Sermons Online

Well, we are back online. Over the summer I had to reformat my hard drive and lost two sermons, and by the time I got our software loaded and running we missed two more. Sorry for that. But we're back, and you're always welcome to listen in. Check out www.severnriverchurch.com/sermons.asp

--Ben

First Day Of Pre-School

This morning was a big day for the Rainey family. Sydney started pre-school today. It was a whirlwind of activity, but we ended up going as a whole family to see her off into her classroom.

Corie and I picked her up too. I asked her what she learned and this is what she said she learned today:

I hear with my ears.
I watch with my eyes.
I smell with my nose,
And I keep my mouth shut.

Well, sounds like my kind of lesson plan.

--Ben

In Need Of Prayer

I got some news this week that is not surprising to me, but I'm still having trouble getting my head around it. It affects some friends I'll be meeting with and I'll need God's wisdom to help them navigate through it.

All prayer is appreciated.

--Ben

Reverse Mentoring

I got a phone call today from a friend in Virginia. He is a pastor that I met in grad school that I respect tremendously. His call was for some "reverse mentoring". If you're not familiar with that term it has been coined by Dr. Earl Creps and become fairly common in ministry leadership circles today. It is the idea of the older being mentored in the ways of the young.

In my friend's case it is about the use of technology. He said that he has seen the way I use technology and wants to learn how to do it. Blog, Twitter, Facebook, all of that was on the plate for discussion during my lunch break. So I gave him a five minute rundown, pointed him in the right direction and parted with a promise to help him if he gets hung up in any spots. I've already received two follow-up calls. (Thing is I enjoy talking to him so much I wish we had to meet at a Panera Bread or something so I could spend time walking him through step by step.)

I thought I might take a moment and post my tech approach.

Blog: Blogs are sooo 2006. In reality blogs are a thing of the past. Originally called "Web Logs", blogs were a place to journal online. Now they're mostly only websites that promote a product, you. What product does www.benjaminrainey.com promote? Digital discipleship in the cause I've given my life to. I spend more money each year renewing my domain name than I make from it. But if you look around the blogosphere you find bloggers like Matt Drudge that started with news stories they found interesting that now have more content than you can possibly read, and rotate ad banners to be profitable.
For what it's worth, I love blogging for me. I love keeping track of things that happen in my life and ministry. I enjoy writing, and get a creative outlet from writing at br.com. I also enjoy trying to help others grow in their understanding of Christian faith. People that read this blog hopefully get insight from my life and thoughts. I hope that's valuable to them, that is, you.

Twitter: I twitter pretty well. I've learned that the secret to twittering is following others more than trying to be followed. I'm very selective about who I follow, so when I get on twitter I'm reading the thoughts of people I respect and am challenged by. While I'm there I'll often post what I'm doing. I also like that it can update to my blog page when I can't get to post on my blog. Many people have all kinds of negative opinions about twitter. To me it is like anything else that people do it brings out security and insecurity issues. Twitter is a tool I use for inspiration and to get people to my blog.

Facebook: I'm not on Facebook very often. Some may be surprised because my FB status changes multiple times a day. Truth is I have twitter set to update at FB, and I have my blog set to update FB (through Twitterfeed.com). So it looks like I'm on there all the time. I'm not. I don't really have time to be. I only get on when I get an email that tells me there is something that needs my attention.

Analytics: google.com/analytics is a very valuable tool for me. It tracks all the measurable information related to www.severnriverchurch.com and br.com for free. I know how many people, from where, at what time, and how often checked into what pages, of what information, using what keywords, and stayed how long. You get the point it tells me everything except names and addresses. Sure do wish I could get that though :-)

Adwords: My latest involvement. I started a campaign with adwords to help people find the church's website. It is available through google and is a paid advertising program. When people google certain keywords they'll see a small ad for SRC with a link to our webpage. It costs only when someone clicks on it. I set an maximum amount per day, and they run the rest and bill my credit card accordingly. Very useful. We've received clicks each day since we started the campaign.

Well that's it I think. That about all the involvement I have these days. For me it is all about trying to get my life out there for others to follow. It's the digital equivalent of Paul's challenge, "Follow me as I follow Christ."

--Ben

Her Eyes

Today was Meet The Teacher day at my daughter's new preschool. I got to take Sydney in and introduce her to the teacher. I was trying to put myself in her place, and try and feel what she must be feeling, but I couldn't. I watched her little eyes looking around. She watched other kids play, looked for toys she could play with herself, and enjoyed the surroundings. She sat quietly for a while at the table and colored a sticker in her little sticker book. Then she showed it to me proudly. When we were done she gave her new teacher a hug and said good bye. It took the teacher by surprise as she had intended only to shake hands. She warmly laughed and said, "Oh, I like hugs."

It's so exciting to think about all the things that she is learning. Her mind is so fertile to receive information, and she'll learn so much. One reason that I couldn't feel what she was feeling is that I've learned all of that. I had my own experience in preschool that laid a foundation for a life time of learning. But the major reason was because of the overwhelming sense of pride and love I felt for my girl.

Don't Go To Church Out Of Guilt

We live in a time of significant change in the complexion of faith in our country. Generations of people have been drifting away from the church, and are now producing a completely unchurched generation that follow them. There are some who have walked away from their religious heritage and feel guilty because their children don't have the same experience, knowledge, and background that they, themselves, grew up with. So what are these parents to do? What for their children?

Could I give some advice? Don't go to church out of guilt. The church is not supposed to be a place of fear, and that is what guilt is based on. 1 John teaches that perfect love casts out all fear. The church should be a place that is perfecting love.

When you go to church it should be for a number of reasons that have nothing to do with guilt here are some to think about:

1. Go to church because people encounter God there. Now I know many people that encounter God many places other than church. In fact, I do daily in time I spend praying and reading the Bible. But what I find is that for many people that are far from God for whatever reason attending church gives them a meeting place with God. God wants to meet you there.
2. Go to church because none of us walks the spiritual path alone. Churches should be filled with people that understand they're not in this alone. We are not perfect people, in fact most of the churches I know of are filled with people who try to live the right way, but struggle. A great value in the church is that when you're walking with others that are going in the same direction they help you go farther.
3. Go to church because you want to hear the truth. A church that is being perfected in love will be telling deeper and deeper truth. It may not feel good, sound good, or excite you, but we live in a society that blows smoke everywhere it can to get your time, money, and votes. It is cathartic to go someplace that will tell you the simple truth. Churches should be places that teach you from God's word. A church that teaches you things that don't line up with the Bible are out there. I'm not saying you shouldn't be careful, just find a church that tells you the truth according to God. By the way, it may not agree with your own value system. Because if you're honest with yourself, your value system will probably differ from God's. If it didn't we wouldn't be far from Him to begin with, right?

--Ben

The Chamber

I joined the chamber of commerce two years ago, and have enjoyed everything that I've done with them. Today I attended an event they call Business Bites. We had lunch at a locally owned restaurant, and heard a presentation on non-verbal communication by Kerry Drissel of Idle Time Advertising. It was a very good presentation. Kerry is a Towson University Grad, and was very knowledgeable.

It was nice to see old friends, and make new ones. The chamber offers meetings of all kinds and it seems members that attend certain kinds don't necessarily attend others. So the cross-section of business people grew by attending this event.

I shared my desire to go to this type of event with a mentor of mine, and in that conversation I lamented the fact that it's $20-25 a pop to attend these events. He gave me a check within that month to attend for a year. So thankful for his investment in my ministry. He challenged me with the idea of being the "man of God" in our community, in this case the business community. Today I ended up talking with a couple people about their religious past, and future. I pray that God will use me to be His man in this community.

--Ben

Dinner Plans

I enjoy making new friends. Last week a family moved from out of state and they found our church on the web. On Sunday we got to meet them, and they were really friendly. I thought that my knowledge of the area might be of some benefit to them as they find their way around, so I invited them out to dinner, but they reciprocated with an invitation to their home. I'm looking forward to getting to know good people. There's something deeply spiritual about eating together. Before Jesus left the earth he wanted to make sure that his followers ate together. That's why he instituted the Communion meal, the Lord's supper. He said that one of the characteristics of his people was that they should eat together in remembrance of him.

Anyway, looking forward to being a Christ-follower, hanging out with others tonight.

--Ben

The Goose

I was running yesterday morning on the B&A Trail, and a group of three geese flew overhead honking and flying in the quintessential V that they're known for. I listened to them, and reflected on the beauty of nature as I pounded pavement under my feet. And then after they passed a single goose came chugging behind them. Slower than the rest, he has honking his little heart out an trying to catch up. I figured that gooses name was Ben.

My namesake would be fitting for the goose that is falling behind, sucking wind, and crying for the others to wait up. It encouraged me to run a few more steps.

Geese are known to fly in a V to help them fly further, longer. The head goose disturbs the headwind so that the following geese have less resistance. From time to time the head goose gives way to another and drops to the back of the line his fatigue is aided by someone else taking the brunt of the resistance.

That's a great model of teamwork. I've learned more about team work this year than perhaps at any time of my life. I'm seeing genuine teams form that are breaking the resistance and helping the church move forward. For the last couple years, I led from a model of ministry that looked more like the lone goose. It's been really nice to fly with a team.

I guess I'm still caught up a bit with what we accomplished Sunday, and really all summer. Still grateful for everyone the Lord is building his house with.

--Ben

Pics From Yesterday

Yesterday was our God In The Great Outdoors event, and the photos are now online. Our photog did a great job of capturing the event I think. Feel free to take a few minutes and check out the memories we captured.

To view the slide show CLICK HERE.

Wow, What Can I Say?

Yesterday's service was a good one. I was so happy to see friends and supporters from PAG church that came to celebrate with us. It was a great morning, and we were thrilled to make some new friends.

Services like that only happen because of the coordinated work of many people. Thank you to all the planners, greeters, set-up team, band, ushers, children's workers, and the people that worked behind the scenes providing EZ UPs and decorations. It turned out wonderfully.

Thanks,
--Ben

Word Of Mouse

The king of marketing is "word of mouth" advertising. You know, that's when people are so excited about a service or product they tell someone who tells someone else, etc. In the age we live in there is another type of advertising; "word of mouse". I've sent e-invitations out to everyone on our mailing list, and they make a great invitation to pass on via forwarding. I passed it on to eight friends this week. Try it! If you received the invite you can click the "forward email" link at the bottom to personalize it to your friends.

--Ben

Forgiveness

(NECN: Edinburgh, Scotland) - The only man convicted in the bombing of a Pan Am jet over Lockerbie, Scotland learned learned that he would return to Libya on compassionate grounds.

Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, who has terminal cancer, was convicted in 2001 of taking part in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 on Dec. 21, 1988. All 259 passengers, mostly Americans on the way to New York, died when the airliner was blown up. Eleven people died when the aircraft crashed to into the town of Lockerbie.

This morning while running errands I heard the story come across the radio of the release of the Lockerbie bomber of the 1980's. I can't say that I'm old enough to remember this incident, but I've lived through incidents like it, and know the raw emotions of pain, terror, and loss to a common degree with most Americans.

What struck me was the conversation of forgiveness that ensued between the radio jocks. The father of one of the victims came out and said that his faith in Christ required his forgiveness and so he offered it and supported the bombers release to travel back to Libya where doctors believe he'll die in the next three months. The father is a minister, and so one host said, "Well that's his job to show mercy and forgiveness." Then they talked for 20 minutes or so about the situation with callers. In every case this morning forgiveness was beyond the capable offering of those that shared. What was most interesting to me was the recognition of "Christian" principles without any recognition of Christ. This is why I think Christianity is not making a larger impact in our country. Christianity has become a religion, and in some ways a political word rather than a spiritual relationship. Our country has moved to what 2 Timothy 3 calls a "form of godliness that denies God's power." (paraphrase) Many have lost sight of the fact that Christianity will not qualify anyone for eternal life with God. Only submission to Christ, and His forgiveness of sin. It is not a matter of doing the stuff of the church, losing sight of the Christ.

As followers of Christ we don't forgive because it is in our nature to forgive. We do so because we were forgiven by Christ. When we submit to the teachings of Christ and the work of his Spirit we take off our natural nature, and put on His nature. The closer we become to Christ the more we see him standing in front of his accusers, heading for a horribly unjust death, and remaining quiet, not fighting back. We hear his words, "Father, forgive them, because they don't know what they're doing."

As I listened this morning I heard over and over the voices of those who propagate a common theology of human behavior, and I wanted to speak up for those who have found forgiveness in Christ. Freely we received, freely we should give.

--Ben

Book Review: Ten Stupid Things That Keep Churches From Growing

I would just like to start by saying that though I do many stupid things, I do not do all ten on this list. Ten Stupid Things That Keep Churches From Growing is a look at the habits that churches and pastors in particular end up with that hold them back from reaching the community God has called them to reach.

I was challenged by several of the chapters that seem to outline my shortcomings in ministry. This book is laid out with questions at the end of each chapter. I'll be honest, I don't usually do those, but this book was so compelling I found myself jotting answers, and asking the questions to others around the church to hear their feedback. I made task lists of things the Lord was speaking to me about in the areas the book addresses that I felt really were good instruction for us. In fact, I've already started working on them.

This book was an 8 out of 10 in my estimation. But an easy read and challenging book for those in ministry.

On a personal note...reading this book timed perfectly for my trip through South Carolina, and prompted my visit to Seacoast Church. Geoff Surratt is on staff there. I visited the Columbia campus and enjoyed it very much.

--Ben

Encouraging Words

I received an email from a former student that used to attend my youth group. He has found himself at the end of a number of bad decisions and has reached out for help. I pray that the help I offer will be deeply life-changing. I included a scripture and thought I'd share it here as well. I pray it would be helpful to each of use to bring encouragement.

Deuteronomy 31:8, "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (NIV)

I also read it in The Message, a wonderful contemporary version of scripture, and it reads as follows, "God is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down; he won't leave you. Don't be intimidated. Don't worry."

Get closer to Him, because he's close to you.

--Ben

Mountain Meditation

Last week I got the chance to slip away with my family and head for the hills, well mountains actually. I'm blessed to have a house available to me in the mountains of North Carolina, and it serves as a sanctuary for me to renew myself. This trip served up an extra treat, a jog around Bass Lake.

Now I've come out and written before about my training, and I'm disappointed that my progress has been so slow. However, I am still at it and trying to work up to a 5k. Anyway, while I was in NC, I slipped away early in the morning and headed out for a run.

It was beautiful. Perhaps the most enjoyable place I've ever run. It was so enjoyable that I pushed myself a little harder than I had been for the couple weeks before vacation, and that's when I learned a lesson: There is one run, but there is a front end and a back end.

I'm not claiming to be an expert. I've certainly got a lot to learn, and others could share much better on the subject of running. But I run more freely and further on the front end of a run, than on the back end. On the front end of a run I run the furthest before tiring, I barely break a sweat, and because of crazy insecurity issues I deal with, if I'm going to be seen by someone else, I want it to be on the front end of a run. I had a great front end during my run around Bass Lake. In fact, I ran longer than ever before.Then I slowed to a walk for a while and picked the pace up again; still the front end.

At the end of the front end I've done two intervals of running and I'm starting to sweat a little. My shirt is sticking to my shoulders, and the cool mountain breeze is rewarding me for the work I've put out, but it is only just beginning.

The back end begins with my walk and then dials back up to a run. My breathing becomes more labored and the sweat spigot has been turned to on. I'm running only half as far as I earlier did, and working to get there. I slow back down to a walk.

This is where the conversation starts in my head, and I say something to myself like, "You know you ran longer than ever before on the front end. You could call it a day and head back to your family." I don't listen; I pick up the pace.

Back to a run, albeit a slow run, I am wiping sweat out of my eyes, my shirt lays wet on my chest and makes a peeling sound with each stride bouncing up and down. I'm growing very tired, but the mental aspect is the most frustrating. What do I think about when I run? On the front end I think about how beautiful a place this is. I take pictures of pretty sites. I pray prayers of thanksgiving to God. On the back end I'm praying God will kill me and let me die with the pride of death by exercise. I'm thinking about breathing, keeping my arms low, and then the counting. Perhaps the most embarrassing part of my confession, I count the steps I take. If I'm trying to push for one more minute I start counting down from seventy five with each step of my left foot. If two minutes then 150.

I repeated these intervals another two times. I pass and am passed by the same people throughout my workout, because the lake trail is a loop. On the front end I was excited to see them and have them see me. On the back end I wish I was alone, and spend most of my time concentrating on taking one more step. On the front end I achieved a personal best, and on the back end I'm realizing personal worsts. I had stopped training on the back end a couple weeks before. I began being satisfied with the long runs on the front and giving up to early on the back. And there on Bass Lake I paid the price for not training the back end.

And as I walked myself back up the hill, step by step, to the car I saw life from the perspective of running around Bass Lake. Life is one run. There is a front end and a back end. I've heard others talk about a public life and a private life, and that is helpful to some degree except that there is only one life. We don't get to compartmentalize and live two lives. It's one run. On the front end, the more public side, we show what we can do, impress the people who are watching, and reach achievements that are celebrated by others. But the back end, the private side, where achievements are measured in the perseverance of one more step, that is where endurance develops. While I may be able to lessen my training on the back end and push a little further on the front end, I'll never endure life's race unless I'm training on the back end. It's harder, it's deeper, it requires more focus, concentration and work, but it what builds the inner strength to find success.

Train the back end as hard as you train the front end. As one runner put it, "The race is not to the swift, but to him who endures till the end."

--Ben

Small Groups

Saw this video and thought I'd post it up here. Growth Groups sign ups begin in a week.

What The What?

This morning my Bible reading was in 1 Kings 13. If you're interested in strange stories of the Bible this passage ranks right up there. The nation of Israel has fractured into the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The king of Israel is afraid that his people will rejoin their brothers in Judah because the temple is there for worship, so he sets up places of worship in his own territory to keep them local. But the temples he sets up are headlined with Golden Bulls and he declares it is because they are the gods that delivered the people from Egypt. (Forgive me, but what a bunch of Bull.)

God, the true God, is angered and sends a holy man to one of these places to prophecy that a king in Judah will come one day named Josiah, and tear all of this stuff down. (He does years later.) When he's finished he gives a sign that it will come true, the golden cow is going to fall apart, which it does. Everyone is amazed and the holy man is welcomed to eat with this wicked king, but God has given the holy man specific instructions from God Himself, "Don't eat a crumb, don't drink a drop, and don't come back the way you came." The holy man refuses the invitation of the king, but on his way home he encounters a situation that makes me scratch my head. Another prophet intercepts him on his way home, and lies to him. He tells him that God has said it is ok now for this holy man to come and eat with him at his house. The holy man takes the prophet at his word and eats with him. Only to have the prophet prophecy that he is going to die, and he does the next day.

Here is the meaning of the story: Don't listen to someone else tell you that God has changed His mind about something you heard directly from God.

Here is something else to learn: Just because people have spiritual gifts doesn't make them holy.

Just some thoughts out of my Bible reading today.
--Ben

Sermons Online

Hey I wanted to jump on here and apologize for the lack of consistent offerings of our Sunday sermons online. The last several weeks we've had a number of complications that has resulted in the situation we have. I lost my hard drive before an upload, we hosted a missionary in a part of the world that couldn't be rebroadcast for safety reasons, and this week we realized that I haven't reloaded the recording software since losing my hard drive. Now several weeks has gone by. Please be patient. It should be fixed next week.

--Ben

This Sunday

I'm very excited about this Sunday. It is our last God In The Great Outdoors service, and it is being marked by an even greater gift because we've invited our sister church Pasadena Assembly of God to join us. They'll be joining us on the third anniversary of our commissioning service. That was the last time these two groups worshiped together on a Sunday morning. We're looking forward to the reunion. PAG has told their members about our invitation and while they're still holding service that morning, they've invited all of their congregation to attend our service. We're looking forward to presenting a gift to this gracious church for the support they've given us over the years.

--Ben

Church Life Cohort

Today and tomorrow I'm attending the Church Life Cohort put on through the Potomac District. I've been in it coming up on a year, and it has been a tremendous benefit to me. I'm thankful for the sponsorship of others that has made it possible. I've seen Severn River Church improve over the last year because of the practical instruction I've received through this cohort.

Chief of the advancements has been the Service Planning Team. This small group of people is making a huge difference. I'm looking forward to moving forward in other areas as well.

--Ben

My Writing Stick

I haven't been on my writing stick for a while. I am not really sure why, but it is a bit of a dry season on the writing front for me. I can never really "find" time, which really means I'm not making time. I appreciate your patience. I have several things on my mind, but I need process them out a little more.

--Ben

Event Announcement

Just a reminder of the mixer tomorrow at the Harp's house. We're celebrating Chris and Corrinne's marriage with a card shower. So you're invited, and should bring a side dish for the potluck. Don't forget your bathing suit.

Call me to RSVP 410.491.4314

--Ben

Digging Day

Today is a digging day. I'm digging through Email, snail mail, and calendars trying to get my ship righted and back on course. I love taking a break, but it's always a little difficult getting my bearings and feeling like I'm spinning wheels. I'll keep at it though.

By the way, I thought I'd fill you in on one of the most exciting parts of my summer that occurred just before my vacation. (Drum roll please this is earth shaking) I got my 2010 calendars in the mail from At-A-Glance. I ordered direct, because I'm so excited about looking into next year. I couldn't just wait around for Office Depot to get them in stock. Now I have some great tools to help release vision for our church. Calendaring and budgeting are always exciting because they are vision tools.

--Ben

Tough To Say Goodbye

After eleven days of a conference and vacation my girls are very used to seeing me. That's why it was so sad to me this morning when I got up and started heading out to work. The girls woke up just before I left and wanted to play. They had downcast eyes when I told them I had to go. They have grown used to having me around. I miss them.

It was tough to say goodbye.

--Ben

Home Sweet Home

Well, after eleven days of travel I have finally arrived home. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to update the blog very often. But I can assure you that I have lots of pent up writing in the queue. So please check in starting tomorrow.

--Ben

The Last Day Of Business

Today is the last day of business. This week has been a learning experience for me, but it is cool to have a part in doing the business of the church. For the most part the resolutions haven't been that earth shattering in my opinion, but some people approach them as though they were. I wondered if there couldn't be a year when we had finally gotten the constitution and bylaws right. It seems that this document will never be without some edit that needs a floor debate. Oh well.

I've enjoyed catching up with friends from around the country. Last night I got to catch a friend from on town away, but it was good to see Phil and Chris.

--Ben

Seeing Friends

One of the purposes of this event is to reconnect with friends from around the country that you only connect with at places like this. Today I caught up with two college friends, and had a great time catching up with them. Ron Ross is in Altoona in his 8th year of ministry as a youth pastor there. God is doing fantastic things through him and the church.

Then I caught up with Dan Greco, a good friend from New Jersey. He is an associate pastor, and has a beautiful family.

I love catching up with these guys. I have an ever deepening respect for these guys and others I haven't caught up with yet, but hope to.

--Ben

Pics Of What's Been Happening At SRC

I wanted to let you know about a great resource that we offer on Severnriverchurch.com. You can check out photo galleries of past events. We've got some great shots recorded for posterity, so feel free to look them up.

If you want you can just CLICK HERE.

--Ben
P.S. Thanks Drew for taking the pics and posting them.

What A Difference

The girls arrived at 2:30 a.m. and I picked them up at the airport totally expecting them to be balling as they made their way out. You know how children are when they are up late and overly tired.

But I guess I underestimated the power of adrenaline released when flying for the first time. They were wound up. We got them settled into bed an hour later, and they slept this morning till about ten o'clock.

Now they're up and running (and squealing). What a difference from yesterday. I really miss them when they're not around, but it doesn't take long being away from them to realize some of the quiet benefits that come from being single. Oh well, what a difference a day makes.

--Ben

A Good Report

I heard a really good report from Ariel today about how the service went. I think I was most impressed to hear the names that she used. This person did this, that person did that. Sounded like the church flowed really smoothly during setup even being short two key players, me and Rob.

One of the coolest things I heard was the Brother Myer prayed for people today, as our elder. That was so cool. Wish I could have been there for that. Maybe we'll put him to work more often.

Thanks to everyone. I was praying for you all, and was glad to hear a good report.

--Ben

I Made It

This week I'll be attending the national convention of pastors that occurs every two years called General Council. It is a gathering of the US national Assembly of God church. It is a business meeting to elect officers and make other decisions as a fellowship. This year it is being held in Orlando, Fl. I have driven down over the last two days, and my family will join me tonight when they fly in. We found it a better/cheaper option for me to drive down so that I could carry all the baggage and car seats, etc.

I can't wait till they get here. I miss them.

Throughout the week I'll be posting on the blog, but I want to remind you that on the left side of this website is a place that shows my twitter updates. Those will be updated much more frequently.

I'm looking forward to a great week.

--Ben