BLOGS - WASTING TIME OR GAINING INSIGHT?

Well, I know that my title is rather provocative, but that is precisely why I titled this post that way. After all, I have been known to answer both as to why I read blogs. For that matter, I suppose you could answer that you are doing either of these or both when reading here.

Nevertheless, what value is there in reading blogs - good blogs not just link filled garbage that does not show much original thought - does depend on what you actually read. Some blogs are well written, thought out, and generally useful in that they present ideas for the masses to mull over. Possibly provoking emotion, or at least agreement or disagreement. Many opinions abound in the "blogosphere." Various forms of blogs are found, from steam of consciousness verbosity, to elegant discourse, and even in crass rants or cultural watching via pictures. I tend to like ones that use humor, but other emotions are also evident, anger, fear, and even hysteria. Some are informative, some can be rather long-winded, but one thing that is interesting is to to see the snapshot of culture that can be viewed through this interesting media.

I don't know if there is a definitive answer to my title question. What I do know is that all the bloggers are people who need a savior. Some already know Him, while others are exploring spiritual themes or concepts. Some are overt and dogmatic in their faith while others are just as overt but approach their evangelistic charge with great grace, mercy and love. I hope that I fall in that last category as I explore worship, a lifetime endeavor, nay an eternal endeavor that I hope you can join me on.

Here are some interesting sites that I have saved as bookmarks. I will provide some commentary on some and let you explore other ones on your own. As always, just because I have them listed here does not mean that I wholly endorse anything on the various sites. It just means I like to look at, read, or peruse these sites. I do not gain any financial arrangements (don't I wish) from these sites. So enjoy!

http://allthingsbeautiful.typepad.com/
Wow. If you are ready for deep thought, commentary and great artwork - spend some time here. Social commentary with relevant pictures - well done.

http://benwitherington.blogspot.com/
Elegant defender of the faith. Deep thinker who presents culturally relevant thoughts about God and the pursuit of holiness.

http://bldgblog.blogspot.com/
http://bldgblog.blogspot.com/2006/04/secret-soviet-submarine-base.html
I have singled out this one as it was the one that got me to add this blog to my favorites. Architecture is a proud moment of achievement for mankind. We can create elegant, graceful forms that pierce the sky. Or we can produce squat, monotonous, mousy brown "cookie cutter" structures with no originality or grace. Either way I am reminded that mankind has been producing architecture for a long time. The Bible is filled with stories of architecture. It is bracketed from front to back with building and design. I think to when man tried to reach up to God (Genesis 11:1-8) through a large tower and to the end where the new Jerusalem is described by the Apostle John (Revelation 21).

http://www.boingboing.net/
It's hard not to spend too much time here. I suppose I am somewhat of a geek as I like this stuff.

http://stevenjcamp.blogspot.com/
Steve Camp - 80's and 90's Christian Music guy, writes a very thoughtful blog (at times) and very spiritually aware. Interesting to note that recently he had an article on Bloggers that can be read under "Don't tase me bro!"

http://ceruleansanctum.com/
One of the better "Godblogosphere" blogs around.

http://newsbusters.org/
Liberal bias in media - you know that they lean a little to the left.

http://www.reason.com/blog/
Just for some balance here is the other side. Yes, I do like to read both to expand my mind.

http://chrissur.blogspot.com/
I like to read what other church planters are doing.

http://wizbangblog.com/
A little bit of everything.

http://middlezonemusings.com/
Muse away.

http://www.evangelicaloutpost.com/

http://www.x-entertainment.com/

http://postsecret.blogspot.com/
Fascinating look into people secrets.

http://www.thesneeze.com/
This site cracks me up. First of all this guy has way too much time on his hands. Secondly he has a long suffering wife, and finally he has some crazy things here. Some of my favorites are listed on the right hand sidebar. They include Captain Avenger, hilarious musings that are probably met with blank stares from hard core online gamers; Cheap-A** Cereals, the funny thing is we have probably all had "generic" cereals and after reading this you will probably look at those bags and boxes a little closer; Freaky Franks, play this a couple of times and you will suddenly see that many hours have passed. On top of that you will wonder what each one tastes like; and Steve, Don't eat it, is a little like watching a car wreck, you can't pull yourself away.

So if you are a blogger - blog on. If you like to read blogs - read on. I hope you have enjoyed some of the blogs I read occasionally.

Enjoying life remembering the wide world around me,
Graham

What do YOU model?

I recently received an email from a weekly subscription I have to "Fathers.com," an excellent resource for all you dads out there. The Subject line was intriging and certainly captured my attention boldly asking the question: "Graham, do you want your child to be like you?" Wow. My immediate answer is absolutely yes, and absolutely no. Yes, all the good things, characteristics, habits that are positive I show as head of my family - shine on. And no to the laziness, selfishness, lying, horrible habits, and general badness that I know I exude.

Well, it is wonderful to know that God, our heavenly Father, models only the best to us. In fact, He gives us His Spirit, which allows us to even be Holy as He is Holy. And He gives us eternal salvation through His son, Jesus. I wrote a song once that had the following lines:

Your liquid mercy covers me, like a second skin.

Your Justice seeks satisfaction, the Father sees His Son.

We, as redeemed beings, trusting in the salvation through faith in Jesus' sacrifice, are seen by God as pure, spotless, and as perfect as Jesus Christ, the Son of God Himself. Amazing. Talk about the right model to follow.

So, I pray that I will model the proper things to my children, and point out that there is a better, perfect model in God. I will admit my faults and failures, and revel in God's grace, forgiveness and mercy. And I will try to show the same to my family.

Hope your "modelling" career takes off,
Graham