Summer 2007 Thoughts

Original Date: July 13, 2007

Hello there. This summer has been nice. The temperatures have been mild in June and July because of all the rain here in the mid-west. Its been good except the grass grows like a bunch of magical bean stalks. Try mowing it with a twenty year old, beat up non-catching mower with no exit flap and see how you like it.

Movie Reviews:

Spider Man 3: poor, Spidey should have went squish when Sandman was hammering him. That would have made the movie excellent. I did not know Spidey was indestructible. If a twenty ton mountain of sand and concrete can’t smash him like a bug, I don’t know what could defeat him.

Shrek 3: poor, low quality story and Shrek’s magnified face the whole time on the screen got old really fast. I felt like vomiting quite a number of times.

Pirates: okay, could have been a lot better. Some very corny dialogue and scenes. A lot of confusion and story telling was very subtle (too much so for the slow of mind). Keira was fantastic in it though.

Fantastic Four: poor, lowsy story. Surfer was cool until they started interacting with him and he changed his mind on a whim.

Evan Almighty: funny and light hearted. I was really surprised when Evan told the big bad politician to “repent.” He should have said it with more passion and some hand motion. lol Other than the bad theology, it was good. I surprised myself that I even went to see it.

A Mighty Heart: okay, not very interesting. Too many cell phones, and the grief scene was stupid and forced.

Transformers: cool if you are not an old school fan. Too many humans, not enough robots time wise. Maybe they should have named it Human and Robot Lackies.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: good. The actors and actresses did really good. Battle scene between Dumbledore and Voldemort should have been longer, but it was good. The movie should have been at least three hours long. I felt like I was watching a slide show of the book. Same with Goblet.

Nothing else warranted a trip to the theater. Some of the films put out this summer would be best used as… well… Maybe August will surprise me, but I kind of doubt it. The special trailer of JJ Abrams new movie coming out in January was cool (showing before Transformers) until the head of the statue of liberty landed on screen. I almost shot sprite out of my nose due to writing stupidity. That really detracted from the effect because it was so cliche. The idea over all looks really good. A monster movie shot in the Blair Witch style will be great.

I will not go see the Simpson’s Movie because of the outright disrespectful shot at Christianity when Homer is looking through the Bible and says, “This book doesn’t have any answers!” That is what drove me away from watching the television show in the first place. I’m glad that was in the preview, so I don’t go waste my money.

The media doesn’t care what Christians think when they do that kind of thing because they know they can get away with it. Christianity teaches turn the other cheek and peace. If they did that to the Koran they would be targeted for attack and execution. The Muslims don’t take that kind of attack on their faith and “prophet.” And you can see the media stays away from doing that to them. That really shows the difference between Christianity and Islam.

Jesus told us to pray for our enemies and those who persecute us. Muslims would have a day of rage and burn some Homer dolls, American and Israeli flags, chant “Death to Homer!”, and issue some death warrants against some Fox executives and Simpson’s staff. But, according to our politicians Islam is a peaceful religion. Okay.

So I’ve been busy studying for my Microsoft and CISCO testing that I’m doing to get certified. That is coming along well, and I am hoping to have my MCSA soon. I’ll get my CCNA before the soon after, and hopefully my MCSE not long after that. Work is going well, and the family is doing good.

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Ideas Stolen

Original Date: February 24, 2007

Half Popped Popcorn Kernels!

I often think it is really funny when I have an idea for something and then go out years later and see someone had the same idea. In the past, I often talked about the above product as a snack line. Well, I went to Silver Dollar City in Missouri last fall and found the exact thing I had been thinking about. The company started out in 1992.

A Gladcorn Brand: Amaizing Corn Snack Maiz Tostado
http://www.gladcorn.com/

They even come in different flavors, and its tasty.

Exploding Man

Yup… another great idea taken and used by someone else. I think it was my junior year in High School when I wrote and illustrated a short comic book called by the above name.

It was the same time Bart N drew Captain Curious (a great comic that I wish continued…)

Well, I’ve been watching Heroes and lo and behold a character that can explode. The character just somehow developed this power, my Exploding Man was a result of Nazi experimentation in the 40s against captured soldiers.

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Mac v PC

Original Date: July 25, 2006

Quite a number of us have seen those commercials put out by Apple in regard to Macintosh and PCs (Personal Computers) recently. One guy introduces himself as a Mac, the other a PC. The poor PC is struggling with viruses, trial software, and the latest lack of fun syndrome. The Mac is having a great, problem free time enjoying his photos and music.

So everyone knows those commercials are the biggest crock of marketing that I have ever seen. It is well known that a number of computer users in the world prefer Mac because of a few different reasons. It could be that they are rebels and do not want to submit to the imaginary Microsoft empire. Or, they think using a Mac is easier, or the person may like the graphical user interface (GUI) better.

Since I work in Information Technology as a System Support Analyst with workstations and networks, which include Macs and PCs, I am going to tell you the truth about both of them. Simply, they are both computers and they both have common problems and particular problems in regard to the software each uses.

Starting with Viruses, it is true that PCs running Microsoft Windows have a lot more malicious software problems, but that is simply because the OS (operating system) is used by more people across the globe. There are plenty of people out there that hate Microsoft for one reason or another as they sit behind their Apples or Linux workstations. Some of those people do what they can to attack and undermine Windows by writing malicious programs and viruses. Or the virus writer is just a crook trying to steal our identities or bank account numbers. Although, the IT world is beginning to see malicious software that is beginning to target not only the Windows OS but Macs and Linux platforms as well.

In my own personal experience with Macs, I have to say that I started out as an Apple user back in the early 80s when my aunt purchased an Apple IIe. I love my Apple (Fred, and I still have him), and I loved all the wonderful things I could do with it back then. Though I began to notice there was a problem with compatibility between what I was doing and my friends with PCs did. I have been a gamer ever since I can remember, and some of the games that I saw coming out for PC were great. Plus, my friends could share their word processing files and the like. Finally, I decided that if I was going to be one with the rest of the tech world out there, I might as well get into the PC game. Who wants to be incompatible all the time? I hated it.

I turned to PCs and became very happy being able to share files, gaming, bulletin boards, chat lines, and whatever else my friends and I chose to do before the Internet. So that is one of my biggest gripes when it comes to Apple is the incompatibility issue, which has been addressed to some degree. But, the problem with incompatibility is continuing to plague my user experience with Apple. I did keep up with the Apple OS and technology including learning to program on Macs in High School. So when I took a job in the IT field working with Macs I was able to fix what needed to be fixed. With the advent of OS X through OS 10.4, I had a horrible time trying to get software that was compatible with 10 through 10.4. It turns out that Apple does not support older OS (including OS 10.0 verses 10.4) and many software manufactures do not either. Windows is far superior to Apple in this regard to OS legacy support.

Also, the other day I decided to download some videos with iTunes, an Apple music/media software. The only programs that would play the videos that we purchased were iTunes and QuickTime (an Apple product). My wife and I wanted to burn our new videos to DVD to take on a trip, but the video format the videos were in were incompatible with any burning software I tried. I even bought QuickTime pro ($30!) to try to convert it to a usable format because the software claimed to be able to do that with different video types. That still did not work because iTunes has its own special format, and I found out that Apple purposely makes downloads incompatible so you can only use them with their hardware products. Needless to say I was hacked off! It is the same way with the music you download, but thankfully you can still burn the music to CD then you can RIP it from the CD back into other formats you can utilize on other hardware types. If we buy the music we should be able to use the music or videos the way we see fit.

One other thing I would like to point out is Mac users go on and on about how easy it is to use a Mac. That is ridiculous. If you are a person brand new to using a computer the Mac interface is just as complicated to use as a Windows interface. It has especially become more difficult when Apple brought out OS X and all its predecessors. The only difference is you have your menu bar at the top of the screen on a Mac and at the bottom on a PC. It is all silly propaganda. I found using a Mac as easy as using a PC.

Since I work on Macs at my job, I also have a Mac G4 Tower using the Mac 9.2.2 OS. I like the computer, but the other day the hard drive decided to crash. Sounds like a PC does it not? The difference is every time my hard drive has crashed in my PC it was either my fault or I was using it at the time and did something I should not have done. My Mac G4 Tower hard drive crashed when I was not even using it. I sat down to do something and it was gone. Plus, none of my handy Mac fix tools could repair it, so I had to reinstall the OS and set everything back up and try to find my lost data.

So when it comes to those cute little commercials being broadcast recently with the PC and Mac realize what it is, just marketing to get you to buy a Mac instead of a PC. Yes, PCs come with trial software, but it is cool to see what kind of products are coming out. Plus, if you do not want to use it all you have to do is uninstall. Do PCs have problems with malicious software, sure, but if you use a good anti-malicious ware program, stay away from shady areas on the internet, keep your computer updated, use a good firewall, and do not install all kinds of free and suspicious software off the internet you will be fine. I have never had a virus/malicious software problem on my home or work PCs.The most recent commercials deal with the upgrade issue for Windows Vista. Of course with a new and upgraded version of Windows coming out, Microsoft will design it to run on the newest and best machines available. That is a silly idea to think that there is something wrong with having to upgrade an old machine to run a new, upgraded operating system. Put the shoe on the other foot, if you own a iMac G3 machine and you want to run OS X.4 Tiger from Apple, you will have to buy a new computer.

When it comes to entertainment the Mac OS cannot compete with the Windows OS. There is a ton more games, programs, and activities that you can do with your PC. If a Mac does it, so can a PC. Plus your PC is compatible with everyone else out there using the Windows OS and programs. Apple was, is, and will be just a limited platform as long as they keep trying to limit us to using their products. Wake up and smell the roses, Apple, compatibility is what people want in their personal and business lives. If you want to compete and actually overcome, become compatible with everything else, then your superior products will bring the consumer to you. Give us our freedom.

Though in the end when it is all said and done: the Mac is a computer, and a PC is a computer. They both will do something to disappoint us.

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Explanation – Calvary Chapel Journey

Hi there,

I’d like to thank (redacted) for inviting me to respond to some of the comments on here. I did not even realize that my blog was being read and commented on.

Hmm.. where to start.

Victorious pointed out a number of true things in relation to Calvary Chapel and affiliation.

Basically what happened was the following.

Continue reading →

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Calvary Chapel Ordination Removal

Dear Ron,

I received your letter today stating that Calvary Chapel Houston voted on
June 25, 2007 to remove my Ordination.  The letter states:

“In light of your doctrinal position that you do not agree with Calvary
Chapel theology, clearly stated to Pastor (redacted) on many occasions, as
well as your comments stating such on your Web page, the Board of Calvary Houston in accordance with Articles XV of the By-Laws voted on June 25,
2007 to remove your ordination.”

I accept the decision of the board.  I knew in my heart that it would come.

Officially, during my affiliation process I could not agree with Chuck
Smith’s interpretation of the Doctrines of Grace and the order of salvation.
That was the reason I withdrew my application to affiliate.  It was not
because I disagree with Calvary Chapel “doctrine.”  I am bound by my
conscience to Christ.  It has nothing to do with arrogance or pride.

Continue reading →

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Dear George Bryson…

Dear George Bryson,

I have tried to find another way to contact you, but to no avail.  I don’t even know if you will ever get this or not.   I write to you with a heart of peace and in the love of Jesus, yet troubled.

I attended a Calvary Chapel for 5 years, served diligently, was mentored, ordained and sent out by my Pastor to start a Calvary Chapel.  That was 2.5 years ago.

Long story short, I tried to affiliate with CCOF, but had to retract my application because of the issue of Calvinism/Arminianism because I could not affirm Pastor Chuck’s position 100%.  To say that one man’s view on the subject is correct for me is not possible.

Continue reading →

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The Order of Salvation

Hi Pastor (redacted),

In the order of salvation, which was the key issue during my affiliation process, I have come to believe that regeneration occurs before a person will ever accept Christ.  The whole mass of humanity rejects God, and it is only when God takes out that heart of stone and puts in the heart of flesh that a man will ever desire Him.  Prior to that a man is a slave of sin, the devil, death and a child of wrath.  After regeneration a man can accurately see and follow Christ.  How else can it be when regeneration, repentance, faith, the drawing, the enabling, the predestination, the choosing, the justifying, sanctifying, the keeping, and glorifying are all God’s work and gifts.  God is the one who starts a good work in us, and He will be faithful to complete it.

Please do understand that I believe men can either choose or reject Jesus.  That is their choice after all, and no one is there forcing the choice.  Men will do whatever they desire, and they are free to do what they determine to do.  Evil men will desire evil and that is what they do, even though they have the ability to choose what is right.  Though men will never follow or accept Jesus unless God intervenes in their lives, which He has done in the elect, Christ’s sheep.

We are attending (redacted ) Church here in (redacted), and it is a good church.  I do miss the verse-by-verse system of teaching God’s Word, but they do teach the Word, though its topically.

Thank you for your prayers, and please continue to pray for me.  God has my heart, so if I am wrong in my beliefs pray that He will make things clear to me.

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The Dark Side of Calvinism by George Bryson

Hey Pastor Ron,

I hope your having a good day so far.  I finished reading through “The Darkside of Calvinism” by George Bryson today.  I have to say I was really disappointed in it.  I thought I would share a few observations on it since you sent it to me to read.

1) on page 15 and many, many other pages George writes something like, “Despite formal denials from Calvinist…” and then he will go on to give an explanation of what Calvinism teaches on a particular aspect of Theology.

Doesn’t formal denials from those who believe in a system count for anything?  Not according to George Bryson.  He misrepresents “Calvinism” quite badly, yet says that despite what Calvinist teach, this is what it really teaches.

Continue reading →

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Cowardice and Courage

Living with spiders, insects,
snakes, and creeping things,
the lizards crawl from my feet
to the top of my head.

Their fangs and stingers
break my flesh with precision,
the pain seems to linger,
each moment wickedness remembered.

Their little faces, familiar,
laughing and mocking,
human beasts with gleaming razors,
slicing my heart with wrathful talking.

Looking about, inside and out,
there is no one, who is there to be?
Who will lift their voice in outcry,
who will stand with me!

Their fallen faces,
they are weak and passive,
broken, whose enslaved spirits, captured,
the stasis of willful blindness and liquor.

Come, drink your fill, disappear
into the fog of your sinful smear,
refuse to listen, refuse to see,
destroy the remaining trust, a lost silver key.

So many have severed,
the bonds of brotherhood shared,
with disdain, loving the blackness,
loving their evil, they no longer care.

Who is faithful?
Who is trustworthy?
Who never disappoints,
or spurns a brother’s hand?

The light of His truth,
is a beacon to the downtrodden,
to those in pieces,
to those rent by cowardice, forgotten.

There is only one mentor,
One who is loyal and always there,
No one else guides, no one else strives,
no one to find or share.

Looking about, inside and out,
none have taken courage!
Who will lift their voice in outcry,
who will face the beast with me!

Where are the courageous?
Where are friends?
Where are those sworn
to trust until the very end?

With voice raised to the heavens,
the might and faithfulness
of the One, the only One,
who can be trusted without fear.

By the strength of His courage,
by the power of His hands,
He upholds those who love Him,
and declares the Truth that stands!

Repent! Repent of your evil!
Turn from the horror of your hearts,
the bloated lies and seared flesh,
His wrath is not far but near!

Who will stand with me without fear?

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In the Dust

Simply my heart cries
to You precious Jesus,
in the shadow of death
our corrupt flesh sighs
of exhaustion of yearning
for freedom, for redemption.

You, my Savior, my Master,
when will the time bend
and space be shorn,
a door in heaven wide and torn,
and the call of the desire
for believers to be restored?

The wickedness, the flesh,
I would tear it from my bones,
I would rip it apart, to destroy
the evil, with hatred and wrath,
the pain and suffering felt.

The creaking of old joints,
the dieing fire of youth,
the loss of simple vitality,
winding down like a blue
and green top, spinning on a
vast space of expiring dew,
waiting for the dry ground to crack,
to split and find the black
depths of unknown places,
and an end to all races.

Almost flying, fast as lightning,
driving in this race of races,
I see an empty track before,
and empty track after,
and nothing in the way
to reach the line of finishing,
empty lanes, so many say,
only me in my way.

To love and be loved,
to grip wrist with my brothers,
working as one, in design, by
the will of the Anointed One.

Why is it cold here at times?
Why do some ignore?
Why do some castigate?
Why do some hate?
Why do some wag a tongue
in the shadows of secrecy?
Are we not brothers, soldiers
side by side, fighting for each
one, standing back to back?

Puncture our hearts, oh Lord,
remove the diseased cysts from
our hearts, the selfishness, the pride,
the fighting, and the lies,
pour us out, break us on stones,
do what it takes, show us the truth
of our existence, open our eyes,
lift the stupor of stupidity
plaguing our meager lives,
dirt, only dust, all of us
are but dust! Driven by the Wind!

The desire to be loved,
to love as brothers, in trust,
in peace, in Your power,
The rock of Your strength,
the will of our Father,
Lord, let your love crush
all bitterness, jealousy,
petty trivial thoughts,
end deceit, end the plans,
end the pompous shows.

Remind us Lord of Your will,
reveal the vastness of Your Kingdom,
let us be concerned in others,
let us wash the feet of our brothers,
Your will our ultimate desire,
put us in our places, lead us
in Your direction, on our faces,
whether in the spinning waters,
the lone moments of diligent
unending labor, in hidden tears,
in dripping sweat, in aching
backs or raw hands,
let us serve You,
let us be Your slave,
though our worthiness
does not allow us to
even touch the sole
of Your pierced feet.

Let Your will be done,
Heal this fevered mind,
Let our tears turn to joy,
Let us love in You,
As we worship You,
As You shine in Your glory.

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