The Scriptorium

Some people like it, some people don’t. Though I long resisted the trend, I finally signed up for Facebook. People gave me two reactions. Those already on Facebook said, “Finally! Good to see you on Facebook.”

Others said, “What a waste of time!”

So, is it a waste of time? Or is it a meaningful communication method? First let’s evaluate communication methods. I arranged the most common forms of communication in descending order of meaningfulness.

1. Face-to-face
2. Phone
3. Facebook
4. Snail Mail
5. E-mail
6. Instant Messaging
7. Text messaging

#1 Face-to-face communication is in every case the best form of communication. It is the most personal and meaningful. However, you can’t talk to everyone in person all of the time.

# 2 Phone, in my book, is the second most personal and meaningful form of communication. Though it lacks facial expressions, phone conversations allow the people to catch voice tone and inflections and catch some emotion. But yet again, you can’t communicate with everyone on the phone all of the time, and it costs money. Before long, video phone will become a more common feature (I believe) and that will supersede strict voice communication, allowing facial expressions. But it will still take second place to face-to-face conversation.

#3 Facebook will be discussed last.

#4 Snail Mail actually takes fourth place in my book. A handwritten–not type–letter is extremely meaningful. It shows the receiver that you took time to personally write this letter. In addition, writing tends to be a powerful, concise and direct means of communication.

#5 E-mail comes in fifth. Besides being fast, e-mail can be quite meaningful, IF it is well written. One big blob of text with misspellings, too little or excessive punctuation,  and bad grammar is not meaningful.

#6 Instant Messaging tends to be meaningful for teens but less meaningful (and less practical) for working individuals. It is nice in that a person can talk to multiple people at one time, but it is very impersonal. Too often, emotion is reduced to acronyms, emoticons and excessive punctuation.

#7 Text messaging is beneficial in for short, quick communication. It is a cross between e-mail and phone. It allows people to answer at their convenience. But trying to carry on a meaningful conversation through text messaging is challenging, if not impossible.

Now back to Facebook. I resisted this “craze” for awhile. But finally surrendered to the insistence of my sister. I believe it is beneficial for the following reasons.

1. Allows friends to stay permanently in contact. You avoid the hassle of changing e-mail accounts, home addresses, and phone numbers.
2. Allows the sharing of media such as pictures, videos, and so on. This sharing is much more personal than simple e-mail or snail mail.
3. Allows personal text/e-mail message service and instant messaging.

Drawbacks:

1. It can be time consuming (people must exercise restraint)
2. Can be used by an employer to evaluate you for a job (be careful what you post)
3. Can destroy or contradict Christian testimony (demonstration of excessive worldliness)
4. Can turn into a gossip tool
5. Excessive–sometimes objectionable–advertising (however, these can be easily removed)

But one must realize that any form of communication has these potential drawbacks. It is more a question of how a person adapts. Ads can easily be removed with browser ad-blocking. Most importantly, you are responsible for what you post and what you look at.

It is as meaningful as you make it. Facebook is a revolutionary, all-in-one form of communication. How will you use it? For me, I like it, though I wish I had time to make it more meaningful.

While pirates remain fresh in our minds, take a look at this WSJ article. It is a very insightful article about the entire topic of international piracy. Michael Oren makes reference to early pirates and relates the old-time concept to a post-9/11 world. I believe his solution and cautions about taking on pirates should be heeded. America can’t do it alone. We need international support to stop and destroy such an elusive foe.

What do you think of when you hear the word “pirates”? I used to immediately conjur up images of Black Beard, sword fights and buried treasure.

Well, my definition is beginning to shift. Lately the news has been covering a number of pirate hijackings off the coast of Somalia. I knew there were pirates out there, but I never realized exactly how they operated or how effective they could be.

It seems the pirate problem is at an all-time high; though, I do not think it’ll last long. If they keep up the current level of attacks and hijackings, the international community will step in and put a swift end to the problem.

But until that happens, seafaring folk should lay aside the swashbuckling adventure of Jim and Long John Silver and grab an M16.

Recently, I have been watching the cabinet selections by President-elect Obama. I must say that I am slightly confused about his choices. It seems Obama’s campaign slogan of “Change” is not translating into action. So far, it seems he has only recycled the old Clinton administration. I’m curious about what kind of change we’ll see. Thoughts?

As Thanksgiving approaches every year, I reminisce. I have so much to be thankful for. I live in a country where I am free. I have clothes on my back, food in my stomach, a car, an education and countless other things.

Too often, I fail to recognize the many blessings God has poured on me. Then I think of the warning in Scripture, “To whom much is given, much shall be required.” I pray I’ll use everything I have and am for God’s service. Getting things and fame doesn’t matter!

America votes. Millions of people are heading to the polls to decide who will lead our country for the next four years. Current polls indicate America will choose Obama by a landslide.

Many Christians detest such an outcome. The way some have been talking lately, you’d think the world is ending tomorrow. (Though we don’t know the day or hour of the world’s end, I don’t believe an Obama victory is a sure sign of its ending tomorrow).

I personally believe Obama is going to win this election (though by a slightly narrower margin than predicted). And believe it or not, I am quite content if he does. Reading my Bible lately, I realize that God is still Sovereign despite who is in the White House. Therefore, why am I going to let my faith be shaken by a liberal president?

Maybe, just maybe, Obama is the best thing for the Church in America. Think about the worst case scenario: persecution. Every time I see persecution in the Bible or in history, the Church grows and is purified. Do you think the Church in America needs purifying?

So let’s say Obama wins and begins some form of persecution on the Church. Is that outside of God’s will? I think not.

What if in God’s perfect will, Obama is the BEST possible thing for Christians in America? Obama, though pressing an agenda we oppose, could be the best gift to the Church in years. Read the history of the Old Testament; God uses even the most despicable rulers for the good of His people. Think about it.

If McCain wins we’ll probably see banners outside churches that say, “Pray for the President.” That is great; we are commanded to pray for those in authority. But will we see those same signs if Obama wins?

So my conclusion is this. Accept whatever the outcome of the election as a good gift from the hand of God, recognizing that all things work together for good to God’s people. Recognizing that even bad leaders can be a gift from God to the Church, don’t complain about the wrapping paper.

The New York Times published one of the best stories I have ever read this past Saturday. The Times recounted a recent incident in Afghanistan when U.S. troops demonstrated incredible courage in saving an Afghan cook.

After being struck by shrapnel from a mortar shell, Jamaludin the Afghan cook was suffering from severe internal bleeding. Medics did everything within their power to save him. Located at an isolated base in Afghanistan, they had to wait 45 minutes for a helicopter evacuation.

This story recounts these events in graphic detail, drawing the reader right into the bunker with the medics and soldiers. As mortar shells dropped all around them, our troops kept their cool, evacuating Jamaludin by helicopter.

Their bravery saved this man’s life. I am proud of The Times for running this story on front page.

Journalism students need to read this story to gain inspiration to write better feature stories. Others need to read this because it is just a great article. Take 10 minutes to read it. You WILL NOT be disappointed.

Click here to read this story.