CAMINO MERCED WEBSITE
I updated the Camino Merced website in order to make it more Mozilla friendly. The ForMinistry.com templates are a wonderful free tool for churches -- but not all of them come up clean on the Mozilla based browsers such as Firefox and Netscape. So I've had to tweak things a bit.
Tuesday, August 31
FINDING HELP
Fani, the grandmother who is Kirk's host in Argentina, had a spell and passed-out. Kirk had to figure out how to summon the paramedics. Read his latest adventure.
Fani, the grandmother who is Kirk's host in Argentina, had a spell and passed-out. Kirk had to figure out how to summon the paramedics. Read his latest adventure.
Monday, August 30
CYDOOR
I'm having trouble with Cydoor -- a little advertising program that was apparently downloaded with something. The anti-spyware I run finds it and removes it but because the program of origins is still on the computer it comes back. The only way to really get rid of it is to remove that program.
The problem is that I don't know what program it is! Typically Cydoor is embedded in programs such as KaZaA, NetAnts, LimeWire, Babylon, IMesh, Rosoft CD Extractor, and Rosoft Audio Recorder. I don't have any of those programs on my computer.
It seems to set up a folder in Eudora -- but Eudora claims that Cydoor is only using their adcache and that they don't embed the program or have anything to do with it.
I removed the adcache directory (I don't need it because I run Eudora in paid mode) but the Cydoor program recreates the directory when I boot up. I've run yahoo and google searches on the issue but no one seems to identify any programs that I have. This is a recent problem but to my knowledge I haven't downloaded any new programs (other than the anti-spy on the yahoo bar!). Anyone else conquered this? Suggestions?
I'm having trouble with Cydoor -- a little advertising program that was apparently downloaded with something. The anti-spyware I run finds it and removes it but because the program of origins is still on the computer it comes back. The only way to really get rid of it is to remove that program.
The problem is that I don't know what program it is! Typically Cydoor is embedded in programs such as KaZaA, NetAnts, LimeWire, Babylon, IMesh, Rosoft CD Extractor, and Rosoft Audio Recorder. I don't have any of those programs on my computer.
It seems to set up a folder in Eudora -- but Eudora claims that Cydoor is only using their adcache and that they don't embed the program or have anything to do with it.
I removed the adcache directory (I don't need it because I run Eudora in paid mode) but the Cydoor program recreates the directory when I boot up. I've run yahoo and google searches on the issue but no one seems to identify any programs that I have. This is a recent problem but to my knowledge I haven't downloaded any new programs (other than the anti-spy on the yahoo bar!). Anyone else conquered this? Suggestions?
Sunday, August 29
Saturday, August 28
SPYWARE
I did my weekly spyware sweep this morning using the new yahoo anti-spyware program. It caught about 120 programs. Then I ran the ad-aware anti-spyware program and caught another 10 programs. This afternoon I ran the yahoo program again and it caught yet another 10 programs. This is getting old.
I did my weekly spyware sweep this morning using the new yahoo anti-spyware program. It caught about 120 programs. Then I ran the ad-aware anti-spyware program and caught another 10 programs. This afternoon I ran the yahoo program again and it caught yet another 10 programs. This is getting old.
POWERFUL BANANA FUMES
Well ripened bananas give off some powerful gas. Now some scientists down in Oz have figured out how to harness it.
Well ripened bananas give off some powerful gas. Now some scientists down in Oz have figured out how to harness it.
Friday, August 27
ALL CHANT
Non-stop Gregorian Chant... Or if you prefer Eastern liturgy check out Incarnation Radio. Of course, if endless repetition bothers you, you can always check out the "7-11 praise network". They only do seven verses, eleven times EACH (Okay, that's a LITTLE exageration. And I didn't personally come up with the "7-11" bit.)
Non-stop Gregorian Chant... Or if you prefer Eastern liturgy check out Incarnation Radio. Of course, if endless repetition bothers you, you can always check out the "7-11 praise network". They only do seven verses, eleven times EACH (Okay, that's a LITTLE exageration. And I didn't personally come up with the "7-11" bit.)
A TEACHABLE MOMENT
Shamelessly lifted from Patrick Reardon on Mere Comments:
An accomplished teacher here in Chicago, and a regular reader of this page, sends the following account of his first day in school this year:
During my first day of school I was going over a hand out entitled "Great Expectations" -- a summary of what I, my students, and their parents should expect this year. One of my expectations for my students was: "I expect you to make mistakes and learn from them."
A hand shot up. "Teacher, how do we learn from our mistakes?"
I went up to her and said, "Hold out your hand." She did and I slapped it smartly.
"Hold out your hand," I said again.
"No!" she replied.
"Congratulations!" I said. "You have just learned from your mistake." I turned to another student. "Hold out your hand."
"No!" he replied.
"See, you learned from her mistake. The only way we humans learn is by making mistakes. Thomas Edison made 1,000 mistakes before he invented the light bulb. It's better to learn from other people's mistakes. Do you know what we call learning from other people's mistakes?"
"No," the class answered.
"We call it History!" I proclaimed.
Another year of teaching had begun.
Shamelessly lifted from Patrick Reardon on Mere Comments:
An accomplished teacher here in Chicago, and a regular reader of this page, sends the following account of his first day in school this year:
During my first day of school I was going over a hand out entitled "Great Expectations" -- a summary of what I, my students, and their parents should expect this year. One of my expectations for my students was: "I expect you to make mistakes and learn from them."
A hand shot up. "Teacher, how do we learn from our mistakes?"
I went up to her and said, "Hold out your hand." She did and I slapped it smartly.
"Hold out your hand," I said again.
"No!" she replied.
"Congratulations!" I said. "You have just learned from your mistake." I turned to another student. "Hold out your hand."
"No!" he replied.
"See, you learned from her mistake. The only way we humans learn is by making mistakes. Thomas Edison made 1,000 mistakes before he invented the light bulb. It's better to learn from other people's mistakes. Do you know what we call learning from other people's mistakes?"
"No," the class answered.
"We call it History!" I proclaimed.
Another year of teaching had begun.
AMERICAN SCENE
Income is stagnating, housing costs are soaring -- and still we're consuming more! And if that contradiction were not enough, the number of people living at or below the poverty rate has continued to increase. 35.9 million Americans live below the poverty line -- up 1.3 million in the last year. The culprits: higher longer unemployment, slow wage growth, and "surging healthcare costs."
Income is stagnating, housing costs are soaring -- and still we're consuming more! And if that contradiction were not enough, the number of people living at or below the poverty rate has continued to increase. 35.9 million Americans live below the poverty line -- up 1.3 million in the last year. The culprits: higher longer unemployment, slow wage growth, and "surging healthcare costs."
Thursday, August 26
Wednesday, August 25
NEW TURLOCK COSTCO
"Our Costco" opens at 8 a.m. tomorrow. This evening they had a special preview which was suppose to include hours d'oeuvres. I thought that might mean that all of the "sample ladies" on the West Coast would converge on Turlock. What it really meant was that all of the caterers in the area showed up. It was a major spread with tri-tip, various chickens, several kinds of sausage, salmon, pizza, smoothes, and all the Costco cake you could eat. Costco doesn't do anything in a small way.
It was wall-to-wall people. I probably won't brave the crowds there for a few weeks. But I expect that the $1.50 soda and Polish combination will become a part of my lunch routine. Actually it already is -- but now I won't have to go to Merced or Modesto.
"Our Costco" opens at 8 a.m. tomorrow. This evening they had a special preview which was suppose to include hours d'oeuvres. I thought that might mean that all of the "sample ladies" on the West Coast would converge on Turlock. What it really meant was that all of the caterers in the area showed up. It was a major spread with tri-tip, various chickens, several kinds of sausage, salmon, pizza, smoothes, and all the Costco cake you could eat. Costco doesn't do anything in a small way.
It was wall-to-wall people. I probably won't brave the crowds there for a few weeks. But I expect that the $1.50 soda and Polish combination will become a part of my lunch routine. Actually it already is -- but now I won't have to go to Merced or Modesto.
CALIFORNIA -- ONCE AGAIN LEADING THE WAY
LA Times article: "In time, according to gambling industry officials and economists, the Golden State almost surely will pass Nevada as the nation's biggest gambling venue."
LA Times article: "In time, according to gambling industry officials and economists, the Golden State almost surely will pass Nevada as the nation's biggest gambling venue."
Tuesday, August 24
CLASSICAL MUSIC ON THE RISE --
in China. It seems that the opening of the country has resulted in an eagerness not only for automobiles and Coca-Cola but also for the classical tradition of the West. Will this give a needed shot in the arm to American symphonies? Will this lead to a hybrid music mixing Western classical with traditional Chinese?
in China. It seems that the opening of the country has resulted in an eagerness not only for automobiles and Coca-Cola but also for the classical tradition of the West. Will this give a needed shot in the arm to American symphonies? Will this lead to a hybrid music mixing Western classical with traditional Chinese?
VALLEY NEWS
If you were to drive through the Central Valley of California this week you would perhaps notice dust clouds coming from some of the orchards. It's almond harvest time and they're knocking the nuts out of the trees and then using special machines to sweep them up. Everything is running about two weeks early this year and the harvest is suppose to be bumper...
I suspect that our extremely mild summer has at least something to do with it. We are in the middle of August and the temperatures are only in the mid 80's. We've had just a handful of triple-digit days...
Cheryl and I were in Merced to pick up some Sees' Candy for her birthday and we ate at El Pollo Loco for lunch. While there we noticed a newspaper article about the restaurant chain and it says that they are bringing an El Pollo Loco to Turlock! This is good news! El Pollo Loco is a fast-food chain that started in Mexico -- but the food (mostly chicken or "pollo") doesn't taste "fast."
If you were to drive through the Central Valley of California this week you would perhaps notice dust clouds coming from some of the orchards. It's almond harvest time and they're knocking the nuts out of the trees and then using special machines to sweep them up. Everything is running about two weeks early this year and the harvest is suppose to be bumper...
I suspect that our extremely mild summer has at least something to do with it. We are in the middle of August and the temperatures are only in the mid 80's. We've had just a handful of triple-digit days...
Cheryl and I were in Merced to pick up some Sees' Candy for her birthday and we ate at El Pollo Loco for lunch. While there we noticed a newspaper article about the restaurant chain and it says that they are bringing an El Pollo Loco to Turlock! This is good news! El Pollo Loco is a fast-food chain that started in Mexico -- but the food (mostly chicken or "pollo") doesn't taste "fast."
Monday, August 23
LOW-VOLTAGE CORAL
A fascinating article on the use of electricity to accelerate the regrowth of damaged coral reefs. I was surprised at my emotional reaction to this project. It made my day. I suppose we hear so much about the damage to the oceans and we feel so helpless -- then when something this promising comes along it gets me excited.
A fascinating article on the use of electricity to accelerate the regrowth of damaged coral reefs. I was surprised at my emotional reaction to this project. It made my day. I suppose we hear so much about the damage to the oceans and we feel so helpless -- then when something this promising comes along it gets me excited.
Sunday, August 22
THE BRIT TEST
I'm not planning on becoming British. Even if I wanted to I would probably have trouble with the language proficiency test which even English speakers from the rest of the world have to pass. And English speakers from throughout the world are having trouble with it. "According to one report two Australians, including a knight who has lived in Britain for 44 years and a writer with a degree in English, have been rejected under the new rules."
Actually, I'd like to see what's so hard about it. Does it have to do with the funny spelling? Anyone have a link?
I'm not planning on becoming British. Even if I wanted to I would probably have trouble with the language proficiency test which even English speakers from the rest of the world have to pass. And English speakers from throughout the world are having trouble with it. "According to one report two Australians, including a knight who has lived in Britain for 44 years and a writer with a degree in English, have been rejected under the new rules."
Actually, I'd like to see what's so hard about it. Does it have to do with the funny spelling? Anyone have a link?
Friday, August 20
SPIRITUAL BLOGGING
Beliefnet.com did a story on "spiritual blogging" which highlights some of the big names in religious blogging.
I missed the cut again. I suspect that I was probably next on the list. But you know, you have to draw the line somewhere. And actually the only blog which I link to which made the list was GetReligion. I must be more out of the mainstream than I thought.
Oh well. I can take consolation in the fact that the article missed all of the great blogs in the "emergent" category. I'm not much on the whole emerging church thing (too trendy for me -- and I think that "authenticity" is overrated) but those are the guys who have done the most with blogs of anyone -- probably best known is Jordon Cooper. But he didn't show up in the article either. How can you write an article on religious blogging and miss Jordon.
And what about Christianity Today and Randall Friesen. How did those two blogging institutions get left of the list? There are just some questions for which there are no good answers.
P.S. And how is it that the built in Blogger spell-check doesn't recognize words like "blog" or "blogging" or "blogger." More unanswerable questions.
Beliefnet.com did a story on "spiritual blogging" which highlights some of the big names in religious blogging.
I missed the cut again. I suspect that I was probably next on the list. But you know, you have to draw the line somewhere. And actually the only blog which I link to which made the list was GetReligion. I must be more out of the mainstream than I thought.
Oh well. I can take consolation in the fact that the article missed all of the great blogs in the "emergent" category. I'm not much on the whole emerging church thing (too trendy for me -- and I think that "authenticity" is overrated) but those are the guys who have done the most with blogs of anyone -- probably best known is Jordon Cooper. But he didn't show up in the article either. How can you write an article on religious blogging and miss Jordon.
And what about Christianity Today and Randall Friesen. How did those two blogging institutions get left of the list? There are just some questions for which there are no good answers.
P.S. And how is it that the built in Blogger spell-check doesn't recognize words like "blog" or "blogging" or "blogger." More unanswerable questions.
MISSIONARY DATING
I came across a link on metafilter for the "Date to Save" site. The problem is that I can't figure out if this is a total spoof or if the owner is sincere -- but just not hitting on all cylinders. Maybe she is just trying to sell t-shirts and branded gear. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. What do you think? Is this person for real?
I came across a link on metafilter for the "Date to Save" site. The problem is that I can't figure out if this is a total spoof or if the owner is sincere -- but just not hitting on all cylinders. Maybe she is just trying to sell t-shirts and branded gear. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. What do you think? Is this person for real?
Thursday, August 19
BLOGGER BARS
Since I had paid money to Blogger a few years ago to get rid of the ads on the top of my page I was brand-free -- until the Blogger "Navbar" appeared a few days ago.
When Google bought Blogger they extended my ad-free benefits and I didn't have to pay any money for the extension. But now all of that is history. Blogger is phasing in Blogger bars on the top of all of their pages. The ad-free people no longer have the pay for ad-free option and the ads have disappeared from from the blogs -- or so it seems. Everyone gets a customizable-in-four colors Blogger bar.
I just don't quite get the economics of it, though. How are they making money by putting yet another search mechanism on the top of all their pages. Search results occasionally produce advertising revenue for Google but is it worth the trade-off for them? I'm sure someone somewhere at Google crunched the numbers. They are awfully smart cookies. They did, after all, make $1.2 billion dollars on the stock market today. But I don't get it.
Still the Blogger bar isn't too intrusive. If they were to offer me an option to pay to remove the bar I would probably decline at this point.
Since I had paid money to Blogger a few years ago to get rid of the ads on the top of my page I was brand-free -- until the Blogger "Navbar" appeared a few days ago.
When Google bought Blogger they extended my ad-free benefits and I didn't have to pay any money for the extension. But now all of that is history. Blogger is phasing in Blogger bars on the top of all of their pages. The ad-free people no longer have the pay for ad-free option and the ads have disappeared from from the blogs -- or so it seems. Everyone gets a customizable-in-four colors Blogger bar.
I just don't quite get the economics of it, though. How are they making money by putting yet another search mechanism on the top of all their pages. Search results occasionally produce advertising revenue for Google but is it worth the trade-off for them? I'm sure someone somewhere at Google crunched the numbers. They are awfully smart cookies. They did, after all, make $1.2 billion dollars on the stock market today. But I don't get it.
Still the Blogger bar isn't too intrusive. If they were to offer me an option to pay to remove the bar I would probably decline at this point.
EUROPEAN WINTERS DISAPPEARING
Well, there are some positives that come out of global warming (whether it is man made or naturally cyclical or some of both). Some places may have to adjust a bit -- e.g. building higher dikes and dams -- but think of the reduction in winter heating bills and how much more wine they'll be able to produce. And perhaps they'll all be able to go on holiday all January -- as well as all August. Link to Reuters story
Well, there are some positives that come out of global warming (whether it is man made or naturally cyclical or some of both). Some places may have to adjust a bit -- e.g. building higher dikes and dams -- but think of the reduction in winter heating bills and how much more wine they'll be able to produce. And perhaps they'll all be able to go on holiday all January -- as well as all August. Link to Reuters story
Wednesday, August 18
ARGENTINA TRAVEL LOG
Kirk (our #1 son) called to chat for a few minutes this evening. He also updated his travel blog today. He is a terrific writer with a keen sense of observation (I'm not at all partial).
Kirk (our #1 son) called to chat for a few minutes this evening. He also updated his travel blog today. He is a terrific writer with a keen sense of observation (I'm not at all partial).
WHAT IS AN EVANGELICAL?
My colleague, Everett Wilson, takes a stab at a fresh, but classical, definition.
My colleague, Everett Wilson, takes a stab at a fresh, but classical, definition.
Tuesday, August 17
WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?
Hint #1: This is a poster for the 2004 Albuquerque Balloon Festival. Albuquerque is in NEW Mexico. Hint #2: Saguaro cacti are native to the Sonoran desert of Mexico, Arizona, and a sliver of California.
I do like the poster, though. And Albuquerque is a great place. I could handle a trip to the balloon festival -- even if there aren't really any saguraos there.
Link to AP story.
Hint #1: This is a poster for the 2004 Albuquerque Balloon Festival. Albuquerque is in NEW Mexico. Hint #2: Saguaro cacti are native to the Sonoran desert of Mexico, Arizona, and a sliver of California.
I do like the poster, though. And Albuquerque is a great place. I could handle a trip to the balloon festival -- even if there aren't really any saguraos there.
Link to AP story.
TAJ OF INDIA
Cheryl and I had lunch in Merced today at a fairly new Indian restaurant, Taj of India, 20 W Olive. Very good food. Very reasonably priced lunch buffet.
Cheryl and I had lunch in Merced today at a fairly new Indian restaurant, Taj of India, 20 W Olive. Very good food. Very reasonably priced lunch buffet.
DECONSTRUCTING THE CHIC EXPERIENCE
Erik Hanson describes his experience as a counselor at CHIC (the youth convention for high school students in the Evangelical Covenant Church, held every three years) in an article in Killing the Buddha. What's troubling about it is that in reaction to what he perceived to be the emotional manipulation of the event (and I don't think his perception is totally without foundation) he carried out his own manipulation. How often do we use others to work through our own emotional and theological insecurities? Most of us realize that this is generally unhealthy.
Erik Hanson describes his experience as a counselor at CHIC (the youth convention for high school students in the Evangelical Covenant Church, held every three years) in an article in Killing the Buddha. What's troubling about it is that in reaction to what he perceived to be the emotional manipulation of the event (and I don't think his perception is totally without foundation) he carried out his own manipulation. How often do we use others to work through our own emotional and theological insecurities? Most of us realize that this is generally unhealthy.
Monday, August 16
THE OLYMPICS
I briefly watched some of the rowing competition yesterday afternoon (now, that's a SPORT -- wow!). However, I noticed just how empty the stands were. And apparently others have commented on it as well.
But it should be noted that yesterday was a major feast day (Dormition, the death and assumption of the Virgin Mary) when people traditionally spend time with family in their villages of origin. Of course, it doesn't help spur-of-the-minute ticket sales that much of Athens is out of town on holiday for most of the month -- as is the case every August. It's a European thing. Link
I briefly watched some of the rowing competition yesterday afternoon (now, that's a SPORT -- wow!). However, I noticed just how empty the stands were. And apparently others have commented on it as well.
But it should be noted that yesterday was a major feast day (Dormition, the death and assumption of the Virgin Mary) when people traditionally spend time with family in their villages of origin. Of course, it doesn't help spur-of-the-minute ticket sales that much of Athens is out of town on holiday for most of the month -- as is the case every August. It's a European thing. Link
Sunday, August 15
THE FAST FOOD CHAIN
McDonald's is still #1 but In-n-Out is closing in fast at #48 (and I'm helping!). I suspect that Rubios (Mmmm, fish tacos) will show up on the list someday soon.
On the list but unfortunately missing from Turlock:
#23 -- Panera Bread Company
#28 -- Steak 'n Shake
#40 -- CiCi’s Pizza
#44 -- Culver’s Frozen Custard & Butterburgers
There are others on the list that we don't have -- but they don't really stand-out in my mind.
McDonald's is still #1 but In-n-Out is closing in fast at #48 (and I'm helping!). I suspect that Rubios (Mmmm, fish tacos) will show up on the list someday soon.
On the list but unfortunately missing from Turlock:
#23 -- Panera Bread Company
#28 -- Steak 'n Shake
#40 -- CiCi’s Pizza
#44 -- Culver’s Frozen Custard & Butterburgers
There are others on the list that we don't have -- but they don't really stand-out in my mind.
Saturday, August 14
JUST WHAT IS GOOGLE UP TO?
Creating an operating system to dominate the world market. It's not just about "search"!
BTW, has anyone noticed the "Greek" artwork on their opening page this week? Cute.
Creating an operating system to dominate the world market. It's not just about "search"!
BTW, has anyone noticed the "Greek" artwork on their opening page this week? Cute.
THE GREEK FOLLIES
I didn't watch the opening ceremonies but rumor has it that Bob Costas referred to Athena as the "patron saint of Athens." That's okay, I pretty much know diddly squat about sports. But then again, no one in their right mind would ask me to provide sports commentary on international television.
One of the most controversial aspects of the Olympics from the fans' perspective is that they are being prohibited from entering an Olympic venue if they are wearing clothing with a non-sponsor's brand displayed or if they are drinking Pepsi rather than Coke. Fans can only bring in Avra brand bottled water.
Staff will also be on the lookout for T-shirts, hats and bags displaying the unwelcome logos of non-sponsors. Stewards have been trained to detect people who may be wearing merchandise from the sponsors' rivals in the hope of catching the eyes of television audiences. Those arousing suspicion will be required to wear their T-shirts inside out.
Known as the "clean venue policy," the rules were drawn up by the Greeks and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to shield sponsors from so-called "ambush marketing" - an attempt to advertise items during the games without paying sponsorship fees.
The restrictions on food and drink are intended to ensure that only items made by official sponsors such as McDonald's and two Greek dairy firms are consumed at Olympic venues. Link
I can understand their concerns -- but at some point it all gets a little ridiculous and overshadows the spirit of the games.
Speaking of Greek, we have a great little Greek restaurant in Turlock -- Gyros and More -- two doors down from Jamba Juice in the Monte Vista Crossings. The food is good and not too expensive. But business looks slow to me. I suppose it is hard to compete with the Mexican food/beer place and Panda Express. People just don't think about "going out for Greek" -- which is unfortunate.
I didn't watch the opening ceremonies but rumor has it that Bob Costas referred to Athena as the "patron saint of Athens." That's okay, I pretty much know diddly squat about sports. But then again, no one in their right mind would ask me to provide sports commentary on international television.
One of the most controversial aspects of the Olympics from the fans' perspective is that they are being prohibited from entering an Olympic venue if they are wearing clothing with a non-sponsor's brand displayed or if they are drinking Pepsi rather than Coke. Fans can only bring in Avra brand bottled water.
Staff will also be on the lookout for T-shirts, hats and bags displaying the unwelcome logos of non-sponsors. Stewards have been trained to detect people who may be wearing merchandise from the sponsors' rivals in the hope of catching the eyes of television audiences. Those arousing suspicion will be required to wear their T-shirts inside out.
Known as the "clean venue policy," the rules were drawn up by the Greeks and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to shield sponsors from so-called "ambush marketing" - an attempt to advertise items during the games without paying sponsorship fees.
The restrictions on food and drink are intended to ensure that only items made by official sponsors such as McDonald's and two Greek dairy firms are consumed at Olympic venues. Link
I can understand their concerns -- but at some point it all gets a little ridiculous and overshadows the spirit of the games.
Speaking of Greek, we have a great little Greek restaurant in Turlock -- Gyros and More -- two doors down from Jamba Juice in the Monte Vista Crossings. The food is good and not too expensive. But business looks slow to me. I suppose it is hard to compete with the Mexican food/beer place and Panda Express. People just don't think about "going out for Greek" -- which is unfortunate.
COVNET.ORG PROBLEMS
Somehow someone forgot to re-register the covnet.org domain so both the abet and covnet1 lists are down right now. The proper people have been notified about fixing the problem.
SUNDAY UPDATE: Joel Pearson, the Covenant Internet guru, jumped on the problem over the weekend and got it fixed from home. It seems that one of the directories indicated that the domain didn't expire until the end of this month. But that apparently wasn't the one that counted.
Somehow someone forgot to re-register the covnet.org domain so both the abet and covnet1 lists are down right now. The proper people have been notified about fixing the problem.
SUNDAY UPDATE: Joel Pearson, the Covenant Internet guru, jumped on the problem over the weekend and got it fixed from home. It seems that one of the directories indicated that the domain didn't expire until the end of this month. But that apparently wasn't the one that counted.
EARLY WEBSITES
As I was working on simplifying the church's website I remembered the first site we had in 1995. Kyle de Bruyn, a high school student at the time, now an engineer in SoCal, put together a simple page using html. Most churches were not thinking of websites back then. When Kyle went away to UCLA I ended up moving the site to geocities.com where I could manage it without a lot of technical expertise.
Geocities was a slice of life back then. I can't remember the church's address but I remember the address I set up for myself www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/1482 (It still works!). This was before they were bought out by yahoo. Everything was set-up graphically as neighborhoods. Everyone had neighbors to whom you were encouraged to link. They had the idea that the Web was going to electronically mimic the geographical community. They were right about the community aspect of it. But at that point no one realized how the e-world would take on a complexity all its own. And it is still evolving.
As I was working on simplifying the church's website I remembered the first site we had in 1995. Kyle de Bruyn, a high school student at the time, now an engineer in SoCal, put together a simple page using html. Most churches were not thinking of websites back then. When Kyle went away to UCLA I ended up moving the site to geocities.com where I could manage it without a lot of technical expertise.
Geocities was a slice of life back then. I can't remember the church's address but I remember the address I set up for myself www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/1482 (It still works!). This was before they were bought out by yahoo. Everything was set-up graphically as neighborhoods. Everyone had neighbors to whom you were encouraged to link. They had the idea that the Web was going to electronically mimic the geographical community. They were right about the community aspect of it. But at that point no one realized how the e-world would take on a complexity all its own. And it is still evolving.
Friday, August 13
WEBSITE UPDATE
When I rediscovered the forministry.com java-based website builder for churches the other day, I realized that it might be a solution for a problem that I've been pondering for a few years. How can I hand off our church website? I've been maintaining it since 1996 and it has grown increasingly complex over the years. I'm not a true techie but I know my way around the html world and there is no one else in the church with that much experience. So I took the plunge and moved the entire website over to the forministry.com system as an experiment. Even the least-geek should be able to work with it there. And it looks pretty good.
Overall I am impressed with their java-based system. However, there are a few glitches. If the server becomes busy a transaction can stall out. And it occasionally happens but not enough to be overwhelmingly frustrating. I know that they are working on that issue. Also there are some compatibility problems with the Mozilla-based/Netscape browsers. The end result isn't quite as clean there. But it is more than functional. So I'm going to assume that most readers are using IE and go with it for awhile. Take a look. There are still a few more things I want to do with the graphics but the concept is there.
When I rediscovered the forministry.com java-based website builder for churches the other day, I realized that it might be a solution for a problem that I've been pondering for a few years. How can I hand off our church website? I've been maintaining it since 1996 and it has grown increasingly complex over the years. I'm not a true techie but I know my way around the html world and there is no one else in the church with that much experience. So I took the plunge and moved the entire website over to the forministry.com system as an experiment. Even the least-geek should be able to work with it there. And it looks pretty good.
Overall I am impressed with their java-based system. However, there are a few glitches. If the server becomes busy a transaction can stall out. And it occasionally happens but not enough to be overwhelmingly frustrating. I know that they are working on that issue. Also there are some compatibility problems with the Mozilla-based/Netscape browsers. The end result isn't quite as clean there. But it is more than functional. So I'm going to assume that most readers are using IE and go with it for awhile. Take a look. There are still a few more things I want to do with the graphics but the concept is there.
Thursday, August 12
GOOD QUESTION
Fr Joseph Huneycutt wants to know why the radio reporters always refer to Najaf as the "the holy city of Najaf" -- but rarely to Jerusalem as "the holy city of Jerusalem" -- or Rome as "the holy city of Rome." (See his post for 12-Aug-04. For some reason there aren't links to each of his individual posts)
And what about the holy city of Turlock? At one point in the 40's we were in the Guinness Book of World Records for having more churches per capita than any other city in the country. Of course, that has all changed -- boy has it changed. But I'm sure there are still a few people around who think of this as the holy city of Turlock.
Hint: I don't think the media has any particular prejudice toward Najaf or Muslims.
Fr Joseph Huneycutt wants to know why the radio reporters always refer to Najaf as the "the holy city of Najaf" -- but rarely to Jerusalem as "the holy city of Jerusalem" -- or Rome as "the holy city of Rome." (See his post for 12-Aug-04. For some reason there aren't links to each of his individual posts)
And what about the holy city of Turlock? At one point in the 40's we were in the Guinness Book of World Records for having more churches per capita than any other city in the country. Of course, that has all changed -- boy has it changed. But I'm sure there are still a few people around who think of this as the holy city of Turlock.
Hint: I don't think the media has any particular prejudice toward Najaf or Muslims.
Wednesday, August 11
WONDERFUL WEB RESOURCE FOR CHURCHES
One of my side projects is trying to coalesce a core group which will eventually form a new congregation in Merced, about 25 minutes south of Turlock. I have been fiddling with a few website options for the project and then I came upon the forministry.com option. I had played with their system a few years ago but that was nothing compared to what they provide now. They have a powerful, java driven, template based website development tool that is amazing. And it is available without cost to churches and ministries -- complements of the American Bible Society. Here is what I put together with just a few hours work last night.
One of my side projects is trying to coalesce a core group which will eventually form a new congregation in Merced, about 25 minutes south of Turlock. I have been fiddling with a few website options for the project and then I came upon the forministry.com option. I had played with their system a few years ago but that was nothing compared to what they provide now. They have a powerful, java driven, template based website development tool that is amazing. And it is available without cost to churches and ministries -- complements of the American Bible Society. Here is what I put together with just a few hours work last night.
Monday, August 9
FULLER PROF BOOTED
The United States of America ("one nation under God...") has determined that Fuller Theological Seminary professor Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen (whose book on ecclesiology is one of my favorites) under new tighter anti-terrorist regulations is no longer qualified for a visa. So he has been deported back to that hotbed of terrorism -- Finland. The greatest loss on 9-11 was our common sense.
See the CT weblog story
See the ENI story
The United States of America ("one nation under God...") has determined that Fuller Theological Seminary professor Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen (whose book on ecclesiology is one of my favorites) under new tighter anti-terrorist regulations is no longer qualified for a visa. So he has been deported back to that hotbed of terrorism -- Finland. The greatest loss on 9-11 was our common sense.
See the CT weblog story
See the ENI story
GMAIL ADD-ONS
I suppose that we shouldn't be too surprised that gmail has already developed a cult following. And some people just can't wait for Google to finish developing their product so they've put together a lot of unofficial add-ons -- e.g. a gmail POP3 client, a program that alerts you to pending gmail, an auto-forward that sends all your hotmail to your gmail account. Those are just a few of the applications I understand. I suspect that one of these guys is writing a program to use gmail to over throw everything Microsoft. It is a very powerful webmail program.
P.S. I like gmail -- slick. However, they haven't been giving me any more invitations recently. Sorry.
I suppose that we shouldn't be too surprised that gmail has already developed a cult following. And some people just can't wait for Google to finish developing their product so they've put together a lot of unofficial add-ons -- e.g. a gmail POP3 client, a program that alerts you to pending gmail, an auto-forward that sends all your hotmail to your gmail account. Those are just a few of the applications I understand. I suspect that one of these guys is writing a program to use gmail to over throw everything Microsoft. It is a very powerful webmail program.
P.S. I like gmail -- slick. However, they haven't been giving me any more invitations recently. Sorry.
JAIL TIME FOR SWEDISH PASTOR
His crime? Compiling a list of Bible verses which condemn homosexuality -- and then preaching against homosexual behavior, calling it "abnormal, a horrible cancerous tumor in the body of society."
According to a CT article, Soren Andersson, president of a Swedish federation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights, said religious freedom is never a reason to offend people. "Therefore," he told journalists, "I cannot regard the sentence as an act of interference with freedom of religion."
Nope -- wouldn't want to offend anyone! Can you imagine if we edited from the gospels all the parts that are offensive? Can you imagine if we started throwing Americans in jail for saying offensive things -- the whole nation would be incarcerated!
Sweden has struggled with the issue of religious freedom at various times throughout history. The early Mission Friends of the pietistic awakening were oppressed by the government because they offended the state controlled church -- accusing it of impiety. This isn't really a new issue. Sweden wants to appear to be an open society but it has become so open that it has once again taken to oppressing its critics. It will be interesting to hear how Amnesty International weighs in on this one.
His crime? Compiling a list of Bible verses which condemn homosexuality -- and then preaching against homosexual behavior, calling it "abnormal, a horrible cancerous tumor in the body of society."
According to a CT article, Soren Andersson, president of a Swedish federation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights, said religious freedom is never a reason to offend people. "Therefore," he told journalists, "I cannot regard the sentence as an act of interference with freedom of religion."
Nope -- wouldn't want to offend anyone! Can you imagine if we edited from the gospels all the parts that are offensive? Can you imagine if we started throwing Americans in jail for saying offensive things -- the whole nation would be incarcerated!
Sweden has struggled with the issue of religious freedom at various times throughout history. The early Mission Friends of the pietistic awakening were oppressed by the government because they offended the state controlled church -- accusing it of impiety. This isn't really a new issue. Sweden wants to appear to be an open society but it has become so open that it has once again taken to oppressing its critics. It will be interesting to hear how Amnesty International weighs in on this one.
Sunday, August 8
JUST BECAUSE IT CAN BE DONE...
doesn't mean that it is necessarily a good thing to do. Novelty for the sake of novelty means that you end up having to clean the fishtank which you never really get to enjoy because your back is to it a good deal of the time. Link
doesn't mean that it is necessarily a good thing to do. Novelty for the sake of novelty means that you end up having to clean the fishtank which you never really get to enjoy because your back is to it a good deal of the time. Link
PENGUIN IN THE PEW?
There is a site dedicated "to the promotion of Linux and Open Source Software within the Christian community."
There is a site dedicated "to the promotion of Linux and Open Source Software within the Christian community."
"BABY, I LOVE YOU, BUT I JUST CAN'T SMILE..."
The British government will no longer accept passport photos of people with smiles on their faces. It has to do with fighting terrorism. I wonder, though, if perhaps more smiles would disarm at least of few of the terrorists.
The British government will no longer accept passport photos of people with smiles on their faces. It has to do with fighting terrorism. I wonder, though, if perhaps more smiles would disarm at least of few of the terrorists.
Saturday, August 7
ENTERTAINED TO DEATH
Wow, now a person will never have to be separated from his favorite sitcom re-runs. And he'll never have to read a book again now that there are portable video players with 3.5 inch screens and room to load 80 hours of video programming.
I do see some educational potential, though. Perhaps it's just the thought that we wouldn't be able to escape from Seinfeld that scares me the most.
Wow, now a person will never have to be separated from his favorite sitcom re-runs. And he'll never have to read a book again now that there are portable video players with 3.5 inch screens and room to load 80 hours of video programming.
I do see some educational potential, though. Perhaps it's just the thought that we wouldn't be able to escape from Seinfeld that scares me the most.
Friday, August 6
WWJD
The "nation's largest Christian retailer" has come out with a MasterCard. What do you think? Great witnessing tool? Trivializing? Sacrilegious? Or just plain cheesy?
The "nation's largest Christian retailer" has come out with a MasterCard. What do you think? Great witnessing tool? Trivializing? Sacrilegious? Or just plain cheesy?
PICTURE TIME
Some of the pictures of the Alaska mission trip are starting to appear on Tim Wilson's website. The crew returns to Turlock on Sunday. They have been working at Alaska Christian College.
Kirk has added more pictures of his life in Buenos Aires. He hasn't had time to put titles on anything so use your imagination. His blog will help, though.
Some of the pictures of the Alaska mission trip are starting to appear on Tim Wilson's website. The crew returns to Turlock on Sunday. They have been working at Alaska Christian College.
Kirk has added more pictures of his life in Buenos Aires. He hasn't had time to put titles on anything so use your imagination. His blog will help, though.
ASSYRIANS
Many of my neighbors and some of the people in my congregation are Assyrians -- not-recent refugees from various conflicts in and around Iraq. In the wake of the church bombings last week, Uwe Siemon-Netto, the UPI religion editor has a fine short introduction to the Assyrian Christian tradition.
Many of my neighbors and some of the people in my congregation are Assyrians -- not-recent refugees from various conflicts in and around Iraq. In the wake of the church bombings last week, Uwe Siemon-Netto, the UPI religion editor has a fine short introduction to the Assyrian Christian tradition.
Wednesday, August 4
INTERESTING BLOG
Eastern Orthodoxy has been one of my long-term interests (the Eastern perspective brings some balance to some of our occasionally ahistorical Evangelical approach to theology) and so I keep my eyes open for interesting people from that portion of God's kingdom. Recently I've come across a blog by Bishop Seraphim Sigrist (thanks to Karl Thienes -- whose great blog I've been following for a few years). He is a retired missionary to Japan now living on the East Coast of the U.S. His interests are broad -- history, poetry, art, spirituality, sports, math, science, travel, and people. And he is very approachable, gentle, and unpretentious. I'm sure he is probably a great bishop. Anyway, I commend his blog to you for investigation.
Eastern Orthodoxy has been one of my long-term interests (the Eastern perspective brings some balance to some of our occasionally ahistorical Evangelical approach to theology) and so I keep my eyes open for interesting people from that portion of God's kingdom. Recently I've come across a blog by Bishop Seraphim Sigrist (thanks to Karl Thienes -- whose great blog I've been following for a few years). He is a retired missionary to Japan now living on the East Coast of the U.S. His interests are broad -- history, poetry, art, spirituality, sports, math, science, travel, and people. And he is very approachable, gentle, and unpretentious. I'm sure he is probably a great bishop. Anyway, I commend his blog to you for investigation.
OFF TO IRAQ
Our long-time friend Mike Gillett has been a chaplain in the U.S. Army Reserve and the Army National Guard for 16 years. He has been deployed for active duty in Iraq -- leaving on August 16th for an 18-month tour. I'm sure it will be a tough assignment but I don't know of anyone better equipped than Mike. We first met when we were students at Fuller Seminary in the early 80's and then he followed me to North Park Seminary for a year of Covenant orientation in Chicago. Even though he is a Californian he has been the pastor of Covenant churches in Michigan, Florida, Nebraska, and most recently the Salem Covenant Church in Duluth, Minnesota. It's amazing what some people will do to get back to a warm climate.
Our long-time friend Mike Gillett has been a chaplain in the U.S. Army Reserve and the Army National Guard for 16 years. He has been deployed for active duty in Iraq -- leaving on August 16th for an 18-month tour. I'm sure it will be a tough assignment but I don't know of anyone better equipped than Mike. We first met when we were students at Fuller Seminary in the early 80's and then he followed me to North Park Seminary for a year of Covenant orientation in Chicago. Even though he is a Californian he has been the pastor of Covenant churches in Michigan, Florida, Nebraska, and most recently the Salem Covenant Church in Duluth, Minnesota. It's amazing what some people will do to get back to a warm climate.
WI-FI SELLS BREAD
The Panera Bread Company now has the world's largest network of free wi-fi hotspots and that has increased their revenue. I confess that I too have gone to Panera and spent more time there than normal so that I could do online business. I was, however, into Panera hunting before they had wi-fi, anytime I was in the Midwest (they are mostly in the Midwest -- although they are starting to show up in SoCal -- but nothing north of Palmdale). It's just downright GOOD food -- AND they have diet caffeine-free Coke at the fountain. The wi-fi is just the butter on the bagel, so to speak.
The Panera Bread Company now has the world's largest network of free wi-fi hotspots and that has increased their revenue. I confess that I too have gone to Panera and spent more time there than normal so that I could do online business. I was, however, into Panera hunting before they had wi-fi, anytime I was in the Midwest (they are mostly in the Midwest -- although they are starting to show up in SoCal -- but nothing north of Palmdale). It's just downright GOOD food -- AND they have diet caffeine-free Coke at the fountain. The wi-fi is just the butter on the bagel, so to speak.
Monday, August 2
GAGNON: WHY HOMOSEXUAL UNIONS ARE WRONG
If you're still processing this issue I would invite you to read Robert Gagnon's essay which is really a nice little summary of his work in this area. This is from the beginning of the article: Advocates of homosexual practice often argue that “gay marriage,” or at least homosexual civil unions, will reduce promiscuity and promote fidelity among homosexual persons. Such an argument overlooks two key points...
First, legal and ecclesiastical embrace of homosexual unions is more likely to undermine the institution of marriage and produce other negative effects than it is to make fidelity and longevity the norm for homosexual unions. We will come back to this later.
Second, and even more importantly, homosexual unions are not wrong primarily because of their disproportionately high incidence of promiscuity (especially among males) and breakups (especially among females). They are wrong because “gay marriage” is a contradiction in terms. As with consensual adult incest and polyamory, considerations of commitment and fidelity factor only after certain structural prerequisites are met.
If you're still processing this issue I would invite you to read Robert Gagnon's essay which is really a nice little summary of his work in this area. This is from the beginning of the article: Advocates of homosexual practice often argue that “gay marriage,” or at least homosexual civil unions, will reduce promiscuity and promote fidelity among homosexual persons. Such an argument overlooks two key points...
First, legal and ecclesiastical embrace of homosexual unions is more likely to undermine the institution of marriage and produce other negative effects than it is to make fidelity and longevity the norm for homosexual unions. We will come back to this later.
Second, and even more importantly, homosexual unions are not wrong primarily because of their disproportionately high incidence of promiscuity (especially among males) and breakups (especially among females). They are wrong because “gay marriage” is a contradiction in terms. As with consensual adult incest and polyamory, considerations of commitment and fidelity factor only after certain structural prerequisites are met.
THIS 'N THAT
Kirk has added a major post to his travelblog and he has pictures -- 159 perspectives on Buenos Aires and environs...
Kirk has added a major post to his travelblog and he has pictures -- 159 perspectives on Buenos Aires and environs...
I was grilling dinner on the backyard BBQ this evening (crook neck squash, sausages, egg plant, pineapple, peppers) and our Assyrian neighbor behind us handed a large grocery sack of peaches and two varieties of grapes from his garden over the fence. We added tomatoes from our garden. Not only was it a colorful feast but delicious -- exactly what summer is about...
Linea Lanoie, a dentist and former missionary in the Congo, recently returned for a visit. She talks about the deterioration since the war. The only real progress has been in the field of cell phones!...
Speaking of cell phones, I went into the Verizon store today. Perhaps you recall, last week I tried to get them to turn my service off because my contract is up on August 2nd. At that time they told me I had to come back today. But when I went in today they told me that I can't turn it off until tomorrow -- or there is a $150 service termination fee. While I was in the store another customer was trying to get a detailed print-out of her phone activity and she wondered why they no longer provided it with the monthly bill. The clerk told her that the company was now so big that they could no longer afford to send out detailed bills -- that it costs the company a lot of money. However, he said, "they'll send you one for an additional $1.50/month, if you'd like." Whatever happened to customer care? Can you hear me now?...
Dan is blogging from Alaska where he is leading a mission trip, which includes my daughter Betsy.
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