It's quite interesting that my last post had to do with on-line social networking as a connection rather than a community and then a few days later have UBHH. See, Anne Jackson posits that the web creates connection but not community and goes on to say that some off-line relationships may suffer because of the on-line ones.
I have seen a few of the comments and the general consensus is that there is actually community formed on-line. I for one can attest to the fact since I met one of my very good friends or tights (as The Igiss, who is no more would say,) on-line. The fact is she knows things about me my mother does not know, and I have known her since 2005. We have never met but I believe our relationship is not a connection but a community thing.
Other than that, Anne's society and our society differs greatly in terms of technology. Whereas the web maybe readily available in the U.S, in Uganda, apart from a privileged, few, the web ain't a luxury or rather a utility. So, my point is I think the web creates community. A good example of this is the Uganda Bloggers' Happy Hour. Connection leaves a lot to be desired so the wise "Oracle" in her Oracle-liness proposed community which caught on quite quickly. I for one do not know how long BHH has been running but the few times I have been there, I have been impressed by the level of community being developed.
See, it has moved from reading The Dark Knight to talking with him about business as well as personal matters. It transcends commenting a thing or two on a blog and discussing real issues like Who is Igiss? and what should a first kiss be like and other things.
Anyway, on a more serious note. BHH is a wonderful place, honest.
I did not mind showing up with The Safyre 45 minutes before any one else showed up. We thought someone had played a trick on us coz there was no one and come 1905 hours, we would have been leaving.
Thank God Lulu showed up then from inside Mateos emerged Be Silent who was on the verge of tears coz...she will explain. That's when the "community" started arriving.
Dee's outfit...for lack of appropriate words and for fear of losing my employer's favour....Anyway, Carlo showed up with Dante, the 2.Weak Dudes came in, Erique and then two camps were established. On the one side, there was talk of El Crapo, Igiss's real identity, cooking etc and on the other side -WORLD DOMINATION. I found myself sandwiched in the fair camp while the big guns talked of computers and the like... Not being sexist... I was in the middle of three relatives who had a lot to catch up on- Be Silent, Carlo and Dee...
I realise I am reaching my word limit so let me just highlight a few things.- The anthropology has kicked off and we are required to send our works to Lulu's email. The theme should be "I didn't die".
Igiss is still a mystery,and the word is since his identity was discovered he went offline! I hope he ain't PGB or something. I know a few of us who would be in trouble.
Chanel finally talked to me! Of course she acted like she did not know who I was but I discovered it's because she was afraid of misplacing her words in the presence of the Reverend Nev. People, I am sorry for being intimidating and being like a holier than thou fella, just like to point out a few things here and there. Thanks for smiling at me Chanel, I was encouraged.
We had a new blogger; Daniel whose blog I have failed to trace so far. The name is street siders.
Silverbow, The Antipop and Johnny 23 were all missing this time. She must have been working her behind off.
But it was on the whole a good BHH for me, met Erique, Be Silent, Dante, and Daniel.
Holla to Baz.
Word limit woes....
Friday, February 27, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The Facebook Fast | Out of Ur | Conversations for Ministry Leaders
The Facebook Fast
Uber-blogger, Anne Jackson, says the web creates connection but not community.
Blogging. Facebook. Twitter. Those three things are practically my middle name. I've been called a “social media butterfly” over the last four years.
The question of "Can community happen online?" which has been the topic of conversation on this blog recently, has also been asked wherever I go. At conferences, at churches, and yes, even at the local cafe where by chance, a Facebook friend recognizes me. Sorry. I have to admit. I usually don't know who you are.
Shane Hipps has spoken. Scot McKnight has spoken. And now, it’s my turn to add another view into this virtual world.
During my four years as the leader of a very thriving blog (FlowerDust.net), I've seen many incredible things happen. I've seen believers and unbelievers unite in generously donating close to $200,000 to social justice and poverty. I've seen people openly discuss taboo subjects: pornography, depression, anxiety, gay lifestyles, and theologically grey topics.
In some instances, these online conversations have translated into personal communication (by email, chats, or phone) and some have even turned into face-to-face meetings. The platforms of social media certainly give these personal interactions a "jump start" so to speak, because you do, in some regard, know bits and pieces of the other person's life.
But this is where it gets muddy for me. Is it community?
Given my experience living in both worlds, it may be surprising to hear, but I am beginning to lean on the side of no—what happens online is not community. Before you send me an army of frowning emoticons, please hear me out:
I believe what happens online is connection—not community.
People can be vulnerable and honest online. And at times these online connections can be more life-giving than many of our offline relationships, but they are not the same.
During Lent, I am going to close my blog down. I am not going to Twitter, or update my Facebook profile. I'll still email people, and chat with my friends, but for those few weeks my social networking is getting put on hold. There are a variety of reasons, of which I'll detail on my personal blog shortly, but a small part of this is a personal social experiment. I want to discover whether my online life gets in the way of my offline life. And do others' online lives get in the way of their offline lives?
I'll leave you with a couple small, hypothetical examples. Let’s say my friend (who lives in Nashville with me) puts a note on Twitter about having a girls' night. I miss the invitation because of my online Lenten fast, but since most of our "group" is plugged in, everyone else gets it. I'm at home cleaning my bathrooms, unaware of this event. In this case being online would have aided my offline relationships.
Or to take it one step further. Imagine I post about having dinner with a group of friends. Someone else in our online circle sees these updates and wonders why he or she wasn't invited. Although the uninvited person is internalizing the situation, it can still cause a serious sense of isolation and insecurity which then creates tension in our offline relationship. In this case my online life would be detrimental to my offline friendship.
I’m hoping my Lenten experiment will give me more clarity about whether my online life is benefiting my offline relationships.
Online connections are good. They can be deep and good for our souls. But when we turn them into an online community, they can, and do, impact our face-to-face interactions. When we spend more time staring at a glowing monitor than we do into the eyes of those we love, or need to love, it might be time to shut off the computer.
Anne Jackson is on staff at Cross Point Church in Nashville, and blogs at Flowerdust.net. She is also the author of Mad Church Disease (Zondervan, 2009).
Uber-blogger, Anne Jackson, says the web creates connection but not community.
Blogging. Facebook. Twitter. Those three things are practically my middle name. I've been called a “social media butterfly” over the last four years.
The question of "Can community happen online?" which has been the topic of conversation on this blog recently, has also been asked wherever I go. At conferences, at churches, and yes, even at the local cafe where by chance, a Facebook friend recognizes me. Sorry. I have to admit. I usually don't know who you are.
Shane Hipps has spoken. Scot McKnight has spoken. And now, it’s my turn to add another view into this virtual world.
During my four years as the leader of a very thriving blog (FlowerDust.net), I've seen many incredible things happen. I've seen believers and unbelievers unite in generously donating close to $200,000 to social justice and poverty. I've seen people openly discuss taboo subjects: pornography, depression, anxiety, gay lifestyles, and theologically grey topics.
In some instances, these online conversations have translated into personal communication (by email, chats, or phone) and some have even turned into face-to-face meetings. The platforms of social media certainly give these personal interactions a "jump start" so to speak, because you do, in some regard, know bits and pieces of the other person's life.
But this is where it gets muddy for me. Is it community?
Given my experience living in both worlds, it may be surprising to hear, but I am beginning to lean on the side of no—what happens online is not community. Before you send me an army of frowning emoticons, please hear me out:
I believe what happens online is connection—not community.
People can be vulnerable and honest online. And at times these online connections can be more life-giving than many of our offline relationships, but they are not the same.
During Lent, I am going to close my blog down. I am not going to Twitter, or update my Facebook profile. I'll still email people, and chat with my friends, but for those few weeks my social networking is getting put on hold. There are a variety of reasons, of which I'll detail on my personal blog shortly, but a small part of this is a personal social experiment. I want to discover whether my online life gets in the way of my offline life. And do others' online lives get in the way of their offline lives?
I'll leave you with a couple small, hypothetical examples. Let’s say my friend (who lives in Nashville with me) puts a note on Twitter about having a girls' night. I miss the invitation because of my online Lenten fast, but since most of our "group" is plugged in, everyone else gets it. I'm at home cleaning my bathrooms, unaware of this event. In this case being online would have aided my offline relationships.
Or to take it one step further. Imagine I post about having dinner with a group of friends. Someone else in our online circle sees these updates and wonders why he or she wasn't invited. Although the uninvited person is internalizing the situation, it can still cause a serious sense of isolation and insecurity which then creates tension in our offline relationship. In this case my online life would be detrimental to my offline friendship.
I’m hoping my Lenten experiment will give me more clarity about whether my online life is benefiting my offline relationships.
Online connections are good. They can be deep and good for our souls. But when we turn them into an online community, they can, and do, impact our face-to-face interactions. When we spend more time staring at a glowing monitor than we do into the eyes of those we love, or need to love, it might be time to shut off the computer.
Anne Jackson is on staff at Cross Point Church in Nashville, and blogs at Flowerdust.net. She is also the author of Mad Church Disease (Zondervan, 2009).
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
When God loves me still
Too many times, when the heart is broken, and we face the dirt, and we wet the soil, with our salty tears,
When we feel the weight, of a guilt that's whole, of eyes gone sore, of sour remorse
His love never grows dim, His mercy never wanes.
+++
So why would we need a gentle saviour, a high priest who understands our weaknesses if we never had rough edges or if we always had the strength to overcome? Why would He fulfil the law and go to the cursed cross if we could perfect ourselves, if we could always do what is right?
Love, they say conquers all yet there I was interred by the fall. When I did sin, O did my soul writhe; it twisted, it turned. I saw that my sin was impossible to beat and so I cried because I had fallen again.
Should I ever fall? What will they say when they hear I fell? A man of words mighty and soothing to the soul, how come you yourself, tripped and then did fall? So I mourned that I was defeated, the sin has conquered my soul.
Yet He remained awake all the while. His soul received the pain without a qualm even when the metal ripped away his skin. He did not raise a finger, as they counted away, till all the strokes were fully embedded. And then to the cross, where they pierced his wrist and his feet as well.
But I thought I could do it; by myself I could. I could resist the temptation, I could stand the test. So when I fell I mourned that I couldn't.
But he watched all the while, even when the breathing got harder. He took my sin and made me whole.
+++
It gnaws at my soul when I fall again; to know that I have failed again. But the strokes and nails he endured for me, won't permit that I remain down. When I rise I see His face, with love and mercy and endless grace. Time after time after time after time, His mercy renews and His grace suffices. Where the sin abounds, much more grace abounds- to understand this is to keep in the fight.
So my face shall gaze upon His face, and His light will reveal His endless grace.
Grace shines much more when I fall again, for tis the strength that puts me on my feet again.
He is love.
When we feel the weight, of a guilt that's whole, of eyes gone sore, of sour remorse
His love never grows dim, His mercy never wanes.
+++
So why would we need a gentle saviour, a high priest who understands our weaknesses if we never had rough edges or if we always had the strength to overcome? Why would He fulfil the law and go to the cursed cross if we could perfect ourselves, if we could always do what is right?
Love, they say conquers all yet there I was interred by the fall. When I did sin, O did my soul writhe; it twisted, it turned. I saw that my sin was impossible to beat and so I cried because I had fallen again.
Should I ever fall? What will they say when they hear I fell? A man of words mighty and soothing to the soul, how come you yourself, tripped and then did fall? So I mourned that I was defeated, the sin has conquered my soul.
Yet He remained awake all the while. His soul received the pain without a qualm even when the metal ripped away his skin. He did not raise a finger, as they counted away, till all the strokes were fully embedded. And then to the cross, where they pierced his wrist and his feet as well.
But I thought I could do it; by myself I could. I could resist the temptation, I could stand the test. So when I fell I mourned that I couldn't.
But he watched all the while, even when the breathing got harder. He took my sin and made me whole.
+++
It gnaws at my soul when I fall again; to know that I have failed again. But the strokes and nails he endured for me, won't permit that I remain down. When I rise I see His face, with love and mercy and endless grace. Time after time after time after time, His mercy renews and His grace suffices. Where the sin abounds, much more grace abounds- to understand this is to keep in the fight.
So my face shall gaze upon His face, and His light will reveal His endless grace.
Grace shines much more when I fall again, for tis the strength that puts me on my feet again.
He is love.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Ori mi u wo e Lagi mo!! Wooo
Soulsnatcha and Sokleva are my latest music craze. These two belong to a group called Roof Top Mc's and their music is off the shi-hizzle. It would be good to point out at this point that these are not from the West or from the States; these two young men are Africans from Nigeria.
I did not anticipate ever getting to know there was a group called Roof Top Mc's or listening to their music and this is one of those (not so)pure coincidence things. I suspect I may be the only Ugandan , with my bro who know and love their music, even if it is just the one that is nominated for a Kora.
Lagi Mo is African hiphop but with a tint of those Jay-Z Linkin Park collaborations: Hiphoprock, if it exists.
We were watching the Kora show (I'm not too sure that's the real name of the show) and were able to watch many of the guys who have been nominated for Kora Awards this year. There is some good African music out there and must I say I think it is much more creative and hands on than much of the Ugandan music I hear. Very few Ugandan musicians can hold a guitar and perform while playing it and very few know even how to put their own sound onto a song. It is all the same in Uganda, no creativity, same beats of the "kibuk'okite" fame. Some are trying but it is too computerised to sound like they worked hard at all.
Now when me and bro watched these guys play, we were blown away! The live music was so enthralling, so riveting, it played with my ears and sparked my heart! Not only was the sound great, these guys have good voices! The song they were doing is called Lagi Mo and I must be honest and say it sounds better live than on Youtube. You can find the video here Lagi Mo.
Me and my bro first mourned about how we would not be able to listen to it again because prolly no Ugandan has ever heard about Roof Top Mc's but then I thought maybe I will talk to Lucy and see if she can get me anything from the station oba if they can play it again. Then I logged in and googled it and voila!! Solved my problem!
And gets better, I got the lyrics and you know how knowing a song's lyrics makes is so much more enjoyable!
Honestly I love the song and I could play it over and over again. Yes, I do that with most nice new songs then I get tired of them then after sometime I reignite my love...wooo...naye friends, please share my craze and tell me what you think!
Oh and before I go
I did not anticipate ever getting to know there was a group called Roof Top Mc's or listening to their music and this is one of those (not so)pure coincidence things. I suspect I may be the only Ugandan , with my bro who know and love their music, even if it is just the one that is nominated for a Kora.
Lagi Mo is African hiphop but with a tint of those Jay-Z Linkin Park collaborations: Hiphoprock, if it exists.
We were watching the Kora show (I'm not too sure that's the real name of the show) and were able to watch many of the guys who have been nominated for Kora Awards this year. There is some good African music out there and must I say I think it is much more creative and hands on than much of the Ugandan music I hear. Very few Ugandan musicians can hold a guitar and perform while playing it and very few know even how to put their own sound onto a song. It is all the same in Uganda, no creativity, same beats of the "kibuk'okite" fame. Some are trying but it is too computerised to sound like they worked hard at all.
Now when me and bro watched these guys play, we were blown away! The live music was so enthralling, so riveting, it played with my ears and sparked my heart! Not only was the sound great, these guys have good voices! The song they were doing is called Lagi Mo and I must be honest and say it sounds better live than on Youtube. You can find the video here Lagi Mo.
Me and my bro first mourned about how we would not be able to listen to it again because prolly no Ugandan has ever heard about Roof Top Mc's but then I thought maybe I will talk to Lucy and see if she can get me anything from the station oba if they can play it again. Then I logged in and googled it and voila!! Solved my problem!
And gets better, I got the lyrics and you know how knowing a song's lyrics makes is so much more enjoyable!
Honestly I love the song and I could play it over and over again. Yes, I do that with most nice new songs then I get tired of them then after sometime I reignite my love...wooo...naye friends, please share my craze and tell me what you think!
Oh and before I go
Psalm 34:22 The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants:and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Hi
I just got to work today naye I have some work to do but thought it would be nice to say hello and leave y'all with this beautiful Psalmetry!
Chapter 33
1 Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
2 Praise the Lord with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
3 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.
4 For the word of the Lord is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.
5 The Lord loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love.
6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made,
their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars [fn1] ;
he puts the deep into storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all the people of the world revere him.
9 For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.
10 The Lord foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
11 But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people he chose for his inheritance.
13 From heaven the Lord looks down
and sees all mankind;
14 from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth—
15 he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.
16 No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.
17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.
18 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
19 to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.
20 We wait in hope for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord,
even as we put our hope in you.
Chapter 33
1 Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
2 Praise the Lord with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
3 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.
4 For the word of the Lord is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.
5 The Lord loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love.
6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made,
their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars [fn1] ;
he puts the deep into storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all the people of the world revere him.
9 For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.
10 The Lord foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
11 But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people he chose for his inheritance.
13 From heaven the Lord looks down
and sees all mankind;
14 from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth—
15 he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.
16 No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.
17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.
18 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
19 to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.
20 We wait in hope for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord,
even as we put our hope in you.
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