tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13206875.comments2023-03-27T05:18:35.108-07:00Envision PresentationsJames T Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870789574689752112noreply@blogger.comBlogger146125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13206875.post-43618911038539361672018-03-27T05:04:46.677-07:002018-03-27T05:04:46.677-07:00Good read. I would like to second that the way of ...Good read. I would like to second that the way of communication has changed a lot with the time. In the beginning, we had to look for libraries, then newspapers were the source of information and today with the internet, all of the information is just a click away. I read this article on the internet and loved the way author has described how internet has modified our means of communication: https://incredibleplanet.net/internet-changed-way-communicate/Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01602425095902868923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13206875.post-28856745488739754162014-06-03T19:45:32.134-07:002014-06-03T19:45:32.134-07:00Interesting convergence of kingdom life and discip...Interesting convergence of kingdom life and discipleship. Thanks for sharing.Aussie Petehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11307550192044555981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13206875.post-38881239129972863072014-03-25T05:43:51.168-07:002014-03-25T05:43:51.168-07:00Interesting thoughts. Mediating the conversation w...Interesting thoughts. Mediating the conversation while staying out of the way sounds like a very hard balance to strike!<br /><br />I'm fascinated by <a href="http://wp.me/p1PHR3-MC" rel="nofollow">storytelling in public speaking</a>, and would love to hear your thoughts on my recent post about it.<br /><br />By all means leave a link to one of your own posts if you'd like to.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13206875.post-74786774240520332732013-08-29T14:20:00.558-07:002013-08-29T14:20:00.558-07:00We absolutely should have this same open attitude....We absolutely should have this same open attitude. Props, James, to your continued efforts towards openness. I share that vision.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03895316071064562648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13206875.post-56600660102831757242013-03-24T08:53:18.545-07:002013-03-24T08:53:18.545-07:00Well said and your points are well taken.
My onl...Well said and your points are well taken. <br /><br />My only rebuttal is that for much of the history of our nation homosexuals have been portrayed as sub-human, deviant, evil people. <br /><br />Propaganda works both ways, I guess. James T Woodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13870789574689752112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13206875.post-81252250921589698872013-03-23T23:44:00.275-07:002013-03-23T23:44:00.275-07:00This kinda bewilders me. I know a few people who ...This kinda bewilders me. I know a few people who have changed their position on gay marriage because they met a gay person and decided gays weren't so bad after all, as if that was ever in question. I have relationships with all sorts of people who engage in behaviors I don't agree with or would want to institutionalize.<br /><br />A member of my immediate family is gay. When this person came out, it never occurred to me to change my view on gay marriage.<br /><br />The trend you're speaking of seems to suggest that people don't believe you can love someone while disagreeing with their point of view (or behavior). I find that disconcerting, but consistent with the culture these days.<br /><br />I would argue another powerful factor in this shift has to do with the way the argument if framed. First, it is always framed as an issue of, and appeal to, equality, something we Americans have a natural sympathy for.<br /><br />Secondly, in my view, the media (Hollywood and news) goes out of its way to portray gay people in the most positive light, while those who oppose redefining marriage are often attacked in the media, their point of view dismissed or ridiculed as ignorant and bigoted. How many movies have you seen where the gay person or couple is the healthiest, most well adjusted character/s? Or the gay person being interviewed by CNN is an attractive gay man in a long term monogamous relationship (not the norm), while the person defending traditional marriage is either shrill and hostile, or weak and ignorant.Jake Shorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00124378230594689452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13206875.post-70847734452787090022013-03-01T13:31:46.023-08:002013-03-01T13:31:46.023-08:00One of the challenges we have in our relationship ...One of the challenges we have in our relationship with God is forgetting our position in that relationship. We are the children and He is the parent. As children we don’t always understand the way He teaches or the subtle way we are lead to a better understanding of His ways. Have you ever thought of those moments with Abraham and Moses as God teaching His children about love and compassion? <br />We use words like omnipotent and omniscient to name things we don’t understand and by naming them we pretend we know them. Even the word relationship means many things, but one of the key things is knowledge of whom or what we are in relationship to. God wants us to know Him, not to put labels on Him and claim knowledge of Him.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18043727813789024106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13206875.post-87672327857075701902013-02-12T10:31:00.057-08:002013-02-12T10:31:00.057-08:00Churches die and they will continue to die when th...Churches die and they will continue to die when their vitality is gone. Aren’t attempts made to revitalize a dying church after the end is near? Wouldn’t it be better to know what the early signs of a dying church are? Even better (harder) would be to seek vitality in the Word as it is preached, taught, and lived in a church continually and not after death approaches.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18043727813789024106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13206875.post-61280023472243002862013-02-06T10:26:17.965-08:002013-02-06T10:26:17.965-08:00I refill by reading until I overflow, spending tim...I refill by reading until I overflow, spending time in God's creation, and hanging out with other creative types like you in good conversation.<br /><br />Blessings on your journey.Jim Maxwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10219425501753428771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13206875.post-49258635200396315132012-09-20T19:04:55.606-07:002012-09-20T19:04:55.606-07:00I've never come across that argument before, W...I've never come across that argument before, Will, but I kind of like it. <br /><br />I don't think you have any trouble proving that inter-organism consciousness exists with your ant hill example (or a bee hive or a school of fish). From there one can extrapolate that humans function in a similar manner (group-think is a recognized phenomenon). <br /><br />So, would you say that "God" is the greater-sum of the parts of the universe? <br /><br />Does "God" have a separate consciousness or is it contingent upon the group working together? James T Woodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13870789574689752112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13206875.post-15952700139605176842012-09-20T13:04:09.891-07:002012-09-20T13:04:09.891-07:00Excellent, James. As a non-Christian, I do believe...Excellent, James. As a non-Christian, I do believe in the existence of a "God." (I am intentionally using the article "a" to denote non-specificity or interchangeability, an uppercase "G" to signify a unified universal consciousness, and quotation marks to emphasize that "God" is a word I use out of convenience.)<br /><br />I perceive the concept of God as a universal consciousness, and consciousness is, to me, the crux of the matter.<br /><br />I think I can prove God exists, under that definition. But I need to start smaller. First I need to prove that consciousness exists, and in the process describe what it is.<br /><br />But before I can do that, let's explore <i>where</i> consciousness can live. Most folks would agree that consciousness can exist in a human or animal brain. It is the orchestra of neurons communicating BETWEEN each other according to simple rules giving rise to complex emergent properties such as image or tone or feel or automobile factories.<br /><br />But it can also exist outside of and BETWEEN separate organisms, and that's where I'm likely to find more disagreement. All I have to do, however, is direct attention to the complex subterranean ant colony replete with a fully functioning HVAC system, viewable at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozkBd2p2piU.<br /><br />It becomes clear that there is complex "consciousness" (organization? artistry? creativity? probelm solving?) on some level, and it cannot be OBSERVED (there's that word) anywhere in the organisms themselves. It can only be seen in its effects -- an argument which, if I am correct, is often used to prove the existence of God.<br /><br />Consciousness exists between organisms. That can be proved. I'm not proving it now, but it can be done, I think.<br /><br />I would then take it up one level to the Gaya concept -- the idea that Planet Earth is conscious, or functions according to rules indiscernible from those that govern consciousness.<br /><br />Then I would take it to the cosmic level.<br /><br />Then God.<br /><br />Not that everyone would buy it. It satisfies me, though.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03895316071064562648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13206875.post-47681710689136347922012-09-19T12:34:18.425-07:002012-09-19T12:34:18.425-07:00Well said. I think too many Christians think they...Well said. I think too many Christians think they need to be prepared to do this, or feel like it's a weakness if the can't, even though 99% of the time, it's a pointless debate. Most people don't ask you to prove God exists because they're ready to believe, and like you say, it's really not nearly effective as the testimony of how you or you community to live.Jake Shorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00124378230594689452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13206875.post-153527033918797452012-08-13T13:31:00.789-07:002012-08-13T13:31:00.789-07:00Thanks, Bonnie. I appreciate it. Thanks, Bonnie. I appreciate it. James T Woodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13870789574689752112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13206875.post-75270430488334173562012-08-13T12:48:12.572-07:002012-08-13T12:48:12.572-07:00I was very grateful to read about your experience ...I was very grateful to read about your experience there! Thank you so much for sharing it! I will post it on Facebook.<br /><br />Bonnie Oles<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13206875.post-79928493897895251342012-05-26T19:21:23.733-07:002012-05-26T19:21:23.733-07:00The pen is mightier than the sword.
&
A pictur...The pen is mightier than the sword.<br />&<br />A picture is worth a thousand words.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13206875.post-80315048562720690922012-03-02T09:50:42.987-08:002012-03-02T09:50:42.987-08:00Sounds like windows in general. THey expect other...Sounds like windows in general. THey expect others to get used to their ideas. Not the other way around.Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00860620345589520446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13206875.post-14712150741453942432012-02-22T15:15:30.830-08:002012-02-22T15:15:30.830-08:00Let me know if you have any questions about the pr...Let me know if you have any questions about the process. There are also third-party tools you can use if you don't have PowerPoint 2010. One is <a href="http://www.authorstream.com/" rel="nofollow">Author Stream</a>James T Woodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13870789574689752112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13206875.post-78795755733679202922012-02-22T14:57:40.821-08:002012-02-22T14:57:40.821-08:00Thanks James, I just might practice some of this!Thanks James, I just might practice some of this!PastorGregOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07755409080252934679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13206875.post-21726106116507162902012-02-16T10:44:06.836-08:002012-02-16T10:44:06.836-08:00There is definitely a sentiment that everything ne...There is definitely a sentiment that everything new is bad. It's especially tough when you've spent your life working on one craft and then find that technology is transforming it. <br /><br />I hope to, one day, be in the same boat where I just can't understand why people would want to change things. But I also hope that I'm gracious enough to let them do it, because I had the freedom to experiment and change too.James T Woodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13870789574689752112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13206875.post-88099870095935208812012-02-16T10:31:27.926-08:002012-02-16T10:31:27.926-08:00Fleer is an outstanding speaker. If I were David F...Fleer is an outstanding speaker. If I were David Fleer, I probably would want PowerPoint, either. My PowerPoint is mostly visual-image based. I started using it for two groups: 1. the large number of non-church-cultured attendees who were not used to sitting for 30 minutes, listening to a lecture. 2. For young adults and teens, who are cultured in a visually-intense world.<br /><br />I found, however, that my senior adults like it, too. Their hearing deficit was somewhat overcome by being able listen with their eyes, as well.<br /><br />Fleer's strong anti-PP bias reminds me of an old speech professor that I had a lifetime ago. He was adamant that the PA system had RUINED THE ART OF PUBLIC SPEAKING.John Wrighthttp://johnjwright.magix.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13206875.post-70314647473769163092012-01-18T19:23:16.290-08:002012-01-18T19:23:16.290-08:00Thanks for the analogy. I must confess, I've ...Thanks for the analogy. I must confess, I've not kept up on this issue; just gleaned a few bits of information here and there. The strongest part of your argument is the fact that this law will only really punish law abiding citizens. Real piracy will continue. <br /><br />It reminds me (and I'm not trying to be political or start a debate) of the argument against gun control. Gun control laws don't really affect criminals because they usually don't get their guns legally. Only responsible citizens will find their rights restricted.Jake Shorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00124378230594689452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13206875.post-44097457917488181952012-01-18T15:20:27.037-08:002012-01-18T15:20:27.037-08:00esJames,
Thanks for the post, you do have a wonde...esJames,<br /><br />Thanks for the post, you do have a wonderful way with words. One Love man.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08264057402475260246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13206875.post-59914170830780741782012-01-18T14:25:30.962-08:002012-01-18T14:25:30.962-08:00This is what I sent to my Senators:
"I'm...This is what I sent to my Senators: <br />"I'm writing to express my disapproval of PIPA and SOPA. Though online piracy is a concern for all content creators, I, as a person who makes my living creating content through writing, strongly oppose PIPA and SOPA. They provide too great a power for too small a problem. Various content creators have eschewed digital rights management as a method to prevent piracy. <br /><br />Recently comedian, Louis C.K. released his work online without any restrictions, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive (he's made millions of dollars). Similarly, Gabe Newell, of Valve software has stated that piracy is indicative of a problem with customer service that must be addressed by the content creators. So, Steam, Valve's online game distribution platform, attempts to make it as simple as possible to purchase and download games. <br /><br />The reality is that those who will pirate content because it is free will never pay for that content. However, those who pirate content because it's easier than dealing with the restrictive practices of digital rights management, will be enticed to purchase it if they have a convenient way to do so. <br /><br />SOPA and PIPA attempt to solve a problem with wholly inappropriate means. I can tell you now that there are already ways around the restrictions that they propose, for those tech savvy enough to pirate content in the first place. This draconian legislation will only punish law-abiding citizens while pushing the problem of piracy deeper underground. <br /><br />Please vote against PIPA and oppose SOPA."James T Woodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13870789574689752112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13206875.post-71674660838945804932012-01-18T12:02:19.579-08:002012-01-18T12:02:19.579-08:00Helpful. Thanks.Helpful. Thanks.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06984816237837609105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13206875.post-15206161700004516522011-12-14T10:04:25.428-08:002011-12-14T10:04:25.428-08:00I've found this to be true. Also, never begin...I've found this to be true. Also, never begin with an apology, or point out anything that you perceive as wrong or not functioning. Just act like everything is as it is supposed to be, and most other people will go along. If you're underprepared or if something is far off, they'll know it without you informing them.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06984816237837609105noreply@blogger.com