Gods Geeks

Lifechurch.tv has launched a beta version of its new site, YouVersion.com. YouVersion looks to be a web 2.0 version of the bible. With support for tagging, linking, Embeding video and pictures, YouVersion strives to tap the user generated content field to create an online community. It also has a Private journal section to store reflections and observations. There is place holders for lots of features not yet implemented yet, including Contacts, History, and Groups. While actual content is very thin at this point, this service looks like it could be very handy.  Keep your eyes on the dev blog over at blog.youversion.com., or right here for more information as it becomes available.

Last week I mentioned that I attended a session by Kent Shaffer of Bombay Creative and ChurchRelevance.com at Gospelcom.net’s (now/soon to be Goospel.com) Internet Ministry Conference in Grand Rapids, Mi. I Actually attended 2 sessions by Kent. The first was titled “Communicating Without Words”. We often concentrate so much on the words that we are sharing, that we forget to think about what we are saying without words.
The second was called “Design is Credibility.” It was a great discussion about Design and art. We so often underestimate the importance of good design. Just like when meeting someone on the street, be it good or bad, people make assumptions based on appearance very quickly online and in print. Design is especially in in ministry. With attractive design, people give the credence to the content. It also helps engage emotional attachment. Peoples perceptions of your ministry are effected by the quality of your delivery.

Both of these sessions had so much good content that it was almost impossible to keep up with notes. I am so glad that Kent posted his rough notes over on his blog. Check them out.

Communicating Without Words - Rough Notes

Design is Credibility - Rough notes

The final Session I attended at the new Gospel.com’s Internet Ministry Conference 2007 was a session by David Bruce of HollywoodJesus.com. The title of his session was Tearing Down Walls Building Bridges. His message was to put aside our partisan politics, not tear each other down over our differences, but build each other up in the love of Christ. He reminded us that Christ loves each one of us, he embraces our differences. We need to love each other and find value in each other just as Christ does.

That really struck a chord with me. Anyone who knows me is likely to have heard my Un-Rant lately. Each one of us are Christ’s Creations. Made with a specific propose, and equipped with a specific tool set. That tool includes not only spiritual gifts, but also talents and abilities. It also includes interests. God has given us interests and passion for specific purposes that glorify Him. The connect us with specific people. Those are the people that we can connect with naturally. Not that God does not call us to step out of our confort zones, because he does, alot. But those are the base set of everyday interactions that equip us for Gods calling.

David’s message of loving each other, because God made of us, and loves each of us how we are, is often hard to do. Jesus loves the republican, the democrate, the rich, the poor, the black, white, red, blue, whatever color, the activists, the pacifists, the jocks, the nerds, the freaks, the geeks, the pimps, the preachers, the pushers, the users, the haters, the abusers, the friends, the foes, the butcher, the baker, and the candle stick maker. Sinners, one and all. And Jesus loves them each and every one. If I pray Daily and ask for Jesus to teach me his love, and If I remember that God built each aspect of each person for a reason loving others gets a little easier every day.

Take a look at this interesting video from Rob Bell at Mars Hill.
What do You think?

Since the democratic debates were on TV tonight I thought it appropriate to ask the question, who do you think Jesus would vote for? All the candidates have their faults but which one do you think stands out of the pack and represents more in line what Jesus would do if he was a earthly president. I don’t have an answer for you but I do have a link that tries to cover the candidates and where they all stand on issues. Go down each listed item and ask yourself where would Jesus stand on this topic. I personally liked the comment that Senator Mike Gravel said tonight. He said if you want to find out the true intentions and a good candidate follow the money trail. Because of the the original sin (Greed) committed by the Satan himself, we live in a world where money drives our decisions and outcomes. Instead of allowing us to be sucked into the downward spot of consumerism let’s follow Christ example and look at what Christ did for us.

Tags: Mike Gravel, Democratic, President, Debates, Jesus, Consumerism, Greed, Candidates, Sin, Satan

A few weeks ago some friends and I attended part of the Buzz Conference held at a Church coffee shop in Washington D.C.

National Community Church has created a church that is very innovative and is thinking outside of the box when it comes to doing ministry. I didn’t get to attend all the sessions, but National Community church did post some of the sessions online in audio and video format. I would strongly recommend this conference to anyone involved with ministry. Their story is worth checking out and a inspiration to the ones that want to make a difference in today’s postmodern world.

Tags: Buzz Conference, National Community Church, Washington D.C., Postmodern

I found a social networking site that now gives religious institutions, churches and religious based organizations a chance to share in the social networking popularity of today. LightsTogether.com is a social network designed for the church organization, even though they also accept personal accounts. I would say it’s the Myspace.com design for the church. I haven’t created an account yet, this is one of those services that I’m going to watch and see what ministry possibilities transpire. As with any social networking site I believe this is where the heart of ministry is in the 21st century. I see it becoming and developing into a primary method of conversation in future generations.

Tags: myspace, lightstogether, social network, converstation

3.1 billion people in the world are considered to be illiterate today. This begs the question how one can read the bible effectively no matter how easy the translation may be. There are several organizations that have put out audio versions of the bible but they have been limited on the number of translations and lack of languages. “Faith Comes By Hearing” has put into practice MP3 Audio Bible versions into many different translations and also has put together a “Bible Stick” for kids, that includes the “New International Readers Version for Children” (NIRV) that has dramatized the bible and while making it convenient and cool to listen to God’s word. For only $29 it’s worth every penny.

Happy 777 Day!!!

Tags: bible, nirv, mp3, audio, faith, illiteracies, illiterate, read

In my previous post, I discussed the alarming trend of the exodus of young people from the church. The statistics lead us to the 2 questions that we have a responsibility to ask. Why? And what can we do to fix it?

To address the first question, I talked to a number of my friends, some who are still involved in the church, most who are not. When I asked them why they think that the numbers show this trend, initially they replied in a variety of ways. It is not relevant to me. I’m too busy. It doesn’t meet my needs. Each of these answers, as well as the others that I received, appear to be very different. But by digging deeper and seeking clarification an interesting trend began to develop. The true root of most of the disengagement from the organized Church was disillusionment with the church. See the big c little c difference there again?

While nearly all admit that one should look to Christ as the model for true Christianity, they also state that a examples of unchristian like behavior in the church(little c) effect their spiritual standing. 3 areas came up again and again, so I thought I would share them.

The first is Integrity. The definition of integrity speaks volumes.

in·teg·ri·ty /ɪnˈtɛgrɪti/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[in-teg-ri-tee] –noun

1.	adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.

2.	the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished: to preserve the integrity of the empire.

- Dictionary.com

One of the challenges of having a common moral standard, is that it is just that common. The structure of that moral standard outlined in the bible is open and available to anyone who is willing to pick it up and to have it shared with them. Thus observers have a certain expectation of those who claim to be Christians. This is not an unreasonable expectation, as the very name Christian means that living according to the teachings of Christ and thus we are examples of Christ.

The motivation behind our actions often become very clear very quickly to an outside observer. Are we acting in genuine Christian love and concern for our fellow man? Or are we letting our selfish agendas dictate how we behave. The disparity in the stated values by taking the name Christians, and the values that we demonstrate by our behavior are what frequently call our integrity into question.

Now, don’t get me wrong the church is a place sinners, just as the hospital is a place for sick people. But this observation is only a piece of the foundation of disengagement problem. Part 3 coming soon.

Have you ever wondered how many people have lived throughout time? It’s a difficult process, but the Population Reference Bureau have at least given their best guesstimate. 106,456,367,669 is probably a little high considering the age of this earth, but who knows, there have been a lot of baby’s born throughout time. It’s amazing to me to know that God knows every hair and has a purpose and a love for every single one. Heaven is going to be a big place even if only a fraction make it. It’s going to be an awesome place with many people to talk with. Think of all the different people throughout the ages you will get to meet and talk with learning first hand what it was like during their time on earth. I hope and pray that all who read this post now and into the future will be in heaven some day. If you are wondering how to get to heaven, click on this link to enroll in free bible studies.

Tags: Heaven, Population, God, Bible, Bible Studies, People