Some things that might seem right and equal on the surface are not always what they seem.
Take this statement for example: "I'll do the cooking, you do the cleaning up."
This sounds fair. What could possibly be wrong with that?
Well, this could be said by a person who absolutely loves to cook to someone who has no love for doing dishes. And to make it even worse, the person doing the cooking has a tendency to be far messier than what the job entails. They tend to strew items in places they should not go.
So, when you hear something that sounds fair and apparently makes sense, look into things a little deeper and you might find a whole different story lurks below the surface.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
God's Promises
Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12)
KEY WORDS...
Blessed
perseveres
trial
approved
receive
"crown of life"
promised
"those who love Him"
KEY WORDS...
Blessed
perseveres
trial
approved
receive
"crown of life"
promised
"those who love Him"
Monday, March 19, 2012
Sheep and Wolves
Bewildering when an ungodly person does a good deed, and disappointing when a Christian does an act of selfishness. Both contrasting extremes go against the very nature and potential of their faith and lifestyle.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Handing On a Legacy - Winter
Handing On a Legacy - Winter
The Winter arrangement of "Handing On a Legacy" has now been posted to Soundcloud.
The Winter arrangement of "Handing On a Legacy" has now been posted to Soundcloud.
Legacy #2
If you think the legacy you leave behind will be at your job or vocation, after just one generation you are that "who is this person" in the picture on the office wall.
Legacy
Famous people are remembered for their public accomplishments... all the rest of us, if we're remembered for a couple generations or so, are remembered for our parenting and/or family legacy.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
What We Really Deserve
Entitlement can be such a nasty trait.
It showcases and brings out the very worst in human nature. It knows no socio-economic boundaries… the wealthy, the poor, and everyone in-between can be guilty of demonstrating an attitude of entitlement. It rears it's ugly head in those who have been handed life on a silver platter by their parents or ancestors, but it also is equally offensive when displayed by those who's handouts have come from the government or other institutions.
Do you feel entitled? If so, enjoy the air you breathe, 'cause that's about all you might really be entitled to. Maybe.
It showcases and brings out the very worst in human nature. It knows no socio-economic boundaries… the wealthy, the poor, and everyone in-between can be guilty of demonstrating an attitude of entitlement. It rears it's ugly head in those who have been handed life on a silver platter by their parents or ancestors, but it also is equally offensive when displayed by those who's handouts have come from the government or other institutions.
Do you feel entitled? If so, enjoy the air you breathe, 'cause that's about all you might really be entitled to. Maybe.
Monday, March 12, 2012
500 Greatest Songs of All Time
Rolling Stone magazine has a list of the 500 greatest songs of all time.
Their list would be an insult to anyone who listened and enjoyed music prior to the past fifty years.
I got so bored with their list that I went ahead and skipped to the top ten. Guess what? There's only a couple in the top ten that I even like, much less would place in the top ten.
I guess their definition of "all time" is different than anyone who considers all time to be from the beginning of recorded history and not from the beginning of the rock and roll era.
I knew there had to be a reason why I was never much of a Rolling Stone magazine fan.
Their list would be an insult to anyone who listened and enjoyed music prior to the past fifty years.
I got so bored with their list that I went ahead and skipped to the top ten. Guess what? There's only a couple in the top ten that I even like, much less would place in the top ten.
I guess their definition of "all time" is different than anyone who considers all time to be from the beginning of recorded history and not from the beginning of the rock and roll era.
I knew there had to be a reason why I was never much of a Rolling Stone magazine fan.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Most Problems have a Temporary Solution
My dilemma.
My car was so incredibly full with furniture, groceries, and other stuff I could barely squeeze into the driver's seat, much less change gears. The gear shift could not be pulled back no matter how hard I tried.
My solution.
I drove the six miles home by using 1st, 3rd, and 5th (the three forward gears). 2nd, 4th, and reverse were not an option.
I made it home, no problem.
My car was so incredibly full with furniture, groceries, and other stuff I could barely squeeze into the driver's seat, much less change gears. The gear shift could not be pulled back no matter how hard I tried.
My solution.
I drove the six miles home by using 1st, 3rd, and 5th (the three forward gears). 2nd, 4th, and reverse were not an option.
I made it home, no problem.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Personal Advice to iPhone & iPad Owners…
In order to get the most out of your iPhone or iPad, you really have to get familiar with, and learn all about the iTunes App Store. It is only by adding pertinent apps that your device fully comes alive and becomes the fun tool which you had hoped it would be!
Though it's true that Apple has included several excellent apps with your device, when you consider there's over 500,000 other apps available, the iPhone/iPad only reaches it's full potential when other great apps are added to it!
The iTunes app store allows you to search for various types of apps in whatever category you might be interested in. You can read a description of it and evaluate whether the app's price is worth it. Most apps in the store are priced far lower than what you are accustomed to paying for computer apps. It's rare to find apps priced over $10… most are priced below $5, and many, many are completely FREE!
Here's the best advice I can give to you: Since it's hard to keep up with all the many apps added to the store on a daily basis, and it's also difficult to keep up with the apps which go on sale for a day or two, you need to get one of the 'Daily app alerts' apps from the store. It will tell you on a daily basis about:
1) The new apps added to the store on that day.
2) Apps which are on sale (a $5 app might now be $1, but will eventually go back up, so get it while it's priced low).
3) Apps that normally have a price, but for that day are offered FREE!
My favorite app alert is called 'AppZapp'. You can configure tons of information about what you're looking for (you might only want to be notified about game apps but not office apps, etc). By using AppZapp, I've added hundreds of apps to my iPad and have not spent much money at all. I just had to be patient and wait for that $12 app to go on sale for $2 or so.
Now go explore the app market and find out what is out there.
___________
Hint: a couple of my Facebook specific iPad apps are so excellent, they put Facebook's own website to shame. They've spoiled me to the point that when I view Facebook on a regular computer, it's quite disappointing.
Though it's true that Apple has included several excellent apps with your device, when you consider there's over 500,000 other apps available, the iPhone/iPad only reaches it's full potential when other great apps are added to it!
The iTunes app store allows you to search for various types of apps in whatever category you might be interested in. You can read a description of it and evaluate whether the app's price is worth it. Most apps in the store are priced far lower than what you are accustomed to paying for computer apps. It's rare to find apps priced over $10… most are priced below $5, and many, many are completely FREE!
Here's the best advice I can give to you: Since it's hard to keep up with all the many apps added to the store on a daily basis, and it's also difficult to keep up with the apps which go on sale for a day or two, you need to get one of the 'Daily app alerts' apps from the store. It will tell you on a daily basis about:
1) The new apps added to the store on that day.
2) Apps which are on sale (a $5 app might now be $1, but will eventually go back up, so get it while it's priced low).
3) Apps that normally have a price, but for that day are offered FREE!
My favorite app alert is called 'AppZapp'. You can configure tons of information about what you're looking for (you might only want to be notified about game apps but not office apps, etc). By using AppZapp, I've added hundreds of apps to my iPad and have not spent much money at all. I just had to be patient and wait for that $12 app to go on sale for $2 or so.
Now go explore the app market and find out what is out there.
___________
Hint: a couple of my Facebook specific iPad apps are so excellent, they put Facebook's own website to shame. They've spoiled me to the point that when I view Facebook on a regular computer, it's quite disappointing.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
a Hardened Heart
It's quite easy to comprehend when someone despicable has hardened their heart. Surely, the murderer, the pedophile, the deceitful liar, the cheating spouse, the abuser, the greedy, and society's numerous villains have hardened their hearts against what is good and true.
But, what about someone you love, respect, and admire? What about your favorite professor who has expanded your vision and filled your head with knowledge, insight, facts, and figures? The teacher who not only taught their subject with a depth and scholarly foundation, but who also reached out to help you see that many things your parents taught weren't right.
That person was also quite active in what they considered to be 'good causes'. They had several causes which they felt were making this world a better place. They considered themselves to be a do-gooder of sorts, and encouraged you to be one also… as long as you took-up-arms for what they considered to be good and upstanding. Heaven forbid you take strong stands for causes which they do not agree with. (Thesis have received an 'F' for such blasphemy.)
Oh yeah, they also helped you see the fallacy of your spiritual beliefs. They emphasized that all religions are wrong and are only for the simple, uneducated, and foolish… not for the intelligent and educated. All these religions are wrong… especially any that proclaim the name of Christ! Jesus-centered beliefs are the worst of them all.
Did I mention that the great and highly-educated professor shares something in common with all the folks mentioned in the first paragraph? They too are guilty of hardening their heart. The results of a hardened heart reaches many areas of life, not just the dark areas which you personally feel are bad and harmful.
Jesus didn't mince any words about this. Numerous verses reflect His opinion about anyone who causes someone not to believe in Him. He refers to them as "wolves, deceivers, venomous, and false teachers". He places them in the same category as the wicked who do all the harmful practices mentioned above.
We are told to 'guard our heart', not to harden it.
But, what about someone you love, respect, and admire? What about your favorite professor who has expanded your vision and filled your head with knowledge, insight, facts, and figures? The teacher who not only taught their subject with a depth and scholarly foundation, but who also reached out to help you see that many things your parents taught weren't right.
That person was also quite active in what they considered to be 'good causes'. They had several causes which they felt were making this world a better place. They considered themselves to be a do-gooder of sorts, and encouraged you to be one also… as long as you took-up-arms for what they considered to be good and upstanding. Heaven forbid you take strong stands for causes which they do not agree with. (Thesis have received an 'F' for such blasphemy.)
Oh yeah, they also helped you see the fallacy of your spiritual beliefs. They emphasized that all religions are wrong and are only for the simple, uneducated, and foolish… not for the intelligent and educated. All these religions are wrong… especially any that proclaim the name of Christ! Jesus-centered beliefs are the worst of them all.
Did I mention that the great and highly-educated professor shares something in common with all the folks mentioned in the first paragraph? They too are guilty of hardening their heart. The results of a hardened heart reaches many areas of life, not just the dark areas which you personally feel are bad and harmful.
Jesus didn't mince any words about this. Numerous verses reflect His opinion about anyone who causes someone not to believe in Him. He refers to them as "wolves, deceivers, venomous, and false teachers". He places them in the same category as the wicked who do all the harmful practices mentioned above.
We are told to 'guard our heart', not to harden it.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Tribulation
To all who take comfort in the hope you will miss the Lord’s wrath in the days of tribulation…
Don’t get too smug, for in the days leading up to that point, man’s persecution against the church will rapidly increase. It’s true that God’s wrath won’t hit yet, but life will be anything but a picnic for God’s people.
Too many believers are taking comfort where comfort should not be. Our hope is completely in the Lord… no matter how bad things get. Let your faith increase and the gospel spread, but don’t expect a life free of hardship and persecution. That was never one of Jesus’ promises.
Don’t get too smug, for in the days leading up to that point, man’s persecution against the church will rapidly increase. It’s true that God’s wrath won’t hit yet, but life will be anything but a picnic for God’s people.
Too many believers are taking comfort where comfort should not be. Our hope is completely in the Lord… no matter how bad things get. Let your faith increase and the gospel spread, but don’t expect a life free of hardship and persecution. That was never one of Jesus’ promises.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Erroneous Beliefs
The good thing about New Age beliefs is: they come and go.
The bad thing is: they come and go.
The bad thing is: they come and go.
A good well-rounded theological principle
If you can't find it in scripture, both clearly and emphatically, then don't adhere to it as a definite.
-((When hearing someone's spiritual opinion, have them show you the place (or places) it can be found in scripture, and if they can, make sure they are keeping it in correct context.))-
-((When hearing someone's spiritual opinion, have them show you the place (or places) it can be found in scripture, and if they can, make sure they are keeping it in correct context.))-
Friday, March 2, 2012
Too much Lent
It's interesting that a regal branch of the western church quickly adopted, altered, and adhered to ceremonies, practices, and traditions which Jesus had so strongly rebuked the established religion of His day for holding.
'Them thar outward thangs don't mean a thang if yer heart ain't ware it's sposed to be!"
'Them thar outward thangs don't mean a thang if yer heart ain't ware it's sposed to be!"
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Musical Influences...
The music of the 60s was the music of my youth.
- The music of the 70s was the music of my early adulthood.
The music of the 80s was the music I adopted as my own.
- The music of the early 90s I enjoyed, but was disappointed by the late 90s.
The music from 2000-on I occasionally enjoy, but most often am quite disappointed with.
I do love some of the musical gems prior to the 60s (classical, film, era, big band, symphonic, folk, etc).
- The music of the 70s was the music of my early adulthood.
The music of the 80s was the music I adopted as my own.
- The music of the early 90s I enjoyed, but was disappointed by the late 90s.
The music from 2000-on I occasionally enjoy, but most often am quite disappointed with.
I do love some of the musical gems prior to the 60s (classical, film, era, big band, symphonic, folk, etc).
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