Digital Wilderness

Here’s an excerpt from Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell:

What if tomorrow someone digs up definitive proof that Jesus had a real, earthly, biological father named Larry, and archaeologists find Larry’s tomb and do DNA samples and prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the virgin birth was really just a bit of mythologizing the Gospel writers threw in to appeal to the followers of the Mithra and Dionysian religious cults that were hugely popular at the time of Jesus, whose gods had virgin births? But what if as you study the origin of the word virgin, you discover that the word virgin in the gospel of Matthew actually comes from the book of Isaiah, and then you find out that in the Hebrew language at that time, the word virgin could mean several things. And what if you discover that in the first century being “born of a virgin” also referred to a child whose mother became pregnant the first time she had intercourse?

Apparently, there was some controversy about this passage. Some were up in arms, saying Bell’s position “is the repainting of historic liberal theology”

Others claim that “the outrage over these words only furthers the point that Rob was trying to make. That if we question our faith, for some people it can crumble.”

I’m not writing on this controversy, though. I’m writing about a question Bell goes on to ask- “Could you still be a Christian?”

How strong is your faith? If the things you have grown up knowing about your Saviour were called into question, could you still be a Christian or would it crumble?

As for me, the semantics and connotations of words do not matter to me; they are just that – words. It’s the actions, the dying on the cross and resurrection that truly matter to me. And that is a matter of faith. I may not have been there to witness that or other events. Others may call into question the writings about the event. But for me, I have seen and been through enough in my life that I can’t help but believe and have faith. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1. When I do have doubts, instead of running to the world and away from the Lord, I take comfort in Christ. Only He can provide the meaning and clarification that I may need.

Last night, I got to feed my inner band geek! LT and I headed south to Lexington to take in a DCI show. Ahhh….good stuff. This inner geek doesn’t get fed very often, so it’s always a good time when it gets to eat.

Seven corps were in town for the Drums Across the Bluegrass stop of the summer music games tour. Among the corps performing were my fave, Phantom Regiment, perennial powerhouse Cadets (no link for them – I no likey) and Lexington-based Southwind. LT’s sister is on staff with Southwind and Leslie’s brother/Jeremy’s brother-in-law marches for them, so it was good to see their show and cheer them on. We got to be “official” Southwind staff for the night, with super snazzy badges (thanks Loni!).

I tell ya, there’s nothing like a good ol’ drum corp show on a pleasant summer evening. I really didn’t like the Cadets’ show at all, but I will grudgingly admit that in spite of that and my overall despising of them, they are still very good. Phantom’s show was solid, but not too flashy. They’ll have to step it up if they’re going to match their second place overall finish from last year (when they beat the Cadets!). Southwind had a good show, topping their score from previous events. They have solid music, and if they can clean up their show and fill in some gaps, they have a chance to improve on last year’s finish. Go Southwind! DCI rocks my face off!

Help! This has been a problem I haven’t been able to solve for some time now, but I know there’s got to be a way to do it, so I’m caving and asking for some help. I’ve done some googling on this, but haven’t found anything that works 100% of the time, or 100% of the way. I’m trying to burn AVI files to DVD. I’m using WinAVI to convert the files to DVD format (AUDIO_TS and VIDEO_TS) then I’m planning on using Nero Burning Rom to burn these files to DVD. However, I’m still having trouble converting them. The video appears fine, but there’s no audio.

Any digerati or others out there who can help me out? What programs do you use to get AVI files burned to DVD?

Any Jeep Wrangler owners or ex-owners out there? Lately, I’ve been thinking about getting a new vehicle, and considering I’ve been wanting one for several years now, Jeeps have been on my mind. I know it’s not your normal vehicle, so I’m a little wary about getting one. I’m trying to find some place where I can rent one for several days and give it a good test drive. I’m not sure this will be feasible, though, so I’m wondering if anyone has any feedback on them, and for those that know me, if I would like it. I know it lacks the “comforts” of normal cars, can be a noisy ride and doesn’t have the best MPG, but it just looks like so much fun…

Why the 9 to 5 Office Worker Will Become a Thing of the Past.

I wouldn’t mind that one bit! I agree with what the article says, about the “mental energy cycle,” with high peaks and low peaks. I know there are parts of the day when I just can’t concentrate on programming any more, or if I’m not programming, I just get restless and need to get up and do something. I’m usually good until about noon, then I take a quick break to check and reply to personal emails and read some blogs. I go back to work, but that’s not much of a recharge, so I’m only good until around 2, which is when I take my lunch. For most, this is a late lunch, but the end of the day is forever long for me if I don’t take this late break. Even then, by 4, I just can’t focus anymore.

As the article says, there isn’t a chance to recharge while in the office. Managers expect us to be productive, internet usage is monitored, breaks are limited. We’re trapped.

When workers reach the low energy part of the cycle, they can’t recharge with a non-work activity. The only option is office purgatory. You can’t be highly productive because you’re mentally fatigued, but you can’t recharge because the 8 hour work day requires the appearance of constant productivity. The result is millions of unproductive workers trapped at their desks when they’d rather be doing something else.

What to do? The author suggests breaking from the traditional office settings.

The obvious solution to this problem is planning around the mental energy cycle by breaking the work day into multiple segments. The traditional office setting doesn’t accommodate this because there are few available recharge activities. People can’t do household chores, run errands, or engage in recreational activities without leaving the workplace.

The solution that makes the most sense is a remote work arrangement because it reduces employer costs and allows employees to adjust their work schedule to their mental energy cycle. When a worker becomes mentally fatigued, they can go off the clock and engage in recharge activities that are personally productive like exercise or relaxation. When energy returns, the worker can start working again at a high level, effectively cutting out the low productivity period of the cycle.

This solution makes sense to me with the exception of two things:

1) Less personal interaction with your co-workers
Yes, personal interaction with co-workers is decreasing due to email, IM, etc., but there’s still something to be said about being able to small talk around the water cooler with those you work with, make new friends, etc. It’s good to be able to schedule on a whim a face-to-face meeting to discuss an issue. Working remotely does not allow this easily.

2) It’s hard to leave work at work if you’re working from home
This is my sticking point, why I will not work from home, and one reason I quit my previous job. I have to be able to leave work at the office. Currently, I have to do a very trivial work task 6 nights a week. This isn’t intensive or very time-consuming, but it’s very draining to me to have to remember to do this each day and put aside whatever I’m doing to work. I’m the type of person who has to have his down time when out of the office, and if the office is home, it’s always hovering there in the back of my mind.

What are your thoughts? Do you like five, 8 hour work days or would you prefer a different schedule?

Absence diminishes mediocre passions and increases great ones, as the wind extinguishes candles and fans fires.

–Francois de La Rochefoucauld

My spring softball season is over. Yay! The games were on Monday night, and Monday nights are just not a good night to play ball…It’s hard after a long Monday at work, especially after a weekend without much sleep, to get motivated to play.

There’s not much of a break, though. My two summer leagues are starting up soon. I thought I’d have a couple weeks break, but one league starts next week…on a Monday :-/ Oh well…

I’ve been playing softball for a few seasons now, always co-ed, but in church leagues as well as general leagues. I’m not the greatest, but I can hold my own. I just enjoy playing. There’s nothing like the feel and sound of a solid hit or the thump of the ball in your glove. One of the parts I like most, and this may sound weird, is being a base coach, specifically the third base coach. I like cheering on my teammates, encouraging them and sending them home. I’m pretty aggressive out there and I have fun challenging the other team.

Growing up, after my days of little league were over, I remember helping out with my brother’s team. I kept score most of the time, helped out with the practices, etc. I kinda miss that. If I ever have kids, I’m definitely going to look forward to coaching a team.

Have you ever been half listening to the radio, doing billions of other things, but then you hear a song and it makes you drop everything you’re doing and just sit and be still and in awe? Yeah, this song got my ear today, especially the chorus:

Big Daddy Weave – Every Time I Breathe

I am sure all of heaven’s heard me cry
As I tell You all the reasons why This life is just too hard
But day by day Without fail I’m finding everything I need
And everything that You are To me

Chorus:
Every time I breathe You seem a little bit closer
I never want to leave I want to stay in Your warm embrace
Oh basking in the glory shining from Your face
And every time I get another glimpse of Your heart
I realize it’s true
That You are so marvelous God
And I am so in love with You

Now how could I after knowing One so great
Respond to You in any way that’s less than all I have to give
But by Your grace I want to love You not with what I say
But everyday in a way that my life is lived

Wrapped in Your mercy I want to live and never leave
I am held by how humble yet overwhelmed by Your majesty
Captured by grace and now I’m finding I am free
You are marvelous God and knowing You is everything

I’m still trying to find a recording, so until then, you’ll have to visit their myspace page for a listen: http://profile.myspace.com/bigdaddyweave

Congratulations to Heidi and Derek! They tied the knot Saturday! I wish you both many happy and blessed years together!

Congratulations to Jennifer and Jeff who tied the knot Friday! I wish you both many happy and blessed years together!