Facebook Hammers MySpace on Almost All Key Features

Yet another article showing why Facebook is better than MySpace… You MySpace users need to wake up and smell the death and decay on MySpace… ;)

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More strange body part experiences

I hesitate to recount all the strange body part experiences we’ve had here at the Noble’s household. Ranging from butt boils, ear hair, and broken arms to vitiligo, shingles, and biscuit boogers, we’ve had them all. (The biscuit boogers were just the other day, but I haven’t written about them yet; count yourself fortunate.)

Tonight’s episode with Adelyn may top them all, however. Somehow or another, our beautiful, talented, fun-loving and musical daughter managed to get a hair tangled around one of her tastebuds. I know… it sounds so surreal as to defy imagining. We don’t know how she did it, except that she suddenly declared, “Hey! There’s something on my tongue!” I heard this from the other room, and a few moments later, I heard Caro laughing hysterically.

Of course, upon realizing what was going on, the camera came out. We Noble’s document all our foibles on film (or CF cards) for future generations to shake their heads and say, “What were they thinking?” I think it just helps to remind us that everytime we begin thinking we’re kind of normal, something like this takes place. The pictures document our strangle lives.

Anyway, here’s the photos for your enjoyment…

Stopping WordPress spam, part 2

I had posted about WordPress spam earlier, but I wanted to update you. I’ve found that Spam Karma 2 works GREAT, but it was also preventing legitimate comments from being posted over at MonticelloLive, so I’ve deactivated it for the time being.

I’ve also installed WP-Deadbolt, which forces new WordPress users who register to prove that they’re “human.” This is a necessary step for WordPress, and I can’t believe it’s not built-in yet. It was an easy install. The more users register on your blog, the more you can keep them updated! I’ve also installed a new plug-in over at MLive that allows you see to users online at any given moment. It’s titled, conveniently enough, WP-Users Online.

Bloggers’ Choice Awards

The Bloggers’ Choice Awards are beginning nominations, and whether you vote for my blog or not is irrelevant. Go make yourself heard! It would be awesome to have a fine representation of local blogs on the nominations list.

I’d appreciate if you’d consider voting for MonticelloLive and spreading the word about it!

What the world eats…

You’ve got to check this out over at Time! Very cool… and humbling.

Advice for movie-goers with a moral compass

Because Jenny has found yet another site for us all to be addicted to – in Flixster – I found this post by a recent blog I’ve stumbled across as timely and relevant. The main question is, “How do you determine whether or not to see a particular movie, based on your ethical code or faith convictions?”

Read cavman’s entry and tell me what you think.

Lucky times

While Sam was playing his last baseball game tonight (which they lost 12-10), I started dreaming about a Reeses Blast from Sonic. After the game, Adelyn and I went to Sonic. Carolyn and Sam took off for Ferndale for the 4H Shooting Competition Weekend.

When we got to Sonic, it was so crowded. We were both wondering why. A lady came up with coupons, and she gave them to us. Adelyn wanted to order a root beer float, and when we tried to order, the lady that was standing there said they were FREE TONIGHT. (Did you get that?!)

Sonic is having a national promotion tonight until midnight, and you get a free root beer float!

So go there as fast as you can! Sonic is a really lucky place tonight.

(Adelyn helped me write this.)

Stopping WordPress spam

Every blog that I use WordPress on has been hit hard by spam the last three days. I don’t know what it is or why the normally reliable Akismet is not catching them for me. Here’s what I’ve done to remedy that, and I’d encourage you to consider something similar if you’re seeing the same problems.

• Install Spam Karma 2
• Install Word Verify plugin.
• Install Bad Behavior

Those three working in tandem have put to a grinding halt what was becoming a real pain. You’ll notice that I have the math comment protection plug-in installed here at Notes on the comment form. I always wonder if my readers’ poor math skills often prevents more comments from coming in…

Fussin’ about cussin’

I think the current furor began earlier this year when it began to circulate that John Piper, theologian par excellent, used “profanity” in a message at Passion 07. I wrote about it here. Then there’s the “cussin’ pastor,” Mark Driscoll who leads Mars Hill Church. Mark and many of his lead team apparently use some language that might be deemed offensive, especially here in the Bible Belt. However, his church consistently reaches those previously “unchurched” and bears remarkable fruit.

Piper later apologized for his language and said,

On the one hand, I don’t like fanning the flames of those who think it is hip and cool to swear for Jesus. That, it seems to me, is immature. On the other hand, I want those hip people to listen to all I say and write, and I hope that the Lord may get a hold of them and draw them out of immaturity and into the fullness of holiness. But it backfires if one becomes unholy to make people holy. I suspect there was too much of the unholy in my heart at that moment.

Profanity is a non-issue in much of our culture today, but for the disciple of Christ, scripture indicates that even our language needs to be submitted to the scrutiny and fire of holiness.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4.29)

Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. (Ephesians 5.4)

Of course, you see secular shock jock Don Imus dismissed earlier this year from his job for ill-conceived comments. However, former Dallas Theological Seminary head and pastor/author Chuck Swindoll was also dismissed from a VCY radio broadcast for using “vulgar” language (including buns, heck, crap, balls).

Now tallskinnykiwi’s blog has an engaging commentary about much of the fussin’ about cussin’. He offers three observations:

1. In Premodern times, the most offensive words were excommunicatory in nature.
2. In modern times, which is where many people still live, words that cause most offense affront our personal and private sensibilities.
3. In our postmodern times, as the voices of the margin dwellers and powerless have been given consideration and brought to the center, it is exclusionary language that causes most offence.

I know we’ve already commented extensively on this blog on this issue, but here’s an additional thought: Why does this issue continue to make sound waves across our culture?

Some of my thoughts are:

• In order to effectively communicate, I think perhaps that you must certainly consider the culture you’re in before opening your mouth.
• One should never push the bounds of what is considered offensive on a regular basis or risk losing your influence on the culture you’re trying to reach.
• Even in cultures which permit or allow language that might be considered vulgar in other cultures, one must still consider whether it’s wise to “go there.” After all, in today’s global communication network, what you say travels aorund the world, on blogs and through podcasts. Wouldn’t you want your words to have as much power and impact in all cultures? Why neuter your influence by the use of language that is unnecessary?
• Young and immature Christians as we all are, we tend to seek to find “substitutes” for profanity. I continually hear the use of the word “freaking” which seems to be a sub-in for f**king. I find myself saying “darn” or even the more Gomer Pylish “dadgummit,” which are also replacements for damn.

I guess the larger question is “why?” Why do we even feel the necessity of inserting such exclamations into our speech? And how should the follower of Christ seek to communicate? Does the need to be “relevant” or “connect” with the unchurched really demand that one alter one’s speech?

June 29 is the date for the iPhone

Have you seen the commercials yet?

Get a Mac… now

I feel like it’s been 30 seconds or so since I told folks to quit stumbling along with their PC, pony up, and get a Mac. So, I’ll let this Aussie say it for me. Great column.

A review of “Irresistible Revolution” (rated 4 stars)

The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical

by Shane Claiborne

 

There have been few books that have been as provocative as Claiborne’s book. As one of the primary architects/revolutionaries behind The Simple Way, the book is his group’s manifesto.

In it, you’ll read with edge-of-your-seat incredulity as he describes ministry activities in some of Baghdad’s bombed-out poor neighborhods, in India alongside of Mother Theresa and to lepers and also as an intern on staff at Willow Creek Community Church, one of America’s largest mega-churches.

His observations of American Christianity will have you nodding, and you’ll be amazed at the grace he shows in his assessment of our consumerism-consumed church culture. I would have been far harsher, I think.

However, some of Claiborne’s conclusions are still taking chip shots at my previously-unquestioned assumptions about the poor, politics, war, and church.

Claiborne says, and these will be proof-texted and summarized:

• There is no such thing as “just war” for the follower of Christ. Using Jesus’ examples of non-retribution, Claiborne goes so far as to say that our nation’s response to 9/11 was tragically anti-Christian.
• He says that the prevailing mindset of Christians in our country is unbiblical and continues to unquestioningly support the “arrogant myth of redemptive violence.”
• Claiming that the “monologue of the religious right is finally over,” he urges serious attention to Jesus’ teaching, words, and lifestyle. The biblically-guided believer cannot, he emphasizes, continue in blind support of one political party over the other today.
• American churchgoers are consumed with preserving their own lives and comfort, in direct opposition to Jesus’ words that “he who seeks to save his life will lose it, but he who loses his life for my sake will find it.” Claiborne says that the believers should stride boldly toward the war-torn places on earth, toward the poor and imprisoned, just as Jesus did.
  In a powerful quote from one of his college professors,

“All around you, people will be tiptoeing through life, just to arrive at death safely. But dear children, do not tiptoe. Run, hop, skip, or dance; just don’t tiptoe.”

• Claiborne also shares stories about intentional Christian communities springing up all over the world to literally practice ministry to the poor, outcast, overlooked and disenfranchised. He has a lot to say about redistribution of wealth, which upon first reading sounded like socialist or Marxist propaganda. However, Claiborne is able to share stirring biblical evidence for the radical importance of our churches’ need to seriously reevaluate our ministry to the poor.

I’m still processing, I confess; however, I deeply appreciate any book, thinker, or leader that simply does that… make me think deeply. While I am not stepping forward to embrace all that Claiborne advocates, I am moving forward. No one can say that they are following Christ and stay where they are.

See more about The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical

Google search missing after Firefox update

My Firefox program did an auto update yesterday, and today when I went to search for something, I noticed that results were being returned by Yahoo’s search service. I had disabled it from the Firefox search bar a long time. To add to my consternation, when I went to put Google seach as my default seach, with A9.com second, Google was no longer even an option! Anyone know what gives? I really like the ability to use multiple search engines, but I still use Google as my main one.

Urning your way into one’s heart

When what to my wandering eyes should appear
But an urn of coffee with a man of great cheer.

There’s really no describing how good that styro cup of hot java was last week. I asked Jim what he’d done to make it so special today, and he simply replied, “Nothing special. Coffee is always great when you’re craving it.” Too true.

The new Journey center was full of workers one afternoon last week. I believe I was in the conference room, painting away, when I heard a familiar voice. It was an out-of-place voice. You remember the initial shock you felt the first time you saw your grade school teacher at the grocery store? The thought pause where you wondered what in the world your teacher was doing at Kroger’s, of all places? Such was my mental arrest upon realizing that Jim, of Dad’s Place fame, was walking the visqueened halls of the Journey center.

“Hey man, want a cup of coffee?” was all he said. I only imagined the twinkle in his eye and the reindeer on the roof.

I showed him around the building-in-progress, and he made the appropriate oooo’s and aaaah’s. Then he was off into the mid-day light. No “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night,” but there were a few of us left sipping great coffee with grateful taste buds and warm hearts.

Thanks, Jim. Special deliveries like that are not only a welcome surprise but a dear treat.