the Requiest

… I got better. Well, I’m getting better. My apologies for not posting in a while, but I’ve been down and out with a sinus infection. Don’t usually get ill but when I do, well my wife can vouch for what a whining little pansy I become. So today is my first day back to work this week and I realized that I needed to get something into this blog so…

Our intern who was raised Catholic asked whether I attended Ash Wednesday yesterday. I told him that I didn’t. Knowing that I’m a Christian he asked why not. My answer was because my church doesn’t observe it. Which then of course begged me to ask the question of why not. At this point I’d like to pass you onto a post over at the Thinklings on Lent and suggest that you read the comments, then I’ll ask my readers the same question as Alan.

Do you follow the church calendar, including observing Ash Wednesday, Lent, and all that? Do you not observe any of it?

Why or why not?

To the guys in my men’s group – what are your thoughts on observing the church calendar? While I certainly believe it’s not mandated, I think (like many of the commenter’s at the Thinklings) that there is a rightness to it in the discipline that’s required of us and some of the simple sacrifices that afford us an opportunity to better focus our attentions.

Imagine How Envious I Can Make Others
Like an extraordinary secret meant only for us.Although we are different, we feel the same way. We Share that in which others can only envy.
Excellence in everything we do keeps us true to ourselves and each other. Passion is our virtue, and I promise that no matter what the objects of your affections are, I will attain them for you. To some, I am just a xxxxxxx – to others, I am Alluring. A Creative Soul striving to perfect everything I do.

Feel The Harmony Around Us
Like a powerful aura indefinable by mere words.
Although we are different, we know the true meaning of self reflection.

We share something that others may never appreicate in this lifetime. Seeking truth wherever we go elevates out state of mind and our appreciation of our universe. Devotion is our virtue and I promise as you believe in me, I will always believe in you. To some, I am just a xxxxxxx – to others, I am Balance. A reason to achieve something more.

Imagine How Powerful I Can Be
Like two forces preparing for war. You and I are alike.

We push the boudaries of nature by not fearing the possibilities that are within us. Courage is our virtue, and I promise that no matter what challenges we face together, I will not fail you. To some, I am just a xxxxxxx to others, I am Unstoppable. The balance of fire and water readied to fight along side you.

I am ready for you. But the question is, are you ready for me?

Are these the endearing words of a long lost lover? Are they ancient philosophical words of a Buddhist Monk? Or are they the blood oaths of an armored Knight?

No, they were written by or about none of those. I intentionally “x”‘d out what they are to others because I wanted you to read this without being easily persuaded in your opinion of what is being said. So what is the missing word? MACHINE

What kind of machine could you imagine would be; devoted, passionate, alluring, courageous, virtuous and what machine embodies a creative soul?

Why you’re sitting right in front of one as you read this blog post. The above quoted text is from the latest online advertisement for HP’s top of line series of gaming machines from Voodoo.

The first adverstisement that I ran into on their site was for a new series of laptops named Envy.

And you know what? Before that light bulb of reality went off, I looked at the image portrayed in the advertisment and the only thoughts I was having were of what I could do with a sweet, sassy laptop like that. I mean come on. With those twin sticks of 1Gig memory I could have multiple applications running at the same time and never worry about slowing down.

And yes that last sentence was meant to sound sexually tawdry. After all, isn’t the advertisement trying to bait me with what sounds like an illicit affair?

When every sales pitch that you see or hear is based on a lie it sometimes becomes hard to remember the truth. Even when you know what that should be. The gate is narrow my friends, keep your wicks trimmed and have extra oil at hand.

Proverbs 30:8
Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.

Remind me daily Lord that my wants are not my needs.

 

 Broken Cisterns [41:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

From time to time the Unfettered Monk is given the opportunity to preach at a local church. Last Saturday our men’s group met and he handed to each of us a CD with 2 of his sermons and 2 from a new series that John Piper is doing on marriage. He as a bit chagrined at the fact that he had the audacity to put his sermons on the same CD as John Piper. We laughed and said he was just playing the part of the local warm up band.

This is his sermon on Jeremiah 2:13

“My people have committed two sins:
They have forsaken me,
the spring of living water,
and have dug their own cisterns,
broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

I think he does an excellent job unpacking this verse and shows us an image of what worship should look like.