The Joy of Discovery

In the past six days I created a blog, posted several entries, learned how to add pictures, created links, added a universal subscribe button, and email links after every entry. The next challenge is to figure out how to add a link to my Facebook home page. At some point I need to give some time and thought as to where I am going with all of this. To put it another way, what is the point of all of this?

This raises several questions for me. The first question is what kind of blog do I want, personal, professional, organizational, etc.? The second question is who is the target audience: friends, colleagues, the public at large? The third question is what is the focus of the blog? There are several things of interest to me, e.g., the missional church, Christ and culture, Christian formation, etc., but which of those do I choose; or do I write on all of those topics? My sense is that the answer to these questions will emerge in due time.

Unlike past experiences I don't feel the need to conquer the world of blogging. I am happy taking it one step at a time. Sure, I get frustrated at times, but who doesn't? There are also times I get very excited about figuring something out. Maybe I am mellowing in my old age, but I don't have a need to conquer the world. I find I am taking greater delight in the simple joy of discovery.

I pray that you may delight in the joy of discovery of God's purpose for you in Christ Jesus. Happy New Year!

Veni, Vidi, Vici!

Don't you love it when you are able to kick some HTML/JavaScript butt!? I do. I was able to add Wikio's universal subscribe button to my blog site today. Woohoo! I feel a little like Sir Edmund Hillary conquering Mount Everst. Okay. That may be a little extreme. Would you believe Timothy Lincecum climbing the pitchers mound at Raley Field in West Sacramento?

You may recall (from yesterday's blog entry) that the instructions read, "Congratulations! The code for your button has been generated. You now need simply copy the code below and paste it onto your site wherever you wish to display the button" (italics mine). They neglected to mention that the way you do that is to (1) click on "Add a Gadget" (under Settings), (2) select "HTML/JavaScript" (from 19 options) in the pop up menu, then (3) paste in the JavaScript code. I don't know what I was thinking. I thought all I had to do was to simply add the JavaScript directly to the HTML code. Live and learn.

I know this isn't rocket science, nevertheless I am pleased with what I have learned since creating this blog five days ago. I have a long way to go, but I have had fun doing this, and I look forward to what lies ahead.
Veni, Vidi, Vici!

The First of Many Roadblocks

I tried to add Wikio's universal subscribe button to my blog today without success. I was doing fine until I got to the part where the instructions read, "Congratulations! The code for your button has been generated. You now need simply copy the code below and paste it onto your site wherever you wish to display the button" (italics mine).

I love that word "simply." They make it sound so easy. Where, in all of the source code for your blog site do you simply paste the JavaScript for the universal subscribe button!? This raises the more daunting question, which is: If you can't do it, does that make you simple? It sure feels that way to me!

This is the first of what is sure to be many roadblocks to creating the kind of blog site I want. What's the next step? I could stick with it until I solve the problem, or I could move on to something else for the time being. Hmm... since I am on vacation, I think I will simply "go out and play."

Day Two

This is day two, and I already find myself challenged to post a blog entry today. We ("the fam) are going out to a movie in a little while, and I know myself well enough to know that am not going to be very motivated to write something when I get back. (I am definitely a morning person.) Consequently, I had to set aside a number of projects I found fun and interesting to write this entry. This is the discipline I referred to in my first post.

Daniel Kirk has been a good role model for me. He posts something to his blog (Sibboleth) on a regular basis. I have been impressed with Daniel's discipline on a number of levels. First, he has written a number of reviews on Joel Green's new book Body, Soul, and Human Life, which is an interesting way of (1) staying on task (2) synthesizing the ideas and concepts in Green's book, and, most likely (3) generating material for future courses, and/or reviews for students to read at a later time. Second, writing something every day is a great way to sharpen (or stay sharp in) one's writing skills. There are other ways Daniel's discipline has impressed me, but want to limit my comments for the sake of brevity.

So that's the challenge, which brings me back to the question I posed in my first entry, which is "whether or not I have the time (and discipline) to post entries on a regular basis. Creating a blog sounds like a good idea, but I have to wonder whether it will be like other New Year's resolutions, i.e., an idea with no staying power. Time will tell."

First Lesson

It appears that I can edit a post once it has been posted. Wohoo! I know... that's not a big deal, but as Bob Wiley's character (played by Bill Murry in What About Bob?) would often remind himself, "baby steps."

At this point, the value to the reader (see my earlier post) might be the comedic value of watching a boomer learn how to use this technology. Smile.

Getting Started

I decided it was time I join the world of bloggers. I created this blog for the sole purpose of (1) getting up to speed on blogging in general, and (2) how to use Blogger specifically. Once I get the hang of it, I will most likely delete earlier blog entries, or create a new blog all together. We'll see.

One of the questions I have is whether or not I have the time (and discipline) to post entries on a regular basis. Creating a blog sounds like a good idea, but I have to wonder whether it will be like other New Year's resolutions, i.e., an idea with no staying power. Time will tell.

Another question I have is what makes a blog interesting to others? (From my perspective, blog entries should add value to the reader - not the blogger.) I need to research others' blog sites, and give some thought to that, but I would certainly appreciate any suggestions you have on format, content, settings, or anything else. To put it another way, what would be of interest to you? Let me know. Thanks.

CNL

P.S. Happy New Year.