I’m using the Joomla Podcasting Component by Joseph LeBlanc to generate my podcasts on this site. Today was the first real podcast I put up…I noticed that my podcatcher wasn’t downloading the mp3 file so I went looking. It turns out that my enclosure URLs were being generated incorrectly.
I normally enter the fully qualified URL instead of the path (long story). Everything was playing correctly; however, the podcast XML wasn’t being generated correctly. It had my <site URL> + <path> + <enclosure tag url> included. So, if I had entered something like “http://media.maxsons.org/MaxsonPodcast/2008/20080919_MaxsonMissionMissivePodcast.mp3” into my enclosure tag, the enclosure URL was getting generated like “http://www.maxsons.org/media_files/http://media.maxsons.org/MaxsonPodcast/2008/20080919_MaxsonMissionMissivePodcast.mp3” See the problem?
Well, the error was in the podcast.php file (line 345 to be exact). that line says
Well, you only want to do that IF you haven’t included the full URL in the enclosure tag already. So, if you want to make the fix, just change that line to these two lines:
Or, just download this zip file and overwrite your existing podcast.php file (it is in <your site’s install directory>/<components>/<com_podcast> directory).
Now, you’ll be good to go. This code is distributed under the GPL (choose your version).
There is a video called Everybody Needs Jesus. It is a very good video to use to promote missions in your church or organization. I’d highly recommend it. You can purchase it from the following places:
[Update 09-28-2008 23:28:13] Moved post to front page, but moved the listen link into the read more section. To listen streaming on the site, clikc read more below then click play.
The summer has positively flown by and October is just around the corner. Our days have been a whirlwind of Lydia, language, and building relationships. We still have all the ordinary things on our to-do list that we would have back home: cooking, cleaning, laundry, shopping, paying bills, etc… (which we have blogged about). But things take just a little bit longer. Not to mention the main reason we’re here, which is to meet people and tell them about Jesus!
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Much of our first 4 months in Serbia have been spent learning the language and keeping up with Lydia. She is getting so big, and even though she is rapidly approaching the terrible 2’s, she’s such a sweet, happy little thing. Children are truly a blessing from the Lord! You can read more about Lydia by following this link.
As we slowly (painfully slowly) learn more language, we try to use everyday excursions to meet people and practice. We have a little routine and have made friends at the piaca and at some of our other stops around town. Lydia is certainly a big help with this π While we don’t yet have enough Serbian to really witness with words, we are thankful that we know enough to at least give glory to God for simple things. It is awesome to be able to thank God for His love and provision. And we had a few exciting language moments this month! We just ask that you please pray for us as we try to memorize scriptures in Serbian and as we seek opportunities to share the Truth.
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It has been such a blessing to participate in Bible studies with local believers and seekers, most of whom speak at least a little bit (if not quite a lot) of English. Even though the studies are in Serbian, our friends graciously translate for us. We have rejoiced in opportunities to worship, certainly with our teammates, but especially with our Serbian friends. And we have also been blessed to have spiritual conversations in English during our short time here.
As we look to our post-language schedule, we are excited about different opportunities both to meet people and to build relationships. Teaching opportunities abound, as well sports activities…and people are always ready to hang out at a cafe. Please join us in praying for wisdom and discernment as we walk through each day and plan our activities, both individually and as a family!
One brief update from Matt: As you can tell, we haven’t been the best at doing large summary posts like this over the past few months. However, we have kept our blog up-to-date. If you want to see what is going on virtually as it is happening, check out our blog regularly. If you want, you can also subscribe to our RSS feeds. Either check over on the left-hand portion of the screen or use the links below:
Don’t know what RSS is? Need some help? Here are some excellent links that will let you know what you need and how to use them.
Just like with the RSS feeds, there is tons of free software out there that will let you subscribe to podcasts. Don’t pay for it. Oh, and stay away from ITunes. The software and service is loaded with DRM and it won’t let you use the stuff you have paid for in many ways allowed by law. Here are some links you could check out:
I’ve mentioned before about podcasting, but I’ve never really done it. But, I want to start. I think I’m going to shoot for a 10 minute thing once per week, but I don’t have too much to talk about. Can you post some seed ideas here for me? A buddy of mine suggested food, weather, and a word of the week. Any other ideas out there? What do you want to know about?
I’m trying to memorize scripture in Serbian.Β I’m currently doing the 1st Master Life book so the verses I’m going to pick will be the verses from that study.Β Here is the first one:
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
[Update 09-19-2008 09:13:18] I had to remove the italics on the Serbian verse above.Β I’m sorry…I forgot that to make some letters italic, they actually change.Β Sorry
[Update 2012-12-26Β 17:00:39] Cleaning up internal links.
I was recently reading on the internet and came across another article talking about Ray Boltz. Only this one, in an update, contained some good analysis of the whole CCM, chorous stuff and hymns. I think it hits the nail on the head and wanted to repost it here for everyone to see. Here it is:
I also think that what is wrong with most of contemporary gospel music and has been from the start is that it appeals to emotions almost exclusively. I notice this often on the Gaither homecoming specials. There is little theology and what there is in a lot of these songs isn’t even biblically sound. That’s how contemporary songs find a following: there is an appealing, ballad/melody, coupled with repetitive, emotionally laden words that are repeated with growing intensity until the end.
[…]
The emphasis so often in Gospel music is on the singer, not the Savior. It’s easy to do that when these celebrities are singing what is essentially pop music.
[…]
Contrast this with the traditional hymns of the faith and how they stir us:
The great hymns/songs that have stood the test of time confess biblical truth, or God’s attributes, and the gospel. A Christian can experience emotion singing them, but that emotion is based on the sound truths of God’s Word proclaimed in the hymn or song .
In the end, what’s the real problem?
The problem with this music is that it seems to contribute to the same type of attitude towards right and wrong. I FEEL this way, therefore that must be the way God made me. Who cares what the Bible has to say about the matter? I’m tired of wrestling with this sin, so I’m going to embrace it and toss God’s Word aside. That’s the only reason I can think of for the high incidences of homosexuality and immorality among gospel singers. The article from the Blade references several of these cases. When our subjective feelings are our only guide, we’re in dangerous waters.
Now, don’t hear me saying that I don’t like CCM. Because I do. I totally enjoy listening to Petra. And Carman. But, for the most part, their music is what it is–entertainment–and it isn’t meant to be sung as worship music to God. Certainly not as group worship. Have you ever paid attention to the lyrics of some of the songs? I’ve sung one that in the song goes “…sing with me…” I always thought that was rather odd. So, in conclusion, I enjoy listening to CCM…most of it. I don’t enjoy singing much of it. Regardless of our music “style” we need to be careful that the theology put forth in our songs is Biblical.
Here are some other posts on music I have written about that you might find interesting:
