Recently I was talking with a good friend about vacation.  He has a very different sentiment in regards to vacation than I do.

He hates dreads them. 

Yeah I know.  How can that be? 

He looks at it from a different viewpoint.  As a result of a busy life and many responsibilities it is often easier for him to not go on any type of vacation because he has to spend a greater amount of time making sure his responsibilities are taken care of before he even leaves.  Not even mentioning the actual preparation for the trip itself.  I see his point.  Sometimes when we come back for a trip there is a mountain of laundry to do and chores galore to be taken care of.  It can be overwhelming.

I’m on the polar opposite of that viewpoint though.  The preparation for a vacation is something that enriches the destination for me.  It helps me to build a level of excitement and expectation about that particular trip. 

And I catch myself treating life the same way.  I get too preoccupied with the destination and trip that I don’t focus on the current moment.  I don’t spend my time trying to encourage those around me to take the same trip I have planned.

What is a healthy way to remind yourself that this life is not only about the destination, but the path to get there as well?

Technology usage in the family is a subject of interest for me.  So when I was reading some emails this morning I came across the following.

According to a study done by The Barna Group, the following was disovered

Most parents and tweens/teens have not heard any kind of teaching in a church, religious setting, or public forum (like a school) about how families can best use media, entertainment or technology. In other words, most families are not getting any coaching or assistance when it comes to integrating technology into their family life. When asked if they would be open to one version of such training—“a Christian or faith-based perspective about how to be a good user of entertainment and technology without letting things negatively impact your family relationships”—about two-fifths of parents (42%) and one-third of tweens and teens (33%) expressed interest. The implication is that faith communities could take a leadership role in teaching about the proper use of technology in healthy families.

This study shows something I already believed to be true but didn’t have the evidence to back up. 

I have talked about this before but this further affirms my assertation that as a church we need to start educating our congregations as to how technology can help them as families, Christians and individuals.  Conversely we also need to be educating them on how to deal with the concept of overconsumption of technology and the dangers inherent with constant connection. 

Technology Summit 2012? 

Maybe.

What are some issues you would like to see addressed and discussed at a Christian Family Technology Summit?

So a couple of months ago I preached my second ever sermon. 

You can find the audio here.

I also preached my third ever sermon that evening as well.  Our pastor was on vacation and asked me if I would like to preach those slots.  I accepted, knowing that it was going to be a long day.  What I did learn however is that preaching twice in one day is a task for those who are truly called. 

I still think I have a lisp.

I still need work on my closings.

I will always seek to do better next time.

With all that said please listen to it, enjoy it, hate it, but at least leave a comment about which way you go with it.

God manifests to us as the father, son, and holy ghost. Much similar to the work John, church John, and home John.

The difference is that God will never contradict himself whereas the many versions of me do.

The three different manifestations of God represent different relationary principles.  While there are three different manifestations of God, they are one.  The concept of the holy trinity is very confusing and devisive.  I’ve heard of people poking fun at Christians for being polytheistic because of the Trinity.  For my personal use, the three different manifestations of God help me to relate in different situations.  The names are simple enough to see the correlation of the relationary principle each one implies.  While I may be able to relate to the different versions at different levels, they are still one being.  They are not merely similar in nature, but identical in makeup. 

How do I measure up to this versionistic(not even a word) God? 

Each version of me is filled with fatal flaws and faults.  No amount of self introspection will cure me.  I modify my being to fit in to each situation that I encounter without thought.  It becomes second nature to chameleon your way into life. 

Until I can clearly define only one John, God will continue to convict me of my personal character flaws.  When will I be able to define one John?  Pretty sure I will never releave myself from these multiple personality tendencies.  The worldly John wants nothing more than to fit in.  To conform to social norms.  However the true John seeks to rise above those norms and be all that God calls me to be. 

What does that even look like?

Since I haven’t really done any real typing for the last few weeks I thought I would provide you with a list of the top five posts from the year.  I know it’s a cop out but to sweeten the pot I’ll give the person who guesses the order correct a bright shiny nickel.

Sit, stand, sit, stand, leave…

It’s not a toy, it’s technology…

Precision…

Pumpkin Patch…

I Just Realized I have a Lisp…

In the van on the way to registration the comment was made that it is more expensive to eat in a healthy manner. Generally speaking healthy foods are more expensive and take a greater degree of skill to prepare properly. This is a pretty solid metaphor for any decision making scenario. Continue reading →

Things I did in the last 24 hours:

(In approximate order)

• Installed countertop
• Drove to TN
• Returned to KY
• Used a circular saw
• Used a drill(both corded and cordless)
• Used a jigsaw
• Installed a sink
• Installed dishwasher
• Used a miter saw
• Traveled to IL
• Drove a Rhino
• Drove a Forklift
• Drove a tractor(with forks attached)
• Wrestled 55 gallon drums with assorted liquid contents
• Returned to KY
• Hung drywall

I think it is perfectly acceptable to say this weekend was productive.

In honor of today I will post this video. It is the reason 11 is awesome

How do you know when you are too tired?

• Carrying a nine month old for more than ten minutes leads to wretched pain.
• The sentences that come out of your mouth sound like jibberish
• Even though you know it sounds like jibberish, you don’t try to fix it.
• The decision of whether you should lay down or eat becomes a serious problem
• You contemplate the ramifications of eating while laying down
• Phoning in a post with some lame “funny” list.

I’ve been remodeling our kitchen for the last two days.  This has involved a total gut, new subflooring in places, hardibacker, tile and some minor plumbing work.  Still left to do is the actual installation of cabinets and countertop, more tile work for the backsplash, making a whole new half wall while tearing down another wall followed by putting all the crap from your old cabinets into the new ones.  Maybe I should just light a match and walk away.