Off to Ottawa

I am on route to Ottawa today. Light posting ahead. Have a great long weekend.

A Problem From Hell

I started reading, A Problem From Hell by Samantha Power this morning. A Problem from Hell is a Pullitzer prize winning book which Amazon.com describes as...

During the three years (1993-1996) Samantha Power spent covering the grisly events in Bosnia and Srebrenica, she became increasingly frustrated with how little the United States was willing to do to counteract the genocide occurring there. After much research, she discovered a pattern: "The United States had never in its history intervened to stop genocide and had in fact rarely even made a point of condemning it as it occurred," she writes in this impressive book. Debunking the notion that U.S. leaders were unaware of the horrors as they were occurring against Armenians, Jews, Cambodians, Iraqi Kurds, Rwandan Tutsis, and Bosnians during the past century, Power discusses how much was known and when, and argues that much human suffering could have been alleviated through a greater effort by the U.S. She does not claim that the U.S. alone could have prevented such horrors, but does make a convincing case that even a modest effort would have had significant impact. Based on declassified information, private papers, and interviews with more than 300 American policymakers, Power makes it clear that a lack of political will was the most significant factor for this failure to intervene. Some courageous U.S. leaders did work to combat and call attention to ethnic cleansing as it occurred, but the vast majority of politicians and diplomats ignored the issue, as did the American public, leading Power to note that "no U.S. president has ever suffered politically for his indifference to its occurrence. It is thus no coincidence that genocide rages on." This powerful book is a call to make such indifference a thing of the past.

It is that last quote, "no U.S. president has ever suffered politically for his indifference to its occurrence. It is thus no coincidence that genocide rages on." that really bothers me. The book has been a challenge to the pacifist stand that has been talked about so long on the blogs during the Iraq War II. I really don't believe that the Iraq war was just from a theological point of view and nothing have convinced me of anything any different but when we walk away from defending people who are going to be slaughtered (Srebrenica and Rwanda to name a few places), and then do nothing when thousands are slaughtered because of their race, something is horribly wrong. I remember preaching a sermon during the Rwanda genocide and pointed out that as a nation during that time we were much more concerned with who was going to cut our taxes most effectively then we ever were that a people group was being slaughtered at 8000 people a day.
Maybe she is right, people will continue to die because even in the day of the global village, we really don't care that much. Just some thoughts that will be keeping me up tonight.

Cinncinnati Vineyard's

I meant to post this yesterday about Cinncinnati Vineyard's residential intership program (it seems funny to use the word program to describe it). I am glad I waited because the response that I heard from people about it taught me a lot. The church leaders I hears from mocked out the idea pretty harshly with jokes about communal living and all of that stuff. I think the rampant individuality of the boomers combined with the paradoxical isolation that comes from living with the masses in suburbia has created a generation that wants to explore spirituality in community, not just in the context of a "personal and isolated relationship with Jesus Christ". Those who mocked Cinncinnati Vineyard's residential internships live primarily in the previous paradigm where people are developed on mass as a group and in a way where we see that they weren't really changed at all. I think what Kevin is doing is really cool. The only thing I didn't see is the section on where the community blogs are going to be. I can't wait to read them.

Bad Planning

Thomas Friedman in today's New York Times

A successful U.S. rebuilding of Iraq is the key to America's standing in the world right now. But Mssrs. Bush and Rumsfeld seem to be treating it like some lab test in which they can see how much nation-building they can buy with as little investment as possible.
As one Marine officer said to me: There is something to be said for doing war on the cheap, but if you want to do war on the cheap, "pick a country that doesn't matter."

My former co-worker Jackie Reimche (note that I didn't use the word friend) now has her own domain name at www.jackiereimche.com. If I am Dave Winer, I had better start getting used to having the second most popular blog on the net. Jackie is gaining fast.

For those of you who don't know Jackie, her Jeopardy categories would be;
- Roll Up the Rim to Win
- Healthy Eating Plans
- Nacho Hangovers
- Reading so my boss doesn't have to
- Scowling 101
- A&W Blogger Templates

Spencer Burke's Fotoblog

Spencer has joined the world of blogs with his brand new Fotoblog. Very cool. So cool I started one up myself.

Residential Training at Cinncinnati Vineyard Church

Kevin Rains and the very cool people at Cinncinnati Vineyard Church are offering some residential internships.

Here�s a (non-exhaustive) list of some of the ways an intern is encouraged to deepen your realtionship with God:
� Solitude: Ample time, encouragement, and help are provided for you to experience time alone with God.
� Spiritual Direction: With a mentor and a small group of �Soul Friends� (2-3, same sex) you�ll have opportunities to offer and receive prayer for specific needs.
� Prayer together: Daily praying the Psalms trains us for an authentic life of prayer.
� Reading: Selected readings from Scripture and key books nourish both mind and spirit
� Community Life: Through the daily rub of living together you�ll experience what the Proverb �iron sharpens iron� can mean for your spiritual journey.
� Hospitality: A steady stream of guests from near and far bring many surprising gifts.
� Ministry: Opportunities abound for service in our neighborhood to give a cup of cold water in Jesus� name.
� House Meetings: weekly the house gathers to share what we�re learning and encourage each other.
� Discussions: Over meals, or in a hallway, planned or spontaneous you�ll engage in lively discussions about applying your faith to your world.
� Pilgrimage: Every intern plans a trip to a place of their choosing where they can experience the ancient art and rewards of a spiritual pilgrimage.


2. Community Living: Sharing a journey with others
Our rhythm for sharing life...
To share life, we must spend time together and find ways to be in sync. A common schedule makes this possible. The schedule determines what activities and jobs interns take on (not the other way around). Without a shared schedule we really can�t �do life� together. This is the essential framework for our community. Three of the main components are regular prayer together, and dinner meals, and adequate rest.

� Prayer
Prayer is the most important part of our spiritual development and is fundamental to who we are. With the household interns we observe the ancient practice of fixed-hour prayer, keeping whenever possible four offices each day: morning prayers, midday prayers, vespers, and compline.

Morning Prayers
We mark the beginning of our work day with fixed-hour prayer from 7:00-7:15 a.m. Community members rise early enough (no later than 6:30 a.m.) to be present a few minutes in advance and be in a state conducive to
prayer. Our goal is to present ourselves to God with joy and thanksgiving at the start of each day. Setting the alarm for 6:50 and shuffling in half-awake at the last minute doesn�t fit this goal.

Midday Prayers
Those who remain on-site during the workday gather for midday prayers before eating lunch. We encourage those who work off-site to carve out time during midday to pray in their own context.

Vespers
Before dinner we have a vespers service. Dinners are typically at 6:00 p.m. if possible, but we adjust the time when necessary to include those returning home from off-site work.

Compline
We end our day as we begin it: in prayer and quiet thankfulness for what has transpired and for the night�s rest we�re about to receive. Compline is traditionally observed before going to bed. Since bedtimes will vary slightly, members may observe compline as they see fit, either together or individually. In any case, we strongly encourage married couples to observe this prayer office together, whether with a larger group or privately.

Prayer at Other Times and in Other Ways
Spontaneous and planned prayer by both individuals and groups is both expected and recommended as an integral part of one�s spiritual formation. Our schedule allows ample time for prayer of all types to occur.

� Centrality of Dinner meals
The Importance of the Common Meal
Meals together are crucial to the building of a close-knit and joyful community. Over the course of an internship, more time is spent sharing meals than is spent together in any other activity. Mealtime is, accordingly, the most powerful setting in communal life for a wide range of important activities, such as forming and maintaining friendships, learning how to listen and ask questions, being mentored, hearing Scripture, and learning to cooperate (e.g. preparing the meal, setting the table, cleaning up afterwards).

The Reading
After a short vespers service, and after the food has been passed around, the spirutual director (or someone he/she chooses) reads from Scripture or some other appropriate writing for the first few minutes of the meal. We do this for three principal reasons: (1) to set a peaceful and thoughtful tone to our mealtime, (2) to practice the art of listening, and (3) to build our knowledge (even if passively) of Scripture. Children are quiet and listen during this time, as well.

The Atmosphere
Meals are for pleasure, not for business. Unless it�s unavoidable, we steer away from the discussion of burdensome and difficult subjects during this important time. Business can usually be cared for at another time. We look forward to the shared meal, knowing that here we can relax, enjoy catching up on the events of the day and one another�s lives, and have a good home-cooked meal. The table setting is important as well. Disposable plates, utensils, and cups are avoided whenever possible. Aside from their contribution to a growing waste problem in America, they reflect the illness of an overly-busy, convenience-driven, and lazy society that has little regard for the consequences of its actions. We want to communicate in multiple ways (e.g., fresh flowers and candles) via the common meal that we care, are grateful, and have time. For us it�s a mini-Sabbath.

The Food
It�s difficult in a communal household to satisfy everyone�s individual tastes and preferences without making life exceptionally difficult for the cook(s). Our general goal is to offer a meal that�s both nutritious and good-tasting, with options for omnivores and vegetarians. We try simply to use good sense: avoiding meals high in fat, cholesterol, and simple sugars. We shoot for whole grains, legumes, vegetables and fruits, option for fresh food when available rather than canned or frozen food.

� Rest
Most Americans function with too little sleep. We�re in the middle of a sleep-deficit epidemic and get about 90 minutes less sleep than our Americans just 50 years ago. It�s estimated that the total economic loss resulting from this sleep-deficit reaches into the billions of dollars. Studies show that creativity and problem solving skills both dive dramatically as we�re deprived of sleep, and that errors in judgment go up. Sleepiness and fatigue are a greater factor in auto accidents and fatalities than is drunk driving. With too little sleep our immune systems are compromised and we become sick more often. A rat can go 17 days without food before dying. Without sleep it lives only 16 days, which suggests that sleep is as important as food. The body also craves routine and functions best when we retire and rise at approximately the same time every day.
It�s in our best interests as a community to wind down and retire at about the same time through the week. Sharing the same rhythms and being alert (and in a good mood!) during the day are important to a household�s overall health. Furthermore, it encourages a respectfulness toward our bodies, temples of the Holy Spirit. We encourage a bedtime of no later than 11 pm., with a winding down period starting around 9 p.m. Winding down includes shutting off the internet, TV, movies, etc. and preparing for a night�s rest by reading and prayer.


3. Urban Ministry: Incarnating the gospel for a neighborhood in need
Our mission is to settle in challenging urban areas and identify with the have-nots of this world. Whatever we experience as a community is to be experiencd in the setting of urban life. Our understanding is that we�re here more for our neighbors than for ourselves. Jesus came �not to be served bu to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.� John�s account of the life of Jesus says that �he pitched his tent among us, that is, that he became on e of us. This is a reference to the incarnation, or as the word iteself means, �the enfleshment�. The incarnation refers specifically to the event of God becoming humanb, taking the initiative to approach us in the way we would best understand: as one of us, expeiencing the full range of humanity so that he could speak to the full range of humanity. This mystery of the incarnation involves drawing near, reducing the distance.

We live in the urban neighborhood of West Norwood, Ohio. We befriend our neighbors by listening to them, taking initiative to serve them, and throwing paries for them. We actively seek ways to advance God�s kingdom in our neighborhood by being a serving presence and praying with our eyes open to needs and opportunities.

They don't mention what happens if you break the rules but the rumor is that you have to actually attend a Cinncinnati Bengals game. No, that can't be true, it would be cruel and unusual.

Comical Ali Captured

Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf, the Iraqi "disinformation minister" who became world renowned for his ridiculously inaccurate news briefings in Iraq soon before coalition troops reached Baghdad, was captured at a Baghdad roadblock, London's Daily Mirror reported Wednesday.

The Washington Times also reported that the Iraqi official, also known as "Comical Ali," was detained early Monday evening near the home of a relative.

But U.S. Central Command has not yet confirmed that Al-Sahaf is -- or is not -- in custody. A public affairs officer noted that Al-Sahaf is not on the U.S. military's most-wanted list and was "never being pursued."

Fox News on Wednesday asked Lt. Gen. John Abizaid about this report and he said he had not heard about it. Abizaid has been picked to replace Gen. Tommy Franks as Central Command chief.

Al-Sahaf, an official obviously fiercely loyal to Saddam Hussein, once claimed "there is no presence of the American columns in the city of Baghdad" as U.S. forces were moving in.

There were Iranian news reports soon after the war began that Al-Sahaf was dead, but other media said he was alive and holed up in his house, using his sons as bodyguards.

The Times reported that a coalition force who confirmed the arrest said Al-Sahaf "has some serious talking to do this time."

As Al-Sahaf drove his Toyota Land Cruiser toward his favorite aunt's house Monday, American Humvees blocked his path and said, "the coalition wants you," the Times reported. Witnesses said he was accompanied into the house, where he collected a book, toothbrush and razor before being taken away in a white Land Cruiser.

The jokes will fly but Comical Ali was a high ranking official... I wonder how much of this is a growing worry and desparation over not finding any Weapons of Mass Destruction.

Job opening at Warehouse 242

The fine folks over at Warehouse 242 are still looking for a lead pastor. Here is some more information about them via an e-mail they sent me. (warning: a little cliche heavy)

Warehouse 242 is rock concert (i.e. Zwan, Coldplay, U2) meets a hole in
the wall coffee house. We are an Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC), which means we are rooted in the Orthodox essentials, but it does not mean that we cling to ineffective church traditions. We are proactively reaching out to people who do not and would not otherwise go to church; meaning we are targeting the 25-35 year-old who this Sunday morning was probably hung-over or still stoned, and woke up in a stranger's bed. Their most basic need this Sunday was an answer to the question, "What in the heck did I do last night? And was it worth what I'm feeling right now?"

We are not a "seeker church." We are not a "purpose-driven church." We are not an East-coast version of Axis, although we love our friends at Willow Creek dearly. We are less like pastors and more like missionaries�missionaries to a skeptical, postmodern crowd.

We are looking for a lead pastor with relational chops, spiritual integrity, and boatloads to offer on the role of the church in the Emerging Culture. Quite frankly, applicants who cannot speak fluently on Postmodernism will not be considered.

If you have proven pastoral leadership experience in ministry to the Emerging Culture, if the EPC's theology rings true with yours, and if you have completed a seminary degree with Biblical languages (e.g. MDiv), then we would absolutely love to learn more about you. Please send tapes of your most recent work along with the Personal Information
Form (found at warehouse242.org) to pastorsearch@warehouse242.org.

Apply away!

Worship Freehouse :: This Sunday Night

As you hopefully already know, the next Worship Freehouse is this Sunday night at 8:00 p.m. at the Jazz Bassment.

This Sunday will be an open stage. If you want to sing, play, read, or talk, the stage is yours. If you are interested in getting behind the microphone, let Todd Peters know at toddpeters@canoemail.com and Todd will do everything in his (super) powers to help you. Just make sure you include your phone number when letting him know. The Freehouse band is gearing up as well and we are looking forward to a great night of community, worship, and creativity.

Just a heads up for the summer schedule. We are doing some cool things in July and August. In July we will be getting together for some food and frisbee in one of Saskatoon's downtown parks (probably Kinsmen) for some an all-ages picnic and barbecue. We are going to toss some baseballs and frisbees around, probably let the kids run wild and have a good time on July 27th

On August 31st, we going to be showing a series of spiritual independent films from previous Damah film festivals. These shorts are world renowned and we will showing them to whoever is interested outside. The time will dependent on how dark it is and our location will hopefully be a downtown park (depending on our permit). More details will be on the website and coming via e-mail.

If you want to be added to the Worship Freehouse mailing list, send an e-mail to ontap@worshipfreehouse.com and you can be kept up-to-date about what's happening.

Buddy Pope, Buddy Jesus and Ozzie

I blame/credit Cathy Johnson for Ozzie (birthday present and mascot of the Worship Freehouse), Buddy Jesus is what happens when you are surfing the net too late and your credit card is laying on your keyboard. Buddy Pope came from Our Lady of Angels Cathedral Gift Shop in Los Angeles. Somethings just need to be purchased. Buddy Pope was one of the them

I was in Lakeview yesterday talking to Jeb and I snapped this picture of Lakeview's server without a tape backup in it. What is so funny about this picture is that only a couple of weeks ago, many of them lost all of their data when a hard drive went bad and the tape backup was sitting beside the server. When I left Lakeview, my server directory had errors in it and I lost almost every file I created while I was there. Sadly that was kind of the norm rather than the exception while I was there. Let's hope it doesn't go down again.I don't even want to know what Jeb is doing in this picture (although it could explain why their network is so painfully slow.

W's Re-Election Website

Someone left a live prototype of the Bush Website online for a couple of hours. Slate grabbed a screenshot of it.

Indie Allies Meetup

find out more at indieallies.meetup.comFor those of you who have never heard of the Indie Allies, it is a network of independent Christian thinkers and websites and is brought to you by some of the coolest people on the web. More information will be coming soon but until then, head on over to the IndieAllies Meetup.com site at indieallies.meetup.com and sign up.

The minister's method

The Guardian looks at John Wesley's legacy.

Parishioners heading home to hear the word of God

Article on house churches in the Seattle area.

History of Canadian Colonization

Leighton blogs his notes from his talk about Canada's First Nations. Interesting.

Eugene Peterson on Pastoral Theology

Over coffee Darren and I were talking about pastoral theology and ethics. We had talked about Peterson's four important books on pastoral theology before and they came up again today. I thought I would post them here. Many pastors I know who have been in it for the long haul have said that Peterson helped shaped their theology of ministry and life heavily. All of his books have been special in my journey of faith and pastoring.

The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction

Pastor-teacher Eugene Peterson has written a book of wisdom and refreshment for busy pastors illustrated with engaging personal anecdotes and including poetic reflections on the Beatitudes and discussions of such themes as curing souls, the language of prayer, the ministry of small talk, and sabbatical.

Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work

Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work shows how five Old Testament books provide a solid foundation for much of what a pastor does: prayer-directing, story-making, pain-sharing, nay-saying and community-building. This book opens up to pastors a wealth of valuable practical-theological insights.

Under the Unpredictable Plant an Exploration in Vocational Holiness

In this book Peterson clarifies the pastoral vocation by turning to the book of Jonah, in which he finds a captivating, subversive story that can help pastors recover their "vocational holiness". Peterson probes the spiritual dimensions of the pastoral calling and seeks to reclaim the ground taken over by those who are trying to enlist pastors in religious careers.

Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity

Eugene Peterson issues a provocative call for pastors to abandon their preoccupation with image and standing, administration, success, and economic viability, and to return to the three basic acts critical to the pastoral ministry: praying, reading Scripture, and giving spiritual direction.

It was a joke. They refer to that kind of humor as parody.

I had coffee with Darren Friesen this afternoon. Darren preached a great sermon at Lakeview Church this weekend after being asked on almost no notice. Several people told me that he was right on and really challenged their thinking. On a not so positive note, Darren thought the post about PK drawing one person was serious and not a parody link. Just in case any of the rest of you missed it, let me say it is again. The link about Promise Keepers was a parody one. Glad we can clear that up.

Yikes

"When I'm president, we'll have executive orders to overcome any wrong thing the Supreme Court does tomorrow or any other day," said Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri.

Emergent Now Offering Celebrity Endorsements

From a rather bizarre commercial endorsement via e-mail this morning. This could be a huge revenue opportunity for Emergent. A Superfriends line of pants, watches, perfume (you aren't really postmodern until you smell postmodern). Think of the potential.

Sunday thoughts...

Wendy was working today so we left Mark with Gloria and Jerry Reimer and my mp3 player and I headed north to Spiritwood to church. I was preaching on 1 Samuel 14. It was a nice two hour drive today. Not a bit of traffic on the way up there (in the summer that's relaxing, in the winter it is a little scary) and I listened to some Agents of Future. On the way home there was only a bit more traffic and I spent some time thinking about life and listening to the soundtrack for the Thin Red Line.

It has been almost eight years of driving that 180 kms from Saskatoon to Spiritwood and back every week. It is a nice drive and I forgot how much I enjoy spending that time once in a while totally alone. It is something that I don't get a lot anymore. I wonder somedays if the broadband access, wifi, and my cell phone and Palm don't keep me too connected to life. I may need to unplug more often. Here I live in a place where I can get away from it all with ease but never do it. I have no one to blame but myself.

A Not So Glowing Review of the Incredible Hulk

That's something else I had to remind myself when watching this film, because the Hulk appears so infrequently. In Spider-Man, Peter Parker didn't put on his costume till way past the film's midpoint but for the bulk of the second act he was Spider-Man. This film might as well have been called Bruce Banner: Troubled Scientist (With Occasional Appearances By The Hulk), for all the shots it had of the Hulk wreaking havoc. Christopher Reeve was an unknown who became Superman, Tobey Maguire and Michael Keaton made you forget their past work when they put on their costumes - but Eric Bana was essentially a piece of paper begging to be filled in. I understand that his character was supposed to be emotionally constipated, but the sheer lack of emotion in Bana's face was easy to see. Frankly, the CGI for Hulk was more likable than the Aussie actor.

I guess I will be waiting for it to arrive on DVD to watch it.

Bush blames looters on missing WMD

It has taken more than two months. But belatedly, from his Democratic challengers for the White House and in committee rooms on Capitol Hill, President George W Bush is starting to feel the heat of the controversy over Iraq's missing weapons stockpiles.

In his weekly radio address yesterday, Mr Bush was forced to produce a new explanation of why the US has not found Iraq's alleged chemical and biological weapons. He told listeners that suspect sites had been looted in the closing days of Saddam Hussein's regime.

But this rationale is no more likely to still the gathering debate than the President's dismissal last week of the "revisionist historians" who doubt the administration's pre-war claims that Iraq not only possessed a huge chemical and biological weapons arsenal and an active nuclear weapons programme, but had close links with the al-Qa'ida terrorist organisation.

One more thing

I also need one of these. I have no idea why but it would be fun to whip out in a meeting. Just to see everyone's reactions. So many gadgets, so little time.

Atari Classics 10-in-1 TV Games

This may be the greatest geek gift of all time. That and the cubical air conditioner, this map of the Internet, and a mini bug detector (the Soviets may be listening to me now) and I may not even know it.

Society Meeting in Spiritwood

On Friday night we had our annual society (or general) meeting at Lakeland Church in Spiritwood. It went really well and we had some great discussion. One of the things that we talked about was getting rid of the pews and buying some chairs. I remember talking about it a couple of years ago and the entire church was against me. People asked me if the church was divided and I remember saying, "no, the entire church is united, they all don't agree with me". Over the years people's minds changed and last year about half the church was for and half was against but momentum was clearly on my side. On Friday we talked about it again. This time a third option was brought up. So now we are divided into three camps on the subject. Don't worry, it isn't causing a problem. While some churches have split over things like pews, there are no tempers flaring. Actually a forth option was brought up as well that was birthed out of the first three. It was brought up with such enthusiasm and humor that we have to try it. We are taking the month of July to experiment with seating and stuff like that. It will be a lot of fun as we aren't really sure what will happen.

The rest of the meeting went excellent. The only bad thing during the night is that I got caught in a horrible and somewhat dangerous storm coming home but I kept the Dodge on the road and got home around midnight. The whole meeting left me energized.

I can't believe that I have spent almost eight years their this September. It hasn't been my easiest or most effective year as a pastor but I still love the church there more and more each day.

With Wendy feeling sick and then working a lot on top of that, I have been making the trip north a lot alone lately. When I first started I was only dating Wendy and she worked almost every Sunday. While I miss having Mark along, I enjoy the four hours of quiet and time alone with my thoughts and with God. I take our MP3 player along and generally just soak in the music and listen for God. I forget how little quiet time I get in my life right now and how much I need it.

The Trials of Henry Kissinger

"Henry Kissinger is a war criminal," says firebrand journalist Christopher Hitchens. "He's a liar. And he's personally responsible for murder, for kidnapping, for torture." What is Hitchens on about? He could be talking about the lawsuit currently under way in Washington DC, in which Kissinger is charged with having authorised the assassination of a Chilean general in 1970. Or he could be referring to the secret bombing of Cambodia which, arguably, Kissinger engineered without the knowledge of the US Congress in 1969. Or perhaps Kissinger's involvement in the sale of U.S. weapons to Indonesian President Suharto for use in the massacre of 1/3 of the population of East Timor in 1975.

These and several other recent charges have cast a haunting shadow on the reputation of a man long seen as the most famous diplomat of his age, the Nobel Laureate who secured peace in Vietnam, who secretly opened relations between the US and China, and who now, more than a quarter-century out of office, remains a central player on the world stage, only recently voted the number one public intellectual of the 20th century.

Featuring previously unseen footage, newly declassified US government documents, and revealing interviews with key insiders to the events in question, The Trials of Henry Kissinger examines the charges facing him, shedding light on a career long shrouded in secrecy. In part, it explores how a young boy who fled Nazi Germany grew up to become one of the most powerful men in US history and now, in the autumn of his life, one of its most disputed figures.

It is at once an unauthorised biography and a look at the sparks that fly when an honoured American statesman is charged with war crimes. The film tackles the question of whether principals of international law applied by Americans to their enemies are applicable to Americans, or whether these laws are only written for the losers of conflicts.

I have his autobiography but have never read it. Maybe this summer is the time.

The Corporate Blog Is Catching On

Corporate executives aren't known as the spill-their-guts type. But some are beginning to participate in an activity once thought to be the preserve of technology geeks and political partisans.

Executives are beginning to blog.

Blogs, short for Weblogs, are Web pages on which the author posts diary-like entries, often commenting on other articles or other blogs while providing links to those sites. Popular blog topics include technology, politics, sports, law (on sites known as blawgs), the Iraq war and knitting.

For companies and executives, blogs provide a way to talk informally to customers, vendors and employees. But the so-called blogosphere can also be a minefield. Saying the wrong thing or revealing trade secrets could come back to haunt a company. And public companies need to worry about disclosure rules.

"There is a sense that blogging is about to explode in the business area, but who's brave enough to do it yet?" asks Halley Suitt, director for client development at Yaga Inc., a company in San Francisco offering a payment technology for Web sites. She is also a blogger, at halleyscomment .blogspot.com. "Many early bloggers were wild entrepreneurial types," she added, but now the phenomenon is drawing "more legitimate executives."

One who is brave enough � or senior enough � is Alan M. Meckler, the chief executive of Jupitermedia in Darien, Conn., a technology market research firm. Jupitermedia is planning a conference called the Computer Digital Expo, to be held in Las Vegas in November, to compete with the huge Comdex show. In February, Mr. Meckler began keeping a blog (weblogs.cdxpo.com/meckler/) that he describes as "a diary of the ups and downs of trying to do something monumental."

Here is a sample entry: "If an organizer truly pushes the intellectual side first with a well thought out and honest seminar program, critical and financial success ultimately comes one's way. Just like the movie `Field of Dreams' � `if you build it, they will come.' "

Mr. Meckler views blogging as a marketing opportunity. "But it doesn't work unless you have some personality in it," he said.

Tomorrow's history is being deleted

Future historians will struggle to study the late 20th and early 21st centuries because of our shoddy and incomplete record keeping, researchers said yesterday. The rise of computer documents and email means that details of our academic, political and social lives are no longer being preserved for posterity, it is argued.
Writing in the journal Nature, three pathologists said the current era threatened to become a "digital dark age" for future generations.

Where Did God Go?

Christianity is becoming a minority faith in Europe, as church attendance falls, the clergy ages, and scandals and harsh doctrine drive people away. But the faith is reappearing � and thriving � in all sorts of unexpected places.

Roger Neilson :: 1934-2003

Hockey lost one of its greatest coaches in Roger Neilson today after a long battle with cancer. He coached to the very end and was a major reason why the Ottawa Senators pushed the eventual Stanley Cup champions to 7 games. It was said that Roger Neilson never said a bad word about anyone else and very few in the game of hockey had anything but the utmost respect for Neilson. He will be missed.

Homeland Security Choker Set

Homeland Security Chokers made of Plexiglas and Sterling Silver - Now, you can finally express your own Personal Level of Security or Insecurity, for all to see, no matter how often your moods may change!

Save-Ums

Am spending the evening with Mark playing flash games from the Save-Ums website and looking at Save-Ums wallpaper and having him tell me his favorite stories of Noodle and Ka-Chung and the Zoomer. The Save-Ums have inspired Mark to want to be a super-hero. All I know is that when the Save-Ums come on television, his world stops for 30 minutes.

Alternatives for Simple Living

Alternatives is a non-profit organization that equips people of faith to challenge consumerism, live justly and celebrate responsibly. Started in 1973 as a protest against the commercialization of Christmas, our focus is on encouraging celebrations that reflect conscientious ways of living.
Throughout our 25-year history, we have led the movement to live more simply and faithfully. We have developed many different resources, organized an annual Christmas Campaign ("Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?"), held the Christmas Gift Contest, led numerous workshops, and reached countless people with the message of simple, responsible living.

This is so wrong

on so many levels. More Star Wars Kid remixes than what any of us know what to do with.

Secretary makes sure pastor receives no calls

FLAGSTAFF � It's a familiar refrain around Forest Glen Christian Center � Cheryl Pomeroy, executive secretary to the senior pastor, saying, "I'm sorry, he's not available. May I take a message?" Thus the death knell rings for another caller to Pastor James D. Amberson. "In a good week, nobody gets through," Pomeroy says, sitting at her desk behind neatly stacked papers and photographs of her twin daughters. Pomeroy, observers say, now holds the unofficial title of most effective church secretary in the country. Her elimination rate � the number of calls she doesn't pass through to Amberson � exceeds 97 percent, far above the national average of 72 percent. Pomeroy's road to the top began when she was hired as an office assistant. A year later she became office manager, and after five years of faithful labor, she was promoted to secretary to the senior pastor. Last year her title was changed to Executive Secretary of the Entire Church Office Realm upon her request.
Her success causes some suspicion. "She runs voice identification tests on his wife and kids," said another secretary in the office whose knuckles appeared to have been bruised by swats from a ruler. Pomeroy admits to using voice ID to "ward off weirdoes," but says she's never used it on family members or known associates.
For his part, Amberson enjoys his clueless existence. "As far as I'm concerned, the phone is quiet all day," he says. "Nobody calls, so I sit in here tossing a ball up in the air, re-writing old sermons, that sort of stuff. I very much appreciate the tranquility."

Promise Keepers Rally in Atlanta Draws 1

It was an odd sight, Ben Phelps alone on the vast field at North Georgia City College stadium. He was the only man to attend the PromiseKeepers meeting here June 14. "I'm still fired up," Phelps said after roaming the bookstore area and leaving with an armful of men's devotionals. He wore a black T-shirt that read, "Real men love Jesus." He's been to four other PK events. "The best part is getting out there to sing and yell and really celebrate," he said. Despite lack of attendance, the service went on as planned, with the worship band playing a half-hour set while Phelps lifted his hands and sang with gusto. When the worship leader said to "share that love with someone around you," Phelps hugged himself and burst into tears on the empty field. During the sermon, he sat alone in his chair, took notes and occasionally said "amen." He also responded to the altar call and confessed his secret sins to himself while the band played "Lord, I Lift Your Name On High." By the end, he knew it was worth it. "What an amazing day," he said on his way to the barren parking lot. "I feel such a togetherness, even though not that many people showed up. I can't wait until next year." PromiseKeepers said plans were on hold for an Atlanta conference in 2004.

Nice.

Saskatchewan Roughriders

The CFL season has just opened. I am watching the Saskatchewan Roughriders open against the Toronto Argo's and really stinking out the joint on offensive. Whatever you want to say about the CFL, we love the Roughriders here.

UPDATE: Toronto toyed with Saskatchewan for 58 minutes but then the Riders scored two quick touchdowns in a minute and it was all over for Toronto. Let the bandwagon jumping begin!

Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos meet "Ginger"

Interesting article about how even thought leaders carry their preconceptions into new ideas and products.

Better than watching baseball highlights

As I came home from meeting with the Worship Freehouse last night, there was a fair amount of excitement in the alley. As I pulled up, a police dog and officer came running down the alley, then police cars and a mini-van came out of nowhere smashing over the boulevard (just some advice, I don't think you ever want to buy a used cop car) and into the alley. Then a bunch of yelling, some confusion, and then a guy being led into the police car with another policeman praising the police dog. Another police car showed up, a lot of flashlight action, and then it was all over. Then for the next little while, marked and unmarked police cars were heading up and down the alley behind the house (at a much slower speed). The Saskatoon Police posted their account of what happened here.

Historic law will allow same-sex marriage, but give churches choice

Prime Minister is in between a rock (the courts) and a hard place (the parliament) but I think has come up with a reasonable path to take over the debate on same-sex marriages.

The federal government will overhaul the age-old definition of marriage and make Canada the world's third country to recognize same-sex matrimony, Prime Minister Jean Chretien announced Tuesday.
The landmark legislation will be drafted within weeks, then sent to the Supreme Court of Canada for fine-tuning and put before the House of Commons in a free vote by MPs months from now. But the prime minister made it clear Ottawa would not impose the new law on religious groups, who can still refuse to perform same-sex weddings. Canada would join Belgium and the Netherlands as the only countries allowing gay and lesbian weddings.
"What we're doing at this moment might put Canada at the forefront of any solutions that exist," Chretien said.
"What is important for me is the freedom of the churches to interpret according to their faith."

I think the Prime Minister and cabinet have come up with a solution that satisfies both the concerns of the courts, the church, and the gay and lesbian community. I will kind of miss the old guy when he is gone. (must stop reading Kinsella's blog... am becoming a Liberal)

Mike Duffy on Same Sex Marriage and the Liberal legacy in Canada

Here is the video clip of Mike Duffy. According to Duffy, only the Canadian Alliance will be against the vote as a block with a couple of Tories and Liberals voting with them.

Metaphor, Morality, and Politics

Why Conservatives Have Left Liberals In the Dust [in the United States] via Doc Searls.

Blogging Mt Everest - The Power of Weblogs, How 2 links growed to 840 in 3 weeks.

Hey, I was #4. Glad to help the process. Here is the QTVR of Mt. Everest if you missed it.

Bush tax cuts face biblical test

A looming financial crisis in Alabama�s state government has sparked an improbable debate about how Christians should treat the poor reported the Times newspaper at the weekend. To the consternation of White House officials who are promoting their strategy of tax cuts as an engine for economic revival, Alabama�s Republican governor, a devout Christian who has been described as Bush�s spiritual soulmate, has parted ways with the president. Governor Bob Riley believes that the rich are morally obliged to pay more tax, not less. An impending state referendum on a .2 billion tax reform package has transformed a dry economic debate into a biblical clash over a simple but potentially explosive question: if Jesus lived in Alabama, would he vote for Bush? The debate is all the more remarkable because Democrats have been left on the sidelines while one group of conservative Christian Republicans toughs it out with another. The dispute springs from the harsh social and political realities of one of America�s poorest states. The Christian tide began to turn when Susan Pace Hamill took a sabbatical. A law professor at Alabama University, she was a tax specialist who decided to spend a year at a Methodist seminary. �I went there with no clear idea other than that my areas needed ethics,� Hamill said last week. �Then I started to notice the injustice under my nose.� Hamill caused a statewide stir when she published a thesis arguing for tax reform based on Judaeo-Christian ethics. �I found that 71% of Alabama�s land was owned by timber companies which paid less than 2% of the property taxes,� she said. �Meanwhile, the income tax level reached deep into poverty.�

Any comments?

Church Planting Conversation

This comes from Jason Evans via Charlie Wear's blog. I know I have several southern California readers so I thought I would post it here too.

Hi,

On September 26-28 we're having our first church planting weekend conversation and we'd like you to join us. Church planters (and others who are interested) from around the west coast and south west will be joining us in Vista, CA (San Diego) for a relationally based gathering organized to encourage and equip each of us. Our desire is to allow everyone to participate in this gathering so we will have to close registration after a certain amount.

We also want "tent makers," those of us with little budget for conferences and couples to feel welcome. Because of that we are holding this gathering over a weekend. We have also done our best to cut your expenses to a minimum. The cost is only $20 per person and host housing will be available to almost everyone (first come, first serve). Your registration fee will be collected at the event. And, of course, we gladly welcome church planters and their spouses to join the conversation.

The event will be hosted by the people of Matthew's House (www.matthewshouse.com) and will be held at Jason and Brooke Evans' home.

If you would like to attend please send an e-mail to thelivinghome[at]hotmail[dot]com and let us know if you will need housing for the event and include the following information: name, address (include city, state and zip), phone (w/ area code), e-mail address and the community or church you are a part of.

If you are in the North County area of San Diego and would like to host our guests please reply to this e-mail or call the number below.

In the following weeks we will be sending out another e-mail with more details about our gathering including a website to refer to with other information about the area, schedules and other gatherings we hope to sponsor in the coming year.

So, by now you're probably asking, "Who's putting this together?" We're just a relational network of church planters and missional/organic/house church
leaders on the west coast and in the south west that want to serve our brothers and sisters who desire to incarnate the Gospel of the Kingdom in their own communities. Simply put, we're your friends. If you have any other questions please feel free to e-mail us or call Jason at 760.715.7177.

We look forward to having you here!