Failure: The Secret to Success

Honda racers on Failure

Bill Moyers exploring Health Insurance

Bill Moyers Journal . Watch & Listen | PBS

I think Bill Moyers is one of the highest-integrity and most deeply-thoughtful journalists out there.

John Piper on the Bible

The Bible Frees Us From Being Swayed by Overstatements :: Desiring God

Who's on your side?

Professor Elizabeth Warren speaks about the Consumer Financial Protection Agency

The Thing about a Crossing

Don Miller Blog : Another Sample Chapter from A Million miles in a Thousand Years

Transparency is not just a majority world problem

Check out the Sunlight Foundation

Centered-Set Communication in a Globalized World / Vince Brackett

Not The Religious Type: Centered-Set Communication in a Globalized World / Vince Brackett (Chicago, IL)

I know this guy, and I think he's great!

2009 Nigerien constitutional crisis

A new development I'm seeing now on Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia, is the emergence of new, constantly updated, articles that track significant current events around the world.

Here are a few recent examples:

2009 Nigerien constitutional crisis

Air France Flight 447

2009 Honduran coup

It provides one-stop shopping for a complete, fully-annotated account of developments related to the event. I think this is very cool.

I want to get better

Marshall Goldsmith Library - Okay, so you've know about this resource for a long time; I just discovered it. Simple, practical, honest, fun. Lots of good stuff here. How do you want to change?

Undecided? Check this out: Leading@Google: Marshall Goldsmith

Getting better is achievable.

Nerd humor at its best

John Hodgman challenging President Obama at Radio & TV Correspondents' Dinner

Awakening to Third Culture

headsparks* thoughts on The Monkey and the Fish: Liquid Leadership for a Third-Culture Church, by Dave Gibbons

Dave defines third culture as “the mindset and the will to love, learn, and serve in any culture, even in the midst of pain and discomfort.”

I've added it to my Amazon wishlist.

President Obama Appoints Antiabortion Pro-Obama Catholic to Senior Health Position – Causing Controversy

Political Punch

"Québec, ce n'est pas Chicago!"

Quote frome the front page of leSoleil, 24 Mai 2009. The rest of the article is here: Colline parlementaire: densifier ne fait pas l'unanimité

Nous sommes d'accord.

Healthy Foods for Under $1

Well Blog - NYTimes.com

Don't you like being healthy? And saving money?

Why I'm a fan of del.icio.us... and now commoncraft

Social Bookmarking in Plain English - Common Craft - Our Product is Explanation

the good samaritan

Carl Medearis l Engage the World

Christian Witness in a Plural Society

An article by Lesslie Newbigin over 30 years old and still pretty insightful. Read it. It's not that long. You can do it.

How to avoid getting hooked

The Official Google Blog on how to avoid phishing schemes

A Good Story: ‘I’m Going to Kill You’

Bart Campolo - God’s Politics Blog

I would like this kind of spirit to be more alive in my life.

Check to see if you are infected

Conficker Work Group - HomePage:

This is a reputable antivirus project.

A Thousand Questions

From Willow Creek Leadership Summit via YouTube

View HQ: A Thousand Questions

Human Development Report - Niger 2007/2008

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) monitors annually the relative development of the countries of the world using a few broad indicators. The Human Development Index is derived from statistics on life expectancy at birth, adult literacy, school enrolment and GDP per capita.

Niger ranks 174 out of 177 countries. It is categorized as a Least Developed Country.

Human Development Report 2007/2008 - Country Fact Sheets - Niger

Days with My Father

Phillip Toledano opens a beautiful window into his life.

Why we think it's OK to cheat and steal (sometimes)

YouTube - Dan Ariely on TED

Yet another example of why I like TED.
Intelligent. Human. Thoughtful. In pursuit of understanding.

Constance Aman: I lift up my eyes...

"Je lève les yeux"



Je lève les yeux vers les montagnes
D'où me viendra le secours

Le secours me vient de l'éternel
Qui a fait les cieux et la terre

Il ne dort ni ne sommeille
Celui qui garde Israël
Il ne dort ni ne sommeille
L'Eternel me gardera

Il ne dort ni ne sommeille
Il gardera mon pied de tout mal
Il ne dort ni ne sommeille
L'Eternel gardera mon âme

Psaume 121:1-4

Future Tech

Pattie Maes demos the Sixth Sense | Video on TED.com
I'm still waiting for the neural interface.

TED is my favorite video source.

This is a WOW!

Gustavo Dudamel leads El Sistema's top youth orchestra on TED.com

Get your best speakers or earphones, turn up the sound, and watch it!

Here's a little background: Jose Antonio Abreu: Help me bring music to kids worldwide

Well Worth Watching

Les Choristes (The Choir)

Un Jour à la Chute de Montmorency

How we spent Valentine's day - a hike through a winter wonderland.

New Patrick Lencioni Project

The Simple Wisdom Project

I have come to really appreciate Patrick Lencioni's work. I recommend that you sign up for this e-newsletter.

Bill Gates: How I'm trying to change the world now

Bill Gates unplugged | Video on TED.com

Two big problems getting attention: malaria and education

My favorite line: "There's no reason that only poor people should have the experience."

Snow bunnies

Ice sculpture in Old Québec

Doing the tourist tour at -10 degrees F, in front of the Le Cochon Digne ("Crazy Pig") restaurant.

Great new talent!

Lucy Harig - EP

Captivating, entrancing ...

Lessons Learned from a Hacked Gmail Account

What's your security IQ?

BTY LifeHacker is extremely cool.

Advent Conspiracy

Christmas can [still] change the world.

This handsome face gives us great joy every time we look at it.
Joshua Neil is growing and thriving, continuously enhancing his already great capacity to be a blessing.

The Ethics of Aid - One Kenyan's Perspective

from Speaking Of Faith 5 Dec 2008

Book of the Month

How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas, David Bornstein

Some people take action, sustained over time, and change the way everyone thinks. We can learn a great deal from these people.

The Money And Politics Connection

MAPLight.org - Money And Politics: Illuminating the Connection

Take the Video Tour

More Joshua Neil

Meet the new family member.
Carol brought back 580 digital photos from the birth visit, consisting of 4 collections: Ben & Lori's, Trina's, Christy's, and Ray & Linda's. These are my very favorites.

Bringing Hope to Niger

Pray for the Danja Fistula Center
The Danja Health Center is a sister medical center two hours East of Galmi, just South of Maradi.

See more information on obstetric fistula here.

Map Gas Prices

GasBuddy.com

State of the Village Report

If the world were a village of 1000 people...

National Debt Soars $500B In Under A Month

Financial Bailout Plan The Primary Culprit In Record-Setting Debt Accumulation - CBS News

"The Giant Pool of Money"

This American Life explains the housing crisis

Extremely informative and helpful in understanding a complex subject that impacts us all.

Mother and son getting acquainted

Father and son have a lot of catching up to do

A force to be reckoned with

Joshua Neil joins the team

How rich are you?

See the Global Rich List for a little broader perspective on your own income than how poor you feel.

He's here!

I just got the call!

At 10:43 pm on October 27, 2008, Joshua Neil, son of Ben and Lori, entered the world!

Grandma says, "He's gorgeous!" which I take to mean splendidly magnificent.

He measures 7 pounds 13.6 ounces, 20 1/4" long.

Carol says Lori was fantastic. Everyone is doing fine, and very, very happy.

Looking for the 'Real America'

Clarence Page at RealClearPolitics

Worth reading and considering.

from The ONE Campaign

Keep Our Commitments

Study shows gap growing between rich and poor

Associated Press article reported in BusinessWeek:

A few quotes:

Economic inequality is growing in the world's richest countries, particularly in the United States, jeopardizing the American Dream of social mobility just as the world tilts toward recession...

The United States has the highest inequality and poverty rates in the OECD after Mexico and Turkey, and the gap has increased rapidly since 2000, the report said.

Rising inequality threatens social mobility -- children doing better than their parents, the poor improving their lot through hard work -- which is lower in countries like the U.S., Great Britain and Italy, where inequality is high, than countries with less inequality such as Denmark, Sweden and Australia, the report said.

"Greater income inequality stifles upward mobility between generations, making it harder for talented and hardworking people to get the rewards they deserve," [Oxford University economist Anthony Atkinson] said in a statement. "It polarizes societies, it divides regions within countries, and it carves up the world between rich and poor."

In the United States, the richest 10 percent earn an average of $93,000 -- the highest level in the OECD. The poorest 10 percent earn an average of $5,800 -- about 20 percent lower than the OECD average.

The Irony of Obama

RealClearPolitics: An intellegent and provocative article by Michael Gerson

Our Intercontinental Gang Reunited

On August 11, 2008

Sus & Jon, Lori & Ben & ?, Seth, Kezi & Vince, Gram & Gramp, Princess Kailey Alana, Abi & Jon, Princess Lara Brooks, Master Owen (the Only) John.

A wild rush of joy and gratitude rises up from within when I survey these dear faces. How did this happen?

Another Frightening Show About the Economy

This American Life offers some insight to what went on behind the scenes in the financial crisis.

Your Tax Dollars at Work

Taxpayers for Common Sense

Make Your Webmail More Secure

Geek Tip: Wired How-To Wiki

FactCheck.org

FactCheck.org: Sanity maintenance for the thoughful political observer in 2008

See also http://wire.factcheck.org/

and http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/

Dig out the hip boots; it's getting really deep.

Zakaria: McCain's VP decision is 'fundamentally irresponsible'

CNN.com article

See also the Newsweek article: "Palin is ready? Please."

I am blind

YouTube - Historia de un letrero (original video)

It was a beautiful day

With many beautiful people.

Happy Couple, Proud Parents

We're on the way back

Big changes are in the wind.

Africa in Perspective

Just how big do you think that Africa actually is?
How far off were you?

Dollars = Change

on YouTube

Who is the patriot?

Here's an article from the Chicago Tribune with some historical information and ideas on national service and patriotism that are worth considering.
Factor military duty into criticism

Evangelical Politics: Three Generations

This is a fascinating conversation between three Christian leaders on how faith and politics interect, both theologically and practically.

The Entire, Unedited Interview is well worth listening to.

Evangelical Politics on Speaking of Faith

My latest favorite blog

from lost and not found to run and not hide

Anne Lamott Interview

from the Washington Times: "I didn't mean to go to church. I went in because I didn't have any more good ideas, which I think is where spirituality really begins."

Kezi n Vince have stepped it up a big step

 

These two wonderful people found treasure for life in each other. Early August sometime should be the big date.

We are delighted!

Galmi: No Regrets

On Google Video at last. Galmi: No Regrets
We finally have some ready-for-prime-time footage from the July 2007 Galmi PR Team. Check it out! Let me know if you need the DVD version.

Update: as of March 6, sim.org has a link to it on their front page!

View Galmi Photo Albums and Slideshows

at dotPhoto:

Galmi People - Album - SlideShow

Galmi Town - Album - SlideShow

Galmi Hospital - Album - SlideShow

All photos taken by Bob Mead (PhotoProsInc.com) in July, 2007.

Principles for Helpers

by Bob Lupton

It starts like this:

Hippocrates (460 – 377 B.C.), the father of modern medicine, recognized the power of the healing profession to effect great good as well as its potential to do much harm. The oath that he instituted, a pledge taken by doctors to this day, established ethical standards for physician conduct which included: patient confidentiality, referral for specialized treatment, sharing of medical knowledge, and valuing prevention above cure. The Hippocratic Oath requires that physicians be personal and caring, put the interests of patients first in medical decisions, strive always to preserve life and never play God by taking life. And above all, do no harm.

Read it all

The people Jesus loved ...

Poetry: The Star Market

Gordon MacDonald's 2008 Questions

How do believers evaluate Presidential candidates?

TED Talks is Tops

TED Talks: My favorite site for 2008 so far.

"Hans Rosling reveals new insights on poverty" is extraordinary.

sputniks: A Fairytale Winter In Chicago

sputniks: A Fairytale Winter In Chicago

Son Jon Sputters nailed the breadth and richness of our Christmas/New Year family experience in this music video. The man has a gift. I keep wanting to watch it again.

sputniks: A Fairytale Winter In Chicago

Rev'd & Mrs. March

 

On the run

 

Dad and Daughter on the way to a new beginning.

 

Dressed to Party

 

Princess Kailey and Grandpa ready to celebrate.

Inter-Generational Friendship

 

Great-Grandpa and Princess Lara delight one another effortlessly.

Full Family Member

 

As of December 13, 2007, Princess Kailey is a complete, fully legal, member of the family. We are overjoyed and grateful for this wonderful conclusion to a more-than-two-year process.

John Fischer "Catch of the Day" Daily Devotionals

Thoughtful, Faith-full, creative, human. Recommended.

Good Man Gone to Glory

Wilbur Lieu Montgomery
September 10, 1919 - October 13, 2007

A gentle and uncomplicated man, Uncle Wilbur blessed the lives of all who knew him. May his name be remembered and honored for his faithful life.

See also Uncle Wilbur Tells a Story

Hausa Worship Music from Nigeria

YouTube - Na Ba ka - Jeremiah Gyang

I first heard his work 3 years ago. I love his music.

Princess Lara Brooks Sutcliffe

and entourage.

Chris & Helene Family Portrait

Zeb, Helene, Eli, Chris, Joel

At the approach of the end of earthlife the boundary between time and eternity grows thin, and beautiful spirits become luminous, charged with light by faith, grief and love.

Update: Helene entered heaven on Sunday, July 29, 2007, 3:15am West African Time.

Lara Brooks Sutcliffe is here!

Born 15th July 2007
At British Standard Time (BST) 9:14am
[ = 3:14am Chicago time (CDT)]
Weighing 8lb 11oz
Bedford, England.

Photos here: sputniks

Update: Chicago time correction thanks to Uncle Andy

Grace

U2 on YouTube

When she goes to work you can hear the strings.

When Jon asked the big question ...

... Sus said, Yes.

Kailey's gonna get a Daddy in January.

How to Change the World interview

Ten (or so) Questions with Richard Stearns, President of World Vision, from Guy Kawasaki

A few quotes stand out:

It has turned out to be the greatest privilege of my life to serve the poorest of the poor in Christ's name.

Today, we live in a world that tolerates extreme poverty much like racism was tolerated fifty-plus years ago. We can all become people determined to do something to change the world.

... less than two percent of private charitable giving goes to international causes.

If it could be said of us that we gave the poor a voice, that we provoked the rich and the powerful to action and that we gave hope to people trapped in hopelessness, I would be deeply gratified.

Thank you, Bob Webber

Bob Webber married Carol and I in 1970. He was a deeply important source of encouragement and guidance to me during the emerging years of my adult faith. His impact on my life was more personal than theological, but it was profound.

I am sad at his passing, and I am very thankful for this man. God grant us the grace to carry on his spirit.

These articles describe some of his significance in the larger world:

Robert Webber: Thank you and We'll Miss You

Robert E. Webber, Theologian of 'Ancient-Future' Faith, Dies at 73

Genius takes many forms ...

The Art of Showing Pure Incompetence at an Unwanted Task

Teachers in Mission

Sahel Academy in Niamey needs you! Or maybe someone you know!

Understand where Internet technology is going in less than 5 minutes

Turtle Interactive - Innovative web sites, blogs and web applications

Update: better direct link here.

Book: More Ready Than You Realize

I'm reading this book by Brian McLaren, and I like it a lot.

Amazon.com