Of tweets, numbers, Bible sites and 2 questions
Over on Twitter I asked and got no answer, perhaps because my tweet was in the midst of a flurry of others, perhaps because it was on a Friday night. So here goes my question: Prof. John Hick died a few days ago. Was he not in a debate with one of our folk? I have a book with his name on it in my library, which I’ve not seen in a few days, but can’t remember if it’s a debate book with a brother. Do you know?
• My personal Twitter account hit 7000 tweets last night. I noticed quite by accident, as I went looking for John H.’s username to recommend on the Friend Friday feature. (He’s got a numerical digits in his, so I have a hard time remembering it.) I thought it was a lot of tweets, only to discover that not a few friends (hi, Richard) have surpassed me by not a little. To tell the truth, I was actually relieved that I didn’t appear too chatty. Or wordy. Or wasteful of time. And, it must be added, I’ve been on Twitter for quite a long time. (Does Twitter anywhere show when we signed up?)
• Of course, if we were looking for big numbers and records, I could add up all my tweets across the various accounts. I’m embarrassed to name them all. There’s one for BNc, one for FPress, a couple, just a couple, in Portuguese. That’s all I’ll admit to right now. Oh, and I must get Quick Bible Truths in there. It has the most followers.
• A lot of congregational tweets suggest Bible readings: “Today’s reading is such-and-such book, chapter 555.” But no link. Why no link? If people are reading the tweet on the Internet, stands to reason that they might, just might be more likely to read if they have a link to a Bible chapter on the Internet as well. What do you think?
• Another question for you that got asked here before, but got no replies. Besides the NLT, are there any Bible sites out there with just the version—and a modern version at that, not the KJV or ASV—minus any manmade teaching materials or articles?
• The NLT publisher is smart: They set up a site for their version with a short URL perfect for posting, attractive, flexible, legible, easy to use, with just the Bible text (no articles or teaching material), and with no fancy, heavy graphics. It’s about as good as you can get. Though the NLT is not always my favorite rendering, I use the site a lot, because of the site quality.
• A last item, to recommend: David Kenney has broadcast the first Bible Talk of the Wadsworth congregation. Check it out, I’m sure he’d be encouraged by your visit.
Will, and 3 others are discussing. 
Ron Thomas 4:56 am on February 18, 2012 Permalink |
Randal, I have over one hundred debate books and booklets. The only “Hicks” I have in any of those – as best I can recall – is Olan Hicks on MDR. **** With regard to tweeting, I am so “wet behind the ears” on that, that I do more perusing than anything else, and then I am not consistent.
J. Randal Matheny 4:58 am on February 18, 2012 Permalink |
Maybe that’s the one I’m remember, Ron. As soon as I get to my library, I’ll pull that Hick book out and see what it is. In my mind, I see a white circle on the cover. Funny what one remembers.
I’m migrating more to Twitter after unpinning the FB tab on Firefox.
Ron Thomas 5:05 am on February 18, 2012 Permalink
Of the three Hicks debates books I have there is no image of a white circle, but there is on the Warren-Fuqua debate (same topic).
Ron Thomas 5:09 am on February 18, 2012 Permalink
I am confused about the quality of one over the other – whether it is google, twitter, FB, or any others.
J. Randal Matheny 5:13 am on February 18, 2012 Permalink
I’m almost certain I don’t have the Warren-Fuqua debate.
Once Friendica gets a few bugs worked out, I’m headed that direction. Not ditching the others completely, but liking it a lot for its non-commercial nature. (http//friendica.com) FB and G+ are data harvesters, which I don’t like. They all have their pluses and minues.
Ron Thomas 5:19 am on February 18, 2012 Permalink
Thanks for the info. I will have to entertain some additional thoughts on that. **** Time to work on Zen Buddhism for a preacher’s retreat in June. Want to come again?
J. Randal Matheny 5:24 am on February 18, 2012 Permalink
They’re all good for getting the word out, FB probably the best, then Twitter.
Would love to be there. What’s the date? I just might be in the US still around the first part of the month.
Ron Thomas 5:29 am on February 18, 2012 Permalink
I think it’s June 4-6, but I went to the Fairfield website to do a confirm, and I got an “oops!” I FB’d Justin to let him know.
J. Randal Matheny 5:56 am on February 18, 2012 Permalink
That date might just work, if I’m not having to be halfway across the continent reporting. Maybe I could work out with Eureka …
Stephen R. Bradd 7:06 am on February 18, 2012 Permalink
June 4-6 is correct for Dahlgren retreat. It’d be great if you can make it Randal.
I recall reading about a John Mark Hicks (a rising “star” back in the 70s, I think). I don’t remember any debates, however.
J. Randal Matheny 7:12 am on February 18, 2012 Permalink
Let’s see how our itinerary goes. Thanks, Stephen.
John Mark and I were in the same class and dorm at FHU. He’s a progressive now. Wouldn’t be the same guy.
Richard Hill 7:14 am on February 18, 2012 Permalink
No problem. I should be toward the end of the spring work. You can come “work out” with me. Maybe we could go on a little hike again. It’s only been about 35 years since the last one!
J. Randal Matheny 7:17 am on February 18, 2012 Permalink
I’d really hate to show you up on the work-out, since you’re all out of shape. Ditto for the hike. But we could do a mountain instead of the Grand Canyon. If that doesn’t cause breathing problems for you rarefied air. Oh, wait, no mountains Ill.
Ron Thomas 7:22 am on February 18, 2012 Permalink
We have “mountains” in IL (north of Marion) – they are all “mountains” where they bury the garbage!
J. Randal Matheny 7:19 am on February 18, 2012 Permalink
Hmm, WP bleeped out “in” twice in my previous reply. I used the toolbar to reply. Must be buggy.
Richard Hill 7:24 am on February 18, 2012 Permalink
Seriously, that is a time we should be able to work something out. Just let us know.
J. Randal Matheny 7:25 am on February 18, 2012 Permalink
That comment sounded almost political, Ron. :) Those mountains would be a challenge to climb, for sure.
Will 7:33 am on February 18, 2012 Permalink |
John Hicks??? I have no idea of whom you’re speaking… give some background please…
J. Randal Matheny 7:35 am on February 18, 2012 Permalink |
Will, there’s a link in the text to Hick’s obituary.
John Henson 9:54 am on February 18, 2012 Permalink
Hicks (not Hick) debated Andrew Connally. I had that book and lost it on the move here. Funny how that happens. I don’t know of a debate by Bro. Hick.
J. Randal Matheny 10:00 am on February 18, 2012 Permalink
Prof. Hick (I had it spelled wrong in the post) isn’t a brother. It’s probably a book he wrote that I have, not a debate. Age is stealing my memory. (At least, now, I have that excuse.)