It seems like the internet has decided to crash all at once! Where's Al Gore when you need him?
The Future AG blog has been locked all day. The explanation that Blogger posted to the author page is that the blog has been targeted by the spam prevention robots. I really hope it's not as serious as it sounds. I've never been attacked by a spam robot before:)
After a steady stream of phone calls and emails asking what was wrong with future AG blog I decided to post an explanation on this blog, only to find that the whole Typepad application was down. At that point I realized that I was being targeted by an entire spam squadron.
Anyway, we are hoping the Future AG blog will be back up any minute. We filed our response with Blogger this morning and are just waiting on them to manually reinstate the blog as spam-free.
Until then, remember this. Nobody's perfect...not even Google.
UPDATE:
Blogger has been unable to give us any idea as to how long it will take them to unlock the site so we decided to move it over to Typepad. Come on over and rejoin the conversation!
Brad,
When I try to access the site, it doesn't mention spam/robots, it says: "This blog is under review due to possible Blogger Terms of Service violations and is open to authors only" - this implies something different. just thought you may want to know.
Looking forward to seeing it return - I think the site is brilliant.
Posted by: Chilly... | July 25, 2007 at 12:50 AM
Thanks Chilly. My understanding is that spam is what Blogger suspected to be the "violation of the terms of service." Once inside the site this is the message we're getting on the author's page:
"Blogger's spam-prevention robots have detected that your blog has characteristics of a spam blog. Since you're an actual person reading this, your blog is probably not a spam blog. Automated spam detection is inherently fuzzy, and we sincerely apologize for this false positive.
We received your unlock request on July 24, 2007. On behalf of the robots, we apologize for locking your non-spam blog. Please be patient while we take a look at your blog and verify that it is not spam."
Anyway, I'm definitely not a tech guy, so if you have any ideas let me know.
Posted by: Brad | July 25, 2007 at 07:14 AM
brad...
somehow i got on it yesterday afternoon. it gave me that message first, then i refreshed my page, logged in...and there it was! anyways as for al gore...i'm sure he's getting a youtube video question on global warming ready for when the republicans have a youtube debate of their own.
see ya soon man!
Posted by: josh | July 25, 2007 at 10:49 AM
Yeah Josh, every now and then it lets you through to view the site as it was on Monday. But it won't allow comments or posts.
We're debating whether or not to restart the blog on Typepad.
Posted by: Brad | July 25, 2007 at 10:56 AM
I have an interesting line of questions for you. I was recently in the Ukraine & Russia which started my wonderings of my pentecostal roots. I honestly have no desire to ever be apart of the AG again, but I also know that it cannot be dismissed. God moves in the AG as well. God has a purpose & plan for it. You also cannot dismiss something on which you as a person were founded.
Why are you a part of the AG?
Is it because its what you were raised in it and schooled in it and its what your parents did/do?
Do you believe in the AG?
Do you believe in what it stands for or have you just accepted it without question?
What does it really mean to be associated with the AG?
Posted by: linds mack | July 25, 2007 at 12:32 PM
Hi Linds. Good questions:)
I'd have to say that my family had a big part of my connection to the AG. Growing up my dad was an AG pastor. He currently serves as District Superintendent of the AG churches in Michigan. No doubt, he's been influential in my life.
The real choice for me though came when I started Church of the King. At that point I made a choice to associate our church and ministry with the fellowship.
I do believe in the AG. I believe that we have some opportunities ahead of us. I also realize we face some real challenges. One that hits home for me is the average age of AG ministers (which has really increased). Only 8% of credentialed AG ministers are under the age of 29. And there are some changes we need to see happen in order to fix that.
Historically the AG stands for things that I believe in; things like missions, church planting and Pentecostal experience. Most of all, Jesus! I get a little nervous when we choose to put all our energy into other doctrinal points. I really think that Jesus ought to take center stage and that the cross ought to get the loudest megaphone.
For me, being associated with the AG means that I'm a part of something bigger than myself. I also feel that way about the various churches in our city (across denominational lines). But I have ties to a larger family.
And I have yet to meet a family that is perfect:)
Posted by: Brad | July 25, 2007 at 09:27 PM
Very well put.
Thanks for the insight... being out of the AG now for 7 years has caused my memory to grow hazy of what was/is good about the AG.
I agree- Jesus and the message of his cross and resurrection should take center stage... always. Everything begins and ends there. The old man ends and the new creation man is birthed. Its awesome stuff.
Be blessed!
Posted by: lindsmack | July 26, 2007 at 12:27 PM