A Society of Link Pushers

Recently I tried to find a story that came to my Google Reader inbox. It was a story about a fella breaking two rods in one trip. The story was originally published by a paper in Arkansas and posted to their web site. I had to click on three links and pass through three sites just to get to the original story.

This reminded me of a conversation I had with my father-in-law a few months ago. We had a run in with a ‘work-at-home-produce-nothing salesman’. You know the type and I’m sure you have heard the ads on the radio, “Work at home and earn thousands a month and you don’t have to sale a thing.” He told me afterwards that the biggest problem we have today is people who push paper, produce nothing, and want the pay of a business owner.

I am beginning to believe that this is the case with some in the blogosphere. Now to qualify this and admit to doing this with my Twitter account. But, in my defense, I try to link to interesting and relevant stories as well I try to comment on those links as I can. I also write my own material for this blog. It seems to me that there are more and more sites out there that are dedicated to rehashing stories and links. It likely would not bother me if these sites gave a little comment on the subject or story, but what I see are sites dedicated to producing nothing and making a dime off the backs of bloggers and writers who actually produce something.

I know, I should be thankful for anyone who would point me to good stories and information. But, if you saw my news feed inbox and the number of sites that just link to the same story or that link to a link, that links to another link, you would understand my frustration.

I tell you we are becoming link pushers and not link producers.

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Photo by: striatic

Chapter Number....?

Have you ever set down to read a book and it was so exciting you could not put it down? With every page you turned the adventure griped you even more. Or, a book was so interesting or timely you did not want to stop for any thing? On occasion I have. Three such come to mind for me, 1776 by David McCullough; The Fair Tax Book by Neal Boortz and John Linder; and The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer (you may get the feeling here that I am only a nonfiction reader, that is partly true, but I am trying to branch out into a little fiction here and there).

Life is much like those books, exciting, gripping, and full of twists and turns. Over the past four years of school, one of my teachers constantly referred to life as a book with many chapters. He always said we needed to press on that this chapter of life would soon be over and the next one would come.

Each chapter of life comes and goes. Some chapters are exciting and others are heart breaking. Some bring wealth and others poverty. Some may bring shame and others great honor.

Another chapter of my life just closed for me this month. On May fifth, by God's help, I walked across the platform at Temple Baptist Church and received a degree in Pastoral Ministry from Crown College. Four long years of hard work, late nights, and the occasional all nighter culminated into a two hour service to receive my degree at the hand of Dr. Sexton.

In the photo to the right you will see my dad, my mom, yours truly, and my ever lovely wife Kristy. With out the support of all of them, especially my wife, I would not be wearing that cap and gown.

Of course, when one chapter closes another begins, and so begins the next for my family and I. What it holds only the Lord knows. All I do know is that it is time to plan our departure from the lovely Knoxville area in order to return to the great state of Virginia (it will be so nice to see VT in stead of UT all the time! Go Hokies!).