Below is some of the explanation of why the Wikipedia black-out took place.

Click here for the full piece.

”Why is Wikipedia blacked-out?

Wikipedia is protesting against SOPA and PIPA by blacking out the English Wikipedia for 24 hours, beginning at midnight January 18, Eastern Time. Readers who come to English Wikipedia during the blackout will not be able to read the encyclopedia. Instead, you will see messages intended to raise awareness about SOPA and PIPA, encouraging you to share your views with your representatives, and with each other on social media.

What are SOPA and PIPA?

SOPA and PIPA represent two bills in the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate respectively. SOPA is short for the "Stop Online Piracy Act," and PIPA is an acronym for the "Protect IP Act." ("IP" stands for "intellectual property.") In short, these bills are efforts to stop copyright infringement committed by foreign web sites, but, in our opinion, they do so in a way that actually infringes free expression while harming the Internet. Detailed information about these bills can be found in the Stop Online Piracy Act and PROTECT IP Act articles on Wikipedia, which are available during the blackout. GovTrack lets you follow both bills through the legislative process: SOPA on this page, and PIPA on this one. The EFF has summarized why these bills are simply unacceptable in a world that values an open, secure, and free Internet.

Why is the blackout happening?

Wikipedians have chosen to black out the English Wikipedia for the first time ever, because we are concerned that SOPA and PIPA will severely inhibit people's access to online information. This is not a problem that will solely affect people in the United States: it will affect everyone around the world.

Why? SOPA and PIPA are badly drafted legislation that won't be effective at their stated goal (to stop copyright infringement), and will cause serious damage to the free and open Internet. They put the burden on website owners to police user-contributed material and call for the unnecessary blocking of entire sites. Small sites won't have sufficient resources to defend themselves. Big media companies may seek to cut off funding sources for their foreign competitors, even if copyright isn't being infringed. Foreign sites will be blacklisted, which means they won't show up in major search engines. And, SOPA and PIPA build a framework for future restrictions and suppression.

I don't live in the United States. How can I help?

Contact your local State Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or similar branch of government. Tell them you oppose SOPA and PIPA, and any similar legislation. SOPA and PIPA will affect sites outside of the United States, and actions to sites inside the United States (like Wikipedia) will also affect non-American readers -- like you. Calling your own government will also let them know you don't want them to create their own bad anti-Internet legislation.”

As a non-US resident I took an action to call my own government representatives to stand up for fair and effective legislation around internet access and services.

This is an image from WordPress home page during the blackout.

Learn more about the protest here

Nathan was born to us last week.  At birth he was 8 pounds and 12 ounces, and is a wonderful early Christmas present to the whole family.

Personally, it brings home a fresh view of Isaiah 9:6 (the first section only).

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…”

As I marvel at the delicate assembly of his precious being.

However, we can all share the wonderful news and excitement of God’s Son Jesus being born to all at Christmas time!

(second section)

“and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isn’t it awesome to contemplate that we celebrate (Christmas and Easter) the times in Jesus’ incarnation, when he was content to make his physical body completely dependant and vulnerable to those around him.

As it says in Isaiah 53:7

“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.”

To me it is clear that there is no part of the human existence that God has dismissed or considered beneath his knowledge or understanding to directly experience himself!

However, this shared humanity wasn’t without reason or purpose but as Hebrews 2:17 explains:

“For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.”

That’s why we celebrate Jesus’ (“God with us”) birth at Christmas.

Wishing you all a blessed Christmas time.

These albums are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year and I am grateful for the part they played in shaping my appreciation and enjoyment of music.

Guns n’ Roses : Use Your Illusion I &  Use Your Illusion II (September ‘91)

Metallica : Metallica (August ‘91)

Nirvana : Nevermind (September ‘91)

Pearl Jam : Ten (August ‘91)

Red Hot Chili Peppers : BloodSugarSexMagik  (September ‘91)

What great musical awesomeness!

If not for such great input and inspiration, I would not have started play to guitar.

I should also mention an album celebrating its 40th anniversary:

Led Zeppelin: Led Zeppelin IV (November ‘71)

What year do you look back to and why?

This Sunday (26th June 2011), marks the final Sunday services in the Kings’ Centre. The congregational meeting place of LifeChurch Manchester (formally South Manchester Christian Fellowship (SMCF) / Sale Baptist Church), for the last 50 or so years.

So What’s happening?

• A new building is going to be built on the site to enable more and greater things for God to happen in and for the communities of South Manchester.

When is this happening?

• Well, the contractors will soon (July 2011 onwards) be on site, doing demolition and then constructing the LifeCentre.

When will LifeChurch Manchester be back on site?

• In about 12-18 months time.

What will LifeChurch Manchester do in the meantime?

• We will continue to meet together at The Avenue Methodist Church, Sale.  We’re grateful for their generosity in sharing their premises with us, while the construction work goes on.

What will the new building be like?

Learn more about the journey towards to realisation of this project here:

New Building for LifeChurch

The blog of journey through this change:

Building the LifeCentre

What are my memories of the King’s Centre?

• One of my main memories is that the King’s Centre served as the rehearsal venue of Copper Beech.  Where we crafted many of our songs, did some recording and of course polished our set list for our gigs.  Good days!
  
• Also it has become my family’s church and centre of worship for the past 5 years or so.  Both my daughters have been dedicated there, and it’s been a privilege and joy to share life and see God in action in so many lives.

What are my hopes for the transition and the new site?

• It’s just a great opportunity to continue to explore ways we can continue to serve God in South Manchester.
• The building will enable the church (the people) to do many more exciting things.  Here is a list of vision and ambitions of things we hope to bring into being, when the new building is in action.

Dreams for the New Building  

This whole project is a great testimony to the faithfulness of God and this will an exciting and challenging period for LifeChurch Manchester . Bring it on!