Told you so...last month
Insert Mike Tyson joke here:___________
Brings new light to the phrase, "He could sell a car to a three-year old..."
As long as 7-11 don't drop ICEE as their official slushie provider.
Immigration...in reverse
What's the over/under for time that it will take this guy to make a map of how to get out of prison?
Fact: Too many people are having babies that shouldn't be. Proof: Pot to toddler.
Maybe reasons like this are why Jesus walked everywhere He went...
The world's deadliest teddy bear?
Can you give me a hand?
Here comes the Tide...I mean bride. (This dude is a sucker. Okay, sure you get married at BDS, wonderful. If they're "hard-core" Bama fans, does he realize every 6 years he'll have to choose Anniversary verses 'Bama game? There are 12 games a year...that gives you 40 more weekends on which to get married.) Congrats, though...
On a serious note: If this doesn't make you feel small in the shadow of a Creator, not much will.
Friday, September 29, 2006
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
New Look, Same Great Taste
My literary fascinations, for what they're worth, have always drawn me to the common marketing phrase "New Look, Same Great Taste." It's a pretty sound tagline for products that have underwent a facelift. It's the manufacturer's way of saying, "notice our new pretty packaging, but don't get scared that we might have changed what's inside." I've seen it on Pepsi packaging, bread bags, and the box of Key Lime pie I raided from the office fridge just a few hours ago. The other night, however, as Amanda and I were buying groceries, I noticed that our regular Apple Juice brand had changed their bottle design. I looked and there was no "New Look, Same Great Taste" sticker. Almost immediately, I got a little worried it might taste differently (even though it's kinda hard to change the apple juice 'formula'). Isn't that almost unfair to that company? As a consumer, I've grown so used to having a disclaimer that says nothing has changed about a product that I question the inside simply on the changes made on the outside.
Spiritual applications?
So many of us are quick to judge when congregations make visible changes. If a congregation of the Lord's church plans a building project, buys new songbooks, adds a basketball goal outside, gets a bigger church bus, and anything else similar, we begin to wonder "have they turned liberal?" We almost act as if the Lord's money can't be used to make the Lord's work more efficient. Changes and improvements must be made throughout time to continue to carry out the Lord's mission of seeking and saving the lost (Luke 19:10). (As a caveat, though, the changes and improvements congregations make should not keep them from looking like the New Testament church, though.)
However, we must not be so quick to change things that we negate the good of what's inside. I assume Paul knew the importance of good public speaking skills, yet he said that he didn't desire to go to the Corinthians with "excellence of speech" because he didn't want anything--even his speech--to overshadow the cross. Just as brethren shouldn't be judgemental based on outward and opinion-based changes, other brethren shouldn't make changes at the cost of Truth. There is only one way of carrying out the Lord's work to the world: preaching and teaching the Truth (Acts 8:4); there are many methods, however, that facilitate this goal. The method (man's choices) must never take precedence over the Way (Lord's will). We shouldn't take more time and spend more money on the "packaging" than we do on the "gift" itself.
As the church, we have a responsibility to study, proclaim, and hold on to the Truth of the gospel. In carrying that gospel to the world, it can be very easy to improve our "look" at the expense of our "taste." May we never deprive the world of the taste it needs the most...the Bread of Life.
Spiritual applications?
So many of us are quick to judge when congregations make visible changes. If a congregation of the Lord's church plans a building project, buys new songbooks, adds a basketball goal outside, gets a bigger church bus, and anything else similar, we begin to wonder "have they turned liberal?" We almost act as if the Lord's money can't be used to make the Lord's work more efficient. Changes and improvements must be made throughout time to continue to carry out the Lord's mission of seeking and saving the lost (Luke 19:10). (As a caveat, though, the changes and improvements congregations make should not keep them from looking like the New Testament church, though.)
However, we must not be so quick to change things that we negate the good of what's inside. I assume Paul knew the importance of good public speaking skills, yet he said that he didn't desire to go to the Corinthians with "excellence of speech" because he didn't want anything--even his speech--to overshadow the cross. Just as brethren shouldn't be judgemental based on outward and opinion-based changes, other brethren shouldn't make changes at the cost of Truth. There is only one way of carrying out the Lord's work to the world: preaching and teaching the Truth (Acts 8:4); there are many methods, however, that facilitate this goal. The method (man's choices) must never take precedence over the Way (Lord's will). We shouldn't take more time and spend more money on the "packaging" than we do on the "gift" itself.
As the church, we have a responsibility to study, proclaim, and hold on to the Truth of the gospel. In carrying that gospel to the world, it can be very easy to improve our "look" at the expense of our "taste." May we never deprive the world of the taste it needs the most...the Bread of Life.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Nearly News 09.21.06
Thursday, September 14, 2006
News NOT Reported by Katie Couric
A 'Columbine' game? No, that won't inspire anyone toward imitation...
See, it's not just Youth Ministers telling you that you can't have fun. Hip-hop and sex connection...
Youngsters 'addicted to mobile phones'...you think?
From the "Oops" file:
Sorry princess...
When you play with electricity...
It sounded like a good idea 5 years ago...
It sounded like a good idea, part two
This wacko got a rise out of 2 billion people's spam filters...
This happened to me one time...then my alarm clock ended it all...
See, it's not just Youth Ministers telling you that you can't have fun. Hip-hop and sex connection...
Youngsters 'addicted to mobile phones'...you think?
From the "Oops" file:
Sorry princess...
When you play with electricity...
It sounded like a good idea 5 years ago...
It sounded like a good idea, part two
This wacko got a rise out of 2 billion people's spam filters...
This happened to me one time...then my alarm clock ended it all...
Monday, September 11, 2006
Where I Was & Reflections (9/11)
I know I will be able to tell people for the years "where I was on Sept. 11, 2001" just like our parents and grandparents have been doing for the Kennedy Assassination. Here--as briefly as I can--I'll outline where I was and what I did. I'll close with some reflections pertinent to the day and to my situation.
7:30ish A.M. (CDT)
I wake up from bed and for the first time all year, I turn on the TV to NBC's Today. I guess it was to help me wake up better. I go take a shower and as I come back from the shower, I hear Matt Lauer talking about a plane that has hit the WTC. I think something along the lines of "that's not good" but I quickly get ready to meet Amanda at breakfast. As I'm putting on my sandals to leave, I'm putting them on directly in front of the TV. And then the second plane hits the other tower; Lauer confirms that a second plane has struck the tower and he concludes what we were already thinking "This is obviously not a random event anymore."
8:15ish A.M.
I'm late meeting Amanda for breakfast (which is not unusual for me); I tell her what all has happened. We eat and try to absorb as much of the implications as we can. She goes to class, I go back to the dorm. I go to one of the four-man rooms on our floor to see if my friends have heard; only one of them was awake and was in the shower, so I turn on their TV for them. As we sit watching the events, the first tower falls (which was the second one struck). Awe. Inspiring. I watch in their room until Greek class at 9:30.
9:30ish A.M.
I go to Greek class and there is already a TV in the room and of course coverage of the events is showing. The other tower falls while we watch and one classmate slams his hand to the table in anger. Dr. Flatt calmly and respectfully asks us to turn it off for a moment so that we can have class. The first vocabulary word in our daily "treat" (quiz) is the Greek word for "peace." Very thoughtful teacher; no different on this momentous day.
10:30 A.M.
Daily chapel. Dr. Steve Johnson had already put together a prayer and scripture service with thoughts reflecting on the horrible events of the day. I know there were several specific prayers offered: for the vicitims and their families, for our nation, and for the enemies. Probably the best chapel during my time at FHU.
Reflections:
(1) Why was I so eager to tell Amanda, my friends, and others the bad news if they hadn't heard yet? I would be much more successful in teaching others if I carried the good news with the same urgency I carried the bad news on that day.
(2) Some of the most touching moments of that day involved patriotic stances. "United we stand" was a regular phrase of comfort. In thinking about the political climate since 9/11, I sometimes wonder if we ever were united, even on that horrible day. Maybe we all agreed that we shouldn't dishonor those who unknowingly or knowingly gave their lives by bickering and drawing political lines, but I think we remained divided because we were divided before and have been since. One event--even as horrible as it was--can't cause us to agree on political, philosophical, ideological, or moral divides. The smoke of that day covered much more than
the streets of New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania.
(3) The only way we can acheive true peace--worldwide, nationwide, or otherwise--is through Christ. We've grown so used to hearing that idea that we forget how true it is. The only way to solve the problem highlighted in #2 above is to address the problem in #1. Christ is the answer; we must do our part to get Him to those who need Him.
7:30ish A.M. (CDT)
I wake up from bed and for the first time all year, I turn on the TV to NBC's Today. I guess it was to help me wake up better. I go take a shower and as I come back from the shower, I hear Matt Lauer talking about a plane that has hit the WTC. I think something along the lines of "that's not good" but I quickly get ready to meet Amanda at breakfast. As I'm putting on my sandals to leave, I'm putting them on directly in front of the TV. And then the second plane hits the other tower; Lauer confirms that a second plane has struck the tower and he concludes what we were already thinking "This is obviously not a random event anymore."
8:15ish A.M.
I'm late meeting Amanda for breakfast (which is not unusual for me); I tell her what all has happened. We eat and try to absorb as much of the implications as we can. She goes to class, I go back to the dorm. I go to one of the four-man rooms on our floor to see if my friends have heard; only one of them was awake and was in the shower, so I turn on their TV for them. As we sit watching the events, the first tower falls (which was the second one struck). Awe. Inspiring. I watch in their room until Greek class at 9:30.
9:30ish A.M.
I go to Greek class and there is already a TV in the room and of course coverage of the events is showing. The other tower falls while we watch and one classmate slams his hand to the table in anger. Dr. Flatt calmly and respectfully asks us to turn it off for a moment so that we can have class. The first vocabulary word in our daily "treat" (quiz) is the Greek word for "peace." Very thoughtful teacher; no different on this momentous day.
10:30 A.M.
Daily chapel. Dr. Steve Johnson had already put together a prayer and scripture service with thoughts reflecting on the horrible events of the day. I know there were several specific prayers offered: for the vicitims and their families, for our nation, and for the enemies. Probably the best chapel during my time at FHU.
Reflections:
(1) Why was I so eager to tell Amanda, my friends, and others the bad news if they hadn't heard yet? I would be much more successful in teaching others if I carried the good news with the same urgency I carried the bad news on that day.
(2) Some of the most touching moments of that day involved patriotic stances. "United we stand" was a regular phrase of comfort. In thinking about the political climate since 9/11, I sometimes wonder if we ever were united, even on that horrible day. Maybe we all agreed that we shouldn't dishonor those who unknowingly or knowingly gave their lives by bickering and drawing political lines, but I think we remained divided because we were divided before and have been since. One event--even as horrible as it was--can't cause us to agree on political, philosophical, ideological, or moral divides. The smoke of that day covered much more than
the streets of New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania.
(3) The only way we can acheive true peace--worldwide, nationwide, or otherwise--is through Christ. We've grown so used to hearing that idea that we forget how true it is. The only way to solve the problem highlighted in #2 above is to address the problem in #1. Christ is the answer; we must do our part to get Him to those who need Him.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
...And they will know we are _____________ by our _____________
Went to Wal-Mart last week. Went to get stuff to organize my office more efficiently. While I was looking in the school/office supply section, a dear elderly lady asked me a rather simple question, "Do you work here?"
I was taken back somewhat and then kindly responded, "No ma'am, I don't. I'm sorry." My thoughts about that brief incident revolve somehow around the following idea: it should be easy to identify who works at Wal-Mart (or any other place).
I assume that the manager(s) of our local Wal-Mart expect certain things of its employees. They need them to be visible. This is very likely why Wal-Mart employees wear those easily-identifiable blue vests (some higher-ups wear red I think). Additionally, I would guess that Wal-Mart employees need to know what they are doing. A health and beauty aids associate needs to know about the products in her section. A sporting goods associate needs to be familiar with the items in his section. Third, I would think it's a requirement that employees be present. When consumers need assistance, they need to be able to easily find the counsel of a paid employee (as in office supplies). Finally, employees probably need to use all of the above to offer true helpfulness in a given situation. They can do price checks; they can make recommendations based on the needs of the consumer; they can expound upon the different qualities of products under consideration; they can locate hard-to-find products.
Wal-Mart aside, aren't certain things expected of us as workers in the Vineyard of the Lord? Don't we need to be visible? I would feel horrible about my spiritual condition if someone asked me, "Are you a Christian?" God expects for us to be known as His followers (1 Thess. 1:2-7, et al.) . We don't have to wear distinguishing apparel (although our apparel should reflect Christ) to let our lights shine so that others see our Father (Matt. 5:16). Secondly, like Wal-Mart employees, we need to know about our "product." (Our mission is far too serious to casually call it a "product," but it's for sake of application.) Jesus said we would be recognizable as His disciples by our love for one another (Jn. 13:35). That means we need to do things in a loving manner. However, it also means that we need to know what people need: the gospel. Simply sharing feelings of love isn't sharing true love. We must know the depths of God's word (Heb. 5:12-14); we must be capable of answering questions to our faith (1 Pet. 3:15). Thirdly, we need to be present to those in need. Jesus left His disciples in the world (including us) precisely so that we can reach the world in need (Jn. 17:15-18). Finally, we as Christians need to do what it takes to offer to the world what it needs the most: Christ. In spite of obstacles that could stand in the way; in spite of fear of failure; in spite of rejection; in spite of __________ we need to be selling the good news of Christ. We need to show how precious salvation is a free gift; we also need to emphasize the high cost of discipleship that comes with accepting that gift.
May God bless us all to seize every opportunity to explain who we work for.
I was taken back somewhat and then kindly responded, "No ma'am, I don't. I'm sorry." My thoughts about that brief incident revolve somehow around the following idea: it should be easy to identify who works at Wal-Mart (or any other place).
I assume that the manager(s) of our local Wal-Mart expect certain things of its employees. They need them to be visible. This is very likely why Wal-Mart employees wear those easily-identifiable blue vests (some higher-ups wear red I think). Additionally, I would guess that Wal-Mart employees need to know what they are doing. A health and beauty aids associate needs to know about the products in her section. A sporting goods associate needs to be familiar with the items in his section. Third, I would think it's a requirement that employees be present. When consumers need assistance, they need to be able to easily find the counsel of a paid employee (as in office supplies). Finally, employees probably need to use all of the above to offer true helpfulness in a given situation. They can do price checks; they can make recommendations based on the needs of the consumer; they can expound upon the different qualities of products under consideration; they can locate hard-to-find products.
Wal-Mart aside, aren't certain things expected of us as workers in the Vineyard of the Lord? Don't we need to be visible? I would feel horrible about my spiritual condition if someone asked me, "Are you a Christian?" God expects for us to be known as His followers (1 Thess. 1:2-7, et al.) . We don't have to wear distinguishing apparel (although our apparel should reflect Christ) to let our lights shine so that others see our Father (Matt. 5:16). Secondly, like Wal-Mart employees, we need to know about our "product." (Our mission is far too serious to casually call it a "product," but it's for sake of application.) Jesus said we would be recognizable as His disciples by our love for one another (Jn. 13:35). That means we need to do things in a loving manner. However, it also means that we need to know what people need: the gospel. Simply sharing feelings of love isn't sharing true love. We must know the depths of God's word (Heb. 5:12-14); we must be capable of answering questions to our faith (1 Pet. 3:15). Thirdly, we need to be present to those in need. Jesus left His disciples in the world (including us) precisely so that we can reach the world in need (Jn. 17:15-18). Finally, we as Christians need to do what it takes to offer to the world what it needs the most: Christ. In spite of obstacles that could stand in the way; in spite of fear of failure; in spite of rejection; in spite of __________ we need to be selling the good news of Christ. We need to show how precious salvation is a free gift; we also need to emphasize the high cost of discipleship that comes with accepting that gift.
May God bless us all to seize every opportunity to explain who we work for.
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