Month: November 2006

Is the man getting you down? Kids, don’t show this to your mom (or maybe moms don’t show this to your kids) but Steve Pavlina writes the man should never get you down and he won’t if you just skip that whole job thing all together:

It’s funny that when people reach a certain age, such as after graduating college, they assume it’s time to go out and get a job. But like many things the masses do, just because everyone does it doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. In fact, if you’re reasonably intelligent, getting a job is one of the worst things you can do to support yourself. There are far better ways to make a living than selling yourself into indentured servitude.

I have a friend that keeps telling me I need to find ways to “pimp myself out” to people. Or as Steve puts it:

What’s the alternative to getting a job? The alternative is to remain happily jobless for life and to generate income through other means. Realize that you earn income by providing value — not time – so find a way to provide your best value to others, and charge a fair price for it. One of the simplest and most accessible ways is to start your own business. Whatever work you’d otherwise do via employment, find a way to provide that same value directly to those who will benefit most from it. It takes a bit more time to get going, but your freedom is easily worth the initial investment of time and energy. Then you can buy your own Scooby Snacks for a change.

I don’t know if you should call it censoring or not, but Samaritan’s Purse has banned any religious materials from being included with their Operation Christmas Child. project this year.
Seems a bit odd doesn’t it? A program run by Franklin Graham, son of Billy Graham, is removing any and all religious messages from shoeboxes destined for children around the world.
According to the Daily Mail Samaritan’s Purse has banned any religious items from the boxes, including Bible stories, images of Jesus and any other religious items (though these don’t make the list of other banned items on their web site, which also includes war-related toys, chocolate or food, breakables, medicine and liquids).
Some are saying it’s political correctness to the extreme.
But I say its sharing the Gospel in a tangeable way.Kevin at CMS says:

it’s part of making sure the message gets through. They need to respect local cultures where the boxes will be distributed–which are often primarily Muslim. Giving a Jesus doll to a Muslim boy could cause problems on the scale of a certain cartoon that caused worldwide riots. Samaritan’s Purse hopes the simple act of giving will speak for itself, followed up by the ongoing interaction with the organization. The idea is that there will be other, better avenues to spread its message, so they voluntariy opt not to put the message in the shoeboxes. Instead the shoebox itself is the message.
So is it political correctness gone amuck? (Seriously? Since when was Franklin Graham politically correct?) Or is it a good example of carefully considering when and how to communicate the gospel?

I think this is a good reminder that sometimes people need their physical needs met before they’ll be willing to listen to you tell them about their spiritual needs.
After being in Nigeria for two weeks I can see both sides of it.
I can see people being turned off by anything that’s Christian and thinking you’re shoving it down their throat.
I’m sure its from previous experiences that led them to their decision.
I would hate to know a young child’s toys or whatever was taken away because their parents saw something about Jesus in it.
The parents may be very strict and look at it as, “Oh here come the Christians trying to convert us again.”
When people see you genuinely care about them without always trying to convert them I think it means much more.
How does this play into our daily lives?

More from dad:

Energy is on everyone’s mind these days. There’s a simple step we can each take to save energy resources, clean our air, and save money. Join with EPA Region 6, the North Central Texas Council of Governments and the City of Dallas in our local effort to conserve our energy resources and help clean up our air, one light — one energy-saving step — at a time.
Between October 4th and November 30th, agencies, businesses and organizations throughout North Texas will be participating in a national campaign to encourage their staff and the public to change at least one light bulb at home to one that’s earned the government’s ENERGY STAR(r) for excellence in energy efficiency.
Every light we change:
* Uses at least 2/3 less energy than a standard incandescent bulb
* Lasts up to 10 times longer
* Saves $30 or more in energy costs
* Prevents 450 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, and
* Helps clean up our air and preserve our energy resources
Several local governments have already signed up to conduct pledge drives in their communities. The City of Dallas has also signed up with a goal of at least 1000 employees to take the pledge, which will save 282,000 kWh of energy and prevent 446,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. Every light changed is a step in the right direction.
Anyone can take the ENERGY STAR Change a Light Pledge. Click here for the pledge.

My dad sent me a link for information on Phillips new QL induction lamp systems. I haven’t had much chance to look over them and I’m on my way to the office, but from what he said, they seem pretty interesting.

There are a number of articles here. I just did a search at philips.com for induction lighting. You can also get more details on LEED lighting applications from them.
They are being extensively used for signs and building outline and architectural lighting. Infrared or ultasound motions sensors save energy because lights are turned on or off when the area is occupied or empty.

Microsoft Word – OEM Guide QLV9.11 october 2006.doc

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I want to brag on my fiance real quick befor I head to bed.
She has a great post on her blog today about the church across the street.
If this doesn’t hit you between the eyes, I don’t know what will:

It’s sad to think that an abortion clinic is more open and friendly than a church.