I spend quite a bit of my time attempting to invent modern conveniences to simplify every day life. Wouldn't it be sweet to have a clone or at least a highly sophisticated robot Doppelganger to replace you in some of your more mundane, daily duties? I would merely like him to cover for me at the office a few times each week. Sometimes I listen to myself speaking and I don't sound all that different from the artificial intelligence featured in U-Scans at local grocery stores, ATM machines, or Haley Joel Osment (look up that last reference). It's sad really. It's about as sad as the thought I just had that my favorite Meijer cashiers, "Flock of Seagulls Hair" or "Mullet Master," could one day be replaced by machines. At least California has a governor in office prepared for such a "rise of the machines." You know, I would settle for a robot that could make my bed. Why my parents were always so insistent on such a worthless task I will never know. Perhaps my father knows more than I give him credit for. Perhaps he wants to be presentable when the robot king visits to choose slaves worthy of his glory. Truly my imagination defeats my practicality at times.
Many things that Jesus said support the idea that he requires one’s full attention and support. In a world of quick fixes and short cuts, the Christian life is often expected to be easy. Life brings many hardships regardless of whether one chooses to follow Christ or not. The difference is that a Christian faces these difficulties with armed with the hope of salvation. In Luke 9:57-62, Jesus talks about the costs of following him. One who “looks back” when doing the work of the Lord is not fit to serve him. When a follower of Christ looks ahead, he or she is able to see joy in the future. God and his church support us in all we do. We don’t need robots or artificial intelligence to be the followers God wants us to be.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
When DEET Doesn't Cut It
I am going to file this week’s news under “WHAT!?” Some respectable scientists in jolly old England discovered that “mosquitoes can develop an immunity to DEET and breed offspring that are also impervious to the bug repellant”. (thestar.com) Female mosquitoes (the annoying ones) use their antennae to find humans. Humans contain the blood needed to fertilize mosquito eggs. DEET, developed in 1958, isn’t completely understood but is believed to interfere with a mosquito’s ability to smell us blood filled humans.
Scientists (perhaps evil scientists), found that some of their studied mosquitoes weren’t reacting to DEET. When the researchers bred these non-reactive “skeeters”, their offspring showed resistance to DEET as well. I suppose this breeding of super mosquitoes isn’t all bad. Supposedly, this research can help us develop alternate mosquito repellants. In the meantime, make sure you are using repellant this summer. Mosquitoes carry some awful diseases.
Satan, like a blood-sucking mosquito, can develop immunity to some of our safeguards. You might not be addicted to pornography or often found gossiping, but we all have our exploitable weaknesses. James 4 discusses full submission to God. We have to examine our motives and allegiances. If we are devoted more to this world than to God, we become his enemy. It is only when we are dedicated completely to God that we can “resist the devil” (James 4:7). Our ultimate goal is purity and there is no finality in our search to obtain it.
Scientists (perhaps evil scientists), found that some of their studied mosquitoes weren’t reacting to DEET. When the researchers bred these non-reactive “skeeters”, their offspring showed resistance to DEET as well. I suppose this breeding of super mosquitoes isn’t all bad. Supposedly, this research can help us develop alternate mosquito repellants. In the meantime, make sure you are using repellant this summer. Mosquitoes carry some awful diseases.
Satan, like a blood-sucking mosquito, can develop immunity to some of our safeguards. You might not be addicted to pornography or often found gossiping, but we all have our exploitable weaknesses. James 4 discusses full submission to God. We have to examine our motives and allegiances. If we are devoted more to this world than to God, we become his enemy. It is only when we are dedicated completely to God that we can “resist the devil” (James 4:7). Our ultimate goal is purity and there is no finality in our search to obtain it.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Innovation in Times of Adversity
An article I read this morning on dailymail.co.uk sparked my interest for two reasons: 1. I love my iPhone and technology in general and 2. I enjoy reading stories in which innovation triumphs over adversity. The “Mail Online” article I read tells the tale of Martin Brooks, a man whose daughter was born with cerebral palsy. For years, Brooks and his wife “have struggled to understand Mia’s needs by getting her to look at objects or picture cards.”
After buying an iPhone last year, Brooks decided to put Apple’s slogan, “there’s an app for that”, to the test. When Brooks found nothing that fit his 5-year-old’s needs particularly well, he designed his own app. iComm allows Mia (who can’t walk, talk, or control her movements) to point out pictures of food, toys, activities, etc. on the iPhone screen using her eyes. Users can upload photos and voice recordings in order to personalize the app. Mia responds well to pictures of herself doing an activity as well as pictures of friends and family. Brooks said, “It has given her a voice for the first time and allowed us to understand her so much better.” iComm has been downloaded by more than 1,300 people since first made available for the iPhone.
It’s no secret that God loves seeing creativity blossom in the midst of difficult circumstances. When David faces Goliath in 1 Sam. 17, he doesn’t use brute force to take down the giant. He uses a sling and a stone. When Jonah needed some time for reflection, God used a big fish. Jesus is the best example of God’s innovative problem solving. Mankind was sinful and needed to know God. We needed a savior who walked and talked just like us. Plenty of people call God’s creative work “impossible” but “with God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26). If you keep yourself faithful and open, God can show his innovative plans to you.
After buying an iPhone last year, Brooks decided to put Apple’s slogan, “there’s an app for that”, to the test. When Brooks found nothing that fit his 5-year-old’s needs particularly well, he designed his own app. iComm allows Mia (who can’t walk, talk, or control her movements) to point out pictures of food, toys, activities, etc. on the iPhone screen using her eyes. Users can upload photos and voice recordings in order to personalize the app. Mia responds well to pictures of herself doing an activity as well as pictures of friends and family. Brooks said, “It has given her a voice for the first time and allowed us to understand her so much better.” iComm has been downloaded by more than 1,300 people since first made available for the iPhone.
It’s no secret that God loves seeing creativity blossom in the midst of difficult circumstances. When David faces Goliath in 1 Sam. 17, he doesn’t use brute force to take down the giant. He uses a sling and a stone. When Jonah needed some time for reflection, God used a big fish. Jesus is the best example of God’s innovative problem solving. Mankind was sinful and needed to know God. We needed a savior who walked and talked just like us. Plenty of people call God’s creative work “impossible” but “with God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26). If you keep yourself faithful and open, God can show his innovative plans to you.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Living Water
“The Green Cheapskate” is the blog of Jeff Yeager. It is featured on the web site “The Daily Green”. Without sounding like too much of a “nutty environmentalist”, I want to share a few things Jeff learned while being without running water for 15 days while having a new well drilled on his property. While there are those that seem to consider separation of environmental matters and church to be as necessary as the separation of church of state, I think it’s good to survey the way one interacts with God’s creation every now and then.
The first thing Yeager realized in his 15 days without running water is that toilets are an engineering marvel. A toilet can be manually filled and flushed without running water. Yeager also realized that “clothes don’t really need to be washed so often”. I actually learned this in college. Those were much smellier times. Yeager states that “remodeling an outdated bathroom doesn’t look like a financial priority post-drought”. When one is without running water, functionality becomes more important than form. The next little tidbit in Yeager’s article made me cringe. If one were to drink only bottled water, it would take $1,000 per year to get the recommended amount of H2O as opposed to 49 cents from the tap. The final thing that Yeager learned in his 15 days without running water is that one should never see one’s self in a mirror while taking a sponge bath.
In John 4, Jesus talks to a Samaritan woman while she is drawing water from a well. Jesus tells the woman about “living water” that keeps one from getting thirsty. I think I learned the most about how much I need Jesus when I lived without him. I don’t recommend this lifestyle as I learned that living without “living water” is more than inconvenient. Without Jesus, we will always be found wanting. Without Jesus, we walk in darkness looking for something we’ll never find. Don’t wait until you’re dehydrated to form a strong bond with Jesus Christ.
The first thing Yeager realized in his 15 days without running water is that toilets are an engineering marvel. A toilet can be manually filled and flushed without running water. Yeager also realized that “clothes don’t really need to be washed so often”. I actually learned this in college. Those were much smellier times. Yeager states that “remodeling an outdated bathroom doesn’t look like a financial priority post-drought”. When one is without running water, functionality becomes more important than form. The next little tidbit in Yeager’s article made me cringe. If one were to drink only bottled water, it would take $1,000 per year to get the recommended amount of H2O as opposed to 49 cents from the tap. The final thing that Yeager learned in his 15 days without running water is that one should never see one’s self in a mirror while taking a sponge bath.
In John 4, Jesus talks to a Samaritan woman while she is drawing water from a well. Jesus tells the woman about “living water” that keeps one from getting thirsty. I think I learned the most about how much I need Jesus when I lived without him. I don’t recommend this lifestyle as I learned that living without “living water” is more than inconvenient. Without Jesus, we will always be found wanting. Without Jesus, we walk in darkness looking for something we’ll never find. Don’t wait until you’re dehydrated to form a strong bond with Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
John’s Double Bacon Deep Fried Cheesecake Burger Supreme
I was recently turned on to a series of articles on topcultured.com entitled “Will They Build It?” In each installment of this series, the fine folks at Topcultured invent a dish that theoretically would be served at a fast food restaurant. Then, the authors attempt to persuade the employees of these establishments to actually create the dish.
The “Double Bacon Rodeo State Fair Cheeseburger” was featured on “Late Night With Conan O’Brien”. At just over 1,500 calories, this Burger King dish consists of a combination of 2 Rodeo Cheeseburgers and 9 Funnel Cake Sticks. For the layman, you start with a sesame seed bun, onion rings, Funnel Cake Sticks, bacon, barbeque sauce, cheese, and a beef patty. Then, you repeat said ingredients. Voila! Only 85g of fat!
The inspirational KFC Double Down has caused quite a stir among the media. This actual menu item at Kentucky Fried Chicken is concocted with two fried (or grilled) chicken breasts. Inside these two poultry buns one can find bacon and cheese. Yum! Topcultured took this monstrosity one step further to compose the “Elvis Fried Chicken Double Down”. Added to the original Double Down is two slices of toasted bread, sliced bananas, and peanut butter. It sounds fairly gross but evidently is great in execution!
God knows that we have need for food. God ordered the ravens to feed Elijah (1 Kings 17:4) and Jesus fed the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21). God feeds all living things (Psalm 145:15-16). We have deeper needs than food (Luke 12:23). God didn’t pamper Elijah or his people during the Exodus. Ultimately, our security must be found in making God our greatest desire. I’ve often pondered why things like the Double Down aren’t all that good for us. Consider the grip gluttony has on now. Imagine our response to healthy fried chicken. “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).
The “Double Bacon Rodeo State Fair Cheeseburger” was featured on “Late Night With Conan O’Brien”. At just over 1,500 calories, this Burger King dish consists of a combination of 2 Rodeo Cheeseburgers and 9 Funnel Cake Sticks. For the layman, you start with a sesame seed bun, onion rings, Funnel Cake Sticks, bacon, barbeque sauce, cheese, and a beef patty. Then, you repeat said ingredients. Voila! Only 85g of fat!
The inspirational KFC Double Down has caused quite a stir among the media. This actual menu item at Kentucky Fried Chicken is concocted with two fried (or grilled) chicken breasts. Inside these two poultry buns one can find bacon and cheese. Yum! Topcultured took this monstrosity one step further to compose the “Elvis Fried Chicken Double Down”. Added to the original Double Down is two slices of toasted bread, sliced bananas, and peanut butter. It sounds fairly gross but evidently is great in execution!
God knows that we have need for food. God ordered the ravens to feed Elijah (1 Kings 17:4) and Jesus fed the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21). God feeds all living things (Psalm 145:15-16). We have deeper needs than food (Luke 12:23). God didn’t pamper Elijah or his people during the Exodus. Ultimately, our security must be found in making God our greatest desire. I’ve often pondered why things like the Double Down aren’t all that good for us. Consider the grip gluttony has on now. Imagine our response to healthy fried chicken. “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
The Mother of Invention
I found a list of inventions on the internet this morning that no sensible individual should ever consider purchasing or needing. Advancing as far as we have has been no small feat. We have been to the moon and created microprocessors that can perform a variety of incredible feats. Once in a great while though, the right combination of twisted genius, ignorance, and perhaps alcohol intake allows a person to invent items like the baby toupee. This is exactly what it sounds like, embarrassing wigs for infants.
The next invention is one I’ve actually seen at a number of stores. “Doggles” are goggles for dogs. I don’t know about your dog, but there is no way my dogs would be comfortable with a pair of goggles strapped over their faces.
I’ll admit that I’ve written things I need to remember down on my hand. I was caught doing it once to cheat on a test in elementary school and never did it again. The To-Do Tattoo allows one to write down a to-do list and create a temporary tattoo. I guess it would make a pretty nice gag gift for one of those “over the hill” type birthday celebrations. If you are getting senile, you might need the next invention. The “Motorized Ice Cream Cone” spins the ice cream in your mouth so you don’t have to. I can think of a couple individuals I might like to give this gift too as they really seem to be working hard when eating ice cream. This is a little pet peeve of mine I’ve recently discovered.
God has blessed us all with an amazing cornucopia of different ideas and abilities. Ephesians 4:11-13 mentions some of the different positions in the church as they pertain to building up the church. You might not be a preacher, deacon, or elder, but you can definitely come up with ways to further God’s kingdom on Earth. Galatians 6 tells us about doing good to all and carrying our own load. Use what you have to give others what they don’t have. People might not need baby toupees or Doggles, but they need God.
The next invention is one I’ve actually seen at a number of stores. “Doggles” are goggles for dogs. I don’t know about your dog, but there is no way my dogs would be comfortable with a pair of goggles strapped over their faces.
I’ll admit that I’ve written things I need to remember down on my hand. I was caught doing it once to cheat on a test in elementary school and never did it again. The To-Do Tattoo allows one to write down a to-do list and create a temporary tattoo. I guess it would make a pretty nice gag gift for one of those “over the hill” type birthday celebrations. If you are getting senile, you might need the next invention. The “Motorized Ice Cream Cone” spins the ice cream in your mouth so you don’t have to. I can think of a couple individuals I might like to give this gift too as they really seem to be working hard when eating ice cream. This is a little pet peeve of mine I’ve recently discovered.
God has blessed us all with an amazing cornucopia of different ideas and abilities. Ephesians 4:11-13 mentions some of the different positions in the church as they pertain to building up the church. You might not be a preacher, deacon, or elder, but you can definitely come up with ways to further God’s kingdom on Earth. Galatians 6 tells us about doing good to all and carrying our own load. Use what you have to give others what they don’t have. People might not need baby toupees or Doggles, but they need God.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Nazi UFOs
In the realms of science fiction, conspiracy theories, and comic books, there are several stories and claims regarding Nazi UFOs. Supposedly, prior to and during World War II, Nazi Germany successfully developed advanced aircraft or spacecraft. Some theorists even claim that these craft have survived in secret underground bases throughout Antarctica, South American, and the United States.
The accounts of Nazi UFOs “appear as early as 1950, likely inspired by historical German development of specialized engines such as Viktor Schauberger’s “Repulsine” around the time of WWII.” (Wikipedia.org) An Italian newspaper article from early 1950 by Professor Guiseppe Belluzzo claimed “types of flying discs were designed and studied in Germany and Italy as early as 1942.”
In 1978, a Nazi sympathizer and author named Miguel Serrano claimed that Hitler was a god and was going to lead a fleet of UFO’s from Antarctica in order to establish a Fourth Reich. An upcoming film titled “Iron Sky” is based on this assumption. The film is set in 2018 when the Nazis return with a fleet of UFOs in order to conquer the Earth.
I wouldn’t be completely surprised if Adolf Hitler was actually planning to put Nazis in to space. Human beings love to make plans. The more deranged among us make the most ridiculous plans. Proverbs 19:21 reads, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 16:1 (NLT) reads, “We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.” While it’s good to be ambitious, careful, and responsible, God has the final say. We may have delusions of grandeur or desires to simply have it our way. God wants us to prosper (Jer. 29:11) but his plans might be different from our own.
The accounts of Nazi UFOs “appear as early as 1950, likely inspired by historical German development of specialized engines such as Viktor Schauberger’s “Repulsine” around the time of WWII.” (Wikipedia.org) An Italian newspaper article from early 1950 by Professor Guiseppe Belluzzo claimed “types of flying discs were designed and studied in Germany and Italy as early as 1942.”
In 1978, a Nazi sympathizer and author named Miguel Serrano claimed that Hitler was a god and was going to lead a fleet of UFO’s from Antarctica in order to establish a Fourth Reich. An upcoming film titled “Iron Sky” is based on this assumption. The film is set in 2018 when the Nazis return with a fleet of UFOs in order to conquer the Earth.
I wouldn’t be completely surprised if Adolf Hitler was actually planning to put Nazis in to space. Human beings love to make plans. The more deranged among us make the most ridiculous plans. Proverbs 19:21 reads, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 16:1 (NLT) reads, “We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.” While it’s good to be ambitious, careful, and responsible, God has the final say. We may have delusions of grandeur or desires to simply have it our way. God wants us to prosper (Jer. 29:11) but his plans might be different from our own.
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