***Live-blogging at Boundless Line and below***
***For earlier live-blogging, see Part II***
This photo was taken yesterday by Jim of Gateway Pundit. More photos here. Pictured: Matt Sheffield of NewsBusters.org, me, and Soren Dayton of RedState.org.
10:05 a.m. PT: It’s Day Two of the Blog World Expo/GodBlogCon Convention. Biola University professor Paul Spears will discuss “Trafficking in Substance: A Blogging Dilemma: The Case for Blog Euthanasia.” Christians interested in God blogging need to be representatives of a “bigger thing.” What does it mean to have “substance” on your blog?
Paul says Christians have a responsibility to enable our audience to come to an understanding of larger things. It takes work, but there’s no other way around it. This assumes you want your blog to be significant, to come from a place of substance and help other Christians in their walk toward Christ. Paul showed a series of famous paintings. These artists created the kind of beauty that lasts. Lofty idea for mere bloggers, but we should strive to create something meaningful that endures.
What’s the story we’re telling? For me, I want to share the story of how Christ affects lives, my own and other people’s. There’s more than enough blogging out there about the latest trends and hottest politic topics. What we need is transcendence.
11:06 a.m.: Dustin Steeve of Biola University is discussing the basics of blogging and finding the platform to meet your needs. Pros and cons of free services like Blogger.com, WordPress.com, etc.
I’m up next. Break a leg!
2:53 p.m.: If I do say so myself, my presentation went well. Didn’t talk about my testimony (as I did here), and I hit most of my points on “writing well in the new media.” I was nervous this morning and right before I went on. Took a few deep breaths, stepped outside myself, took the focus off myself, and shared with the audience what I know about writing on the web. Writing online is somewhat different than writing for print publications. I encouraged bloggers in the audience to be bold for Christ on the web and not to worry about offending people. Our very existence offends people. The exclusive claims of our faith offend people. Don’t hesitate to take a strong stand on controversial issues.
Right after the talk, I was asked if I wanted to speak at next year’s GodBlogCon. A resounding “Yes, I do.” I may create a post based on my presentation.
GodBlogCon sessions are still going on, but I decided to walk around and try to meet other bloggers. Met Rick Moran of Right Wing Nut House, Dean Barnett of Townhall (what a nice guy, man!), did a Blog Talk Radio interview with Captain Ed and Duane Patterson and an XM radio interview for Pajamas Media with Ed Driscoll. I chatted with Vodkapundit’s Stephen Green, whom I met in NYC at the Pajamas Media launch.
Yesterday, I met cool coder Mark Jaquith, who recognized me and introduced himself (he’s cute!). I hired Mark to do some coding for me couple years ago. Since then, he’s become hot property, slinging code all over the blogosphere.
Let’s see…I met D.C. Thornton, a guy who’s been on my blogroll for years. Got to chat with Pam Spaulding again. For those who don’t know her, Pam and I are political and social opposites. She’s a homosexual “marriage”-supporting liberal lesbian. And she’s cool. We didn’t get a chance to do the photo thing this time, though.
I met others, but I’ll have to remember who they were later.
Anyway, check back for more GodBlogCon updates.
To Professor John Mark Reynolds and Biola University student volunteers: Thank you so much for inviting me to speak. It’s a privilege to know such mature, godly young people. You are kind, thoughtful, and extremely generous. Your energy and dedication astounds me. I wish I’d been only half as hardworking and focused when I was your age.
