It's nice to have a band that not only gives a hopeful message, but it is done so well. The musicianship is great, the drumming, bass, guitars... all of it, a great package.
Ok, now I'm off to play some Star Trek Online.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Come all ye Children...
Current news and Predatory remarks.
I recovered from yesterdays massive inhaling of Wings, that's 17 chicken wing and one very small caesar salad. Ok, I over did it, and that totally rots my idea of losing weight. I find that I lack serious self-control when the option of 'all you can eat wings' is laid bare before my eyes. Time to search for 'salad only' restaruants. ... yeah, I'll work on that one.
I saw Predators today, and I really enjoyed it, it was a fun flick, and who knew that Adrian Brody could put on the muscle. Though trust me, he is far from the Arnold bod of the original. It's great that they brought the Predator back into the jungle landscape, and I thought the little twist to the ending was a nice touch. All that being said, nothing really beats the first Predator movie. I remember when I first watched it on VHS (yea no dvd back then), and I saw the Predator for the first time, not knowing who or what it was... that was intense. One thing I've noticed though, the movies in the 80's were alot bloodier and visceral than now. I'm not much for the whole blood and gore thing, and didn't miss it in this one, but it's something I've observed.
I watched Total Recall a couple months back, and though there were some corny 80's special effects ... it was much bloodier than alot of movies I've seen recently. Just an observation. Back to Predators .. great movie, and there is still some gross stuff, but like I've mentioned, nothing like the original. This movie also sports the 'F-Word' ...but really, the place is filled with a bunch of killers, I wasn't surprised. Definately not a family friendly film. Just an FYI.
Ok, now something more spiritual, and well, better for your soul than Predator. Yea, I know, hard to believe.
Before I went to the show, I was out picking some Black Currants, small little berries, sour as anything, but they needed to be picked. Whilst (notice the biblical language) I was in the wet berry patched (it rained like cats and dogs last night ... y'know, like when cats and dogs actually fall from the sky ... *sigh* i digress) and I recalled back about the farmer who plants the seed, and seed that falls on rocky soil basically dies or the birds come and grab it, but the farmer who plants the seed in the good soil, will reap a great harvest. Well, when looking at my black currents, my thought was ... who really eats this stuff. I mean, Black currents are sour ... unlike the sweeter red currents that I picked weeks ago.
Yet, if you take black currents and make jam its sweet, and awesome on toast.
Ok, maybe I lost ya, so I'll go on.
In our Churches we tend to coddle, or nuture people who are more .... professional... people who have everything in life all figured out. They are like raspberries, yummy right off of the vine, hardly any changed need to happen, they are easily (to use a Star Trek term) replicated into Church families.
Yet, when Jesus tells this parable, he doesn't necessarily say the what the farmer grew was going to be sweet, sour, hard, or soft. Just that the farmer planted some seeds. I find it interesting that Christ didn't come to the people that had life all figured out, but he came to fishermen, tax collectors, prostitutes, etc. Yet how much attention do we give those that are a little ....sour around the edges as it were.
The message of the bible is love, God's love, and our love between us and God, and our Neighbors. Who are our neighbors... well we tend to think that those like us would be our neighbors. Strange about that isn't it. Yet the Bible constantly re-iterates God's love for orphans and widows, and His desire to love justice and to do justice. Justice for whom? For those that have trouble, or can't speak for themselves.
God used Moses, a murderer to take a people to the promised land; David whom (mmm.. fancy King James word there) was the runt of the pack, to build a nation; and God even sent his own Son, to be born in a stable ... humbly, to achieve salvation for us all.
So, no matter how 'unworthy' or 'unholy' you think you are, well ... God can use anyone, warts and all. Heck, He's even using me! And as a Church, we need to reach out to people that maybe don't fit the 'perfect mold' (whatever that is), but the Church needs to be about diversity ... reaching out to people, with the love that God through the Holy Spirit enables us to love.
I found it very cool, that in the middle of my berry patch, that I not only have tons of black currents, but also Raspberries are also inhabiting the same space. Nice idea isn't it.
Some ways Churches can look at diversifying, and integrate more people into their congregation:
-Look for ways to beautify a neigbourhood
- have headsets or ways to communicate with the blind, deaf
-Access to ramps
- taking communion on the road ... nursing homes, shut-ins
- offering a luncheon program for kids/teens
- Be aware of your people ... not everyone is comfortable or can read scripture in front of people, or are self-confident to sing hymns.
- give to local food programs, drop-in centers ... even if they are not part of your denomination.
-bless another church congregation somehow
- set up funds for kids of single-parent families ... for their education.
- watch how you set up your studies and homegroups ... some people may not want to have the group over at their house .. because they may not feel comfortable having people over.
- watch your church leadership, ensure that all income types are involved in your congregational activities.
-plan a mission trip ... locally.
- Look at supporting a refugee family.
- host cooking and nutritional classes
-help single mothers with babysitting.
- provide rides from and too sunday school.
- sports programs for city youth. NOT just the ones that attend your Church.
- Do a cleanup day for single mothers.
- offer internet uses for families that can't afford it.
- 'free oil changes' to families that could use the help.
- Be careful to recognize the cost of your Church events, while still giving pride to parents who 'don't accept charity.
- Redefine events toward the poor... not charity, but community acts... and give everyone a chance to have self respect, and dignity. -- give people a chance to give back to the community at to the Church.
-offer shower programs for the homeless.
- help with hydro payments.
- utilize the gifts of your congregation.
Whew, I'm sure there's a lot more, but that's enough. Tired, and off to a deacon's meeting.
Blessings.
I saw Predators today, and I really enjoyed it, it was a fun flick, and who knew that Adrian Brody could put on the muscle. Though trust me, he is far from the Arnold bod of the original. It's great that they brought the Predator back into the jungle landscape, and I thought the little twist to the ending was a nice touch. All that being said, nothing really beats the first Predator movie. I remember when I first watched it on VHS (yea no dvd back then), and I saw the Predator for the first time, not knowing who or what it was... that was intense. One thing I've noticed though, the movies in the 80's were alot bloodier and visceral than now. I'm not much for the whole blood and gore thing, and didn't miss it in this one, but it's something I've observed.
I watched Total Recall a couple months back, and though there were some corny 80's special effects ... it was much bloodier than alot of movies I've seen recently. Just an observation. Back to Predators .. great movie, and there is still some gross stuff, but like I've mentioned, nothing like the original. This movie also sports the 'F-Word' ...but really, the place is filled with a bunch of killers, I wasn't surprised. Definately not a family friendly film. Just an FYI.
Ok, now something more spiritual, and well, better for your soul than Predator. Yea, I know, hard to believe.
Before I went to the show, I was out picking some Black Currants, small little berries, sour as anything, but they needed to be picked. Whilst (notice the biblical language) I was in the wet berry patched (it rained like cats and dogs last night ... y'know, like when cats and dogs actually fall from the sky ... *sigh* i digress) and I recalled back about the farmer who plants the seed, and seed that falls on rocky soil basically dies or the birds come and grab it, but the farmer who plants the seed in the good soil, will reap a great harvest. Well, when looking at my black currents, my thought was ... who really eats this stuff. I mean, Black currents are sour ... unlike the sweeter red currents that I picked weeks ago.
Yet, if you take black currents and make jam its sweet, and awesome on toast.
Ok, maybe I lost ya, so I'll go on.
In our Churches we tend to coddle, or nuture people who are more .... professional... people who have everything in life all figured out. They are like raspberries, yummy right off of the vine, hardly any changed need to happen, they are easily (to use a Star Trek term) replicated into Church families.
Yet, when Jesus tells this parable, he doesn't necessarily say the what the farmer grew was going to be sweet, sour, hard, or soft. Just that the farmer planted some seeds. I find it interesting that Christ didn't come to the people that had life all figured out, but he came to fishermen, tax collectors, prostitutes, etc. Yet how much attention do we give those that are a little ....sour around the edges as it were.
The message of the bible is love, God's love, and our love between us and God, and our Neighbors. Who are our neighbors... well we tend to think that those like us would be our neighbors. Strange about that isn't it. Yet the Bible constantly re-iterates God's love for orphans and widows, and His desire to love justice and to do justice. Justice for whom? For those that have trouble, or can't speak for themselves.
God used Moses, a murderer to take a people to the promised land; David whom (mmm.. fancy King James word there) was the runt of the pack, to build a nation; and God even sent his own Son, to be born in a stable ... humbly, to achieve salvation for us all.
So, no matter how 'unworthy' or 'unholy' you think you are, well ... God can use anyone, warts and all. Heck, He's even using me! And as a Church, we need to reach out to people that maybe don't fit the 'perfect mold' (whatever that is), but the Church needs to be about diversity ... reaching out to people, with the love that God through the Holy Spirit enables us to love.
Some ways Churches can look at diversifying, and integrate more people into their congregation:
-Look for ways to beautify a neigbourhood
- have headsets or ways to communicate with the blind, deaf
-Access to ramps
- taking communion on the road ... nursing homes, shut-ins
- offering a luncheon program for kids/teens
- Be aware of your people ... not everyone is comfortable or can read scripture in front of people, or are self-confident to sing hymns.
- give to local food programs, drop-in centers ... even if they are not part of your denomination.
-bless another church congregation somehow
- set up funds for kids of single-parent families ... for their education.
- watch how you set up your studies and homegroups ... some people may not want to have the group over at their house .. because they may not feel comfortable having people over.
- watch your church leadership, ensure that all income types are involved in your congregational activities.
-plan a mission trip ... locally.
- Look at supporting a refugee family.
- host cooking and nutritional classes
-help single mothers with babysitting.
- provide rides from and too sunday school.
- sports programs for city youth. NOT just the ones that attend your Church.
- Do a cleanup day for single mothers.
- offer internet uses for families that can't afford it.
- 'free oil changes' to families that could use the help.
- Be careful to recognize the cost of your Church events, while still giving pride to parents who 'don't accept charity.
- Redefine events toward the poor... not charity, but community acts... and give everyone a chance to have self respect, and dignity. -- give people a chance to give back to the community at to the Church.
-offer shower programs for the homeless.
- help with hydro payments.
- utilize the gifts of your congregation.
Whew, I'm sure there's a lot more, but that's enough. Tired, and off to a deacon's meeting.
Blessings.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Heating up.
I had soccer with the teens from the youth center tonight. ... well, I would of, if any showed up. I was very thankful, and I was hoping that they were swimming instead.
Despite the heat, I still went for a great walk tonight. Going the same distance all week, and then increasing the distance by next week. Slowly working up to walking further and further. I would like to do a country block by the end of summer. Shouldn't be too hard but we'll see.
On a neat note, I received an invitation to go to a Blue Jays game this Saturday. I don't care for baseball, but Street eats (mmm. sausage on a bun served by a street vendor) seems to be what I'm most excited about. Strange, I'm trying to lose weight, but desire sausage still the same.
Reminds me of the Apostle Paul's talk about doing what you know is wrong, desiring THAT instead of what you know is right. .. and yes, very much that's a paraphrase. It's the constant battle of the Sin nature waging its war against our spirit/flesh .. but in my case it's the healthy choice versus delicious sausages.
I try to justify the munching on food by thinking, "hey, I'll just do more walking.", or "I'll make it up tomorrow, yeah tomorrow I'll eat healthier." It's funny and sad at the same time how many times we do that with our actions, words, and thoughts.
On a more addictive note, I got on my Age of Conan account .. it appears I gained like 21 levels (you gain one level for every 4 days you don't play the account.) So, er.. 21 levels, that tells you how often I play the game. As the name suggests, "Age of Conan" takes place in the world of Conan the Barbarian (Hyboria), and it has some great combat, and super graphics. Not a game for little ones as it has mature content and lots o' blood. The combat system is great, and it is fun. For a bit. I played the game for awhile, hit one of the main cities, and lagged ... big time. So .... I suppose I'll just have to put the game on the shelf for a bit longer. At this rate, I'll hit lvl 80 without playing a bit.
You know a game is a grind fest (constantly questing and doing meaningless tasks just for xp) when you give out free levels for NOT playing. Its like the game makers say .. "Hey, its a great game in the begining, and end.... the middle stuff doesn't matter much, ignore it really ... nothing to write home about. But wait 'til the end, yeah that's where the game shines" *chortle*
Some people in the Church think its the same way ... the important message of salvation, the end is what matters ... heavenly glory, kingdom come. Now true, our hope is in the future, but the present is also important to God. How we live every moment we live and breathe, how we worship HIM through everyday life. .... When you truly embrace the passion of God, of what He wants, what He desires from you ... well, then life becomes less of a grind fest doesn't it. It's not the same old same old, it becomes What is God going to do in me, and through me today.
It's my prayer that you life isn't a grind fest, but that you know the renewal of God in your life, every day.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
'nother fine Sunday
Fairly decent day, went to Church this morning, heard a decent sermon 'Extreme Makeover' ala. how God changes us, and how our change affects others. Big word bite ... Love. Yup, simple word with big daddy implications. Ok, so I'm oversimplifying it, but needless to say, it was a good sermon. I came home, and took a nap... woke up, ate some cereal, and headed to the city to pick up a tent. It's a 6-man tent, decent sale, on for $130, reg. price $260. I find sales very deceptive in concept, when you think of it, the retailer is still making a profit on the $130 sale .... just think of the profit on the $260 sale. Makes me wonder. I bought the tent in Canadian Tire, a good enough store, with lots of item, but I find it strange that whenever you go in, the store is packed with sales. Sometimes its hard to find anything that isn't on sale. I'm wondering if anything is really on sale, or they just figure people will buy whatever has a red sales sign on it. Oh well. I gave into it anyways.
So now I have a tent, hmm.. perhaps I should go tenting, but not quite sure when or where to go. I like the idea of tenting, of going out in the wild, fighting off the elements like ... public KOA bathrooms, mosquitos the size of Pinto's, and the beauty of sleeping on not so comfortable mattress. It's part of manhood, and the great 'Getting in touch with your inner man' experience. *sigh* well, maybe someday I'll figure this thing out. Camping has gotten alot easier these days though. They (Canadian Tire) actually sells a camping stove ..with and OVEN! Not only that, but items to make a hot bath, sink, shower, a whack load of different lights, and coolers. But an oven ... seriously how cool is that. Nothing says getting into the wild like throwing in a frozen pizza, or baking an apple pie. Ok I jest. But camping is ALOT simpler than when I remember as a kid. ... and no, I didn't pick up the oven. Now if they had a propane driven Microwave.. that would be a different story.
Took another long walk tonight, feels good to take in the night air, and to feel better about the coffee and cherry cheese danish I had at Tim Hortons in the afternoon. I also did a couple dungeons in Wow, so that was kind of fun. Used my Paladin which I haven't used in awhile.
Might do some gaming tonight, put on some Mass Effect 2, or watch some Stargate SG-1.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
A Cut above the rest
The lawn is done, for another week which is great, and most important ... Germany triumphed over Argentina .. 4-0, awesome football match. Hope Germany can keep it up when they go up against Spain on Wednesday.
Not much happened today, went for a beautiful walk, and just tried to do some minor mmo'ing today. A little of everything, from Wow, to Star Trek Online. I'm still rather miffed at my internet company not allowing me to play Lord of the Rings Online. Going to have to give them another call this week, and also check out with the CRTC about the rules on Back-throttling. If I'm right there's a 30-60 day notice that they have to give when an internet company does that.
I'm attempting to watch Star Wars ep. 1 on dvd... but its really difficult. I think I might watch Stargate SG-1 instead. It doesn't have Jar Jar... so it rules.
When watching ep. 1 I'm astounded at the incredible badness of it. I think Lucas has a problem in writing humor in his movies, or he's one of those guys that even though he's old, he tries to be 'hip' to the younger generation. When droids go 'Roger-roger' ... it makes me cringe, when Jar-jar says 'Exqueeze me' it's a disaster.
It would of been interesting to see the difference if the folks at Bioware, creators of Knights of the Old Republic, wrote Episode 1 instead. *sigh*.. guess we'll never know, but I do know that it would've been better that what Lucas did.
Lucas is an ideas guy, and a guy that surrounds himself with people to get things done. But he shouldn't write. lol, maybe I'm being too harsh, but watching ep. 1 tonight was really painful.
Time to get some rest. Last night's sleep was horrible, and made me very cranky today. Hope tonights better.
Friday, July 2, 2010
A Movie to laugh at.
Had a pretty decent day today. I finished the back part of the yard, cutting the grass, and I even did the front ditches before heading to work to run off a new Prayer Calender for the youth center. .... Yaaa July! Good news, the awning is up at the youth center, didn't take a picture of it, but I should of ... maybe next week I'll actually remember and put one up.
The front door to the center is bright red again... YES! I like it when the youth center doesn't look scummy, but presentable.
Lots of kids came out this afternoon, and only one youth came out tonight. Not sure what's happening, but with the hottest yardsale in town tommorrow, and the big rock concert happening (aka. don't drive to Owen Sound), who knows whats up with the kids.
Took one of my volunteers out for supper at Montana's for a birthday celebration. Good times were had, and my belly was full of rib and chicken awesomeness. Also entered a draw for a bbq, mmm... shiny bbq.
So the night was pretty much a right off, since the one teen we had went home at 8:30 .. so we (2 volunteers and myself) went out to see Grown-Ups. Great movie, lots of laughs. *sigh* I need a woman in my life. I think I always get this way when I see family films. *double sigh*. But, like I said great movie.
So task for tommorrow... finish cutting the lawn, and try to find out where the leak of water is coming into the house is from.
Work in progress --- internet company is 'back throttling' my connection. So, in essence, they blocked my Lord of the Rings Online usage, because their servers can't handle it. Though I have other games I could play, Lotro is my main one, and my connection (besides using the telephone, but seriously, who phones these days ..hehe) to my friends in Hanover. I'm really not sure if what my internet company is doing is right, but since I live in the boonies, I don't know if I have another choice than to stick with them. I need to check out my contract again. UG. On a positive note, I should be doing more writing than gaming anyways, so maybe this is a blessing in disguise.
The front door to the center is bright red again... YES! I like it when the youth center doesn't look scummy, but presentable.
Lots of kids came out this afternoon, and only one youth came out tonight. Not sure what's happening, but with the hottest yardsale in town tommorrow, and the big rock concert happening (aka. don't drive to Owen Sound), who knows whats up with the kids.
Took one of my volunteers out for supper at Montana's for a birthday celebration. Good times were had, and my belly was full of rib and chicken awesomeness. Also entered a draw for a bbq, mmm... shiny bbq.
So the night was pretty much a right off, since the one teen we had went home at 8:30 .. so we (2 volunteers and myself) went out to see Grown-Ups. Great movie, lots of laughs. *sigh* I need a woman in my life. I think I always get this way when I see family films. *double sigh*. But, like I said great movie.
So task for tommorrow... finish cutting the lawn, and try to find out where the leak of water is coming into the house is from.
Work in progress --- internet company is 'back throttling' my connection. So, in essence, they blocked my Lord of the Rings Online usage, because their servers can't handle it. Though I have other games I could play, Lotro is my main one, and my connection (besides using the telephone, but seriously, who phones these days ..hehe) to my friends in Hanover. I'm really not sure if what my internet company is doing is right, but since I live in the boonies, I don't know if I have another choice than to stick with them. I need to check out my contract again. UG. On a positive note, I should be doing more writing than gaming anyways, so maybe this is a blessing in disguise.
Bane of the Sith
I've been consumed by the Dark-Side ... well ... in my reading anyways. In anticipation of the Star Wars Old Republic MMO being released next year, I had a hankering for some starwars read. So I picked out Path of Destruction and had a sit-down. One day later I was finished and totally in love with the world that Drew Karpyshyn brought out. I loved the characters, I loved the pacing, and it was alot of fun, while providing great insight into the world of the 'Sith' in Starwars lore.
As of now, I've finished the follow up, Rule of Two, and I'm waiting for the soft cover of the 3rd book in the series.
Though I love this book series, I'm more convinced than ever that when the mmo comes out I'll be playing NOT a Sith, and will be sticking to a roguish class, like 'smuggler'. Why? Because I don't think that I could make the choices that I would have to, in the game to be a sith. Even though it's just a game, I find that more and more I need to bring my beliefs on-par to what ever I'm doing. Bioware is a great gaming company, and one of the coolest things they do is to allow your decisions to drive your character. Trick is, who you truly are, will, I think subconciously dictate the character you play. So in the end, Sith, not for me, but ..... neither Jedi either.
I really have a problem with Jedi's kidnapping kids from their parents to raise them up to be emotionless servants who follow ' the man'.
I'll go into this alot deeper some other time, as right now I'm typing while at work, but needless to say, Smuggler, perhaps even Bounty hunter for me ... and I'm really getting anxious to play the Old Republic in 2011.
As of now, I've finished the follow up, Rule of Two, and I'm waiting for the soft cover of the 3rd book in the series.
Though I love this book series, I'm more convinced than ever that when the mmo comes out I'll be playing NOT a Sith, and will be sticking to a roguish class, like 'smuggler'. Why? Because I don't think that I could make the choices that I would have to, in the game to be a sith. Even though it's just a game, I find that more and more I need to bring my beliefs on-par to what ever I'm doing. Bioware is a great gaming company, and one of the coolest things they do is to allow your decisions to drive your character. Trick is, who you truly are, will, I think subconciously dictate the character you play. So in the end, Sith, not for me, but ..... neither Jedi either.
I really have a problem with Jedi's kidnapping kids from their parents to raise them up to be emotionless servants who follow ' the man'.
I'll go into this alot deeper some other time, as right now I'm typing while at work, but needless to say, Smuggler, perhaps even Bounty hunter for me ... and I'm really getting anxious to play the Old Republic in 2011.
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