The Obama Doctrine

The Obama Doctrine - Political Punch: "'We must begin by acknowledging the hard truth: we will not eradicate violent conflict in our lifetimes,' he said. 'There will be times when nations -- acting individually or in concert -- will find the use of force not only necessary but morally justified. As someone who stands here as a direct consequence of Dr. King's life work, I am living testimony to the moral force of non-violence. I know there's nothing weak -- nothing passive -- nothing naive -- in the creed and lives of Gandhi and King, but as a head of state sworn to protect and defend my nation, I cannot be guided by their examples alone. I face the world as it is, and cannot stand idle in the face of threats to the American people. For make no mistake: evil does exist in the world. A non-violent movement could not have halted Hitler's armies. Negotiations cannot convince al Qaeda's leaders to lay down their arms.'"

New Yorkers Flocking to Evangelical Christian Preacher? -- New York Magazine

Why Are So Many New Yorkers Flocking to Evangelical Christian Preacher Tim Keller? -- New York Magazine: "Keller’s latest book, Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope That Matters, out in October, speaks directly to the concerns of New York and New Yorkers. The book, like the sermons it’s derived from, delivers a sharp spiritual rebuke of the very things—ambition and achievement—that brought many, if not most, of us here. Keller’s message, in other words, is a slap in the face to our civic religion of success. And scores of us seem to be flocking to him."

Chatting About God Tonight

The McReynolds Story: "I just finished chatting with a guy in Hawaii"

This is a real challenge for those of us in ministry too...

Anatomy (and Meaning) of the "Did You Know?" Video Series (VIDEOS, PHOTOS): "When you show it to educators, as often as not, the predominant reaction is withdrawal. They retreat like a turtle to its shell. Not all of them. But a lot of them. It's too much. It's too overwhelming. They don't know what to do with it. This is our challenge.'"

Face it

Jose Antonio Vargas: Anatomy (and Meaning) of the "Did You Know?" Video Series (VIDEOS, PHOTOS): "With more than 300 million users, Facebook is like a country of its own. As Mashable reported earlier this month, Facebook grew by 25 million users from Sept. 15 to Nov. 6. If you do the math, as Mashable's Ben Parr did, that's a daily growth rate of 471,698 users. 'That's a small city joining Facebook every single day,' Parr wrote."

Dig yields possibly oldest Hebrew text

Science- msnbc.com: "HIRBET QEIYAFA, Israel - An Israeli archaeologist digging at a hilltop south of Jerusalem believes a ceramic shard found in the ruins of an ancient town bears the oldest Hebrew inscription ever discovered, a find that could provide an important glimpse into the culture and language of the Holy Land at the time of the Bible.

The five lines of faded characters written 3,000 years ago, and the ruins of the fortified settlement where they were found, are indications that a powerful Israelite kingdom existed at the time of the Old Testament's King David, says Yossi Garfinkel, the Hebrew University archaeologist in charge of the new dig at Hirbet Qeiyafa.

Other scholars are hesitant to embrace Garfinkel's interpretation of the finds, made public on Thursday. The discoveries are already being wielded in a vigorous and ongoing argument over whether the Bible's account of events and geography is meant to be taken literally."

Stagnating Temperatures: Climatologists Baffled by Global Warming Time-Out

SPIEGEL ONLINE - News - International: "The planet's temperature curve rose sharply for almost 30 years, as global temperatures increased by an average of 0.7 degrees Celsius (1.25 degrees Fahrenheit) from the 1970s to the late 1990s. 'At present, however, the warming is taking a break,' confirms meteorologist Mojib Latif of the Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences in the northern German city of Kiel. Latif, one of Germany's best-known climatologists, says that the temperature curve has reached a plateau. 'There can be no argument about that,' he says. 'We have to face that fact.'

Even though the temperature standstill probably has no effect on the long-term warming trend, it does raise doubts about the predictive value of climate models, and it is also a political issue. For months, climate change skeptics have been gloating over the findings on their Internet forums. This has prompted many a climatologist to treat the temperature data in public with a sense of shame, thereby damaging their own credibility."

The McReynolds Story: Cross 09 NY

The McReynolds Story: Cross 09 NY

My Youth

I just turned 41. My daughter asked me if I felt old. I told her that I still feel young, though my hair and second chin betray the years passed.

I read this today. It explains my feeling much more eloquently.

Manvotional: “Youth” by Samuel Ullman | The Art of Manliness:

"Youth

By Samuel Ullman

Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind; it is not a matter of rosy cheeks, red lips and supple knees; it is a matter of the will, a quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions; it is the freshness of the deep springs of life.

Youth means a temperamental predominance of courage over timidity of the appetite, for adventure over the love of ease. This often exists in a man of sixty more than a boy of twenty. Nobody grows old merely by a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals.

Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. Worry, fear, self-distrust bows the heart and turns the spirit back to dust.

Whether sixty or sixteen, there is in every human being’s heart the lure of wonder, the unfailing child-like appetite of what’s next, and the joy of the game of living. In the center of your heart and my heart there is a wireless station; so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer, courage and power from men and from the infinite, so long are you young.

When the aerials are down, and your spirit is covered with snows of cynicism and the ice of pessimism, then you are grown old, even at twenty, but as long as your aerials are up, to catch the waves of optimism, there is hope you may die young at eighty."

Thoughts on religion in New England

The McReynolds Story: Christianity in New England. Who can believe it?: "In some ways students are more spiritually open than ever. New England may currently say it's not 'religious', but I see everyday that everyone worships something. When I explain why I worship the God of grace and truth, justice and mercy, of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, of the Bible; people listen-they may not agree-but they listen intently. Some respond with joy."

Others seem so happy

circulus vitiosus: "'The only happy people I know are people I don't know well.' --Helen Telushkin (via Dennis Prager)"

The McReynolds Story: Every Grain Of Sand

The McReynolds Story: Every Grain Of Sand:
"Oh, the flowers of indulgence and the weeds of yesteryear
Like criminals, they have choked the breath of conscience and good cheer
The sun beat down upon the steps of time to light the way
To ease the pain of idleness and the memory of decay.

I gaze into the doorway of temptation's angry flame
And every time I pass that way I always hear my name
Then onward in my journey I come to understand
That every hair is numbered like every grain of sand."

What problems does Google Wave solve?

danieltenner.com — What problems does Google Wave solve?: "In your average corporate environment, though, this happens all the time. People work on documents, presentations, etc. They have lengthy discussions over email. Pieces of work bounce back and forth across one or multiple organisations for weeks before they’re finalised. People are brought on to the conversation late in the day. Attachments get lost. Inboxes fill up and emails bounce. It’s a major pain.

So what are the problems with email in a corporate environment, and what does Wave do to address them?"

Let the healing begin.

A cool looking new bible: Glo

I don't know

I don't know about this but I'm willing to give it a try.

in reference to: Google Sidewiki (view on Google Sidewiki)

Pick a new name for CCC

What should be the „new„ name of Campus... » online polls
Tags : christian campus university

This is not your Father's Suburban Sprawl

Joel Kotkin: "Perhaps even more important may be social changes that could make Relos less relevant in the future. For decades in the post-World War II era it was believed that “spatial mobility” would increase, hastening social disintegration. This vision was epitomized in Vance Packard’s 1972 best-seller, “A Nation of Strangers,” with its vision of America as “a society coming apart at the seams.”

But in fact, far from becoming ever more nomadic, Americans are becoming less so, as the population ages and as formerly urban amenities are more widely dispersed and accessible. As recently as the 1970s, 20% of Americans moved annually; by 2004 the number had dropped to 14%— the lowest since 1950. By 2008, barely 10% were relocating.

These days human-resource executives complain that workers are increasingly unwilling to move even for a promotion, citing family and other concerns. With the recent economic downturn, worker mobility in the U.S. has waned further. The decline in the relocation tradition seems likely to persist in good times or bad."

The Instant

Todd Stocker's Weblog: "When the impact happened, we believe that she was texting (big surprise) because on her phone was a last, unfinished text to her friend Wes that simply read “Tomo…” She never saw the truck. She never heard the hit. The speed and power of the truck hitting the car at 55+ mph snapped her into eternity. The word that comes to mind is Instant. As quickly as you blink, as suddenly as you glance, Makenzie was looking at her cell and then looking at her Savior.

It all makes real the verse that says, “…we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye…” (1 Corinthians 15:51). Makenzie is alive with Jesus and we cant wait to see her again."

Todd is my friend. His blog is bracing in it's honesty about the death of his daughter.

>

In the Fort

I'm in Fort Collins working on the Staff Conference for the Campus Ministry. Good times. The conference starts next Tuesday.

Science vs. Religion

USA Today:"The conclusion, Dickens said, is that something other than carbon dioxide caused much of this ancient warming. "Some feedback loop or other processes that aren't accounted for in these models -- the same ones used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for current best estimates of 21st century warming -- caused a substantial portion of the warming that occurred during the PETM."

Why GTD?

From David Allan: I’ve given numerous “drive-by” radio and TV interviews, the type that give you about fifty-three seconds…. They’ve forced me to distill my message to the bare essentials. A typical question is, “David, what’s the one thing we do that gets in the way of being productive?” Here’s my answer:

“It’s not one thing but five things all wrapped together: People keep stuff in their head. They don’t decide what they need to do about stuff they know they need to do something about. They don’t organize action reminders and support materials in functional categories. They don’t maintain and review a complete and objective inventory of their commitments. Then they waste energy and burn out, allowing their busyness to be driven by what’s latest and loudest, hoping it’s the right thing to do but never feeling the relief that it is.”

When I first read GTD, I laughed out loud because it described me so well.

(Hat Tip: What's Best Next)

Wow

Todd Stocker's Weblog: "Recently, we found out that parts of her eye tissue were used immediately to help two people see: a 53 year old woman and a 9 year old boy. Let that sink in a bit. Makenzie closed her eyes on this earth on June 3rd and on June 4th, two others opened theirs. She gave her sight so others might see. It reminds me of the hymn line “I once was blind but now I see.”"

Stuff I Learned From My Dad

Stuff I Learned Video: "I wanted to record some of this for my Dad, for me, and my progeny."

Gen CCC

Based on this article, Campus Crusade is a great place for young people to work.

Carole Ann Willingham

I've spent the last few days in Weatherford, TX to honor the life and legacy of this amazing woman. Many people who are famous, are not great. Many people who are great, are not famous.

Weatherford Democrat - Legacy: "Carole Ann Willingham, 62, surrounded by her loving sons and husband, passed away peacefully at her home in Weatherford Monday evening, June 8, 2009. A courageous fighter, a gifted and caring friend, an amazing mother and wife, Carole Ann embodied the compassion, joy and Christian values of our Lord and Savior throughout her life. Family and friends alike cherish the memory of her smile, the warmth of her hugs and the grace and courage of her trip back Home. Open up the Pearly Gates St. Peter, you have a good one on the way. Carole was born March 5, 1947 in Fort Worth, Texas. A lifelong area resident, Carole graduated from Weatherford High School in 1965. While attending college at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Carole met her future husband before graduating in 1969. Ralph and Carole Willingham were wed May 25, 1968 and loved each other through rich times and poor times, in good times and bad, through sickness and health for 41 years. Through her years in Weatherford, Carole was an active member of the Parker County Teachers Association, served as a Sunday school teacher and for years sang in the church choir. Carole recently retired from the Parker County Co-Op Educational Services where she worked for more than 23 years and made a lasting impact on everyone she worked with. Carole remained active after retirement, keeping busy with her beloved grandchildren, serving the church, Mothers Of Pre-Schoolers and participating in the ministry of the North Side Baptist Church Cancer Care Support Group. Carole cherished her time visiting with friends and family and frequenting the matinee's with the love of her life on Saturday afternoons. Carole is preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Georgia Teague Poulter; and her stepmother, Lola Poulter, all from Weatherford. Carole is survived by her one and only husband, Ralph Willingham of Weatherford; eldest son, Major Paul Willingham USAF of Goodyear, Ariz. and Scott Willingham of Weatherford. She also leaves behind daughters-in-law, Janna Willingham of Goodyear, Ariz., and Stephanie Willingham of Weatherford, Texas. Carole's precious grandchildren include, Macyn Grace, Luke, Tucker and Mia Ann. Carole also precedes her sister, Dru Hogue, and brother-in-law, Glenn Hogue of Benbrook, Texas.Along with her loyal and supportive husband, Ralph, and her proud sons, Paul and Scott, Carole's memory will be held near the hearts of her countless friends and admirers, loving family and church, as well as her precious, cherished grandchildren. Those of us who know her best take comfort knowing that she now may rest. Matthew 25:21 And the Master replied "Well done my good and faithful servant!" Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, at Galbreaith-Pickard Funeral Chapel. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 11, at North Side Baptist Church located at 901 N. Main St., Weatherford, TX 76086.Interment in Memory Gardens Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be sent to North Side Baptist Church, attention Cancer Care Support Group.Galbreaith-Pickard Funeral Chapel913 N. Elm, Weatherford, TX 76086(817) 594-2747"

My favorite part of this obituary is the phrase "one and only husband". Ralph and Carole loved each other well with a covenant faithfulness that is a picture of how Christ loves his church.

This will give you an idea of Carole's courage:

Weatherford Democrat - Local survivor gets cancer courage award: "For the past seven years, Carole Willingham has battled inflammatory breast cancer, a rare and aggressive disease. Her gracious nature and willingness to pursue different treatment regimens qualified her for the Faces of Courage Award."

I'm honored to know the Willingham family.

Conferences expanding reach with webcast and twitter

Digital @ Leadership Network: Conferences expanding reach with webcast and twitter: "On the first day of the live webcast, Twitter.com comments for the Christianity.com/The Gospel Coalition webcast by online viewers and attendees soared to over 1,100 posts, sending it to the homepage of Twitter and into the daily top 20 most talked about items. Conference participants posted over 2,400 times on Twitter.com during the three day event.

More than 26,000 people visited the free video webcast on Christianity.com. Additional participation on the social network site Facebook.com and in the personal blogs of influential church leaders also contributed to the immense success of the webcast.

“This conference webcast brought challenging theological teaching to thousands who were unable to attend the conference due to financial and other constraints. Social networking websites allowed these online viewers to interact with those in actual attendance,” added McGarvey. “From new Christians to long-time church attendees to church leaders and established pastors, everyone benefited from The Gospel Coalition speakers and the ability to interface with one another about event.'"

The Fall of Man and the Foundations of Science

Denver Seminary: "The strength of Harrison's argument is his insistence that experimental science grew out of the acute awareness that attaining knowledge is not an easy, natural process. In a postlapsarian world, strategies must be devised to overcome the inherited infirmities of original sin, as well as circumscribe the difficulties of apprehending nature, which had become less intelligible since the Fall. A scientist would have to create controlled environments so that experiments could be performed and repeated, and naturalia observed and described. As Harrison points out in the first chapter with numerous cited examples, many of these early modern scientists wanted to recreate the approximate conditions of the Garden of Eden, which had allowed Adam full and unobstructed knowledge of the natural world. He quotes many important thinkers of the time, like Francis Bacon, who reasoned that Adam had been able to name every creature in the Garden because he had known, a priori, the essential nature of each one."

Why I don't waste time on Newsweek...

Ray Kurzweil: "I appreciate your bringing my ideas to your readership. However, there are numerous inaccuracies and misrepresentations in Daniel Lyons’ story."

Too many for me to quote succinctly.

Symblogogy: The QR (Quick Response) Code And You

Symblogogy: The QR (Quick Response) Code And You: "In order to have one's phone behave more like a tool than a personalized toy, all one has to do is download a simple program into the cellphone and presto – the camera takes a picture (scans) of a symbol printed on a billboard, flyer, magazine, or display screen then decodes it and has the phone access a “(dot) mobi” webpage on the internet through a series of pre-scripted commands. Quick, Simple, and Easy.

So why hasn’t this form of consumer automation been adopted right here in North America (after all, in large consumer societies found in Europe and Japan, this kind of symbology enabled automation has been used and perfected for years. Fact is, this is why a camera was added to the cellphone in the first place.)? Hard to say, but get ready because the symbology revolution will be vying for your attention at a cellphone or specialty retail store around the corner from where you live, soon."

Is Technology Good or Evil?

Kevin Kelly: So if you have life hacking -- life means hacking, the game of survival -- then evolution is a way to extend the game by changing the rules of the game. And what technology is really about is better ways to evolve. That is what we call an infinite game. That's the definition of infinite game. A finite game is play to win, and an infinite game is played to keep playing. And I believe that technology is actually a cosmic force.

The origins of technology was not in 1829, but was actually at the beginning of the Big Bang, and at that moment the entire huge billions of stars in the universe were compressed. The entire universe was compressed into a little quantum dot, and it was so tight in there there was no room for any difference at all. That's the definition. There was no temperature. There was no difference whatsoever. And at the Big Bang, what it expanded was the potential for difference. So as it expands and as things expand what we have is the potential for differences, diversity, options, choices, opportunities, possibilities and freedoms. Those are all basically the same thing. And those are the things that technology bring us. That's what technology is bringing us: choices, possibilities, freedoms. That's what it's about. It's this expansion of room to make differences.

I think this is why the God of Adam tells humanity to "subdue" the Earth. Technology provides options, choices and freedoms, but technology separated from the goodness and wisdom of the Creator becomes inevitably dehumanizing. Choices made in submission to God and others "subdued" to reflect the art of goodness, love and human virtue. Freedom to love and live in peace only grows out of a "subdued" technology. This is an option, choice, freedom that technology alone cannot provide.

Exploring the 2010 Web

Robert Scoble: "In a couple of weeks I’m getting a new 2010 Toyota Prius. If you look at the web site, it seems to be pretty cool, right? But why doesn’t Toyota have a community, or place you can go to talk about the 2010 Prius? Toyota does have a Facebook page, but why didn’t they create a place for me to go to talk about my new Prius with other people? Why didn’t it create a YouTube account that would get hooked in here? Did you know that Toyota’s PR team is on Twitter? Yeah, they are, but you wouldn’t have known by looking at the Toyota Web site. Even over on Twitter and Google it took quite a few tries to find this page.

And that’s what I’m getting at. Toyota is one of the world’s top brands. Has TONS of money to spend on marketing. And they aren’t even taking advantage of the 2010 web. So how are smaller businesses supposed to do it?

For instance, right near Facebook is an awesome yogurt shop named Fraiche. Tons of Facebook employees frequent here. So you’d think they’d be working on a Facebook connect site so that they can let their community know when they have something new to offer, right? No.

Do they use video to tell their story? No. Do they have a friendfeed group where people who love Fraiche can talk about it? No. Is there a blog that shows some of the new things they are adding? No.

This is a business that’s run by the wife of a venture capitalist in Silicon Valley and is right in the heart of Palo Alto (a short walk away is Tapulous and Facebook). If they aren’t on the 2010 web, something is wrong."

Why has personal fund raising worked for more than 50 years?

United Way's New Way - Forbes.com: "United Way also got blindsided by a changing charity world. The number of nonprofits soared, rising 40% in a decade to 1.8 million and vying for money. Many had a single-issue focus--a specific disease like juvenile diabetes or a narrow cause like open-space preservation--that created close donor identification, loyalty and wallet-opening. Some donors found United Way’s broad funding too defuse."

Non-Profit Organization?

Where Most Needed: Breaking Ranks with the Chronicle 400: "So again this year, the Chronicle has chosen to aggregate the 1,326 United Way chapters as a single organization, making United Way appear to be the largest recipient of private donations. The Chronicle claims justification for lumping together these fiercely autonomous local United Way campaigns because the national United Way has adopted some financial standards. Yet the Chronicle itself notes that less than half of the chapters have adopted the current fundraising strategy advocated by the national office. It's not the monolithic structure they would have us believe."

Is the United Way one organization or a federation of small non-profit groups?

College Students and Social Media

True or False?

College students are at the forefront of social media because of the combination of their disconnection from childhood relationships, the need for new community, social freedom, and large amounts of free time.

Are We in a Narcissism Epidemic? No, we're in an idolatry epidemic.

Are We in a Narcissism Epidemic? | Newsweek Culture | Newsweek.com: "But no matter how you were raised, the handiest cure for narcissism used to be life. Whether through fate, circumstances or moral imperative, our culture kept hubris in check. Now, we encourage it. Pastors preach of a Jesus that wants us to be rich."

This is from an article on a new book by Jean Twenge and W. Keith Campbell called "The Narcissism Epidemic," released last week.

I haven't read the book but the article makes no mention of God or religion save the quotation above. So, let me say that "the handiest cure for narcissism used to be" religion. Or more specifically Monotheism. "God is God and you are not" is a handy cure for narcissism.

The Newsweek article submits this as evidence of our culture encouraging narcissism: "Pastors preach of a Jesus who wants us to be rich."

Hmm. Religious leaders have always done this since Jesus walked dusty streets of Jerusalem. Most of Jesus' first hearers thought he would make them all rich and prosperous by becoming King and throwing out the wicked Romans. So, there was narcissism in the Jesus' day. Fascinating. One of Jesus' closest friends and disciples, Simon Peter, tried to tell Jesus to stop talking about giving his life for others and Jesus told him to put a cork in it (here and here). It's hard to stay a narcissist when you follow Jesus.

The article has no mention of pastors who preach that when you stop worshiping the Triune God you necessarily begin to worship an idol and that all idolatry is a form of self-worship. You can find those pastors here, here and here. Why no mention of these? It's not like these churches are in a corner somewhere either. In fact I think Tim Keller has been featured in Newsweek.

So why not mention pastors of nationally prominent churches who attract young people by preaching against narcissism? As I mentioned here: "blogging (long form tweeting) fear, loathing, and high-handedness..." about X "...sells more books and blog ads than blogging about the balance between narcissism and self expression in general, which is as old as Job's laments."

If this generation is more narcissistic, it is because it is the least religious generation. But even as I write those words I suspect them as overstatement. Narcissism is the binary alternative to worship of the the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It always has been and always will. In this sense I am as big a narcissist as Simon Peter and Abraham. God help me.

A Christian and Twitter: Narcissism?

As much as I hate to wade into this (I wish I had more time), I think it might be an important larger discussion about the virtues and vices of technology.

I'm going to try to limit my comments to my own opinions as an individual Christian. I don't purport to speak for all Christians, particularly because these matters involve new technologies and somewhat novel circumstances. As I explained to my son after watching the movie Valkyrie, I have more access to and transmission power of information in the phone on my hip than most humans have experienced in human history.

Over at Between Two Worlds I read, was sent and then commented on a post affirming Twitter as a cause and vehicle for narcissism. The post also equates social networking more generally with narcissism and nihilism.

As I commented there: Twitter as a technology, is no more or less narcissistic than the printing press. One must have a certain sense of confidence to publish any opinion widely. Is this narcissism or the necessary self-confidence to assert an opinion? If it's narcissism, then all who publish, via press, blog or Twitter are narcissists.

Who is a bigger "narcissist" than Luther? How dare he publish his private opinions to rival the Magisterium! This is an old criticism of Protestantism; not of it's content but of it's temerity.

Or how about Augustine's Confession. Isn't it like unto a giant tweet of personal feelings and experience. Does anyone really care that Augustine was a thief in his youth? Apparently, yes, his "narcissism" notwithstanding.

The medium certainly affects the message but the medium is only as self-centered or self-expressive as the messenger. Twitter is more indicative of culture than prescriptive. If Twitter actually is narcissistic, it is because those who use it already are. But blogging (long form tweeting) fear, loathing, and high-handedness about new technology sells more books and blog ads than blogging about the balance between narcissism and self expression in general, which is as old as Job's laments.

Twitter being simply a tool for communication cannot be narcissistic per se. It's ironic that Christians struggle to see the link between communications innovations of today and key elements of Christian history. I already mentioned the printing press, not to mention the written word in general. You'd think Christians would vilify the telephone more than Twitter since we value the written word. I'm sad to say that when the telephone was invented and first widely used there were probably Christians who decried the vanity of the spoken word and it's effect on society. Imagine:

"What are all those people talking about? Their hair? Their pets? What they had for breakfast? Rubbish! What narcissists!"

Sound familiar?

When your Mom calls and asks what's been going on today, do you stop and think: I don't want to be a narcissist so I better not say anything. Of course not. You disclose your life to people who care.

If you only heard one side of my phone calls you might assume I'm a narcissist because I'm always talking. But your assumption ignores the person on the other end. If you think my tweets are narcissistic, then why do you follow me? How can it be narcissistic if you have to choose to listen in. If you care enough to choose to listen, then it can't be all about me.

I'm on Twitter to stay connected to my office mates when we are out of the office. If you think that is a shallow substitute for real intimacy, watch this and stop talking to your friends on the phone; only talk to them in person so you won't be shallow.

I also get instant updates from the Boston Police while I work downtown. And, at times, I listen to real time conversation about real time events using things like Twitterfall and Twitter Search. For example, right now I'm "listening" to the Swine Flu story break across the globe. I just checked CNN on the web at 12:55 AM and there's a small mention of the flue at the bottom under World headlines. I'll bet it will be a bigger story by noon.

It's ironic that I've spent this much time writing about whether Twitter is narcissistic and I primarily use it to listen. You get the picture.

I'm hoping my next post will be - A Christian and Twitter: Brevity?

Free Music: Heart-Shaped Box

The Autumn Film : "For this Giveaway, we followed Tifah into her living room and recorded her as she sang some new material, playing on her old upright. It’s an intimate glimpse into the songwriting process."

Susan Boyle YouTube Video: 100 Million Hits

Epicenter from Wired.com: "Susan Boyle's Britain's Got Talent video is on track to become the most popular video in the history of YouTube, amassing nearly 100 million views in its first nine days and earning the producers of the program a serendipitous, potential windfall that should already be in the millions."

"Boom!"

John Madden retires from broadcasting - NFL- nbcsports.msnbc.com: "NBC Sports Chairman Dick Ebersol announced today that John Madden, Hall of Fame coach and the most honored broadcaster in sports television history, has decided to retire from broadcasting.

Madden issued the following statement today:

'It’s time. I’m 73 years old. My 50th wedding anniversary is this fall. I have two great sons and their families and my five grandchildren are at an age now when they know when I’m home and, more importantly, when I’m not…"