Monthly Archive for June, 2008

Update to Music: A Work in Progress

Published
by
Ricky
on June 30, 2008
in Site Updates
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So I updated the “recently listened tracks” widget thingy on my Music: A Work in Progress page. There are two features I added.

First: It now tells you whether or not I am currently listening to music (on my computer). Just for the heck of it.

Second: The bigger update is that it now automagically updates the list. If I’m currently listening to music, it’ll update every 15 seconds. If I’m not currently listening to music, it’ll update every 15 minutes. I don’t have any illusions that anyone will actually watch that thing for 15 minutes, but who knows? Maybe somebody is morbidly obsessed with the music I listen to. It could happen.

Soon, I’m gonna change the way the widget-deal looks. Hopefully, I’ll be able to combine them all into one. Then you can get all the information you don’t care about in one handy widget! Fascinating, huh?

Ok, I’m done.

Esther

Published
by
Ricky
on June 30, 2008
in Food for Thought
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So I was reading through the book of Esther today. It was scheduled for today on a new read-through-the-bible-in-a-year deal I started last week or so. It only called for a few chapters, but I read the whole thing. I know, I’m super-spiritual for reading all 10 chapters. Moving on…

We all know the story: King wants new wife, Esther becomes new wife, Esther saves Jews, everyone lives happily ever after. But I think there’s so much more we (or, at least, I) could get from this story.

First: While everyone focuses on Esther as the hero of the story - which she is - there are some supporting characters that play a key role. There is, of course, her uncle, Mordecai, but there’s also King Ahasuerus. I think Ahasuerus gets looked over a lot, but I think he plays a key role in showing that God can use anybody.

The story starts out by explaining why King Ahasuerus was looking for a new wife. King A was throwing a party. Not just a little party, either. It says that everyone was invited - the whole kingdom. They had lots of food, fancy dishes, fancy decorations, and - most importantly - free refills on wine. King A, being the egotistical ruler that he was, called for his wife, Queen Vashti, to be brought out in great clothes and wearing her crown, so that he could show her off to everyone. Vashti, apparnently, had a mind of her own (the nerve!) and refused to come.

King Ahasuerus and his eunuchs, for fear that the women of the kingdome might try similar wrongings against their husbands, decided to give Vashti the boot, make a royal decree that such actions were not permittable, and round up all the pretty virgins in the land and find a new wife for King A. The bible says that the virgins spent 12 months preparing for the chance to go before the king.

Long story short, Esther won the beauty pageant, and became Queen. Shortly afterward, Mordecai became aware of a plot by two of the King’s eunuchs to kill the King. Mordecai ratted them out, the King was saved, and the plotters were hanged. Hamanwas promoted to fill the void left by the two men. He demanded the servants to worship him. Mordecai wasn’t so keen to play along, so Haman in turn made a plot to kill all of the Jews. Haman convinced the King that this was a good idea, and got permission to do so.

More long story short - Esther made Haman’s true intents known to the king. King A wasn’t happy, hanged Haman, and Mordecai then essentially took his place. Then King A, Esther, and Mordecai reversed Haman’s decrees, and further decreed that the Jews had every right to defend themselves against persecution. The Jews won, they declared it a holiday, happily ever after, amen.

So King Ahasuerus went from a womanizer and unwitting persecuter of the Jews to a champion of the Jews. I think this is also a testament to the influence of those around us. When King A was surrounded by eunuchs who were self-promoting and despised the Jews, they convinced the king to wipe out the Jews. When Esther and Mordecai entered the scene, King Ahasuerus changed his tune, and gave full freedom to the Jews.

So that’s my take, anyway.

Fun With Flash, last.fm, and XML

Published
by
Ricky
on June 27, 2008
in Nothing in Particular
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I’ve been figuring out how to generate dynamic stuff with xml feeds. Fun stuff. Check it out here.

How to be an Overnight Wal-Mart Shopper

Published
by
Ricky
on June 26, 2008
in Nothing in Particular
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So, it’s 2 a.m. You’re dying to get your hands on the latest Beastie Boys album, and you want it NOW. What to do? Wal-Mart is, of course, the only place to procure such an item at such an hour (we’ll forget about iTunes for now), so it’s the obvious choice. But you’re scared. You don’t know how to behave in public at such an hour. What if people think your behavior is weird? Well, never fear! I have handily compiled this list to help you in your venture. Good luck!

  • Clothing can vary a bit. If you wish to go with the most common outfit, try something that would not normally be accepted during the day. Pajamas are a popular item, as well as any piece of clothing that shows way more than it should. Shirt is optional. The other choice is to dress as if you’re on your way to (or perhaps, way from) an important business meeting. You know - black shoes, black coat, white hat, cadillac.
  • Consume copious amounts of alcohol before you come. We’re not talking “buzzed”, here. We’re talking “you don’t want to remember what you just said”. For example….
  • Run through the parking lot yelling out inane phrases about short people. “Short people don’t  have a reason to live” and “My favorite thing to do at Wal-Mart is find the shortest person working and ask them to reach something for me” will be suitable. The effect is also enhanced if you are a woman who appears to be about nine months pregnant. I feel sorry for your baby, lady.
  • Go ask a random employee how to make vodka. If you choose this route, go with long hair, a soul patch, and wear a purple shirt. Also, it’s best to ask this to an employee who works nowhere near the alcohol department. You never know.
  • While we’re talking about alcohol, you may as well fill up a cart full of beer, then say lots of four-letter words to the cashier who tells you that it’s illegal to sell alcohol that late. Then ask for the manager and give him/her the same treatment.
  • If you see the floor crew waxing the floor, go ahead and walk across the freshly laid, still-wet wax. They won’t mind your footprints in there. Of course, you’ll just have to ignore the wet floor signs and ropes blocking off the area. They’re only aesthetic anyway.
  • Don’t worry about the employees working. Seriously, that guy pulling that pallet that weighs a couple thousand pounds doesn’t mind going out of his way to go around you. Especially if you can easily get out of his way. Also, rather than picking up the item you want off the shelf, go ahead and start opening the boxes on pallets trying to find what you want. I’m sure it’s in there somewhere.
  • If you really want to get into it, pick up a random item off the shelf, drop it, then kick it under the shelves. Just for the heck of it. Or just drop something that’s breakable and don’t tell anyone. The best things to drop are condiments and oil. Those will keep them busy for a while. Just making sure they’re earning their paycheck.
  • Leave your trash all over the place. That makes employees really happy. The best things to leave are ice cream cones (with ice cream still in them), half-eaten suckers (dang near impossible to get off the shelves) and anything else really messy. It’s also best to put these near the back of the shelves so that they’re not discovered for a good while.
  • Put stuff up where it doesn’t belong. It’s always good to take stuff out of the freezers and leave it laying around, or vice versa (frozen milk, anyone?).

Well, I think I’ve given you enough to get started, at least. Just remember, the more you do it, the better you’ll get. Everyone feels awkward the first time, but I’m sure you’ll have it down in no time flat. If you have any questions, I’ll be stocking aisle three in the grocery section. Feel free to stop by.

My Kind of GPS

Published
by
Ricky
on June 23, 2008
in Random Stuff
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Make sure to check out xkcd.

Monday Morning Mind Dump

Published
by
Ricky
on June 23, 2008
in Mind Dump
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This week, I’m throwing my inhibitions out the window (defenestrating, if you will) and copying Gary’s format. He can submit a formal complaint if he doesn’t like it =)

  • Greg Rohlinger preached today at Revolution. He went long, but he brought it hard. Excellent job.
  • Hal Mayer came to Revolution today. He introduced himself to me, and I could have sworn he said, “Hi, how are you? I’m Hell.” I didn’t know if I misunderstood him, if he was joking, or what. I just stood there and couldn’t think of what to say. Thankfully, Gary rescued me by introducing me. He also said I have no life. Thanks Gary.
  • A random customer came up to me last night at Wal-Mart. The conversation went a bit like this:

Him: “Hey, do you drink?”
Me: “Sorry?”
Him: “Do you drink?” (he did this while motioning that he was drinking)
Me: “Umm, no.”
Him: “Oh, I was looking for someone who could tell me how to make vodka.”
Me: “Sorry, can’t help you.”

  • Got into Twitter this week. I have a commanding four followers so far. Rock!
  • I got into the band Charlotte Sometimes this week. They have a good singer, but she spends most of her time male-bashing. They’d be much better without that. Ironically, their best song is “How I Could Just Kill a Man.” Go figure.
  • I’m really irritated with the way it’s formatting that conversation, and the line after it. I can’t figure out how to add a line between. I’ll have to live with it, I guess.
  • I’m listening to a preview of Superchick’s new album Rock What You Got. I’m willing to listen to pretty much anything. Especially for free. They’re taking cheesy motivational rock to the next level!
  • Great Big Sea has a new album coming out tomorrow. I will probably be required to buy it.
  • Superchick doesn’t want drugs or Novocaine. That’s a good thing, I spose.
  • I’ve been rocking to “Wake the Sun” by The Matches this week. Great song.
  • When is Green Day gonna put out a new album? It’s been four years.
  • I’ve heard that Stryper’s lead singer Michael Sweet is the new lead singer of Boston. That’s kind of strange seeing as how Stryper supposedly has a new album coming out this Fall.
  • I’ve spent way too long on this. Time to move on.

I’m never going back to ok

Published
by
Ricky
on June 18, 2008
in Nothing in Particular
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It’s not the end, but it feels like it is. I’m waking up like I’m back from the dead. I’m stepping out, and I feel so afraid, but as long as I’m moving, it’s alright.  I feel alive, and it hurts for a change. No looking back. It’s hard to believe that I was cool with the days that I wasted complacent and tasteless and bored, but that was yesterday. I’m never going back to ok. I’m never going back to easy. I’m never going back to the way it was. I’m never going back to ok. This discontent, like a slap in the face. I’m mediocre, I’ve had enough of this place. This party’s over, I’m moving away from the things of your Beverly Hills. That was yesterday. I’m never going back to ok. I’m never going back to easy. I’m never going back to the way it was. I’m never going back to ok.

So, Twitter…

Published
by
Ricky
on June 18, 2008
in Nothing in Particular
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I decided to jump on the Twitter bandwagon. The challenge for me will be to stick with it. Honestly, I don’t know that anyone would particularly care to read it. If no one does, I’ll probably lose interest. Just like I’ll probably lose interest in this blog as soon as I realize that no one’s reading it.

Also, I feel like if I just randomly start following people, they’ll think I’m stalking or something. “Seriously? What’s he following me for?” We’ll see.

Monday Morning Mind Dump

Published
by
Ricky
on June 16, 2008
in Mind Dump
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So, I’m taking a page out of my Pastor’s book and doing a “mind dump” post. It’ll be a different format, but whatever. I can’t rip off everything he does.

Yesterday was amazing at Revolution Church. We did our first ever video message, and it went off without a hitch. Or, at least, it went without a hitch during the service. There were technical difficulties during setup, but everyone rallied together and got everything ironed out in time for the service. Revolution’s set-up team is second to none. I feel kinda out of place there.

Anyhoo, so the sound guys forgot to record the message during the first service. No biggie, I can’t claim to have perfect service record myself. They got the second one down, but somehow, the master disappeared. Or, at least, I don’t have it. Whoever runs the duplicator usually leaves it with the duplicator, which I take during the week. I assumed it was there, but it wasn’t. I need it to use for the Revolution Church podcast. As fortune would have it, and as I mentioned earlier, we had a video message done by Steven Furtick of Elevation Church. Thankfully, our Creative Arts Pastor, Adam Ellis, gave me access to the messages on OnePrayer.com, so I can download the message and extract the audio for the podcast.

Man, that last paragraph was really long-winded. I doubt you really cared about that. Oh well.

Did I mention that it’s a 554mb download and has two hours left? Fun stuff.

The guy who runs our lights at Revolution, Mark, finally had someone training on how to run the lights. Mark has pretty much singlehandedly taken our lights to the next level. Starting Easter Sunday last March, we pretty much overhauled our lights. We got a new lighting board, new (moving!) lights, and other stuff. Mark’s the only one who has any idea of how to run the new board, and he’s been running it every week since then. Oh, and he ran it about 75% of the time before then. It’s good to see someone else coming in who can give Mark a well-deserved break.

In other news, Revolution Church is partnering with Embassy Metro Church to serve the volunteers who make Give a Kid a Chance happen. The goal of this event is to make sure every kid from lower income families is given school supplies for this year. They also give the kids haircuts, vision, dental, and hearing screenings. There are also clothes and other items for the kids. Between the two locations in Canton and Woodstock, they hope to give between 2,000 and 3,000 kids a chance. Gary and Ross Wiseman of Embassy Metro have challenged our churches to take care of all the backpacks and school supplies for the kids, so that other churches can focus on other things. I think this is a great challenge. God can do great and mighty things through the hands of the faithful.

The joys of technology: It appears that the download has stalled. Take two…

Watch me find that master later and have gone through this for nothing.

Ok, I’ve rambled enough. Hopefully I can get this podcast up soon-ish.

For the heck of it, here’s the songs I listened to while writing this post (and waiting for that message to download). Yes, I like all of these bands. Don’t hate.

Hello Helicopter - Motion City Soundtrack | It’s Alright Blondie - Starflyer 59 | Undone - Seventh Day Slumber | Breakfast at Timpani’s - Relient K | Ma Poubelle - Sum 41 | Set the Dial - Run Kid Run | Universal - John Reuben | That For Me - Forever the Sickest Kids | Lift Your Eyes - Leeland | Sic Semper Tyrannis - Mae | Blue Comb ‘78 - Five Iron Frenzy | The Gift - Angels & Airwaves | Dirty Little Secret - All-American Rejects | Saving My Face - KT Tunstall | Let the Evil Go East - Greeley Estates | The Same (Doesn’t Feel the Same) - ZOX

All Things to All Men

Published
by
Ricky
on June 10, 2008
in Food for Thought
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I was reading through my Bible today, and a passage stood out to me. I’ve read it in several translations, but it stands out best, in my opinion, in the New King James:

1 Corinthians 9:19-22 (NKJV)
For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win the Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

The New Living Translation says “Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.”

I believe Paul is speaking of his journeys through the world starting churches. Everywhere he went, he encountered different cultures, and he had to adapt himself to everyone he met so that he could most effectively reach them for Christ. I believe this is a powerful statement that nicely sums up why the Church is so ineffective today. Here are a few things I glean from this passage:

  • Churches should adapt to their culture
  • Churches should be willing to do whatever it takes to reach those who are lost short of sinning (The Message says “I didn’t take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ–but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their points of view.”)
  • There should be a variety of churches within a localized area
    • Especially in the cultural melting pot that is the US, there needs to be a variety of churches to meet the needs of all the people.  A traditional church and an emergent church - and everything in between - will attract a more comprehensive group of people and, in the end, bring more to Christ
  • Churches should not be afraid to try something new
    • As my pastor, Gary, said a couple weeks ago: “To reach those no one else is reaching, you have to do what no one else is doing.”
    • As cultures continue to change, churches will have to continually adapt and try new things to reach more people
  • Just because it works for someone else, that doesn’t mean it will work for you
    • Are you trying something new just to keep up with the Joneses, or do you really believe it is the most effective way to reach those in your area?
    • If something new, cool, and trendy won’t help you be more effective, don’t do it! Rather, devote your time and resources to what will help you be most effective in reaching your audience.

I’m certainly no theological expert, but I believe Paul lays it out pretty clear there. I may not even be spot on everything - this is just food for thought. Most likely only food for my own thought, but so it goes.