The Emergent Church

I find this to be a great video. A little long for a quick view, but good

Oh yeah. I guess I'm intolerant according to this clip.

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Future Plans

I'm taking a quick break to update those who don't yet know the changes. Thanks to some news, our wedding date has changed to earlier than planned. It is now 28 March 2009. We've got the ceremony & reception locations, caterer, and DJ chosen (just not all the paperwork signed yet). Still working on a few other things, like the photographer, hotel for guests, and the invitations. It is an exciting time... now where are those phone numbers...

Government Owned Businesses

Does it trouble anyone else that the US Government is buying stock in US companies? I know that the senior preferred stock is without vote or board seat, but it's ownership just the same. The original plan was to buy bad loans, so that the banks would be fine and it would help the home owners. But instead, the banks get bought and now the possibility of buying auto manufacturing.

How does this help the average person? How does this help the US economy?

Look people, if even CBS news asks the question about the government owning everything, you know the thought has to be serious. (And if you didn't catch that, watch the above video).

I know that our economy is in trouble. I know that people will lose jobs if companies fail. I also know that should our government invest in companies that have made bad decisions and also don't provide for (force) those decisions to be made differently, we're just investing in a bad company and will lose our money. Then it's just assets to be seized by the creditors. That's right-- the people who hold the promissory notes (loans) get to be paid before the shareholders.

I guess I'm just a little miffed.

Long Response to Email

This is my response to an email that was forwarded to me.  (See below the line for the original message)

Sound's cool, but isn't true. 
http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/k/koran-war.htm
http://www.snopes.com/politics/war/quran911.asp
*Stands up on soapbox*
Quran 9:11 is

009.011
YUSUFALI: But (even so), if they repent, establish regular prayers, and practise regular charity,- they are your brethren in Faith: (thus) do We explain the Signs in detail, for those who understand.
PICKTHAL: But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then are they your brethren in religion. We detail Our revelations for a people who have knowledge.
SHAKIR: But if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, they are your brethren in faith; and We make the communications clear for a people who know.
http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/009.qmt.html

So there is nothing close to a war in Iraq.  But then, I wouldn't expect the Quran to have any true prophecies in it. But there is something close in Micah, just after the verse often quoted around Christmas (Micah 5:2).

5 And he will be their peace.

    When the Assyrian invades our land
       and marches through our fortresses,
       we will raise against him seven shepherds,
       even eight leaders of men.
6 They will rule ^[e] the land of Assyria with the sword,
       the land of Nimrod with drawn sword. ^[f]
       He will deliver us from the Assyrian
       when he invades our land
       and marches into our borders.

7 The remnant of Jacob will be
       in the midst of many peoples
       like dew from the LORD,
       like showers on the grass,
       which do not wait for man
       or linger for mankind.

8 The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations,
       in the midst of many peoples,
       like a lion among the beasts of the forest,
       like a young lion among flocks of sheep,
       which mauls and mangles as it goes,
       and no one can rescue.

Micah 5:5-8

While Matthew Henry clearly had more study time in the Bible and is much more learned than I, I wonder if he may be incorrect.  
In his commentary on this chapter, he states that the Assyrian referenced in Micah 5 is Sennacherib whose assault on Judah is found in Isaiah 36-37. ; But because Isaiah 37:36-38  ends with Sennacherib's son ruling instead of 8 leaders of men, I find that interpretation to be somewhat lacking.

I wonder (and ask for input) on how much of a stretch it is for Micah to refer more to our modern day events.

In Micah 5:5
"we will raise against him seven shepherds,
       even eight leaders of men."

The leaders are clearly seven/eight humans ("leaders of men") that the humans ("we") created.  But while "they" will rule Assyria (verse 6), it is "He" - Jesus (from verses 2-4) who will deliver not the "they" leaders.
I carefully propose that the seven/eight might be the Leaders of G7/G8.

G8
"Each calendar year, the responsibility of hosting the G8 rotates through the member states in the following order: France, United States, United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, Japan, Italy and Canada"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G8

G8 and Iraq
"Iraq: The G-8 Leaders welcomed the unanimous approval of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1546, and noted the importance of the Multinational Force for Iraq succeeding in it mission. The G-8 Leaders pledged to:
Stand together united in their support for the Iraqi people and the new Iraqi Interim Government;
Provide support for elections for the Transitional National Assembly no later than January 2005;
Meet before the next donors conference to identify how each of the G-8 countries can contribute to reconstruction; and
Work together to achieve debt reduction for Iraq in 2004. "
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/06/20040609-50.html

Authority to rule Iraq

"9. Notes that the presence of the multinational force in Iraq is at the request of the incoming Interim Government of Iraq and therefore reaffirms the authorization for the multinational force under unified command established under resolution 1511 (2003), having regard to the letters annexed to this resolution;

10. Decides that the multinational force shall have the authority to take all necessary measures to contribute to the maintenance of security and stability in Iraq in accordance with the letters annexed to this resolution expressing, inter alia, the Iraqi request for the continued presence of the multinational force and setting out its tasks, including by preventing and deterring terrorism, so that, inter alia, the United Nations can fulfil its role in assisting the Iraqi people as outlined in paragraph seven above and the Iraqi people can implement freely and without intimidation the
timetable and programme for the political process and benefit from reconstruction and rehabilitation activities;"
http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N04/381/16/PDF/N0438116.pdf?OpenElement

 

Again, it might be too big of a stretch to see Micah 5 as showing the USA + others in Iraq.  But while God does use humans (good and bad) to do His will, it is not on the strength of humans that we are delivered.  Whether from attack/destruction in war (GWOT/OEF/OIF) or financial (world leaders meeting) http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081018/ap_on_bi_ge/meltdown_bush, God is still the one who rules despite what others may do.

10 "In that day," declares the LORD,
       "I will destroy your horses from among you
       and demolish your chariots.
11 I will destroy the cities of your land
       and tear down all your strongholds.
12 I will destroy your witchcraft
       and you will no longer cast spells.
13 I will destroy your carved images
       and your sacred stones from among you;
       you will no longer bow down
       to the work of your hands.
14 I will uproot from among you your Asherah poles [c]
       and demolish your cities.
15 I will take vengeance in anger and wrath
       upon the nations that have not obeyed me."
Micah 5:10-15

*Steps off soapbox*
Have a great day!
-Mac

 

Original email received:

---

IT'LL GIVE YOU GOOSEBUMPS!!!
Read down to the very bottom highlighted in green, IT'LL GIVE YOU GOOSEBUMPS!!!
You don't want to miss this! ((*_*) )
VERY INTERESTING-
1. The Garden of Eden was in Iraq
2. Mesopotamia, which is now Iraq, was the cradle of civilization!
3. Noah built the ark in Iraq
4. The Tower of Babel was in Iraq
5. Abraham was from Ur, which is in Southern Iraq !
6. Isaac's wife Rebekah is from Nahor, which is in Iraq !
7. Jacob met Rachel in Iraq
8. Jonah preached in Nineveh - which is in Iraq
9. Assyria, which is in Iraq, conquered the ten tribes of Israel
10. Amos cried out in Iraq !
11 Babylon , which is in Iraq , destroyed Jerusalem
12. Daniel was in the lion's den in Iraq !
13. The three Hebrew children were in the fire in Iraq (Jesus had been in Iraq also as the fourth person in the Fiery Furnace!)
14. Belshazzar, the King of Babylon saw the 'writing on the wall' in Iraq
15. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, carried the Jews captive into Iraq
16. Ezekiel preached in Iraq .
17. The wise men were from Iraq
18. Peter preached in Iraq
19. The 'Empire of Man' described in Revelation is called Babylon , which was a city in Iraq !
And you have probably seen this one: Israel is the nation most often mentioned in the Bible.

But do you know which nation is second?
It is Iraq !
However, that is not the name that is used in the Bible
The names used in the Bible are Babylon , Land of Shinar , and Mesopotamia . The word Mesopotamia means between the two rivers, more exactly between the Tigris
And Euphrates Rivers ..
The name Iraq , means country with deep roots.
Indeed Iraq is a country with deep roots and is a very significant country in the Bible.
No other nation, except Israel , has more history and prophecy associated
With it than Iraq
And also, This is something to think about: Since America is typically represented by an eagle.
Saddam should have read up on his Muslim passages ...
The following verse is from the Koran, (the Islamic Bible)

Koran ( 9:11 ) - For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced; for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah;

And there was peace.
(Note the verse number!) Hmmmmmmm?!
I BETTER NOT HEAR OF ANYONE BREAKING THIS ONE OR SEE IT DELETED.
This is a ribbon for soldiers fighting in Iraq .
Pass it on to everyone and pray.
Something good will happen to you tonight at 11:11 PM
This is not a joke
Someone will either call you or will talk to you online and say that they love you.
Do not break this chain.
Send this to 13 people in
The next 15 minutes.
Go

Dodgers Update

Well, the Dodgers won last night! They are now alone in first place since April 4. This looks to be a reverse of last year, where the Dodgers were in first for most of the season, but when it came to fall games, the Dodgers fell.

A bit of advice: don't teach your bird how to cry for help!

TRENTON, N.J. - Cries for help inside a Trenton, N.J., home turned out to be for the birds. Neighbors called police Wednesday morning after hearing a woman's persistent cry of "Help me! Help me!" coming from a house. Officers arrived and when no one answered the door, they kicked it in to make a rescue.
--AP

Dodgers

Well, the Dodgers are 1/2 game out of first place. They are in the middle of a three game series with the Diamondbacks. Whoever wins these next two will have good momentum for the rest of the month!

In the meantime, I have to see if Hanna will cut the power or if I can watch the games!

Top 10 Reasons for Limited Postings this Year...

I know that there have been lots of things to occur that I normally blog about. So let me give a few reasons why I haven't

10. I have been on vacation.
9. I have been moving.
8. think I'll just skip to number 1!
1. I am pleased to say that I am engaged to a wonderful woman! And trust me, I'd rather spend time with her than post to this blog! So while this blog will not disappear, the posting count may not be as high!

Physics Rocks Raps!

On a heavier note, the Large Hadron Collider rap is making waves on YouTube.

Movie Trailer Guy Dies

Well, one thing that you won't be hearing (after a while) will be "THE" voice for movie trailers. Don LaFontaine died yesterday.

For the many of us who never met the person, but knew the voice, here is a behind the scenes look at him:

I first saw the man in the Geico commercial, and my first thought was that I didn't think that "he" matched his voice.

What I do know is that the movies, for as long as I have been alive, have always had "that voice" ... and that for me, his voice will be missed, but I'll try to remember that there was a man behind that voice who will also be missed.

One Final Look Behind the Scenes at the man... before we realize that we live "In a world without Don LaFontaine."

Important Lesson

I must apologize for being so delinquent in writing.  While I'm sure some of it is due my choices on how to spend my time (watching Lakers' games, spending time with my girlfriend, reading) and not having much to share, some of it is also due to being quite busy lately.  I am in the process of moving and all the fun that goes with that.  I have found a great place to live that I am very pleased with.  That being said, lots of packing is still in order.

Today, however, I learned what can be a very costly lesson.  I got a flat tire on my rental car.  Dutifully I called the hotline, waited for the AAA rep to come out, and then took the car back to the rental company.  There the employee told me that due to the options on my rental, they did not have to collect the deposit on the vehicle, nor report my "car accident."  Stating that if someone declines the CDW, and they have a flat tire, they will be reported to their insurance company as having an accident.  I was and still am shocked.  In my case the car had 340 miles on it.  Neither the AAA guy nor I could find the cause of the flat - no nail, puncture, or anything else.  The only thing we could surmise was a manufacturing error.  The rental employee assured me that I would not be held responsible because of the rental options - but I find it very hard to believe that I could have my car insurance rates rise because of a flat tire!

Anyway - that is an important thing to know.  But it still sounds like a scam to me.  A scare tactic used to get people to pay for the CDW?

Personal News

It seems like most of the time I find myself talking about current events that are reported in the newspaper or some current events blog. I have received requests from some readers to include more personal events. Normally I don't have anything to report. This time, it is different.

News Item #1: College

It has finally occurred: 3 schools, 5 majors, 8 years, and 133 semester hours later, I now have a 2 year degree! Ok, so I have two 2 year degrees. Either way, it is a significant milestone, and now I can pursue my 4 year degree. I'm thinking only one of the those, however!

News Item #2: Girlfriend

Now, before the jokes start, let me address some of them head-on.

1. Yes, she is real - not imaginary
2. Yes, she knows how tall I am (and is taller than I)
3. No, she is not looking for a green card.

I've known Lauren for about three years now. We met over a game of Monopoly during a power outage. Since then we have played multiple games of Chess.

Right now we are geographically separated, but thanks to the magic of the VOIP, IM, and Web Cams, we get to do more than just send mail back and forth. We will be moving to the same timezone this summer. For now, we have to keep track of the hours of difference between us.

Here is a photo of her from her blog.

I'm sure there will be more news to follow!

Bad News

Bad

Sometimes it seems like things are going rough.  Even with the report that economy grew in the first quarter, "signs of mounting problems for the U.S. economy are everywhere."  

Prices for fuel are up (a fill-up cost me $25 at the pump three years ago but now costs me $46).  Prices for food are up.

Things may be more expensive for me - but God has met all of my needs.

It could be much worse.  In the US, we're only limited to 200 pounds of rice per visit to a grocery store!

Worse

12000 people are still buried in rubble following an earthquake in China - 72 hours after it struck and the death toll could rise to 50000.

In Myanmar,  "the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies estimated the death toll was between 68,833 and 127,990. The U.N. says more than 100,000 may have died.

"The U.N. and the Red Cross say between 1.6 and 2.5 million people are in urgent need of food, water and shelter. Only 270,000 have been reached so far by the aid groups."

But direct military flights cannot be made to the people - because the government of Myanmar will not allow it.

Reaction

So how are we to react to such horrible news?  Some ignore it; others complain.  Some people even turn to video games. (Side note: I'm not saying all video games are escaping bad news - but when the choice forced by lack of money is video games or food and someone has to think about it (like from the article: "I'd probably give up my cellphone," he said. "Probably not food. That's really tough. I like food.")

I find that there are only two ways to react: pray and help when able.  Donation sites are already set up for the China Earthquake, but financial aid is not everything, nor the most important thing.  I do not worry about what I will eat, drink, sleep or wear.  Not because I am loaded with resources (though I am not lacking either) but because I have a Heavenly Father who knows I need such things. 

33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. - Matthew 6:33-34

The best way to help is to make sure that people have heard about Jesus before the bad news.  If the bad news happens first, take care of the immediate need as well as sharing the love of God with them.  One without the other will not be truly loving a neighbor.

Updates

Well, now that I have a few days to not be traveling, I have the time to sort through the piles of... stuff... that have accumulated.  I can almost identify which trip the piles are from just digging through it.

Almost like an archeological dig, I find some things that I am glad about still having - certificates, mementos, etc.  Unfortunately that also means that I find things that I am not glad that I still have - presents that have dates (calendars), letters (from me), and... well, trash.  Not garbage, just trash - junk mail, old receipts, Google maps, etc.

From the looks of things, some spring cleaning is in order.  Good thing I have the time!

Prudence vs. Independence

Yesterday I found myself in an interesting situation. Since it was a Sunday and I am still on the road, I looked for a church to attend. I looked up an address online, followed the Google directions, and ended up on the right block. Except I didn't go in - I was scared.

No, not scared of going into the church - scared of getting out of my vehicle. I wanted to reach for a side arm, if not an assault rifle. I grew up in a rough area and have been (visited or worked) in much more worse places. Bottom line, I know how to handle myself -- but I didn't feel comfortable going in. The cars around me were speeding stoplight to stoplight; gang members, prostitutes, drug dealers, were all in plain sight. And no -- they weren't making their way to the church.

I still wonder if I shouldn't have gone it -- have I gotten to the point where I am now so suburbanized that I make a distinction along economic lines? Or did I really need to be armed or go in with backup? I don't know. What I do know is that I wouldn't want any child walking alone through that neighborhood.

Yet, when I do have a child of my own, I don't want to be a helicopter parent. You know, the type that always hover nearby (or above) and never let their children have any independence: the helmet wearing, gps tracking, leash holding, decision strangling, growth suffocating, coddling parent.

A week ago, a Newsweek article discussed a mother's decision let her 9 year old son take the NYC Subway alone. Since her column, the mother, Lenore Skenazy, has had to defend herself left and right. Clearly Ms. Skenazy knew the risks, knew her son, and felt it was safe enough.

Now lots of people are Monday morning quarterbacking her decision. Even on a fast connection, downloading the Newsweek page of comments takes forever. Some rain down threats to call child protective services and others shower her with praise. Contentious is hardly the word - Divisive is more like it.

Would I let my (future) son or daughter take public transit in a large city? I don't know. I would like to believe I would. But should that involve going through the neighborhood I went through yesterday, the answer would be emphatically no. Sometimes prudence outweighs independence.

A Little Humor

I know, I know.  I haven't updated the blog lately.  I've been a little busy... ok so that's not a great excuse, but it'll have to do until I get a better one.

Right now I'm taking a history class and we just had our midterm.  It was on the Dark Ages/ Medieval Ages/ Middle Ages (Take your pick for the name).  This video (Middle Age Tech Support) was right along with the topic.

The Dark/Medieval/Middle Ages were when the papyrus scroll was replaced by the bound book. Still hand written, but now in a different form.

Baseball Starts Soon!

Opening Day
9 days 6 hr 21 min 26 sec

 

Am I looking forward to it?

That would be an "affirmative!"  The long wait (October - April*) is about over and baseball can begin again. 

* Regular season; not counting Spring Training.

War?

One has to wonder if Raúl Reyes is the modern Archduke Ferdinand. This You Tube video claims to be a video of the operation (Operatión Fenix) in which the Colombian military killed the FARC member.

With sensationalist healdines like that on the Economist web site (Rumours of War) it is easy to jump to conclusions. (Spanish Language TV report)

Whether a real confrontation or just saber rattling results, I do not know. What I do know is that there is real comfort knowing what lies ahead.

9"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

- Matthew 24:9-14

Huckabee on Science

I like this clip of Huckabee.  He won't be President -- but I like his views on this topic.

Free Internet Coming Soon to Starbucks

Coming soon to a location (possibly) near you. Free Internet at Starbucks - as long as you use a Starbucks card to make a purchase. Two hours for free; pay thereafter. That's good news for me! No more $10.00 per visit (payable to T-Mobile) to do homework.

Offline

Mac Uisdein will be offline until approximately 23 February due to no home internet connection until that time. Sorry.

Star Wars Guide to the Candidates

Wicket Huckabee

Wicket	Huckabee

Obi-ron Paul-obi

Click here for the full guide.

Mythbusters

I really enjoy Mythbusters on the Discovery Channel. I think that they have the best job on television, if not best job ever.

For example, will shooting at a propane tank cause it to explode? James Bond did it, but will it work? Not using a 9mm or tracer rounds from a rifle. How about incendiary rounds from a 7.62mm gattling minigun?

Yep. That did it!

See, isn't that really cool?