Top 10 posts of 2010

As another year comes to an end, I must say, I’ve really enjoyed another year of blogging here and elsewhere.

Here’s a look back at the top 10 posts on my blog…

Ustream videos not working? Fixed! – Apparently I wasn’t the only one having this problem. Several sites linking to this post for their users hasn’t hurt it’s popularity either.

How I’m running a G1 on AT&T with Android 2.2 – One of the great advantages to the Android OS is it’s ability to be customized – just like upgrading the first Google phone to the (at the time) latest and greatest OS.

Texas foster care statistics for 2009 – Glad to see this one in the top 3. Hopefully it inspires action.

Caedmon’s Call Raising up the Dead – Initial Thoughts – A review of Caedmon’s Call latest release.

13 great starter apps for Android – Another tech post for fans of the Android OS.

Review: The Sovn Oxygen Pillow – This was a fun process of doing a review of something I knew very little about but was anxious to find out about.

11 Kingdom Bloggers to watch in 2010 – A list of recommended bloggers for 2011. Still stand by the list – a great group of bloggers.

Ways to give aid for Haitian relief – There’s still a need and still ways to help.

1 Timothy 5:8 – How do you read it? – Some thoughts on Mark Driscoll’s hard stance on men and women and working outside the home.

Jesus is a liberal Democrat and Stephen Colbert is a genius – Stephen Colbert at his best — reminding us that “either we’ve got to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we’ve got to acknowledge that he commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition — and then admit that we just don’t want to do it.”

Looks like tech related posts continue to be my most read but I’m glad to see issues like foster care and helping others in Haiti take a prime spot in the top 10 as well.

Perhaps a tech blog should be in the future? Probably not – but still looking forward to seeing what 2011 will bring.

So what was your favorite blog post this year? On my blog or elsewhere?

Christmas greetings

Christmas Love
Christmas Love | Photo by Jonathan Blundell

After my boys shared some Christmas wishes with you yesterday — I had to be sure and share some of my own.

Thanks so much to each and everyone of you who take part in the community here on my blog and via the Insurgency of Love. Your comments, feedback and responses make it all worth while.

I hope that in some way you’ve been challenged, blessed or provoked in some way through my writing in 2010 and I’ve done more than just simply add to the noise.

Here’s to a very merry Christmas and a wonderful 2011.

U2 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup

U2 in Houston, Texas Oct. 2009 :: City of Blinding Lights
U2 in Houston, Oct 2009: City of Blinding Lights | Photo by Jonathan Blundell

I’ve really been enjoying the U2/South African mashup videos during ESPN’s coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The videos feature footage from U2’s Rose Bowl concert last year, mashed up with the Soweto Gospel Choir.

Billboard.com reported earlier this year…

After teaming with ESPN for its coverage of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, Bono pulled aside ESPN senior director of sports marketing Seth Ader and said, “This is just a warm-up for the one that really matters: South Africa.”

One of my favorites so far has been the Get On Your Boots mashup…
Continue reading U2 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup

#thenines 2010

Leadership Network is planning a repeat of last year’s #thenines event.

The event takes place for nine hours on Sept. 9, and features nine-minute messages from folks around the “Christian sphere” geared towards other Christian leaders.

Last year, they did a great job of mixing up the conversation, and this year they’re hoping to do more of the same — but allowing others to submit and vote for their “favorites.”

I could probably be nit-picky and say I think it’s silly that we’re voting for our “favorite Christian speakers” but instead I chose to take advantage of the opportunity and nominate some folks I think deserve to (and should) be heard and I invite you to do the same.

I nominated Greg Russinger, Jay Bakker, Mark Horvath, Shaun Groves and Cornel West.

I also voted for Andrew Jones (Tall Skinny Kiwi), Mike Rusch, Charles Lee, Shane Claiborne, Skye Jethani and Brian McLaren.

And I’m tempted to add Trucker Frank to the mix as well — but I have a feeling he’d turn them down :-).

Who do you think the Christian community needs to hear from? What voices have been left out?

You can vote online at http://twtpick.in/4k and you’ll apparently need a Twitter account to vote and nominate.

For more, you can read some of my thoughts from last year’s event:

ALAN HIRSCH SHARES DURING #THENINES
NOTES FROM #THENINES
SKYE JETHANI :: WHERE DOES OUR LEGITIMACY COME FROM?
“OFFICIAL” NOTES FROM #THENINES
VIDEOS FROM #THENINES ONLINE

BTW… Everett Bogue’s new book, Minimalist Business, is now available. If you’re interested at all in building a business online, either full-time or part-time — it’ll be worth it to you to grab a copy. And if you buy it within the first 24-hours (before 10 a.m. PST, Wednesday morning) you’ll save some cash as well with his special “early bird pricing.” Get your copy here.

You can also read some of Everett’s other work, How to Create a Movement (FREE), The Art of Being Minimalist or his blog: farbeyondthestars.com

Books I’ve read this year…

Day 101: 04-10-08

A New Kind of Christianity
A New Kind of Christian
The Least of These
Divine Commodity
I’m Fine with God… It’s Christians I Can’t Stand

e-books:
the simple guide to a minimalist life
The Art of Being Minimalist
simplify
How to Create a Movement
redemption stories

currently reading:
This Book Will Change Your World

What have you read this year? What books are on your to-read list?

Oh, and can I include e-books towards my goal of reading 20 or more books this year?

Top posts for March 2010

March Analytics

The top 5 posts here at Stranger in a Strange Land for March 2010….

  1. Texas foster care statistics for 2009
  2. Homemade pizza
  3. Ustream videos not working? – Fixed!
  4. Discussion on Ephesians 4
  5. We live…

And the top 5 posts at We Live Simply

  1. The Simple Manifesto #14 – Simplify your computer life
  2. The Simple Manifesto #13 – Simplify your wardrobe
  3. A Fool Month of Purging
  4. Five questions with Jason Fowler
  5. Outfitting your kitchen for less

And our top 2 podcasts at something beautiful (based on page views)…

  1. Kari McHam
  2. Gerry Hanan

Of course these are just numbers — I’m curious what were your favorite posts in March?