I am writing this as Pyweek 4 starts and some of us are working on this. Not all of us because many on the site are overworked, and some have not ability to help with a python project.

We have people that use java, Blitz Basic, python, C++, and even visual basic. Despite the expertise on our site, that mix makes it a less than ideal environment to go to for technical advice.

So what does the CCN site offer us? What makes a Christian coder different than one that is only interested in solving a technical problem or who is trying to complete a goal?

It's our relationship with the Creator of the universe. It should go without saying that this impacts our life and existence, as a coder in a way that people without that relationship honestly cannot understand. We serve the being that according to the Word created the universe – and however big the universe is – it fits between the fingers of his outstretched hand. We should be creative people,and we should involve Him in our creations.

We should expect people on the site and ourselves to behave as Christians.
As Christians we should put others first, seeking to build them up. Encouraging each other – in the faith and in life. We fail in this often, desiring to promote out projects and not looking at others plans.
We should pray for each other, and not just when they post a prayer request.

We are a network.
We need to balance self-promotion versus sharing how things are going. As I've previously stated we have a unique perspective as Christians. We need to share our struggles with each other, more than when we succeed. Even if we know no one on the site has expertise in our area

Mike (In his occasional wandering prophet mode)

[This message has been edited by TwoBrothersSoftware (edited April 02, 2007).]

------------------
"I find myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world!"
-C. S. Lewis

quote:

---

As Christians we should put others first, seeking to build them up. Encouraging each other – in the faith and in life.

---

I agree we should put others first and build them up. Though too often I see people thinking the only way to do so is to say "that's wonderful", "no problems", "awesome stuff", and not give them an honest opinion and honest feedback. I think we must be posotive and encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ, though we must also be honest and give them constructive criticism. In the end they will be better off if you told them that they should work on this more, or that could really be better, or this is really inefficient. Of course say it in a posotive and encouraging way... just keep in mind that honesty is often the best way to encourage someone and realizing the work they put into something and saying "great work" is a great thing, though following that up with some constructive criticism is a much deeper sign of respect and encouragement.

------------------
Matthew Langley
Lead Documentation Engineer
GarageGames

------------------
Psa 32:5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

[VoHW] (Help needed) [Blog] - Truedisciple (mp3)

------------------
~~~boogie woogie woogie~~~
Jesus didn't come to save the saints.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Matt Langley:
I completely agree and think that is a great statement. Though I do have some thoughts on this:

I agree we should put others first and build them up. Though too often I see people thinking the only way to do so is to say "that's wonderful", "no problems", "awesome stuff", and not give them an honest opinion and honest feedback. I think we must be posotive and encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ, though we must also be honest and give them constructive criticism. In the end they will be better off if you told them that they should work on this more, or that could really be better, or this is really inefficient. Of course say it in a posotive and encouraging way... just keep in mind that honesty is often the best way to encourage someone and realizing the work they put into something and saying "great work" is a great thing, though following that up with some constructive criticism is a much deeper sign of respect and encouragement.

---

I agree with you Matt, the Bible says "edify" which includes a bit of correction, done gracefully of course.

If we say "that's wonderful" to everything even when we don't think it's true, we become dishonest and our words become worthless.

------------------
"I find myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world!"
-C. S. Lewis

Edify /Ed´i·fy/ (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Edified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Edifying.] [F. édifier, L. aedificare; aedes a building, house, orig., a fireplace (akin to Gr. ? to burn, Skr. idh to kindle, OHG. eit funeral pile, AS. ād, OIr. aed fire) + facere to make. See Fact, -fy.] 1. To build; to construct. [Archaic]
There was a holy chapel edified. Spenser.
2. To instruct and improve, especially in moral and religious knowledge; to teach.
It does not appear probable that our dispute would either edify or enlighten the public. Gibbon.
3. To teach or persuade. [Obs.] Bacon.
Edify /Ed´i·fy/, v. i. To improve. [R.] Swift.

------------
Romans 14:19 <686>Let us <1377> therefore <3767> follow after <1377> the things <3588> which make for peace <1515>, and (*A)<2532> things <3588> (*B) <1519>wherewith one may edify (*C)<3619> another (*D)<240>

------------
(*A)
02532:
2532 kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.

------------
(*B)
01519:
1519 eis ice a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).

------------
(*C)
03619:
3619 oikodome oy-kod-om-ay' feminine (abstract) of a compound of 3624 and the base of 1430; architecture, i.e. (concretely) a structure; figuratively, confirmation:--building, edify(-ication, -ing). see GREEK for 3624 see GREEK for 1430

03624:
3624 oikos oy'-kos of uncertain affinity; a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively):--home, house(-hold), temple.
01430:
1430 doma do'-mah from demo (to build); properly, an edifice, i.e. (specially) a roof:--housetop.

------------
(*D)
00240:
240 allelon al-lay'-lone Genitive plural from 243 reduplicated; one another:--each other, mutual, one another, (the other), (them-, your-)selves, (selves) together (sometimes with 3326 or 4314). see GREEK for 243 see GREEK for 3326 see GREEK for 4314

00243:
243 allos al'-los a primary word; "else," i.e. different (in many applications):--more, one (another), (an-, some an-)other(-s, -wise).

03326:
3326 meta met-ah' a primary preposition (often used adverbially); properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession) with which it is joined; occupying an intermediate position between 575 or 1537 and 1519 or 4314; less intimate than 1722 and less close than 4862):--after(-ward), X that he again, against, among, X and, + follow, hence, hereafter, in, of, (up-)on, + our, X and setting, since, (un-)to, + together, when, with (+ -out). Often used in composition, in substantially the same relations of participation or proximity, and transfer or sequence. see GREEK for 4314 see GREEK for 575 see GREEK for 1537 see GREEK for 1519 see GREEK for 1722 see GREEK for 4862

04314:
4314 pros pros a strengthened form of 4253; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at. see GREEK for 4253

------------
MHCC
Romans 14:19:
19-23 Many wish for peace, and talk loudly for it, who do not follow the things that make for peace. Meekness, humility, self-denial, and love, make for peace. We cannot edify one another, while quarrelling and contending. Many, for meat and drink, destroy the work of God in themselves; nothing more destroys the soul than pampering and pleasing the flesh, and fulfilling the lusts of it; so others are hurt, by wilful offence given. Lawful things may be done unlawfully, by giving offence to brethren. This takes in all indifferent things, whereby a brother is drawn into sin or trouble; or has his graces, his comforts, or his resolutions weakened. Hast thou faith? It is meant of knowledge and clearness as to our Christian liberty. Enjoy the comfort of it, but do not trouble others by a wrong use of it. Nor may we act against a doubting conscience. How excellent are the blessings of Christ's kingdom, which consists not in outward rites and ceremonies, but in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost! How preferable is the service of God to all other services! and in serving him we are not called to live and die to ourselves, but unto Christ, whose we are, and whom we ought to serve.

quote:

---

We cannot edify one another, while quarrelling and contending.

---

I think thats a great sentence of scripture... the balance to edify one another, we must ensure that we are doing it in their best interest, not to prove anything.

------------------
Matthew Langley
Lead Documentation Engineer
GarageGames

quote:

---

Originally posted by Matt Langley:
I think thats a great sentence of scripture... the balance to edify one another, we must ensure that we are doing it in their best interest, not to prove anything.

---

Amen. Other thing that is important to keep in mind is that we don't defend some of our own belief blindly because it's our "safe ground" where we stand. But we must be humble and willing to learn and change. God knows what is best for us and doesn't leave us in top of nothing.

And never exalt your self nor look in to other's sin because that will make you blind to your own. Mat 7:4

------------------
Psa 32:5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

[VoHW] (Help needed) [Blog] - Truedisciple (mp3)

A very good introspective to what we should be about; what I should be about.

I was talking about the need for us, as Christians, to be creative (as that's one of the things that God designed to do) and reach for our creative potential just recently. You make a simple, yet extremely significant, point that I managed to skip right over: "we need to involve Him in our creations." (I hope you don't mind that I turned the sentence into an imperative one.)

One way, I think that we can, and should, do that is through prayer. This builds on what you've said. The simple fact of the matter is that, if there's one thing that the modern man (even a devout Christian) overlooks, it's prayer. Not always (or even frequently) by intention, but prayer simply doesn't happen like it should. I think you absolutely nailed the significance of prayer. Prayer is extremely important to any significant success. Even in unconventional means (in an email or over IRC as the "Gang of 6" did this week), prayer is powerful, and not to be overlooked.

I think it's time I go practice what I preach. Great post, Mike. I look forward to seeing more of your "writings of a wandering prophet."

------------------
Portal with information on my programming projects and links to my other work