Slovakia Service Project 2007

I am still in the awestruck having gotten back so recently. I do want to write this while it is still so fresh in my mind. I had the privilege to spend this last week in Slovakia. The short version, I spent a week hanging out with some high school guys while building a playground and playing with some Slovakian children.

I refrain from speaking of this as a mission trip for the same reasons I mentioned in Prague Mission. Where do I start? Wow, to be in the presence of God’s creation, to be actively doing his work, it is so refreshing and recharging. To scream “Alive” at the top of my lungs is still an understatement.

Let’s start from the beginning. That goes back to November or so when I was working with Club Beyond, that is the military youth ministry, on post. Fast forward to the more recent months, where I have been very much so out of the loop what has been happening in Club Beyond. Most of the activities are on a different post, thus I am unable to attend and/or the meetings occur during duty hours.

It was I think in February that I got curious about what was happening with Club on Illesheim, so I shot and email over to the community directors. I mentioned Slovakia and at the time I was not needed, that was a bit of a downer but I am very used to bad news. About a week later it turned out that they did need me. The approvals went through and voila, I was going.

We left around midnight on Easter for a 15-18 hour bus ride (depending on how you count it), not a big deal. Being a choir tour veteran I have spent many a Spring Break on a bus. I was introduced with my four guys and Cotton, the other male leader. So yea, sleep on a bus, especially on the way over is usually something to be desired. After we get to the “village” it was a small camp that turned out to have communities from all over Europe of Club Beyond and Malachi (the other youth ministry program). I think there was between 700-1000 military teens altogether. We were split up according to work sites, which I could not spell my work site. The only thing it rhymed with would sound obscene.

Once we all got settled in our rooms, the first day it was just hanging out. There was an artificial soccer field next to the cabins and a basketball/volleyball court on the camp as well. The first day was the only one we had more than a couple hours of free time. After dinner we’d get on the buses to go to Club (youth group meeting). Then we’d bus back to the cabins for cabin time and sleep.

A typical day I’d get up around 0630, make breakfast for myself and the guys, get to the leader’s meeting. The meeting was about 30 minutes. From there gather all the things and make sure everyone was on the bus. We’d get to the site work all day and get back to the camp around 1630ish. Construction wasn’t the only thing we worked on, we also did VBS for the little kids, our students would lead Club for the Slovakian middle schoolers and we played with the kids sporadically throughout the days. That is all the basic what’s I can think of so you can get an idea of what I got to do.

The band at the evening Club meetings was 330 Plan, who happened to share the common bond of Hume with me. That connection was a nice reminder of great cloud of witnesses there are, especially when I was not expecting it. I had a nice little chat with them Saturday night to catch up on a little bit of what I have been missing back in California and in Hume. How I long to return there soon. By the way, I am about 95% certain I am reenlisting for 2 years (I am really only adding 3-4 months of time to my contract) this month. I am reenlisting to better set myself up for a transition into the civilian life.

There were some fine differences that I found interesting about this mission. I think in many ways it was much better than any camp I have been to before. The emphasis to live out Christ’s love to the Slovakian children while living the same love to our students was encouraging. On the humanitarian level, this project was incredible and made a difference in several towns. It was like mixing a short term mission with summer camp. I hope to find programs like that stateside to encourage people to support.

As far as the camp talks/sermons they were good, I had that sense of inclusiveness that is one of those sticky parts about gov’t sponsored ministry sorta… In order for Club Beyond to operate on military posts the leadership cannot discourage anyone’s current faith no matter what it may be. One of the humorous moments, I was talking with one of my guys, based on a guess of what the lessons would be like, and I called every single one. For those Hume veterans out there I think you know what I mean: Introduction to theme, Present Gospel, Purity or something of those sorts, Rededication, How to stay with it as the rough theme of each night’s message.

One of my thoughts concerning the method of teaching was how it correlated to non-Christian students in the course of a week. It seemed outdated or inappropriate for our current culture. For a truly evangelistic theme camp there are major places of the mind that I think contributes too many people getting the mountain top experience and then sliding down often as much as they climbed up in the following weeks upon experiencing God.

My first objection is to present the Gospel so early. The leaders should be living it throughout the week, at day two the leader and the students are still building trust and getting to know them. There are certain philosophical factors that I think are important to address before getting to the Gospel at such a place that it can be readily accepted. This is exemplified by the order in which most apologetic books address faith. I think the order in which the Gospel ought to be presented in terms of sermons/talks should be something like: Existence of Truth and Absolutes must be established; Showing how it is possible to know the Truth; The Bible is the Word of God; Then present the Gospel. I explain deeper why I think it is so important in Semantics or More.

I think under the current scheme of messages there is an oversight on the part of the mind. Given the course of a week a person’s heart in that environment can change drastically, however, I think that for it to be real it must also resonate in the mind, because like all matters of the heart emotions can be unpredictable and erratic. I do not think that is a healthy foundation for faith. The heart is often what starts to move people towards action. I think it is the mind that continues that action when the heart gets discouraged. This leads me to my second objection.

I was very pleased to find out there were no altar calls and there was not going to be one in the duration of the week. I know it sounds awfully anti-evangelistic to but opposed to altar calls but allow me to explain my reservations. I think it is best put forth with this event.

When I was working at Hume, Chris Brown was speaking. I have never heard a speaker with such talent for making scripture come alive the way he does. If you are interested here and here for sermons archives. Anyways, on the Gospel decision night, he spoke on the Prodigal Son. Upon closing the message he ended it with a prayer and invited students to stay and pray in the chapel and just “do business with God.” I had never seen such a high percentage of students stay, I can say with confidence easily 800 of the 1000 students in that chapel stayed that night.

The next day at a staff bible study he mentioned that he’d received complaints from counselors for leaving them hanging and not presenting the gospel or having an altar call. He responded with “At the place I had them, I could’ve prayed to the Easter Bunny and they’d have done it.” To phrase it in such a way, to show the care and concern not for a prayer but a true decision spoke worlds to me. Christianity is not a business, too often we forget that and measure success in the church with commitment cards or attendance increases. I have been to too many camps and choir tours to lead more students to a prayer when they don’t understand the gravity of.

I would much rather have some deep conversations with students throughout the night (and sometimes early morning as this last week proved) so that they can understand what Christianity is before they commit their lives to it. I think waiting for such decisions is more beneficial to the student also. If and when the decision happens they know what they are getting into. On the eternal scale I think there is more clarity too. They won’t have a question in their mind about some prayer they said some years ago at some camp. To high schoolers I try my best to mentally challenge them for the college/adult world they are soon to enter. One of the ways of doing that is helping them define themselves and their faith. The last thing I want to do is send someone on their way more confused about Christianity or what they believe than when I started.

One thing I learned from this week about youth ministry was patience. When I entered the week I had the mindset that I had one week to forever change their lives, either introduce them to Christ or get them to a mature place in their faith that they can live bold lives. At the leader meeting it was never under emphasized that often the fruits of youth ministry frequently are not seen for years to come, if we ever do get to see them.  As a youth leader I need to be satisfied with doing the most I can do for the time I have with them. I cannot rush them in their spiritual journey and my success or failure is not dependent on what happens in the course of the week. It is also an issue of trust and humility on my part to let God do his thing. It is not I that move the hearts and minds of the students but the Spirit working through me.

All in all it was a week I could not have asked anything more from. I am so recharged and encouraged by this last week it is indescribable. Having such fellowship with other believers is something I miss all too often. There were several times I was strongly lamenting returning back to the barracks in spiritual isolation again. To be able to remove my walls for a week only reminds me of where I am and what I am constantly doing. For those of you praying for me at home I thank you.

Losing Our Minds

            I know more recently I have reflected upon my thoughts about the lacking of intellectualism throughout mainstream Christianity, this might be some closing thoughts for the time being. Much of this reflects the points mentioned in the book I have been lazily reading, and thus have stretched it out far longer than I intended it to. I had to finish the chapters concerning this topic before I spelled it all out.

            I think it is fairly easy to notice that the contemporary style of church is growing in popularity far faster than the traditional style. I am one who prefers a full band, drums and all to be present with the worship leading. In addition to the modernized music the casual attire is another glaring sign, it is not taboo to wear shorts and a t-shirt to church anymore. The concept of "Sunday's best" is all but a concept except in few denominations that I see still exercise such fashion. I'm not one to say whose right or wrong, I think such issues of instruments in the band, attire, and style are preferential. It all matters in what the teaching are; is it a non-biblical self-help session growing our imaginations about a divine genie in the sky? Is it a hell fire and brimstone style that wishes us to scare us into submission? I have seen examples that go both ways too far and to the detriment of the Church (remember church is the organized group, while Church is the body of believers).

            Perhaps the most difficult part about truthfully practicing biblical faith is finding the right balance with all the sinners involved in the process. Sometimes we need to have the kind of zeal that Fred Phelps is so infamous for, except about something that is actually true about God. While other times I think it is best to be meek and humble. How do we reconcile narrow gates with becoming a slave to win them? While it might be theologically true and honest to stand on soap box telling the passersby to repent, does it model a biblical example that Christ showed us? At the same time, just hanging around our secular friends without ever presenting them the Gospel is no better. We must live in such a way that people can see a difference in our life. While at times it is encouraging, I hope my life is bold enough in faith that no one ever has to ask me “what do you believe?”

            So going back to the topic of this conglomeration of thoughts, I have my moments that I pity the old church. The 1600's style of church was liturgical in ways most people can only read about now. The emphasis of the personal God is rather new as far as the practicing of faith goes. Based on the historical analysis that I recently read it was pointed out that such emotion driven faith is a development of the Great Awakenings, the first in the 1730's and the second one in the 1800's, the emotionalism was much more present in the Second Great Awakening. It is common knowledge that it was the pilgrims that started to settle in what is now the United States in the 1600's it is not so common knowledge what kind of faith they practiced upon arrival. The First Great Awakening was especially focused on the hell fire brimstone method of evangelism. This is when such famous works as Sinners In the Hands of an Angry God" were more typical. In contrast, the Second Great Awakening marked the beginning of the revivalist movement.

            It is important to know ones’ roots, those from New England were of the Lutheran, Presbyterian denominations while middle colonies such as Jamestown were closer to the Baptist, Episcopal affiliation. For easier reference I will just go with North vs. South. From the North there was little distinction between the Church and the community. The teachings were that of ordered educated men standing in a pulpit and reading, often it was simply scripture with the occasional personal notes added. The style of preaching that broke down the barriers between the people and the pulpit were some of the signatures of the Great Awakenings. While I treasure such adaptations in the way the Gospel is preached and taught I recently pondered, "When did we pull away from intellectualism?" Remember that Yale, Princeton and many of the Ivy League schools started out to train ministers. If you doubt me, schools having such mottos as "In Thy light shall we see the light", "Laws without morals are useless" or "Truth" seems to point to their roots and original purpose. How did these institutions of intellect and faith get so far from the faith that drove their founding?

            The Second Great Awakening originated in the South; whereas preachers would live much like the disciples going place to place preaching to whomever would hear them. While such introduction of introducing faith as a heart issue greatly popularized faith it started a differentiation between our thought lives. The faith practiced prior to the Great Awakenings was strongly linked with the intellectual fields of science. Be it Galileo, Mendeleyev, or Newton they were all devoted and often driven in their scientific study by their Christian faith. There was no diversion between faith and science, much of early science was established by the church. Nancy Pearcy phrases such mental division as the “upper story”; being topics of science, politics, what we mostly call facts verses the lower story; which is our relationships, faith and philosophy. So what happened?

            It appears to me somewhat of a throwing-the-baby-out-with-the-bathwater occurred, during the Second Great Awakening. While the Gospel was popularized and swept the nation it was emphasized on the personal level of faith verses the Northern style which is exemplified in such works as The Scarlet Letter. That's when people caught in sin would be publicly chastised, punished, and or worse. The sense of loving one another was embodied as tough love if love at all. I am grateful that faith is taught as something that is of the heart, but strongly dissatisfied with the common limits of faith from being more than feelings and emotions. I was wondering what happened in our culture that we got so far from our critical thinking and common sense, and I am looking right into our own history as a Christian nation. During the Second Great Awakening and for decades following, the emphasis towards theology, reason and philosophy was ignored or discarded. In an effort to get away from the judgmental liturgical method of worship and become relevant to the masses the message was simplified and in some ways watered down.

            In my own desire to point fingers to who watered down our faith that it is so difficult for so many to know how to think critically and faithfully I have found the finger pointing at ourselves. It seems the cost of focusing so intently on the faith of Christianity; the Truth of Christianity has been blurred. We live in a society that claims to be 90% Christian, and yet looking at our social issues they seem to be problems that plague a worldly culture not one focused on Christ. I mentioned this in Born Again or Christian, but it is worth returning to.

            Where does that leave us now? The anti-Christian sentiment fueled by “rationality has been growing, from the Blasphemy Challenge of the Rational Responders or any number of the proud atheist movement. They stand on their soap boxes with pride claiming as Nietzsche did "God is dead" and there are few Christians that can engage them in the spiritual warfare they are bringing in us. I wonder where are all the Daniels, Hananiahs, Mishaels, and Azariahs? They mastered the Babylonian way of life, knowledge and culture yet did not become subjects of it. They remained faithful in their life while relevant and eternally effective as ministers and apologetics. I hope I can do the same and recruit some others to join me.

A Greater Appreciation

I get the chance to return back to the proverbial "home" for the weekend so here it to making the most of it. I think I learned something about myself, well not so much completely new information but it is much more real to me. In addition I think I saw something about God that I appreciate much more. The kind of mind aweing feeling that Isaiah might have experienced being in the presence of the Holy God.

I think I do well with letting those around me live their lives. I have mentioned a few times before that the balance of appreciating the Free Will others use and God's standard of right and wrong is a careful art at times. As a Christian, I cannot hold those around me to the same standards of life and faith as I hold myself. I am the only one that knows how deep my commitment to Christ is. On the flipside, there are so many that think of themselves to as Christians, but I think are more in the pseudo, Christian-by-default state of mind. Why they are in that place spiritually is their own result of spiritual development, I do attempt to Shepherd them from the view as a more mature Christian encouraging those younger in their faith, often not always or under their direct awareness.

I have found this approach to be very useful in opening God's spirit to them without their knowing there are clear times I wish I could go on a tirade about the ungodliness around me, of course the most fruit from that would be alienating those I have been so careful to find common ground and plant seeds. I ponder about what I know goes on in the lives of those around me. I think this is one of those weekends that I am near a brink of weeping for them cause it hurts to see how they choose to live their lives.

As any soldier that has lived in the barracks can tell you, the most annoying thing is the drama. This probably is not limited to barracks life alone… It is on the level of high school maturity amplified with steady paychecks, disgruntled workers, and a fairly steady supply of excessive alcohol. I have managed to stay above the gossip for the most part. I probably take too much pride in this. By avoiding the gossip I also remain in ignorance. Do I know what people do? Yes, I do know what they do. Do I see it as often as it happens? Not even close, I get out at most once a month and even then it is not with those that produce the most drama. It is most difficult to withhold the tirade of how much stupidity is about to take place when I attend the drinking parties. All the while my heart breaks because I then have the intimate knowledge of seeing the sin at work in my friends and brother in arms. If they could ever see themselves through my eyes just once, maybe they would live for something more.

The advantage of not being knee deep in the drama but more an observer and when appropriate a commentator, I can remove my personal feelings from the situation and give rational advice when it is called upon. I account that as being some part of the Holy Spirit working in me that people can recognize what I say as at the very least good advice. The disadvantage to not being there as often as the debaucheries occur, I allow myself to be naive to it. Now that I think about it, I know I was doing this even more while at home, one of those advantages of not going to the same school, or being in the "church friend" category. I don't know why I do it as much as I do, maybe it is so I can approach them with respect the next time I see them, maybe it is to protect myself from weeping for them every night. I do know that when I learn details about what people are really doing that it hurts my heart. Not in the manner that they betrayed me or in such a way that I should be offended, but in such a way that I know they are living so far from God.

I am sure you have figured it out by now, this weekend was one of those that I learned something I wish I had not. To be completely honest with myself I knew with an overly analytical probability what was happening was, but I could file it away as something that might not be as it seems and rely on that hope. Until this weekend, I know now what I feared to be true. In the midst of my heart breaking in the way that I think God wants our hearts to break for those around us, because his heart breaks for his children in just the same way, I have grasped a deeper understanding of God's love. While I remain satisfied being so naive, God still knows the number of hairs on their head in addition to exactly what they are doing at the most inopportune moments. To know that God can continue to love me as he does, and know the dirt on me constantly, in such a way that was recently revealed to me is so beyond my comprehension I am in awe to be in his presence.

Part of me is asking how does God do that? Can that be a trait we can also learn to do or is that one of those things that only God can do? I know all too often when I get such details I am so tempted to use that to puff my own self up, but God continues to love us. Romans 5:6-8 is certainly speaking worlds to me today.

You're Men Ain't Ya?

I hope the title kind of gave it away, but this one is directed towards the fellas.  Not to say my female friends ought not to read this, perhaps it might strike some interesting feedback with the other fellas you know.  I am reading Way of the Wild Heart currently; the title is one of the catchy phrases that John Eldredge was expounding upon.  This is an excerpt from the movie Open Range found in Way of the Wild Heart.

"In the saloon, they try to rouse the men of the town to action.  One of the local tradesmen says, "It's a shame what this town's come to," to which one of the cowboys replies, "You could do something about it." "What?" The frightened man replies.  "We're freighters.  Ralph here's a shopkeeper."  Then my favorite line: "You're men, ain't ya?"

            The author carries on suggesting that if you are a man you are a fighter.  He also points to biblical examples of population counts which counted the men and also counted every one of them as a fighting man (Numbers 1).  So I have been pondering these statements over the last few days and was curious about what my battles are?  What do I fight for?  I don't know how confrontational I really was prior to reading this book but I feel a fire being fed inside that I ought to be clearly fighting for something.

            It is suggested this desire is part of being a man and I think he's right.  I know this doesn't mean I need to re-class into an infantrymen to get up close and personal when I do happen to go to war.  I make clear that I choose not to fight over stupid things, and when I sense what I hold dear to be in danger, threat or ridicule, I have no problem with charging in.  I tend to keep most battles things that are fought in speech and intellect; I don't have the highest confidence in my physical contact abilities so I do avoid those confrontations very well.  To be honest, I don't think I have ever been in a fist fight in which I was actually fighting for something in such a way.

            I was pondering writing about the evils of the entertainment industry hold on men's hearts and minds.  I have had to reanalyze those thoughts altogether.  I am frustrated that so many millions of American men get caught up into sports, to watch and watch for no seen gain or purpose beyond the entertainment of watching a game.  I think some get a personal value out of knowing who is the best running back or how many touchdowns this player made or how many yards that player ran.  Similar to how some women find value in themselves by knowing powerful or popular people, are some men so satisfied or gather their self worth by watching and knowing sports data?

            I love to play sports; anyone ought to be able to attest I have no issues getting a little contact in sports.  I can't stand to watch a game though.  Sure I suppose there is much to learn from watching the professionals play.  How far is too far?  Sports, in itself are a great thing, to go out on a field and play is one of the ways I feel more like a man.  It is the same feeling as when we've scaled the waterfall on the Guy's camp outs, or kayaking out to the middle of Hume Lake.  The feeling you get after a long run or march is completed.  The sense of accomplishment, the body is exhausted but the heart is charged and I feel alive.  I did play a good game of football this afternoon so I got a little bit of that sensation still running through me.

            The connection between the battles that men ought to fight because we are men and our apparent fixation with sports is this.  We get caught up into watching and get comfortable with it.  I think this is true of our attitudes of sports and it carries over into the realm of the battles we should be fighting as men.  Our sense of leadership and rawness that is who and what we were created to be is stunted by getting close to the battle or the game.

            I am reminded by Darrin McWatters' frustrating "guy's talk" at Hume a few years ago in which he observed the purpose of the modern male is to be nothing more than comic entertainment.  That was the conclusion he came to according to his observations of the role we have in society.  The most frustrating part of that to Darrin, was that the vast majority of men are satisfied in that role, or worse believe themselves to be in that role as an actual purpose.  I like to think and wholeheartedly believe that we are here for more than laughs.

            I recall writing a bit about this in Role of Men, this blog I have a sense of fire inside me.  We need to be more active and assault the forces that assault us.  Not looking for a fight like an angry drunk but be precise about our battles.  As men we our appointed to be the leaders, we need to step forward with the "here am I, send me attitude" and stop fading in the back hoping we won't be asked to help.

Why Do I Blog?

             I know I know it has been a while. It certainly feels like it from my end. I planned on writing several blogs last weekend following a political awareness one that got me reading far too much news than was healthy. That was one of the few outlets of boredom I had while I was "away" for a few weeks. The ability to logon and read boundless or hit up the bodybuilding forums has been my mental outlet of some sorts. Under further investigation of my own motives for blogging I think it is because I like to argue and teach.

            I recall the first stages of my plugging into the web when I was in high school. It had a period of life that I would hang out in the religious or philosophical chat rooms to discuss topics; I gave those up because I was constantly reaching a point of futility in the chat rooms. It is not easy to have a real conversation with anyone when there are multiple conversations about other topics; it is just rather chaotic in terms of practical communication.

            The next step in my mass form of communication came in the form of forums. I think depending on the year I was involved heavily with at least two forums, my gaming clan at the time and bodybuilding forums. Each forum offered areas that we could discuss elements in line with the give topic, such as the game of choice, or something about bodybuilding and the like. In addition, those forums also had the infamous Misc. section, which the topics are usually relationships, religion and politics. Knowing me I can get wrapped up into those conversations very easily. In which the duration of much of those discussions and debates will cycle through the most common controversial issues.

            In those years I typed my heart out, I think they were valuable learning experiences. One of my primary joys of discussing/debating beliefs is because one does not truly know something well until they can explain or defend it. Perhaps it was a slight joy of teaching that I had not yet recognized at that time, but I enjoyed it a great deal. Granted I doubt I converted a single person or lead anyone directly to Christ in those forums but I know I presented the Gospel and biblical principles in such a way that some people had to re-examine themselves and their thinking.

            Then there was that period I was disconnected from the internet. It wasn't a difficult thing in certain terms, I adjusted. While I was in Basic Training, I studied the Bible with a depth and devotion I long to repeat and continue. With what little time I had to myself I was very conscious about how to best use it. Often I think I ended up mailing my study notes to mom for communication just so she could know I am doing okay or what I was thinking about. I can't remember what exactly my outlet was when I was in Arizona. I recall having lots of chapel activities to take part in and volunteer, but as a whole the intimacy level of the Christians I fellowshipped with was not that deep. Perhaps it was in the conversations I had with my roommates. I really can't place a finger on my thoughts at that time.

            I get to Germany and find there is very limited internet access. In addition to that, the spiritual isolation was something fierce; I had not expected it to be so cold and dark spiritually. There was emptiness surrounding me constantly. Between the lack of single Christians and adapting to socializing with the young married Christians nearby, I started to blog. You can look down and see my quick progress from writing about things of minimal importance before I dove in heart first and just started writing.

            So here I am still writing, less frequently but still writing. I continue to try to keep it balanced with issues of the heart and soul more than issues of the mind. Upon getting internet in my room I went wild, getting back into the video games, the forums and myspacing like I have just been cured from an eating disorder and was at a buffet. Earlier this weekend, and it is not the first weekend, I spent a large portion of time in the debating section of the bodybuilding forums. You know, share the word again. The years I was absent the site has grown and provides a myspace like atmosphere in addition to all the previous services it offered when I was just a forum member. I can even blog there, but those are called bodyblogs, so I am pretty sure those are meant for blogging that has to do directly with fitness issues.

            Yes I did get into that scene as well, this is my bodyspace if you want to take a look. It is fairly new; I don't know how many blogs I'll keep going on that thing. Part of me getting back into bodybuilding, as I have lamented frequently as a whole I think I was in better fitness condition as a civilian than I have been since I joined the army. Something to encourage my commitment to the right diet, regular gym attendance and the proper lifting schedule is to read up on the material. Very similar to how to be a more committed Christian among some parallels that apply. Just as we can read the articles, scripture and practice it in our lives, so are the choices of the bodybuilding lifestyle/hobby. I have personal gains I would like to return to, mostly because I feel like I have been lazy for the past two years not pushing myself physically in the right direction.

            It was this weekend in particular that I squandered the majority of my Saturday having some debates in the forums that I was clearly hit with a sense of pointlessness. The setting of the forum is rather shallow. It is great for getting quick answers to quick questions from various sources. To carry on a discussion like "How can Christians be happy in heaven, if they have family in Hell?" or "Rant about people who don't believe in evolution" is far beyond the ability to discuss such topics effectively. This is where the last 2 years have really contributed, mainly the books I have been reading. There are many books that answer all people's questions, to give a detailed response in the form of a forum post people most often don't read them because it is too much reading. The same thing goes with links with evidence or statistics to back up our arguments. The forum atmosphere is not the appropriate place to have in-depth discussions.

            On the flip side it is a decent place to get used to criticism and start to get familiar with the different through processes of people around. This brings me to my ultimate appreciation for the blog. Granted on my blogs I would always appreciate more feedback than I usually receive, the ability to control the "discussion" and have the complete atmosphere for writing an in depth topic is very suiting. I can make these as personal or private as I like. I choose to keep all my blogs public because I want to share with the "world" the things I learn and experience. Granted I know the chances of a random person reading this is unlikely, but it is possible. It is more possible to encourage and have a discussion in blog form than in any forum I have found.