Hey guys,
I’ve made a few minor changes to the blog, only one of which is likely noticeable. And that’s my main purpose in writing today.
I’ve adjusted the blog so that the homepage only shows excerpts, rather than entire posts. My reasons for doing so are three: Continue reading
Filed under blogging
image courtesy of scott’s coffee house
A couple of weeks ago I announced my new (and other) blog, there are two kinds…
Many of you have clicked over to read, and I appreciate it. We topped 1000 visits on Monday, May 9 (in under two weeks of the blog going live). Thank you all for reading.
Besides saying thank you, I wanted to let you know that today I’m hosting my first contest over at 2kinds. And if you drink coffee (who doesn’t), you might find entering the contest to be as easy as pouring a cup. Have a go, and invite someone else to enter, too.
I am amused.
While I am (mostly) in control of my own blog — I decide what subjects to address, how to write about them, when to publish my thoughts, which photos to accompany them, etc — it is ultimately the reader who decides how my blog will be used.
Why am I thinking about this today? Because of yesterday’s post:
5 reasons kjv readers aren’t celebrating
It was a satire piece. I used the 400-year anniversary of the King James Bible to poke fun at some of the arguments conservative Christianity uses to combat Christmas, Halloween, and other popular holidays.
The post was intended as comedy. Humor. [And was accepted as such.] I suppose you could say there was a point. I was indeed speaking to some larger issues, but mostly I felt like laughing. So I wrote a piece that made me snicker.
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So why am I amused?
Because the post has generated intelligent discussion. Not concerning the issue I was parodying, but having to do with language constructs and the like.* That’s as funny to me as the post was to begin with. [This is possibly commentary, however, on how humorous the original post was -- or, rather, was not.]
I’m not at all upset with the discussion that follows the KJV post. I am, as I said, amused.
The writer in a public forum has complete control over his written words, but very little control over how those words are received. And even less control (practically none) over the discussions that flow from his work.
Is it any wonder, then, that we have myriad interpretations of practically every passage in the Bible? Are we surprised our churches read the same words but take from them wildly dissimilar meanings? So what’s a Christian to do?
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Scripture teaches that unity is a function of the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit’s responsibility to “guide [us] into all truth;”** unity is his endeavor. It is our task, then, to be obedient to Christ’s teachings as the Spirit nurtures us, the body of Christ, to maturity.
While personally I believe modern Christianity places too much emphasis on the individual, personal saviors, and the like (surely a product of our American culture), the Spirit does play this role on both macro- and micro- levels. The church as a whole will be built up to maturity by the Spirit’s power and leading. But also we as individuals, the Spirit indwelling each of us, will become more like Christ as the Holy Spirit guides us into obedience to Jesus’ teachings.
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:35
We don’t love one another in order to be disciples. Rather, our love for one another is a symptom of our condition — that we are disciples of Christ.
I’m slightly uncomfortable, then, with the popular view that unity is equal to tolerance. Unity is not the result of broad-mindedness. It is the result of obedient lives, changed by the Holy Spirit to be more like Christ.
Seek obedience to Christ. Unity will come.
Filed under just thinking, musings on the Word
In lieu of our regular programming (brett’s morning blend), today I bring you an announcement.
My new blog is up and running. I do not mean to say, however, that I’m leaving aliens and strangers. On the contrary, I’ve merely added a second blog. And, as of the writing of this post, there has been one visitor to the new site. Here’s the link:
Please have a look and offer your feedback — here or there. Also subscribe if you like, tell a friend, or shoot me a link.
Filed under blogging
I just completed a highly scientific research experiment. I mean this thing was designed by eight genius researchers on three continents. There were control groups, independent variables,and guys wearing goggles. Also, my findings have been properly adjusted for age, gender, geography, and even unseen environmental factors.
When various and interesting links are offered, the most popular will be that one which offers readers the opportunity to see a little skin. This will hold true even if…
In this past week’s morning blend feature here on aliens and strangers, I provided a number of links — not unlike any other morning blend (except this one was posted on a Wednesday rather than the usual Tuesday, due to Auburn having won the national championship). There were a total of six links, which covered a random assortment of topics. One of these links — the one leading to The Everyday Minimalist blog– was described (in passing) as possessing a picture of a nearly naked woman. The woman in the photo was reported to be not only as scantily clad, but also in the act of performing yoga exercises.
At the end of five days, the “(nearly) naked woman link” outperformed the average of all other links at a ratio of 4:1. Yep, for every click leading to one of the other (less saucy) sites, there were four clicks to the peep show at The Minimalist. I’m calling this evidence conclusive. My readers like to look at sexy women dressed sexily.
I will admit there could have been other factors at work. Here’s a list:
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So, it’s settled:
Oh, and the picture of the nearly naked woman doing yoga… She’s a cartoon lady. I suppose you could call her an attractive cartoon lady, but she’s no Jessica Rabbit.
* cough, cough
Filed under just thinking, slightly humorous or amusing?
I talked all big and bad earlier in the week, as if I thought a blogger linking back to his/her top 10 blog posts of 2010 was a sad thing. Yeah, I was just fooling around with you guys. Though that day’s list where I predicted my top 10 posts of 2011 was probably WAY more interesting than this one… where I do nothing more than look back at this past year. Predicting the future is always cooler than trying to get people to click on your old blog posts.
All the same, though, it’s the weekend. And these are the top 10 posts of 2010, selected by you, the readers. I do, however, have to admit that I’m a little disappointed. I like to think of you all as a spiritually mature crowd — but many of these posts were just plain foolish. Hey, you like what you like; who am I to say otherwise? If you crave the spiritual milk (and not meat), so be it.
If you’d like to offer some lame excuses as to why you guys didn’t like the Bible study posts more than the ones about Tanzanian kids and frogs in the waterlines, do so below. I’ll be holding my breath.
Filed under blogging, top ten lists
Now, I can’t control what every other blogger in the world is doing (oh, if only I could…). I can, however, tell you what they’re all up to these days. And that is: reviewing their top 10 blog posts of 2010. I’m not going to suggest this is a fruitless endeavor, or that I’m above such. But it is backward-thinking at best, and resting on one’s laurels at worst. And here at aliens and strangers, we want to be about the future — not the past. Yep, no laurels for us (literally, there are no laurels on which for us to rest). After all, Paul did say…
There’s one thing that I do: I forget what’s in my past and I comtemplate what’s ahead… Anyone who’s mature should do the same. — Philippians 3:13-15 (taken completely out of context and summarized by me)
And we all want to be mature, right? So I’m not going to do this “Top 10 Posts of 2010″ thing. Instead, I’m going to offer you up my top 10 posts of 2011. Seriously. [I can't link to them yet, of course, as they've not yet been written. But still... here they are.]
1. auburn wins the national championship
Yep, this one will be posted tomorrow.
2. 10 steps to a successful blog
This will be a satire piece. I may not know successful blogging — but I do know satire.
3. i left my wallet in el segundo
Music I remember from my childhood, and how it helped me become the man I am today.
4. 10 things i have to do on furlough
Christie and I will return to the states in August of this year for about three months. Our (my) goals are to visit family and friends (many have not met Baylor), encourage and be encouraged by our sponsoring churches, participate in a few great opportunities for continuing education, and accomplish these ten things.
5. 10 mistakes i’m afraid we’ll make on furlough
Lots of things can go wrong during a 3-month visit in the U.S. Ranging from the occasional embarrassing cultural faux pas to legitimate and problematic blunders, this post will be a top 10 list of my biggest fears.
6. a post / series on discipleship which doesn’t yet have a title
This series is currently being written by John King, one of my mentors and shepherds at Stones River Church (our sending congregation). He is a gifted teacher, and I think of him as my own personal expert on discipleship. Soon he’ll be yours.
7. why i am a member of the church of Christ
From a page out of Dr. Leroy Brownlow’s (in)famous book, in this post I’ll explain a bit about the church of Christ, my own religious heritage, what I appreciate most about it, and why I’m a member of this “movement.”
8. an ode to bacon
This is SO self-explanatory.
9. silly abbot, pixar’s for kids
I have no idea what this post is going to be about. I just really liked it as a title.
10. ??????????
This is where I need your help. Please feel free — encouraged even — to give me ideas for blog posts (you’d like to read) in the comments section below. I’m happy to accept suggestions for subject matter or even just possible titles of posts. If you’d like to read more Bible study material or poetry or short stories or top 10 lists — or if you just want me to shut up and leave the whole blog idea alone — let me know. I’d also be delighted to hear what you think has and hasn’t worked on aliens and strangers.
Which of these posts are you most looking forward to in 2011? And what’s your idea for post #10?
Filed under blogging, top ten lists
10 Commandments of Scripture Interpretation
Skye Jethani’s list of helps for properly interpreting scripture. Among my favorites:
Jesus is concerned with the kingdom, while his followers don’t share his excitement. The fake comments are very entertaining (and telling).
The plot summary of one megachurch’s big Christmas event. I wasn’t sure whether or not to post this link… but the evil penguins put me over the edge. [When I lived in China, my colleagues and I often recounted tales of sinister penguins and their diabolical plots to ruin life as we know it.]
Name a Mathematical Theorem After a Loved One
Just in case any of you were thinking about surprising me this Christmas with this gift, know that, while it’s a nice gesture, it is quite unneeded (and completely a waste of your time and money). Not because I don’t want my name forever connected to a mathematical theorem or formula — but because Pythagoras and Quadraticus already laid claim to the two I wanted.
Gene Chizik Has No Chance to Succeed at Auburn
From December 2008, Stewart Mandel of ESPN explains why Chizik was a horrible hire and how Auburn will be hurting for years to come as a result — especially because he won’t be able to compete with Nick Saban over at Alabama. Mandel says, “…Chizik has absolutely no chance of succeeding at Auburn. Zero.”
Paul Finebaum chimes in, “He is a dead man walking.”
Auburn plays in the national championship on January 1o, two years after this article was written.
The State of Alabama #1 in College Football
The best college football in the country is being played in the state of Alabama. There’s not much arguing that. Last year’s national champion and Heisman winner. This years (soon-to-be) national champion and (already) Heisman winner.
An entire blog devoted to awesome sandwiches and burgers. Yes, that is the best thing since, and to go with, sliced bread. My favorite so far, Quadzilla:
1/4 lb ribs, 4 x 1/3 lb patties, 8 strips bacon, 4 slices pepper jack cheese, and barbecue sauce
Filed under morning blend
He who rejects change is the architect of decay.
The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery.
– Harold Wilson
Following is a list of areas in which I enjoy change — and about how often:
It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory.
– W. Edwards Deming
Following is a list of areas in which I do not like change:
Change is inevitable – except from a vending machine.
– Robert C. Gallagher
Following is a list of areas in which I don’t care about change, but my wife seems to:
Change has been on my mind lately because WordPress is forcing all of us who were using the “PressRow” theme to switch to another. ”Pilcrow” is really close to what I had — I’ve already gone live with it — but I’m sure there are some slight differences here and there, where column and font sizes shifted just a bit. I think I’ve got it looking right again, but let me know if you see any problems on the site anywhere. Actually if you’ve got any suggestions at all for the blog, please offer them. I figure as long as I’m making changes, I might as well embrace the idea.
Filed under blogging, just thinking, quotes
Today is my anniversary! Yeah, the blog and I have been together now for exactly one year (hence the paper). We’ve had our ups and downs and, truth be told, we’re not necessarily in this for better or for worse and in sickness and in health. Pretty much, first whiff of trouble I get… I’m out of here. Why do you think we haven’t had any little baby blogs yet?
But I don’t anticipate leaving aliens and strangers anytime soon. I enjoy it too much.
On November 5th of last year, I posted my first blog entry. Prior to that day I was writing reports each month and sending them out to everyone who’d subscribed to our mission email list. Every month I was writing five or six pages of stuff — and having to delete most of it to reach a suitable length for an email. I was challenged by Ross Kellis to start a blog instead. I thought and prayed about it. And what tipped me over the edge was that I wanted to write some kind of Bible studies or devotional thoughts that would allow and encourage discussion; and I didn’t have an outlet for such. The blog was born.
Asterisks overboard was my first blog post (not necessarily my finest work, but my first post all the same), and was written in the same format as my email reports. The first post written more in the style of a blog followed the next day — paul’s big mistakes. And now, here we are at the end of year one. My regular readers will know I’m not one to write about blog rankings and numbers and the like — I actually never have before today.* [And, in speaking with a few of you, I've found that some would believe my blog is considerably more "successful" and far reaching than it actually is.] Today, on my anniversary, I thought I’d post a few stats and a list of the “Top 10 (or 12, depending on how you count it) Posts on Aliens and Strangers.”
Total Visits = 55,000
Current Average per Day = 177
Average per Month = 4,583
Alexa Traffic Rank = 1,919,581
Technorati Rank = 34,751
Technorati Authority = 122
Alright, enough of my shameless plugging. Feel free to do your own in the comments today; I figure it’s only fair. Which of your blog posts would you most like the rest of us to read? Leave a link or two.
Filed under blogging, top ten lists
