My Paper Jesus
Posted on November 10, 2008
Filed Under Generally Spiritual (few if any geek references) | Leave a Comment
For quite a while now, I’ve been mulling over a theme that has become so massive to me that I think I’ll start a separate blog dedicated to it. But for now, this one article will have to do. The following is blog-catharsis at its best.
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While sitting in the kitchen one day, I decided to spread out all my beliefs onto the table in front of me so I could look them over. Before I knew it, the table was completely covered with documents. I could not help but admire how good each and every one of my beliefs looked (on paper). I decided to gather them all up and form a paper mache statue, about 2 or 2 1/2 ft. high.
At first it was a bit amorphous and crude, but soon I added various details like a beard, sandals, robe and a firm jaw– and strong hands, but of course gentle eyes. Eventually, the statue became quite clear, very distinct. It was my paper Jesus.
Quite satisfied, I drew him up into my arms and took him out into the back yard with me. What a beautiful day! Together, we enjoyed the sunshine and the birds and the flowers and the green grass and the cool breeze. But then something quite disturbing happened. Read more
I think I get it….
Posted on October 14, 2008
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I love the band Switchfoot, and “Awakening” is one of my favorite songs. If you find the Awakening video on YouTube, you might notice that several of the commentators say “I don’t get it…” In fact, if you click on the video below, you might also say “I don’t get it…” And that’s OK.
I gotta say, I think I get it. I mean, I think I always understood the point behind the song, but recently I think I get it, especially since my first ever “official” sermon (I’d rather call it a “talk” but so that everybody knows what I mean… I’ll use the S word).
Now I’m on a mission to make sure that I get it, and keep getting it. What is “it” that I’m starting to get? I feel like I’m waking up! I feel like now is the time more than ever to wake up my faith and trust God to do whatever He wants.
PS: With ”Dare You to Move” I get the same “I’m starting to get it” feeling. Another great song!
Thank you Jea-sus! (now if I could only do that with my soul….)
Posted on October 10, 2008
Filed Under A Geek's Guide to the Scriptures | 2 Comments
Recently my beloved Macbook Pro was acting a little peeked, sluggish, as if it were off its feed. Perhaps it needed another Cafe Mocha–or two. For instance, when I would run Keynote (Apple’s answer to Powerpoint), the machine would practically crawl. Being the rational person that I am, I blamed it on the Powerpoint presentations I was being forced to use.
But yesterday, while teaching a project management class, my poor laptop got so bewildered and forlorned that I had to shut it down, right there in the middle of my lecture, and go on without it.
Last night, I realized that I was in denial over this issue. I needed help. Read more
Beware what you pray for… you just might get it
Posted on October 6, 2008
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Warning… this one’s not too pithy, not too cute or interesting IMHO, just cathartic.
Most of my life I have been asking God for a lot of things, but recently I have been challenged to take the “Bono Route.” You see, one day I watched with wrapped attention as our pastor interviewed Bono (taped, not live … rats!) Bono noted that he was challenged to stop asking God to bless him, and instead ask what God is doing, then get involved in that. Read more
God is a Bluetooth kinda Guy
Posted on August 5, 2008
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Author’s note:
Today I came across the following article at a most interesting time—a time when, truth be told, I was feeling rather alone, in a “dead zone” as it were. If my soul had “signal bars” on it, they would be just about zero.
If I just lost you, read on. It’ll make sense soon.
This article was first sent as an email on March 3, 2004. So, the technological references are a bit dated. Ah, well. I could update it, but frankly, I just want to post it and get on with my quest to get a “stronger signal” with God.
Every time I crawl under my desk to untangle the keyboard cord from the mouse cord from the power cord from the network cord, from the lamp cord…. I think, “Lord! that Bluetooth were ubiquitous!”
If I can’t be brave, I’ll settle for stupid
Posted on May 2, 2008
Filed Under What little I know about Lord of the Rings | 2 Comments
It has been a few years since the movie version of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy came out, but I still marvel over such a great story. So many good characters, so many great moments.
But my favorite moment these days is from “The Fellowship of the Ring” (the first movie) when our heroes are deep within the mines of Moria, skeletons of dwarfs everywhere, and the sense of danger is mounting quickly. As Gandalf the wizard reads the horrible last few dying words from a dwarf’s journal, a hobbit, Pippin, decides to fiddle with a dwarf skeleton perched on the edge of a deep well. Suddenly, that skeleton falls into the well.
Hearing the terrible clatter, Gandalf turns and scolds him saying, “Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!” For now all of their enemies are aroused and know exactly where they are. This is not good. This is very, very not good.
That is my favorite moment in the movie? Well, yeah, actually it is. But allow me to explain…
This is an Automated Email. Do not reply.
Posted on May 1, 2008
Filed Under A Geek's Guide to the Scriptures | 1 Comment
Being unemployed has its challenges, one of which is the nagging reality that I need to contact the Unemployment Office at least once a month and let them know my employment status. I admit it! I chafe under the “rule” of keeping them informed of my progress (or lack there of).
So, I decided to do something about it. I found a free-be email system that I can utilize in sending out automated emails as often as I want, to whomever I want for as far out into the future as I want.
It is www.lettermelater.com.
Try that with a cellphone!
Posted on May 1, 2008
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Shane Hipps spoke at Mars Hill church the other week and gave a powerful, very relevant talk about how technology is shaping the Gospel, or… how the Gospel impacts us, to be a little more exact.
It is an incrediby powerful message called “The Spirituality of the Cellphone.” If you do not get anything else out of Shane’s talk, please listen carefully to what he has to say about his experience as a chaplain at a liver ward, trying to minister to a dying atheist. It is a powerful story–and it beautifully summarizes his overall point.
Here is a copy of the podcast “the spirituality of the cellphone”
keep looking »