I’ve always seen the internet as a channel of freedom for expression, whether good or bad. More and more, however, I am watching the free expressions of men and women become influencial. I started this blog for the purpose of growing myself: my writing abilities, my knowledge of culture, and my understanding of the ministry. And while it fills that purpose, it is also acting as a conduit for discussion and training.

But my blog is not the amazing part. Thousands of bloggers in countries where we cannot even having internet access are rapidly informing and transforming the world by their free expression. Some even die for their words. Watch this video, and read the links below if you want to know more…

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/2139754[/vimeo]

From: Iranian Blogger Reported Dead in Prison
Blogger Persecution can be found in Egypt and Iran. Iran is currently considering attaching the death penalty as a legal punishment for it. “Misayafi was sentenced in December to 30 months in prison “for insulting Islamic Republic Leaders.””

Global Voices Online

One question: Will this ever be a reality in the U.S.?

I consider “doom and gloom” preaching to be one of the most distasteful activities of the church. And although I believe in being optimistic about the future, I think it is time American’s viewed life through a different lens, starting with the economy. I may not preach “doom and gloom” regarding life, but I am seriously considering preaching it toward the economy.

Let me begin by sharing the opinion of Gerald Celente, an economist who is known for his ability to predict the economic crashes of past half-century. His predictions for the upcoming years are frightening, and I am willing to listen and investigate the happenings. I hope, in turn, you will share your feedback regarding this all important issue as well.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46MEqEgdLTg[/youtube]

Read more about Gerald Celente here, or visit his website at www.trendsresearch.com

human3rror posted a great story on his blog a few weeks back about how a person’s online presence often leads others to church. I for one am glad to have a concrete example of this process, because I believe that our social networking tools are doing this more often than we realize. Everything from our Facebook status to our in depth blog thoughts are windows into the life we live as salt and light for this world. My encouragement is to take advantage of the technologies that fit your life, and cast your heart for God to the world. Shine bright…and realized that there are opportunities to shine to the world that have never been more effective.

Your online life may be the most effective ad for Christ people ever see.

http://human3rror.com/2009/02/22/blogging-someone-to-church/

I’m typing out a quick dispatch to my kind readers regarding an excellent book that has been made available for free this month. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life is a simple book that explains the role of building habits and routines into life in order to grow consistently as a believer.  I highly recommend that you take advantage of this opportunity to download and share this book.

Get it here:

http://christianaudio.com/free_download.php

This post begins a multi-part series of the world’s deceptions and decievers. I do not wish to further glorify anyone that the world seeks to use to prop up for purposes of material gain, but I think it important to see the depth of deceit that our fallen human nature is capable of.

Today we consider the case of a man who survived the holocaust in a Nazi camp, and lived to tell the tale, but only used the opportunity to embellish his experiences in pursuit of money and fame. His embellished tale is not the full extent of his deceit…for Herman Rosenblat has not just told a lie, he has spent years perpetuating his story that he was the recipient of gifts of love from a girl outside the concentration camp, whom he later found and married.

He has even drawn his wife and children into the task of repeating the lie, written a memoir recounting the tale (which has not been published), and told his emotional story publically countless times…twice on the Oprah show admist hundreds of thousands of onlooking fans.

All this, for a story and a life that is not true.

Watch his confession on ABC news here: http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=12098233&ch=4226714&src=news

or read about the story in breif via Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herman_Rosenblat