Gadgets! 2010 in stuff

I thought about making another thought-provoking year-in-review, next year-in-preview post today.  However, there's work to be done with the brain, and it's not going smoothly.  So, I thought I'd post this for you.  It's a review of some of the stuff I've acquired in the last year.  Some is awesome, some is quirky.  All of it is a challenge: do I have stuff, or does stuff have me?  Will I use these various gadgets for the glory of God or am I hiding behind my stuff?

These aren't in any order of preference, cost, or amazing-ness.  They're just in the order I put them in the blog post. FYI: If it's an Amazon.com link, it's probably my affiliate link, if it's not Amazon, it's not an affiliate link. Not trying to profit from any of this, just thought it would be fun.

First item: The Chop-Stir!  Ever have trouble when browning ground meat?  You can't get it quite chopped up and stirred up and well browned? This thing is the solution: It's like a combo-spatula and chopping blade that's dull enough for non-stick, but sharp enough for ground meat.  This is one of the better $6 I've ever spent for a kitchen tool.  It's also handy for mixing frozen juice concentrates.  I have yet to duct-tape it to my drill for power usage, but I'm thinking about it.  Need to give a low-cost unique kitchen gadget as a gift?  Give one of these.  At the least, it won't be returned .  I don't know if these are available from anywhere other than Chopstir.com, but the price isn't too bad.

Next item: The Amazon Kindle. Yes, I bought an e-book reader.  And I love it. Though I will say that I don't want to see these things replace real books, this little gadget is nice.  I now use my Kindle to store sermon notes, school info, and I've taken up about half the space with free books.  I'm not fond of the "experimental" mp3 player, it seems to lock up my Kindle.  However, they've now enabled lending on Kindles, which means I can borrow your book for 14 days or you can borrow mine.  Someday, I'll find a library that is setup for that, and I will be very happy.  

 

Third gadget: Well, not so much a gadget as a software package: Logos Bible Software.  It's required for my seminary experience at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, so I now have it.  This software has a multitude of translations, study resources, and very handily links it all together. Like the Kindle, though, this is no pure substitute for books, although if you could outfit laptops with it and distribute to English-speaking pastors around the world, that would be awesome.  If it hadn't been required, I probably would never have gotten it, but they may require it for that reason.  Anyway, good stuff.  Email me if you want more info.

Fourth gadget: TomTom One GPS (I think it's the "One" model).  This little gadget helps me find anywhere I want to be, except for my house, because it doesn't recognize the street number and the nearest intersection, well, it's misspelled.  But anywhere else I want to go, I can use my TomTom. It's been nice to have for finding my way back around from our new house.

Fifth gadget: A rice cooker:

Why? Because we eat a lot of rice, and also we're experimenting with a project called 30-meals-in-one-day, and that requires all of our pots and pans.  By moving rice into its own cooker, it saves a pot and space on the stove.

Sixth: Food processor.  We can grind all sorts of things! And shred cheese, and so on, and so forth. 

 

There's various other things.  Thankfully, most of the gadgets above were bought via Amazon reward points that accumulated from buying stuff we need (like groceries) with a card that generates points.  Points lead to money to spend at Amazon, which builds the stockpile.

Now, to put this in perspective: there's not a thing on this list I'd go back into a burning house for, nor would I grab it and run for a tornado shelter.  However, if I were building a fallout shelter, most of this would go in it.  It's stuff, handy stuff, but not the end of the world. 

Doug

Looking backwards

I'm sitting here at my computer, thinking back over the last 12 months.  Well, a little more specifically, 11 months and 29 days.  I'm trying to mentally review life over the last year and see where I am now compared to where I was.  And to determine if it's helping me get where I should be going.

So, where was I?  Last year at this time, I was attempting to have a little bit of quiet isolation to plan ministry and preaching for the year.  It didn't quite work out, but that's the way things sometimes go. 

I never finished the sermon series I had planned, though.  Through a various series of both good things and bad, it became evident that my time in Monticello, Arkansas, was drawing to a close.  That led to a move at the end of the summer to where we are now, Almyra, Arkansas.

Meanwhile, I've started back to school, primarily at the prodding and insistence of people that are looking out for my best interest when I just want to sit on the couch.  The one class I took this fall was Hebrew, and I'll be finishing off Hebrew this spring, while also taking church history and Biblical interpretation classes.  Those should be a little easier, as I've done that work before.

This past year also marked our son's fourth birthday, thus showing the longest stretch in our married life without adding a child.  We added a cat, but it's not quite the same.  Not that there's a lot we can do about the child thoughts, but we may go borrow one somewhere.

So, here I sit.  I don't really feel much smarter than I was last year at this time, and I'm feeling like I've gone the other way from wiser. I've picked up a few skills, but more and more I've seen a great many areas for growth.

Have I met my goals?  Not really, though that's a mixed blessing.  I didn't really set any major goals last year.  I didn't write a book or learn to play guitar, though I did produce a decent number of blog posts. I wrote and delivered a multitude of sermons and lessons.

So, was the last year a resounding success?  Well, I survived it.  My family survived it.  We are still pretty happy to be with each other.

Can I find failure in last year?  Certainly. I can find some success as well.

There's a bit of both in everything I've attempted.  That's the nature of life for most of us.  Not everything goes as well as hoped, but rarely do things go as badly as they could have.  Were it not for the grace of God, it would have been worse.  Were it not for the grace of God, it would have been better, and I would have forgotten Him.

So thank God for the grace that's gotten you here, and that will carry you the next leg of the journey.  May you see His hand, whether of correction or protection, as you look back at the last year.

Doug

Flat tires

I went into the garage last night and discovered something.  The right rear tire on the van was completely flat.  In the past 4 months, I've had to deal with patching 2 tires, and now this one makes the third.  Yes, all on the same vehicle.  No, I don't know where I keep getting all these blasted nails from either.  I know I had at least 2 of them in Monticello, and maybe I picked up the third here in Almyra. 

All of them started out the same way: a perfectly good tire ran over a nail. (You wanted something bizarre?)  However, I didn't know it.  The symptoms then appeared: the tire appears to be slightly deflated, and a pressure check shows that it is, in fact, deflating.  So, for some time, I add air to the tire.  Once we moved, I even bought my own car-powered tire inflator to keep adding air. Eventually this routine gets old, and something must be done.  Or what happened yesterday happens.

I aired up this one yesterday in preparation for making the trip to Monroe today.  Then, last night, it was completely flat.  So, I jacked up the van, took the tire off, and started spraying soapy water on it.  Then I found it: a small hole, containing what looks like a nail and puts out little soap bubbles when there's air in the tire.  The slow leak became a fast leak.

Now the tire cannot be used until I get it fixed.  Ann and I discussed replacing all the tires on the van, but the tread depth is still decent on them and apart from the holes, they're in good shape.  It seems like a waste of money to replace tires that only have small holes.  Instead, we'll patch this one too and put it back in service.

Why am I troubling you with my tired old story? 

I was contemplating the idea of tire damage and life stress, that's why.  Sometimes, you run over something with a tire, and the puncture is catastrophic.  You see the damage, the tire goes flat or blows out, and instantly there's a problem.  It's not something you can put off fixing or ignore.

Yet most of our difficulties aren't like that.  Many of our problems are the small nails in the tire that leak out slowly.  We can delay fixing them by pumping ourselves up, but that doesn't fix the problem. Eventually, the need to actually fix the issue comes due.

What slow leaks are compromising your life right now?  If you can't think of any, that's either good or a sign of denial, you'll have to figure out which.  If it's not denial, then use your non-leaky life to be an encouragement to others.  Most of us have leaks somewhere, and we need to get through until they're fixed.

And realize this about yourself, folks: you probably don't need replaced, metaphorically speaking.  All my tire needs is for the nail to be taken out, a little buffing and smoothing inside it, a patch, some heat, and it will be in good shape for quite a few more miles. If there are slow leaks in your life, get them fixed, but don't mark yourself for discard yet, because you're not there.  And if you're dealing with a leaky person, be patient with them, because they're not ready for the recycle bin.

True, we all need to surrender our lives to Christ, and He makes us a new creation. If we need to stretch the analogy, then, let's do so: that's trading out your rims for new, perfectly round, and clean ones. How you live is the tubeless radial around that rim, and it still gets leaky, and will until we step into eternity.

Until then, keep patching that radial, and keep on drivin'

Doug

December 26 Sermon

Audio link here

The outline is weak.  Originally, I was going to be preaching Isaiah 65, and changed at the last minute.  Well, not quite the last minute.  I changed about 3 hours before church.  I have changed sermons during the offertory before, but that's pretty rare.

Matthew 2

Magi:

Highlights: sought, found, with joy. Exceeding joy! Worship! For the opportunity to give:

3 Gifts:

Gold

Frankincense

Myrrh

Precious due to rarity

Gifts given to show how much more valuable the receiver is than the gifts

What do we learn:

Gold: wealth of the earth

Frankincense: often used in religion

Myrrh: a burial spice

Like many things, these had multiple uses, but these are some of the main ones.

Therefore:

1. How should I use my earthly wealth in view of the coming of Christ?

2. How should I use my religious life in view of the coming of Christ?

3. How should use my lifespan in view of the coming of Christ?

Realize:

1. Not everything goes well: The Magi went to the wrong place to begin with

2. Not everyone means well: Herod

3. Not everything ends well: The Magi had to leave a different way

Boxing Day!

Today is a holiday that's semi-unknown in the US, and mostly misunderstood by those of us who know it exists.  It's…Boxing DAY!

What do I know about Boxing Day?  Well, original I only knew what was referenced on the TV show M*A*S*H years ago, that on Boxing Day, the officers of the military do the enlisted jobs, and the enlisted do the officers' jobs.  It's a one-day swap out, to see how the other side lives.  Apparently, if you trust the Wikipedia, there is some nature of this day originating in allowing the household servants the day off, since they were required to work on Christmas.  However, that's more a matter for legend and not the point.

The point is this: well, there are a couple of points:

1.) Words shift their usage with time.  How many people assume Rocky is the movie for today? (Apart from some of you loons who think Rocky is the movie for everyday!) It's not about boxing, though it is Boxing Day.  Likewise, we must be careful assuming we always know what is meant by a word constantly repeated.  It may not mean what we think it means.  Look it up or ask about it!

2.) Just because you don't know of a holiday or special event, doesn't mean it's not important.  Also, just because someone doesn't know your holiday, you don't have to get overly irritable.  In due time, I expect that nothing of celebrating the birth of Christ will remain in public American conversation. So what?  Like Boxing Day is special to some, Christmas ought to be special to Believers.  Shall we focus on our own behavior or spend time lamenting the behavior of others?

3.) Finally: while I don't know if the M*A*S*H version of Boxing Day is perfectly accurate (given it took them 11 years to fight a 3 year war, who knows? Although, to their credit, for those 11 years the Forgotten War could not be forgotten, and Father Mulcahy is still why I want to be an Army Chaplain), it's a perfect complement to Christmas.  Why?

What happened at Christmas? For you picky folks, what do celebrate at Christmas, whenever it actually happened?  We celebrate the birth of Christ.  The Incarnation, where God puts on flesh and dwells among us, where He sees how we live from the inside.  Where the flesh annoys and distracts.  Where hunger is, and danger dwells.

Yet He came anyway.  And unlike the demi-gods of mythology, He meant to.  This wasn't the result of unquenchable lust or jealous wandering, but rather the intentional plan of redemption.

And not for one day, but beginning one day, and ending one day some 30-plus years later, when He ascended, after having died and risen, that we may all someday come to Him, and by coming to Him, be with Him for eternity.

So, today, let's celebrate that.  Not that our faith hinges on one day, but that it hinges on eternity.

Doug

Christmas Eve Service Outline

The service tonight did not lend itself to being audio recorded, and I didn't arrange for a video either.  Here's what we had: various Scripture readings and group hymn singing.  So, I'm going to paste the complete outline, and try to find video embeds for all of the hymns. Hymn numbers included are Baptist Hymnal 2008 from Lifeway.  Merry Christmas to all.  Doug

“Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1, NAS)

Joy to the World Hymn #181

“The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ” (Luke 2:10–11, NAS)

How Great Our Joy Hymn #202

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” (Luke 2:14, NAS)

Hark the Herald Angels Sing was actually an unintended, and not peaceful, collaboration of George Whitefield and John and Charles Wesley.  The story is that the Wesleys had written the hymn, and Whitefield changed the opening line to what it is today.  Realize that, whatever other disagreements that exist: Glory to the newborn King is what matters most!

Hark the Herald Angels Sing Hymn #192

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say,

REJOICE!” (Philippians 4:4, NAS)

Good Christian Men Rejoice Hymn #183

“Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; ” (Hebrews 10:19–23, NAS)

O Come All Ye Faithful

Hymn #199

“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. ” (Isaiah 7:14, NAS)

Longfellow had lost two wives, and was living in a country destroyed by war.  Yet he found comfort, the rebirth of his faith: God is not dead, nor doth He sleep!

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

Hymn #187

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. ” (Isaiah 9:6, NAS)

Rejoice in finding peace around the manger, across cultures and times, languages and disasters, finding peace in that moment: the Incarnation of God, the point in history that we see that truly, we are not alone.

Silent Night

Hymn #206

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. ” (Matthew 5:14–16, NAS)

 

Take your candle with you: you are the light.  Carry it with you!

Doug

Inadequate words

It's Christmas Eve, and I've finally put my finger on what I've been thinking the past few weeks.  I'm a preacher.  I spend my days, my nights, my efforts to put into words the love, majesty, and truth of God.

Yet there are times when I cannot put into plain words, because words alone often lack the beauty and completeness to communicate what needs to be said.  Christmas is one of those times.  While I can find Scripture that says what needs to be said, my own words are too often inadequate.  It's a time and a celebration that needs music and enthusiasm.

So, while the angels say "Glory to God," we people need to sing it.  One of the other amazing things about Christmas is that it's possible to sing the message without truly believing it.  It's amazing to hear artists on the radio sing songs of the joy of Christ, of the birth of the King of Kings, and sound amazing doing it, and next week they'll be back to broken hearts, drinking, and whatever else. 

So, with thanks to various bloggers like Tim Challies, Justin Taylor, and Kevin DeYoung, who are some of the famous good bloggers that I read, I'm going to relink some of the Christmas music videos they've posted and a few others. (note: Challies, Taylor, and DeYoung are in no way affiliated with me, this blog, or these links, so don't go complaining to them about me.)