Archive for April, 2009
Soul Pancake
I’ve found (thanks to Grant) a new blog that I love. It’s called Soul Pancake and it was created by Rainn Wilson, the actor who plays Dwight from The Office.
The blog’s premise is simple: users pose big questions and turn to the community for feedback and responses. The questions, asked simply, are actually pretty profound, philosophical questions about life, art and, ultimately, faith.
So go check it out. It does have a wonky registration system, so if you want to contribute a comment or a question, you do have to sign up. But I think you’ll find it’s worth at least a subscription.
What’s the point?
What’s the point of going to church?* **
*I recognize that we don’t go to church, but we are the church. But you know what I mean.
**I’m not asking this in a sarcastic or contentious way, despite the abruptness of the question. Nor do I think that there isn’t a point in going to church.
The Available Kingdom
Last night, the book club of which I’m a part began discussing our next book, Dallas Willard’s Divine Conspiracy. I’ve only read the introduction and first chapter so far, but I’m incredibly excited about where this book will take me. A member of the club who’s already read the book described the way he felt upon completion. It was as if he witnessed a house being built, and when he stepped into it, he instantly felt at home. Willard lovingly, skillfully framed a worldview that is “new” and comfortable and right. I can’t wait to arrive there myself.
I’m not going to recreate each chapter or discussion here, but I’d like to post a couple of highlights and encourage those who’ve read the book to share their reflections from it. And, for those who haven’t yet read it, perhaps this will inspire you to pick it up and join in as well.
Flying Upside Down
Willard starts the first chapter with an analogy of a fighter pilot who, thinking she was pulling up, actually flew directly into the ground. She had completely lost her bearing. He contends that we, as humans, and Christians in particular, find ourselves in a similar predicament, unable to even recognize that something is terribly wrong with the way things are going socially, emotionally and spiritually.
Our Kingdoms
Willard explains that each of us has our own kingdom. As we make choices, we exert our “power” over relationships, things or time (to name a few). Thanks to the fact that we have free will, we’re allowed to do with that kingdom as we want. And this is what breeds conflict and hate.
However, Jesus came bringing a message about the kingdom of Heaven. Willard contends here (but much more in coming chapters) that the kingdom of Heaven isn’t simply Heaven, or the place we go after we die. Instead, it’s a kingdom where we can experience the choices that God would make to exert his power over relationships, things or time (to name a few).
The most amazing part? God is inviting us to be a part of His kingdom. For us to align our small, frankly pathetic kingdoms, to become a part of His larger, better kingdom. If we do this, we get to participate with God in the work He is doing. To be a part of something far bigger than we could ever hope to achieve on our own.
At Hand
The last section of chapter one deals with the phrase “at hand.” Willard helpfully explains what he thinks that phrase means. “At hand” has a dual meaning. On one hand (harhar) we find that the kingdom has already come. There are some facets of it that are realized in the person of Jesus. The ground work for the kingdom has been established.
But on the other, we find that it isn’t yet complete. That there’s still more work to be done. And, again, we have been given the opportunity to join God in this arrived and yet-to-come kingdom.
What Do You Think?
So, for those who’ve read Conspiracy, what would you like to add?
No Room For Hipsters
I’ve been meaning to blog about this for a couple weeks now, but just hadn’t gotten around to it.
My pal from high school, Levon Walker (not the name I knew him by), is pursuing his dream to become a rock star, and I asked that he send me a demo CD. I first promised I would blog about it because he was my friend, but I’m blogging about it today, because I actually like the CD.
Comparisons to Elton John and Ben Folds are unavoidable, but I think he’s got a nice, unique style that I genuinely enjoy.
So check out two tracks from his CD below.
If you want to keep up with his adventures, be sure to check out his blog. And he should have a website up for his music soon.
Click here to play “Mark Your Words.“
Click here to play “Tired Languages”
Constant Vigilance
This weekend, quite a protest erupted around Amazon’s removal of more than 57,000 books – originally said to be primarily gay– or lesbian-themed – from its catalog of search results. Users tweeted their disapproval, tagging their updates with “#amazonfail,” which quickly became the hottest topic on the site.
And amazingly, Amazon was silent. No response. No explanation. Just silence.
Until Monday evening, when company spokesperson Drew Herdener said that it was just “an embarrassing and ham-fisted cataloging error.” They’ve since provided more insight into what they think happened, blaming the glitch on a international mix-up with the terms “adult” and “erotic.”
Since coming out with this explanation (three days later), the Twitterverse has responded with two new hashtags: “#sorryamazon”. and “#glitchmyass.” It appears Amazon’s work may not be complete.
Learn From Their Mistake
This story highlights the importance of constantly listening to what’s being said about your brand through social media. Companies that choose to ignore the “social media fad” are going to miss out on huge opportunities to know how people feel and think about their products. And, more importantly, lose the chance to influence that opinion in a meaningful way.
We’re not naïve. We know that marketing managers are already strapped for time. And the thought of weekend-Twitter-watching probably ranks up there with budget forecasting for most people. But with the right tools and processes in place, it can become manageable. And, who knows, once you dive in, it might even become enjoyable.
Have you come across any clever tricks for monitoring all the conversations?
Will You Be My Friend?
With Facebook crossing the 200 million-member mark on Wednesday, it’s clear our inboxes will never be the same. I’m receiving emails from my relatives, college professors and business colleagues that I met at a professional association luncheon, inviting me to be their “friend.”
Don’t get me wrong; I like most of the people that send these requests. But am I really their friend?
The social networking phenomenon has created this weird middle ground between acquaintances and friendships. I know quite a bit about these people that I’m connected with, but we certainly aren’t what I would consider traditional friends. We don’t get together to hang out a lot. We aren’t chatting all the time. But I do care about what is happening in their lives.
These nebulous relationships create some potentially awkward professional situations. For example, what if your boss asks to be your friend? Or what about a colleague from a rival company? Should you ignore? Decline? Accept?
An article in yesterday’s Wichita Eagle shared some helpful insight. Be sure to check it out.
But we want to turn to you, our loyal readers, for additional guidance. What recommendations do you have for managing your online presence? How do you determine who becomes a Facebook friend and who is a LinkedIn connection?