From the category archives:
I was told there’d be a road of yellow bricks.
I spent the night in Las Vegas’s airport in July because of a weather-related canceled late night flight. Quite unpleasant. Let’s hope it doesn’t happen again!
(According to rumor, the flight crew had exceeded its in-the-air hours, but the airline blamed the weather. Airline’s fault = free hotel stay. Weather’s fault = sleeping on grody airport chairs or paying for your own expensive near-the-airport hotel room.)
Rest easy, everybody.
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A gathering of Christians working to advance the Kingdom through blogging + internet technologies.
I’m headed back to Vegas!
I’m returning to the God Blog Convention, sponsored by Biola University in La Mirada, California. This year’s convention will be held at the Blog World and New Media Expo on September 20 and 21. (Last year’s GodBlogCon was in Vegas, too.)
Why a Christian blogging convention in Vegas? Blog Expo founder Rick Calvert wanted to organize a sort of blogging tradeshow where all kinds of bloggers (faith, tech, business, etc.) could gather and network. He asked the GodBlogCon organizers if they’d consider holding their annual gathering at the Expo, and they were happy to do so.
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***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.
***Live-blogging at Boundless Line and below***
***For earlier live-blogging, see Part I***
1:20 p.m. PT: Ran into Matt Sheffield, blogging pal since the early days, and Henry Copeland of BlogAds, who remembered attending my faith blogging session at BlogNashville back in 2005. Met Andy Beal of Marketing Pilgrim. I did some consulting work through one of his former companies.
Rhett Smith is up. He’s discussing social media sites like Facebook and how Christians can use the “new media ministries” in youth ministry. Rhett does youth ministry and was reluctant to create a page on MySpace. His online forum was getting little traffic, so he decided to try MySpace. He started getting visitors to his site. He also joined Facebook, a site that I have yet to get into.
Rhett said he had to go where the teens are. Put yourself in the shoes of high school kids, he said, or young adults. They’ve always had the online world, with social networking sites. For an oldster like me, even though I’m a blog consultant, I have no use for MySpace or Facebook. Yet. If you do youth ministry, of course, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with those sites.
[UK update side note: I mentioned my desire to go to the UK to a couple of people this morning and got two more leads on places to stay. Cheaply. One sounds really cool - Related to C.S. Lewis. I'll keep you posted.]
***Live-blogging at Boundless Line and below***
5:17 a.m. PT: Hi, my name is La Shawn, and I’m a coffeeholic. And I like to get up at 4 a.m.
I’m in Vegas, blogging before dawn. Lots of bloggers to try to meet today. Over the next two days, bloggers from many parts of the blogosphere – including Christian, political, business, tech, culture, sports, military, legal, and the “podosphere” – are here, talking about how to make money from blogs, win friends, and influence people. Bloggers will discuss how to use the new medium for God’s glory and connect the body of Christ in the digital age. Bloggers will show others how to use the “long tail” to their advantage. Business owners will learn how to hire bloggers. And on and on.
I probably won’t have time to meet all the bloggers on my list. Eric Olsen, a guy who created a little site called Blog Critics (and published a concert review I wrote) a few years ago and built it into an influential (press credentials), money-making venture, is near the top. I have a long list of business and tech bloggers I want to meet, many of whom don’t know me, I’m sure. Reading their blogs helped me shape my consulting business, and I continue to learn from them every day.
I’ll be on an NPR show called “The State of Nevada” this morning, along with fellow Godbloggers Joe Carter and Professor John Mark Reynolds, to talk about Blog World Expo (read convention updates here). The segment will air on KNPR between 9-10 a.m. PT.
I might be able to update this post today with photos and what’s happening at the convention. There seems to be an issue with the wireless.
9:37 a.m. PT: There’s something comforting about being around other Christians, even strangers. 
I was impressed that NPR’s producers dug deep into my blog to quote from Margaret Sanger of the Blogosphere:
“Even in cases of rape and incest, I do not believe the unborn baby should be killed. Is that clear enough? I’ll make it clearer. Even if a man rapes his 13-year-old daughter and impregnates her, the baby should live.”
I repeated what I wrote and what I believe. Even so-called pro-life people draw the line at rape and incest. Not me, for the reasons I stated in the post.
Yeah, Las Vegas is a little tacky (the strip), but so what? I’m looking forward to it. I’ve never seen the city, only the slot machine-filled airport on a layover.
You may recall that I mentioned attending two concerts on Hanson’s “The Walk Tour” so far. Well, I have an opportunity to attend a third. Just by “coincidence,” Hanson is playing in Las Vegas this Thursday night. All I have to do is let the publicist know I’ll be in town and…but I won’t.
The only thing stopping me from going to the venue, possibly walking in the door past a long line of excited girls and young women, and talking to the guys before the show is…pride. I’m too old to be any band’s groupie (although they don’t make me feel like one – last time I saw them, I didn’t want to bother them with picture-taking, but one said, “Hey, guys, let’s take pictures!” – yeah, I had my camera with me, buried deep in my bag, but they didn’t know that), and I don’t want to give the appearance of being a groupie, either. (But if I were 20 years younger…) Those guys are so nice, though.
(Also see Hanson Still a Family Act After 15 Years, an article/video for Hanson fans among LBC’s readers. And thanks for letting me know you’re out there!)
Anyway, I look forward to having dinner with fellow Christian bloggers that night. I’m not sure if it’s too late to sign up for GodBlogCon. If not, come on out! My presentation is on “writing well in the new media,” or something like that.
Update (11/7): A reader writes: “Life is short…go to the concert!! Don’t worry about the groupie thing…you never know what God is up to…maybe He needs you at the concert. Enjoy Vegas!”
So tempting…
(Thanks for the shout-out, Melonie!)
"For that one fraction of a second, you were open to options you had never considered. That is the exploration that awaits you. Not mapping stars and studying nebula, but charting the unknown possibilities of existence." - Q to Captain Picard, episode "All Good Things..." from "Star Trek: The Next Generation"
Well, that was fun. Where to now?
I’m a bad blogger. I forgot to plug the 2007 God Blog Convention — “Helping Christians engage new media” — and I’m a speaker!
Yeah, what Joe Carter said.
The previous two GodBlogCon’s were held at Biola University in La Mirada, California, where professor and blogger John Mark Reynolds teaches. This year, it’s in Vegas (woo hoo!) at the Blog World & New Media Expo on November 8 and 9.
This is the third year in a row I’ve been invited to speak at GodBlogCon. Gathering with Christian bloggers (especially ones whose doctrinal beliefs are the same as mine, but others, too) is a joy. If you have the means and the time, come out to Vegas and hang with us. There will be lots of non-GodBlogCon stuff going on, too.
Check out the GodBlogCon archives.
Update (5:02 p.m.): I really could get used to this blogging stuff. 
Tomorrow I’m speaking on a panel about how blogging has affected the news business. The Leadership Institute invited a New York Times reporter to talk about it from the mainstream media perspective, and two other bloggers and myself will discuss the topic as bloggers. Mark Tapscott, Washington Examiner opinion editor and blogger, will take both sides, I suppose. I’ll write it up next week. After this panel and this event (and I celebrate my three-year blogiversary the day after the mid-term elections), I think I’ll take a few days off and do…nothing!
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This time last week I was in California for the second annual God Blog Conference in La Mirada, California. See previous post, GodBlogCon: Blogging Out Loud.
Last year I led a breakout session on blogging while Christian. This year I got to share a panel with Christians and bloggers like Charmaine Yoest (pictured above in the center; Stacy Harp on the left), Mark D. Roberts, John Mark Reynolds, Hugh Hewitt, and Joe Carter. I even had my own personal assistant. For some reason, the organizers thought it was my first time at Biola University, so they assigned an undergrad to help me out. Katelyn Statton was so helpful and thoughtful. I could get used to having a personal assistant.
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I’m headed to California tomorrow to meet up with Christian bloggers at the God Blog Conference to talk about blogging, our love for the Savior, politics, and whatever else we have time to discuss.
Upon my return from last year’s GodBlogCon, I wanted to curl up in a corner and wish the world away. This year, I want to make a triumphant return to the East Coast with lots of good things to share, and no jet lag. 
To make matters worse, we “fall back” to standard time this weekend. Traveling to California won’t be a big deal. It’s the return I dread. I’m in California from Thursday afternoon to Sunday/Monday.
Any advice you can give me — sound medical advice, home remedies, urban legends, anything — will be appreciated.
Update: I’m sure we’ll get around to talking about this mess at the conference. God’s judgment, indeed. I hope the ruling leads to some serious voter backlash. Be careful what you wish for…
Update II (10/26): I have a column deadline today, so between flying and writing, I probably won’t blog about the conference until tomorrow. I’m on two panels, I think. I may live-blog.
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Excessive pride. I’ve got it, and it’s not pretty. Like most humans, I don’t like admitting weakness, either. It’s Monday afternoon, and I’m recovering from a three-day trip to California. The words drained and sluggish come to mind. This happens to other people, right? Of course it does.
Reasons: I never got used to the time difference, days were long and filled with activities (little time to “come down”), meeting so many new people at once and listening to new ideas put a strain on my brain, such as it is.
It seems like the whole world is moving at normal speed, and I’m walking among the living in slow motion and everyone is a blur. I’m having trouble stringing together coherent thoughts. But here’s a thought I have no problem expressing: I’m angry that the Associated Press reporter who was supposed to interview me for her widely-disseminated story on GodBlogCon decided not to for reasons unknown. AP stories are picked up by various and diverse newspapers all over the world.
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5:55 p.m. (PT): Hugh Hewitt broadcast his show live from Biola University, and it was standing-room only. He interviewed a number of attendees, and I was supposed to be one of them. But I missed my queue. I was being interviewed by someone else at the time, so I’m only a little upset.
Lots of interviews. I did one for a documentary and may have one lined up for a journalist’s book. No, it’s not all about me; great conversations going on, and I’ll fill you in later.
7:48 p.m.: I’m blogging this from a panel moderated by Hugh Hewitt. Panelists are John Mark Reynolds, Mark Roberts (who wrote an article I referenced for one I’m writing), and Tom Bolsinger.
Charmaine Yoest is live-blogging. I arrived late; hanging out with the girls. Sarcasmagorical is also live-blogging (very detailed).
The panel is discussing some of the pitfalls of Christian blogging. How do you handle “fame”? All three are pastors, and they’re talking about blogging and accountability. Hugh is asking a series of questions. The most interesting: who shouldn’t blog? Answers: People with a lot of anger, perfectionists, narcissists, those who don’t allow give and take, those who care too much about what others think, people who don’t care about spelling and grammar (this got a lot of laughs, but it’s true!)…
They’re discussing whether pastors should be political. John Mark said he was de-linked by some Christian bloggers after he suggested that people shouldn’t vote for John Kerry (Weird, heh?). Make sure readers know whether you’re blogging for yourself or on behalf of your church or organization.
Most relevant: what is “God blogging?”
Dean Peters is funny. Wish he were here.
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2:00 p.m. (PT) Putting aside substance for a minute, let’s talk about form. Stacy Harp asked a question about the prevalence of male bloggers in the blogosphere generally and the evangelical Christian side specifically. Stacy also blogs at the Christian Persecution Blog.
Her question emboldened someone to ask why the main discussion panel was comprised of Presbyterians. Interesting. Read updates on the GodBlogCon blog.
Answers? What can you say? Most bloggers are white males…and/or high-profile or “important” bloggers are men. Even at a Christian conference, you can’t get away from “political” questions.
Check out these Christian women bloggers: Kicking Over My Traces, Amy Hall, Post-Darwinist, Church of the Masses, Wittingshire, The View From Her, By Dawn’s Early Light, Laura’s Writings…
More women: Little Red Blog, Skye Puppy, Just A Woman, Salvation Walls, B Revelant…
Carolyn McCully is a Christian author and blogger I met at a meet-up, but she couldn’t make it to the convention. Check out her web site and blog, Solo Femininity.
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9:20 a.m. (PT) — I know LBC readers like/love my political rants, but today I’m avoiding it as if my life depends on.
GodBlogCon (check for updates) is about Christian bloggers talking about blogging as Christians, most of whom happen to be politically conservative. It shouldn’t matter, but it does. This morning we’re listening to a panel of Christian bloggers. David Wayne of the Jolly Blogger, Joe Carter, Evangelical Outpost, and the blogger who instigated the convention, Andrew Jackson (pictured) of Smart Christian (who has a great sense of humor, by the way.)
Dean Peters of blogs4god is “here,” so to speak.
Christians are to do all they do for the glory of God, but I know that not everything I do and write glorifies God. I’ve experienced a certain level of conviction since I’ve been here. I think about my hostile attitude toward some commenters and haters, and my responses have too often been less than “Christian,” at least in my mind. The effort to be Christ-like is part of our struggle, and as long as we’re in fallen bodies, we’ll fall short. It’s in our nature to strike out against those who oppose us.
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I’ll be in California tomorrow for the GodBlogCon. I’m leading a session called Christian Blogging 101. I led a session called Faith-Based Blogging at BlogNashville in May, and we all got along very well, considering I’m an evangelical Christian and most of the attendees weren’t. “Religious right” stereotypes, and all that.
I was sort of nervous about it, but we conducted ourselves like civilized, mature, intelligent, and curious adults. If only the blogosphere were half as well-behaved.
Blogger Ed Cone participated in the faith-based blogging session. He said he decided to have one at his blogging conference, ConvergeSouth, because mine was so successful. Mickey McLean was session leader.
As you may remember, my sister Shannon moved to California a few months ago to attend The Master’s College. On Sunday we’re attending her church, pastored by John MacArthur.
I will update this post tomorrow. God willing.
Update (10/13 @ 9:42 p.m. PT): And the Lord wills it. The clock in the room and the one in my body are not in sync. Crashing now. I have a few things to tell you. Tomorrow.
