September 30, 2009

Why Zachary Taylor Sucked: The Song



#12. Zachary Taylor
Lyrics can be found on the YouTube page itself.
0 comments

September 29, 2009

Prozac Children

As I was waiting in Villa Park for 6 hours yesterday to get my MAC repaired, I visited the local Dollar Tree retail store, where everything is $1. Everything includes sunglasses (which I bought), an 8-pack variety pack of Now and Later's (which I bought) and a hardcover children's book about the story of Adam and Eve.
Now, to make this a profitable venture for the book distributor, the picture book is only about 8 pages long, and they had to wrap the story up a little too quickly.
In fact, the last page of the book simply said, "Adam and Eve were ashamed because they disobeyed God. They would never be allowed to return to the garden." with frowney-faced Adam and Eve walking away from paradise.
What a horrible and incomplete message of the character of God from a company you can only assume is trying to present a positive message of faith.
0 comments

September 28, 2009

Running From What?

My wife and I were running in our neighborhood, and as we ran past one house, a little boy playing outside said, "Mommy, what are they running away from?" I thought it was absolutely adorable, and pretty good logic for a 3-year old. I mean, why else would you run? I then immediately begin planning my next Saturday run to include sacks with dollar signs on them. Joggler, you've been trumped.
0 comments

September 25, 2009

Everyone Believes in Jesus

I mean, historians believe in the existence of a historical Jesus. So, why does "belief" seem to be the outward profession we often look to when separating the religious from the not? I think it's another flaw of Americanized Christianity that reads scripture in translated English, and without a 1st Century Jewish perspective. Now, if you've ever been to a sporting event, you're probably familiar with the scripture verse, John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." The problem is, that "belief" in Greek, is "pistos", which really means trust. Trusting in Christ, that he is who he said he is. That his victory over death ensures the atonement of sins for those who believe. Everyone believes in Jesus. But, do you believe what he did?
0 comments

September 24, 2009

FlashForcast.com

Today is the premiere of the new ABC television series, FlashForward. ABC has built this show up to be its LOST replacement, and because of that, some friends and I have already created a podcast dedicated to this show. Our theory is that most TV show podcasts come out a couple of years into a series - after the show has become a hit. So, because of the investment ABC is making in this show, we are trying a "first to market" strategy, gambling in hopes that, if the show does well, we'll be in the driver's seat in terms of fan podcasts for the show. So far, the strategy seems to be working. We've already got the attention of the writing staff of the show, and have even set up an interview with Quenton Peeples, the executive story editor of FlashForward for tomorrow, to talk about the premiere. I've read the Robert Sawyer book that the show is being adapted from and it's a terrific premise. Check out the show for yourself tonight at 8/7 Central on ABC. And if you like it, go to iTunes and check out our Flash Forcast podcast.
0 comments

September 23, 2009

Teachers Recess

For all you teachers out there, Teachers Recess is a must-visit new resource. Now, teachers from all across the country have a place where they share ideas, curriculum and encouragement. The site is quite new. So, it'll take a few dozen youngens to get on board and get this thing started. But, my goodness. The possibilities. The best ideas in the world for getting children engaged in an otherwise boring subjects are about to spread like wildfire. Amen!
0 comments

September 22, 2009

Consider the Value of Your Time

I have noticed that people often make decisions that completely undervalue the worth of their time. Let's say you know of a gas station 10 miles away that sells gas for $0.10 less a gallon than your neighborhood gas mart. You think you're beating the system, but let's do a little math.
If you have a 15 gallon tank, you save $1.50 because of this expedition. Well done! However, this 10 extra miles each way takes up 20 minutes of your time. If you value an hour of your time for less than $4.50, you did well. If you're employed, I can't imagine this is true.
In everything you do, consider the value of your time.
0 comments

September 21, 2009

TV Like It’s Meant to Be Seen

...like a movie. I jumped on the LOST bandwagon earlier this year, and have watched all 5 seasons over the past 5 months to get caught up before the final season. I wouldn't have it any other way. It's the epitome of instant satisfaction. In fact, I like it so much that I recently watched the second season of Mad Men within a week as well.
Of course, since I work from home, there's really no downside at all, since there's no watercooler gossip to miss, talking about your favorite shows the next day. You might have it different.
But, for non-sitcoms that play out more like broken up movies anyway, you might as well just wait and watch it like one.
0 comments

September 18, 2009

Karma Policing

Karma is what we think we want to be in control of the universe, because we think we are morally good people, and will be rewarded as such.
But by what standard are we comparing ourselves? To me, taking the ego crunch of admitting yourself as a failure, and then being both instantly redeemed and progressively reformed to a new life seems more appealing to me - simply from a cost/benefit analysis alone.
Throw in the evidence for the resurrection in there, and Jesus wins in straight sets.
0 comments

September 17, 2009

Fond Flashbacks

I recently was with a couple of people born in the late 60s. A drug reference was mentioned. One made a "flashback" joke, and both of them looked at each other, beaming and laughing.
These are both people for whom drugs no longer play an active role in their lives. In fact, they likely have great moral/spiritual objections to recreational drug use in general.
So, my question is: what are we still rebelling from?
Why do we treat these battle scars as badges of honor - even for things we regret?
0 comments