Sunday, May 20, 2012    

It’s “Organic”

Wednesday, June 11th, 2008

First, it’s been a busy week with school getting back into full swing but things are starting to equalize again. I will say that God has truly been especially close to me these past couple of week…which I am very thankful for.

That said…let’s talk about a word that is getting out of control lately. It came up this week as I was building a salad at work on the salad bar. Nothing spectacular…just your average salad with the typical salad topping options. That’s when I saw it and had to shake my head once again. It was a sign over one of the topping options that said:

Organic Carrots

OUT…OF…CON…TROL! Can someone please tell me what an “Inorganic Carrot” is…and would you eat it if you were offered it? Aren’t ALL carrots organic? I think this is one of the dumbest language changes we’ve seen in a while…and I think it’s stupid. I know it’s cliché but here’s the dictionary definition of the word organic: “of, relating to, or containing carbon compounds”. That pretty much covers every single item on the salad bar!

But the word is changing thanks to marketing (a stupid reason to change the meaning of a word!). It’s coming to mean “untouched or pure”. For produce that means it’s grown with no man-made fertilizers or chemicals. It even has a growing meaning outside of produce or other food items…another example of the definition getting out of control.

Here’s the example I’ve been hearing lately: “We need to develop this plan organically…just let it develop on its own without too much outside influence.” Its not that I disagree with the new meanings but we are starting to dilute our language so much that you never know what someone really means.

And no…I don’t really care if my carrots or other food is grown with or without pesticides, antibiotics, or fertilizers. It’s all “organic” and I can’t stand paying more for something that is using LESS to make or grow it. That doesn’t make sense! So just like wanting to outlaw pennies…any time I see these “Organic X” signs I think I’ll just pass.

But that’s just me…getting off my soapbox now! :roll:

11.06.2008 Misc Ramblings, School 2 Comments

Journeyman Journal is One Year Old

Sunday, June 8th, 2008

I find it hard to believe myself, but Journeyman Journal officially turned one year old yesterday. So this post will be a little bit of a retrospective on the last year with some “interesting” facts and a few of my favorite posts from the last 12 months.

First, let’s start with my first post ever where I laid out my goals and intentions for my own personal blog. Here’s a quick excerpt from the post that states what my intentions were, and still are, for this blog:

My intent is for the Journeyman Journal to be a repository of random thoughts and ideas—a place for me to share what God is doing in my life and have a place to sharpen the often wild and crazy ideas the Spirit lays on me. I don’t pretend to have the answers…but I do know The Answer and am getting to know Him more and more every day. He’s got me on a grand journey and I’m along for the ride wherever that takes us.

In December of this year God gave me a Theme Verse for Journeyman Journal (you can read the full blog on December 27th). Here’s the theme verse:

Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is.
For I am your guest—a traveler passing through, as my ancestors were before me.
Psalm 39:4, 12b

Here are a few Journeyman Journal statistics over the past 365 days:

  1. There have been 180 posts over this year (an average of one every other day).
  2. There have been 142 comments to go along with them (not bad!)
  3. There have been 1,892 visitors from 19 different countries: USA, Jamaica, Australia, Costa Rica, United Arab Emirates, Japan, United Kingdom, Germany, India, Philippines, Portugal, Spain, Hungary, France, Czech Republic, American Samoa, Trinidad & Tobago, Iran, Canada, and Russia.

Here are the Top 3 Most Popular Posts (by visits):

  1. WordPress Upgrade Day: I think this is largely due to the “Google Factor”. People searching for WordPress upgrade help have found there way to this post. I wish I had been more detailed in the post…next time.
  2. The Taser: This one is also my favorite post of all time (see the list below). This post if flat out hilarious! If you haven’t read it…what are you waiting for?
  3. Football Is Coming!: I think the comments drove the visits to this post…certainly wasn’t the post itself since all I was saying was that I couldn’t wait for football season to start. Nothing spectacular, but it struck a nerve somewhere.

My Favorite Posts (in date order):
   Note that I did a similar list on my 100th Blog…of course it’s hard to narrow the list down out of 180 posts, but these are just 12 of my most favorite (I’m sure I’ve missed a few as I tried to spread out the topics)…

  1. Sages - June 8th
         *The people who have shaped my life.
  2. The Lighter Side- July 4th
         *Used underwear?? What?
  3. The Great Sand Dunes- July 16th
         *Be sure you watch the video on this post…it’s priceless.
  4. Practical Atheism- September 16th
         *My favorite more serious post
  5. Pennies Should be Outlawed- September 19th
         *My personal pet-peeve and quest
  6. The Taser - October 22nd
         *Be FAR the funniest post. I challenge you NOT to laugh!
  7. Don’t Judge By the Cover - December 4th
         *The surprise video of the year!
  8. The Wrong Question - January 21st
         *A more serious post about Genesis, prompted by a sermon at church
  9. Drive Thru Blues- March 7th
         *A Little Self-Deprecation never hurt anyone
  10. Some British Humor - May 5th
         *Some good, old fashioned British bathroom humor (in video form even)
  11. My Favorite Chuck Norris Facts - May 15th
         *If you haven’t shared your own favorite, what are you waiting for?
  12. I’m a What?- May 30th
         *Found out I’m not a Republican! Find out what I am and take the test yourself (you might be surprised!)

I have absolutely loved the interaction with everyone who reads the blog!! Thanks for taking the time and sharing your own thoughts and comments. If you enjoy it, please pass it along to others. Want to see something (or which I’d stop doing something)? Drop me a comment and let me know.

Here’s to another year ahead as we share the Journey of God together. He never disappoints…it’s always fun! Thanks again!!

08.06.2008 Blogging, Misc Ramblings 1 Comment

Book Review: Blink of an Eye

Thursday, June 5th, 2008

Blink of an EyeThis is the fifth Ted Dekker book that I have read (the first four being the Circle Trilogy (Black, Red, and White) and Skin…which where fantastic and got me hooked on Dekker).  Blink of an Eye more along the same genre lines as Skin, both of them being action thrillers.  The Circle Trilogy is in the fantasy genre.

On with the review at hand…

The book centers around two characters: Seth Borders (a boy math genius) and Miriam (a Saudi Arabian princess). Miriam and Seth are thrust together as Miriam has fled to America to escape an arranged marriage that is part of a coupe to overthrow the Saudi Arabian government by a radical Muslim sect. Seth become Miriam’s unlikely protector and he discovers an unusual ability…he can see into the future. And not THE future, but all possible futures.

They are the run together from many forces attempting to capture them and during this time they find out about themselves, their faith, and about love in general. Dekker addresses two key issues in this engaging work: The differences and similarities between Christianity & Islam (focusing on what we have in common) and our call to love one another. The issues addressed are contemporary, but Dekker tackles them from a biblical perspective—a unique perspective from the current media and political spin.

This book has something for everyone without the language or sexual innuendos of others works in this genre. It has action and intrigue (you will keep turning the pages) as well as dash of romance (not so much to make you throw up though). The religious overtones are muted…it is effective without being preachy.

Overall, another hit by my new favorite author. I must say that I liked the Circle Trilogya little better, but only by the slightest of margins. This isn’t my absolute favorite Dekker book but I still highly recommend it (I would just read the others first). It tackles a modern issue from a fresh perspective and will keep you entertained.

Overall Rating:

05.06.2008 Books, Review 1 Comment

Band of Brothers & Daniel

Wednesday, June 4th, 2008

I need to brag a little on my Band of Brothers today. Tuesday nights is the night a bunch of us guys (lately 10-12) get together in a local fire station to hassle one another, share what’s going on in our lives, pray for one another, and open up God’s Word together. I absolutely love every Tuesday as I learn and am encouraged by this group of men. I’m not sure what I did before I had this group supporting and teaching me every week.

Last night was especially good. We have been walking through the book of Daniel for the past two months and I have learned a lot. Daniel is full of great stories and visions. Sometimes the application is simple and sometimes it makes your head hurt, but it’s a great book to study.

Last night our focus was on Daniel Chapter 9…probably my favorite chapter in the book. It has nothing to do with a lion’s den or a fiery furnace. It’s much more mundane than that, but just as powerful. Daniel is at the end of his life (around 65 years old) around the time he got thrown into the lion’s den and he is reading Zechariah’s prophesy about Israel’s 70 year captivity in Babylon (which started when Daniel was a boy and was still going on). A light bulb goes on in Daniel’s head and realizes that he and all of Israel have sinned against God so he prays…hard…for God to forgive them. Then Gabriel shows up to tell Daniel that his prayers have moved heaven (and then he gives Daniel a prophesy about the Messiah). That’s a lot on one chapter and we came up with the following three lessons (submitted for your consideration): 

  1. We need to be praying for our nation (Daniel 9:1-19): Daniel recognized very quickly that Israel had sinned against God and was paying the price. He immediately started paying for his nation and we should follow his example.
  2. Our prayers have impact (Daniel 9:23): Gabriel tells Daniel that as soon as his prayer start that a command was issued in heaven regarding the Messiah! Now that’s a powerful prayer (and it wasn’t even what Daniel was praying about). Daniel’s heart, words, and actions had an effect…God responded. Our prayers are promised to have the same effect.
  3. Our hearts should be in heaven, not on earth (Daniel 9:20): This one isn’t so obvious, but you’ll notice in this verse that Daniel is praying for the sins of Israel and for his own sins. What did Daniel do wrong? He was a man of integrity and passed every test put before him. It wasn’t his fault they were in captivity. BUT…as an Israelite his heart was supposed to be set on Jerusalem, on God’s temple, where God’s presence was. Daniel had become comfortable in Babylon. That is what Daniel repents of. And we have the same danger. We are supposed to store up treasures in heaven, where our heart is, but too often our hearts are comfortable right where it is…in the here and now.

It was another great night with a great group of men. They inspire me. They encourage me. I thank God for every one an pray for them often! Thanks men! :cool:

04.06.2008 Band of Brothers, Fellowship, Spiritual Musings No Comments

Passing the Test

Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008

My reading this morning from John Eldredge’s Walking with God has struck a cord with me…and has me wrestling with this foundational life question:

What is the right way to look at life?

Before you read on too far, how do you answer this question? How do you look at life? Is it random? Is life hard? Is life supposed to be easy? Is life about getting stuff?

The right answer is that life is supposed to be about God…about loving Him and getting to know Him personally. From the book…

The first and greatest command is to love God with our whole being. Yet, it is rare to find someone who is completely given over to God. And so normal to be surrounded by people who are trying to make life work. We think of the few who are abandoned to God as being sort of odd. The rest of the world—the ones trying to make life work—seem perfectly normal to us (Page 87).

This has me thinking today about how I look at life. Am I just trying to “make it work” or am I truly focused on making God the priority in my life? Am I taking His blessings and making them idols? Do I think of God as “a means to an end rather than the end itself”? John makes the point in this chapter that too often we are looking for God to make us happy…when the only way that ever happens is by us selling out to God. By loving Him with everything that we’ve got.

And God doesn’t often play a passive role in the idolization (is that a word?) of our lives. He desperately wants our hearts to be in the right place, focused on Him. In fact, it’s on this point that God promises to test us:

The Lord your God is testing you to see if you
truly love him with all your heart and soul.
Deuteronomy 13:3, NLT

This leaves one final (and probably obvious) question: Are you and I passing the test? Only you can answer that one for yourself. Me? I’m working on it. :neutral:

03.06.2008 Devotional, God's Love, Spiritual Musings No Comments

I Need a Vacation

Monday, June 2nd, 2008

Ever been that place? Where you just need a vacation…need to get away…need some actual rest? I’m not talking about the kind of vacation where you need a vacation once you get back. I’m talking about an honest to goodness respite…actual rest…actual relaxation. We all need it. God designed us that way.

Here’s the problem: I don’t think I’m getting one any time soon. The summer schedule is too busy and school starts up next week (thought it was this week, but apparently the school had an inaccurate calendar). Mostly I need a vacation from the “everyday” and the “mundane”. I like my work, but I need a break from it before I start hating it. I love my home life, but I need to get away a little so I can appreciate it a little more.

Anita needs the break too. Summer break is no break for her. It’s just different work, different hastles. We all need a break at times. Doesn’t have to be long, but we really need it. I am juts praying that Anita and I get one before too long. I’m praying for something I’m not even aware of now. A break in the clouds. It can’t come a minute too soon. :wink:

02.06.2008 Misc Ramblings 1 Comment

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