February 17, 2006
First Mac OS X Trojan
Rumor has it that there is a trojan (think bad-for-your-computer) for OS X "out there."
As per ClamXav.com (a free OS X virus scanner) You cannot be infected by this unless you do all of the following:
- Are somehow sent (via email, iChat, etc.) or download the "latestpics.tgz" file (even from someone you know/trust!)
- Double-click on the file to decompress it
- Double-click on the resulting file to "open" it
Finally, I plan on downloading the free ClamXav virus scanner tonight. If you already have it, be sure to update your virus definition list today.
The best security policy is to employ common sense and modern manners in your e-mail and instant messaging behavior. If you're forwarding out attachments that you received to a 10 of your friends because it's "so cute" or "so touching" it's best to stop that practice. You really don't know if there's a virus embedded in that moving poem or graphic of cute kittens--even if there is a Bible verse overlayed! If you have a virus scan program on your computer, be sure to keep the virus definition list up to date. Also, it's good practice to install your operating system's security updates as they come along. But most of all, don't open an attachment unless you were expecting it. It may be sooooo cute but it also could be sooooo baaaaaad for your computer and could wipe out all your cute and non-cute data.
February 13, 2006
Pavarotti's Opening Ceremony Performance
Audio with slide-show-esque video of Pavarott's performance of Nessun Dorma is available on the NBC Olympics site. It was a magnificent performance.
Here's the link:
Pavarotti ends Opening Ceremony
February 09, 2006
Designing the Emertional Church
Months back, I saw the word "Emertional" scribbled on the white board in Pastor John's study. I chuckled. "Emertional? Is that a word?" John's expression came alive as he explained it and I had to smile at his child-like enthusiasm for his newly-coined term which married "emerging" with "traditional" and references a particular vision of the Church that we as Villagers have been working out for the past several years (and many more years to come). "Giving the Emertional Church Its Due" is a recent post on Pastor's blog that explains what he means by the emertional church and why we should consider it. Mid-entry, he explains...
The following is a church I want to be a part of: Intimately large (not necessarily an oxymoron), a community devoted to one another, yet expanding in its capacity in order to create a movement; increasing its capacity to be global, doing the kind of cross cultural ministry that greater resources enable it to do.
Now some reading might squawk at "intimately large (not necessarily an oxymoron)" and I would as well were it not for our efforts on the building committee to advocate for and ensure, even, a design of a larger sanctuary that does not sacrifice intimacy. One that in fact, by design, encourages it. Design decisions like, the back row of the sanctuary is no further from the platform that it is currently, though the capacity is three-times as great. The inclusion of four spacious alcove spaces, two on each side, in the interior walls of the sanctuary, that invite prayer, communion, and even reconciliation—all during service, as well as before and after and any time of the week. A large lobby or "Hub" with a fireplace and couches and chairs a plenty that invite lingering conversation instead of our current small foyer that screams "get me out of here" instead of the gentle invitation of "welcome and why not linger awhile here?"
To some, it seems preposterous and even sometimes evil for a church to build and grow. (Some might contend that the terms "build and grow" should not co-exist.) Indeed, many churches have failed miserably in their execution of such a task, breaking hearts and budgets in the process. For us, though, each week, has brought one miracle after another. And I'm not using the term miracle lightly. I am not the only one to notice these miracles. More and more I sense the faith of the people increase--not just Villagers either, but our architects as well. Personally, many cold and bitter areas of my heart have warmed and softened and instead of sarcasm and intellectual cynicism spouting unrelentlessly out of my mouth, awe and wonder and even joy come forth instead.
We are not even close to being "there" yet. But I believe now more than ever that this path that we are on is one where we are chasing after, trying as hard as we can to catch up with God, instead of asking him to bless our so-called brillant plans. That seems right to me. A proper posture for the church: to run hard after God instead of warm a pew in comfortable cultural proximity to our neighbor.
There is much for us to learn in the process. We need to drive fewer cars. Use the bus stop that's right in front of the property. Come to church as families instead of individuals. All of this will be good for us to learn. We are learning it already, however slowly. Just last week a young woman proudly recounted to me how she got a ride to church with her sister on the way in and with her boyfriend on the way home. One less car. (Now we just need to multiply that!)
So check out either Pastor John's blog or RadicalConnections.org to learn more about this crazy intimately-large-traditional-emerging-missional-movement-of-a-church thing (with an open mind, if you don't mind).
Happy emertional church-envisioning. I've rambled on long enough. ;-)
Dan's Back. Watch Out.
Dan has successfully run the gamut of transferring his blog to a more permanent home, and he's back with what looks like a Very Fine Blog. He promises that more homemade movies are to come, but after the infamous Vadar dance, is this really something to look forward to? ;-) Nevertheless, The Nerdery is a fine place to pause and reflect on the oppressed life of nerds.
Theologian engages scriptures as feminist, Indian
Sr. Rekha Chennattu is the first Catholic woman in India to hold a doctorate in scripture and she is now the new head of scriptural studies at Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth, a leading theological institute based in Pune, India.
The hermeneutical key for interpreting the Bible, Chennattu says, is employing the experience of the oppressed and the marginalized, especially of women. She says she tries to bring out the richness of the Word of God in a way that is not only rooted in the biblical tradition but also relevant to the contemporary context of the Indian church and of women.
...Chennattu wants to encourage Indian women to steer clear of submissive withdrawal and surrender while at the same time avoiding the violent retaliation and revenge often reflected in Western feminism. She says that Indian women theologians need a vision that blends the Indian cultural heritage with the wealth of our Christian faith through critical reasoning, creative initiative and committed action.
Read more about her here.
The Making of an Independent Film
Have you ever wondered how those independent films got made? Ever wanted to know about a movie BEFORE it got posted on IMDb??!? Well you too can be a part of independent filmmaking history. Head on over to Seth's blog for The Allegiance and who knows...maybe your ingenius witticisms will make the DVD!!
Check it out:
VowYourAllegiance.com
February 06, 2006
Seth's new blog: Ignite Revival
My brother Seth figures blogging is a great way to cast vision to his ministry teams, especially since he's juggling several projects that are still waiting for the launch sequence, metaphorically speaking. He also figures blogging will help keep momentum going for projects that are moving forward, but at times at a indiscernable pace. To avoid frustration from seeming stagnation, he's decided to grease the communication gears and has launched three blogs in one week. (Did I mention he's ambitious?) He had the domains already registered and with a little of my help, walked through the Blogger advanced setup with ease. I'll introduce each blog as it gets rolling. Today, I give you Ignite Revival. Seth has a passion to get 24/7 prayer going in Olympia, Washington. (Mmmm 24/7 prayer...sound familiar to anyone reading?) Yes, I know there's some people reading that are passionate about 24/7 prayer and city transformation here in Portland. So head on over to igniterevival.com give him some comment love and good ole' fashioned brotherly encouragement.
Bonhoeffer airs tonight on PBS
Filmmaker Martin Doblmeier profiles Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a young Christian theologian who was hanged in a Nazi concentration camp.
In Portland, it's on at 10:00 pm on PBS (Channel 10) tonight (Monday).
Bonhoeffer (2003) - Program Details - Yahoo! TV
