The purpose driven internet

Its strange how I am finding people to relate to as I do this reading/study project. I've traded a couple emails with Mike Boyink after finding his blog relevant to this one. Now I find another...

From Blogs4god, Mean Dean posted a link to a fellow blogger who had a warning about the Blogger version I am using to edit this blog. Since Boyink had pointed out that you can't click on the links (or select text even, I've found out.), I clicked over. Jon Reid had a post that explains the problem is probably due to xhtml.

But, right below is a post with bold text: God designed us that way on purpose... which becomes an exploration of what will make his new home-group destinctive and purpose driven.

The internet is becoming an actual tool for my study, and not just a record of my thoughts. God is everywhere, even online! But where is he leading me?

Really, I'm keeping up

Life has been quite full the last 2-3 days. I blogged some of it at my family blog. Can I resolve it into an interesting insight into what I'm supposed to be learning in the book? Not right now. I'll have a hard time reading the chapter tonight. But I'll do it.

More website design discussion

I really don't want to make this a "tech-blog", I am just applying the PDL book to my world.

Mean Dean at Heal Your Church Website posts a follow up article, which I incite a energetic discussion about using 'splash' pages on church websites.

For the unitiated, splash pages are the page you see before some websites let you into the rest of the site. The web building world has mostly dismissed them as self-serving ego boosts, which means they essentially aren't purpose driven for what the organization is trying to do with their website.

For a good approach at the issue of Purpose Driven Websites, check out Boyink's blog post.

An external link

Here is an article about "purpose-driven websites" for churches. Its from one of my favorite blogs, Heal Your Church Website.

He also reiterates one of my favorite themes...you need to serve the user. For the same reason the PDL tells us we cannot serve our own goals and God's, a church (or business) should serve their customers and not their own egos.

Day 8 - Rounding up the first week

Church was full today. Caz says the count was over 200, well over our average of 160 the last few months.

Pastor Paul provided an enjoyable sermon, including a quiz about what some strange looking tools are. The sermon acknowledged the position I am in, and most people are. That we live in fear of our purposes being revealed, yet still wanting to meet and please the Lord. (Sounds like a parent/child relationship, doesn't it?)

Paul make the specific point that "Our purpose is to have eternal fellowship with God". Perhaps he's revealed how the book ends! Thru knowing God, one can change their purpose to be from an eternal perspective. So when we get to heaven we can say "Its just like I planned/imagined/prepared for it!"

I missed the first "small group" session during CE (christian education) period, so that I could be on the kid's CE skeleton crew. I got to lead a story with the group, then do a lesson with the 3-5th graders. But the 5ths went with the 6th graders, since they are too mature, they think. Anyway, I enjoyed using a handout that related directly with the PDL program. What I enjoyed was asking the kids about their plans for when they are 18-20 years old. I told them that if they have a plan, it will be a more peaceful period. I usually tell the story about my brother Tim, and how he had to plan ahead to get into the Air Force Acadamy by doing the right things in High School, but I didn't this time.

But the root benefit of teaching today was that the teacher always seems to learn the most. I love teaching what I am learning myself!

Day 7 reading

I guess I do feel a need to react to each reading individually. But perhaps that is because I have the book in front of me tonight. Day seven's reading starts with a big pill to swollow: "The ultimate goal of the universe is to show the glory of God." What Rick Warren seems to really mean is that because the world was created by Him, that it shows his goodness and intelligent design. Just because I've already defined myself as not being a creationist doesn't mean I'm going to argue with him. When you think about it, it's amazing the laws of nature work together enough for us to exist!

The case he makes is that we should remain aware of this glory, and honor God thru worship. This helps lead us in to Purpose #1, which I will start reading tonight.

Day 6 reading

The day 6 reading is titled "Life is a Temporary Assignment", trying to make the point that again that life is short and just a prep for heaven, and we should live as such. The greater message is that we should be prepared to sacrifice things (including status) in this life for greater fulfillment in the life to come.

While I tend to hang on to things in life loosely and not strive for material wealth, is this really what is meant? Or am I just missing the challenges God has prepared for me, by taking the easy path? (Cumulative question from the lessons so far.)

Readings 5-7

Yes, I've kept reading, just not posting. I don't intend to be a strictly daily blog, but I do feel behind.

Day 5--This chapter starts with an interesting question...what metaphor would you use to describe life? I'd say its like a ride in a car...it feels good going fast and looking at the scenery, so its hard to stop. But once you do, you find a whole world of interaction and possibilities.

That was the fun part. Rick makes the point that God has made life a test and a trust. The trust means that we are stewards of all we are given, to use wisely. And the tests are there to not just stand as obstructions, but as lessons, allowing us to improve our stewardship. "If you are untrustworthy about wordly wealth, who will trust you wit the true riches of heaven?" he quotes the Bible.

Personally, I think I've been good in not being foolish with my 'talents', but I'm sure that some I'm not investing wisely or trying to get maximum return. Time and money are two things I don't conserve enough of, but I don't spend foolishly, either. Being purpose driven means using both better, I am sure.