Even Friendlier to Programmers. Kudos to all you who have joined me in our effort to get a Bible API from a major Bible publisher. Here is my most recent post on blogs4God.com that describes just how significant and influential your comments and suggestions... [Heal Your Church Web Site]

Extra Ordinary

Thu, 06 Feb 2003 01:39:39 GMT

A recording I really enjoy is johnny Q. public's "Extra Ordinary." I recently retrieved it from my collection. I might be lucky to average 10 recordings a year. Unless a music club offer comes in the mail--then I get a bunch at one shot.

What I like about johnny Q. public's music is its seering creativity. I use the term "irreverent" loosely. It's more of a contempt for the status quo. It questions traditional church and its methods while mocking secular culture for its absurdity. It's a mix of incredible musical talent, lyrical creativity on a large scale, and relevant material for today's culture, even several years since its release.

Serendipity Gets a Kick in the Pants

Wed, 15 Jan 2003 18:13:02 GMT

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.

Wed, 15 Jan 2003 02:57:50 GMT

Ancient tablet echos Bible passage [Christdot]

Is Rapping for Jesus A Ministry?

Tue, 14 Jan 2003 14:32:45 GMT

RazorMouth offers some provocative discussion on ministry vs. vocation. I think this is an important issue for me to understand and consider because much of my journey for the last two years has been discovering how God views your work, "secular" or not.

I don't necessarily have an analysis on his opinion yet, but he does offer some good scripture references to aid in your own conclusions.

Reality

Thu, 09 Jan 2003 03:01:23 GMT

Sure there's controversy and debate. Sure there's frivolity and fun. But there's more.

The stakes are high. The people are real. The pain is real.

And I am a witness to all of it. This is for keeps. One life. One shot. Let's do it.

It's time for us who say we care about the lost and dying.........to live in the real world. Instead of waiting for our loved ones to be thrown into hell and begging us for a fingertip of water, let's give them the living water of Jesus Christ now.

Any Questions?

Barna on the Worship Wars

Wed, 08 Jan 2003 20:06:13 GMT

I appreciate a good discussion on worship, although I am by no means an expert.

There may be some insight to be had in a recent press release from George Barna's website regarding the "Worship Wars".

Evangelistic Serendipity and the Techumenical Movement

Wed, 08 Jan 2003 17:47:27 GMT

What if ministries and denominations combined efforts and licensed electronic data services to each other for greater efficiency in the final outcome?

Call it a "Techumenical Movement."

More later...

Confessions of a Louse

Wed, 08 Jan 2003 15:57:12 GMT

I've been doing a lot of introspection today. Stuff happens, makes you think.

Before I start, let me say I'm not looking for pity. So don't go there.

There are days that I worry about people discovering what a louse I am and losing what respect they had for me. Then sometimes I think I wish everybody knew what I louse I am so I could find out who my real friends are and what redeeming qualities I actually have that keep them around. Or maybe it's just love that keeps real friends around.

Well, anyway, I told my wife the other day that if I ever wrote a book, it would list her in the dedications for "loving me anyway." Eccentricities, goofiness, screw-ups, balding, overweight, inconsistency, poor judgment, etc., blah, blah, blah. I have to end the list here, because I still (for now) have a reputation to protect. I can't give away all of my dirty secrets at once, you know.

God loves us anyway. That's what grace is about, I suppose.

Prayer: God keep me from hurting you intentionally. Keep me from giving in to the pull of my flaws. Help me to see what I can do for you, even after my failures. ~~Help me work with~~ Take what's left to do what you have planned for me.