50,000 New Blogs a Day?
A decade ago, no one had ever heard of a blog. Now, there are 112 million of them, with 50,000 new ones going up every day. That’s right, 50,000 a day!
I’m not sure why, but it seems people are moving in masses to the web to share their life and ideas with other people.This figure alone is why I think it’s important for Without Wax to be here. I think the blog world is going to continue to be an important medium to share our ideas, our faith, and our questions.
I think people start blogs for all kinds of different reasons. Some people just want a place to share their lives. Others are trying to push an agenda or an idea.
My blog vision statement is…
To create an online community where we can share life, leadership, and our love for God.
I’ve never really wanted Without Wax to be about me. I want it to be about our collective lives and the journey’s we’re on. With that in mind why don’t we make YOU GUYS the center of the conversation today. Here’s the deal…
Answer the question above you in the comments and then leave the next question. Feel free to play as many times as you want.
If you’ve never joined us in the comments conversation this is your perfect opportunity. Come on join the party!
OK, first question: What’s your favorite Christmas present you’ve ever received?
A – the engagement ring i received 13 years ago.
Q – what’s your morning drink of choice, coffee or hot tea?
Hot herbal tea.
Whats your favorite Christmas treat?
A -My mom’s pound cake (not really Christmas, but it’s good!)
Q – What do you do for a living?
A – Take care of the hubby and kids
Q – Traveling for Christmas or staying at home?
A – This year I’m staying home. It’s a blessing – I’m not doing too well in this changing weather!
Q – What is the vision statement of YOUR blog?
A – Pretty similar to Pete. Create a place for people to share ideals about Jesus and advance the Kingdom.
Q – What is your favorite Christmas memory?
Pastor Pete. You get it! Congrats! Many don’t. “It” for me is about maximizing my impact for Christ. Think about the opportunity to reach thousands and thousands at the click of the “enter” key. There has never been an opportunity for communication and building community like there is today. I am excited!
As for my perfect gift….
My first kiss under the Christmas tree.
Cora has been my 1st kiss under the Christmas tree and girl friend for over 40 years.
@Archie didn’t leave a question, so I’ll answer @Tony Barnettes:
A- getting in the car with the rest of my family and going to cut down a Christmas tree. we don’t do it anymore, but it was a lot of fun.
Q- What’s your favorite Christmas tradition?
A: Christmas eve at Cross Point
Q: Did you vote for Obama or McCain?
A: McCain. Sorry.
Q: Do you eat chocolate gravy?
A- reading the Christmas story with my mom on Christmas Eve and now I read it to my girls.
Q – Clear Christmas lights or multi-colored?
No. (There’s such a thing as chocolate gravy?)
Who will you miss this Christmas?
Yep, we are having chocolate gravy for Christmas Eve breakfast!
A-I will miss my Mom, Dad and little brother, David
Q-If you could have anything you wanted for Christmas, what would you choose?
My parents in Ohio (I’m in Florida).
Have you been affected by this economy in a negative way?
Heidi Reed
Well shoot… someone beat me to it
sorry
Yes, there is such things as chocolate gravy and it is incredible.
I will miss my grandparents at Christmas…my Granny made the best chocolate gravy.
White lights or multi-colored lights?
If I could have anything for Christmas it would be a new expensive washer/dryer combo.
Now.
Have you been negatively affected by this economy?
Heidi
Not really.
How many Christmas trees do you put up in your home?
Yes. I am postponing graduate school until I can save a little more money.
Q: What is your favorite Christmas carol/song?
Oops someone beat me….so I will answer the next question.
We have 2 trees.
Q: What is your favorite Christmas carol/song?
A: My last christmas with my parents both alive
Q: Will Nashville have a white christmas
Yes! We lost 80% of our Landscaping business due to the housing collapse. That frees us to focus 100% on our fledgling lawn care maintenance biz. (guess housing should’ve had a bailout!!!) NOT.
What is the most age inappropriate Christmas present you received? Like a tricycle when you were 13…
OOps..forgot to answer the question:
Silent Night
Q: Fake or real Christmas Tree
A: I prefer the term “artificial” – but not real. I miss the smell but not the mess.
Q: What is your traditional meal on Christmas eve?
A: Norwegian meatballs, lutefisk, lefse
Q: When did you stop believing in Santa?
A: Love the fake tree. The trip to the basement is much shorter than to the tree shop.
Q. What annoys you most about this time of year?
A. My dad getting out of the hospital after a debilitating stroke.
Q. Do you ever get in a “slump” as far as preparing a sermon, where you feel God is NOT speaking directly to you?
(OFF TRACK… Skip to next for a question)
this responding while other people respond reminds me of unanswered prayers! Maybe God doesn’t answer if someone submitted at the same time or before us!!!
…So glad that nothing falls thru the cracks with my Father..
What annoys me the most about this time of the year is focusing so much on monetary items and not enough on Christ.
Do you have a theme for your Christmas decorating?
Dang Pete, I knew I was forgetting something on my blog…I don’t have a blog mission statement! Gotta get working on that…
A. No theme, just lots of decorations. Well, we have a lot of red decorations if you can consider that a “theme”
Q. Favorite Christmas movie you watch every year?
A Charlie Brown Christmas! I never outgrew Peanuts, and I hope I never do.
Egg Nog or Boiled Custard?
A: My theme is do what Sherry says so I can be done with the decorating.
Q: Why is Christmas really such a big deal?
A: As someone said in our community group yesterday morning, Christmas is not so much a celebration of Jesus’ birth, but a celebration that through Jesus God gives all of us a chance at redemption.
Q: What was the best secret Santa/white elephant gift you saw this year?
BTW: @andi My family is part Norweigan and I love my grandma’s lefse. Lutefisk – not so much!
A: Well, Sweet Baby Jesus, of course! (and food. lots and lots of food!)
Q: How many nativity scenes do you currently display? (Or as my friend’s boss calls them, “Barn Sets”)
One; we just moved and haven’t found the smaller one…oh well,
How many decorated trees do you have, inside and outside?
A: one inside, zero outside.
Q: what’s your favorite thing to do on a snow day?
A: Play outside with my children and come in for Hot Chocolate, heavy on the marshmallows!
Q: Have you remembered those less fortunate this Christmas?
A:Stay inside and watch.
Q:Who is the most interesting character you have run into this Christmas season?
A: Head to the mountain to sled with the kids.
Q: If you were hiking in the woods and found $5,000 laying on the ground what would you do with it?
A. Tithe on it, then pay bills. That’s what I do with ALL my money, why make it any different?
Q. Favorite Christmas album?
A: Favorite Christmas Album – Andy Williams Happy Holidays (yeah, so!)
Q: What is figgie pudding and do you eat it?
A: I have no idea, and you might eat it but I sure as heck don’t.
Q: How many Christmas parties are you going to this year?
A: just a few… keeping it simple and stress free
Q: Done shopping?
Done shopping and already mailed it home to MO.
What would you like our new series to be at Crosspoint?
A: The series should be, “Its Because of Jesus that Pete does not go Chuck Norris on “Pastor” Fred Phelps of Westboro Baptist Church” – Its kind of a long title, but I am sure you can work it in
Q: What is the best Christmas Gift you ever received?
Best gift was a ring from my husband w/ my three kids’ birthstones.
what charity have you given to this holiday season?
I felt like coming back and answering another! I love this idea, Pete!
A-Best Christmas gift came early this year – my whole family is home for the holidays.
Q-Sometimes Christmas is a hard time of year for some. Is it for you?
A: Holiday for Giving; Connecticut Food Bank
Q: On your tree do you have white lights or multi-colored and are they blinking lights or solid?
A: White, no blinking
Q. Do you have snow where you live? Ever or now?
A: No and we rarely do. It’s 70 degrees right now.
Q: What is the largest amount of snow you’ve ever personally seen?
Used to live in Milw, Wi..To much snow and very cold, now live in nashville, no snow now:(, but we do get some occasionally.
Q: Favorite Hobby
Scrapbooking! It is my way to share the important things on my heart, and life lessons with my teenagers and they love their scrapbooks and show them off. Store: 1 for mom!
Q: If you could share your most important life lessons with another in only five words, what would those words be?
A: It’s only four words but “This too shall pass”
Q: What do you think about the Duggars in Arkansas having their 18th child yesterday?!!
P.S. I love them!
A: Congrats! I think it’s great.
Q: If you could be any character from a movie, who would it be? (must be realistic, no Superman!)
A: I would say Indiana Jones, but after seeing the last movie I can’t say that in good conscience. I’ll go with John Mclain in Die Hard.
B: What is one movie title that describes your life?
Great blog Pete. Right now we have a worrying situation: the growth of the internet, in terms of numbers and influence, is not being met by an equivalent growth in response from the church. There are numerous church related websites but no where near the sort of engagement required. We in the church run the risk of falling even further out of touch and eventually becoming some sort of quaint club.
So what is required? The first step is coming to grips with the massive internet driven shift, in particular how it is affecting human behavior. In short, the shift is so dramatic that just setting up a nice website won’t do. It requires a much more significant change. To assist in understanding the internet driven shift I have recently written a short paper called, ‘The Digital Revolution and the Church’ which can be downloaded by heading to: http://brownblog.info/?page_id=409 be great to get your thoughts!
A: It’s a wonderful life.
B: What’s your favorite drink at Starbucks?
A: the invisible man
Q: what’s the worst gift you’ve ever received?
A. a bottle of white out
Q. What’s the longest you’ve gone without showering/bathing?
A: Pete, you hooked me on the caramel macchiatos, but I also like the strawberry java chip frappuchino (which isn’t a standard on the menu but they will make it for me anyway.)
I can’t spell them either…
Q: What is your all-purpose, go to Bible verse?
A: Psalm 73:25-25
Whom have I in heaven but You, O Lord?
There is none I desire on earth besides You.
My heart and flesh fail. But You are the strength of my heart and my portion forevermore.
Q. Do you enjoy really spicy foods?
A: Why yes I do enjoy spicy foods… have you been peeking at me in the Peking Duck?
Q: How many push-ups can you do with both arms behind your back?
A: Not very many!
Q: Do you enjoy your “job”?
A: 0
Q: If your house caught on fire can you could retrieve one thing what would it be?
A: I would retrieve myself.
Q: How many licks DOES it take to get to the middle of a Tootsie Roll Pop?
A: No, unemployment is horrible.
Q: Dr Pepper or Mr Pibb?
as for my last comment, it was for alison’s question, those other ones inbetween suddenly appeared once i hit ‘post’
A: As long as all the people got out….I would grab our small filing cabinet that has all of our important papers in it.
Q: Of all the countries in the world which one would you like to go and help out the most in?
A: South Africa or Australia
Q: If you could have 5 individuals/couples round your house for a dinner party who would you choose and why?
A: Abraham Lincoln, Santa Claus, Dan Haggerty, ZZ Top, and Dolly Madison because I like their beards.
Q: Why is it that the train leaving Chicago and the train leaving New York are always on a collision course and all we can talk about is how long it will take for them to meet? I mean, c’mon people, there are lives at stake!!
A: Math is hard.
Q: Did you bring your sunglasses with you today (for you Nashville folk)?
They’re in my car
Have you ever had the dream where you were naked in public?
A: No – I forgot my sunglasses, as a matter of fact, I forgot what sunglases are since we have not needed them in a couple of years!
Q: Who is your favorite musician currently?
I am a full time caregiver for one of our disabled kids. I do not get out much. My world is my home. One year, my husband made three beautiful trellises for our back yard. I had always wanted some and they were beyond our ability to purchase. They were quickly adorned with climbing vines that attract birds…birding is one my favorite hobbies. Now my view from several of our windows is so much more fun. It has been a gift that has continued to be a delight every day for years!
A: Hank Murphy – http://www.myspace.com/hankmurphy
Q: What’s your favorite Restaurant?
Johnny Carino’s in Muncie, Indiana. LOVE LOVE LOVE their baked cheese tortilini (sp?). I call them my little pillows of heaven. MMMMMMMMM …
So, I am living in the middle of an ice storm right now and thus have no power … what electric object can you not live without for a day? a week? a month????
A: RAFFERTY’S!!
B: What is your thoughts on the auto-bailout?
A: I have bunch of favorite restaurants: Genie’s Persian Palace (seriously – the best. The BEST!), Kalamata’s, Elena’s (finally – Russian food in Nashville!), House of Kabob, Parisa’s, Ginza Sushi
Q: What Christmas song has been overplayed for you this year?
this will be fun…. lol which one will get answered…
A: Computer, I have mixed feelings, and Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree (I answered them all – is that cheating?)
Q: What is your favorite charity?
Right now my heart is heavy for the elderly, so I’m trying to start a service for them.
Cats or dogs and why?
Karen, that was brilliant
BTW Tony York, That’s the very question my daughter said, when she was little, she wanted to ask Jesus when she gets to heaven
A: like cats, but am allergic. love dogs, but don’t have one because it’s too much effort – we do have a toad though!
Q: pecans or marshmallows on top of your sweet potato casserole?
A: Neither – can’t even stand the smell of sweet potatoes (I know, it’s a shame!)
Q: What’s the best handmade Christmas present you have received?
A: Quilt my grandmother made for me.
Q: Do you spend the money someone gives you on a gift for yourself for Christmas or pay bills with it?
A: Spend the money!
Q: Will this blog get to 150 responses?
A: I am sure it will. Waxy has a lot of minions.
Q: What is the greatest sporting event you have seen either live on TV or in person?
A: Colts beating the Bears for the Superbowl win … DUH!
Q: Coke or Pepsi?
A: Coke
Q: If you could think of one thing that makes you tear up, what would it be?
Church. I cry in church every. Single. Time.
Q: what famous person would you invite for Christmas dinner at your house?
Pete – this is a great blog idea
A: I would have to go with Obama. I’ve got lot’s of questions.
Q: How many kids do you have and what are their names?
Love this Pete!
A: 4~ Bethany,Stephanie,Timothy,& Emily (She changed her name to Emma!!!)
Q: Besides the Bible, what’s your favorite book and why!?
A: I don’t read a lot (right now) outside of the Bible, so I’m going to put what I’m currently reading. Visioneering by Andy Stanley.
Q: What are your plans for New Years Eve?
A: going into new york city…..New Years is my birthday, and i wanted to do something different
Q: Who is the person you look up to most?
I will be in Minnesota for New Years Eve…We will be way up north with all of the relatives. CRAZY I know…but it’s tradition & I wouldn’t miss the family time for anything! Unfortunately….I have no one to kiss at midnight.
Q: If you could have a personal chef or a personal driver…which would you choose and why??
A. CHEF! I hate to cook.
Q. What is you biggest regret or accomplishment of the year?
My blog mission statement is to encourage people to seek a closer relationship with God.
I would rather have a personal driver!
Q: How has being a Christian changed your life?
A: I’m less angry
Q: Did you read through some of the questions and wish you could answer one of them instead of this lame one?
A: There were some pretty interesting questions…but I’m too nice to say yours was lame
Q: Is there a TV show you can’t miss?
A: With Tivo, I never miss any shows =) We always watch LOST!
Q: Greatest accomplishment??
A: Supporting my family solely on commission for around 5 years while not having the personality of a typical salesman. What a challenging & stretching time!
Q: What is one way that God has stretched you towards maturity?
A- Long story short…I spent the 1st 4 months of 08 without a job, I finally “really” prayed and God reveled that it was because of my pride and trying to do things my way that I was in the place I was… the next morning I was offered a job!
Q- What is the last thing you did to serve someone else?
A-I did the dishes
Q-Colored lights on your Christmas tree or white lights?
A: White Lights -> I was too lazy to put the colored lights on too.
Q: Why don’t I know how to do more oragami?
A: Um…because you’re going green?
Q: How many Christmas parties will you attend this holiday season?
A – One.
Q – Who do you turn to in trying times?
I turn to my faith in God…to my mom, and a close friend I can trust.
Are you old enough to remember a Christmas from the 1960′s…and if so, what’s your favorite memory from that time? (If not, what’s your earliest Christmas memory?)
A: No, I was born in 1974. Earliest Christmas memory was probably performing in a Christmas play at my grandpa’s church. Circa 1978.
Q: What’s the latest you’ve stayed up in the past year and why?
A:All night due to an ER run with one of my boys.
Q: What bit of trivia would you love to share with us?
A: The building where Robert Louis Stevenson went to school is now a baptist church.
Q: What are your hopes for 2009?
A: To burn even more for Christ, achieve financial freedom and lose these last 10 pounds
Q: What is your favorite Christmas song?
A- Amy Grant’s version of “O Come, O Come Immanuel” or Ron Kenoly’s version of “A King is Born” – old school, I know.
Q- What’s your favorite Christmas ornament and why?
A: A paper ornament with a picture of my son in it….for obvious reasons. It’s the cheapest made, yet most treasured ornament I have.
Q: What is the most reoccuring dream you’ve ever had?
A: I often have dreams about taking exams and working on impossible problems, only to wake up really stressed and still trying to figure out an answer! I just finished grad school, so it’s understandable!
Q: If you were a color, what color would you be?
Конкурс для блоггеров от DRUGREVENUE с призовым фондом в 3000 долларов, спешите
I’m not good at Russian.
I told you there would be 100 responses. I think Waxy needs to thank all of his minions.