Monday, December 31, 2007

the best of...

"That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun." Ecc 1:9

Every year about this time, there are the lists. Lists of the best. Lists of the worst. Lists of lists listing the lists of lists. Every year there is the best of this and the worst of that. The top 100. The bottom 3. What's number 1? Who's the worst? The winners. The losers. Every year there's the best/worst newstories, quotes, commercials, celebrities, people, tv, movies, music, sports, books, cars, toys, games, photos, fashion, food, techology, gadgets, etc, etc, etc.

Today 2007 enters the history books. Tomorrow begins 2008, a new year with hope of new opportunities and new blessings. But just like any year, we will witness the best. And the worst. Joy and sorrow. Excitement and dissappointment. Success and failure.

Yet, it's not about making man's list. But making God's list. The best will come and the worst will go. Always God remains. His desire for us. His love. His grace. His forgiveness. Never will we fully know what the best can be until we surrender the worst to Him.

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all." Ecc 12:13

Saturday, December 29, 2007

it's not easy being green

Today I passed my certification exam for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design www.usgbc.org)
I am now an AP (Accredited Professional) adding to my (PE) Professional Engineering License (PE)... the alphabet soup of letters after my name. This job requirement expands our company's engineering offering in energy savings and conserving the environment in building green buildings.
Kermit the frog would be proud :)

Monday, December 24, 2007

merry CHRISTmas

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:21

Friday, December 21, 2007

what Christmas is all about


"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:8-14

Saturday, December 15, 2007

you'll shoot your eye out

On Christmas morning, every kid wants their version of an "Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle". When I was young, I always wanted something Star Wars or something Lego. Today, it's the "Red Ryder" ipod or lastest video game. The nostalgia of "A Christmas Story" movie reminds us how we saw Christmas as a child. Maybe we didn't grow up in the 1940's or "triple dog dare" a friend to stick his toungue on a frozen flagpole, but we can relate to Ralphie.

Ralpie knew what he wanted. Specifically. An "Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle". We all did this as children - focused on that one thing. It was simple, uncomplicated, naive. Our enthusiasm and excitement would sometimes overwhelmed us, but as a child it just seemed right. But, we do grow up... sorta.

Even as adults, we sometimes focus on that "one thing". Sometimes, we learn what Ralphie learned almost immediately, that a "Red Ryder" has consequences. How many times have you "shot your eye out" thinking Christmas would be just perfect if you had this or that? In our commercial world, the true meaning of Christmas gets lost in the "get" and the holiday sales. Sometimes we forget or ignore the consequences. Selfishness. Materialism. Debt. Danger. Disappointment. Delusion. Distraction.

Distraction from the CHRIST in Christmas. Yeah, I know this argument is fought every year, a news story about someone offended by a nativity in public or saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas". The consequences become significant, personal, important.

In the end, when the turkey has been eaten by the dogs and Ralphie put down his "Red Ryder", the family sits down in a quiet Chinese restuarant, laughs at what could have been, and sings along with the waiters, a Christmas carol. The consequences have lead to a special moment shared with family and confirming the love that is Christmas.

On December 24th, TBS is broadcasting A Christmas Story 24 hour marathon... I can't wait.

Friday, December 7, 2007

pointing in the right direction

The Chronicles of Narnia continues with Prince Caspian coming to theaters May 16, 2008. The movie trailer was just released this week.

I know it's 5+ months away, but Walden Media's adaptation of CS Lewis's classic story is important to promote in contrast to all the hype this week regarding another "children's story" The Golden Compass movie (based on book trilogy written by professed atheist Pullman).

Both Narnia and Compass stories include main characters of children and talking animals. However, the ideology is very different. CS Lewis painted a picture of moral absolutes and clear Christian allegory within a fantastic children's adventure. Pullman's His Dark Materials Compass points in the wrong direction, slowly removing moral absolutes, vilifying the church and eventually killing God in the end. The new movie will sanitize much of the religious overtones, but the books tell the real ideological bankruptcy of Pullman's atheistic worldview. And it's the marketing of these books to kids that is the real crime. Parents beware.

For more information
http://www.citizenlink.org/content/A000005672.cfm
http://www.pluggedinonline.com/movies/movies/a0003536.cfm
http://www.onenewsnow.com/2007/12/perspectives_in_what_direction.php

Watch the Prince Caspian trailer and promote the spiritual truths… it's an exciting story to tell



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BHva_cPpCE

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

psalm 37:3-7

"Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him..."