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Friday, 01 February 2008

  • Opinion surveys - The sheep report about the sheep

    Lately, I have marveled and lamented how confused this world is, and how people are so much like sheep. It doesn't take much to start a fad, a clothing style, a popular phrase, and the one thing that I think most people lack is perspective. By default, we are all limited in our perspective on things, dependent upon what we are exposed to, either purposely, or by accident. We view news reports, read books, listen to podcasts, prognosticators and experts of varying types and flavors. We accept or reject what they say, and what they believe, based on our own opinions and experience.  If something "sounds" right, we are likely to accept it, and adopt it as our own opinion.  It is somewhat laughable, and yet sad, to listen to the "man on the street" interviews that newscasters seem intent on doing. They shove a microphone in some person's face, without any distinction or indication of the person's background, intelligence, life experience or awareness. They ask them for their opinion on anything from war decisions, economic decisions, and the always present "How do you think the President is doing?"  It is not so strange that they solicit these opinions. But,what is so odd, and incredible, is that they report these opinions as if this was based on mature, well-informed, fully responsible analysis and evaluation. What they don't say is that these same people got their "opinions" and views by watching the evening news, and hearing some talking head tell us his "opinion" --- also based on limited information.  So, what may or may not be actually true, has seemed to be true, because the newscaster says it, and now the man on the street says it, and so it must be true. 


    The media spends a great amount of time telling us all the negative things about the war, about George Bush, and about the economy.  The average person watches and listens to this and adopts this view as accurate and true.  Then the media goes out and takes a "survey" and reports that "X" percent of the people think the war is not going well, and that George Bush is not popular.  They act as if this opinion was arrived at independently and as a result of informed consideration. When they take their surveys, they act as if it was measuring something real,  when in point of fact, they are responsible for much of what people think and believe.  It really is quite comical and sad at the same time. 
    bringing Xanga back - drop a comment if you're with me!

Friday, 05 January 2007

  • Save the Bloggers, Save the World

    Those of you that watch the TV program "Heroes" recognize that expression. It is an alternate version of the premise of that show. The tagline for that show is "Save the cheerleader, save the world". As ludicrous as it sounds, the show is actually somewat interesting as it portrays the ways in which disparate character's lives are providentially intertwined. This morning, in the process of responding to my son's legitimate exasperation over a blogger's over-the-top narcissistic attitude, I stumbled upon some actual worthwhile thoughts regarding a potential use and idea concerning all of our blogging. I have had the same reaction to this person's shameless boasting, but also know that God sent His Son to die for him, and wants him to be saved. Imagine the potential if everyone were praying for him, and focused on seeing him saved, witnessing to him, and then multiply it by all the Christians that frequent blogs. Anyway, here is what I wrote back to my son, and I can say that I beieve it is worth putting in my blog. It is probably one of the best ideas, though I am sure others have thought of it as well, that I have had in years. Well, there is no question that he is blatant about pointing out his financial success, and it is almost embarrassing that he does it so seemingly without a clue that he is doing it. However, it is precisely this aspect of him that makes me feel sorry for him, and in a wierd way endears him to my heart. Apart from the glaring and fatal omission of God in his success and his life, one has to admire a few things. First, he did not do it by having it handed to him, but worked hard and obviously is a gifted person. Secondly, there is, in addition to his arrogance, an indication that he doesn't take himself all too seriously. I find it fascinating that the technology provides a way of affecting people's lives (and being affected by their lives) without having ever met them. In point of fact, I have witnessed to him, and he has responded to my posts. I find myself praying for him and to find a way to have a true dialog about his soul. For he will not bring any of his condos, cars, financial statements with him. His persistence in reminding his "audience" of his financial prowess is daily evidence of the emptiness within, and the fact that he needs redemption. In fact, maybe we Grovemans should make Gary Fong an experiment and project. Now that I am thinking about it, it sounds like a real adventure and challenge. Why don't we as a family start praying for him and his family? We can post to his blog in a humble and purposeful way. Afterall, his blog provides a fairly clear window into the happenings in his life, and though he wouldn't respond to each and all of us, any one of us might be successful in reaching him. One could plant, another water, and another harvest. In fact, we could be on the verge of a revolution in evangelism and a new ministry. Maybe there is a better name we can think of, but until then we can call it "blog evangelism". Instead of subscribing to all Christian friend's blogs, we each and all find targets and all subscribe to their blogs, and then pray for them, post to them, and watch the Lord work. Thank about it. What if we did it on a consistent basis? What if the whole CLC started doing it? God would save people. If I read something on Gary's blog that I thought one of you would be better at addressing, I could alert you, and let you know to read that day's post. This idea has potential. I want each of you to pray about it, and tell me what you think. Also, it would provide a subject for our family times and we could pray for our "targets". Come to think of it, if each caregroup started doing this, it would bring a MUCH NEEDED invigoration to caregroups, for I believe that this kind of outreach is what is the missing ingredient in living, vibrant gatherings of believers - to see the Lord at work in our midst reaching people.

Monday, 01 January 2007

  • Test post

    This is a test post to my site. So far, much of my activity on my blog has been experimentation, and I have yet to get into a real rhythm or sense of purpose in my blogging. Perhaps one day soon I will stop experimenting and get to the real thing.

Thursday, 12 October 2006

  • The pictures in this program are coming from filmloop.com,  but I am not totally sure how it works.  Also, some of the photos I used came from Gary Fong's site,  which came from other people's site.  I am not sure if there is any limitation on publishing the photos.  I am not selling them, so there shouldn't be any problem.  I think his Infrared photos are really nice.

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dgrove21

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About Me

  • I am 59, a father of seven grown children, husband of Sandra, and a Jewish believer in Jesus the Messiah. My life was transformed by the gospel at the age of 22. I work in Computer and Network support for a Government defense contractor.

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