Artwork

Shelley gave me one of her art pieces as a Christmas gift. It is quite an interesting work. Now I just need to find a place to hang it.

Television and mood

We don’t normally watch any TV. Not that I have any particular objection to it. It’s just that there are so many other things to do.

We have guests here this week and the TV has been running infinitely more (really, because compared to zero, any value is infinitely greater) this week. Shelley complained that watching TV makes her grumpy. I don’t think that is too surprising. I think there is something about TV and movies that short-circuits something in the brain and perhaps even damages things in there.

I have read/heard of studies that have shown that any kind of video (TV, movies, computers, video games) should not be allowed for any child under six or seven because it stunts neural development and results in permanent damage. Particularly dangerous are the so-called “educational” videos and games. Even though they supposedly provide some kind of cognitive enhancement and/or interaction, any benefit is far outweighed by the long-term damage.

One of the main problems I see of video-based entertainment, infotainment, informative programs, and education is that it subconsciously trains people to accept everything that is seen. I think there is something about the visual pathway that we automatically grant a kind of integrity and authenticity to, even if it is completely false. Radio only employs the auditory pathway, and we are think about what we hear. Video, in my opinion, appears to bypass many of those gatekeepers. Books, although visual, aren’t pictures so the words get processed differently and we think about what we read.

Sermon: A Gospel of Great Joy

(Click HERE for MP3 sermon audio.)

Text: Luke 1-4; Luke 24:36-53; Exodus 33:18-19; Exodus 34:5-7

When the angels appeared to the shepherds, one of them first has to say to them, “Do not be afraid,” followed by the proclamation [related to evangelize], “A good news [gospel] of great joy.” The rest of the angels then sang, “Glory to God in the highest…”

From this account it appears that the gospel already exists, even as Jesus was only a few hours (or less) old. This sermon examines the connection between fear, glory, gospel, and joy. The connections help us see what the core of the gospel is, and what it is that evangelism entails. When the gospel is understood and accepted as God desires, fear of Him turn into joy.

Very Cold, Warm, Cold

The cold spell that held Petersburg in its grip for nearly two weeks lost its hold yesterday as the daytime temperature warmed up 44 overnight. The snow turned into rain, and quite a torrential one at that. During the night I heard the rain, given extra force by strong winds, beating down on the roof and windows. Nearly all of the snow and ice that covered roads and driveways have been washed away.

However, this morning the temperature once again began to drop and the rain turned to snow. We once again have a light dusting of snow on the roads.

Sermon: Outside the Box

(Click HERE for MP3 sermon audio.)

Text: Luke 2:8-20

The Nativity story, when viewed from the perspective that Jesus was born in a private residence, rather than a lonely stable set apart from the rest of society, enhances, rather than detracts, from the gospel message. This perspective further adds weight to the point that the gospel is for all people, even those “outside the box” that is frequently socially and religiously acceptable. This perspective is also more in line with Luke’s gospel theme in which it is the common people and outsiders that readily accept Jesus among their midst.

It is Frigid

The skies cleared and the cold has settled in. This is the first real blast of true, cold weather this winter. It seems to be a little later this year than in the past three.

When it is clear and cold like this, the scenery, particularly at sunrise and sunset, is quite beautiful. But when the temperature doesn’t rise above 25, it feels cold all day, even inside the house.

The cold weather is forecast to last all week.

Holiday Literary 2009

Yesterday afternoon the city library hosted the annual Holiday Literary. It was the traditional mix of music, readings, and poetry. This year our Amy was featured as this year’s Poet Laureate. She read a couple of winter-themed poems. (Click HERE for audio.)

Sermon: Inside the Box

(Click HERE for MP3 sermon audio.)

Text: Luke 2:1-7

The Christmas story has been in the Christian tradition since its inception. What we have accepted as the traditional Christmas story is shaped greatly by the box of our own traditions and culture. What really happened may likely have been quite different. This sermon unpacks part of the Christmas story outside of the traditional box to see how it likely looks when understood from a Middle Eastern context. This is a caution that everything we understand is shaped to some degree by the boxes of our own experiences; that before we presume the privilege of explaining our viewpoint and beliefs, we should first strive to understand the other viewpoint.

Pickup Truck Not Running Well

Shelley will be part of the cast for the high school play this coming February. It is Alice in Wonderland and she will be playing the part of the Duchess and a couple of other roles. Practice occurs four nights a week.

This evening while taking her to the school for practice our pickup truck engine started to hesitate and hiccup. A few blocks later the “Service Engine Soon” light came on. Unfortunately this is something that I’m sure will have to be examined. We do have a repair shop in town, but I’m sure it is going to end up in the hundreds of dollars.

*sigh*

A nice holiday gift for the local repair shop, I suppose…

Sermon: RSVP

(Click HERE for MP3 sermon audio.)

Text: Luke 14:15-24

This sermon discusses the parable of the Great Banquet. It is a parable about priorities, about relationships, about the kingdom that has already begun, and how one gets to dine with the Master at the Great Banquet. It is also a parable that includes the work that Christ’s servants are commissioned to do in relation to the “already here, but not yet” aspects of God’s kingdom.

Sermon: “What Is the Kingdom of God Like?”

(Click HERE for MP3 sermon audio.)

Texts: Luke 13:10-21; Luke 14:1-14

Last Sabbath’s sermon discussed the narrow door of Luke 13:22-30 and Jesus’ announcement about who would and who wouldn’t be found in the coming Kingdom of God.

Today’s sermon looks at the chiastic material preceding and following last Sabbath’s passage to paint in a bit more of the nature of the kingdom Jesus announced. This sermon looks at the various motifs found in the chiastic material: Sabbath, healing, deliverance, humility, and invitations to the eschatological banquet. The integration of these motifs is key in interpreting and understanding the nature of the Kingdom of God, and how radically different Jesus’ depiction of it is when compared to the accepted understandings of the kingdom at that time. The gospel commission is to continue proclamation and demonstration of the true nature of God’s kingdom.

What a difference a rice cooker makes!

Sometime this morning our new rice cooker showed up. I set out immediately to cook a pot of rice. About an hour later it was done. I opened it up, began to stir, and immediately noticed a huge difference in the result between it and our old rice cooker: in the new the rice was not nearly as “wet” and it was much more of an al dente texture.

I put some into a bowl and it seemed more fragrant than with the previous cooker. When I placed some into my mouth it seemed sweeter and definitely had a better texture to it.

The rice itself is the same – it’s from a 50 lb. bag sold at Costco. But how it’s cooked makes a noticeable difference in the end result. The new rice cooker makes a much better rice.

‘Tis the season to shovel snow

Current short-term weather forecast: “Areas of heavy snow near Petersburg will begin tapering off by noon with additional snow accumulation up to 2 inches.”

That was indeed the case. It snowed an inch or two overnight and I went out to shovel the driveway. As soon as I came back in the heavy snow started to fall and a couple of hours later I was back out shoveling the driveway.

The forecast for the next couple of days continue to include snow with the most snowfall around Petersburg. It looks like I will be getting my share of upper body exercise.

Sermon: Who Shrunk the Door?

(Click HERE for MP3 sermon audio.)

Text: Luke 13:22-30 ; Isaiah 25:6-9

This week takes a look at another passage (Luke) where Jesus speaks of entering through a narrow portal – this time, a door. The door is spoken of in connection with the eschatological banquet in the kingdom of God. When the entire passage is examined, however, there seems to be quite a few people who enter into the kingdom. So what did Jesus mean when he said the door was narrow? Who shrunk the door? The passage in Isaiah and the reinterpretations of it found in the intertestamental period provide clues that point toward a possible answer.

Winter Mountain

Petersburg Mountain this morning.

First significant snow

I awoke past midnight due to discomfort from whatever illness I am suffering. I looked out the window and discovered that snow had been falling and accumulating since I had gone to bed.

These are very grainy and were converted to monochrome as I shot them handheld at ISO 1600 and underexposed by some 4 or 5 stops.

Winter is here

Today the precipitation from the sky is a wintry mix of rain and a bit of snow. Temperature is hovering just a couple of degrees above freezing.

I continue to suffer from what appears to be a cold. Salt water gargle seems to be the only thing that alleviates the throat pain that I have.

Shelley also had something yesterday, but was well enough today to return to school.

Since yesterday was Veterans Day the DMV (among other offices) was closed. I went to the DMV and the insurance company this morning to register our second car and insure it.

Evening update: There was a period of a few minutes when it was just snow and the ground got a dusting of it.

We have a new, very old car

Last night one of our friends from church gave us their 20-year old Toyota station wagon. They have a whole bunch of electric vehicles on their property they are selling, and part of the reason for parting with their gasoline powered vehicle was to make a little more room available.

I have to go to the DMV to register the transfer, pay for a new registration, and then to the insurance company to add the vehicle to our insurance.

A bit of a cold

I seem to have caught a bit of a cold… I started feeling it a bit on Saturday morning, but it has only been a bit of sneezing and runny nose, primarily in the morning. I felt okay yesterday but last night started to feel a bit of irritation in my throat and some soreness around my shoulders. It bothered me enough that I couldn’t remain asleep this morning and got out of bed about 4 a.m.

I took a bit of nap just now and am feeling a little better. I’ve been sipping some fresh ginger infusion mixed with a bit of frozen orange juice concentrate.

While napping I got a message from Amazon.com letting me know that the rice cooker had shipped – about 4 days ahead of schedule. Estimated delivery is early next week.

I went to meet with some of the other pastors this morning and learned that another of the restaurants will be shutting down for good after Thanksgiving. If I had a spare $200,000 lying about I might just purchase it (it is for sale) and run it as a hobby… but I don’t have that kind of cash just sitting about. It would be foolish to take out a loan on it, but an outright purchase with no expectation of making money might be fun…

Ordered a new rice cooker

I ordered us a new rice cooker today. The model is Zojirushi NP-HBC10. I thought about the next model up with pressurized cooking, but couldn’t get myself to justify spending close to another $200 for just that feature.

“Aren’t all rice cookers the same?” some might ask. The answer is an emphatic, “No!” When I was in Japan the time previous to the most recent one, we got Dad a new rice cooker. I got to use it quite a bit this last time there and was utterly astounded by how well it cooked the rice and kept it warm – even rice cooked and kept for 48 hours was still very good.

Our old rice cooker is probably about a decade old. Rice left in there even overnight starts to get dry and hard. There is no timer feature so I have to remember to make sure I get the thing turned on to cook in time. Not only that but the inner bowl is well past its prime. It was more than time for a replacement.

Since it’s coming via Super Saver shipping, it will probably be near the end of the month before we see it.