Recently I was challenged to take a photo every day for 30 days. Well, maybe I will. If so, this is day 1. 🙂
These are our friends Ismael and Marta from Jesús María. We got together this afternoon to talk about some of the upcoming activities of the church.
Back in 2005 I wrote about the strange ways people have found our website. What search words do they enter in order to get here?
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There were many surprises – words like zooplay, pictures of earthships, and maroon color were on the list.
So I was curious to find out – how have things changed? I’m happy to say that, several years later, it seems that search engines have improved and people are finding us using things like our names (what a concept!) and words and phrases that actually relate.
Here are a few of the words and phrases that people have punched into search engines over the years – and have thus discovered our site:
Over the holidays I tried to organize my books a little – that is, paper books, audio books, Kindle books, other types… books I’ve started, books I’d like to read, and so on and so on.
Well, I finished one of those books that I had already started – audio, in this case – The Next Story by Tim Challies.
The Next Story is a book about technology. And I would highly recommend it to anyone who uses technology. Even if you only send the occasional email, or do a search online once in a while. In fact, if you’re familiar with most of these words, this book is for you: Wikipedia, Facebook, Google, Hotmail, Email, Internet, Blog.
You don’t even have to agree with the author – the point is to take a little time to think about these things that we or our family members use. Don’t you think it’s worth a little thought?
But Tim Challies doesn’t just make you stop and think – he makes you think biblically. Have you ever thought about how the Gospel relates to Twitter? What the Bible has to say about email? You might be surprised.
As an added bonus, Challies is Canadian. ‘Nuff said.
You can get The Next Story in a variety of formats at amazon.com. As a matter of fact, the Kindle version is only US$1.99 at the moment (90% off sale!) (oops – looks like that deal is over!), and the audio version free with a 14 day trial of amazon’s Audible service. Surely you can afford a little time to think about technology and how you’ll use it in 2012…
Life changed again today as Hannah and Nathanael started the school routine again!
Hannah went to school for a fairly normal day – English, Math, Natural Sciences, and playing with her friends of course. And trying to remember how to manage the huge piece of luggage she has to take to school each day!
Nathanael, who is now home schooled, did an intensive science day, learning about the planets in our solar system and creating a detailed solar system mobile. So his day was full of painting and balancing.
Busy day – and the beginning of a new semester! Now to start on the homework…
Today, the last day of 2011, I want to share some of the posts from the past year that have been popular with you, our visitors. This time I’m going to do something a little different – I’m going to share the most popular post from each month. This should give an interesting overview of the past year…
January: Missionary Shot and Killed in Mexico (more on safety in Mexico) It’s the question on so many people’s minds – is Mexico "safe"? Almost a year ago I looked at that question in the light of a tragedy.
February: English. Crazy, and getting Crazier. A video especially for my friends who teach this crazy language.
March: Spanish Bible Versions – Free Online Coming out of our study Where did the Bible come from, I did a lot of research on Spanish Bible translations. This was the most popular post of the year.
April: Adults and Piñatas. Be Afraid. A video showing the real Mexico.
May: More Countdowns May is often our craziest month of the year. But while we counted down to things like birthday parties, Harold Camping was counting down to the end of the world…
June: Vision Weekend: Day 1 My sort-of-live blogging as we got together to talk about the future of ministry in Ixtapaluca.
July: We’re Trapped in Vegas With a title like that, how could this post fail to be popular?
August: Pastor Martin Falls and Survives Still praising the Lord for sparing Martín’s life!
September: Short Term Mission Opportunities! Come on down!
October: Van Bought. Yes, a lot of people were praying about our vehicle hunt.
November: Oh Deer! Depressing Drama during Drive Day 2! And what do we do to the vehicle as soon as we buy it?!
December: The Bone Is Not Broken A popular post about something that didn’t happen…
Even this small sampling confirms what I’ve been thinking about 2011. To quote Dickens, It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Such wonderful things happened, and such difficult things happened.
In many ways we’ll have fun for years looking back on what happened this past year. But we’ll also be recovering for some time! And I’m sure many others feel the same way.
It reminds me of the words of Peter in his first epistle – maybe this is a good way to end the year…
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith–more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire–may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
(1Peter 1:3-9)
May the love of Christ and from Christ fill us with joy in 2012 – in the difficult times, and the good times.