AN EXPERIMENT ON WHO I GET TO SEE FIRST ON FACEBOOK

  Do you have any say on what shows up on your Facebook page?

I've known for years that you can pick out 30 favorite people/pages to "see first". Yet I'm not sure that it accomplished its goal.

One of my friends (FB and real life) a couple of times asked if I got notifications of his posts, because he had a suspicion that Facebook was not posting notifications of his posts, and his political ones in particular.

So I decided to do a little experiment. I selected 30 friends and pages as "See First" (or Favorites). Then, I would at one point go once a day through the first fifteen news updates and see how many of the thirty were among the top 15. The make-up was 12 people and 18 pages (i.e. promoting a band or a news source). 

My goal was to do this for seven days. I decided to stop after six days, because I believe the following conclusions would not have been affected.

So here are the results.

•  Of the 90 posts I saw, 21 were from "See First" sources. Another 18 were ads. This leaves 51 from people who were not on my "See First" list.
• The daily numbers of my 30 "See First" being among the first 15 I viewed were 7 (Monday), 1 (Tuesday), 4 (Wednesday), 5 (Thursday), 4 (Friday), and Zero (Saturday).
• None of those 21 posts were from pages. This is the week of Annie Armstrong Easter Offering and thus there were several posts about it on the Baptist Press and North American Mission Board pages, but none of them showed up on my newsfeed. One of the pages was for a local Christian rock band I'm following; the lead singer is also on my friend's list. You might call this cheating, but after I saw several for the singer, I switched from the band page to her page. 
• The 21 posts were from seven of the twelve friends I included (6 from one, 4 from one, 3 from three, and 1 each from two) . Four out of the five that I lacked posts from didn't post anything this week, so it was understandable. By the way, there are two other friends who were not on my list of 30 that I saw several posts in the top 15.
• Was politics an issue? Three posts had a political theme. Two of the friends I've included lean Libertarian: one of those had one post on my wall, which happened to be non-political, and the other didn't have any posts though he did post some this week (which surprisingly or not was the one who I referred to above, who wondered if his political posts were not being promoted by Facebook). I also included a political cartoonist, and only one of his posts made my top 15.
  
• I will also add that the ads were in character to my regular postings and messages from friends. I told you I didn't get any from a pair of Southern Baptist pages, but several of the ads I got were from another Southern Baptist ministry. 

So what does this mean? Well...

1. Before this experiment, I doubted my friend's political posts were deliberately not shared on his friends' walls. Now, I'm not so sure. No proof, but I did find it interesting to see the lack of political posts, and wonder if I leaned liberal if I'd see more posts.
2. I was always curious that I didn't get a lot of posts from wall pages I followed (e.g. Reformed Thug Life). Now, I conclude that it is that they put the weight on friends, not on pages, which I'm not going to complain about.
3. Facebook doesn't put a priority on those you want to give priority to. Is there priority based on anything other than who posts more? Probably not. 

Now, I can try this again with various variations. I can make the 30 ones that are more active. I may divide those 30 into religious and political. I may include a more liberal friend and see if his posts show up more often than ones who are more conservative.  

 

 Have you noticed any trends that agree or disagree with my observations?

I'M EXCITED ABOUT MISSIONS! AREN'T YOU?

Map in CEF director's Reese Kaufman's office, indicating where the sun is shining on the world.

 

One of life's great mysteries I started think about while in Junior High: Why did some missionaries have full 8 1/2 x 11 length prayer letters, folded in half so they can fit in the bulletin, while others' letters were half that size?

I don't know how long it took me to figure that out, but it still wasn't long. The full size letters were from CBFMS missionaries, while the half page letters came from CBHMS missionaries. The ones serving on foreign fields got the full size paper, while those on the home field (North and Central America) only got the half page.

Which left me wondering why they thought the home missionaries didn't deserve the same amount of paper the foreign missionaries did.

One other thing I noticed. At Verde Baptist Church, the Conservative Baptist church I attended, they had pictures of their missionaries and where they served. There, at least, the foreign and home missionaries got an equal due.
Then, when I attended Cactus Baptist Church when I moved to Phoenix to start college, I would see a different set of pictures. Mel Bitner, who was in France, was on both missionary boards, but the others were different. Why? Because CBFMS and CBHMS would appoint the missionaries, and then the missionaries would "discover" their support at the various local churches. Each congregation would choose who they supported.

Over the years, I moved East. In that move, I noticed fewer Conservative Baptist Churches, and more Southern Baptist. the main difference? How they support missions. The Southern Baptist Convention has the Cooperative Program (CP), so basically all Southern Baptist Churches are supporting all the Southern Baptist Missionaries.

One thing that excites me are the Lottie Moon Christmas and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offerings. As you'd expect, any Mission organization has overhead costs, and for the Southern Baptist Convention, the CP takes care of those. With the Lottie Moon Offering, 100% goes to the international missionaries; the one named after Annie Armstrong goes entirely to those serving in North America. (I'm posting this the final day of Annie Armstrong this year.)

Why do those offerings excite me? Because at the beginning of those offerings they send out a pamphlet on how to pray for specific missionaries each day for a week. Usually, I select one or two to keep praying for after the offering ends. 

Becky and I are also interested in other mission organizations. Becky's active with Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), which has official workers in every country except one (can you say North Korea, boys and girls?). We used to volunteer with Voice of the Martyrs and actively correspond with two sister ministries Spirit of Martyrdom (which is in Clarkdale Arizona, where the CEO attends Verde Baptist Church) and Vision Beyond Borders. We've attended dinners for Wycliffe Associates (where they send workers to take care of things like teaching and construction so the Wycliffe translators can concentrate on translating). One of my former roommates is active with Community Health Evangelism and Medical Ambassadors International. 

International Learning Center, Rockville, VA

 How many would think Thru The Bible would fit in the conversation? Oh, but they do. That program is heard in 120 languages and dialects around the world. No, you're not going to hear Dr. J. Vernon McGee's Texan accent speaking in Tagalog or other languages, or even the quartet singing "How Firm A Foundation." The programs are more aimed at the locality it's aimed for.

Are you excited about missions? If so, what excites you? If not, what would it take to change your mind? 

BOOK REVIEW: UNDERCOVER MISSION BY SHARON DUNN

 If you enjoy Love Inspired Suspense's K-9 series, you'll enjoy this one.

Alaska State Trooper Maya Rodriguez goes undercover on a cruise ship where one slender, pretty brunette is murdered and another escapes the same fate. By the way, did I mention Maya also is slender, pretty brunette? Or did you already guess? Can she, with the help of her K-9 partner Sarge (also undercover, as a service dog) and the handsome ship Security Officer David Garrison (this is a romantic suspense, after all) stop the killer before he stops her?

If, like me, you like this type of story, you'll enjoy this. This is the third part of an eight part series. If you are familiar with these multi-author series, you'll know that this is a stand-alone story with references to other plotlines that are sprinkled through the series. If you're not, you can enjoy this story without reading the others.

I especially liked the relationship with Maya and David, especially her early concern if she should reveal her assignment to the security officer, since he clearly realizes something isn't being told to him.

I enjoyed this book, and I'm enjoying the series.

BOOK REVIEWING CLASS - AND I'M ONE OF THE STUDENTS!

 

 HELP!!!

Yes, I know. I've been writing book reviews for years. But am I doing a good job? Your feedback is desired and valued. I have some questions at the bottom.

Allow me to start with some rationale for my reviews, and permit me to start with fiction. I've noticed many reviewers give a brief synopsis that is about the size of a back cover blurb. It's rare for me to give any description of the plot, and if so, it's usually only 2-3 lines. Two reasons why:

1. The less I write, the less I spoil. I've read some novels that I don't see how I can describe the plot without spoiling a plot twist (which is a compliment to the story). On the other hand, I've read back cover descriptions that tell about items that don't happen till at least halfway through the novel. (One back cover revealed a plot twist that wasn't mentioned until the next to the last page of the book!) 
2. I also make the assumption that whoever reads my review is already interested in the book, and probably has already read the back cover. Thus, I don't want to repeat information that was already covered.

For every book, I consider my primary audience to be the prospective reader. Normally, I'm presupposing that I and my review reader share an interest in the book. Thus, if I'm disappointed, I usually mention what I thought might be done better so the reader knows what to expect.

However, I also realize that the author might be reading it, in spite of people warning them not to read their reviews lest they be puffed up by positive reviews or devastated by negative reviews. Some reviewers only write 5 star reviews to avoid the latter, because they don't want to discourage the writer. I won't guarantee a 5 star review - if they didn't do the best job they could, I'm not going to act like they did. That being said, with fiction my percentage of reviews being 5 star is between 95 and 99; they have to "earn" a poorer review. 

One item I bring up is Christian content. I've read many one or two star reviews for the reason that the author dared to have a strong faith message. To me, those reviewers have bigotry that needs to be called out. 

For me, the hardest reviews to write are music reviews, which is ironic for a songwriter. I find it awkward reviewing each track, and likewise I don't like giving a general review without giving enough details.

So if you want to make my day, could you answer the below questions in a comment to this blog? (I get so few comments, any comment makes my month.)

• Do you read any of my reviews on this blog or other platforms I write reviews on (Amazon, Goodreads, Indianapolis Public Library)? If so, have they ever either created or quenched interest in a product?
• What do you want to know when you read a fiction/movie review? Non-fiction? Music?
• If you're an author/musician, what do you find helpful in reviews of your books/music?
• Any suggestions that you have for me to improve my reviews?

BOOK REVIEW - BIBLICAL THEOLOGY: HOW THE CHURCH FAITHFULLY TEACHES THE GOSPEL BY NICK ROARK

 

What is Biblical Theology? Some may think it is the opposite of Unbiblical Theology. Actually, though, it is compared with Systematic Theology. Systematic Theology deals with how the Bible as a whole deals with doctrine X. And Biblical Theology? Well, it depends how you view Biblical Theology. 

After reading this book, I've concluded there are two different approaches to Biblical Theology. When I was in Bible College, I took the term to mean small picture, topical Biblical Theology. Instead of asking what the Bible says about the topic, it looks at one book at a time to determine what that book teaches about the subject (e.g. what Nehemiah teaches about prayer). 

In this helpful book, author Nick Roark looks at what I'd term as big picture, thematic Biblical Theology. His approach is not what the Bible teaches about a certain topic, but rather what is the overarching story/message of Scripture, and how each part of the Bible fits into that big picture. That story is of Creation, the Fall, Redemption, and Restoration. 

Early in the book, Roark deals with some of the various theologies we have today (e.g. the Prosperity Gospel). Then, he takes several chapters going through the story of the Bible and how it is developed through Scripture. Then, he goes back to the theologies and answers them in light of the metanarrative of Scripture. 

I originally checked this out from the library. However, my wife thought it was important enough for us to own a copy of. I highly recommend it.

BOOK REVIEW: WILDERNESS DEFENDER BY MAGGIE K. BLACK

  

I have read a lot of Love Inspired Suspense - this was #43. All of them I have enjoyed, but there are a few that rise above the others. This is one of those.

This is the second installment of the eight part Alaska K-9 Unit series. As those who have read these continuation series know, there are some loose ends from book one (Alaskan Rescue by Terri Reed) which won't be tied up till the later books. While it would help to read part one, it's not necessary to enjoy this tale.

First of all, I'm a Stormy fan. There are certain breeds I expect in series like this; an Irish Wolfhound like Stormy is an example. If she's typical of the breed, and I could afford to feed a large dog like that and give her a place to run, I'd want one.

As veteran readers know, though, the dog is always part of the supporting cast. The focus is always on the male and female leads. Poppy and Lex were very enjoyable characters. The plot is also quick paced and full of twists. Then, you have a villain worthy of a good story like this.

The only weakness is that the main characters do a lot of praying. Some reviewers of Part 1 complained it was too Christian, and they'd complain about this one, either unaware or ignoring that Love Inspired Suspense is a Christian fiction series. To me, the feeling I get is that the author needed extra words in their word count and while not preachy, it did distract from the story. My opinion only.

I make a list of favorite novels I've read each year. This is the end of January and I have a lot of reading to go, but this will have to be an out-of-the-world year in stories for this not to make my top ten.

ASH WEDNESDAY, LENT, UKRAINE, AND PERSECUTED HYMN WRITERS

Joy of All Who Sorrow Orthodox Church, Indianapolis, IN

On the 63 Ash Wednesdays I've lived through, I've only been to one (as far as I know). Part of that might be my work schedule; a bigger part could be that I've never regularly attended a church that celebrates Ash Wednesday or Lent. When Becky served as a chaplain at Eskenazi Hospital here in Indianapolis, Becky and I went to a lunch time service at the chapel there, officiated by her supervisor, Father Robert Lyons.

There have been a couple of times I did give up something for Lent, though I'm not sure how kosher my observance was. Once, I gave up creamer in my coffee, and once I gave up condiments/sauces on my sandwiches/entrees (may have been same year). Now, I did continue to use sweetener in my coffee, and I excluded horseradish from the abstinence list. But adding cream to my java or putting BBQ sauce or mustard or some oriental sauce were more luxuries.

But a fair question is what does giving up for Lent accomplish? One of those times, I linked it with praying for someone's salvation for those 40 days. But does merely doing without draw you closer to God? The same with fasting. I remember a blog titled "Fasting or Hunger Strike?" Are we making sacrifices to earn favor from God? Sorry, it doesn't work that way.

I've been taught the primary reason to fast is so you have the time you'd normally be chowing down to pray, and sometimes a fast is for a particular need. This leads me to Ukraine. We definitely need to be praying for that country. The ERLC has an article title "4 Reasons Why Christians Should Care About What's Happening In Ukraine." You can click here to see the whole list in detail, but allow me to give two items that have my attention:

1. Russia's invasion could cause a refugee crisis in Central Europe, and
2. The Ukrainian Church, which faces possible persecution.
   

This is why I pictured Joy of All Who Sorrow Orthodox Church (part of the Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Diocese). Christ is the joy of all who sorrow, and those in Ukraine deserve that joy.

Allow me to conclude with a tie-in with my two previous posts, reviewing biographies of Isaac Watts and Charles Wesley. Both were preachers and both were hymn writers, in both cases writing the words but neither writing original music. Both, however, lived under persecution.

Isaac Watts' father was in jail when he was born. Why? Because the senior Watts was a deacon of a dissenting church. Several years later, while the younger Watts was still a child, his father was removed from his family for two years because of the same issue. Laws changed as the younger Watts grew up, but because he wouldn't join the Church of England, he wasn't eligible to run for office, and he could not attend the elite schools like Oxford and Cambridge. (The irony is later on, these schools and also Yale used the book on Logic Watts wrote.)

Technically, the Methodist movement was part of the Church of England. However, this did not spare Charles Wesley from persecution due to issues including open air preaching. Rioters tried to break in, Charles and others were beaten, and if the local law enforcement did more than watch, they usually assisted the rioters.

I know. Today's blog rambled a bit, didn't it? But let me state that we in the U.S. should not expect to avoid the persecution our brothers and sisters are experiencing around the world. We should also take Hebrews 13:3 to heart: "Remember the prisoners as if chained with them - those who are mistreated - since you yourselves are in the body also." (NKJV). 

Allow me to add Psalm 69:33 (again, NKJV): "For the LORD hears the poor, And does not despise His prisoners."

What are your thoughts on what I covered? How are you reacting to the Ukraine crisis? Are you observing Lent, and how?