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Major Update of Blogging System

(please note: this is a very active blog detailing very important changes and updates to the ChristianBlog.Com website. It receives multiple comments and replies every day during this process. Please be sure to review and comment on anything that you feel you have something to share.)

Hello Everybody,

Over the course of the last eleven (11) hours we have been working on a major update of the Blogging System here at the ChristianBlog.Com website.

While we have not 100% completed the update, we have gotten to a point where we can open the website back up to members logging into the website and publishing new blog entries.

We do apologize we had to lock down the website for a few hours, but due to the extensiveness of the update we had to perform it was the only option we had.

Very few people will notice any changes once we are finished. 99% of the scheduled update was within the software that powers the website.

For the last four years we have been using the same database architect and it was starting to get out-dated. It was also starting to cause some strain on the entire Service.

The best option before us was to totally rewrite the entire Blogging System (on a database level) from the ground-up.

This meant doing a completely new database schema and hours and hours of database optimization.

This also meant doing a major rewrite of the code of the website. Every page that queried the database table for the blogs has to be updated. Obviously with this being a Blogging website, that means a large percentage of the website queries the blog database tables.


Present Status:

At this time we are about 85% complete. We had hoped to be done within ten (10) hours but some things did not go as smoothly as we had expected. This resulted in delays. Those delays resulted in lost time.

That lost time results in our inability to 100% complete this project within one major update.


Not Presently Working:

So at this point in time, the following feature are not yet working - but will be by the end of tomorrow (Saturday January 09, 2010) - unless something very drastic goes wrong.

(1) Featured Blogs = 100% totally not working (common sense should indicate to you that THIS is what went wrong in the course of our day - lol)

(2) My Blogs = 60% not working. The page loads, but none of the "edit/lock/delete/stats" pages are presently working


Working:

By "working" we mean we have tested it - but that does not mean it is going to be working 100% for 100% of those visiting and using the website. If you encounter any issues that you feel is not apart of the "not presently working" (listed above) please report back within THIS BLOG that something is not working and we will look into it!

We honestly do not expect 100% of everything we have done in the last eleven (11) hours to work. While we have tested them that does not mean that somebody out there will use something in a way we have not yet tested.


(1) Home Page = 100% working (minus featured blogs)

(2) (Logged In) Home Page = 100% working (minus featured blogs)

(3) Create Blog = 100% working

(4) All Right-Side-Nav links that interface Blogs

(5) Recent Blogs

(6) All Profile features that interface Blogs



New Blog Creation Design:

While we are at it we further developed the recent "Add A Blog" design we released a short while back. We have tried to clean up the page. Hopefully it looks nicer to everybody.

Everything should still work the same - with maybe the exception of "Blog Tags"... as we redid that chunk of code to try to make it work better (does it???)

We also made a change to the "auto-save / last saved" feature. We had noticed that it was (sometimes) causing a small chunk of the Blog Message to be lost... it took us awhile to figure out why, but we did. As a result we have now increased the auto-save-time from 20-seconds to 2-minutes. That should solve this issue.


Our Apologies:

We would like to offer our apologies that our website is not working 100% as it should. We know that some of the features that are not presently working are pretty major features. However, because they are such important features, and we have already been working for eleven (11) plus hours today, we figured it would be better to put it off until tomorrow rather than run the risk of doing something very wrong.

First up tomorrow will be getting the ability to edit/delete/lock your blog finished. After that will be the dreaded Featured Blogs problem - a problem we have no idea how we are going to fix. The new database schema has caused our old method to no longer work... so, we have to blueprint an entirely new methodology for Featured Blogs... than develop it, test it, and release it.

Again, we are sorry for these issues and the down-time of the website today. We know that 99% of it is a result of something very few will notice any change from... but, sometimes you just have to take care of things and this was as good of time as any to deal with this one.

Many Blessings,
ChristianBlog.Com

All Rights Reserved

posted: 01/08/2010 11:03pm by christianblog
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Hello All,

After some much needed rest we are back at it as of 10:00 AM PST (GMT-7/8).

We will report back throughout the day as we have been able to activate additional features.

Thank you,
John B. Abela
Founder/Owner, ChristianBlog.Com

  Posted 01/09/2010 09:52am
Author: abelajohnb

Umm, it should now be an obvious fact that we have Blog Comments and Blog Replies working

  Posted 01/09/2010 10:04am
Author: abelajohnb

For those who are Premier/Gold Members... we know have the ability to Lock/Unlock blogs within the Manage Your Blogs section working.

  Posted 01/09/2010 10:31am
Author: abelajohnb

The "Delete a Blog" within the My Blogs is now working as well.

  Posted 01/09/2010 10:59am
Author: abelajohnb

The "Blog Stats" within the My Blogs is now working as well. Took a little longer than necessary... FedEx showed up (even on a saturday - wow!) with some rice ( Whole Grain Texmati Brown & Wild Rice with Soft Wheat & Rye Berries ) that I've been looking forward to trying. Nothing like a bowl of rice and some tea to start the day! I'll report back in 45 minutes or so on whether or not the rice is any good

  Posted 01/09/2010 11:30am
Author: abelajohnb

We never did get an update on whether the rice was any good. It is not reasonable to expect us to go on through the day without being aware of this information.

  Posted 01/09/2010 12:59pm
Author: shadowalker

Whoops, just found it. For future entries.. as it was explained to me... information should be updated where the comment is made so as not to disrupt the discussion. LOL... juz kidding, John! Have a great day!

  Posted 01/09/2010 01:02pm
Author: shadowalker

Ok, I brief update here...

The "Edit Blog" feature is now working. It is crippled in features but it is working.

Allow me to explain...

For some time I have been wanting to make some serious changes to the "Edit Blog" system... changes that would make things much more advanced. I just never got around to it.

However, this appears to be as good of time as any...

So, over the course of the next few days I will work on getting these changes made.

For now, you can edit the Blog Message... but that is it.

Editing the Blog Title/Subject, blog tags, category and so forth is just not finished. Only the ability to edit the Blog Message itself is done right now.

I will update this post as I get the rest of the features done.


btw, that rice is AWESOME stuff !!

John

  Posted 01/09/2010 12:54pm
Author: abelajohnb

I'll just keep praying. At least you and God know what you are doing

Brillian job John. Thank you.

kbird

PS. Flash rice. I don't think I have even seen wild rice more than a few times! Glad you enjoyed it

  Posted 01/09/2010 01:08pm
Author: kiwibird

I eat rice almost every day.

I normally mix 2-parts white with 1-part wild, because of the additional costs of 100% wild rice.

So picking this up was a big risk for me. I'm still thinking I will mix this with normal white rice.

In regards to this rice... this is probably the most awesome rice I have ever tried. The wheat and rye mixed in with the rice makes - without any doubt - the most unique and awesome texture of any rice I've tried.

This stuff is not just going to make it into my kitchen but into my camping backpack.

I have only made one patch so far (one cup of rice, 3 cups of water, salt and butter) but it seems to really soak in the water a bit more than straight white rice. Again, not positive on that... but in initial testing, it did seem that way. I started with 2-1/2 cup water and than added another 1/2 through 1 cup about 30 minutes into it. Flame wasn't hot, so it was the rice itself soaking it up.

Anyway, anybody out there who likes rice... check out this stuff some time. (btw, my local safeway store has it... it's just a bit cheaper via amazon... so check your local store if you don't want 4 containers of it - lol)

John

  Posted 01/09/2010 01:34pm
Author: abelajohnb

@John,

Thanks for all of your hard work. You're awesome!

@Kbird,
You know, Minnesota is the home of wild rice. Up north... well, I am making a note of it... when you make it to Minnesota we will have to have some wild rice!

K :princess:

  Posted 01/09/2010 03:19pm
Author: kreynolds

Rice or no rice I appreciate the hard work that I know you have been putting into the site. I am very grateful for your abilities in Christ Jesus and I pray for you always.

The Unworthy Servant

  Posted 01/09/2010 05:49pm
Author: theunworthyservant

I am just happy to see that there is something worthwhile on the Internet! God bless.

  Posted 01/10/2010 06:33am
Author: miraclechild

I was working on a blog today..got most of it done, but choose to finish later...maybe a big mistake...it now shows it's status as "Unknown". Does this mean that what I worked on is gone and I must start over, or it is still saved to edit later?

  Posted 01/10/2010 09:55am
Author: galahad

Hey galahad,

Just got into my office... guess yesterdays earthquake made me sleep better than normal

Unless I royally messed things up, you should be able to go into the My Blogs and click the edit button and finish things.

If it doesn't work, by all means, let me know!

John

  Posted 01/10/2010 01:08pm
Author: abelajohnb

As of this hour it still shows the blog I am working on as "Unknown" Status with no ability to edit. If it does come back as incomplete status in the next day or two with an ability to edit and publish I will then recheck the use of the BBC codes with it; those codes seem to work fine on the blogs I have already published. If they don't, I'll then report them as a bug.

  Posted 01/10/2010 03:56pm
Author: galahad

I was just working on this galahad...

As of about 2 minutes ago the "unknown" should be gone... and be replaced with the edit icon.

If not, probably not anything I can do about it right now.

btw, I checked the BBCode and everything is working 100% as it should be. you are probably using them incorrectly if you are having problems.

John

  Posted 01/10/2010 04:32pm
Author: abelajohnb

Dear John,
Earthquakes?
Do live in California?
Anyway, being a amateur Christian scholar or sleuth I found out one thing
Islam and Christianity have in common: Christians believe in the "Great Wedding/Marriage
with Christ at the end of the resurrection." And Islam believes in marriage(?) to their
70 heavenly virgins. According to the author Napolean Hill mentee of Andrew Carnegie,
sexual transmutation answers why men do great, thought defying acts out of love, for
example the builiding of the Taj Mahal or in the negative jihad/martydom.

I blogged after 9/11 to the White house classified for two and half years a 1100 page Christian
treatise and I'm a blogger for the New York Young Republicans.

I would say from this, I found my Christian world view.

God Bless,
Garth

  Posted 01/10/2010 08:25pm
Author: hardinggarth

This very well may be the most off-topic comment I have read in months...

  Posted 01/12/2010 02:13pm
Author: abelajohnb

sounds like it to me!

  Posted 01/13/2010 01:14pm
Author: blackrose65

I'm still trying to figure all the changes out. Whew.

Lotsa work here.

Love ya much my brother.

h2br

  Posted 01/11/2010 12:28pm
Author: happytoberestored

Hey you!

Quick tip: Most everything that was on the right-side is now at the top - most of it under the "Additional Navigation".

Nice to see you visiting CB!

John

  Posted 01/12/2010 02:14pm
Author: abelajohnb

every so often ya just have to do what ya have to do... and I'm glad of 2 things, one is that you have the talents to do these kids of changes and two is that you actually have the patients to hash through them!

Blessings Brother as you continue to serve the Lord,
PapaBear

  Posted 01/12/2010 05:44am
Author: greybear

Thanks Greybear!

Blessings to you to brother!

  Posted 01/12/2010 02:15pm
Author: abelajohnb

I'm back to working on CB today. Needed to take a couple days off... brain was fried.

Ok, I just got the Tracker finished working. I did the cosmetic changes last week, but now the Tracker is using the new Blogging system.

I'm still a bit stuck on how to interface Blog Tags into the new Blogging System. I think I might just pull the plug on them for now, so it doesn't complicate and delay things.

I should have the ability to edit Blog Titles finished later today. It's a complicated process because we use blog titles as blog links which means the title of the blog is also the url to the blog... we have to record both the old and the new blog titles - uggh.

John

  Posted 01/12/2010 02:12pm
Author: abelajohnb

Just for the record...WE (Gold members were consulted ) are very glad that you took a couple of days off. It is very apparent the work you are putting into the site. Thank you.

  Posted 01/13/2010 03:19am
Author: kiwibird

Massive Job for you, John. As per usual, greatly appreciated. Many thanks. I just love it. Now I must learn how to use it, but so far am managing not too badly!!

Kind regards... ... mumbly

  Posted 01/13/2010 03:26pm
Author: mumbly

Any clue as to when the Featured Blogs might be fixed? Of course you know I would be missing them greatly.
B2Y

  Posted 01/14/2010 05:16am
Author: blessings2you

Me too. I know it was said this would take some time. I guess, I myself, am anxious about it... Thanks, John, for all of your hard work and dedication.

  Posted 01/14/2010 05:20am
Author: galahad

Probably going to be a bit until they are back. Blog Privacy ranks higher on the to-do-list at the moment (see my update comment blow).

  Posted 01/14/2010 06:01pm
Author: abelajohnb

Hello Everybody,

I find myself having to apologize again for the lack of progress...

One of the many things I face with CB is the long-term outlook of things... and this is typically what drives my progress.

I was just about set and ready to go to make the next big advancement in getting this finished, when I realized that now would probably be the better time to update the Blog Access Permissions than at some unknown point down the road.

Every single page of the website that interfaces blogs has to have the access permissions included within it so it will not just be a matter of getting it added back to the blog creation/edit forms but every single page that interfaces the blogging system.

I am about 60% of the way done mapping out the new system on a logistical level, after which I will have to blueprint it on paper, than develop code for it, than implement it in a test environment, than completely test it, than migrate it over to the CB blogging system.

Once all of that is done, than I will be able to get back to finishing things up.

Which, includes dealing with the blog tags, free/premier/gold features, featured blogs, site-wide bbcode button interface, and whatever else pop's up along the way.

Thank you,
John B. Abela
Founder/Owner, ChristianBlog.Com

  Posted 01/14/2010 06:08am
Author: abelajohnb

Thanks for the update, John. I can't even imagine the overwhelming task you have ahead of you. Thank you so much for this site.

  Posted 01/14/2010 06:30am
Author: galahad

John,
Thanks for keeping us updated. I was wondering about the featured blogs and am glad they will be returning.
I do have one question. When older blogs are read the original comments do not appear. Is that going to change or are they lost?
I do not remember reading anything about the old comments.
KraftyKatz
:coffee:

  Posted 01/14/2010 07:34am
Author: kraftykatz

I was wondering about that too. A newer member had made a comment to me yesterday about a "CB Reunion" and I directed her to that CB Festival blog which B2Y wrote last March. When I revisited it, I saw that all the wonderful comments we'd made as we joined in the fun had vanished. The "newbie" still loved it but I thought it was sad all those great comments could no longer be seen.

K :princess:

  Posted 01/14/2010 08:43am
Author: kreynolds

I was unaware there was a problem with things regarding this.

I just spent the last 30 minutes or so and it should now be fixed.

John

  Posted 01/14/2010 06:03pm
Author: abelajohnb

Just checked at the Festival blog and all comments are there. I guess everyone thought that there not being there was from the updating so no one reported a problem.
Thanks a bunch John. That is one of the greatest fun blogs ever written.
KraftyKatz
:coffee:

  Posted 01/15/2010 05:26am
Author: kraftykatz

I guess I thought like KK, that the comments got lost due to the upgrading, age or something. It was soooooo much fun reading those comments again. It is a great example/reminder that we are a blogging COMMUNITY here at CB. Thank you!

K :princess:

  Posted 01/15/2010 07:29am
Author: kreynolds

Hello, I am new to Christian blog. I feel like Christians need to here what is being said aroung the world. This is a good way.

  Posted 01/14/2010 09:03am
Author: pmcjohn316

May Christ be praised above all others and may Christ bless you all.

  Posted 01/14/2010 09:05am
Author: pmcjohn316

Hey All,

I now have the "Blog Privacy" setup on the Blog Creation page. (add process only, right now... edit blog process will be finished later)

Also note that for right now it only effects the blog page itself. I do not yet have it plugged into the home page, recent page, profile page, archive page and personal rss feeds.

I will update as I work out the logic and code for those pages (they all use the same).

Oh, also note that if you select "friends only" neither your personal tweet (if activated) nor the main @christianblog twitter account will tweet your new blog - as should be obvious when one considers things.

John

  Posted 01/14/2010 10:56pm
Author: abelajohnb

The ability to edit a blog is now working from within the "My Blogs" page of your account.

You can now edit the Blog Message, Blog Category, Blog License, and Blog Privacy.

Only thing not yet available to edit is the Blog Title and Blog Tags.

I am still working on the logic of how to accomplish both of them in the best manner. I could very easily get both of them working in a matter of minutes, but it would not do any long-term justice. I need to seriously think long-term methodology with those two items before I release the ability to edit them.

Up next is Blog Privacy on the home pages, recent page, profile page, archive page and personal rss feeds.

I will report back once I have them figured out and finished.

Once they are done, I will move onto getting Featured Blogs working. After that I will move onto getting more of the website switched over to using our new template. While I am doing that I will be working on (in the back of my mind) the methodology of the blog title and blog tags.

Blessings,
John

  Posted 01/15/2010 12:16am
Author: abelajohnb

ps: we got one additional Pledge Partner today!

Please, to those of you able to help support me... I could really use your financial support. I am one person trying to keep ChristianBlog.Com going day-after-day-after-day. There is no "big company" behind the ChristianBlog.com website... just little'ole me trying to survive off the support of our members willing to help me keep my bills paid. I am a minister - no different than any other minister, evangelist, or missionary in or outside of a church. I minister to you and thousands of other every week via the ChristianBlog.Com website. I cannot keep going if I cannot keep my bills paid. Please, consider becoming a Pledge Partner so we can keep CB going!

  Posted 01/15/2010 12:21am
Author: abelajohnb

Hey All,

Ok, this is a rather complicated explanation...

Up until... ok... that explanation was going to be even too complicated for me to explain..

ummm...

Lets see...

Ok, I just finished editing the Recent Blogs page and the (logged in) home page...

They are now doing a lot of things they have NEVER done before...


Oh, before I forget... ALL BLOGS (include all those previously published) are now being displayed on the (logged in) home page. Yes, even those without 5 words in the blog title - yes, your welcome.

Ok, back to what I was going to explain...

The recent blogs page and (logged in) home page has now been updated to do some pretty amazing things that they have never done before.

This was a nightmare to code, but I think for the first time in the history of CB's existance, the website actually does things like it *should* be - in regards of privacy settings.

Here is the flow chart I drafted (if anybody can even understand this chaos in my brain):


Now, I have tested this on my own from my end... but lets be honest here folks... until we get a few days of honest real-life testing... I would like to encourage everybody to NOT be using the "Friends Only Privacy Setting" for anything too sensitive. I honestly am not 100% sure this is rock solid theory and that my code 100% reflects the theory. Additionally, at this point this theory-code is only working on the (logged in) home page and on the Recent Blogs page. That means it is not (yet) setup to work on the profile pages and the RSS feeds and the personal archive pages. (still lots to do - sigh)

Also note: for those of you who are not premier members... be aware that we do NOT show your blogs (**at all**) on our (non-logged in) home page. If you want (non-logged in) home page presence... become a Premier Member. Our (non-logged in) home page is the #1 most visited page of our entire website... if you really want to get seen, that is where you want your blogs!


Ok, now that I have the logic worked out (I hope) I will begin to work on getting this setup on the other pages. But, first I need to eat lunch and watch Bones and CSI from last night

More after the break...

John

(and again, yes, your welcome to all of you out there who like using short blog titles... your blogs will now show up on the home page... it was nice of me, yes, I know... grin)

  Posted 01/15/2010 03:40am
Author: abelajohnb

Hello Everybody,

I have now gotten the profile/bio page and the archive page working to use the new Blogging System and the new Blog Permissions System.

I have been at it since last night at 10pm... it is now 8am... so, that is all for today.

Still to do tomorrow is applying the Blog Permission System to all RSS feeds, and than I think this aspect of things will be finished.

Once that is done, which should take less than an hour, I will be moving onto the Featured Blog System.

Blessings,
John

  Posted 01/15/2010 07:43am
Author: abelajohnb

John,
Take a nice long rest before you start again. Does anyone understand the chart below except John? I sure don't. I don't understand how the sun shines either but I can still enjoy and appreciate its effects. I wonder though, John could you read and understand my quilt patterns?
You are amazing, John!!
KraftyKatz
:coffee:

  Posted 01/15/2010 08:21am
Author: kraftykatz

john, give me to the end of the month when my pay gets in.. then you can add another one to your number...

  Posted 01/15/2010 01:38am
Author: bethy

Hey Bethy,

Thank you so very much for your willingness to help!

As I have always said, please do not put yourself into a financial situation of being at risk of effecting your own financial situation negatively, on account of supporting ChristianBlog.Com! But if you can support ChristianBlog.Com without negatively effecting your financial situation I very much appreciate all you can do to help!

Blessings,
John

  Posted 01/15/2010 02:26am
Author: abelajohnb

Hey John, I was wondering... I was trying to read a couple of blogs but it wont let me, it says that they are 40 years old. is this something that is suppose to happen due to the maintenece? Just an FYI Eileen

  Posted 01/15/2010 11:23am
Author: ladyvogue

40 years old. WOW John how old were you when you stared this web site? LOL
KraftyKatz
:coffee:

  Posted 01/15/2010 11:34am
Author: kraftykatz

Hello,

I'm going to need a little bit more information here...

Such as... what *exactly* it says...

Exact blog link/url (or blog titles) are causing this...

Thanks,
John

  Posted 01/15/2010 05:14pm
Author: abelajohnb

Hello All,

As you may have noticed from the (logged in) home page... Featured Blogs is working.

Well... ok... so, maybe that is not a complete truth...

The featured blog SEEMS to be working, but I am not 100% finished with it yet.

Yes, it is displaying blogs (Weee!!!)

No, you cannot access it yet (booohhhh!!!!)

Yes, you will be able to sometime today (Weeeehoooooo!!!)

Ok, that's a "maybe" if I am to be honest (D'Oh!!!)


So, here is the deal for all of you Featured Blog lovers...

Per popular request (err: demand) we are going to back only letting Premier Members have one Featured Blog.

Gold Members are also going to be limited to one Featured Blog. (What!!!??!!!!???) Yeah, for now folks. Give me time. Just like the first time around, we need to make sure that things are going to work. I think we can all agree that things did *not* work perfectly like time around. (we all remember the utter failure on my part to get blogs less than 1 week from being removed - right?) So, pretty much, I do not like it when things do not work 100% perfectly. So, for now, as much as I know some of you will loath me for this... I'm going to limit Gold Members to a single Featured Blog too. But, rest assured, once I know things are stable... you great givers to ChristianBlog.Com will be rewarded!!


I expect to have general access to set Featured Blogs sometime later today. I have already put in about 6 hours of work to get things setup and initially working. I need a break and want to watch the latest episode of Dog the Bounty Hunter. After lunch and tv, I will work on getting the rest of the stuff working so all Premier/Gold members can start setting their own Featured Blogs!

Blessings,
John B. Abela
Founder/Owner, ChristianBlog.Com

  Posted 01/16/2010 06:05am
Author: abelajohnb

I remember when I learned to make my Tandy machine say "Hello World" on my TV set.
Then I tore apart and put back together the mighty 286.
(Green letters on a black screen)
My brain hurts thinking of your coding behind this.
Thank you Sir.

  Posted 01/16/2010 06:07am
Author: harkrider

Dog the Bounty Hunter???????????????????????????????

Thanks for all your efforts and I will be "officially" making my pledge this week. I wanted you to know I had not forgotten about you or CB.

Looking forward to the new and improved Featured Blogs!!

B2Y

  Posted 01/16/2010 09:00am
Author: blessings2you

Because I know you are the biggest fan of Featured Blogs... I will use your comment to announce this

Featured Blogs are now available to those with Premier/Gold Membership !!

Just head over to your My Blogs and the link will be right where it has always been.

Please everybody... if you find anything at all with what exists that does not seem to be working, let me know!

Blessings,
John

  Posted 01/16/2010 10:48pm
Author: abelajohnb

Hey John! You have an amazing world wide ministry here! Thanks for answering the callAnd thank God there's some people that like putting this kind of tedious work together while the rest of us get to just enjoy it !! Yeehaw!

I found the information explaining the difference between Premier and Gold Members. (I'll blame this on the old gray mare syndrome) - then I discovered that a Pledge Partner doesn't necessarily make you a Premier Member. Does another pledge need to be made as a Premier Member to quality for the perks? Or is there any difference?


OK! Bones and CSI great shows back when I watched tv...but I'm with B2Y - Dog the Bounty Hunter????????I would make the smilie rubbing his chin if I knew how...but I'm still learning! Who says they can't teach old dog new tricks?!!!
Appreciate your response (not to the old dog or gray mare part!), 2G

  Posted 01/16/2010 09:03pm
Author: 2gvhmpraz

Hello,

At the moment there is a difference between Premier Membership and a Pledge Partner.

A Premier Member is one who receives additional privileges and gains access to exclusive sections of the website.

A Pledge Partner is someone who believes in the ChristianBlog.Com ministry enough to pledge on an automatic month-to-month basis a set amount to help keep ChristianBlog.Com operational.

At this time Pledge Partners do not gain any additional access or features, simply a small little message and icon on their profile page.

My pray and hope is that enough people will come forward as Pledge Partners so that we can reach the goal (and above and beyond) of what I need to keep going full-time here at ChristianBlog.Com and thus keep CB moving ahead.

Should, with the help of our members, we reach the goal, I will do away with the term "Premier Membership" and convert our "Pledge Partners" into the terminology we use for advanced membership. I and many others agree that this is a much better term. All the advanced settings and features will remain the same, it will just be a title-change. But, that is only if we reach the goal indicated.

In essence the "Pledge Partner" comes down to this:

Over the past year I have put out two requests for financial help - neither of which I enjoyed doing. A great many said they would help. A small handful did. Because of the promises of those who said they would help, I made the decision (premature, looking back on things) on my end to change the direction of my own life - to start working on CB full-time. Because of the unfortunate financial situations that have faced many people over the last 6-8 months, which I can only guess is the reason why many people said they would help but never have, I went from a monthly income along the lines of what most people make, to not having enough to pay my bills because of the lack of support. (I went from full time ministry at 4CM Network to full time at CB). I am not saying this to condemn or make anybody feel bad. There were four people who stepped forward and gave and gave and gave to help make sure I didn't loose things. Yet they can only give so much - and honestly should not be expected to continue to. So, back around to the Pledge Drive... here is the way I figure it: If we cannot get enough money to pay for this ministry, I cannot keep this ministry as my full-time ministry. I am a minister just like any other. I spent 10 years ministering in a church (6 years as a youth minister, 3 years as a missions directory, 1 year on a worship team). I transitioned from being a minister in the church to being a minister on the internet. As I see it, considering the huge amount of Christians who are blessed by the ministry of ChristianBlog.Com, there should be no reason we cannot raise $2,000 a month - which is all I need to pay all of my bills and keep the online ministry going. If we cannot reach the goal... than I will have to make the decision: Do I go into debt for who knows how long until a possible fortunate day when CB is supported enough, or, do I walk away from CB full-time and go back to full time ministry elsewhere.

Pledge Partnership exists to be the proving ground for that decision for me. If we reach the goal, I will continue ministering full time here at ChristianBlog.Com, if we cannot reach the goal, I will do what I have to do to be a man of God who does not allow himself to find himself in a very bad financial situation.

I hope this helps explain the differences.

Blessings,
John B. Abela
Founder/Owner, ChristianBlog.Com

  Posted 01/16/2010 10:07pm
Author: abelajohnb

John,
Thanks for the clarification and a background in you and CB. As they say 80% of the work is done by 20%. In perspective, it would appear a lot less than that for now. I commented to someone in their blog as a plea for donors/pledges the other day that I wish there was a way we could somehow do a $1 Blitz...
If everyone that used CB could donate $1 each month, should far surpass the needs one would think. Surely enough could afford $1 even in these economic times.

As for Dog... Down boy! Down! Speaking for myself and I thought perhaps B2Y as well, it was all in jest.

Duane Chapman and his family are perfect examples of don't judge the book by it's cover. They are a family (as hard as it might be for others to think sometimes) of faith. Even they have troubles...like some of the rest of us. "Production of and airing of the show was halted by A&E on November 2, 2007, after Dog Chapman was recorded uttering racial slurs." After Chapman's public repentance and vow to make amends, and after a show of support from fans and from black leaders including Roy Innis, on February 19, 2008, A&E announced that the show would return." and "According to Dog's website and TMZ, Nguyen was arrested and charged with attempted homicide related to the shooting attempt of Dog and the Chapman family. On May 15, 2009, El Paso County, Colorado Assistant DA dropped the attempted murder charge against the alleged shooter due to lack of evidence and conflicting statements by Dog, his son Leland, and Bobby Brown. The Prosecutors also state that they have not received the requested video footage from the incident which was allegedly filmed by the television crew."

We can all get under fire, it's all a matter of how we handle it, eh? Prayerfully his faith will continue to pull him out of 'comes with the territory' dangers of his work.

So no harm intended...friends??? All in His love, 2G

  Posted 01/17/2010 12:25am
Author: 2gvhmpraz

Hey All,

Ok, I got some much needed sleep the last few hours. I will be back to work here in a few minutes.

Regarding Dog... In their Christmas episode here a few weeks back, one of their boys, Garry, was totally convinced that Santa was not real, and was ruining it for the other kids in the family. So the entire show became devoted to the kids in the Dog family hunting for Santa. Dog and family took the kids on this wild chase around Colorado "hunting down santa". It was very fun, a little sad, a little funny, and all that might come with what a real hunt for Santa might be like as a child. Towards the very end of the show, Garry gets a real-life encounter with Santa and is told to keep it secrete until the next day (Christmas). After Dog and Garry get back to their house, Garry goes off to bed and the final clip in the show is Dog standing outside... and he ends the show with this: "The Bible says that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Today I got a chance to show Garry what faith is."

You see, in the hunt for whether or not Santa was real or not, Dog got the chance to impart a truly awesome *faith-lesson* to his son Garry. As I said in my blog What is faith? I doubt most understand it correctly (not inspired by the tv show) and the point I try to make is: That faith is more, yet less, than what we often try to conceive it to be. On this Christmas, one young boy got to learn that while santa may or may not be real, there are things in life which are unseen, things that are hoped for, things that we have to take "simply on faith"... and it is those things that define life itself. This, is faith.

So, sit here and question me watching the Dog all you want... question him all you want... but I am a firm believer that God is a God of second chances... and third chances, and forth chances... and seventy seven chances... I believe that God is a God who can use a man, women, child, or even the hope of a Santa, to be able to reveal to us (often times) stupid self-centered unwilling to look outside our own personal petty dogmatic humans... and teach us and others the truth of who He really is.

I would encourage those of you who have iTunes... spend $1.99 and get the show on iTunes and see for yourself DOg teaching his young son a lesson of both Christmas and of faith. Because those of us who have not lost their Christmas Cheer (as Little Cindy-Lou Who would say) know, Christmas and faith are both, 3 sizes bigger than what we think.

John

  Posted 01/16/2010 09:46pm
Author: abelajohnb

the contact page says a free member can have 1000 friends??? Yet Premium is 100 and Gold is 200. Maybe too many zero's?

  Posted 01/17/2010 09:28pm
Author: 2gvhmpraz

I think we removed all restrictions from friend/contacts limits. Look through the archive of @christianblog for something about that.

  Posted 01/17/2010 10:43pm
Author: abelajohnb

I seem to remember reading that the friend contact limit had been removed but I can not find the blog that states that.
Could someone find the answer for 2gvhmpraz?
KraftyKatz
:coffee:

  Posted 01/18/2010 04:43pm
Author: kraftykatz

Hooray, I've found it! It is point #4 in A Few Brief Notes Website Update. I noticed when I click on "friends" it says that gold members may have 1,000 friends but the number for premier or free members were not changed to reflect 1,000. I believe I have seen free members with more than 10 friends so I suspect the change was made but the text on the friends page was not.

K :princess:

  Posted 01/18/2010 05:24pm
Author: kreynolds

Thank you ladies :coffee: and :princess:

Your efforts are very much appreciated...now I can just 'friend' away

2G

  Posted 01/19/2010 06:31pm
Author: 2gvhmpraz

So is anybody out there having any issues with the new "Featured Blog" system I put together?

From my end it seems to be working ok... but I'm just one guy and you all are the masses that can give feedback

Thanks,
John

  Posted 01/21/2010 05:04am
Author: abelajohnb

I did not notice any problems with it when I posted a featured blog earlier.

K :princess:

  Posted 01/21/2010 02:46pm
Author: kreynolds

John:

Had no problem posting a featured blog, but can't delete a featured blog after 3 days. I'm not sure if the 3-day policy for Premier members was changed or not.

Art

  Posted 01/21/2010 02:57pm
Author: aliveintheword

Not sure when (or even if) that feature will return.

  Posted 01/21/2010 04:32pm
Author: abelajohnb

Being a 'newer' kid on the block, hate to ask a dumb ? - but how does the "Featured Blog" work anyway?

Thanks 2G

  Posted 01/21/2010 11:59am
Author: 2gvhmpraz

2G:

"Featured blogs" are a benefit provided to Gold and Premier level members. They allow selected blogs into the featured section on the Home Page for a period of up to one week.

Art

  Posted 01/21/2010 03:01pm
Author: aliveintheword

Yeah, what he said ^^

You can read more about it in the official announcement of the feature.

John

  Posted 01/21/2010 04:38pm
Author: abelajohnb

Muchas gracias John and Art,

I had just noticed them and wondered how they came to be. After reading the official announcement, sounds to difficult for my old gray haired mind!

Now to more my speed...is there a place to find all the BBCodes? I guess that's what you call the little smilies, etc. right?

Anita

  Posted 01/22/2010 07:48pm
Author: 2gvhmpraz

Thank you John and the rest for the hard work for Christianblog. May God bless you always for the dedication that you give in order to improve the site that gives us an opportunity to share our thoughts and hopefully give praise to God. Thank you again...

  Posted 01/26/2010 12:50am
Author: aidzz

Hello All,

This is an update for our Gold Members...

You now have the ability to set two (2) Featured Blogs.

Access it via your "My Blogs" and you'll have access to a new Featured Blogs Management page designed just for Gold Members.

Thank you for your continued financial support and I hope all of you will forgive me for it taking so long to get this re-activated.

Many blessings,
John B. Abela

  Posted 01/27/2010 01:16am
Author: abelajohnb

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