Snippets of My Existence

Snippet of Dad & me

2011-04-23T22:16:00.000-05:00

When I was a kid Dad bought me a spiral bound notebook. He put my name on it and sometimes when we had special time together we would talk about God. The notebook was for things we discussed about God. I was young enough that he did the writing for me.

One time we took the notebook and walked to Blomberg Pharmacy where I loved to buy candy and baseball cards. But what that I remember from that day is a little snippet of the conversation on the way back home. He asked me big questions about what God was like; bigger questions than a little kid my age would have had an answer for, but they made me think.

I was struck by the bigness of God and the sense that He was there even though I didn’t really understand Him.

That memory is like a slice of a movie that was clipped out and saved for me. But it’s almost a feeling more than a memory. It reminds me today of how so many people must feel who don’t really know much about God.

Someday I hope to find that notebook again. Or maybe I'll start a new one. Maybe this time I'll do the writing.

14 Questions About Life

2010-10-27T18:22:00.001-05:00

Philosophy of Life Questionnaire
I did this in a class with Raymon Hanson, one of my professors at Bethel. How is it that we get on without thinking about these things? I think I’d like to do this every couple of years.

Click here to download as a .doc file. Write your own answers!

1. What presently is the highest priority of your life?

My highest priority is to love and God with all of my heart, soul and my mind and with all my strength, and my neighbor is myself.

2. At the end of your life, what three things would you like to say you’ve accomplished?

I want to have lived and raised my family so I see my grandchildren closely following the Lord.
I want to have lived a life of discipleship, through sacrifice and investment in others.
I want to know and love God deeply, seeing his power & glory displayed in and through my life, leading many to the truth.

3. Is there any cause or causes for which you would be willing to make significant personal sacrifice? If so, what are they?

I will make whatever sacrifices are necessary for my family and discipleship of the nations. I have a passion for bringing the clarity of truth to people in challenging situations, and especially in a cross-cultural context and I would make significant sacrifices to pursue this calling.

4. If someone asked you to explain what the principles are that you live your life by, what would you say to them?

God is way bigger than Josh.
Worship God - His way is best.
God loves me and wants me to know Him. I get to know God by studying the Word he gives me and the way he demonstrates his power in the world.
Eternity is going to last a lot longer than I can imagine and the more that I can keep eternity before my eyes, the better my decisions will be each day.
God speaks to us, primarily by his word, through his Spirit.
Faith gets stronger as I focus on the great things God has done.

5. How would you respond if a child were to ask you, “What makes something right and what makes something wrong?” - (may want to list primary and secondary considerations)

God does. The more you know God’s word and His ways, the more you’ll know what to do in every situation. He gives us his Spirit to teach us. Most of the time the right thing to do is pretty clear. It’s helpful to get counsel from people you trust for their wisdom.

6. Are there any absolute rights or wrongs? (If so, what are they?)

The New Oxford American Dictionary defines ‘absolute’ in the phrase ‘absolute moral standards’ as “viewed or existing independently and not in relation to other things; not relative or comparative.” With this definition I would say that there are no ‘absolute rights or wrongs.’
Some who read this may be surprised that I would say this, but the problem is not the answer, the problem is in the definition. Morality is never separate from God.
God embodies, prescribes, and judges right and wrong both because he is the standard of righteousness and because he has the authority as creator to judge right and wrong. A helpful Biblical term for wrong is iniquity, which is a term that was used in archery. It meant ‘to miss the mark.’ When we fail to meet God’s standards of holiness, this is iniquity.

7. Are there any particular areas in which you personally struggle to determine right or wrong? (Please list)

Music is one of the most challenging areas of morality because of its power. A wise man once responded that in light of guiding a nation, if given the option to change a nation’s laws or it’s music, he would change it’s music.
Music reaches into some of the deepest parts of human existence and can be used for good and for evil. One way that I evaluate music is to consider the effect that it has on me. Does this music encourage me to be more the way that I want to be?

8. How would you respond if a child were to ask you, “What happens to people when they die?”

It’s only our bodies that die. When God put life into each human being it was a spiritual thing, and the life that was created was primarily spiritual. Just like a caterpillar has an outer shell that it eventually leaves behind to rot away, people’s bodies die too. The good thing is that those who believe in Jesus are like the caterpillar that turns into a beautiful butterfly.
Do you believe in Jesus? The Bible tells us that God gives his children new bodies that are fitted for glory. Won’t it be wonderful to have special bodies that are made just for praising God in heaven?

9. How do you make big decisions? (e.g. How did you decide upon your career? The person you decide(d) to marry?

I don’t expect that God will give me direction in the same way every time. But I know that my first priority should be to get to know Him by reading His Word and going to church. The more that I know God and walk in his ways, the more He directs me in the very best way to go. It isn’t a simple answer because there are no shortcuts to finding God’s will.
When I am facing a big decision the first thing that I do is to make sure that my heart is right with God. I don’t want to have anything in my life that’s more important than following His ways.
His word says that I should delight in Him, and that He will give me the desires of my heart. I often seek counsel from godly and wise people and write and pray about my thoughts. After considering all the information that is available to me I decide if there’s enough with which to make a decision. Typically the option that I want is the option that seems the best anyway!

10. Why do some people believe in God? Why do others not believe in God?

In God’s love and mercy, even though He knew we would be His enemies, He chose some to be His own and put faith in their hearts.
We have no answer for why others do not believe in God other than that they have rejected Him. We are in no place to judge that God ought to have saved more than He did. See Romans 9.

11. How would one determine whether or not God exists?

Again, there is not a standard formula to follow because God reveals Himself to each according to His plan. Some people may find that God reveals Himself supernaturally in a vision or an experience. Others see the reality of the demonic spiritual forces. Still others such as C.S. Lewis find that the study of God in Christianity convinces them, because by it’s truth everything else that they perceive, visible and invisible in the world makes sense. Finally, confirmation can happen by comparison to the other options. Comparing the holy books of various religions and the lives of their faithful followers highlights key differences between them.

12. In a paragraph or two, give a basic description of Christianity. Be sure to include some of the essential Christian beliefs.

Christianity is the only religion, to my knowledge that has a loving deity who sacrificed Himself for His creation to reconcile the enmity and separation of His creation from Himself, providing a solution for our sin problem and the power to live a changed life.
God’s son Jesus, after He died to pay the penalty for our sinfulness, rose from the dead, having broken the power of death and the grave. He lives today in heaven with the Father where he stands making intercession to the Father for all who believe in Him. He will come again from heaven, drawing all believers to be with him in the air.
We will all stand before the judgment seat of Jesus Christ and be judged according to the deeds done in our bodies. All those who have done any evil will be cast into the lake of fire for eternal torment with the devil and his angels. Those who have believed in Jesus Christ stand in the righteousness of the son Himself. They pass into life with the Father and the Son where they will live forever praising and glorifying God.

13. What is one question that you would most like answered about life?

Why is it that God didn’t make it easier for more people in the world to get to heaven?

14. If you could change one thing about our world, what would it be?

I would put faith in God in the hearts of everyone in the entire world.

"Do not let these memories escape from your mind"

2010-06-30T12:24:00.000-05:00

Here's an inspiring story on Bible Translation for the Ketengban people. http://www.wycliffe.org/

June 2010

Dear Colleagues,

The single-engine plane circled and landed in a remote village in Southeast Asia. As translators Andrew and Anne Sims stepped out, they were immediately surrounded by several hundred Ketengban men and women—all dressed in full celebratory dress with feathered headdresses, and even some with bones in their noses, and plugs in their earlobes. Brandishing bows and arrows, hooting, chanting and dancing, they swirled in and around Andrew and Anne, honoring them by draping net bags around their necks.

Andrew and Anne were caught completely off-guard. Even though they were responsible for the Ketengban translation project and this was Anne’s first visit since the New Testament dedication 11 years earlier, they hadn’t expected such an exuberant welcome. They were further baffled when they noticed that not everyone was celebrating.

Off to the edge of the crowd stood a somber group of about eight young men. Like everyone else, they were dressed in full traditional regalia, but they were also covered in white mud from head to toe. They stood expressionless and silent, never moving, never joining in the celebration.

The elders explained: “Today we celebrate your return, Andrew and Anne, you who brought God’s words to us in our own language. But we don’t want to forget what life was like before we had the Word, so we asked these young men to cover themselves with mud and to stand apart, silent and somber. They represent the lives of all of us before we understood God’s words to us. We were like dead men walking. We didn’t know God or His Son. We lived in guilt and fear and constant warfare, always under the power of the evil spirits, who terrified us and caused us to fear one another as well.

“Now we are alive in Christ and free from our dark past. We are insiders, part of God’s family—no longer outsiders silently watching from afar. But our children don’t remember what it was like to be outsiders and walk as dead men, because they were born after the coming of God’s words. We want them to understand our past so they will fully value what they have with Jesus and will always give thanks to God. We older people don’t want to forget how much God has changed us either!”

They haven’t forgotten, and they haven’t kept the good news to themselves. They’ve reached out to half a dozen neighboring language groups—bringing people to Christ and planting churches. They’ve also committed themselves to getting more of the Word into their own language. The New Testament, dedicated in 1998, was not enough for them. Two teams of passionate, highly motivated mother tongue translators are working on a shortened version (45%) of the Old Testament, with the careful guidance of Andrew, who now works as a translation consultant with The Seed Company.

Through computer assisted adaptation, the Ketengban are also sharing their New Testament with the speakers of Lik, a closely related language. Andrew is working with mother tongue translators of that language, using the Adapt It software program to go from the Ketengban New Testament to the Lik. They will polish the resulting draft until God’s Word is as clear to the Lik people as it is to the Ketengban.

The Ketengban have it right: Against a background of darkness, light shines more brightly. If you don’t have your own memories of the darkness and fear outside of God’s family, I’d encourage you to tuck away the Ketengbans’ story for those occasions when you need a fresh appreciation for all that God has done.

In Deuteronomy 4:9 (NLT) Moses says to the Israelites: “But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.”

Hang on to those memories. Pass them on to your children and your grandchildren, your colleagues and your partners. Let the memories enrich your personal walk with Christ, and let them give you a renewed passion for sharing the Good News with those still struggling in darkness outside the family of God.

Warmly,

Bob Creson

President

Wycliffe USA

Status: Online (always)...coming soon

2010-04-21T22:47:00.000-05:00

The movement towards a society when people are 'always online' is making significant progress. NeilsenWire reports that usage of smartphones continue to grow in comparison to standard feature-based phones.

The good news for providers is that consumer satisfaction is higher with the more expensive devices. Subscribers also tend to stay with their provider, rather than being lured away by a good deal on a new phone.

With the rate of smartphone usage on the rise, I wonder how long it will be before monthly internet costs for phone and household internet are combined and minimized. Right now it's expensive to have both, but probably not for too much longer!

http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/consumer/smartphones-to-overtake-feature-phones-in-u-s-by-2011/

Is your worldview in the minority?

2010-04-17T17:51:00.002-05:00

Do you agree with all of the following statements?
    •    Absolute moral truth exists.
    •    The Bible is totally accurate in all of the principles it teaches.
    •    Satan is considered to be a real being or force, not merely symbolic.
    •    A person cannot earn their way into Heaven by trying to be good or do good works.
    •    Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth.
    •    God is the all-knowing, all-powerful creator of the world who still rules the universe today.

Your worldview controls how you interpret and understand everything that comes to you. The Barna research group compiled worldview data from across 13 years.

Some people would guess that America's worldview is trending quickly away from the Bible, the data shows that the percentage of those who agree with the above statements has remained relatively the same from 1995 to 2005.

But did you know that if you believe the six statements above, you are part of a nine percentage minority in America.

http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/21-transformation/252-barna-survey-examines-changes-in-worldview-among-christians-over-the-past-13-years

Faster internet --> Online computing?

2010-02-17T20:17:00.000-06:00

I just read an article that gives an interesting look at the future of internet content delivery via WiGig.

I also just read an article talking about Google's announcement is testing a 1 gigabit/per second service that it intends to open to other providers.
I predict that by 2020 Google will put out hardware, an online operating system, and always-on internet fast enough to sideline traditional hard drives. Signing into your computer will eventually be something that you do primarily online, from anywhere. 'My Documents' will be there too.

I wonder if when Google has everything in place they'll start charging for their online operating system. Maybe we'll have the Microsoft dilemma all over again, times 2! Oh, and as a sidenote, that will be the hayday of identity theft, so sign up for identity theft protection with CPP North America!

What interesting things do you see down the road?

Honeymoon Away Responder

2009-12-07T11:43:00.000-06:00

Surfaced yesterday. Enjoyed being invisible for a bit.
-------
Sorry, I missed your message. I'm on a honeymoon with my new wife!
We'll be reachable sometime in 2012.
Josh

The Age of the News Feed

2009-09-24T02:27:00.002-05:00

Thoughts from my current technology class...

If we used to be in the information age, we are new in the age of the news feed. It all began for me when I got my first email account. At that point, my news feed doubled. I now had a mailbox and an email box. The email box contained daily jokes emails and communication with friends and family. Now, years later I fight to tame the flood of data that I have coming to me. I have multiple email accounts, collections of RSS feeds, lists of podcasts, email newsletters, text messaging, online calendars, and now I can even set reminders online that call my cell phone to wake me up or remind me of something. I don't struggle to be informed, but to make sure that my 'informed' status doesn't change to the 'buried' status that we all find ourselves in when things get busy. What happens if you're away from anything that requires batteries or an outlet for more than a week? I find that I can cope, but I have to make some changes to reroute important things to other communication channels.

This is exactly the thought of the developers of Yahoo Pipes. Pipes is a visual interface that allows employees to connect a feed of information such as an RSS feed to filters that restrict the flow of data to a certain topic such as 'football.' The filter, and other custom filters, can then be connected using the mouse, to an output mechanism such as another RSS feed. This way, the user ends up with one custom feed to pay attention to. See video explanation here.

Tasks come through this sort of feed system today too, as testified by those involved in productivity management tools and philosophies, which have become extremely popular. One system that I am familiar with is called Getting Things Done. This system teaches principles that apply to all the inboxes of our life. It has gained traction with many people. It has certainly improved the way that I handle my data hydrant.

It struck me the other day that a friend who has been in Tanzania for several years was staying in touch with some sports games, not by watching them on TV, or even by watching a streaming video online, but by news feed. 'Long pass notification,' it messaged, and he was right there watching highlights. I'm not much of a sports guy, but what happened to sitting down and watching a game?

I asked Ruthie Lee to marry me!

2009-09-21T23:43:00.004-05:00

Read our story (with pictures)

on the Knot and on Facebook

Full res pics on Picasa

Ruthie's recent prayer letter

2009-08-11T17:43:00.001-05:00

DAY 102: Video Launched to Expose Torture of Christian Attorney Gao Zhisheng

On September 12, 2007, Christian human rights attorney Gao Zhisheng wrote an open letter to the U.S. Congress exposing the brutality of the Communist Party, including the persecution of house church Christians.

Soon after, Gao was kidnapped by Chinese government authorities and tortured for 58 days. Officials threatened to kill him if he ever exposed the details of his torture. Gao Zhisheng refused to be intimidated into silence -- he continued to speak out about human rights abuses by China's ruling Party. Determined to silence him, government officials kidnapped him again on February 4, 2009.

Gao Zhisheng has now been missing for more than 100 days. He was last seen being hauled away by Chinese officials.

Gao Zhisheng risked everything to challenge the dark system of communism -- he dared to speak the truth. Now, his very life threatens to unmask the distorted inner reality of the Chinese government to the world.

Today ChinaAid and The Voice of the Martyrs join in launching a video exposing the torture Gao suffered in 2007. According to reports from inside China, he is likely experiencing the same treatment--or worse--now. View video now.

This video, an account of 58 days of torture in Gao's own words, is an indictment of the true nature of Communist Party leaders, who commit these atrocities with their left hands, while their right hands are extended to the free world in a show of friendship and economic partnership.

Gao said to his wife that if he should be persecuted for speaking the truth, he believed that people of justice throughout the world would stand with him.

Please forward this e-mail to family and friends, asking them to view the video, sign the petition and send e-mails to government officials at FreeGao.com. Thank you for your prayers and action on behalf of Gao Zhisheng.

» View the video and sign the petition at FreeGao.com

Stu & Claire's Wedding

2009-05-15T16:28:00.007-05:00

Ruthie and I recently had the pleasure of shooting wedding pictures for Stu and Claire. Click here to see the entire album.

A Change of Plans

2009-04-28T21:37:00.011-05:00

If I've spoken to you since February 8th I'm sure you know about Ruthie. God has blessed me beyond what I knew to hope for. We met at a Wycliffe Bible Translators meeting and quickly realized that our hearts were the same for the Lord and each other. She was planning to leave for 2 1/2 years to work on a translation project in Nigeria but truly, the Lord has changed things. See her recent prayer letter for more details. You can also see pictures of us.

My employer recently granted my request for a 10 week leave of absence so that I can go to the University of North Dakota this summer for linguistics classes at SIL! Ruthie is planning to be there at the same time to take classes for literacy work as part of her M.A. in Applied Linguistics through GIAL. Yay, we are so excited!!!

Therefore my heart is glad

2009-02-20T14:28:00.002-06:00

Psalm 16 is a wonderful Psalm of trusting in God and seeing at the same time, the work that God does in the heart too. I'm so glad that God isn't just in my head, or just in my heart.

"O my soul, you have said to the LORD, You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You...Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god...I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel...therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope...You will show me the path of life; In your presence is fullness of joy; At your right hand are pleasures forevermore." (Ps 16:2,4,7,9,11. NKJV)

Learning about the Constitution

2008-12-27T14:49:00.001-06:00

I borrowed a DVD from the library called 'Video Resources on the Constitution.' It is put out by The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands and can be watched online. I especially recommend the clip on Judicial Interpretation of the Constitution with Justices Breyer and Scalia. There are some other incredible resources for learning about American history, the Constitution, and the government and media today.

Resources for America's Teachers (esp. Constitutional material)
http://www.annenbergclassroom.org/

100 milestone documents of American history
http://www.ourdocuments.gov/

Other learning resources for students:
http://www.factchecked.org/Welcome.aspx

Here's a list of informational sites together with commentary on biases and reliability of the material.
http://www.factchecked.org/StraightFromTheSource.aspx

Moments of brilliance

2008-12-14T02:14:00.001-06:00

One thing I look forward to all year long is ice skating and that's what I did for part of the afternoon yesterday. On my way home I was waiting at a stoplight when the car behind me honked. Green light. Reminds me of the last time that happened to me, also after skating. Driving directly after a serious workout should be illegal.

Next moment of brilliance (and I think there were only two today) was on my way out of Starbucks. I'd stopped partially for old times' sake, at the one off Fairview in Roseville, near where I used to live. I also stopped to obtain something to shake me to a new level of consciousness. I'd ordered a brewed coffee (cheapest thing on the menu) with free shot of vanilla (because I used my Starbucks card, registered online) and it was wonderful. Perfect temperature, wonderful aroma, a nice chilli winter night, and I'd just been skating. Happiness. I was struggling for words to tell myself how I felt about all of this. Yes, I talk to myself about exciting things if no one is around. Best I could do was...

"That's amazingly GOOD goodness"

Very descriptive, I know, but some things defy verbalization.

Giving

2008-12-03T21:21:00.003-06:00

The more we understand the 'world' that makes up the life into which we are giving, the more impactful our giving will be.

This statement represents a lot to me, especially about my approach to ministry and the thrust of God's leading for me right now. I don't intend to imply that this is the only approach. I am realizing that God focuses each person a little differently so that we can all compensate for and help each other.

Artificial Intelligence

2008-11-29T16:27:00.001-06:00

I'm intrigued by research in understanding human intelligence. Clearly, God has created us as very complex creatures. I believe we won't ever be able to create life or unprogrammed intelligence because only God can do that. Artificial intelligence has come a long way though and it shows us just a bit of the wonder of God's creation.

A student at UCSB summarizes what's been happening in the field. "Chatterbots (also called chatbots) are computer programs created to simulate intelligent human language interaction through speech and/or text." Read more...

Now computers are being programmed to provide 'creative' responses in their interactions. Click here to chat with a chatbot.

You might also like my blog of other random things I find on the internet. jweblinks.blogspot.com

Straitgate Olympics!

2008-07-31T00:04:00.001-05:00

Download/print full-res pics by opening the album...

"Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can."

2008-07-30T23:55:00.001-05:00

"Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can." John Wesley

Capitalism reflects the Biblical pattern of personal responsibility and reward. Ministering to the poor and loving your neighbor reflect the Biblical pattern of concern for inequalities. While these are defining principles of extremely polarized social and political views, they are found in unity in the Bible.

I just finished a sociology course which I thoroughly enjoyed. After much reflection I believe that Wesley's statement is balanced Biblically and also very applicable to life. May we continue to search to realize the patterns that God communicates to us in His Word.

Your delight is different!

2008-02-22T22:59:00.000-06:00

Today I read a post that a friend of mine wrote, quoting Augustine.

"Every man, whatsoever his condition, desires to be happy. There is no man who does not desire this, and each one desires it with such earnestness that he prefers it to all other things; whoever, in fact, desires other things, desires them for this end alone."

"Who has it in his power to have such a motive present to his mind that his will shall be influenced to believe? Who can welcome in his mind something which does not give him delight? But who has it in his power to ensure that something will delight him will turn up? Or that he will take delight in what turns up? If those things delight us which serve our advancement towards God, that is due not to our own whim or industry or meritorious works, but to the inspiration of God an to the grace which he bestows."

As I read 1 Peter this morning I thought about being God's 'chosen generation...peculiar people" at work. It's been a big change to be so much less involved at Straitgate now. When you're 'the church guy' in the inner city it's not hard to point people to God. They know who you are before you get to their door or say anything. Sometimes they readily admit their apparent sin. They've already come to grips with their sinful condition.

At work the people are so much different; so much 'better'. It's refining my ideas about the Christian life. It's testing my 'zeal' for the lost. How can I be the most effective at bringing these people to God when in so many ways we're the same? I try to see from their perspective and wonder what they see in me that would convince them? So often they seem so happy and they apparently have so much to lose?

The reason this quote is so meaningful to me is that it highlights one of the big things that's so different about us. We delight in different things! "Unto you therefore which believe he is precious..." I find a delight in God because he's my identity, and that meets me on a level that's so much deeper. It gives me confidence, peace, and joy that the world doesn't have.

Sometimes work gets me down or I get busy and I lose sight of my true identity. It sure renewed my attitude this morning when I remembered who the real me was and what's important about my life. And even when I am down, and I don't feel like like I delight in God, like an ooey-gooey kind of feel good liking, I still want him and and want his plan for my life deeper than anything in the world. Thank God that we've been remade from the deepest parts. I know that I didn't do that!

"a peculiar people, that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." 1 Peter 2

Random-ness at best

2008-02-17T03:53:00.000-06:00

I just created an album that I can drop random pictures into...sporadically.

Random-ness at best

Carol of the Bells

2007-12-12T01:00:00.000-06:00

It was fun to see this come off so nicely at her recent recital...

Israel pictures and stories from my trip

2007-11-14T02:57:00.000-06:00

Okay, so I've pulled together a 'Best of Israel' album.
It was an incredible trip educationally and photographically, and with continuing lessons and insight as I read history from the Bible.
A group of 36 from Straitgate Church and Oak Brook College of Law went to Tel Aviv, Joppa, Emmaus, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, all over Galilee, and Caesarea. We had a blast...
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=68060&l=077bb&id=886170116

Amsterdam

2007-10-27T19:26:00.000-05:00

Had fun shooting pics in AMS on a layover on my way to Israel! I'm here in Israel now, but no time to upload any of that yet. Come back for more later. Here's one to whet your appetite. See my whole album...
http://picasaweb.google.com/w.joshua.d (click on 'Amsterdam')

Lessons

2007-08-13T23:28:00.001-05:00

"Soaked" is a word that can describe your bedroom - remember to close your windows when it's raining cats and dogs

I hate it when my boss wakes me up...

my iPod's been resurrected!

2007-07-28T00:34:00.001-05:00

I have a 4th Generation 40gb iPod, and it was dead, and probably even past 'mostly dead'
I was getting the sad iPod icon. Then I knew things were bad. I tried apple.com but didn't find anything that worked so I went for 'hack'.
After about 40 minutes with a guitar pick, a screwdriver, and the flat edge of a 3 pronged electrical adapter, I managed to carefully pry it open and inserted a folded up piece of paper!
http://crunchgear.com/2007/03/05/crunchgear-how-to-fix-an-ipod-that-wont-boot/
Crazy, but it worked! I'm so happy!

...Not to a creed, but to Christ.

2007-07-22T23:24:00.001-05:00

"It is the genius of the gospel that it is extremely personal. It centers in a Savior, not a system; in a Master, not a message; and calls me, not to a creed, but to Christ. ~ Howard Crago

Disillusionment & Doubt

2007-07-22T22:37:00.000-05:00

We're studying the post enlightenment period now...

How did the Enlightenment change the way people reasoned and gathered information? How did René Descartes use doubt as a methodology for answering questions?

The Framework for Truth
Knowledge without a framework in which to categorize into good and evil, is a vast and senseless mess of realities. For ages, European minds interpreted deductively, that is, by the logical evaluation based upon established principles. And what other principles would so universally apply, than theology of the universal God?
When the Enlightenment of empirical observation took hold after the middle ages, observation of nature gave people a new framework for knowledge. They didn't have to philosophize and believe; they needed only to observe and understand. Some still held to theological presuppositions in their science, but the move of the Enlightenment was knowledge apart from Theological interpretation.

The Frustration of Faith
It wasn't without motivation either, because science had disproved a long and widely held belief! Aristotle had rejected the heliocentric model where the sun was the rotation point of the solar system, on a philosophical basis, but Copernicus, in 1543 wrote proofs that verified the model on an empirical basis. Discoveries like these spurred on the sciences and gave serious ammunition to the long battle between faith and reason. Theologically based understanding had been dealt a reeling blow.
He who believes much will fight the most. He is the same who will be the most disillusioned at defeat. The 16th century served up plenty of this distasteful flavor and some drunk of it deeply as they doubted and questioned, striving to find what they might trust. René Descartes is a notable figure in this sad drama. Serially rejecting all doubtable conclusions, he found himself questioning the perceptions of his very senses, wondering that they could be mere dreams. Doubting all else, he acknowledged only the reality of his own thoughts, coining the phrase, "I think; therefore, I am." (RSS, 194) Having doubted everything, he then acknowledged God as the higher Nature whose perfect reality gave him the light through which he perceived God.

The Failure of Doubt
Though doubt can firmly establish basic and existential truths as it did for Descartes, it often leaves you with little but those basic truths. The strengthening of practical truth and faith is much more difficult and a higher and nobler enterprise. Doubt disconnected Descartes from reality. It were much better to understand the cause of an erroneous conclusion that was trusted, than to discard all conclusions and build again from the foundation of perceptions.

Sadly, many have not the wherewithal to solve such puzzles, and acceding our technological advancement, shallow faith and the widespread doubt of modern thinking testifies to a search for reality on the most basic of levels.

...feel free to post comments!

Darkness of Reason w/o Faith

2007-07-11T23:55:00.000-05:00

Here, my school turned a little more personal...

Faith & Reason
The conflict of reason and faith in the 16th century highlights remarkably different world views. Some view natural reason in accordance with faith and others do not. I found it very refreshing to read of Thomas Aquinas' effort to synthesize faith with reason. His thesis was "That the Truth of reason is not contrary to the Truth of the Christian Faith." (169) Many before Aquinas had attempted to prove the dominance of one or the other, yet He saw that God is the source of both and in Him they are united.

Faithlessness & Reason
I found it equally interesting, on the opposite extreme to read the humanistic reasonings of the political cynic, Machiavelli. His lack of faith in God soured and embittered his view of the world. He proposed that when you make men happy they love you, but since the bonds of love and promise are forsaken at the opportunity for advantage loyalty may be gained but never secured by choice. He regards men as "ungrateful, fickle, false, [and] cowardly..." He concluded that rule by fear is better than rule by love, and that "it is necessary for a prince wishing to hold his own to know how to do wrong, and to make use of it or not according to necessity." (169) While Machiavelli was very astute in his observation of the depravity of man, his lack of faith gave him a very pragmatic, or 'do what works' mentality. Ironically, Machiavelli's own views illustrate the very nature of man he condemned.

Like Machiavelli, I tend to think in harsh realities and fall to a cynical mindset at times; but I've found despair, darkness, and hopelessness at the end of reason without faith. I'm grateful that Christ that has rescued me from not only a hopeless world-view, but from my very depraved sinful nature, through eternal life in Jesus Christ. (Eph. 1:12; Romans 1:18) God's love is not fickle like man. Jesus loved us so much that he willingly suffered crucifixion and death to pay the just penalty for sin. (John 3:16) All who have faith in His sacrifice alone to justify them before God will be saved. (John 6:47; Romans 5:1, 5:8-9)

*Book image used by permission - http://hua.umf.maine.edu/Reading_Revolutions/Machiavelli.html

Education, the Shadow of Reform

2007-07-11T23:32:00.000-05:00

This was a fascinating time in history to me...

In what ways did the revival of learning in the later Middle Ages and Renaissance produce a new critical spirit?

The Condition
According to the history books, education is often the shadow of reform. A reform is what was needed at the end of the middle ages. The darkening of Europe was due especially to the fall of Rome to barbarians who had little value for education or Rome's Latin literacy. Soon learning, historical texts, and Scripturally based faith were largely isolated in the Church and its monasteries. So how would a critical spirit appear in the dumbed down minds of these times?

The Causes
Education birthed independent thinking when people began to study ancient texts in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. Aristotle that gave them logic and a sensible framework through which to view their world. Reading the Bible, eventually in their own language, brought people into personal relationship with God, independent of the Roman Catholic Church. Loyalty to these new-found truths would not to be easily removed.

The Critical Spirit
A critical spirit was induced when Universities and the Church endeavored to silence the up and coming thinkers. They were threatened by the principles that undermined their regime; and the truth that exposed their greedy and hypocritical ways. Erasmus wrote In Praise of Folly, his mockery of the Church. (RSS, 170) It would hardly have been acceptable several hundred years before his 1509 authorship, yet he found enough sympathy and support to embolden his disrespect. Erasmus was not alone. Thomas More took it upon himself to question the established social patterns when he published his views of a Utopia. More's forward views even implicated upon the King himself selfish motives for war and a lack of love for his subjects. (170)

We learn from the birth of the critical spirit that change comes by truth. Darkness and stagnation come from seclusion and suppression of it. May we never turn from it or keep it from others, no matter how it implicates our lives and causes.

Peter's got a bro!

2007-06-25T23:29:00.000-05:00

Brian came up with a great little welcome email for my newest nephew...
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Hello everyone!

In case you haven't heard, Peter (aka "Peto") has a brand spanking new, 2007 summer edition playmate! The model name of this new "accomplice in domestic crime" is Timothy Andrew (aka "Timo"). With his robust styling and 21 inch length, this one of a kind completely custom unit has a sound that belies the "ultra-high-efficiency-drive-mechanism" contained with-in. Complete with a full line of power accessories(including heated seats), he weighs in at just 7lbs, 15oz. Running on SuperMom's Premium he purrs like a finely tuned sports car, (provided that frequent oil changes and other regularly scheduled maintenance regimen are followed.)

Professional, Certified "white-glove" delivery took place on June 21st, and was completed at approx. 1:26am... definitely an event worth staying up for. I have included a few pictures for you all. Thanks, and be sure to congratulate Peto next time you see him!

Thanks for all your support and prayers during this time.
Brian and Maria

Click here to view the pictures below

Constantine's Conversion?

2007-06-20T22:00:00.000-05:00

This week we studied the Christianization of the Roman Empire.

Religion is a very powerful force, and regardless of the validity of Constantine's personal conversion, the effect of his support of Christianity and attempts at converting his heathen subjects was very strong. When men in leadership have a personal commitment to a religion they realize that they possess a secret weapon of leadership.

God did have His hand in the Edict of Milan and even in the forcing of Christianity upon unwilling peoples. I don't believe that God approves, but he does use even the wicked for His purposes, and He did use Constantine to spread the Truth of the Bible throughout the kingdom. I also think that it is true that the Christian Church did become worldly when it became the official religion. Even today, in a nation where a high majority of people claim the name, 'Christian', the statistics of evil are also high. Just as in Constantine's day, if all those who said they were Christian, took their faith seriously, many things would be different.

Idealism and purity must be maintained at a personal level. While the action of a president or emperor supports or prohibits faith; faith is personal. I believe that some of the shallowness in Ancient Rome and today can be attributed to a misunderstanding of this concept. We will have personal accountability before God on judgment day. We will not be able to pass off our sin or lack of understanding to the shoulders of a priest or political leader.

I'm probably studying...

2007-06-20T21:03:00.000-05:00

Well I've started school for a Bachelor's in Human Resource Management in Bethel College's adult program. I'm in an elective Christian history class right now that I'm really enjoying. I thought I'd post some of the things I'm learning!

What theme best explains the impulses and motives of monks such as St. Anthony and St. Benedict?
Pleasure commonly rules men's decisions, but the lowly, sacrificial, and serious conduct of monasticism rules out pleasure as a motive. More important to the Christian, and to many religious minds than pleasure, is the spiritual life. Those who take their religious beliefs seriously find that existence on a spiritual level is of even greater significance than their earthly conversation. This, I believe was the belief of the monastic faithful. The application of this belief in any culture is based on the set of principles they choose to adhere to. I identify three core spiritual ideals around which men like St. Benedict patterned their lives.

1. Protection from Worldly Values - Barbarian and other influences viewed as worldly or evil were despised and kept outside the protective monastic walls, even to the prohibition of personal possessions (RSS, 61)

2. Nurturing of Spiritual Growth - Communal living and physical separation (even to the desert) from baser people was meant to provide a greenhouse of light and truth and purity under which influence one's spirit might develop closer communion and holiness with God and more love for the fellow man.

3. Sustainment of light and truth - Promotion of Christianity was troublesome and dangerous at times, and indeed religion was at the root of much of the conflict in which nations find themselves. Recognizing that truth is often suppressed or if possible eliminated by those it offends, and especially given the political and therefore religious instability of the Roman empire, preservation of eternal and spiritual truth must have been viewed as a high and honorable calling.

They've arrived!

2007-06-08T20:34:00.000-05:00

News at F&E's! Becca now has not 1, but 2 teeth!

Adios, Josh

2007-05-05T03:41:00.000-05:00

Well, the 4 at the 'Bachelor Pad' has been reduced to 3. We're definitely going to miss Josh but we're hoping to get him back up here in the fall!

Easter Sunday photos

2007-04-08T20:00:00.000-05:00

See them in my Picasa Photo Gallery

Here's bus 4 on Easter Sunday!

There were 11 people baptized on Easter. If you want pictures of those send me an email.

Chillin' at Battle Creek Park

2007-04-07T21:10:00.000-05:00

I took the littler ones out on a spur of the moment hike to the top of the hill at Battle Creek Park the other day. Nice view. Cold Wind. Fun to hike around and spend some time out in God's beautiful creation. And it was a special day...I hope you told her HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Sometimes I get to thinking

2007-03-01T20:33:00.000-06:00

I believe...

...that what happens in the visible realm is because of a hidden reality. Our modern world often doesn't accept that things happen because of the hidden reality of God's hand. God goes so far as to alter the normal events of nature at times simply to communicate with men. The sailors on the boat with Jonah weren't ignorant of this. They said to Jonah, what have you done to cause this storm? I believe that it is a mistake to think that things are too complicated, mysterious, or simply without a reason. That is not the way of God's character or his creation. My attempt to make sense of what I see demonstrates my faith in God's powerful and communicative nature.

...that overlooking the past makes the present hard to understand. If I can learn by observing what I see now, can't I learn more by hindsight? Yet, sometimes I push aside the very memory of things I've been through because of pain, confusion, embarrassment, or hardness of heart. This hurts me because I'm probably going to go through the same lesson again until I learn it. But it's also selfish because I am designed to give to other people; and how can I understand and help others if I've shut my eyes and ears to the same lessons in my life.

...sometimes God chooses not to reveal his purposes to us immediately so that we seek Him, not understanding. I can be very serious about self examination and try hard to understand God's hand, but if I don't seek God himself, I've missed the whole point. The revelation of truth is meant to draw us to God, not simply to understanding ourselves.

...God in His infinite wisdom, gave us free and rational minds; having hid mysteries from the mature, that they might know to humbly seek Him who revealeth His wonders to babes. God revealed himself to us through Jesus Christ (John 1:1) and he wants you to repent of your sins and believe in Jesus as the Son of God, your Savior.

"Now we have received...the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." 1 Corinthians 2:12

"...Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes...Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matthew 11:25, 29, 30

Sledding Party

2007-02-23T00:33:00.000-06:00

Straitgate kids who finished all 6 months of memory work were happy to come to a pizza/sledding party last weekend! Keyes Park in Columbia Heights is one of best hills too!

Peter's 1st Birthday

2007-02-19T22:04:00.000-06:00

My nephew Peter, Brian & Maria's 1st just had his 1st! He had another first when we gave him a piece of cake to feed himself, and we had a good laugh...

http://www.wagnerwebsites.com/getp/BDcake.mov

New Year's In Colorado

2007-01-04T22:22:00.000-06:00

Just got back from a fabulous time in Colorado with Nathan Wilson, Brian and Maria, and the ever charming Peter Austen. I was delighted when I think I convinced him to mumble the beginnings of 'uncle Josh.'

We drove in at the onset of 2 1/2 days of snow, adding 30 inches to the two 24" snowfalls that they already had! We stayed at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp up at 9620 ft. on the west side of Pike's Peak with Mark and Eileen Bechler and their family. Lots of skating, hiking, snowshoeing, tubing, and enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Photos are posted in my Picasa web gallery. Videos of tubing here (1.1 mb), skating here (0.8 mb), and had a blast throwing myself into the snowbanks! (0.4 mb) (Having trouble getting the videos to play? Right click on the link to save the file to your hard drive, then find the file you just saved and open it)