Brad Boydston

Guam GPS

2012-02-03T08:22:00.005-07:00

Guam gets GPS! Now that is a labor of love -- on so many levels.

Jumping flea watch

2012-01-30T21:14:00.001-07:00

Jumping flea watch

2012-01-29T21:30:00.001-07:00

Finger stroking from the best

Jumping flea watch

2012-01-27T22:30:00.002-07:00

The machete is an older Portuguese cousin to the uke.

Jumping flea watch

2012-01-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

Happy New Year!

Jumping flea watch

2012-01-09T22:11:00.000-07:00

My long-time friend Rick Lindholtz introduced me to this uker -- who also has a rich voice.

Jumping flea watch

2012-01-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

Jumping flea watch

2012-01-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

Love the Dutch

2012-01-04T21:02:00.001-07:00

Messing with Dispensationalists

2011-12-29T08:06:00.000-07:00

(via)

Japanese tsunami from carcam

2011-12-27T14:08:00.001-07:00

Largest model railway -- Miniatur Wunderland 2012

2011-12-26T14:22:00.000-07:00

I want to go.

Jingle bells...

2011-12-23T23:41:00.001-07:00

So simple that even a frog can use it

2011-12-21T13:40:00.001-07:00

Some people just have the gift

2011-12-21T10:43:00.000-07:00

(via)

Delightful

2011-12-19T11:42:00.001-07:00

Address is approximate

2011-12-18T13:28:00.000-07:00

Address Is Approximate from The Theory on Vimeo.

Jumping flea watch

2011-12-14T12:13:00.002-07:00

Voices of Micronesia

2011-12-12T22:37:00.000-07:00

From PIU (via)

Luke 2:1-20

2011-12-10T21:25:00.001-07:00

Santa Claus sorprende a pasajeros en el aire

2011-12-10T00:09:00.002-07:00

The Coca Cola commercial that won't show up on most television stations in the US. Enjoyable.

I'm enjoying this one

2011-12-09T10:08:00.001-07:00

PathLight International

2011-12-09T08:48:00.000-07:00

John Lewis Christmas Advert 2011

2011-12-08T22:23:00.000-07:00

Change for a dollar

2011-12-06T00:33:00.001-07:00

Container home in Oz

2011-12-05T00:16:00.001-07:00

So many configurations

2011-12-04T00:09:00.002-07:00

Jumping flea watch

2011-12-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

Violin Uke

Jumping flea watch

2011-12-02T00:56:00.001-07:00

Bethlehemian Rhapsody

2011-12-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

(via)

Happy Micronesian Christmas

2011-11-30T00:01:00.002-07:00

Wrong turn

2011-11-29T12:58:00.000-07:00

Bicycle Animation

2011-11-28T00:05:00.001-07:00

Happy Willis Carrier Day!

2011-11-26T18:35:00.000-07:00

Today we once again remember
Willis Carrier on his birthday
and pay homage to this great man
who made life in the tropics and
deserts more bearable.

Willis Carrier, 1876-1950,
the father of modern air
conditioning ~ link

Every drop

2011-11-26T08:48:00.001-07:00

Newsong Church Bangkok harmonizes.

Oh my

2011-11-26T00:05:00.000-07:00

Snoopy vs. Red Baron

2011-11-25T00:12:00.002-07:00

Thanks to God

2011-11-24T00:08:00.000-07:00

Jumping flea watch

2011-11-23T08:57:00.000-07:00

It's a Kala UBass. The bass is built on a baritone uke box. It's such a warm sound.

And now you know...

2011-11-22T00:23:00.001-07:00

Sara Groves -- "Eyes On The Prize"

2011-11-22T00:20:00.001-07:00

No more stains?

2011-11-21T20:33:00.001-07:00

Jumping flea watch

2011-11-20T00:21:00.002-07:00

Sweet!

Jumping flea watch

2011-11-19T00:15:00.002-07:00

I love the Netherlands

2011-11-18T06:24:00.005-07:00

It's so quiet... and the city buzz is so different.

Have we considered bikes as a response to the hearing-loss epidemic we're experiencing?

Jumping flea watch

2011-11-18T00:09:00.001-07:00

Jake Shimabukuro (Ukulele) and Charles Yang (Violin) team up to play "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"

PIU rocks -- or something like that

2011-11-17T07:43:00.000-07:00

Jumping flea watch

2011-11-17T00:42:00.003-07:00

This should get you moving

Jumping flea watch

2011-11-16T00:01:00.002-07:00

Jumping flea watch

2011-11-15T00:01:00.001-07:00

Courtney Welbon sing's Hamlet's "To Be or Not to Be" soliloquy

Particles in motion

2011-11-14T21:05:00.000-07:00

9 years ago today,

2011-11-09T08:20:00.000-07:00

on November 9, 2002. I put up the first post on this blog. The whole concept of blogs was still somewhat new and people thought it a bit egotistical that a blogger might be be trying to tell everyone else how to think about the world.

In my first post I wrote about "Donald Bloesch's new book THE CHURCH: SACRAMENTS, WORSHIP, MINISTRY, MISSION (IVP, 2002)." I also mentioned a new personal portable table that I bought at Costco. Subsequently that table moved with us to Guam and back to the States. And I still use it daily. I don't pull Bloesch's book off the shelf daily -- but regularly. In my mind it is still the best theological overview of the church, sacraments, worship, and ministry.

Dr Bloesch's passing, just over a year ago, was worth a mention here, too.

No one knows what will happen to the blog. I've begun to shift a lot of the more random posts over to Google Plus, which seems more suited for such things. The concept of push button publishing is definitively in transition but the blog should be around for at least a little while longer.

Hawaii -- more than hula

2011-11-08T18:56:00.001-07:00

Somehow I missed this one earlier

Throwable fire extinguishers

2011-11-05T20:57:00.000-07:00

Out of the box
(via)

Looks like tuna... smells like tuna...

2011-11-03T21:06:00.002-07:00

Being FAT is now illegal in Japan. ;)

2011-11-02T00:10:00.003-07:00

Our trip

2011-11-01T10:24:00.004-07:00

Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, and then back to Amsterdam

Visualizing population growth to 7 Billion

2011-11-01T08:17:00.001-07:00

Full story

Still trying to get my seeds to sprout

2011-10-31T19:20:00.002-07:00

I could do that

2011-10-30T00:42:00.002-07:00

Dog v Crab

2011-10-29T18:34:00.000-07:00

I'm sure that there must be some kind of deeper moral to this story -- but I think it's fun just to watch the two critters dance. (via)

10 minutes and you know about China

2011-10-23T11:07:00.002-07:00

via Beth Bilynskyj

Table 7

2011-10-21T08:01:00.002-07:00

Moravian Daily Texts 2012

2011-10-18T14:36:00.000-07:00

The 2012 edition of the Moravian Daily Texts, published by Mount Carmel Ministries, is now for sale online. This is the devotional guide that I've used for years and which I teach my spiritual formation students to use. When all editions are taken into consideration this is the most widely used devotional book in the world.

The Moravian Church which has been selecting the texts and publishing them continuously since 1731, also publishes several versions. However, I use the Mount Carmel Ministries version -- not only because I like the layout but also because of the additional resources. They've developed the T.R.I.P. method of prayer, which I teach to my students. And they've included Martin Luther's Small Catechism in the back of the pocket-sized book.

Here is a bit of the history of the Daily Texts (or Loosung in German).

They cost $8.95 plus shipping. But if you order 2-9 copies they are $6.95 each. (Same price as last several years.) There are additional price breaks when you order more.

There is a free Daily Texts website for those who prefer that option. I use both -- depending on my schedule for the day. (If you are in Australia, Micronesia, or Asia, the downside is that the online text of the day from Mount Carmel Ministries does not appear on their website until your day is almost over. It's that international dateline issue and Americans have a hard time understanding just how huge the world is.)

DISCLAIMER: I'm NOT getting any kind of commission for pitching this.

Canta LX

2011-10-18T14:02:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite discoveries in Amsterdam is the Canta LX -- which contrary to the publicity seems to be driven by more than just the elderly and handicapped. | Waaijenberg

Jumping flea watch

2011-10-09T00:14:00.002-07:00

Jumping flea watch

2011-10-08T09:04:00.000-07:00

Motorcycle dog

2011-10-07T08:55:00.000-07:00

(via)

New Sudanese church

2011-10-03T13:17:00.000-07:00

I thoroughly enjoyed myself yesterday afternoon when I got to visit the New Hope South Sudanese Covenant Church -- a new congregation of about 75 people which is forming in Phoenix. I took a little video.

Jumping flea watch

2011-10-02T21:02:00.000-07:00

The LEGO Explorer

2011-09-29T14:55:00.002-07:00

Chopsticks

2011-09-28T16:16:00.000-07:00

Chopsticks are fun and lime green is my favorite color (duh!). So you can imagine my delight when I found a package of 20 substantial lime green chopsticks at the Mekong Market in Mesa for only $2. Perhaps we can have rice for supper tonight.

Road Of Righteousness by Ryan Hiraoka

2011-09-27T14:03:00.001-07:00

Or with a little more production quality...

The Violin Guild by N.T. Wright

2011-09-25T05:48:00.000-07:00

(via)

Synchronized water guns

2011-09-23T21:55:00.000-07:00

Good clean fun!
(via)

Jumping flea watch

2011-09-22T09:16:00.000-07:00

It has got to be genetic.

We may need to get another cat

2011-09-21T00:01:00.001-07:00

Mobile homeless shelter

2011-09-20T10:28:00.000-07:00

I'm still trying to decide whether I really really like this or if it is really really unworkable. The concept is good and it might work for some people, but it seems clunky and I wonder how you secure it when you need to take the bus somewhere. Also, cities might grow weary of seeing them around and try to regulate or ban their presence in streets, sidewalks, and parks.

The concept is good. I would like to see it beta tested before anyone tries to do a major production. ~ link

大阪駅の水時計

2011-09-20T00:01:00.001-07:00

Now that's a fountain! And the delight of the children is equally engaging. (via)

Tokyo Slo-Mode

2011-09-19T22:11:00.000-07:00

Curry, curry night

2011-09-17T00:51:00.001-07:00

The story behind this song involves a Chinese family which had just moved to Singapore. But they could not stand the smell of the curry that their Singaporean Indian neighbors would often cook. They resorted to mediation. (via Sivin Kit, who is probably hankering for some curry from his post in Norway.)

Frankly, curry can be pretty strong. We knew when our next door neighbors were going to host the Sikh temple at their house in Turlock. The smells started in the middle of the night and drifted in through our open windows. By morning I understood how Esau could sell his birthright for a bowl of stew. I ♥ Indian curry.

How denominations see each other

2011-09-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

Brilliant fun with stereotypes from Jacob Haynes

Thunder Soul

2011-09-15T22:12:00.000-07:00

Jake Dockter hooked me up with a preview of Thunder Soul, which will be released next week. And I'm glad he did.

At first you think that it's a documentary about an all-black 1970's high school jazz band which reunites after 30 years to play a concert in honor of their teacher, "Prof" Conrad Johnson. And indeed it is a documentary. But a multi-layered true story unfolds -- complete with a little drama -- about musicianship, potential, racism, school politics... A talented musician bypasses a professional career to teach and mentor high school students. They develop into a tight, professional quality, jazz/funk band -- earning trophy after trophy and touring around the world. Their recordings are still in distribution.

Enough background. The story is believable, well presented, and understated. There were points where it brought tears to my eyes. Mostly, though, it brought joy.

Explaining the Trinity

2011-09-14T13:16:00.002-07:00

Foxes jumping on a trampoline

2011-09-12T08:13:00.000-07:00

The fox with the black tail never seems to get it but the guy with the white tail is wired for fun.

Jumping flea watch

2011-09-12T00:08:00.009-07:00

James Hill does a reinterpretation of Michael Jackson's classic Billie Jean. Yet another unique style of uking.

African ingenuity

2011-09-11T20:09:00.002-07:00

Looks fun...

2011-09-07T15:39:00.001-07:00

And given the fact that the flying cars we were promised as children don't seem to be materializing, this may be the next best thing -- and perhaps even more fun.

(via)

Seedless watermelons

2011-09-03T15:57:00.001-07:00

Jumping flea watch

2011-09-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

Uke lust. I'd like a concert uke made with light myrtle.
Mya-Moe makes a wonderful instrument. I'm also interested in their pineapple tenor.

Great commercial

2011-09-01T00:01:00.002-07:00

My guess is that Kia thought they couldn't wait for the Superbowl to release this commercial. I can understand that. Fun stuff.

Stylin'

2011-08-31T08:01:00.000-07:00

Longboards

2011-08-31T00:01:00.000-07:00

Looks fun! And even I might be able to work a longboard -- assuming it had the proper weight rating.

(via)

"Steffen Method" of Airplane Boarding

2011-08-30T19:54:00.000-07:00

Astrophysicist shows why it takes so long to board a plane ~ link

(via)

Worth Hodgin

2011-08-29T15:30:00.000-07:00

Worth Hodgin, who was my pastor for a few years at the old Squaw Peak Covenant Church in Phoenix, died a week ago.

Worth was a terrific leader with a loving heart — and was unwavering when facing a challenge.

His ministry was characterized by taking on challenging situations. I do remember Worth offending a few people who needed to be offended. But I also remember his patience with me. I know that a few superintendents considered him to be a “go to man.”

Worth was a forward thinker and in many ways years ahead of his time in offering creative solutions and a more holistic approach to ministry. He understood better than most that racial reconciliation is inseparable from the gospel.

He could spin a good yarn, too -- including some stories revolving around his friendship with Jackie Robinson.

Praise God for his life and ministry.

Toccata and fugue in D minor

2011-08-29T10:57:00.000-07:00

(via)

Flying fish

2011-08-26T00:01:00.001-07:00

(via)

Eugene Nida died this morning

2011-08-25T23:01:00.000-07:00

Eugene Nida, perhaps the most influential Bible translator of the 20th century, died this morning in Belgium. He was 96.

Dr Nida combined concepts from linguistics, cultural studies, communication sciences, and psychology, to develop "a practical approach to translation he called dynamic equivalence or functional equivalence, the goal of which was to make the translation clear and understandable as well as accurate."

His thinking still significantly influences the way that Bible translation is done throughout the world.

In the English, the first major "dynamic equivalent" translation based on his approach was Good News for Modern Man (aka Today's English Version or Good News Bible). Subsequently other translators have adopted or moddyfied his approach of rendering idea for idea rather than just word for word. I would guess that the New Living Translation is one of the most popular versions rendered in the Nida tradition. Other versions such as the NIV, NRSV, and the CEB have to one degree or another come under his spell, too.

God used Eugene Nida in a big way.

DC earthquake devastation picture

2011-08-23T15:02:00.000-07:00

(via)

The most movement the capital has experienced all year.

Whale of a story

2011-08-23T12:35:00.001-07:00

(via Debbie Reyer on FB)