Open Source Evangelism

As everyone knows, the church's main mission is spreading the Gospel message. Years ago, it just seemed like all you had to do is move to a new area and "set up shop". Nowadays, it isn't so easy. With the rise of religious fanaticism in places as far-flung as India, Sudan, and Indonesia or the continued rise of nationalism in countries like Venezuela, we are finding more countries closed to traditional Christian evangelism. These developments must give rise to another way of thinking. We must develop ways to get our feet in the doors.

How might we go about doing that? Well, in my opinion, we need to utilize a three pronged approach. The first approach centers around developing indigenous people to bring the Gospel to their people. We must remember that religion was used as a convenient anvil to hammer the people against in past centuries. Africa, Asia, and the Americas were conquered by priests, soldiers, and armed settlers (squatters). It is no wonder that native Africans, Asians, and Central/South Americans are suspicious of any non-native that tries to import Christianity to their country.

The second approach centers around how to get the "foot-in-the-door". We must develop our laity, who are well-versed in open-source and open standards software and technologies, to consider committing four years to missions work. With the appropriate research, we can find out what skill sets are needed in the developing country that we wish to reach and send those that are best qualified. By utilizing the approach that we are interested in helping these countries develop their Information Technology (IT) infrastructure, we can ensure that these normally weary countries open their doors for us.

The third approach revolves around developing economic opportunities within the target countries. Using a combination of technology, education, and micro-credit type economic development programs ensures a (potentially) lasting goodwill to the cause of Christ. Obviously, being able to harness technology for economic reasons makes a lot of sense. Transmitting zeros and ones does not require you to be in the same area as the one paying you for your work. High quality and low cost will ensure a steady stream of work. Educating indigenous people on how to use computers, how to write code, and how to support their code will help to increase the economic opportunities that are available to them. Micro-credit banks, in the same vein as the Grameen Bank of Bangladesh, could be established with low interest loans from church-based financial institutions. These micro-credit "loans" would allow the indigenous folks to purchase the necessary equipment that they need to pull themselves out of poverty. While developing economic opportunities that do not favor the West does not ensure a ready ear to the Gospel, it does help to soften the image of the West (which is so closely linked with Christianity).

Tying all of these approaches together won't be easy. Here is what I believe is a good model: By sending out technologists paired with trained missionaries, we gain a foothold into developing countries. The technologists provide lifestyle evangelism to those that they are trying to teach the technologies to. If the church would sponsor trained indigenous people to further enhance localization, we would have the ability to reach many more people with the Gospel. Think about it, localization of computer systems, paired with a good translation program, would allow us to:

1. Translate Christian textbooks - especially if they are good quality books written by college professors.
   
2. Translate classic Christian books - this would allow for the formative classics to be made available for new generations of Christians. That way we can provide an even greater depth and breadth of Christian knowledge for everyone.
3. Allow non-English/non-Western texts to be translated for our knowledge.

Digitized courses, using the above mentioned texts, would allow indigenous Bible colleges to spring up where ever there is a need. One Christian (missionary or otherwise) with a computer and printer would be able to replicate a well-equipped classroom anywhere, anytime. That would be awesome.

Why Apple May Rock

Mac OSX is known for being rock solid and stable. Built on an open-source Unix codebase, it doesn't have the known stability issues that have plagued previous versions of Windows. Nor does it crash as easily when a program goes awry. It's even been called pretty, innovative, and feature rich. What it has never been called is Windows compatible.

So, why would I say that Apple may rock considering that I just said it isn't Windows compatible? Well, because of CrossOver Mac. Now, you won't be able to run every single Windows program out there, which is a sad truth. But, I dare say, most of what the average user wants to run would be comfortably handled by CrossOver Mac. Give it a look. You just might be able to run your favorite programs on the most beautiful computers in existence.

Cheers

So. There I Was, Eating Crow...Again!

Well, I've not been a fan of Dell* for quite some time now. Lately, I've been doing a bit of soul searching, especially since my little Apple iBook G3/600 died. I've done a bit more soul searching ever since my HP Pavilion DV4018CL started acting up. Why all the soul searching? Well, I would say it's because my wife's laptop, a horribly slow Dell Inspiron 1200, has held up through two laptops that I have claimed ownership of.

Before anyone jumps to conclusions, let me set a few things straight. One, I baby my laptops. I don't even let my wife and kids touch them, if possible. Two, my wife let's our kids play on hers. Three, her computer has been through hell and back (water on the keyboard, mysterious boot issues, etc.). Now that I've been home from Iraq, her computer has worked famously. Worked so famously that I'm thinking if the Medison Celebrity turns out to be vaporware, I'm going to have to order an Ubuntu equipped Inspiron 1505n!

So, honey, I will say it now...I'm sorry for making fun of your laptop. In the future I will try my best to keep my misinformed tongue firmly trapped between my teeth. I would never have guessed that I would say Dell doesn't suck, but here I am, saying it loudly...DELL DOES NOT SUCK!!! Can you forgive me?

Cheers

*You betcha, I'm writing this on my wife's laptop!

New Look, New Post

I decided that, since today is the first day of my new year, I would change the look of the site a little bit. I updated the formatting and the template. Let me know whatcha think!

Cheers

Ubuntu Linux

Since it is my birthday, I thought that I would write on something that is important to me. So, I am going to write about Ubuntu Linux. I will start with some background on the word Ubuntu and on what Linux is. After that, I will discuss why Ubuntu Linux is so important. Lastly, I will try to provide a decent summary!

Ubuntu is less a word and more a concept. Wondering what I mean by that? Well, since the English language is so inefficient, we rarely see well contained concepts expressed by one word. Ubuntu, which is a Bantu language group word, means "humanity to others" or "I have value because of my community". In our world, we tend to view our community through how it supports our individualism. We don't see the importance of being a community member and actively contributing to it. If our community fails, we don't really care...it's someone else's fault. In the spirit of Ubuntu, we would see any community failure as just as much our fault as anyone else's.

Linux was started way back in 1991. Linux Torvalds wanted to develop an operating system that was based on Minix (a form of Unix). So, he, along with a large number of volunteers, developed the core, or kernel, and surrounded it with tools developed by the GNU Project. So, GNU/Linux (the more correct term) was developed into a viable alternative to the proprietary Unix brands and Microsoft's Windows. To those who are old enough to remember, Linux is very similar to DOS. If you add a graphical user interface (gui), such as Gnome, KDE, or XFCE, you have what amounts to the old Windows 3.1. Now, having said that, I will say that the GUIs that come or are generally available for Linux are much prettier than Windows 3.1. With a little tweaking, you can make it look way better than MacOSX or Windows XP/Vista. Plus, the kernel and it's tools are much more stable than anything that Microsoft has put out.

Now, Ubuntu Linux corrects two issues which have nagged Linux from the start...namely, installation of the system and installation of individual programs. When you download the ISO (which is the CD image that you need to burn to a CDR) and burn it, you pop the disc into your CDROM drive and reboot the computer. I won't go into great detail here, but you must have your computer set up to boot from the CDROM. Once you boot up into the Ubuntu disc, it will (eventually) bring you to a desktop that is very similar to Windows. You can now use any program that initially comes with the disc (there are nearly two full gigs of data on the disc). There are games, word processors, music players, etc for your use. This is very similar to the try before you buy, except you don't buy anything. If you want to install Ubuntu to your computer, there is an icon in the upper left hand corner that you can click on. You will be asked a few questions and then the installer takes over.

Once you have installed Ubuntu to your computer (in place of Windows), you might want to checkout some of the really cool programs that are freely available for download and installation. I won't go into great detail, but Ubuntu uses a program called Synaptic (found under System -> Administration). Synaptic is like a catalog of software with descriptions. If you find a program you want to install you click on it's check box and then hit the add button. If there is any additional software that needs to be installed, it will let you know. Very simple, overall.

While I have done a horrible job "selling" Ubuntu Linux, I will encourage you to check it out. You might find the experience much better than Windows. Then again, maybe not. Your mileage may vary.

Cheers

Summer Fun (at Church!)

Well, we had our Tailgate Beach Blast at church. It was, indeed, a blast. We had lots of people (the very unscientific guestimate is around 350 people). We had lots of food. And, we had lots of fun.

There was volleyball going on, jumpy castles, slip n slides, water fights, and just plain old fashion fellowship. The food was good (can't beat grilled burgers and 'dogs), the people let their hair down, and everyone should have gone home full. Sarah had a soggy diaper from playing in the water that must have very nearly weighed three pounds! She didn't even complain when she was brought to the van. Too bad Mommy is in Minneapolis right now. I'm sure she might have had a great time too.

I was extremely lucky...while I helped to count people and direct traffic, I almost didn't get a burger! The grill had closed down and we were on our last four burgers and maybe six dogs when I made it through the line. No worries, though. There was plenty of other stuff to fill my stomach if I hadn't gotten a burger.

Well, I need to watch a movie before I go to bed.

Cheers

Catch and Release

This will be a very short blog entry. Yesterday I watched "Catch and Release", which stars Jennifer Garner. To say I was disappointed would be to understate and, to a degree, misstate things. I did not understand that movie. It felt too forced, the plot was thin, and the overall execution of the movie was rough. There were certainly a couple of interesting twists, but none that made absolute sense to make. If you get the opportunity to borrow the movie from a friend, do so. If you must buy it or rent it, don't bother.

See, I said it would be short.

Cheers

Health Care as Ministry, Part 2

Okay, let me continue with my post from last night. First of all, I was posting around 2333L...way late. I pretty much lost track of what I was really wanting to say. So, let me continue...

There are an aweful lot of missionaries who have taken their time, resources, and lives to bring the Gospel to the world. Far too many of them never feel like they are making a real difference. Contrast that with some of the reports that we hear concerning how many people have come to Christ because they have received much needed free health care that was hosted at a missionary outpost. The unbelieving world finds it hard to believe that Jesus Christ came to save their souls while their bodies are uncared for.

I'm not saying that the work that our missionaries are doing is worthless because they are not doctors. Quite the opposite. Rather, I feel that if our churches would get involved we could field missionary medical doctors in larger numbers. All we would need to do is set up a program where the student agrees to spend eight years on the mission field once they are board certified in exchange for a free education (post-bachelors degree). If there is a need for a certain specialty, the student (now doctor) would request a delay to reporting for missionary training until after that specialized training is finished. If the student who is accepted into the program drops out, he/she owes for the education that they have received. If the student refuses to go on the mission field, he/she owes for the education. With a proper contract we could make sure that the students understand their obligations. I know it isn't fool-proof...but it is doable.

The program could be expanded to cover other specialties, such as dentists, vets, teachers, etc. We, as the church, need to find ways to improve the lives, in a substantive way, in the communities that we want to establish missionary outposts. We need a reason for people to listen to us. With all of the blessings that God has poured out on our country, we need to start paying it back. Unfortunately, we seem bent on exporting our consumerism instead of Christ. Pathetic.

Cheers

Health Care as Ministry

I just read an interesting article about some U.S. students graduating from a Cuban medical school. The intriguing thing about the story is that the students received a free education. They are completely debt-free. So, they can now start practicing (once they pass the boards) in areas that have few resources.

My vision for America is hardly unique. I envision an America that doesn't throw away her people, needlessly chasing after money. I'm not against money, per se, I like having a few bucks in my pocket. Makes me feel free. But, I also understand that I have an obligation to relieve the suffering of others. Since I am not a doctor, I do what I can. Sometimes, that means giving my money, or my time, or maybe something that I own but don't use/need. It sickens me to see how health care, in particular, has gotten so expensive.

Why do we chase after the next big drug breakthrough? I don't we do more research, real scientific research, into natural cures? Or maybe into what is referred to as Eastern medicine (you would be amazed at how easy it can be to "heal" yourself just by finding the right pressure point...don't believe me, well, the next time you hit your 'funny bone' remember that is a pressure point...or think about the times that your neck being out of whack has caused you to have a huge headache. It stands to reason that if something can cause pain in another area of the body you should be able to counter that pain by pressing another area of the body).

Of course, I think that God has designed an amazing world filled with amazing things that could cure us if only we would try. Maybe we should think about that for a bit, eh?

Chocolate Milk & Casting Crowns

Being a broken Christian isn't so hard, really. All you have to be is a thinking, feeling human being who tries to follow the model that Jesus provided. That's a pretty tall order, for certain, but not impossible. Honestly, all you have to do to go from broken vessel (think clear plastic, very bio-degradable) to Christ-like is to maintain your transparency and allow yourself to be filled with Him through His Spirit. No one ever says, 'Hey, look at that clear plastic bottle filled with chocolate milk!'. No, they say, 'Hey, grab me that bottle of chocolate milk'. Everyone knows that the bottle isn't the chocolate milk. They know that the bottle merely contains the milk for a season. Once you have consumed the milk, you can discard the container. I want to be that container, used by God to transport Jesus to a thirsty soul. Once my mission in life is complete, then He can call me home and I can finally discard this mortal coil.

Now, the title says Chocolate Milk & Casting Crowns. I sure that whoever reads this (hello, is anyone out there?!) will think that the title is rather odd. Bear (or is it bare?) with me for a moment. I was just reading a passage on their website from the LifeStories book. Very gut-wrenching. I've flown into a combat zone (Iraq) on a military transport aircraft and have barely escaped needing to puke (excuse my French). I've had my stomach tied in knots because of some of the things that I've allowed myself to be talked into. Nothing has really had such an effect on me as reading the story that I read about Erin Browning and her battle with cancer. I had tears in my eyes (I'm such an emotional he-man, eh?!), my throat was constricted and I couldn't swallow very well, and my stomach hurt. The older I get (I'll be 36 in a couple of days) the more emotional and "genuine" I become.

Now, to tie everything together...the feelings that I had over that story (which I didn't finish reading for fear that I would break down and cry) are God's gift to me. I am not very comfortable with my feelings. I can't stand to lose control. Yet, I need to learn to lose control if I ever want to be the bottle that contains the chocolate milk. I want to get to a point in my life where I can freely give to Him and be what He wants me to be. I want the fear, the pain, the anger to go away. I want to be filled with His mercy, His grace, and His love. For myself, for my family, and for this world.

Cheers