I tried out one of my new podcasts from Ravi Zacharias ministries yesterday on my way to class. For those of you who have never heard of Ravi Zacharias, he is a Christian apologetist and a world-renown speaker. I started listening to his CD's and speeches in college. They're always very rich and full of new things to think about.
Yesterday's message on the podcast was called "Why I'm not an atheist" and it was edited from a speech that Ravi did at Princeton University. The below quote was taken from a secular journalist in England from an article he wrote on modernism's affect on our society. It's a bit long but so very interesting. It's supposed to be read with a sarcastic tone. Thanks to my friend Betsy who found this quote and to Gates and Melissa for telling me about the podcast!!
We believe in Marx, Fraud, and Darwin.
We believe everything is OK as long as you don't hurt anyone,
to the best of your definition of hurt,
and to the best of your definition of knowledge.
We believe in sex before, during, and after marriage.
We believe in the therapy of sin.
We believe that adultery is fun.
We believe that sodomy is OK.
We believe that taboos are taboo.
We believe that everything's getting better despite evidence to the contrary.
The evidence must be investigated
and you can prove anything with evidence.
We believe there's something in horoscopes,
UFO's, and bent spoons;
Jesus was a good man just like Buddha,
Mohammed and ourselves.
He was a good moral teacher although we think his good morals were bad.
We believe that all religions are basically the same-
at least the one that we read was.
We all believe in love and goodness.
We believe all religions are the same.
They only differ on matters of creation,
sin, heaven, hell, God, and salvation.
We believe that after death comes the Nothing
Because when you ask the dead what happens they say nothing.
If death is not the end, if the dead have lied, then it's
compulsory heaven for all except perhaps Hitler, Stalin, and Genghis Khan.
We believe in Masters and Johnson.
What's selected is average.
What's average is normal.
What's normal is good.
We believe in total disarmament.
We believe there are direct links between warfare and bloodshed.
Americans should beat their guns into tractors and the Russians would be sure to follow.
We believe that man is essentially good.
It's only his behavior that lets him down.
This is the fault of society.
Society is the fault of conditions.
Conditions are the fault of society.
We believe that each man must find the truth that is right for him.
Reality will adapt accordingly.
The universe will readjust.
History will alter.
We believe that there is no absolute truth
except the truth that there is no absolute truth.
We believe in the rejection of creeds,
and the flowering of individual thought.
Steve Turner, "Creed," Up to Date (London: Hodder & Stoughton). Used by permission. Can Man Live Without God, 42-43
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Podcasts
Ok, I'm super pumped because I just downloaded a bunch of podcasts for the first time. I'm realizing what a hugely awesome thing this is. Basically, I can download tons of radio programs that are updated weekly or daily depending, and I can listen to all of them on my ipod. So far I picked:
-Ravi Zacharias's daily radio program called "Just thinking" which is 13 min & 30 seconds long.
-Ravi Zacharias's weekly radio program called "Let my people think" which is 26 minutes long.
-The New York Times daily summaries of the top news stories which is 2 minutes long.
-Desiring God ministries daily radio program (John Piper) which is 26 minutes long.
-my cousin's Simon and Eddy's podcast called "Square Two" which I think is various lengths.
So my drive to work is 20 minutes one way. I should be able to get in at least of these programs and the New York Times one. My computer is now automatically subscribing to these podcasts so it will have the new ones downloaded whenever they are available. Then I can download the new stuff each night to my ipod. And what a great resource for people who live outside of the US. If they own an ipod you could do this at any time. And all of it is free!! Who thinks this stuff up? It's great.
-Ravi Zacharias's daily radio program called "Just thinking" which is 13 min & 30 seconds long.
-Ravi Zacharias's weekly radio program called "Let my people think" which is 26 minutes long.
-The New York Times daily summaries of the top news stories which is 2 minutes long.
-Desiring God ministries daily radio program (John Piper) which is 26 minutes long.
-my cousin's Simon and Eddy's podcast called "Square Two" which I think is various lengths.
So my drive to work is 20 minutes one way. I should be able to get in at least of these programs and the New York Times one. My computer is now automatically subscribing to these podcasts so it will have the new ones downloaded whenever they are available. Then I can download the new stuff each night to my ipod. And what a great resource for people who live outside of the US. If they own an ipod you could do this at any time. And all of it is free!! Who thinks this stuff up? It's great.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
My little brother is getting married
I figured that's it's safe to go ahead and put the news on my blog. My little brother and his girlfriend Shannon are now engaged!! I am getting one amazing sister-in-law. I am so excited for them. Here is a picture of Matt and Shannon and of Shannon's ring. My brother was able to use the diamonds from my mom's ring and have them put into the band of Shannon's. It's beautiful and I'm sure my Mom would have been so proud. I think they're hoping to get married in October. And I get to be a bridesmaid!!!
Monday, January 23, 2006
My work retreat last weekend
Last weekend I had the opportunity to go on a retreat with a few other departments at MTW that focused on how to better care for our missionaries. It was very refreshing and we were able to have great discussions on obstacles that missionaries face and how we as people who want to support them sometimes feel inadequate and frustrated. After the retreat I felt a sense of being able to ask better questions and to also get into more of the root issue behind questions that we are often asked in the office. Sometimes I do get burned out in this job because as office support for missionaries it's easy to feel like you are there to be "dumped on" with problems. There were actual MTW missionaries that came to this retreat and between the two couples they had over 80 years of experience on the mission field. The real-life stories and experiences that they shared were so special and valuable to us.
On this retreat I heard the neatest thought about how God views us when we are Christians: "When the Lord looks down on you, the Son gets into His eyes."
Which reminded me of this verse: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." ~Galatians 2:20.
And this one: "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." ~ John 8;12
How cool is it to know that it is not I, but Christ He sees? It was a great reminder.
On this retreat I heard the neatest thought about how God views us when we are Christians: "When the Lord looks down on you, the Son gets into His eyes."
Which reminded me of this verse: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." ~Galatians 2:20.
And this one: "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." ~ John 8;12
How cool is it to know that it is not I, but Christ He sees? It was a great reminder.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
World's Ugliest Dog
In my quest to find the perfect animal to accompany me in my new home, my coworker Daniel told me about the ugliest dog in the world. This dog has literally won this title three times running. If you want to see the picture, click here. Beware- he's really ugly.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Sunday, January 15, 2006
I found another cat I liked
I think Buttercup would make a perfect addition to my new house...if she's still around later this spring!
I also wanted to give a special thanks to the 20+ people who came out yesterday to help paint my house. The whole thing is done, and all I need to do is some minor touch ups. I'll be thinking of you everytime I look at those beautiful walls! And don't worry, sometime this summer I'll have a huge housewarming party for everyone so you can see it all put together!!
For you out of town folks, don't worry, I still have things to do so if you're itching to fly to Atlanta to do some manual or artistic labor, just let me know!
I also wanted to give a special thanks to the 20+ people who came out yesterday to help paint my house. The whole thing is done, and all I need to do is some minor touch ups. I'll be thinking of you everytime I look at those beautiful walls! And don't worry, sometime this summer I'll have a huge housewarming party for everyone so you can see it all put together!!
For you out of town folks, don't worry, I still have things to do so if you're itching to fly to Atlanta to do some manual or artistic labor, just let me know!
Friday, January 13, 2006
Top Ten Most Dangerous Jobs
1. Logging workers
Fatalities: 92.4 per 100,000 employed
Median pay: $30,080
Logging and timber workers duties include cutting down trees and cutting and moving logs, providing the raw material for countless products. The nature of their work puts them at constant risk of being killed by heavy, falling objects.
2. Aircraft pilots and flight engineers
Fatalities: 92.4 per 100,000 employed
Median pay: $135,430 – but may be much lower for commercial pilots.
Although aircraft pilots and flight engineers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the nation, don't swear off air travel just yet. This category also includes commercial pilots of smaller aircrafts – including crop dusters and air taxis – that are far more likely to crash than your typical 747.
3. Fishers and related workers
Fatalities: 86.4 per 100,000 employed
Median Pay: $28,220
Fishers endure storms, fog, wind and hazardous working conditions before bringing you the fresh salmon on your dinner plate. Perilous weather puts fishers at risk of drowning if their boat capsizes or they fall overboard. And if they suffer serious injuries while at sea, help isn't readily available.
4. Structural iron and steel workers
Fatalities: 47 per 100,000 employed
Median pay: $42,410
These workers climb dozens of stories to lay the iron and steel that form buildings, bridges and other structures. Despite strapping on harnesses and other safety gear, structural iron and steel workers face a high risk of fatal injuries from falls.
5. Refuse and recyclable material collectors
Fatalities: 43.2 per 100,000 employed
Median pay: $26,950
When refuse and recyclable material collectors take away your trash, they risk traffic accidents and fatal injuries from explosions of hazardous materials. According to a University of Miami study, the leading cause of on-the-job fatalities for these workers is impatient motorists who try to pass the garbage truck and hit the driver.
6. Farmers and ranchers
Fatalities: 37.5 per 100,000 employed
Median pay: $38,600
Farmers and ranchers raise animals and plant, cultivate and harvest crops used to produce our food. However, the tractors and machinery used by these workers can be very dangerous: Non-highway vehicle accidents accounted for 40 percent of occupational fatalities for farmers and ranchers in 2004.
7. Roofers
Fatalities: 34.9 per 100,000 employed
Median pay: $31,300
When these workers climb atop your house to build or repair your roof, they risk slipping or falling from scaffolds, ladders, or roofs, or burning themselves on hot bitumen.
8. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
Fatalities: 30 per 100,000 employed
Median pay: $49,700
When your lights go out, line installers and repairers climb power poles and towers to get your electricity up and running. Power lines are typically high off the ground, so workers are at high risk of injury due to falls. Plus, these workers are often at risk of electrocution from contact with the high-voltage power lines.
9. Driver/sales workers and truck drivers
Fatalities: 27.6 per 100,000 employed
Truck driver median pay: $33,870
Driver/sales worker median pay: $20,320
Truck drivers transport goods including cars and livestock, and driver/sales workers deliver and sell their firm's products over established routes. Both groups spend the majority of their time on the road, putting them at high risk of highway vehicle crashes.
10. Taxi drivers and chauffeurs
Fatalities: 24.2 per 100,000 employed
Median pay: $19,790
The dangers of shuttling around patrons go far beyond highway crashes. Taxi drivers, who often work alone and carry large amounts of cash, may also find themselves victims of robbery and homicide.
Fatalities: 92.4 per 100,000 employed
Median pay: $30,080
Logging and timber workers duties include cutting down trees and cutting and moving logs, providing the raw material for countless products. The nature of their work puts them at constant risk of being killed by heavy, falling objects.
2. Aircraft pilots and flight engineers
Fatalities: 92.4 per 100,000 employed
Median pay: $135,430 – but may be much lower for commercial pilots.
Although aircraft pilots and flight engineers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the nation, don't swear off air travel just yet. This category also includes commercial pilots of smaller aircrafts – including crop dusters and air taxis – that are far more likely to crash than your typical 747.
3. Fishers and related workers
Fatalities: 86.4 per 100,000 employed
Median Pay: $28,220
Fishers endure storms, fog, wind and hazardous working conditions before bringing you the fresh salmon on your dinner plate. Perilous weather puts fishers at risk of drowning if their boat capsizes or they fall overboard. And if they suffer serious injuries while at sea, help isn't readily available.
4. Structural iron and steel workers
Fatalities: 47 per 100,000 employed
Median pay: $42,410
These workers climb dozens of stories to lay the iron and steel that form buildings, bridges and other structures. Despite strapping on harnesses and other safety gear, structural iron and steel workers face a high risk of fatal injuries from falls.
5. Refuse and recyclable material collectors
Fatalities: 43.2 per 100,000 employed
Median pay: $26,950
When refuse and recyclable material collectors take away your trash, they risk traffic accidents and fatal injuries from explosions of hazardous materials. According to a University of Miami study, the leading cause of on-the-job fatalities for these workers is impatient motorists who try to pass the garbage truck and hit the driver.
6. Farmers and ranchers
Fatalities: 37.5 per 100,000 employed
Median pay: $38,600
Farmers and ranchers raise animals and plant, cultivate and harvest crops used to produce our food. However, the tractors and machinery used by these workers can be very dangerous: Non-highway vehicle accidents accounted for 40 percent of occupational fatalities for farmers and ranchers in 2004.
7. Roofers
Fatalities: 34.9 per 100,000 employed
Median pay: $31,300
When these workers climb atop your house to build or repair your roof, they risk slipping or falling from scaffolds, ladders, or roofs, or burning themselves on hot bitumen.
8. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
Fatalities: 30 per 100,000 employed
Median pay: $49,700
When your lights go out, line installers and repairers climb power poles and towers to get your electricity up and running. Power lines are typically high off the ground, so workers are at high risk of injury due to falls. Plus, these workers are often at risk of electrocution from contact with the high-voltage power lines.
9. Driver/sales workers and truck drivers
Fatalities: 27.6 per 100,000 employed
Truck driver median pay: $33,870
Driver/sales worker median pay: $20,320
Truck drivers transport goods including cars and livestock, and driver/sales workers deliver and sell their firm's products over established routes. Both groups spend the majority of their time on the road, putting them at high risk of highway vehicle crashes.
10. Taxi drivers and chauffeurs
Fatalities: 24.2 per 100,000 employed
Median pay: $19,790
The dangers of shuttling around patrons go far beyond highway crashes. Taxi drivers, who often work alone and carry large amounts of cash, may also find themselves victims of robbery and homicide.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Is God Dead in Europe?
I'm always up for interesting insights about Europe and especially the spiritual climate there....Is God Dead in Europe? This is an article by a USA Today writer. It's interesting- and if you have comments please post them. The article mentions this quote in particular:
"Among the consequences of Europe's abandonment of its religious roots and the moral code that derives therefrom is a plunge in its birth rates to below the replacement level. Abortion, birth control, acceptance of gay marriage and casual sex are driving the trend. Europe is "committing demographic suicide, systematically depopulating itself," according to Weigel.
United Nations population statistics back him up."
Although, I am not sure if people merely attending church on Sundays would help any of these behaviors that are surely popular in the US as well. Only a change in the heart, of true repentance and turning to trust fully in God, can real change occur. If anyone's looking for back up on this, verses like Romans 3:23, 6:23 and 10:9-10 are examples of what I'm talking about. I am thankful to those of many different Christian denominations and walks that are laboring tirelessly in Europe. Those who care greatly about the people there and in love tell them about the change they can have only in Christ.
"Among the consequences of Europe's abandonment of its religious roots and the moral code that derives therefrom is a plunge in its birth rates to below the replacement level. Abortion, birth control, acceptance of gay marriage and casual sex are driving the trend. Europe is "committing demographic suicide, systematically depopulating itself," according to Weigel.
United Nations population statistics back him up."
Although, I am not sure if people merely attending church on Sundays would help any of these behaviors that are surely popular in the US as well. Only a change in the heart, of true repentance and turning to trust fully in God, can real change occur. If anyone's looking for back up on this, verses like Romans 3:23, 6:23 and 10:9-10 are examples of what I'm talking about. I am thankful to those of many different Christian denominations and walks that are laboring tirelessly in Europe. Those who care greatly about the people there and in love tell them about the change they can have only in Christ.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Fear
"For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." ~Romans 8:15
I am finding that especially with owning my house all of these new fears are creeping up unexpectedly:
-Fear that something will be wrong with my dryer hose and it will burst into flames.
-Fear that I won't get all my painting done.
-Fear that something will go wrong with my HVAC unit and something will explode.
-Fear that my neighbor is actually creepy and not nice.
-Fear that my new neighborhood is actually unsafe.
-Fear that a tornado will come roaring through just after we finish painting.
These are new fears on top of others that are the other ones that come up with the normal obligations of life. I found the above verse today that is a good reminder of how as a child of Christ, I have nothing to fear. That He will give me all the strength I need to get through any situation. I need to calm down, relax, and enjoy this incredible gift of a new house. And that when it is all done it will look awesome and I can have the best house warming party ever!
I am finding that especially with owning my house all of these new fears are creeping up unexpectedly:
-Fear that something will be wrong with my dryer hose and it will burst into flames.
-Fear that I won't get all my painting done.
-Fear that something will go wrong with my HVAC unit and something will explode.
-Fear that my neighbor is actually creepy and not nice.
-Fear that my new neighborhood is actually unsafe.
-Fear that a tornado will come roaring through just after we finish painting.
These are new fears on top of others that are the other ones that come up with the normal obligations of life. I found the above verse today that is a good reminder of how as a child of Christ, I have nothing to fear. That He will give me all the strength I need to get through any situation. I need to calm down, relax, and enjoy this incredible gift of a new house. And that when it is all done it will look awesome and I can have the best house warming party ever!
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Extreme Makeover without the plastic surgery
I think it's officially a tradition- everytime I come back from Minnesota I have a hot new look!! I think it's because my aunts and cousins are so much more hip and cool then I am. Or..maybe it's because I have a tendancy to get into a rut with how I look and it takes some pretty persuasive people to get me out of it! Well here is a picture of my new haircut. I went with my aunt Mary to her hairstylist and they cut off 5 inches. This is the shortest I've had my hair since 8th grade! Luckily it wasn't cut in the same way as it was in 8th grade because then I wouldn't be able to fit in doorways. I am also wearing the $0.97 blazer that Mary found at Old Navy. Awesome, huh?Ever since last October I have also been making more of a conscious effort to watch what I eat and exercise more. All of the compliments I have been getting lately have encouraged me so much and seemingly it's really starting to pay off. I am blessed with such awesome family and friends who have been rejoicing with me in this process! I've lost almost 20 pounds so far which is really cool. I will have the opportunity to go to many weddings in the summer of 2006 so that is a goal I am shooting for to be at a good, healthy weight. It actually hasn't been too bad and I've enjoyed the process for the most part.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Evidence Not Seen
We have been reading my favorite book in this month's book club: Evidence Not Seen. It's a missionary biography about a woman named Darlene Deibler Rose when she was a missionary in Southeast Asia during WW2. It's a very intriging book. Here's an excerpt from it, in Darlene's own words, from when she was imprisoned for many months by the Japanese army and was greatly physically and emotionally abused. My hope and prayer is that I can also really live like this:
"Lord, I believe all that the Bible says. I do walk by faith and not by sight. I do not need to feel You near, because Your Word says You will never leave me nor forsake me. Lord, I confirm my faith; I believe." The words of Hebrews 11:1 welled, up, unbeckoned, to fill my mind: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." The evidence of things not seen. Evidence not seen- that was what I put my trust in- not in feelings or moments of ecstasy, but in the unchanging Person of Jesus Christ. Suddenly I realized that I was singing:
When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
I was assured that my faith rested not on feelings, not on moments of ecstasy, but on the Person of my matchless, changless Savior, in Whom is no shadow caused by turning.
"Lord, I believe all that the Bible says. I do walk by faith and not by sight. I do not need to feel You near, because Your Word says You will never leave me nor forsake me. Lord, I confirm my faith; I believe." The words of Hebrews 11:1 welled, up, unbeckoned, to fill my mind: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." The evidence of things not seen. Evidence not seen- that was what I put my trust in- not in feelings or moments of ecstasy, but in the unchanging Person of Jesus Christ. Suddenly I realized that I was singing:
When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
I was assured that my faith rested not on feelings, not on moments of ecstasy, but on the Person of my matchless, changless Savior, in Whom is no shadow caused by turning.
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