Terry Pruitt's Blog

We had a blogger meet up. There was several people there, about 12. I think I was surprised to meet someone who actually does Internet ministry as their ministry. That was sort of cool. Check out DJChuang . He is eclectic and interesting.

Sometimes I tell people I grew up on a farm. The truth is much more complicated than that. The truth is that I grew up my younger years in the city and my pre-teen through teen years near my grandparent's farm. But that is a mouthful and people's eyes glaze over when you give too much detail. So, I'm not a farmer but I once played one ....during the summers sometimes. Actually, I enjoyed some of the farm work. The down side of farming is the long hours and low wages. Also, it takes a certain types of talents I just did not have. Even so, through the years, I have enjoyed reading books on agriculture. One that was particularly interesting relates to mercy missions and agriculture is Two Ears Of Corn . Even if you are not a missionary or a farmer there some good thoughts about people, risk, technology, and making decisions. One of the most memorable parts of the book talk about how in communities that are subsistence farmers, crop failure is not business failure, it can me...

I was listening to a writer talk about his craft. Writing is an art form, different than say painting or sculpture. Still yet, an art form. It made me start to think about the art of preaching. I don't mean that in a derogatory way, I mean it in the same way that the artisans in the Old Testament who made the tabernacle and its furniture were filled with the Spirit to do their work. In a way, it seems to me that preaching has become technical, more science less art. Why is that? Some people go about their lives creating and others merely do thier work. I don't think the difference is in what is done, it is how it is done. Preaching is all about life, beauty, and love. It still has to be true, true to the text and right. But those are not exclusive of the first set of attributes.

On the 13th I went with my family to see my oldest daughter play at the FSU 10 Pianos Concert. It was really cool. The best part about the event was that some of the musicians just had zest for life. I’m considering going to some events at the Baltimore Symphony. See more progress on: see more live music

Mitchell Kapor has published a new article on Open Source software. Something I have said is that everyone doing Open Source has a discipline to follow and is checked by the utility and functionality of the software. There are a million amateur theologians. What keeps them in check? What helps them work through problems so that in the end they have made a significant contribution instead of merely going off on a rant? As often is the case, I'm raising the issue but I don't know that I have the answers. EDUCAUSE REVIEW | March/April 2005, Volume 40, Number 2 : "The Good, the Bad, and the Community For me, the good things about open source are summed up in the two-word mantra “Anyone can . . . ” In open source projects, anyone can participate, anyone can play a role, anyone can shape a project. If people don’t like the way the code is going, they can fork the code (create a variant), or they can start their own project. By saying that “anyone can,” I don’t mean that literall...

I would like to hear the reactions others like Jeremy Peirce and Jolly-himself on my friends blog, which he calls The Ancient Christian Faith. Bill and I went to chapel together in Germany. Bill sort of called himself a house church advocate for a while. I'm not sure what he would call himself now, perhaps he would want to transcend description. Before I became a part of the PCA, I thought about house churching it myself, but I did not see it as a sustainable way to lead my family in the faith. Simple questions like, how does my wife keep on with it all when I'm out of town made me say, house churching would not be practical for us. I'm not say house churches are wrong, I'm just saying that I found them wanting in regard to how I was able to lead my family. The Ancient Christian Faith: Whence come our 'leaders'? : "Introduction to the Problem It has become an unending source of bewilderment for me to see how many people admit to the un-edifying instruction ...

I had thought for some time that mission organizations could use open source software to find a more affordable option for technology. Training issues would be the biggest issue that would have to overcome. I think that the group I am linking to is doing that. The only issue I see here is that NGOs are sort of secular version of traditional mercy mission work. I don't know if the NGO focus would be freindly or hostile toward missionaries. I think at least on the surface they would say they are friendly, but I would worry about subtle issues. Building Bridges Between the NGO and Tech Worlds | Linux Journal : "Building Bridges Between the NGO and Tech Worlds By Frederick Noronha on Wed, 2005-03-23 00:00. An interview with an organizer of Asia Source about what NGOs and OSS technology can do for each other. Stephanie Hankey believes that non-profit organisations need to have a healthier relationship with technology. She has spent seven years working on develop...

Very interesting story on NPR about the new trend in publishing, a history of something that you would think is too common place to have a history. I have seen these popping up in bookstores for some time now. Things I wish someone would write a history on are 1. The Tomato 2. The Joke 3. The Plow I don't think anyone has written books on these topics from the One-Word Wonder perspective. NPR : Librarian's Picks: One-Word Wonders : "Readers of history have become accustomed to their favorite books having a certain heft to them. But the trend of micro-histories, books that explore a specific -- sometimes absurdly so -- subject in depth, is threatening to leave weighty tomes on bookstore shelves. From cod to pencils -- or even screwdrivers -- writers are taking an historical approach to subjects that are often overlooked in modern life. But at their best, the books that result can shed light on obscure topics, or provide a new way of l...

One of the better blogs out there advocating the case of Terri Schiavo is Allthing2all. If you have not followed Allthings2all, visit her site. Allthings2all : "Terri Schiavo: Starving to Death as Courts Quibble, New Appeal Filed Update 23 March 3.15am EST The Schindlers second appeal to a court in Atlanta to have Terri Schiavo's feeding tube reinserted has been denied. Reported by AP here at Yahoo News. The appeal was denied by a vote of 2-1. It's World Water Day today. I'm reminded of how ironic the value systems of our world can be. We notice a reminder of the need for provision of adequate water throughout the world, while 41 year old Terri Schiavo is being forced to starve and dehydrate to death."

I heard this story on NPR yesterday and in Wired today. If genetics are not what we think they are, what does that say about our use of gentics to make medical decisions? Til we nail this down, how can we ethically make life and death decisions based on genetics? Wired News: Mendel's Law May Be Flawed : "Challenging a scientific law of inheritance that has stood for 150 years, scientists say plants sometimes select better bits of DNA in order to develop normally even when their predecessors carried genetic flaws. The conclusion by Purdue University molecular biologists contradicts at least some basic rules of plant evolution that were believed to be absolute since the mid-1800s, when Austrian monk Gregor Mendel experimented with peas and saw that traits are passed on from one generation to the next. Mendelian genetics has been the foundation of both crop hybridization and the understanding of basic cell mutations and trait inheritance."

One of the issues I beleive needs to be addressed from our pulpits is medial ethics. It is one of the most important in our day and culture. This applies to but is not limited to How is one to die? How do we avoid breaking the command to not murder? In what way is health a public issue and not a private issue? In what way is health a private issue and not a public issue? Since we don't unlimited resources to spend on health care, how do we act in a Christian way when we come to the realities of limited resources in regard to those who are suffering from illness and/or are dying? How does one think as a Christian and as a health care professional? How do we think as Christians when it comes to filling out a living will? How do we think as a Christian health care professional in carrying out a living will? I have a living will. In the document that I filled out there were several choices. One was to use a feeding tube or not. I decided to keep the feeding tube. I decided this before ...

I'm always the doubter when I see things that are too good to be true. I thought I was going to end up checking the statement out on Snoopes.com or something. However, this interview is posted on CNN.com http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0503/18/lkl.01.html I'm going to add a little more of the interview than was sent to me just so that it is not said it was taken out of context. Also, I can see that Mr. Schiavo has made other statements where he says his wife and him had talked about her desire to not be kept alive artificially. He says that she made such statements in response to a TV program they were watching. I think in a sense he is saying here that being kept alive artificially and the feeding tube are not exactly the same thing so he is deducing what she may or may not have meant. KING: Have you had any contact with the family today? This is a sad day all the way around, Michael. We know of your dispute. M. SCHIAVO: I've had no contact with them. KING: No cont...

I have been trying to get Bible Time Software installed on my SUSE Linux box for quite some time. Bible Time is a part of The Sword Project. Last night I finally got it to work. The software itself is free and with their open source model, all the versions of the Bible, commentaries and dictionaries are public domain works. Even so, being without my NIV is not a problem. I grew up using the KJV and so it is not all that big a problem. I memorized a lot of scripture in KJV so I'm comfortable there. Jollyblogger was talking about the fact that blogging can not really make a reformation, a reformation is one of ideology. The movable type printing press revolutionized the nature of the Bible, the rich and the church could own manuscripts, the middle class could own printed materials. The Bible was not common asset, like our space program is own by the nation not individuals. The printing press eventually made the Bible a personal asset, even one that could be given away. Someone in my...

When these people are going to get a bite to eat, where do you think they stop? These hungry musicians are Superchic[k], a contemporary Christian music group. To learn more [c]lick here. Yeah, that's right they sort of spell their name funny. This is a guest blog entry by Terry's daughter, Corrie. I was working in the Airport Subway Saturday morning, when a group of people came in for their lunch. As I'm waiting to put the vegetables on the first persons sub I look at the first guy in line. He seems slightly familiar, yet I can't place where I know him from. I then look at the girl in line behind him and think she looks familiar too. Looking at the next person in line I realize who they look like the band Superchic[k]. Knowing that I am probably wrong and this is all a coincidence, I say is a calm voice, "I know this might sound weird, but are you guy's from Superchic[k]?." "Yeah? How did you know?" They say surprised. "YES!!!...

Lord, Our sister Terri is suffering. We ask that you would stand on her behalf. We appeal to your that your power would show itself to save her. We ask your mercy upon her and bless her family. Amen

Someone commented on Messy Christian's blog that they did not have to take the test to know the answer, nor did I. I'm comfortable with disorder. I like to take risks but I also take precautions. So some people look at my precautions and find me entirely conventional but I don't think that is who I am entirely. Brain Lateralization Test Results Right Brain (64%) The right hemisphere is the visual, figurative, artistic, and intuitive side of the brain. Left Brain (58%) The left hemisphere is the logical, articulate, assertive, and practical side of the brain Are You Right or Left Brained? personality tests by similarminds.com

So I'm going to copy the Jollyblogger and do two Lost quizes. The first one is I turn out to be Jack. Take the quiz: "Which LOST character are you?" Jack You are Jack You are fighting your inner demons, but deep down inside you know your doing what you think is right. I always hate it when the test correlates me with a female. You are Kate. Breathtakingly beautiful, seemingly pure of heart, and you can even sew your own curtains! You listen to Patsy Cline anywhere and know how to work a farm. Your past haunts you. An accused criminal, are you innocent or guilty? The only thing thing we know you're guilty of is not giving Charlie the attention he needs. Which Lost Character Are You? brought to you by Quizilla Does this somehow show me as in love with myself? I certainly hope not!

As you probably can see I have added a little JavaScript to my side panel to include my latest three photo albums from Webshots. The three lastest photo albums are Elaine's birthday, Annalee turns 20 and some scenic shots I took on a bicycle ride on Kent Island, Maryland. We have had a digital camera over three years. A while back we were changing a memory card and pin bent. I tried to find someone to repair the camera. I took it to the store, no luck. They wanted the same amount to fix the camera as a new one costs. I tried to find a way that Canon would repair it. They don't really do that. So I was about to throw the camera away, trash heap it. I decided I will simply try to repair it myself. I got some screw drivers and took the thing apart. I could not get to the pin that was bent even though I had taken it apart quite a bit. I had tried to snag the bent pin with a fishing hook. That did not work. I ended up making a little tool with florist wire and snagged...

My wife and I went Disc Golfing (a.k.a. Frisbee Golfing) at Burke Lake, VA . We have played in Delawre, Maryland, and Virginia, so we are DELMARVA qualified. I think our next game needs to be in West Virginia. There is a course at Paw-Paw, WV that looks interesting.

You are Kip Dynamite and you love technology. Which Napoleon Dynamite character are you? brought to you by Quizilla

Below is a link to a story in Christian History magazine about the beginings of the church in Armenia. While I studied Arabic years ago in California one of my teachers was a Syrian born Armenian, Mr. Attollah. He had a zesty love of learning. His faith was one which had adopted a lot of American Evangelicalism but I think he maintained that his faith was that of a Catholic Armenian. I found the story below interesting for several reasons. Another is some of the commentary on state-church relations. I do not desire a church supported by our government but we need to be careful about thinking the American system is transcendant, it only one way of many of church and state to relate. If we are to engage culture we must be aware of which principles are transcendant and which are particular to our circumstance. How Armenia "Invented" Christendom - Christian History : "Tortured for Christ No man has more stature in the Armenian church today than Gregory the...

I saw Joe Missionary was Martin Luther, I had to see what I was. "God will not suffer man to have the knowledge of things to come; for if he had prescience of his prosperity he would be careless; and understanding of his adversity he would be senseless." You are Augustine! You love to study tough issues and don't mind it if you lose sleep over them. Everyone loves you and wants to talk to you and hear your views, you even get things like "nice debating with you." Yep, you are super smart, even if you are still trying to figure it all out. You're also very honest, something people admire, even when you do stupid things. What theologian are you? A creation of Henderson

I came across this site while surfing on Dave Barry's Blog. While Dave was looking at a humorous name to a cemetary, I found the site interesting for other reasons. In the line of some of my blog entries on Wikipedia and other open development of content, this site is a web application on graves that is maintained by anyone who would like to contribute. I am amazed at how many records are in this site. I have a great-great-grandmother buried in the Whitson cemetery in Laclede County Missouri. It is an off the beaten path, small, family cemetery. I was amazed to find this cemetery in the database. I intend to add her grave to their site. Looking at how many entries some people have made I see that their compulsion to add to the database is like that of blogging, I gotta do it everyday or I'm thinking about my next entry. I get the feel that people who contribute to the site seem to be interested in geneology. However, the person who set up the site likes to visit grave...

Challies.com is giving away some good books. I have included the link here. If you use my referral to enter the drawing it will help my chances of winning. link text

I've been listening to a book on tape called " Aristotle's Children: How Christians, Muslims, and Jews Rediscovered Ancient Wisdom and Illuminated the Dark Ages " by Richard E. Rubenstein. This book is NOT Christian but it is an extremely interesting book of history which involves the Christian faith. One of the chapters contrasts the organization of the Muslims in medieval Spain with the Christians in Europe. The Muslims basically had religious teachers but not central headquarters. In essence, they had no denomination, Islam was a way of life. The Muslim scholars who studied Aristotle did not entirely connect with Muslim orthodoxy, nor was there mechanism for checking academic freedom they were working within against an official position. The reconciliation of Aristotle with Muslim thought was attempted by individuals and eventually fizzled. But they did pass on their attempts to Christian scholars in Spain, who took the study of Aristotle to a whole new level. Ho...

The red countries are those which I have visited. The grey are those I have not. There is the issue of Austria. I once was on a mountain which formed the border between Germany and Austria but I am not sure if I actually did cross into Austria. Then of course there is the other issue of Egypt and Bahrain where I did not get off the plane. Ireland simularly I did not get out of the airport. create your own visited countries map or vertaling Duits Nederlands Since TulipGirl had a map of the States where she had been, I figured there must be a map with the countries too. So, sort of a hat-tip to TulipGirl

Text He (Jesus) withdrew to Galilee after he heard that John had been handed over. And departing from Nazareth he came to dwell in Capernaum by the seaside in the regions of Zabulun and Naphtali. Therefore the prophecy of Isaiah the prophet was fulfilled which said: The land of Zabulun and The land of Naphtali, The way of the sea, The other side of the Jordan, Galilee of the nations, The people who are dwelling in darkness, A large light they see, Those who are dwelling in the region of the shadow of death A light has dawned on them. From that time on, Jesus began to preach saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is coming.” Matthew 4:12-17 (My own translation) Discussion: The NT contains many quotes from the OT, which give us great exegetical insight to those passages. Observing their method of interpretation may be challenging at times, but worthy of study and meditation. The two versions of the Bible used by the Apostles and early church were the H...

I saw this and thought it funny. I'm not sure we are really killing Linux by using Windows but its funny propaganda. By the way, I love my Linux box.

While my blog recieves much less traffic than many others, I really enjoy blogging and feel a compulsion to post daily. I don't always find something good to blog about but a day away from the blog is one thinking about the blog anyway. Linked below is a story about some people who are likewise compulsive about their participation in something akin to blogging and that is writing for Wikipedia. Wired News: Wiki Becomes a Way of Life : "Wiki Becomes a Way of Life By Daniel Terdiman | 02:00 AM Mar. 08, 2005 PT Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, has 490,000 articles -- in English alone. All together, including its French, German, Italian, Chinese, Spanish and many other versions, it has well over 1.3 million entries. But without its 16,000 contributors, Wikipedia would be about as useful as a moldy 1978 edition of Encyclopedia Americana. With them, Wikipedia has become the world's largest effort of its kind, and one that is compared to Encycloped...

Messy Christian has a testimony of her spiritual journey you should go read. It is encouraging to me. In some ways I have gone through a dark night of the soul that I am starting to come out of. God has been trimming me and pruning me. While I'm not one to run toward pain but I do see that pain that trains and transforms is not something to avoid, it is God's blessing for me. But you will be much more blessed to read MC's testimony. Click the link below. (Oh, by the way, I really like the art she has as an illustration for her post.) Messy Christian: How I am now; how I was before : "How I am now; how I was before I realised, as I walked out of church smiling today, that I am much more peaceful than I was a year ago. Happier even, dare I say. As they say, what a difference a year makes!"

While I was in Hawaii last December I picked up a book on the history of Hawaii, Little Known Tales in Hawaii History by Alton Pryer. Chapter 1 is called The Menehunes : Hawaii's Little People. (Many people have used the word Menehune as a Polynesian sort of leprechan, so that is NOT what I am referring to here.) There may have been a ethnic group of small stature in Hawaii's early history, in fact in the first Hawaiian offical census 65 people claimed to be Menehune descendants. I am wondering if this Hawaian ethnic group related to this story found at Science Blog. 'Hobbit' fossil likely represents new branch on human family tree | Science Blog : "'Hobbit' fossil likely represents new branch on human family tree" A fossil of a diminutive human nicknamed 'the Hobbit' likely represents a previously unrecognized species of early humans, according to the results of a detailed comparison of the fossil's brain case with those of...

Key bold The states I have visited underline The states I have lived in italicize The state I live in now Alabama / Alaska / Arizona / Arkansas / California / Colorado / Connecticut / Delaware / Florida / Georgia / Hawaii / Idaho / Illinois / Indiana / Iowa / Kansas / Kentucky / Louisiana / Maine / Maryland / Massachusetts / Michigan / Minnesota / Mississippi / Missouri / Montana / Nebraska / Nevada / New Hampshire / New Jersey / New Mexico / New York / North Carolina / North Dakota / Ohio / Oklahoma / Oregon / Pennsylvania / Rhode Island / South Carolina / South Dakota / Tennessee / Texas / Utah / Vermont / Virginia / Washington / West Virginia / Wisconsin / Wyoming / Washington D.C / Go HERE to have a form generate the HTML for you. Hat Tip: Bigred5 telling me Rebecca Writes had it.