We’re going to try a new pilot program for an online community (through Ning.com) we’ve affectionately named, The Warband. It’s a little more involved than a simple blog, because you create a profile, add content and network with other fans. You can add pics, videos and post comments about music or books on the forum. It’s something we’re just trying out as a companion to my main site, so I’ll discontinue it if no one is interested. But I constantly hear how popular this sort of thing is, especially with the younger book-reading audience. Let me know what you think.

CH 

The world of blogging is certainly an amazing realm, one in which the average Joe can leap onto the world’s stage and have a voice. Instantly. And free. Newbies form a clever name, add a picture header and an avatar when leaving posts on other people’s blogs. Networks are made on the basis of shared opinions and similar interests. And soon the writer is flung into the fray, finding a voice that can be read from any desktop, laptop or PDA in the world (save for maybe those nations that are still bound by Communistic censorship).

With the advent of personal websites, their popularity growing in the late 90′s, many people began to realize that static hubs on the internet would soon fade, never disappearing, but certainly not the draw they used to be. Soon after, profile based online communities began to sprout up, and people began “connecting”: while I’m an avid fan of developing technologies, the fact that people think they have legitimate, lasting “friends” via a finger smudged screen is a tragic reality worthy of genuine pity. No wonder they call us the “Screen Generation.”

Regardless, the new found vehicle to divulge one’s thoughts online was born. Adventurers used it to log their travels while statisticians used it follow trends. Those in marketing formed clever cliques to exchange ideas while authors co-wrote ongoing group novels. And the general public grabbed hold of the concept to talk, chat, or simply to convey what they were feeling. To log their thoughts. To journal. Even to share the secrets of their hearts.

The same problem I was afraid of initially with online writing is the same problem I see maturing into a larger problem today.

I still remember the first time I read someone’s blog where they said something that made me blush. Not because it was to me, or even about me. But because it was something I felt, in my opinion, shouldn’t have been disclosed in a public forum. It was personal. Beyond embarrassment for them, however, I wondered as to why they would ever divulge such sensitive information on, of all places, the internet. The answer, I believe, is simple.

Anonymity has no accountability.

Now in 2008, I think a majority of people understand that anything posted online is subject to a billion set of eyes. For some, they just don’t care; for others, they should care. Regardless of their personal feelings, the fact remains that sharing thoughts via a screen, and not face-to-face, removes one of the fundamental human safe guards: Personal accountability and consequence.

You could say that the realm of internet blogging lets mankind get away with expressing views we could never get away with in person. Some would argue that this is a perfect example of what freedoms technology has afforded us; even the Apostle Paul himself noted the difference between his bold writings and his more meek appearance when in person. And while I certainly would agree that we should utilize the forward progress of technology to advance thinking and shared, proactive development, I will always maintain that such pushes must be accompanied by the same values we would institute on any other form of human contact.

Particularly in the area of Christian blogging, I have noticed, and am myself guilty of, a trend which I wish to help curb, at least as far as I have the power. And that is of ranting without edification.

While I have been delighted to see the Christian voice step forward, addressing everything from political and moral debates to spiritual and theological issues, I have noticed a strong, and I mean strong leaning to the pessimistic, cynical and accusatory. And here’s the real rub: While some of what they are addressing is accurate, and even note worthy, there is a lack of the uplifting, especially when directed at other Christians or the Body of Christ in general.

Please do not misunderstand me. I refuse for any reader who’s made it this far to say, “So you expect us to make light of every situation all the time?” Hardly. But we have a requirement to be Christlike in not only our assessment, but our conclusions for actions, which is another element lost.

Anyone can criticize. We know that. But to give a specific suggestion, even a lousy one, is at least something. I heard Sylvester Stallone interviewed this week about his new Rambo film. He had an interesting comment when asked what he thought about all the negative reviews. (And I’m paraphrasing): “I don’t care if they give me one star. But at least tell me what you’d change. Give some advice to balance out your commentary.”

Face-to-face conversation brings with it a built in consequence policy. It always has and it always will–unless we raise an entire generation of pansies. If I go off on some rant face-to-face, I have surrounded myself with people that will pop me in the arm (or the head) for un-Christlike attitudes, behavior and conduct–my 5’1″ Irish-Dutch wife chief among them. And while we could certainly write comments in response to posts, making the author aware of our disagreement, the written word has far less impact than the spoken word (why God left us the written scriptures but would much rather have a personal relationship). This is namely because, in person, we’re instantly prone to observation and challenge from another tangible human being as opposed to a distant representation of someone on the other side.

I would like to make myself accountable to those of you who read my work, whether you’re just surfing by or whether you have an RSS feed to my site and by my books and music. If I ever critique, point a finger at, or drill a person, issue or doctrine without so much as a constructive remedy that edifies the Body of Christ as a whole, call me on it. I humbly welcome it. And I would encourage you to do the same. Anyone of us can point out where the Church is blowing it, where “the system” is falling apart. Anyone of us can say we have to “do better.” But one thing I believe about Jesus from scripture was that he had a constant attitude of encouragement, and when rebuke came, it was always followed by reconciliation (thus the Biblical word “reprove”). And he was specific.

If I disciplined my children, only telling them what they “generally” did wrong and never what I desired their behavior to look like, devoid of specific examples which I could emulate as their father, I would be guilty of torture (“Fathers, do not exasperate your children”). Instead, every time I chastise them (since we’re using old words today), it comes in great detail, care and concern. It’s almost methodical, every action I take with them carrying some specific purpose designed for their ultimate success.

May we be delivered of the endless rant, left open-ended because we never were thoughtful enough to close it with a resolution of action. Talk is cheap, and talk without actions is cheaper.

So, why such a deep rooted rant of my own today? If there is any merit to what I’m saying, then let’s save the strongest point for last. I’m slowly learning about a spiritual truth often overlooked by my own understanding: There is only one accuser of the brethren, and his name is Satan. You are either in his camp or you’re not. Satan never gives suggestions on how to be more like Christ, he only points out how you’re not.

In closing, and in response to my own words, I’d like to offer my checklist for responsible blogging. Feel free to add to it as you feel led.

1.) Rant, But With A Pre-Determined Purpose. If you find yourself needing a soap box, by all means, go for it. No one’s denying you that. But make sure that from the outset you have a defined purpose. Defining a purpose for each post will help save you from the roaming deserts of ranting, and will keep your emotions from sidetracking you from what could have been a very thoughtful and helpful entry. Write the purpose down even before you click on “write post.” What do you want your post to accomplish and provoke? Is it for your readers to be better Christ-followers? Is it scriptural? Does it fit with the nature of Christ? When you’re done writing your heart out, review your intention and see if your post finishes along those lines. If not, it should be re-worked.

2.) Don’t Slam, Suggest. As I stated before, it’s easy for us to slam the system: “What’s wrong with the American Church.” But guess what, the Church in Vietnam has problems as does the Church in India and the Church in Holland. We got it. Move past taking pot-shots at God’s Bride, no matter how deserving you may think it is, and suggest real points of action that you are willing to start or are already engaged in. In doing this you’ll prompt your readers further into righteous action, which should be our goal anyway, not condemn them for what they’re already not doing.

3.) Encourage. As Christians we are called to exhort, an old word meaning to edify and build up. And not only that, but Christ said we’d be known as His disciples by one chief characteristic: Our love for one another. If ever we’ve been given a tool to construct and prompt and promote Godly works, it’s the blog! Yes, we all need correction. I’m not sure about you, but I get it, along with attack from the enemy, on every front all the time. And in comparison with the amount of encouragement I receive, it’s far more. Likewise, see your blog as a tool to uplift; people probably need it as much as I do.

4.) Be Specific. Working in vague generalities is normally redundant and non-progressive. Plus, it usually betrays the fact that the writer has done little to no research into the very area they’re trying to so expertly write about. When posting, be as specific as possible to things you’ve witnessed or experienced first hand. Stay away from things you’re not familiar with. And, when suggesting alternatives, beware of broad sweeps like, “Make the movie better,” and try, “The development of the character in the second half of the movie could have been more successful if you spent more time on showing his childhood memories.” It’s the specific means and methods, even the driving principles that have shaped my views on life, not the oversimplified comments of a powerless, self-indulgent few.

May we as Christians continue to surge ahead as the example of what love truly is, and even how it reads on the internet.

CH

No. I was not trying to leave that last post up just to bleed out every single comment I could. But it sure was nice to see a whopping 36 comments! I really appreciate everyone’s encouragement. And more than one or two good ideas were shared, including an official declaration I’m going to pronounce on my site:

“From now on, this website will be known as a cross between a blog (traditionally a web-based journal) and a forum (a place for people to interact by leaving comments), now entitled a FLOG. I’ll supply the journal-styled post of news, opinion or topic, you supply the comments and spur the conversation forward.”

While a flogging is typically thought of as a painful things (thank you, Nathan), I hope this to be far less so. With any luck, we maybe be able to share and converse on any number of issues. I welcome your input and appreciate anything you have to contribute in advance. Please include any questions you may have or suggestions for future posts, upcoming tid-bits on anything related to Christendom, the arts or politics.

Today I wanted to pass along a cool podcast put out by Relevant Magazine. The Relevant Podcast (click HERE to subscribe through iTunes) is chock full of interesting perspectives, new music and stuff I categorize under “just plain fun.” For those of you that are able to listen to commentary during your work day, blast it in your office (or in your head phones); for those that need driving material, stick it on your iPod or burn it on CD. But either way, I think you’ll enjoy it. And let me know! Many of you already subscribe to it (and mad thanks to both John Brennan and Jason Clement for turning me on to it).

Have a great weekend!

CH

In the past few days I’ve had a reoccurring discussion with some of my friends, and not of my own volition (…the conversation…not my friends). It has gone something like this:

“Hey, Christopher, I love your site and keep up with all you’re doing. Love the last post especially,” ya-da, ya-da, ya-da… “I know I should probably leave a comment or something, but I don’t.”

If it wasn’t for the statistic program that I run on my site, and those type of phone calls and emails from friends, I probably wouldn’t bother writing posts for my site at all. I would equate it to, quite frankly, spending way too much time writing empty posts read by no one that then disapear into cyber-space forever. And ever. I reason that putting up new material on a site (something inherently great about the blogging concept) keeps people coming back, as opposed to the more “classic” idea of a static website that just posts “new dates” or ” new pics” and really gives people no reason to return.

The fact is, most people who keep up their blogs on a regular basis eagerly wait for other people to write them back. Seriously. Maybe it’s that we need the positive reinforcement of “being heard.” Maybe we’re cave-dwelling recluses who crave outside interaction. Or maybe we’re just tired of tagging 90% of the comments on our sites as SPAM and crave just one single, simple, singular line of text not created by an automated robot designed to leave illicit adds.

All it takes is a “Hey, great post.” Or, “That was a waste of my time, but I love you.” But knowing that people actually are reading your posts, now matter how tivial, gives you the juice to keep going.

Sure, sure, we write because we can. And we write “even if no one is reading.”

…yeah. Right.

What would be the point of that? Keep a personal journal, for the love of Abraham!

No, we write to stay in touch with people, to express our ideas, to let our stinky armpits (ie. opinions) be heard. And maybe, just maybe, someone is reading who says, “Wow, that really meant a lot to me.”

Of course, to say that, we bloggers might actually need to write something inspiring and worth your time. But that’s a different post.

To all my faithful readers who do shout out on this site, you guys rock! Thank you! I read and approve each one of your comments myself (one of the only web-things I make sure I personally moderate).

So, do your favorite bloggers a favor. Go ahead. Leave a little comment. One line. Take 30 seconds and just let them know you’re out there. Reading. Caring about what they have to say. I can guarantee you it will make their day.

(How pitiful, right?).

CH

Happy New Year my friends! I hope this post finds you well, prospering in the blessings of the Father.

Jennifer and I rang in the new year at The Lyric in Clayton, NY as part of the DIBOR Masquerade Ball. Complete with dancing, karaoke, skit-in-a-bag, live music and of course, great coffee, we enjoyed a joyous time with our friends (and not too few toothpicks of cheese, meat and garlic bread!). A brief stop to a few other parties and we were home by 2:00am to relieve our babysitters.

For those that know me, 10:00pm is my normal bedtime. Needless to say I don’t do too well with anything past midnight, let alone 2:00am! But there must have been some grace upon me as I never once got sleepy. That grace, however, departed this morning.  To quote E.T., “Ouuuuuch.”

When I arose, more to keep my children from ravaging the house than for my own desire to wake, a gentle snow was falling. Apparently it had been all night as there was a fresh six inches on the ground. And it kept falling…and falling…and falling…

As of 6:03pm ET, it’s still falling. Winter has officially arrived in northern NY. (Actually it arrived November 20th, but this sounds better).  Jennifer and I dawned our evening wear from last night’s Ball and took some pictures in the falling snow. It was her idea and I gladly played along. All during the kid’s nap time, of course! I’ll post some of those picks later this week perhaps.

I also decided that I would spend a few hours on this first day of 2008 doing what I didn’t do for nearly all of 2007: writing. I knocked out a whole chapter (#15) and 3,450 words. Talk about feeling good! Of course my fear is that I won’t get a day like that again in quite some time. But with any help from my wife and all of you, I’m hoping today was my return to my elusive “writing groove.”

May 2008 mark the best memories of your life, and our greatest demonstration of love and service to our King to date.

Thanks for spending some time with me today,

CH