Susan_Stewart's Comments

Christian Web Trends Blog by OurChurch.Com : Would You Like to Succeed by Becoming a Great Blogger?

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 11:43:45 +0000

I've had 31 Days for several months and have wanted to do it with a group. So I'm willing to give it a go. But, I'm moving across the country in the middle of the 31 days. I'll try my best to keep up. I know I will learn something from the experience. 1. I have two active blogs and am building a third 2. Been waiting for something likes this. 3. I definitely like the forum idea. 4. Maybe a side group for those of us who might not make the 31 Days, but are trying to push forward. Great idea, Paul

Christian Web Trends Blog by OurChurch.Com : Free Web Hosting for Christian Bloggers

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:28:31 +0000

I'm posting at the last minute because this contest has caused me to carefully think about my blogging goals. I have three blogs right now: two of which I'm already self-hosting. (www.family-4-family.com, www.blogsofbooks.com, www.firethebums.wordpress.com) I did set some goals for this year: 1) Increase writing income. To accomplish this one, I need to write. I also need to showcase my writing. I do have a website that is in need of updating and repair. A more personal blog would allow me to have have more free flowing conversations and serve as an online clips portfolio. 2) Regular blog posting. I originally thought this would be once a week, but that's too much right now. I've changed that to twice a month. To further accomplish this goal, I need to have a blog postings ready to go, rather than waiting until blog day and trying to hammer something out. 3. Finish ebook. This is probably the weakest of my goals since I'm not sure which one to finish first. A personal blog that is not subject specific would allow me to see what direction I want to go, and what readers are really interested in. 4. Continue WIP. One of my blogs focuses on my major work in progress by building a platform and allowing me to see more view points on the subject. Thank you for the opportunity to enter the contest, and to work through my goals and how to accomplish them.

Michael Hyatt Blog : Book Notes: Interview with N.D. Wilson

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:20:27 +0000

Three things intrigue me. 1. A combination of Chesterton, Lewis, Joyce? Who could not be curious with that combination of writing, philosophy, and story-telling? 2. Wilson mentions the "wonder" of God. I don't run to the bookstore for every new book on apologetics. I rarely take the ones I have from my shelf. Too often they are dry. N. D Wilson talks of exploring the wonder of God. I don't think we can look at the facts and knowledge of God without that wonder. 3. Wilson doesn't say if my book changes lives I'll be happy. Instead, he says if people are passionate, love or hate it, then I've done my job. He wants to engage people. Sounds like Wilson is going to let God do the changing.

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels - Group Blogging Project - Chapter 17

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:48:49 +0000

I also think there's more to the group (church) living as communities of faith. Whether the group is a formal church or informal as this blog group, it is the individuals that make the group. This group project would not have been of any value if we had each decided to go our own way, read or post chapters when and where we felt, or even read a different book. I think the same is true of the church. It's each individual following Christ, serving the world as described in the Bible, and living the message that holds the whole thing together. A church is a motley band of individuals that have the one thing of Christ in common. (I speak of the church as the body of Christ - not the separate buildings in which we meet.) These final chapters have many chunks that I need to chew on.

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels - Group Blogging Project - Chapter 16

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:23:30 +0000

Hold on a minute. I didn't sign up for this. Being God's message wasn't part of the deal. I became a Christian for peace, love, joy, happiness. God wrote the Bible to deliver His message. Isn't this the way so many of us cruise through our lives as Christians? We don't think about God's message as anything other than the preacher's Sunday sermon. If we're not called to preach, we don't have to worry about the message. God has given someone else that gift to spoon-feed us. Like being a parent, this is an overwhelming responsibility. At the same time, it is an enormous privilege. Few, including me, are brave enough to teach others that part of our religion. I think also that Justin hit on an important distinction that is seldom made -- we are not the messengers, we are the message.

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels â Group Blogging Project â Chapter 13

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 02:46:07 +0000

How often have you heard parents say My kid knows more about computers (or texting, IMing, etc) than I do? Have not parents given over the "power" to their children? When I speak to parents about technology, I tell them there is no reason for the children to know more than they do. I agree with John that we need to share the power.

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels - Group Blogging Project - Chapter 12

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 12:33:25 +0000

Sometimes I think online community is a catalyst for conflict. Conflict could have easily happened due email this week. The organization I work is down to the wire for our biggest annual event. Staff is tired, over-worked, and stressed. Two different circumstances, where errors were made, brought opposing emails. One email had a harsh tone of conflict; the other pointing out the error and along with a possible solution. My natural instinct was to fire back to the first one. I didn't. Not because I'm such a wise and good person; but because I didn't have time to engage in a virtual argument. The problems were fixed. I still have a sour taste about the person who wrote the less than gracious emails. Had the person writing the harsh email been forced to call or confront face-to-face, I think the tone would have been less confrontational. It is all to easy to fire off an email or send a quick DM without much thought about the consequences of our words. I do like the Anabaptist "Agreeing and Disagreeing in Love." I plan to study it further. However, Hipp follows that with the comment "the most effective method of conflict resolution always establishes clear rules and boundaries on process long before the content of the dispute is ever discussed." A lofty goal. I don't see how this can be applied to online conflict when it fires at us (and away from us) so quickly. I have my own set of rules for responding to angry emails or unkind FB comments. But, that doesn't me the other person will abide by my rules. In the midst of a conflict, is not always the best time to lay ground rules.

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels â Group Blogging Project â Chapter 11

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 01:34:09 +0000

Hmmmm ... I just notice my comment didn't show up. This chapter gave me pause to ponder. Am I neglecting face-to-face relationships? I can't answer that right now -- requires more meditating. I do believe that Christians tend to not use some methods because of the evil that makes the headlines. Frances Schaffer talked about Christians giving over politics, entertainment, and law to the secular world by not taking part. I think he would say the same thing about the Internet. It's that dance between being in the world, but not of the world. We can reach some people who would never cast a shadow on church door. But, like anything, we can only present to them when we are willing to invest in each person. We're back the key - realtionships. Hey, dewde. Great stuff you were doing on your website. You're so right some teens need a safe place to be honest with themselves and others. Back to pondering my own question.

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels â Group Blogging Project â Chapter 10

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:03:37 +0000

Having built a foundation, Hipps is now building on that foundation with some thought-provoking words. I paused to wonder about these distant "friendships." How many folks consider a celebrity a friend because of a Twitter follow or Facebook connection? On the other hand, how many friendships have been revived because of the new ability to connect across space and time? I don't follow many celebrities. Those that I do follow have interesting things to say (or maybe their paid "friends" have interesting things to say). Because I live where many "stars" hide away, I've seen the worts so prefer the person over the star. I don't consider any of them my friend, and I doubt I would attend a party if invited over Twitter. On the other hand, I recently connected with my best friend from high school through email. Interestingly, due to illness she doesn't remember much of high school, so our friendship is renewing in the now rather the then. We would not have this connection without the new technology. The expanded tribal experience is so many other societal changes -- good and bad can be expected. I appreciate certain tribal experiences, like this one. Others I withdraw from, preferring to closer personal experience.

Glenn Beck - The 912 Project : Vent -- 7/1

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:31:39 +0000

The only reason we in California will be without such services is because we're going to be punished for not voting for the budget bills they wanted. Those clowns in SAcramento aren't giving up their $60,000 a year per diem (that's on top of their $110,000 a year salaries and speaking fees, etc.) Nor, is there going to be any cut in their $250,000 office expense budget. Oh yeah, let's not forgot the taxpayer provider car each one of them gets. We don't need tax increases. We need to make those knuckleheads get real jobs.

Glenn Beck - The 912 Project : Vent -- 7/1

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:26:11 +0000

I've not only heard of this happening, but some (and Chase seems to be at the top of this list) are upping interest rates to 30%. I've had two of my cards cancelled since that credit card company bill passed. I don't carry balances on these cards. It's the reaction of the companies because of government "helping" us once again.

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels - Group Blogging Project - Chapter 9

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:26:37 +0000

The sentence you quoted is the only one I have underlined in this chapter. Haven't we seen this played out in the last 24 hours with two celebrities deaths? Farrah Fawcett's death evoked a little more than a passing comment. "How sad." Little or nothing was noted about her life. Well, I did hear a couple of comments about Ryan O'Neal wanting to marry her before her death. I don't know that Ms. Fawcett did anything that would be consider heroic. But, for the most part, she lived her life quietly. It wasn't even to the status of celebrity in recent years. Michael Jackson's death on the other hand stopped the world. Live news coverage. Vigils. Endless replaying of Thriller. His death was compared to John Kennedy's assassination. Jackson had fame and celebrity, but was he a hero who deserved this kind of worship? Is Jackson being elevated to this level because of fame or infamy? Media, along with images produced (did anyone see the suppose "last photo of Jackson"?), created this stature. Sadly, Jackson's fame was not based on a character or activities that are worthy of emulation. Does anyone want their child to grow up and be Michael Jackson? Who are the 21st century heroes? In fact, who are 20th century heroes? Folks, we even have a president who is an image rather than a person. Who is there for me to point my grandchildren to and say "Watch that person to learn about good character and good living?" I don't think that person will be anyone famous.

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels â Group Blogging Project â Chapter 8

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:42:46 +0000

Often when a group is asked to go around and give their testimony, I want to go to the restroom when the person next to me is talking about a glorious salvation experience. I don't have a "testimony." I was raised in a Christian home. Guess you could say I was born believing. Yes, there was the summer camp experience when I stepped forward, admitted I was a sinner, and "accepted" Jesus. I got saved. But, there is no dramatic Damascus Road experience for me. My faith, on the other hand, has been a project in the works. It has changed, diminished, grown. I never quit believing, but I did go through a time when I had to wander around to make the belief my own. . . to my God my own. Like Thomas, there are concepts I just can't get my head around. The Trinity, for example. I won't be able to understand this one until I see God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit face-to-face. So, I don't try; I accept it on faith. For some folks, that makes me a heretic. So, let's see if someone were to try and fit me and my faith in a neat little category it would be "a saved, but heretical, Christian." I guess I'm just a dimmer switch that fades in and out.

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels â Group Blogging Project â Chapter 7

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:47:15 +0000

This chapter captured my attention, and so did Dave's post. I'm a logophile. I love anything written; I savor words; I ponder the nuances of meanings. I'm attracted to anything written because of my love for words. I read billboards and ads, as well as articles, books, and dictionaries. At night when I read to my granddaughter, I read from books with no pictures. I want her to not just develop her imagination and love for words, I want her to learn to discern meanings and hidden meanings that may be lost when pictures are added to every page. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy a good movie or television series. I'm currently watching the series LOST on DVD because it is a complicated story that has me thinking and pondering What next? I imagine what is going on off the scene. But, I think we have become a culture of image over the substance of words. A picture is no longer worth a thousand words, because people are not invoking the words any longer. The picture of the little boy in the book is more than sad. He is distraught. He has resigned himself to his situation. What other words come to mind? Have you noticed that you can rarely find a waiting room without a television? I think it's because people can no longer sit and even read through a magazine article. It takes too long, and too much work. I have about a dozen books on my iPod Touch and only one video. When I wait, I always have something to read. A little sidenote: I've noticed when I'm reading a book, people feel free to interrupt me. It's as though the reading has no value or I'm not really enjoying it and engaged with it. However, if I'm using my iPod no one bothers me. I guess the assumption is I'm watching something important -- with or without earbuds on. I've seen church services go from little papers with sermon outlines, to overheads, to PowerPoints, and now photos and videos behind the speaker or singer. Is it because the visuals enhance the message? Or, is because people can't focus on just the words? In answer to Dave's third question: I don't think there is emotion with imagination. There is no imagination without words. I believe the logical conclusion is words are needed to feel and express emotion. Think of Spock and Data, both from Star Trek series. Neither of these men felt emotion, although Data spent timing learning. Often we find them without appropriate words because they don't know the feeling. In Data's attempt to learn emotions, he often used the wrong word. Spock ignored humans frailty of emotion.

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels â Group Blogging Project â Chapter 6

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:20:44 +0000

Adam wrote: "I am quite happy that I was born when I was. My talents are now valued, but I am not sure that they would have been all that valued in 1342" Don't you think your talents would have been used differently in 1342? Or, maybe God would have given you different talents? I'm not sure the gift and talent of writing is as appreciated today as it was 200 years ago. However, I'm still thrilled to have it.

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels â Group Blogging Project â Chapter 6

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:29:06 +0000

Paul asks a question that I came away from this chapter with, "What am I doing with the glut of information? How am I trying to understand it? How am I trying to help others understand?" (O.K. three questions.) I admit I'm not sure I have any answers, which may be a good thing. If I'm not seeking understanding and wisdom in the glut of information, I can't guide others. Seeking doesn't always mean having answers. Hipps presents a story of evangelizing in a "Four Spiritual Laws" fashion. In the end, he realizes that he has answers to questions no one is asking. In this age of information overload, too often answers are given to questions not asked. Solutions are given for problems that haven't come up. Another problem with so much information is the fleeting moments of truth. It is easy to divert the attention of folks. During this week's protest in Iran, one rumor was that a flare up in Israel was going to be staged. The rumor went on to say those currently in power wanted to divert attention away from Iran's problems. Had that happened, it would have worked. How can people know and understand Absolute Truth when they can't focus on information longer than a two-year-old? How can we help bring their attention back? It all cycles around to Paul's question, "How can we use technology to produce understanding and wisdom?" Much for me to ponder.

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels â Group Blogging Project â Chapter 5

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:39:05 +0000

Hmmmm ... I don't see subliminal messages as the key point of this chapter. I was struck with "The invention of writing gave people the luxury of thinking apart from the tribe without concern of those thoughts disappearing." Hipps has illustrated this by pointing out that in cultures without printed word there is no way to store information or knowledge outside the mind. The community maintains knowledge by the community retaining it through repetition. Because of the printed word, and maybe more because of video technology, the church is no longer a community of believers. The early church gathered to retain and share knowledge through oral repetitions. Certainly there was writing, otherwise we would have the Bible today. Those writings were read, discussed, and ultimately shared through gatherings of people. Today we gather in churches to listen to one person expound on the Scripture; but, there is no discussion. No one is required to remember what is spoken so it can be shared with others. We can simply give a tract and move on -- if even that much is done. The gathering of believers has become an individual endeavor. An introvert, like myself, can be content to stay at home and skip the social aspects of the Sunday morning gathering. After all, we can listen to someone talk on the television, radio, or Internet. Interestingly, as a writer (a solitary profession), I still must depend on connection with people to share my product. More than subliminal messages of the medium, I think the point is what has the change of medium done to the Western culture. Maybe the subliminal message of this chapter was subliminal messages and I missed it.

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels - Group Blogging Project - Chapter 4

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:29:53 +0000

Efficiency has become a god. This past weekend as I wandered the vendor area at a conference where I was speaking, I came across a book of reflections meant to be one minute meditations. I began to think, "Why do we NEED to rush through everything? Wouldn't five-minute, thirty-minute, or even sixty-minute meditations be more productive?" In the name of efficiency, we have chopped everything into little time slots -- fifteen minutes of "quiet time" with God, 140-character messages (don't have time for more), or "quality" time with kids and/or spouse. In addition to thinking linearly, we act linearly. Everything becomes one more item on the to-do list, including personal contact time. Sometimes we just have to take the time to be more personal, without conditions. While I was in the Los Angles area, I met with someone I do freelance work for. In addition to be co-workers, we are very good friends. We left the office where our discussion would have been efficient time wise, and went to a cozy tea shop. Yes, we discussed business. Business we could have even talked about on the phone. I believe we accomplished so much more as we talked over a cup (or three) of tea in a more relaxed manner without an agenda in front of us. Another difficulty that comes up with doing everything in a linear, efficient manner is the loss of emotion. We can read the Twitter, Facebook, or email, but not see the face that may have joy or pain. As dewde points out some things communicate better than mere words.

Michael Hyatt Blog : Would You Like to Be Donald Millerâs Co-Author?

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:52:40 +0000

Interesting, but I'm not sure it's a great promotion. I don't really want to put my name on a book I haven't read. I don't really want to falsely put my name on another writer's book - even if it is his idea. It seems to me that it can become a self-promotion. In other words, the person who uses the fake cover image and news page could use for their own benefit rather than to promote Mr. Miller's book. I appreciate that you and Thomas Nelson are breaking out of the "Christian" publisher's mold. But, this one doesn't have a lot of value.

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels - Group Blogging Project - Chapter 2

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:17:43 +0000

Maybe because I was a McLuhan reader back in his day, I've agree for years his premise, "the medium is the message." Hipps points out, more importantly, that the medium is not neutral. Neither is the medium all-good or all-evil. Television has long been the blame for the ills and evils of our society. It alone is not the problem. What is transmitted and consumed is the problem. As Adam points out, trying to spread trying the Gospel through pornography obscures the message. I would argue that porn is not the medium; it is the subject being transmitted through the medium of film. Jumping on Twitter to become the Billy Graham of Twitterverse may be a lofty goal. However, if you tweet nothing but the Four Spiritual Laws, the message is lost in the din of other messages. Relating the Gospel is not about the medium used; it's about the relationship with the people you are giving the message to. The problem lies in becoming enamored with the medium. I believe that to be McLuhan's and HIpps' point. I enjoy using new technologies -- I'm the family geek. I enjoy more the relationships that I can develop through the technologies.

Susan_Stewart's Comments

Christian Web Trends Blog by OurChurch.Com : Would You Like to Succeed by Becoming a Great Blogger?

Christian Web Trends Blog by OurChurch.Com : Free Web Hosting for Christian Bloggers

Michael Hyatt Blog : Book Notes: Interview with N.D. Wilson

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels - Group Blogging Project - Chapter 17

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels - Group Blogging Project - Chapter 16

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels â Group Blogging Project â Chapter 13

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels - Group Blogging Project - Chapter 12

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels â Group Blogging Project â Chapter 11

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels â Group Blogging Project â Chapter 10

Glenn Beck - The 912 Project : Vent -- 7/1

Glenn Beck - The 912 Project : Vent -- 7/1

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels - Group Blogging Project - Chapter 9

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels â Group Blogging Project â Chapter 8

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels â Group Blogging Project â Chapter 7

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels â Group Blogging Project â Chapter 6

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels â Group Blogging Project â Chapter 6

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels â Group Blogging Project â Chapter 5

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels - Group Blogging Project - Chapter 4

Michael Hyatt Blog : Would You Like to Be Donald Millerâs Co-Author?

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels - Group Blogging Project - Chapter 2

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels â Group Blogging Project â Chapter 13

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels â Group Blogging Project â Chapter 11

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels â Group Blogging Project â Chapter 10

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels â Group Blogging Project â Chapter 8

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels â Group Blogging Project â Chapter 7

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels â Group Blogging Project â Chapter 6

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels â Group Blogging Project â Chapter 6

ChurchCrunch : Flickering Pixels â Group Blogging Project â Chapter 5

Michael Hyatt Blog : Would You Like to Be Donald Millerâs Co-Author?