Gaming
Sep 30, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Gamey | CD: Veggie Tales Music }
You may remember that Grace and I invested in a state of the art gaming system a few months ago. This was the system:
Well, some people thought I was depriving my children of all the wonderful worlds that could be open to them with a more cutting-edge gaming technology. We have finally obliged. He bought them this one:
Yes, I know, we are amazing parents.
Dialogue
Sep 29, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Decent | TIVO: Ironically, “Queer Eye for a Straight Guy }
Today, I was reading my friend Aaron’s blog and I came across a post about Christians, homosexuality, etc. This spurred a great and ongoing dialogue between the two of us today.
If you want to read his post and our email dialogue (and I encourage you to do so)…continue reading by clicking on this: Read the rest of this entry »
GRRRRRRRRR
Sep 29, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Upset | ITUNES: “Thank You” - Beulah }
I am running a Microsoft Update because Word and PowerPoint are hosing up my system and making me mad this last week. When I ran the update, here is Microsoft’s description of what it will fix:
This update fixes an error in the AutoUpdate download progress bar, which did not accurately display the progress of the download. While this update is downloading, the progress bar might not accurately display the status. After the update is installed, the download progress bar will accurately display the status of future downloads.
Super.
Volcano
Sep 29, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Explosive | ITUNES: “A Perfect Day” - PJ Harvey }
Apparently, Mount Saint Helen is gonna blow soon. Click here for a live webcam.
Grace
Sep 29, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Conflicted | ITUNES: “Let’s Get Retarded” - Black Eyed Peas }
Chey posted this interesting thought regarding a conversation she had with my wife:
Grace Heikkinen: “Don’t you ever feel like there are just not enough hours in the day to eat all the food you want to eat?”
Me: “That is hilarious.”
So, I don’t feel like that. I really don’t. That is about the craziest thing I have ever heard made all the more amusing by the fact that Grace is easily half my size and has this love affair with food that is (in my life) unparalled. She’s a riot. Only a skinny person could say something like that with a straight face.
My wife has given me persmission to post her quote with the question “Does anyone out there feel the same way?” So I ask the question…do you?
Republican vs. Democrat
Sep 27, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Ick | ITUNES: “Ataypura” - Yma Sumac }
I just read something that irritates the crap out of me. It was link off Studylight.org, a site I totally dig. However, this was just gross. I bring it up, because it is a classic example of going to the Word with your mind made up, and looking for examples that support your case instead of looking to the word, willing to let it contradict you. For more on this, read Dan’s blog.
Anyhoo, this article was entitled “Should a Christian be a Republican or a Democrat?” Here is the first paragraph, which looked promising:
To start out, let me say that as a tax-exempt non-profit organization, Got Questions Ministries is not allowed to endorse political parties or candidates. What we can do is tell you what the Bible says about political issues and allow you to make a decision from there. In all actuality, few political issues are truly spiritual issues. As an example, personally, I prefer lower taxes. The Bible does not endorse low taxes, all it says is that we are to pay our taxes honestly (Romans 13:6-7; Matthew 22:15-21). Taxes, and many other issues (social security, universal healthcare, education funding, prescription drugs, etc.) are not spiritual issues the Bible specifically addresses. As a result, Christians can in good conscience have disagreements on these issues.
Now this was a good start, but then the author lists (as examples) two places where God “takes sides.” Issue one: Abortion ; Issue two: Gay marriage
Then, he basically takes the character qualities of a leader in the church and says that applies to the government as well.
That’s it.
What drives me crazy is his selection of two issues that are political hotbeds and his implication that those against these two things would be the best choice. In other words, despite his cute little preamble, he is basically saying that Christians should be Republicans.
What about other issues the Bible takes stands on?
Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us. (James 1:27)
Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing, and you say, “Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well” – but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? (James 2:15-16)
The Bible sure seems to be drawing a line in the sand. (Of course, I understand these are all directed at the church, not government, but they are sure things that are on the heart of God.)
I say this as a person who will most likely vote Republican this year (Presidentmatch.com told me I prefer Bush over Kerry in 58% of my beliefs.
Oh well…off my soapbox now and back to work…
Wow
Sep 27, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Contemplative | QUICKTIME: “World on Fire” - Sarah McLachlan }
Thanks to Travis for pointing me toward this video.
Perspective.
Brasstown
Sep 27, 2004 Uncategorized
Here are some pics from our trip:
This is Snow (he was the drummer for the band as well as the organizer of our poker night, which I lost terribly at). He owns his own production company called Big Snow Entertainment
This guy won the poker game. I hate him.
This is Nate. He was the bass player (although like many bass players, he “is really a guitar player.”) I like him because he is really into Maroon 5 and he looks like the Unibomber.
Here are two pictures of our Suite. Yes, I said “Suite.” And yes, that is a fireplace.
Here are some shots from the resort. The bummer is we didn’t have time to do any hiking or anything.
This, is the self-proclaimed “World’s Most Handsome Man,” my friend Brad. Yes ladies (and gentlemen, I suppose) he is single and available.
The Church
Sep 27, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Decent | NOISE: Entourage telling me I have mail }
Thanks to Dan for this quote:
What we call “church” is too often a gathering of strangers who see the
church as yet another “helping institution” to gratify further their
individual desires. One of the reasons some church members are so
mean-spirited with their pastor, particularly when the pastor urges them to
look at God, is that they feel deceived by such pastoral invitations to look
beyond themselves. They have come to church for “strokes,” to have their
personal needs met. What we call church is often a conspiracy of cordiality.
pastors learn to pacify rather than preach to their Ananiases and Sapphiras.
we say we do it out of “love.” Usually, we do it as a means of keeping
everyone as distant from everyone else as possible. You don’t get into my
life and I will not get into yours.
-Stanley Hauerwas
We’re Back
Sep 27, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Slightly Headachy | NOISE: Boys… talking… playing… fighting… yelling… ah, it’s good to be home… }
So we are back from Atlanta. The place we stayed in was awesome! You can check it out here. And they really hooked us up with an amazing huge room! I’ll throw a few pictures up later.
Suffice it to say, it was a great time. I am not sure how used to an interactive style of teaching everyone there was. It took a little pulling to get them to talk to me from stage. However, once we got going it was awesome. We did this message / discussion on community Saturday night and they really got into it. Man, that is a topic that people are dying to talk about.
I also met a lot of cool people. It was cool to hear of this Fiji house on Georgia Tech’s campus that started a small group a few years ago. It has now grown to over 1/3 of their frat! In fact, the president of the frat has encouraged everyone to be in small groups (and he isn’t even a Christian, he just likes what he sees!). Cool stuff.
Anyhoo, glad to be home.
Georgia
Sep 26, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Awake | NOISE: Clink }
I am early for a breakfast meeting right now and I discovered that there was free internet access at the hotel right next to the restaraunt. I wish I had looked earlier!
Anyhoo, this has been a great conference. It has been cool to see my friend Brad in his leadership role at his church, as well as meet a pretty cool new worship leader (he’s a 21 year old guy named Kristian…keep your eye out for him). All in all, things have gone very well.
Here is a prayer request, though. I had a major major migraine on the plane on the way down because I am dealing with a little sinus cold. Please pray that my head does not explode on the way home.
More later…my breakfast guys have arrived.
Yowza
Sep 23, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Stressed | NOISE: My computer fan }
I haven’t posted much this week, because I have been ripping my hair out. However, I do want you guys to be praying for me, so I thought I’d give a little summary:
* The funeral went pretty good. The tone was great because my grandma seems to have been a Christian. That makes all the difference in the world. It was nice to hang out with my cousins. I don’t get to see them very often. Also, my Uncle Gus was there and I haven’t talked to him in a long time. He pastors a church in Indiana and always has good advice.
* Althought that all went well, it really hosed up my schedule. I am scrambling to get ready for this conference. Please pray for that things go well despite how crazy this week has been.
* 2 of my 4 kids are sick. ‘Nuff said.
* We leave in the morning for Atlanta. ‘Nuff said.
Please pray for both Grace and I and Eric and Katie who are watching our kids while we are gone. I suspect we will all need your prayers.
Lunch
Sep 20, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Great! | ITUNES: “Natasha” - Rufus Wainwright }
I just had lunch with Emma. Yes, the food was exactly what I remembered it to be like. I had curly fries and chicken circles (don’t ask). Then, we went outside to play. I got to meet a bunch of her friends and help them all get on top of the jungle gym. Then, one of the girls said “Bobby?”
I said, “yes?” (I had been trying to convince them my name was Bobby and Emma was my mom)
“Did you know Emma is the smartest person in our class?”
That does a dad’s heart good.
Throughout the half hour I was there, I watched Emma talk to a lot of kids. Not just those in her circle of friends, but other kids. Kids in other classes. Kids who were by themselves. Kids who seemed to have a lot of friends and those who didn’t.
That REALLY does a dad’s heart good.
Florida
Sep 20, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Good, Busy and Stressed, but Good | ITUNES: “Learn to Fly” - Foo Fighters }
From my friend Marcus who lives in Miami:
In fact, our friends in the GCM office in Orlando have encountered $24,000 in out of pocket expenses. If you want to help them out, you can learn how to do that here.
Lunch
Sep 19, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Decent | TIVO: “Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back” }
Apparently I’m not too cool for school. Emma has asked me to have lunch with her at school tomorrow. I need to do this as long as she will let me.
Wow. I can’t remember the last time I ate “school food.”
Pray for me
Sep 18, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Caffeinated | NOISE: Kyle Drilling }
Please pray for this insane week. Here is my schedule:
Today - Wedding in the afternoon, Teaching at Riverview
Sunday - Teaching three services at Riverview, then going to my grandma’s viewing in Detroit
Monday - Conference Prep
Tuesday - Grandma’s funeral, Dinner with extended family
Wednesday - Thursday - Conference Prep
Friday - Sunday - Teach at a conference in Atlanta with Northpoint Church. (You can check out their college ministry here.)
So, anyhoo, please pray because it is going to be an insanely busy week.
DNS Problems
Sep 18, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Good, Thanks | NOISE: Kyle Drilling }
My site has been acting kind of whacky the last few days. Apparently, my registrar added an old name server that was pointing people to a now defunct Mac.com page. Sorry about that. Things should be good now. If it doesn’t work for you, just hit refresh a couple times and if that doesn’t work, wait a day and you should be golden.
Resurrection
Sep 17, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Elated | NOISE: Jesse Sneezing }
One of the three deaths has turned into a miracle of life.
After drying out and recharging the battery, the camera is alive again! I can’t believe it. It’s a miracle!
In fact, I think it is interesting that a few of you recommended the Canon Powershot, because that is the kind i have.
Faith, Hope, and Love
Sep 16, 2004 Uncategorized
{ MOOD: Encouraged | ITUNES: “Sweet Caroline” - U2 }
Last night, I listened to Chaz teach Bob, our high school group. He made an interesting comment about 1 Corinthians 13:13 (There are three things that will endure – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love.)
He was talking about hope and he said, “We don’t know whether hope is number two or number three, but we do know that it is up there.” That was floating in my brain as I was reading 1 Thessalonians today. I was reading 1 Thes and asking myself the question, “why was it this church the only one Paul had nothing bad to say about in all of his church letters?”
Then, I read this verse (highlights mine):
We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, (1 Thessalonians 1:3)
Could it be that this church kept these three things at the top?
