Things men do with technology....at church

We were at the men's lunch...just finished eating, then tend to business. Preparing our hearts before the pastor speaks...
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Utter disappointment

Why would I expect any different. I am not even any different. But, really, selfish mean people really make me sad. My kids were recently told by a neighbor that they were not allowed to ride their bikes and various riding things in their driveway. It's kind of understandable...but, the reason she gave them was that the crack in her concrete was getting worse. Wow. Honestly, she doesn't owe us any explanation, but to make something up like that says a lot more about her.

 

It's that way with most of the folks around where we now live. There are a couple of really nice folks..but, for the most part it is the crabbiest neighborhood I have ever been around.

 

How disappointing..

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Maybe I've been too naive

I have been amazed by some of the photography taken from space by GEOEYE. (GEOEYE.COM) However, through that I have discovered a major misconception that I've had. My thoughts have always been that throughout the world, if there's anything really cool, it's right here in the good ol' USA. We have the best theme parks, water parks, stadiums and whatever else entertainment driven people would pay for. I mean, we live in America. We have the superhighways...6 lanes each direction...cars, cars, and more cars. Most other countries...not so much. Even Europe I envision as slightly behind us in the technology/entertainment/etc. areas.

 

We have outsourced several of our positions to India due to the very inexpensive cost to our company. We have 18-20 helpdesk personnel out there compared to our 10-12 here...When some of the employees from India have visited the corporate offices, they would buy toys like iPods, Jeans, Computers... to take back home. Ahh...poor third world country people...

 

Well, I have had a major eye opening..slap my face and call me silly. I was looking at GEOEYE.COM. I read a heading...the tallest building ever constructed. Hum...where's that? As I clicked I was amazed. It's in the United Arab Emirates...near Dubai in a place called Burj Khalifa... the UAE. Standing at 2717 feet it is the tallest manmade structure in the world. However, not only is it tall...it appears to be amazingly beautiful. The area surrounded by water, the landscaping and roadways add to it's beauty as viewed from above. Wow, I thought. What an anomaly. Oh wait...there's more. Google search "Yas Island"....Then, go here http://www.atlantisthepalm.com/default.aspx...Oh, that's located on the map here: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=atlantis&sll=25.126014,55.119095&sspn=0.15635,0.216637&ie=UTF8&radius=6.77&split=1&rq=1&ev=zi&hq=atlantis&hnear=&ll=25.122284,55.119095&spn=0.164126,0.216637&t=h&z=12

Reading a little bit about it...it appears that "The Palm" is a man made structure in the shallows of the ocean...an amazing feat in itself. Let alone the park, resorts, and HOMES that are on the that structure. It's almost like they anticipated advertising from space...it's quite amazing. Look a little south on the map and see "The Palm Jebel Ali" in the works....

 

Where is all this amazing stuff being built? Saudi Arabia. When I look at our attractions, they appear dated and dusty compared to those places. Kind of like comparing Disney World to that traveling carnival that comes to town on the back of Semi- tractor trailers. It's good to know that our gas money is being put to good use...

 

"Many organizations today are locked into doing things a certain way, not because it is still effective, but because it was effective yesterday. This is the curse of success." - Blackaby

 

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Thoughts about our 1st airsoft event...

Thoughts about our last event

We have our first event under our belts. I have received different comments, mostly positive..but, the one that captured my attention was: "I wasn't used to that.." If I let it go at that, I could fill in the blank with whatever I wanted...like, "I wasn't used to so many good, quality players." or "I wasn't used to the number of players that were there"..But, I didn't let it go at that. Come to find out they weren't used to playing with so many people that cheated. Hum.

Well, unfortunately, I think we all experienced it. I know for sure that the people that I experienced it with wasn't part of our group. In fact, before I go any further I'd like to say how impressed I was with our group. The character of the players, the integrity, the ferocity in gameplay. I was proud to be part of "us".

My initial thoughts were, "well, that's the last time we play there!". But, quickly reconsidered...and as I think of the passage from James 1
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Who are our brothers though? Who do we put in the "battle" like this?Obviously, that will not be a place where we go with a bunch of our young ones. But, we may have a core group of men and women that are established in our faith and make that a mission field. But, for now, until we have established who the core group and leaders are, we are going to make these events "Semi-Private". Meaning, it will be mostly Christian men and women...but, feel free to invite those that may be non-believers. But, the plan is to be on "home" turf in the immediate future.

Thank you all for coming out to our first event! I am looking forward to the next. When I get a date I will post it on our site and homeschool loop as well as our mailing group. (Sign up for that on the top of this page)...

S@nkT!f!ed

Thanks kiddos!

Meg, Lane, Christian...Thanks for dinner Wednesday night. You are a sweet crew to treat the family like that! I love you guys!

 

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Still getting hit with it

The question that I have to field almost daily.."So, are you glad to be back?" Honestly, I don't know if it's just the only thing they can think of or if they are curious.

I have pondered it since I don't really have a canned answer. In short..yes and no. Yes in the regard that my wife is happy, my kids are happy, heck...even the dogs seem happy. One of our dogs was having an eye problem in Colorado that's vanished upon returning to Ar. I have made a new friend or 2. We are trying to start up an Airsoft club. Be more involved with church. There are soooo many things that are good.

The bad side is that simply I am not the same as I was. Colorado and the friends I made there has forever impacted and changed me. Probably for the good and the bad. Friends that I had here that were very close before I left seem much more distant. Probably due to the changes in me...although time didn't stand still for them. They, too, are slightly different.

The one thing that I learned that means the most to me in all the moving is...we weren't being punished as I thought and it was very immature for me to think that. I don't think it would have been such an easy decision to come back had I known that before hand. But, it is a lesson well worth the trip.

There's a lot of information that is omitted for the reader I bet...sorry for this non-sensical rambling.

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Missed it..

Well, I have occasionally missed my floor when riding in an elevator and not paying attention. But, today, I actually walked past my floor on the STAIRS..I was deep in thought or something I guess.

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Game time

If I could take a minute and explain what it seems to me that we are supposed to be in this life...cause I would love your feedback on it. But, simply put, I feel like we are to be Gods chess pieces. We are all of various influence and have assigned areas of "power" if you will. Much like a chess piece. Where some pieces can only attack to the right or left diagonally, but move straight ahead and others have other "powers"...Yet, without being where the chess player would put us we are ineffective and our power is useless. In addition, we have no idea of what the rest of the pieces on the board are going to be used for or what purpose they have. Some may be called to be sacrificed to gain an edge in the game, some may be used to breakdown strongholds, others may be used to take down the opposing force. But, no matter the "power" of the individual piece, any piece can be assigned to any of those duties. A pawn (with reinforcements) can be the piece that ultimately pins a king...where the queen may be used as a sacrifice.

 

To me, that seems similarly close to the lives we should lead. No, it's not a game. No, we are not pieces being moved around on a board. However, we have differing levels of influence and ability that makes us unique in this life. Unlike chess however, we are to see where God is working and move to it..bringing with us the special powers. Then, we may be used by God to effectively do his good and perfect will. Then we may feel the satisfaction of being right where God would want us.

 

My power is limited like a pawns...but, with God as my reinforcement, there's no limit (even if I am sacrificed). I just have to trust and move to where he is working.

 

I don't know....but that's kinda what it seems like to me.

 

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Which is more expensive?

So, I did a little general analysis on whether it's less expensive to live in Arkansas or Colorado. The winner??? Colorado is less expensive than Arkansas for us. Here's why...

1. The ONLY thing that was more expensive was our home. But, there's a catch. We had a 2750 sqft home in Colorado...we bought a 2700 sqft home here. However, while the price was virtually identical, the home here is somewhat "nicer".

2. Utilities here are RIDICULOUSLY high. The 100 dollars less a month in our mortgage costs is absorbed instantly leaving even a small deficit.

Colorado were as follows: Water - 75/month, Electricity - 140/month (at the highest), Gas - 45/month, Garbage 200/year.

Arkansas is: Water/Garbage 150/month, Electricity - about 170/month (averaged), Gas - 50/month.

3. Gas was cheaper by about .05 per gallon.

4. Food was considerably less expensive.

 

Things about Colorado that made it even more appealing from a public relation:

1. PARKS, PARKS, PARKS - they were like churches here. On every corner.

2. Road repair - they did it almost exclusively overnight...traffic was better for it.

3. Grooming - trash was regularly cleaned on the sides of roads. Grass was cut regularly in public areas..Most of Colorado public lands were pristine.

4. Sidewalks.

5. If you didn't pick up your dog poop when taking your dog on a walk in the park - TICKET!

etc. etc. etc.

 

Do NOT be fooled to thinking that Arkansas has some "lower cost of living"...it ain't cheaper.

 

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No pork for me! Thanks!

1st of all...Thanks Les! I love your response and I think my lack of eloquence and manipulation of words is what makes it so difficult to understand what I am trying to convey. The last 3rd of your response is where I tried to head but without success. Thanks for making it much more clear. :-)

But, as most people that eat all things wonder why we that don't, don't...I thought I'd try to take a whack helping you understand my point of view. Please note, as I know you are already aware, following the "don't eat what God says isn't food" diet doesn't get me to heaven. ...So, here it goes:

1. Conviction - the primary reason is I feel that I shouldn't partake in shellfish, horse, dog, squirrel, pigs, catfish, etc. is because I believe God told ME and MINE not to. I guess it's kind of like multiple wives, owning slaves, etc. I wouldn't do those things either...though the new testament doesn't say it's "wrong". However, I feel strongly that God directed MY FAMILY to steer clear.

2. Gross - after being convicted and thinking about it (not very hard might I add) the thought of it is DISGUSTING. Let's see, eat a big mac made from a cow that eats GRASS. Or, a pork chop on fine china made from a pig that eats...well kindly put, "things that other pigs already ate". Hum, easy decision for me. And, really, the question goes right back toward the free eater. Why don't you eat more cat anyway?

3. The arrogance of man - Initially, (and I think still) God said don't eat it. As in the example of a woman's period, there are good reasons for all that He said. Rarely was there ever a law that was just "let's see if they'll actually do this". So, what changed? Why can we now eat pork when he so strongly advised against it? I know that God created science too, but, I don't think we know as much as God to know why we can now freely partake. So, I'll simply do without.

4. Most people think that the verse that speaks to eating of "ANYTHING in the marketplace" (speaking to meats sacrificed to idols) gives them "freedom" as well as the image that Peter saw with "pigs on a blanket". The first incident, to my understanding, is flawed thinking. The province they were in was predominately Jews...so, to think that they were selling anything but meat that Jews would BUY is poor marketing. According to my research, the meat they sold in said markets did not fall outside of the "law" per se, but, the issue is that the meat may have been from some sacrifice outside that of the Jewish beliefs. The documents stated furthermore that the business men of the time would have been insane to try to sell anything that wasn't supposed to be on the menu. It would just rot. It's not like they had freezers or anything. So, opening up a "Cat on a stick" stand wouldn't have received any business. But, this really plays a minor role in my decision making. I just find it very interesting that folks that many believe there were all kinds of non-clean foods available. When, according to the historians, was probably not the case at all. The other "pigs on a blanket" incident has nothing to do with food...and Peter knew that...moving on. No impact in my life at all...besides that of what was intended. Of which I benefit greatly! :-)

5. Health - In my opinion too many of us live in the "All things permissible" realm but forget the "not all things are beneficial" side. I want to try to stick to things that are good for me and my family. Things that benefits our health, minds and hearts. Not merely strut in my freedom, but realizing that with freedom comes MASSIVE responsibility. Coping with diet is the easiest part of life compared to things of the heart and doing God's will.

I don't do it to make me more "Holy". I don't do it to go to heaven. I do it because I believe God told me to and the more I think about it, the more sense it makes. And, honestly, it's displayed massive benefit to me. I used to have a rather irritable bowel. (I know! WAAAAYYY TOO much information!) But, since my change, I have not had it...that's not just months ago. It's been YEARS. One last example that hopefully helps people understand why I think what I do. Scripture says that 2 are better than one. That woman was made for man. That a man would leave his family and cleave to his wife - essentially creating a single unit. It's a beautiful description. Later, Paul says it's BETTER to remain single IF you can exercise self-control. Why are so many preachers married? Because, neither is WRONG. There are many benefits to each...just like eating pig. If you feel you can...DO, if not, DON'T but don't do either blindly just exercising freedom or whatever. Know the benefit you are getting from doing what you are or are not doing.

So, that's just ME. I don't intend to force this on anybody...But, giving an insight to my thinking.

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