SAP

I'm getting an office! That's right, just over two years after moving downtown and discovering that our second bedroom was going to be Robbie's room (as opposed to my office), I've been approved for leasing 150 sq ft space in the building on the northwest corner of 16th and California (so yeah, it's not just an office, it's an office on the 16th Street Mall ... although it's not nearly as glamorous as it sounds).

So, what prompted this move, beyond Anita being sick of my library residing in our dining room and having to worry about making too much noise while I studied on the couch, at the kitchen table, or in our bedroom?

Well, when SAP started a couple months ago I started having to kick Anita and Robbie out of the house for a few hours each month so I could record. Then, a couple weeks ago, Ryan Oakes and I started meeting to figure out how we were going to do TheSwim, the official podcast of the Fishbowl which will be launching this Easter. This meant kicking Anita and Robbie out for a few more hours each week. To add to it, yesterday I received the final draft of the elemental life which also means that the weekly eLife podcast is just around the corner. Not to mention Tony Cook at Concordia Seminary wanting to do an urban ministry podcast with me. So, all that recording meant that I didn't just need peace, but I also needed quiet.

Then of course with the Fishbowl is going to come weekly video creation and editing (and more voice recording) so, in the end, getting me out of the house and into an office became a serious need. Luckily a few weeks back I noticed a sign for cheap offices. When all is said and done, it's going to only cost $275 a month for the office and the fastest DSL connection I can get (too bad cable isn't available in the building).

Anyway, I'm jazzed and Robbie and I are going to head out in a few minutes to pick up the lease. Anyone in the Denver area happen to have a desk and chair that they want to give away?

Given all that I do that involves faith and technology, this is one of those videos that forced me to stop, think, and wonder. How do you see this connecting to your life? I'll try and post more later on what I'm taking from it.

Resolution for Surviving the Future from Jon Barnes on Vimeo.

Today, Christians begin the season of Lent with the celebration (is celebration the right word) of Ash Wednesday. This season of the church year is designed as one of repentance where we reflect on why we needed Jesus to go to the cross for us.

This week on SAP we discussed taking advantage of seasons like Advent and Lent to prepare us for Christmas and Easter. One of the most common tools that Christians use for preparation is a devotional series. This year, I wrote a series for Lutheran Hour Ministries that was supposed to take an edgier or alternative look at the Lenten season.

Wanting to push things beyond the standard print medium, we have posted the devotions online in a blog style site with some social networking features in the background. This site will, come Easter, roll over into the Fishbowl. You can check them out at writingsfromthewilderness.com.