HARVEST FEST
(Friday) This evening hundreds of kids and their parents paraded through our fellowship center at Cornerstone Covenant Church. It has become a rich community tradition. This is the only "Halloween" that some of the younger children know. We had about 10 different games they could play, a bouncy castle, and hayrides. I spent the whole time running the goldfish game. Talk about fun!
Special thanks to the many many people from church who helped -- especially Tance Salafia, the persevering coordinator who is so easy to work for. There were so many who showed to clean up that it only took 1 hour! And that involved hauling out 20 bales of hay, sweeping, mopping, and setting up for Sunday. It was good!
Friday, October 31
MIKE YACONELLI TRIBUTE
(Friday) Interview with Mark Oestricher, president of Youth Specialties. Link
(Friday) Interview with Mark Oestricher, president of Youth Specialties. Link
RAIN
(Friday) Yes, we're finally getting some fall rain in Turlock. It's a mixed blessing. If we get enough it will wash the thick layer of dust off everything. (The almond harvest in September tends to leave its mark everywhere). But it's also the start of our bone-aching damp months. The moisture build up in the ground will eventually lead us into the tule foggy season -- end of December, January, beginning of February. Sometimes we'll go for a week or more without any real sunshine.
This morning I did look with envy at the webcams in Naples, Florida, where we were on vacation last month -- beautiful, clear, 85+ degrees. If it is not obvious by now, I am not a cold weather person.
(Friday) Yes, we're finally getting some fall rain in Turlock. It's a mixed blessing. If we get enough it will wash the thick layer of dust off everything. (The almond harvest in September tends to leave its mark everywhere). But it's also the start of our bone-aching damp months. The moisture build up in the ground will eventually lead us into the tule foggy season -- end of December, January, beginning of February. Sometimes we'll go for a week or more without any real sunshine.
This morning I did look with envy at the webcams in Naples, Florida, where we were on vacation last month -- beautiful, clear, 85+ degrees. If it is not obvious by now, I am not a cold weather person.
Thursday, October 30
MIKE YACONELLI
(Thursday) Mike Yaconelli, one of the founders of the Wittenberg Door ("The Door"), died this morning from injuries received in an auto crash. Mike was also a pastor, author, conference speaker, and co-owner of Youth Specialties. Link
(Thursday) Mike Yaconelli, one of the founders of the Wittenberg Door ("The Door"), died this morning from injuries received in an auto crash. Mike was also a pastor, author, conference speaker, and co-owner of Youth Specialties. Link
Wednesday, October 29
WORST CALIFORNIA DISASTER -- EVER
(Wednesday) The fires currently burning in So Cal are, according to outgoing Governor, Gray Davis, "the worst and costliest disaster California has ever faced." The tab, so far? $2 billion.
Right about now Davis is probably thinking that this whole recall thing wasn't really such a bad idea. Governor-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger gets stuck with this headache.
(Wednesday) The fires currently burning in So Cal are, according to outgoing Governor, Gray Davis, "the worst and costliest disaster California has ever faced." The tab, so far? $2 billion.
Right about now Davis is probably thinking that this whole recall thing wasn't really such a bad idea. Governor-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger gets stuck with this headache.
DEMYSTIFICATION OF IMMANENCE
(Wednesday) It sounds esoteric, but Robert Webber, in his latest newsletter, is really just asking, where is the point of balance?
Here is the dilemma. Traditional worship, with its emphasis on hymns, creeds, and stained-glass windows, makes God remote. Contemporary worship, with its casual "bring your coffee to worship and slap your neighbor on the back as you sing, shout and sway with your hands in the air," makes God too common.
Remote does not make God transcendent. Familiarity does not make God present. Have we demystified both transcendence and immanence?
...The experience of God's transcendent immanence never provokes a "Golly, gee-wiz! Hi there, God" response. Rather it incites awe, wonder, and an overwhelming sense of the mysterium tremendum. The believer, engulfed by the numinous and moved by the reality of an encounter with the divine, experiences speechlessness.
The solution, says Webber, is found in the "paradox of the incarnation."
The truth of the Incarnation is not an either/or but a both/and. The same is true for transcendence and immanence. When transcendence and immanence are brought together, God is present; it's a true divine-human encounter.
But practically speaking what does that look like? Link
(Wednesday) It sounds esoteric, but Robert Webber, in his latest newsletter, is really just asking, where is the point of balance?
Here is the dilemma. Traditional worship, with its emphasis on hymns, creeds, and stained-glass windows, makes God remote. Contemporary worship, with its casual "bring your coffee to worship and slap your neighbor on the back as you sing, shout and sway with your hands in the air," makes God too common.
Remote does not make God transcendent. Familiarity does not make God present. Have we demystified both transcendence and immanence?
...The experience of God's transcendent immanence never provokes a "Golly, gee-wiz! Hi there, God" response. Rather it incites awe, wonder, and an overwhelming sense of the mysterium tremendum. The believer, engulfed by the numinous and moved by the reality of an encounter with the divine, experiences speechlessness.
The solution, says Webber, is found in the "paradox of the incarnation."
The truth of the Incarnation is not an either/or but a both/and. The same is true for transcendence and immanence. When transcendence and immanence are brought together, God is present; it's a true divine-human encounter.
But practically speaking what does that look like? Link
FIRES BURN ON
(Wednesday) No school for the third day in a row. However, things are back to normal tomorrow. I just talked with Kirk on the phone and he says that it's beautiful -- "a typical La Jolla day." There isn't even a hint of smoke.
That doesn't mean that the fires are out -- only that the prevailing winds are at work -- blowing in off the coast -- driving all the smoke in the opposite direction. In other words, Phoenix should be starting to get a little smoky about now.
Everyone at UCSD seems excited to see the sun again.
(Wednesday) No school for the third day in a row. However, things are back to normal tomorrow. I just talked with Kirk on the phone and he says that it's beautiful -- "a typical La Jolla day." There isn't even a hint of smoke.
That doesn't mean that the fires are out -- only that the prevailing winds are at work -- blowing in off the coast -- driving all the smoke in the opposite direction. In other words, Phoenix should be starting to get a little smoky about now.
Everyone at UCSD seems excited to see the sun again.
Tuesday, October 28
ALCHEMY 101 & HARRY POTTER
(Tuesday) Purification by identification or correspondence with an object or character and its transformations... I'm not saying that I understand it all but it's worth a look. Link
(Tuesday) Purification by identification or correspondence with an object or character and its transformations... I'm not saying that I understand it all but it's worth a look. Link
AMBER ALERT TICKER
(Tuesday) A few blogs have pointed to a site where you can get an Amber Alert ticker for your website. Link
(Tuesday) A few blogs have pointed to a site where you can get an Amber Alert ticker for your website. Link
JUST HOW DUMB DO YOU THINK I AM?
(Tuesday) Somebody thinks I'm pretty brainless. I received another fraudulent email purporting to be from EarthLink (my primary ISP). It informed me that they were having trouble verifying payment on my account and needed me to update my information. I'd seen these things several times before so I knew that it was a fraud. But I started to laugh when I saw the information they wanted -- bank routing number, checking account number, PIN-code: 4 Digit code used in ATM's, social security number, mother's maiden name -- yeah, right! Although I suppose someone must fall for that stuff since they keep sending it out. Link here to visit the fraudulent website that I was sent to. Perhaps if we all went there and filled out fake info (made to look just real enough that they'd waste their time) they'd get so swamped that they wouldn't have time to sort the real from the fake and it wouldn't be worth it to them.
Yes, I reported the email and site to the EarthLink abuses department. But really, there is probably little they can do about it -- other than try to filter out future emails to other customers with the content that they are using to solicit people to the scam site.
Wednesday Update: Someone got in there this morning and shut the site down -- at least it is not available on my EarthLink connection.
(Tuesday) Somebody thinks I'm pretty brainless. I received another fraudulent email purporting to be from EarthLink (my primary ISP). It informed me that they were having trouble verifying payment on my account and needed me to update my information. I'd seen these things several times before so I knew that it was a fraud. But I started to laugh when I saw the information they wanted -- bank routing number, checking account number, PIN-code: 4 Digit code used in ATM's, social security number, mother's maiden name -- yeah, right! Although I suppose someone must fall for that stuff since they keep sending it out. Link here to visit the fraudulent website that I was sent to. Perhaps if we all went there and filled out fake info (made to look just real enough that they'd waste their time) they'd get so swamped that they wouldn't have time to sort the real from the fake and it wouldn't be worth it to them.
Yes, I reported the email and site to the EarthLink abuses department. But really, there is probably little they can do about it -- other than try to filter out future emails to other customers with the content that they are using to solicit people to the scam site.
Wednesday Update: Someone got in there this morning and shut the site down -- at least it is not available on my EarthLink connection.
TROPICAL FRUIT DAY
(Tuesday) Because Cheryl and I both take Tuesdays off we get to do all kinds of fun things together. This morning we went to the Tuesday Market -- an outdoor market in Turlock where English is the most popular second language. And we bought fruit -- "baby banana's" from Ecuador, guavas (guyavas) from Mexico, and Mexican limes (a.k.a. "Key limes").
Kent walked in after school and declared it a "tropical fruit day."
Cheryl made Key Lime pie. I'm telling you, it is the REAL thing! Floridians seem to think that nothing made north of Key Largo is genuine. But this pie tastes as good as what we got in Key West!
We had never had baby bananas before but they are sweet and tasty. The guavas have a pear-like texture -- but smaller -- more seeds -- and a tiny bit tart. Their very presence in the house gives the place the smell of a tropical paradise.
I had wanted to taste the guavas because I bought a guava seedling a couple of months ago and have it growing in a pot in the backyard. Once it produces it should be fun to have the fruit around.
(Tuesday) Because Cheryl and I both take Tuesdays off we get to do all kinds of fun things together. This morning we went to the Tuesday Market -- an outdoor market in Turlock where English is the most popular second language. And we bought fruit -- "baby banana's" from Ecuador, guavas (guyavas) from Mexico, and Mexican limes (a.k.a. "Key limes").
Kent walked in after school and declared it a "tropical fruit day."
Cheryl made Key Lime pie. I'm telling you, it is the REAL thing! Floridians seem to think that nothing made north of Key Largo is genuine. But this pie tastes as good as what we got in Key West!
We had never had baby bananas before but they are sweet and tasty. The guavas have a pear-like texture -- but smaller -- more seeds -- and a tiny bit tart. Their very presence in the house gives the place the smell of a tropical paradise.
I had wanted to taste the guavas because I bought a guava seedling a couple of months ago and have it growing in a pot in the backyard. Once it produces it should be fun to have the fruit around.
CABIN FEVOR
(Tuesday) We talked with Kirk this afternoon. It sounds like everyone is getting cabin fevor at UCSD. The smoke and ash are so thick that no one wants to go outside -- even to the dining area -- 50 yards away! Theirs, of course, is a small inconvenience compared to the thousands who have lost their homes and the 15 who have lost their lives. And they know it. They aren't whining.
(Tuesday) We talked with Kirk this afternoon. It sounds like everyone is getting cabin fevor at UCSD. The smoke and ash are so thick that no one wants to go outside -- even to the dining area -- 50 yards away! Theirs, of course, is a small inconvenience compared to the thousands who have lost their homes and the 15 who have lost their lives. And they know it. They aren't whining.
YET ANOTHER HOT & WINDY SO CAL DAY
(Tuesday) Humidity is going up (that's good) and the winds are dying down (a little) but the fires continue to spread. They are having the same problem south of the Mexican border.
Karly Perino at Azusa Pacific University checked in this morning to say that they're doing fine but that the air is very smoky. However, the San Diego universities remain closed today (including UCSD, Pt Loma, SDSU, University of San Diego...)
Teresa Coles (Wickel) formerly of our church, now lives in the San Fernando Valley somewhere and had to evacuate over the weekend. No word from her, yet.
The listing of openings and closures in the San Diego area gives you the idea of the ripple affect of this kind of a thing. For example, 30% of the mail didn't get delivered yesterday. Link
The ripple effect extends into our area as well. There are about 60 fire fighters, along with equipment, from local fire services (many volunteers) that have gone south. Also, the local fire services are covering our rural areas for the California Department of Forestry (CDF) which has sent their people south.
At what point did the "Santana" winds of So Cal morph into the "Santa Ana" winds?
By the way, it's a beautiful day up here in Turlock.
(Tuesday) Humidity is going up (that's good) and the winds are dying down (a little) but the fires continue to spread. They are having the same problem south of the Mexican border.
Karly Perino at Azusa Pacific University checked in this morning to say that they're doing fine but that the air is very smoky. However, the San Diego universities remain closed today (including UCSD, Pt Loma, SDSU, University of San Diego...)
Teresa Coles (Wickel) formerly of our church, now lives in the San Fernando Valley somewhere and had to evacuate over the weekend. No word from her, yet.
The listing of openings and closures in the San Diego area gives you the idea of the ripple affect of this kind of a thing. For example, 30% of the mail didn't get delivered yesterday. Link
The ripple effect extends into our area as well. There are about 60 fire fighters, along with equipment, from local fire services (many volunteers) that have gone south. Also, the local fire services are covering our rural areas for the California Department of Forestry (CDF) which has sent their people south.
At what point did the "Santana" winds of So Cal morph into the "Santa Ana" winds?
By the way, it's a beautiful day up here in Turlock.
Monday, October 27
ALPINE EVACUATED
(Monday) The Pacific Southwest Conference office has just sent word down that Alpine Conference Center has been evacuated and is in the path of approaching fire. Alpine is owned by the conference and is located in the San Bernardino Mountains.
(Monday) The Pacific Southwest Conference office has just sent word down that Alpine Conference Center has been evacuated and is in the path of approaching fire. Alpine is owned by the conference and is located in the San Bernardino Mountains.
FIRE UPDATE
(Monday) According to the UCSD website classes have been canceled today (and now, they say, tomorrow, too) for the purpose of keeping university employees off the San Diego roadways. The campus itself is not in danger. There was an all campus praise service last night so Kirk didn't go to Flood, which is probably good -- the fewer people out on the roads the better.
The San Diego Union-Tribune says that the Southern California fires now cover an area the size of the entire city of Chicago. (There is a great little report about Eric Brue, an off-duty LA firefighter, who helped save 16 homes in the Scripps Ranch area when there were no local fire fighters available to respond. It's at the bottom of the Union-Tribune article).
The Ocean Beach webcam shows the smoky skies -- even over the ocean.
Another webcam with a local radio feed (KFMB) is broadcasting a steady stream of emergency information -- Link.
Satellite image of the fires
(Monday) According to the UCSD website classes have been canceled today (and now, they say, tomorrow, too) for the purpose of keeping university employees off the San Diego roadways. The campus itself is not in danger. There was an all campus praise service last night so Kirk didn't go to Flood, which is probably good -- the fewer people out on the roads the better.
The San Diego Union-Tribune says that the Southern California fires now cover an area the size of the entire city of Chicago. (There is a great little report about Eric Brue, an off-duty LA firefighter, who helped save 16 homes in the Scripps Ranch area when there were no local fire fighters available to respond. It's at the bottom of the Union-Tribune article).
The Ocean Beach webcam shows the smoky skies -- even over the ocean.
Another webcam with a local radio feed (KFMB) is broadcasting a steady stream of emergency information -- Link.
Satellite image of the fires
Sunday, October 26
ADULTHOOD: MOVING TARGET
(Sunday) At what age do we become adults? 18? 21? More like 26, says the current research. I suppose some of us never make it. Link
(Sunday) At what age do we become adults? 18? 21? More like 26, says the current research. I suppose some of us never make it. Link
THE FIRES
(Sunday) Kirk says it's all smoky and there is ash falling on the UCSD campus. Since the campus is next to the beach they are obviously on the westside of things and in no danger. Some of the fires are in east San Diego County.
We have a little smoke up here in the central part of California. It was enough to make for a beautiful sunrise this morning.
We live less than a mile from Hwy 99. They've been moving quite a bit of fire equipment down the highway from the northern part of the state to the fires in the south.
(Sunday) Kirk says it's all smoky and there is ash falling on the UCSD campus. Since the campus is next to the beach they are obviously on the westside of things and in no danger. Some of the fires are in east San Diego County.
We have a little smoke up here in the central part of California. It was enough to make for a beautiful sunrise this morning.
We live less than a mile from Hwy 99. They've been moving quite a bit of fire equipment down the highway from the northern part of the state to the fires in the south.
Saturday, October 25
IE DEAD
(Saturday) Internet Explorer has ceased to function on my computer (It just stopped -- no coughing or wheezing -- but sudden death). Whenever I try to download a site it just gives me a "The page cannot be displayed" message.
I tried reinstalling IE but I get an error message saying that a newer version is already installed -- and it won't let me go any further. So I decided to completely uninstall IE -- but I couldn't find it on the list of programs (control panel -> add or remove programs).
Frankly, I don't mind working in Netscape. Netscape loads faster and is cleaner. But I can't run the Google tool bar in Netscape and I'm in love with that application. Also, I can't get Windows automatic updates without IE.
I run XP-home. The IE I have installed is 6.0.2800.1106.xpsp2.030422-1633.
Suggestions?
(Saturday) Internet Explorer has ceased to function on my computer (It just stopped -- no coughing or wheezing -- but sudden death). Whenever I try to download a site it just gives me a "The page cannot be displayed" message.
I tried reinstalling IE but I get an error message saying that a newer version is already installed -- and it won't let me go any further. So I decided to completely uninstall IE -- but I couldn't find it on the list of programs (control panel -> add or remove programs).
Frankly, I don't mind working in Netscape. Netscape loads faster and is cleaner. But I can't run the Google tool bar in Netscape and I'm in love with that application. Also, I can't get Windows automatic updates without IE.
I run XP-home. The IE I have installed is 6.0.2800.1106.xpsp2.030422-1633.
Suggestions?
MANGO JUICE
(Saturday) For some reason I have acquired an insatiable appetite for mango juice. I had some iced in La Perla Tapatia on Thursday. Then there are those Mango-A-Go-Go's at Jamba Juice. It's a little too cool in Turlock to grow mangos -- probably a good thing since I'm running out of tree space in our yard.
(Saturday) For some reason I have acquired an insatiable appetite for mango juice. I had some iced in La Perla Tapatia on Thursday. Then there are those Mango-A-Go-Go's at Jamba Juice. It's a little too cool in Turlock to grow mangos -- probably a good thing since I'm running out of tree space in our yard.
Friday, October 24
SPAMMERS FINED $2 MILLION
(Friday) The first conviction under California's new anti-spam law. Sometimes I'm proud to live in California. Link
(Friday) The first conviction under California's new anti-spam law. Sometimes I'm proud to live in California. Link
CAR WOES
(Friday) Our mechanic just told us that we need a new transmission to get our old van up and running. It died yesterday.
We bought a new (used) minivan a couple of months ago because our '97 Caravan has 160,000+ miles and I didn't feel it was reliable for longhauls. We were offered $1,500 to trade it in. But I felt that it was worth more to us than that. However, now a transmission would probably cost more than what it's worth. So we'll probably be down a car for awhile.
(Friday) Our mechanic just told us that we need a new transmission to get our old van up and running. It died yesterday.
We bought a new (used) minivan a couple of months ago because our '97 Caravan has 160,000+ miles and I didn't feel it was reliable for longhauls. We were offered $1,500 to trade it in. But I felt that it was worth more to us than that. However, now a transmission would probably cost more than what it's worth. So we'll probably be down a car for awhile.
EIGHT YEAR OLD IN TRAFFIC TICKET CONTROVERSY
(Friday) An eight-year-old Florida boy was cited by police after he ran his bike into the street causing an auto accident. The fine is $34. Link
However, his mother says they won't pay! "I'm going to not pay this ticket, and Scott's definitely not going to pay it,' said Danielle McIntosh, the boy's mother. She added the only money her son has is the allowance he has been saving for a battery-operated miniature truck.
"'He's an 8-year-old child. He does not understand what the right of way is,' She said."
If the kid doesn't understand what the right of way is he shouldn't be riding his bike in the street. And his mother -- well she should probably be cited for child endangerment for letting him do so.
You can already see why this kid is going to grow to be trouble -- just by listening to his mother. Unbelievable!
(Friday) An eight-year-old Florida boy was cited by police after he ran his bike into the street causing an auto accident. The fine is $34. Link
However, his mother says they won't pay! "I'm going to not pay this ticket, and Scott's definitely not going to pay it,' said Danielle McIntosh, the boy's mother. She added the only money her son has is the allowance he has been saving for a battery-operated miniature truck.
"'He's an 8-year-old child. He does not understand what the right of way is,' She said."
If the kid doesn't understand what the right of way is he shouldn't be riding his bike in the street. And his mother -- well she should probably be cited for child endangerment for letting him do so.
You can already see why this kid is going to grow to be trouble -- just by listening to his mother. Unbelievable!
THE PLACE OF CREEDS
(Friday) Christianity Today has several excellent pieces on the place of creeds in the church, all built around the work of Luke Timothy Johnson, a Roman Catholic scholar.
Excerpt from The Creed: What Christians Believe and Why It Matters by Luke Timothy Johnson
Review of the book
Interview with Johnson
As a creedal voice in a denomination which is overtly "non-creedal," I'm pleased to have this well stated apologetic in hand. (There isn't really such a thing as a "non-creedal" church. Such churches are just less up front about their creeds).
Amazon link -- $16.77
(Friday) Christianity Today has several excellent pieces on the place of creeds in the church, all built around the work of Luke Timothy Johnson, a Roman Catholic scholar.
Excerpt from The Creed: What Christians Believe and Why It Matters by Luke Timothy Johnson
Review of the book
Interview with Johnson
As a creedal voice in a denomination which is overtly "non-creedal," I'm pleased to have this well stated apologetic in hand. (There isn't really such a thing as a "non-creedal" church. Such churches are just less up front about their creeds).
Amazon link -- $16.77
Thursday, October 23
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
(Thursday) One of the many ministry projects that our church is doing for Christmas this year is Operation Christmas Child. This involves putting together shoeboxes filled with gifts to be delievered by Samaritan's Purse to desperate children around the world.
(Thursday) One of the many ministry projects that our church is doing for Christmas this year is Operation Christmas Child. This involves putting together shoeboxes filled with gifts to be delievered by Samaritan's Purse to desperate children around the world.
1350
(Thursday) Kent is all excited because he just found out that he got a 1350 on his SATs (not too shaby). Last week he found out that he has been accepted at UC Irvine -- and he hasn't even applied. Is it okay for fathers to brag? He's worked hard to get to this point.
(Thursday) Kent is all excited because he just found out that he got a 1350 on his SATs (not too shaby). Last week he found out that he has been accepted at UC Irvine -- and he hasn't even applied. Is it okay for fathers to brag? He's worked hard to get to this point.
AOL BLUES
(Thursday) When we first moved to Turlock eight years ago the only Internet Service Provider with a local number was AOL. However, within a year I found another way in and canceled AOL. They were too expensive and too quirky.
Things haven't changed much. Today I got email from AOL telling me that they can no longer deliver email from my server or domain to their customers because they think I'm a spammer.
<<< 554-(RLY:B1) The information presently available to AOL indicates this
<<< 554-server is generating high volumes of member complaints from AOL's
<<< 554-member base. Based on AOL's Unsolicited Bulk E-mail policy at
<<< 554-http://www.aol.com/info/bulkemail.html AOL may not accept further
<<< 554-e-mail transactions from this server or domain. For more information,
<<< 554 please visit http://postmaster.info.aol.com.
Perhaps someone has been putting my address in the return slot of out going spam. I've suspected that for months. But there is nothing you can really do about that. It happens to thousands of people a day.
I can understand AOL's desire to block incoming email from spammers but to put a blanket block on a domain is overzealous. Can you imagine if all other ISPs blocked all incoming AOL email because someone had used an AOL address as a return in spam? Can you imagine if I blocked all incoming AOL email because of the 50 spams I received every day purporting to be from AOL addresses?
I'll see if I can straighten things out. But based on what I've heard from others who have had this probelm I'm not optimistic. (Suggestions?) In other words, if you're an AOL customer and you don't hear from me again, it's not because I don't like you.
(Thursday) When we first moved to Turlock eight years ago the only Internet Service Provider with a local number was AOL. However, within a year I found another way in and canceled AOL. They were too expensive and too quirky.
Things haven't changed much. Today I got email from AOL telling me that they can no longer deliver email from my server or domain to their customers because they think I'm a spammer.
<<< 554-(RLY:B1) The information presently available to AOL indicates this
<<< 554-server is generating high volumes of member complaints from AOL's
<<< 554-member base. Based on AOL's Unsolicited Bulk E-mail policy at
<<< 554-http://www.aol.com/info/bulkemail.html AOL may not accept further
<<< 554-e-mail transactions from this server or domain. For more information,
<<< 554 please visit http://postmaster.info.aol.com.
Perhaps someone has been putting my address in the return slot of out going spam. I've suspected that for months. But there is nothing you can really do about that. It happens to thousands of people a day.
I can understand AOL's desire to block incoming email from spammers but to put a blanket block on a domain is overzealous. Can you imagine if all other ISPs blocked all incoming AOL email because someone had used an AOL address as a return in spam? Can you imagine if I blocked all incoming AOL email because of the 50 spams I received every day purporting to be from AOL addresses?
I'll see if I can straighten things out. But based on what I've heard from others who have had this probelm I'm not optimistic. (Suggestions?) In other words, if you're an AOL customer and you don't hear from me again, it's not because I don't like you.
Tuesday, October 21
HOME AGAIN
(Tuesday) We got home this afternoon in time to catch Betsy's volleyball games. The trip between San Diego and Turlock is usually between six or seven hours -- depending on traffic through LA. Even though they are in the midst of a transit strike it didn't seem to negatively impact the freeways we used. The grocery stores are on strike, too. Kirk said he thought that with everyone on strike it was just like being in France -- which seems to be perpetually on strike over something.
We did take one side-trip this morning to the California Cactus Center. I could spend the whole day there -- and lots of money!
Last night we took Kirk and Melody out to dinner. Melody Phillips, one of the college students from our church, is also a student in San Diego -- except she is at Point Loma Nazarene University. It was good to catch up with her. She was one of my favorite confirmation students when she was in junior high.
(Tuesday) We got home this afternoon in time to catch Betsy's volleyball games. The trip between San Diego and Turlock is usually between six or seven hours -- depending on traffic through LA. Even though they are in the midst of a transit strike it didn't seem to negatively impact the freeways we used. The grocery stores are on strike, too. Kirk said he thought that with everyone on strike it was just like being in France -- which seems to be perpetually on strike over something.
We did take one side-trip this morning to the California Cactus Center. I could spend the whole day there -- and lots of money!
Last night we took Kirk and Melody out to dinner. Melody Phillips, one of the college students from our church, is also a student in San Diego -- except she is at Point Loma Nazarene University. It was good to catch up with her. She was one of my favorite confirmation students when she was in junior high.
Monday, October 20
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
(Monday) After worship and a council meeting yesterday morning, Cheryl and I traveled to San Diego for a few days. It was nice to get out of the Central Valley where it's still dusty and the air is yucky -- and into the LA basin where the skies were crystal clear (!). We stopped and had Tommy's burgers and got into San Diego at 7:30ish -- visited Kirk and saw his new apartment on the new ERC campus at UCSD.
(Monday) After worship and a council meeting yesterday morning, Cheryl and I traveled to San Diego for a few days. It was nice to get out of the Central Valley where it's still dusty and the air is yucky -- and into the LA basin where the skies were crystal clear (!). We stopped and had Tommy's burgers and got into San Diego at 7:30ish -- visited Kirk and saw his new apartment on the new ERC campus at UCSD.
Friday, October 17
BOOMER ASCENSION TO AUTHORITY
(Friday) Terry Mattingly's column this week notes the ascension of baby boomers to ecclesiastical authority. And even though they're now gray hairs they're still acting like boomers.
As a rule, this generation trusts its feelings and seeks truth through personal experience, which means ancient doctrines may be ignored or redefined. The final authority is the individual believer or, perhaps, a movement of like-minded individuals. Boomers are pro-choice and pro-change about nearly everything, as long as they are the ones doing the choosing and changing.
The ultimate boomer sin — perhaps the only remaining sin — is saying that some old law or dogma can prevent people from doing whatever they want to do. Boomers rarely tolerate people they believe are being intolerant.
(Friday) Terry Mattingly's column this week notes the ascension of baby boomers to ecclesiastical authority. And even though they're now gray hairs they're still acting like boomers.
As a rule, this generation trusts its feelings and seeks truth through personal experience, which means ancient doctrines may be ignored or redefined. The final authority is the individual believer or, perhaps, a movement of like-minded individuals. Boomers are pro-choice and pro-change about nearly everything, as long as they are the ones doing the choosing and changing.
The ultimate boomer sin — perhaps the only remaining sin — is saying that some old law or dogma can prevent people from doing whatever they want to do. Boomers rarely tolerate people they believe are being intolerant.
WEBLOG AS JOURNALISM
(Friday) Dan Gillmor points to Jay Rosen's (NY University J school chief) blog and his post "What's Radical About the Weblog Form in Journalism?" Link
Observation #6: "A weblog can 'work' journalistically—it can be sustainable, enjoyable, meaningful, valuable, worth doing, and worth it to other people —if it reaches 50 or 100 or 160 souls who like it, use it, and communicate through it. Whereas in journalism the traditional way, such a small response would be seen as a failure, in journalism the weblog way the intensity of a small response can spell success."
(Friday) Dan Gillmor points to Jay Rosen's (NY University J school chief) blog and his post "What's Radical About the Weblog Form in Journalism?" Link
Observation #6: "A weblog can 'work' journalistically—it can be sustainable, enjoyable, meaningful, valuable, worth doing, and worth it to other people —if it reaches 50 or 100 or 160 souls who like it, use it, and communicate through it. Whereas in journalism the traditional way, such a small response would be seen as a failure, in journalism the weblog way the intensity of a small response can spell success."
SWEDISH FISH
(Friday) There has been a shake-up in the world of Swedish Fish (the chewy candy that some people mistakenly think is a gummy). Link
(Friday) There has been a shake-up in the world of Swedish Fish (the chewy candy that some people mistakenly think is a gummy). Link
Thursday, October 16
THE COMING CHURCH SPLIT
(Thursday) Keith Drury has posted about "the coming church split," arguing that the third great ecclesiastical schism will be between the churches of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. I think he is pretty much right. Philip Jenkins has been making the same argument for the past few years.
HOWEVER, two things are almost ignored in most of these discussions. First, while the church in the south is growing rapidly it is not necessarily growing in depth. Will they be able to sustain their growth and influence without sinking down some roots? Or will things shift as soon as something else more flashy and exciting comes along?
Secondly, will that something else be the American-style materialism that is expanding as rapidly as the gospel? As the rest of the world comes under the influence of Western music and media will it, too, go down the Laodicean road? Will the church in Africa and Asia in 2025 be significantly different from the church in the US?
(Thursday) Keith Drury has posted about "the coming church split," arguing that the third great ecclesiastical schism will be between the churches of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. I think he is pretty much right. Philip Jenkins has been making the same argument for the past few years.
HOWEVER, two things are almost ignored in most of these discussions. First, while the church in the south is growing rapidly it is not necessarily growing in depth. Will they be able to sustain their growth and influence without sinking down some roots? Or will things shift as soon as something else more flashy and exciting comes along?
Secondly, will that something else be the American-style materialism that is expanding as rapidly as the gospel? As the rest of the world comes under the influence of Western music and media will it, too, go down the Laodicean road? Will the church in Africa and Asia in 2025 be significantly different from the church in the US?
NOTEWORTHY FOR THE CHURCH
(Thursday) Conservative Lutheran theologian and UPI religion editor Uwe Siemon-Netto has some good things to say about the Pope...
The chief bishops of the Anglican Communion have issued a strong statement chastising the Episcopal Church USA and the Canadian Anglican diocese of New Westminster (BC) not only for their unbiblical actions but also for their self-centeredness in not taking into account the effects of their actions on the other Anglican churches.
(Thursday) Conservative Lutheran theologian and UPI religion editor Uwe Siemon-Netto has some good things to say about the Pope...
The chief bishops of the Anglican Communion have issued a strong statement chastising the Episcopal Church USA and the Canadian Anglican diocese of New Westminster (BC) not only for their unbiblical actions but also for their self-centeredness in not taking into account the effects of their actions on the other Anglican churches.
Wednesday, October 15
BOOKING A FLIGHT
(Wednesday) I spent way too much time today trying to find and book a flight to Calgary for a meeting in December. After consulting bestfares.com I narrowed my search to six airlines. Then I checked flights and prices against my schedule and budget. And I ended up finding the nearly ideal combination on Air Canada.
So I proceeded to make the reservation and buy the ticket. But their system kept giving me error messages directing me to back-up and reenter information. It was really frustrating but after a phone call to their tech people I got past the glitch in their system and made my reservation.
Fast forward a couple of hours -- the fax machine cranks out three reservation confirmation letters. Apparently all of that back-tracking in their system had created three reservations. I called customer service and eventually got to talk with a nice human being who straightened it all out (she even got me aisle seats).
A new itinerary was issued -- and this time I noticed that all the flights were really United flights (Air Canada has a code sharing agreement with them). But when I had searched the United site earlier, with the same criteria I had entered on the Air Canada site, they didn't show the flights I ended up buying. So I had to go to Canada in order to get the flight I wanted on an American based-airline.
Do you ever wonder why travelers get frustrated with the airlines? If only Southwest were flying to Calgary I'd be a happy camper.
(Wednesday) I spent way too much time today trying to find and book a flight to Calgary for a meeting in December. After consulting bestfares.com I narrowed my search to six airlines. Then I checked flights and prices against my schedule and budget. And I ended up finding the nearly ideal combination on Air Canada.
So I proceeded to make the reservation and buy the ticket. But their system kept giving me error messages directing me to back-up and reenter information. It was really frustrating but after a phone call to their tech people I got past the glitch in their system and made my reservation.
Fast forward a couple of hours -- the fax machine cranks out three reservation confirmation letters. Apparently all of that back-tracking in their system had created three reservations. I called customer service and eventually got to talk with a nice human being who straightened it all out (she even got me aisle seats).
A new itinerary was issued -- and this time I noticed that all the flights were really United flights (Air Canada has a code sharing agreement with them). But when I had searched the United site earlier, with the same criteria I had entered on the Air Canada site, they didn't show the flights I ended up buying. So I had to go to Canada in order to get the flight I wanted on an American based-airline.
Do you ever wonder why travelers get frustrated with the airlines? If only Southwest were flying to Calgary I'd be a happy camper.
Tuesday, October 14
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
(Tuesday) The US Supreme Court says that it is going to examine the question of whether it is legal to have the phrase "one nation under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. I am not even going to attempt a prediction on where they'll land on this one. It seems silly to me that it's even an issue. But apparently some people feel that they are violated by the presence of God. (I'm still not sure why the atheists are offended by the mention of someone they don't believe exists.)
So, what happens if the Supreme Court rules it unconstitutional? Do the Christians all take to the streets to loot shops and burn cars?
Do we flee to Canada? Oops. They don't do God much up there, either -- nor in Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Sweden, or the rest of secularized Europe. I suppose we could all pack up and move to England. They still say "God save the Queen" there. But we've already been there -- done that. I suspect most of us will stick around and just whine a lot.
Of course, it probably won't make much of a difference in the way we function. We adopted the pledge in 1892 but it wasn't until 1954 that we inserted the "One nation under God" clause. I suppose one might even argue that it was the first generation which grew up "under God" that's been the biggest pain in the American butt. We became the hippies and the yuppies. The United States took a giant leap forward in the secularization game at the same time that we gave God a role in the daily salute to old glory. Coincidence?
I don't know. But again, it probably won't make much difference. If the phrase stays it's not going to make Americans take God more seriously. And if it goes Christians aren't going to take God any less seriously. Perhaps we'll even grow stronger without it. After all, the church was thriving during the first three centuries when it was an illegal cult -- and Caesar was the god who got the allegiance.
(Tuesday) The US Supreme Court says that it is going to examine the question of whether it is legal to have the phrase "one nation under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. I am not even going to attempt a prediction on where they'll land on this one. It seems silly to me that it's even an issue. But apparently some people feel that they are violated by the presence of God. (I'm still not sure why the atheists are offended by the mention of someone they don't believe exists.)
So, what happens if the Supreme Court rules it unconstitutional? Do the Christians all take to the streets to loot shops and burn cars?
Do we flee to Canada? Oops. They don't do God much up there, either -- nor in Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Sweden, or the rest of secularized Europe. I suppose we could all pack up and move to England. They still say "God save the Queen" there. But we've already been there -- done that. I suspect most of us will stick around and just whine a lot.
Of course, it probably won't make much of a difference in the way we function. We adopted the pledge in 1892 but it wasn't until 1954 that we inserted the "One nation under God" clause. I suppose one might even argue that it was the first generation which grew up "under God" that's been the biggest pain in the American butt. We became the hippies and the yuppies. The United States took a giant leap forward in the secularization game at the same time that we gave God a role in the daily salute to old glory. Coincidence?
I don't know. But again, it probably won't make much difference. If the phrase stays it's not going to make Americans take God more seriously. And if it goes Christians aren't going to take God any less seriously. Perhaps we'll even grow stronger without it. After all, the church was thriving during the first three centuries when it was an illegal cult -- and Caesar was the god who got the allegiance.
DEGREE MILLS
(Tuesday) Metafilter links to a fascinating report (.pdf file) on fake academic degrees -- how people get them and how to detect them.
(Tuesday) Metafilter links to a fascinating report (.pdf file) on fake academic degrees -- how people get them and how to detect them.
HOW DOES EUROPE SEE AMERICA?
(Tuesday) NPR is doing a series this week. Warning: this is not for the faint of heart. Link
(Tuesday) NPR is doing a series this week. Warning: this is not for the faint of heart. Link
Monday, October 13
ABET LIST HAS NEW HOME
(Monday) Abet is the email list that is designed to stimulate thinking amongst the leaders serving in Evangelical Covenant churches. Today we finally got a new home for the list (so long yahoogroup ads!) Take it for a test drive
(Monday) Abet is the email list that is designed to stimulate thinking amongst the leaders serving in Evangelical Covenant churches. Today we finally got a new home for the list (so long yahoogroup ads!) Take it for a test drive
Sunday, October 12
KEITH HAMILTON
(Sunday) Keith Hamilton, president of Alaska Christian College, preached for me this morning. This sure is an exciting thing that God is doing in Alaska. I don't like to brag but the people in our congregation chipped in and sent him off with at least $2,400 to provide a little encouragement and pay some of the bills.
(Sunday) Keith Hamilton, president of Alaska Christian College, preached for me this morning. This sure is an exciting thing that God is doing in Alaska. I don't like to brag but the people in our congregation chipped in and sent him off with at least $2,400 to provide a little encouragement and pay some of the bills.
Saturday, October 11
SMART PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE MORE CHILDREN...
(Saturday) "A Danish professor has called on the government to encourage smart people to have more children and to dissuade less intelligent people from child bearing, causing an uproar..." Link
The significance of this story is that the professor's request still caused an uproar. This is good.
(Saturday) "A Danish professor has called on the government to encourage smart people to have more children and to dissuade less intelligent people from child bearing, causing an uproar..." Link
The significance of this story is that the professor's request still caused an uproar. This is good.
BUMPER CROP
(Saturday) Florida, the largest citrus growing state in the US, is expecting its biggest harvest ever this winter. This is good news for orange juice drinkers but not such good news for the growers. Link to Naples News article
California looks like it will be a little bit higher than average, Arizona a little lower, and Texas right about average. USDA Link
The Boydston crop looks like it will be about average -- satsumas seem a little low but valencias are high. I have a mandarin tree that is producing for the first time this year. And my white grapefruit is about average. Then there is my lime tree -- so far I've spotted three limes -- not even enough for a pie!
(Saturday) Florida, the largest citrus growing state in the US, is expecting its biggest harvest ever this winter. This is good news for orange juice drinkers but not such good news for the growers. Link to Naples News article
California looks like it will be a little bit higher than average, Arizona a little lower, and Texas right about average. USDA Link
The Boydston crop looks like it will be about average -- satsumas seem a little low but valencias are high. I have a mandarin tree that is producing for the first time this year. And my white grapefruit is about average. Then there is my lime tree -- so far I've spotted three limes -- not even enough for a pie!
BOOK REVIEWS
(Saturday) I recently posted two book reviews on the Abet list:
Community of Kindness, by Steve Sjorgren & Rob Lewin (Regal Books, 2003)
An Introduction to Ecclesiology: Ecumenical, Historical, and Global Perspectives by Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen (Inter-Varsity Press, 2002)
(Saturday) I recently posted two book reviews on the Abet list:
Community of Kindness, by Steve Sjorgren & Rob Lewin (Regal Books, 2003)
An Introduction to Ecclesiology: Ecumenical, Historical, and Global Perspectives by Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen (Inter-Varsity Press, 2002)
Friday, October 10
THE CHURCH IN THE EMERGING CULTURE
(Friday) A couple of months ago I preordered a copy of The Church in Emerging Culture: Five Perspectives. It should be out this month. Leonard Sweet is the editor and the contributors are Frederica Mathewes-Green, Brian McLaren, Andy Crouch, Erwin Raphael McManus, and Michael Horton. Frederica has put her chapter online. Talk about questions! This is Frederica at her best. She has developed an Eastern Orthodox catechism embedded in a analysis of the culture.
(Friday) A couple of months ago I preordered a copy of The Church in Emerging Culture: Five Perspectives. It should be out this month. Leonard Sweet is the editor and the contributors are Frederica Mathewes-Green, Brian McLaren, Andy Crouch, Erwin Raphael McManus, and Michael Horton. Frederica has put her chapter online. Talk about questions! This is Frederica at her best. She has developed an Eastern Orthodox catechism embedded in a analysis of the culture.
MORE ON GUANTANAMO BAY DETAINEES
(Friday) Apparently the Internaitonal Red Cross has similar concerns. They usually try to deal with their complaints or criticisms behind the scenes because they aren't interested in grand standing or embarrassing a government in public. Only after concerted effort behind the scenes will they go public with their concerns. And apparently the US government has ignored them to the point where they are now making a public stink. Link
(Friday) Apparently the Internaitonal Red Cross has similar concerns. They usually try to deal with their complaints or criticisms behind the scenes because they aren't interested in grand standing or embarrassing a government in public. Only after concerted effort behind the scenes will they go public with their concerns. And apparently the US government has ignored them to the point where they are now making a public stink. Link
Thursday, October 9
GUANTANAMO BAY DETAINEES
(Thursday) I know that the focus is on security breaches at Guantanamo these days, but is anyone else concerned that we're indefinitely holding 660 people there? These are all people who have been denied due process of any sort. They have not been found guilty by any court and they have no way of proving their innocence.
I understand that there may be a need to keep some prisoners. But it seems that we're selling out the very things for which America says it stands by keeping prisoners under these conditions. How can we expect to influence the world toward the adoption of human rights if we aren't concerned about the rights of these men (and their families). Certainly this kind of activity (and the underlying attitude) is going to be a barrier toward the development of democratically-based systems not only in the Middle-East but throughout the world. Perhaps our hypocrisy is a part of the reason we got into this pickle in the first place!
(Thursday) I know that the focus is on security breaches at Guantanamo these days, but is anyone else concerned that we're indefinitely holding 660 people there? These are all people who have been denied due process of any sort. They have not been found guilty by any court and they have no way of proving their innocence.
I understand that there may be a need to keep some prisoners. But it seems that we're selling out the very things for which America says it stands by keeping prisoners under these conditions. How can we expect to influence the world toward the adoption of human rights if we aren't concerned about the rights of these men (and their families). Certainly this kind of activity (and the underlying attitude) is going to be a barrier toward the development of democratically-based systems not only in the Middle-East but throughout the world. Perhaps our hypocrisy is a part of the reason we got into this pickle in the first place!
NEW MONEY
(Thursday) There are a lot of things wrong with America -- but at least our money is looking better. Green, peach, and blue. Link
(Thursday) There are a lot of things wrong with America -- but at least our money is looking better. Green, peach, and blue. Link
Wednesday, October 8
VOTER DETERMINATION
(Wednesday) Our son Kirk voted for the first time yesterday (Hopefully he wasn't the one who canceled out MY vote). The line was really long in the morning so he went back to the polling place at a bit after 7 p.m. -- and it was still long. He waited for over an hour to vote! He said there was still a line after he left and apparently they extended the polling hours.
The amazing thing is that he hadn't received any voter information in the mail. He just showed up at the only polling station on campus hoping his name was on the list of registered voters. He had problems registering in the past. -- but this time he got to vote.
In the Turlock area voting was so heavy that some polling places ran out of ballots. There were 900 visitors to the polling station that was in the entry way of our church building.
People were definitely into the election.
(Wednesday) Our son Kirk voted for the first time yesterday (Hopefully he wasn't the one who canceled out MY vote). The line was really long in the morning so he went back to the polling place at a bit after 7 p.m. -- and it was still long. He waited for over an hour to vote! He said there was still a line after he left and apparently they extended the polling hours.
The amazing thing is that he hadn't received any voter information in the mail. He just showed up at the only polling station on campus hoping his name was on the list of registered voters. He had problems registering in the past. -- but this time he got to vote.
In the Turlock area voting was so heavy that some polling places ran out of ballots. There were 900 visitors to the polling station that was in the entry way of our church building.
People were definitely into the election.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
(Wednesday) Kendal Harmon, preaching to the "A Place to Stand" conference in Dallas: "We have moved from sinners in the hands of an angry God to clients in the palm of a satisfied therapist." Link
(Wednesday) Kendal Harmon, preaching to the "A Place to Stand" conference in Dallas: "We have moved from sinners in the hands of an angry God to clients in the palm of a satisfied therapist." Link
Tuesday, October 7
TOTAL RECALL
(Tuesday) The same people who elected Davis as governor 11 months ago have spoken again. We are fickle!
How did Arnold do it? He kept his mouth shut -- at least in regard to taking any kind of significant position on anything. And then he just rode the wave of fame.
Well, at least now I can sleep soundly knowing that the Terminator is in charge. Or maybe he's pulling a "Bill McKay" right about now. Remember McKay? He, played by Robert Redford, was the straight talking but sort'a clueless lawyer in the 1972 movie The Candidate. He challenged a popular senator for his seat and won in a media-driven campaign -- much to McKay's surprise. And at the end of the movie, having exhausted his bag of tricks just to win the election, he turned and asked, "What do we do now?"
Lord, save me from cynicism!
(Tuesday) The same people who elected Davis as governor 11 months ago have spoken again. We are fickle!
How did Arnold do it? He kept his mouth shut -- at least in regard to taking any kind of significant position on anything. And then he just rode the wave of fame.
Well, at least now I can sleep soundly knowing that the Terminator is in charge. Or maybe he's pulling a "Bill McKay" right about now. Remember McKay? He, played by Robert Redford, was the straight talking but sort'a clueless lawyer in the 1972 movie The Candidate. He challenged a popular senator for his seat and won in a media-driven campaign -- much to McKay's surprise. And at the end of the movie, having exhausted his bag of tricks just to win the election, he turned and asked, "What do we do now?"
Lord, save me from cynicism!
SPLIT IN WORLD CHRISTIANITY
(Tuesday) Dr. Uwe Siemon-Netto, UPI religion editor, and Lutheran theologian, thinks that the split over the ordination of a homosexual bishop in the Episcopal Church signals a major rift in Christianity as a whole. He quotes the normally moderate Cardinal Walter Kasper, a German in the Vatican hierarchy -- president of the Pontifical Secretariat for the Promotion of Christian Unity, "What's happening here is in many ways worse than the great schisms 1,000 and 500 years ago..." Link
(Tuesday) Dr. Uwe Siemon-Netto, UPI religion editor, and Lutheran theologian, thinks that the split over the ordination of a homosexual bishop in the Episcopal Church signals a major rift in Christianity as a whole. He quotes the normally moderate Cardinal Walter Kasper, a German in the Vatican hierarchy -- president of the Pontifical Secretariat for the Promotion of Christian Unity, "What's happening here is in many ways worse than the great schisms 1,000 and 500 years ago..." Link
Monday, October 6
BLOWING SNOW?
(Monday) I use the My Way system (customizes very nicely) as a start page and have chosen to display weather reports from several cities. As reported by the Weather Channel, Boise is experiencing "blowing snow" tonight. However, the current temperature is 73 degrees and the low tonight is expected to be 56 under clear skies.
Maybe it's a drill or perhaps they wanted to try out the new blowing snow icon somewhere.
(Monday) I use the My Way system (customizes very nicely) as a start page and have chosen to display weather reports from several cities. As reported by the Weather Channel, Boise is experiencing "blowing snow" tonight. However, the current temperature is 73 degrees and the low tonight is expected to be 56 under clear skies.
Maybe it's a drill or perhaps they wanted to try out the new blowing snow icon somewhere.
TOUCHÉ
(Monday) If the "do-not-call list" gets side-tracked by the courts Dave Barry will take care of the problem. He's already got the telemarketers on the run. Link
(Monday) If the "do-not-call list" gets side-tracked by the courts Dave Barry will take care of the problem. He's already got the telemarketers on the run. Link
KARL'S QUEST
(Monday) Karl doesn't want to work weekends anymore. So he quit his job as weekend receptionist at Covenant Village. Now he's on a quest for a new job -- something flexible where he could work during the week. We've been trying to come up with a list of potential jobs for him. So far we have telemarketer and spammer on the list of things he could do well.
(Monday) Karl doesn't want to work weekends anymore. So he quit his job as weekend receptionist at Covenant Village. Now he's on a quest for a new job -- something flexible where he could work during the week. We've been trying to come up with a list of potential jobs for him. So far we have telemarketer and spammer on the list of things he could do well.
CALIFORNIA HOUSING PRICES AFFECT YOU...
(Monday) even if you live somewhere else in the US. The ripple effect of our wild housing market is vast. And Prop. 13 plays a role, too. The crazy things we do affect you. Sorry. Link to USA Today story
(Monday) even if you live somewhere else in the US. The ripple effect of our wild housing market is vast. And Prop. 13 plays a role, too. The crazy things we do affect you. Sorry. Link to USA Today story
Sunday, October 5
CORNERSTONE BLOGGERS
(Sunday) I now know of at least four other people from our church who have blogs:
Kevin (who typically doesn't use his last name on the Internet so he doesn't get Asian spam) Chang (There should be enough words in there to throw off the spiders) Link
Cheslea Gibbs
Karl Naslund
Dan Whitmarsh
(Sunday) I now know of at least four other people from our church who have blogs:
Kevin (who typically doesn't use his last name on the Internet so he doesn't get Asian spam) Chang (There should be enough words in there to throw off the spiders) Link
Cheslea Gibbs
Karl Naslund
Dan Whitmarsh
WEBCAM WITH SOUND
(Sunday) I was looking at a webcam positioned to face a pub on the street in Naples, Florida. It's right in the area where we were last Sunday. Anyway, the cam isn't much to look at but it's the first webcam I've seen which also has sound. I wonder how many of those people walking down 5th Avenue in Naples know that their conversations are being broadcast on the Internet. They do seem to know that the camera is there because people play to it -- but the sound -- I think they're clueless. Link
(Sunday) I was looking at a webcam positioned to face a pub on the street in Naples, Florida. It's right in the area where we were last Sunday. Anyway, the cam isn't much to look at but it's the first webcam I've seen which also has sound. I wonder how many of those people walking down 5th Avenue in Naples know that their conversations are being broadcast on the Internet. They do seem to know that the camera is there because people play to it -- but the sound -- I think they're clueless. Link
Saturday, October 4
THE LAWN
(Saturday) One of the down sides of living in a place like Turlock is that you pretty much have to cut the grass year round. Right now it's at the stage where it needs to be done every five days or so (not that I really get to it that often). As I was cutting today I realized that I had not fertilized the lawn since early spring -- at which time I fed it half of the recommended dose with a slow release product. And the good news is that the lawn is still bright green. The secret appears to be mulching. I use a mulching mower which chops up the grass so fine that it can be left on the turf to become a part of the humus. In the past I mulched half the grass and took the other half to the compost pile. But this year I mulched about 90% of the time. So the grass has been making it's own fertilizer and it seems to be working just fine.
I know that most of you are probably not real excited about my grass -- but hey, simple things amaze my simple mind.
(Saturday) One of the down sides of living in a place like Turlock is that you pretty much have to cut the grass year round. Right now it's at the stage where it needs to be done every five days or so (not that I really get to it that often). As I was cutting today I realized that I had not fertilized the lawn since early spring -- at which time I fed it half of the recommended dose with a slow release product. And the good news is that the lawn is still bright green. The secret appears to be mulching. I use a mulching mower which chops up the grass so fine that it can be left on the turf to become a part of the humus. In the past I mulched half the grass and took the other half to the compost pile. But this year I mulched about 90% of the time. So the grass has been making it's own fertilizer and it seems to be working just fine.
I know that most of you are probably not real excited about my grass -- but hey, simple things amaze my simple mind.
Friday, October 3
GLOBAL WARMING -- A MOOT ISSUE
(Friday) Global warming is not going to become the disaster that many scientists are making it out to be because according to a group of Swedish scientists we're going to use up most of the earth's oil reserves sometime between 2010 and 2020 -- before we can do permanent damage to the hemisphere. Link
(Friday) Global warming is not going to become the disaster that many scientists are making it out to be because according to a group of Swedish scientists we're going to use up most of the earth's oil reserves sometime between 2010 and 2020 -- before we can do permanent damage to the hemisphere. Link
WHY HELP THE EPISCOPALIANS?
(Friday) Chris Armstrong provides an executive historical summary of the Episcopal Church in the US and offers a few reasons why evangelicals should come to their aid in this time of crisis. Link
(Friday) Chris Armstrong provides an executive historical summary of the Episcopal Church in the US and offers a few reasons why evangelicals should come to their aid in this time of crisis. Link
CALIFORNIA WOES
(Friday) I realized this morning that I am actually feeling stress over the California political fiasco. I usually just let this kind of thing roll off like water from a duck's back. But I guess I'm just so annoyed with the system, the political options, and the politicians we have to work with (We have to figure out which of these bozos is going to do the least amount of damage) that I'm feeling it.
All of this makes me wonder how something like this affects the mental health of the state -- our collective state of mind -- to say nothing of productivity levels.
BTW, the Economist has good insight into what's happening (You have to look outside the country to find someone who is enough removed to read us with any level of objectivity). Sure the economy and the current governor's mismanagement of the problem has something to do with it. There is, however, an equally obvious explanation for Mr Davis's plight. Californians have become powerfully addicted to direct democracy: initiatives, which allow voters to pass their own ideas, or "propositions," directly into law; referendums, by which they can support or kill decisions from the legislature in Sacramento; and recall elections. Such measures are not unique to California (18 states have recall provisions, with North Dakota, in 1921, being the first -- and so far only -- one to recall its governor), but no state has used them so energetically. Since 1980 the electorate has been asked to vote on over 120 statewide initiatives, of which more than 50 have passed into law.
It's all a part of the Post-Prop 13 (1978) fallout. Not only did Prop. 13 under-cut the financial base of the state but it also started the direct proposition movement rolling -- where voters try to micromanage everything by direct initiative. This means that we keep reducing the tax options while legislating more expenditures. On top of that you need to have another proposition to overturn a proposition -- a near imposibility. I quit signing petitions years ago.
All of this nonesense is somewhat tolerable in good economic times. But once the economy slows down the noose we've placed around our collective neck starts to tighten. And when that happens people start to panic and do more irrational things (like a recall) and that tightens the noose even more. It's not a pretty sight.
Well, now that I've gotten that off my chest perhaps I'll sleep better tongiht.
(Friday) I realized this morning that I am actually feeling stress over the California political fiasco. I usually just let this kind of thing roll off like water from a duck's back. But I guess I'm just so annoyed with the system, the political options, and the politicians we have to work with (We have to figure out which of these bozos is going to do the least amount of damage) that I'm feeling it.
All of this makes me wonder how something like this affects the mental health of the state -- our collective state of mind -- to say nothing of productivity levels.
BTW, the Economist has good insight into what's happening (You have to look outside the country to find someone who is enough removed to read us with any level of objectivity). Sure the economy and the current governor's mismanagement of the problem has something to do with it. There is, however, an equally obvious explanation for Mr Davis's plight. Californians have become powerfully addicted to direct democracy: initiatives, which allow voters to pass their own ideas, or "propositions," directly into law; referendums, by which they can support or kill decisions from the legislature in Sacramento; and recall elections. Such measures are not unique to California (18 states have recall provisions, with North Dakota, in 1921, being the first -- and so far only -- one to recall its governor), but no state has used them so energetically. Since 1980 the electorate has been asked to vote on over 120 statewide initiatives, of which more than 50 have passed into law.
It's all a part of the Post-Prop 13 (1978) fallout. Not only did Prop. 13 under-cut the financial base of the state but it also started the direct proposition movement rolling -- where voters try to micromanage everything by direct initiative. This means that we keep reducing the tax options while legislating more expenditures. On top of that you need to have another proposition to overturn a proposition -- a near imposibility. I quit signing petitions years ago.
All of this nonesense is somewhat tolerable in good economic times. But once the economy slows down the noose we've placed around our collective neck starts to tighten. And when that happens people start to panic and do more irrational things (like a recall) and that tightens the noose even more. It's not a pretty sight.
Well, now that I've gotten that off my chest perhaps I'll sleep better tongiht.
Thursday, October 2
SALVATION INFLATION
(Thursday) Also in the current Christianity Today -- an editorial which dialogues with Alan Wolfe's The Transformation of American Religion -- a teaser: Evangelicals have been celebrating their growth in American society. Wolfe notes the way many features of evangelical religion (extempore prayer, small group Bible study, religion of the heart) have become common in both mainline Protestant and Catholic circles. In a sense, Wolfe argues, American religion has become largely evangelical, even where the label doesn't apply.
But success reduces religion to the lowest common denominator. And the pursuit of success often involves a Faustian bargain. Reading friendly critics like Wolfe will raise our consciousness. As Wolfe points out, "At least Faust knew the consequences of the pact he signed." Link
(Thursday) Also in the current Christianity Today -- an editorial which dialogues with Alan Wolfe's The Transformation of American Religion -- a teaser: Evangelicals have been celebrating their growth in American society. Wolfe notes the way many features of evangelical religion (extempore prayer, small group Bible study, religion of the heart) have become common in both mainline Protestant and Catholic circles. In a sense, Wolfe argues, American religion has become largely evangelical, even where the label doesn't apply.
But success reduces religion to the lowest common denominator. And the pursuit of success often involves a Faustian bargain. Reading friendly critics like Wolfe will raise our consciousness. As Wolfe points out, "At least Faust knew the consequences of the pact he signed." Link
"MY GOD CAN BEAT UP YOUR GOD!"
(Thursday) There is an ad on page 136 of the current issue of Christianity Today. It shows a picture of a bumper sticker with the words "My God can beat up your god!" On that bumper sticker is a Christian fish swallowing a Darwin fish. The copy in the ad states: "Has it really come to this -- bigger and bigger Darwin and Jesus fish swallowing up one another? At Multnomah Biblical Seminary we want to move beyond bobble-headed rhetoric and into authentic dialogue based on biblical and Christ-centered truth that will transform our culture." -- Dr. Paul L. Metzger
What a great ad! It really speaks to the issue of the shallowness that pervades our "evangelical witness." The words "bobble-headed rhetoric" are especially descriptive. Sometimes I feel like I'm a bobble-headed rhetorician.
(Thursday) There is an ad on page 136 of the current issue of Christianity Today. It shows a picture of a bumper sticker with the words "My God can beat up your god!" On that bumper sticker is a Christian fish swallowing a Darwin fish. The copy in the ad states: "Has it really come to this -- bigger and bigger Darwin and Jesus fish swallowing up one another? At Multnomah Biblical Seminary we want to move beyond bobble-headed rhetoric and into authentic dialogue based on biblical and Christ-centered truth that will transform our culture." -- Dr. Paul L. Metzger
What a great ad! It really speaks to the issue of the shallowness that pervades our "evangelical witness." The words "bobble-headed rhetoric" are especially descriptive. Sometimes I feel like I'm a bobble-headed rhetorician.
Wednesday, October 1
GREAT LEAD -- STRANGE STORY
(Wednesday) Helen Peterson in the Daily News: A man who was expected to plead guilty yesterday to having sex in St. Patrick's Cathedral will have to answer to a higher authority.
Brian Florence, 38, died of a heart attack Thursday in Alexandria, Va., his lawyer announced yesterday in court - surprising the judge and prosecutors... Link
The whole story would be a great sermon illustration if it weren't so obscene.
(Wednesday) Helen Peterson in the Daily News: A man who was expected to plead guilty yesterday to having sex in St. Patrick's Cathedral will have to answer to a higher authority.
Brian Florence, 38, died of a heart attack Thursday in Alexandria, Va., his lawyer announced yesterday in court - surprising the judge and prosecutors... Link
The whole story would be a great sermon illustration if it weren't so obscene.
RUSH QUITS
(Wednesday) Three days ago Rush Limbaugh said that "Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb is overrated because the media wanted to see a black quarterback succeed." Today he resigned from his job as an ESPN commentator after nearly every opportunistic Democrat in the country demanded that the network fire him. Link
I'm still trying to figure out why he got the job in the first place. And then I'm trying to figure out why he would say such a thing -- even if it were true that kind of talk doesn't really contribute anything to the sport and the goal of sportsmanship.
(Wednesday) Three days ago Rush Limbaugh said that "Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb is overrated because the media wanted to see a black quarterback succeed." Today he resigned from his job as an ESPN commentator after nearly every opportunistic Democrat in the country demanded that the network fire him. Link
I'm still trying to figure out why he got the job in the first place. And then I'm trying to figure out why he would say such a thing -- even if it were true that kind of talk doesn't really contribute anything to the sport and the goal of sportsmanship.
WHY VACATION IN FLORIDA?
(Wednesday) Randall writes: "OK, Here's a question from a Canadian. Why does a guy who lives in California go for a holiday in Florida???"
Good question. We do have a lot in common with Florida -- Mickey and Goofy, Mickey Mouse politicians and goofy elections, Spanish as a second language, ocean front property, palm trees, citrus, and warm weather. But we don't have alligators, cocoanut palms, a large Cuban population, tropical storms, swamps, Flipper, or really warm ocean water (The San Diego area is sub-tropical but it's not the same as Florida and the Pacific Ocean down there doesn't get quite as warm.). Furthermore, Californians have to leave the state in order to experience the joys of humidity. It's just different. And Florida is a great place to vacation if you don't want to run into a bunch of other Californians.
(Wednesday) Randall writes: "OK, Here's a question from a Canadian. Why does a guy who lives in California go for a holiday in Florida???"
Good question. We do have a lot in common with Florida -- Mickey and Goofy, Mickey Mouse politicians and goofy elections, Spanish as a second language, ocean front property, palm trees, citrus, and warm weather. But we don't have alligators, cocoanut palms, a large Cuban population, tropical storms, swamps, Flipper, or really warm ocean water (The San Diego area is sub-tropical but it's not the same as Florida and the Pacific Ocean down there doesn't get quite as warm.). Furthermore, Californians have to leave the state in order to experience the joys of humidity. It's just different. And Florida is a great place to vacation if you don't want to run into a bunch of other Californians.
NEW NORTH PARK SEMINARY OPTIONS
(Wednesday) Mark Washington from North Park Seminary wrote me to say that they now have a distance option for ALL of their degrees. That is, a seminarian can now earn a master of divinity degree through a combination of online classes and very short intensive campus classes. This is good news for some people who are fully engaged in ministry and need to be working on their degree without moving to Chicago. Link
(Wednesday) Mark Washington from North Park Seminary wrote me to say that they now have a distance option for ALL of their degrees. That is, a seminarian can now earn a master of divinity degree through a combination of online classes and very short intensive campus classes. This is good news for some people who are fully engaged in ministry and need to be working on their degree without moving to Chicago. Link
"PRO-CHOICE" POLITICAL CONTRADICTIONS
(Wednesday) Dr. Uwe Siemon-Netto is rightly questioning how two political frontrunners, Wesley Clark and Arnold Schwarzenegger, can claim to be Roman Catholics AND be so vocally "pro-choice." Link
(Wednesday) Dr. Uwe Siemon-Netto is rightly questioning how two political frontrunners, Wesley Clark and Arnold Schwarzenegger, can claim to be Roman Catholics AND be so vocally "pro-choice." Link
FLORIDA ADVENTURE DAY 8
(Wednesday) Day 8? Dream on! The vacation is over. I'm back in the office this morning.
After leaving the motel yesterday morning we did head back to the Naples pier to watch the dolphins. And we walked on the beach collecting shells. Then we drove back to Ft. Lauderdale along Alligator Alley and actually saw two gators in a canal at a recreation stop. We hit Cracker Barrel for the third time on the trip and then went to the airport. We arrived home in Turlock at about 11:50 p.m. (PDT). Great vacation!
This morning I'm wading through the piles on my desk.
(Wednesday) Day 8? Dream on! The vacation is over. I'm back in the office this morning.
After leaving the motel yesterday morning we did head back to the Naples pier to watch the dolphins. And we walked on the beach collecting shells. Then we drove back to Ft. Lauderdale along Alligator Alley and actually saw two gators in a canal at a recreation stop. We hit Cracker Barrel for the third time on the trip and then went to the airport. We arrived home in Turlock at about 11:50 p.m. (PDT). Great vacation!
This morning I'm wading through the piles on my desk.
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