It’s a simple truth…we all love to doodle, color, and play with playdough! It’s an amazing addition to the worship gathering to cover the tables where participants sit with white butcher paper. Leave some crayons there and put out a couple cans of playdough. During the entire gathering, some people will express through their hands what they feel they can’t with their mouth! For more creative ideas, check out LOS’s blog.
Sorry for the mass of posts, but I have been unable to log in here for a few weeks, so I am bringing in a few of the posts from my main blog: The Bishop’s Jiggy Musings.
I was reading Bill Kinnon’s blog and found the following article. Alarming to say the least.
Redmond, Washington April 1, 2008 (Wrediculus News Service)
Bill Gates announced today, that in spite of its popularity, Microsoft (MSFT) would be abandoning PowerPoint. Originally developed by a former Berkeley PhD student, Bob Gaskins and software developer, Dennis Austin at Forethought Software - PowerPoint was launched for the Mac in 1987. Forethought was purchased by Microsoft later that year and PowerPoint was released for Windows in 1990.
Gates made the announcement at a symposium put on in Seattle by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Eyeballs. Commenting at P.E.T.E yesterday, Gates stated,
“Listen this has nothing to do with Apple’s purportedly superior presentation program, Keynote. I just feel that after almost twenty years, PowerPoint has served it’s purpose. If you remember, I didn’t even use it for my presentation at CES in January. But, quite frankly, that isn’t the real reason we’ve canned the product.
As you may remember, Time Magazine voted Bono, my wife and me, Persons of the Year a few years back. It’s because of our efforts to make the world a better place.
Dispensing with PowerPoint is a part of that initiative. We realize that no matter how wonderful the software is, it’s being used in ways that are hurting people.”
Gates said that one of the main complaints he’d heard about the presentation software was its use in churches. He stated that there are over 300,000 churches in America and it would seem a vast percentage were using PowerPoint. And using it badly.
“From cluttered screens to using every font in their system, churches are making a mockery of the power of this program. Things fly in, things zip out. It’s making congregants sick. And Microsoft has had enough litigation issues without having to worry about a class-action lawsuit from the millions of pew sitters in America.”
This reporter asked Mr. Gates why he hadn’t recommended the writings of Garr Reynolds to the church PowerPoint audience. Gates said,
“Listen, I’ve really appreciated Garr’s comments about my own PowerPoint presentations. I’ve taken them to heart. And I am making my way through Garr’s new book. Unfortunately, Ballmer has been less willing to change.
But the problem is that Mr. Reynolds calls his website PresentationZen.com and churches really aren’t into the whole Zen thing.”
Gates stated that Microsoft (MSFT) would continue to support PowerPoint for Windows XP and earlier but that all development for Vista was being curtailed. He also said that all PowerPoint packages in the retail channel would have labels added to them stating “Not Recommended for Church Use.”
Gates also told the gathered reporters that he was attempting to talk to Steve Jobs about Keynote as he feared churches would just move to the Apple platform. “As yet, I’ve not heard back from Steve.”
Originally published on Feb 14th, 2006. I thought it would be appropriate for today.
A re-read of Romans 14 brought this phrase out in my mind: “disputable matters.” Paul starts the chapter saying, Accept him whose faith if weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.” I’ve read through this passage many times, understanding that it’s point is the relationship between the mature and immature. As mature believers, we should guard our actions so that we do not put a stumbling block in the path of the immature believer. This is in keeping with Paul’s statement that “everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial.” We are free to do what we want, but must always strive to measure the impact of our actions on others. You all know this (but if you are like me, you wrestle with it greatly). But I’ve never really thought about the things he goes on to list as “disputable matters.”
One dictionary defines “disputable” this way: “open to argument or debate,” and “matters” in this manner: “a vaguely specified concern.” So, “disputable matters” leads me to believe Paul is now going to talk about “vaguely specific concerns that are open to argument or debate.”
Paul (as Jewish as one man could be!) addresses two items as disputable matters: dietary laws and the Sabbath! Devout Jews observe these two matters more than any others. Yet Paul minimalizes them as disputable matters. This passage drove me to the place of asking, “What are some other disputable matters?” What do you think?
It’s almost bitter-sweet when you realize at 4:20 on the last day of your ski/snowboarding trip that it’s the last run until next year. What I can’t figure out is why I don’t spend more time doing what I love so much. We only live 4 hours from the slopes. And Jeremiah LOVES to ski almost as much as I love to snowboard. As a matter of fact, his old man’s legs slowed them down and kept him from making one more run. Just a few pictures from the trip to Telluride, CO.
The “birthday season” has arrived. Saturday before last, we had two to attend. Last Saturday was another. There are more looming on the horizon. But last Saturday was a 2 for 1 party. Two of Jeremiah’s classmates were having parties at Chuck E. Cheese. I happen to like Chuck E. Cheese because they don’t let the kids leave without a parent, and you can see the whole place from the right seat, so the kids can run wild while I read or write (or sleep for that matter). Our Chuck E. Cheese has a new Hampton Inn next door with a STRONG Wi-Fi signal so I can actually be online while we’re there. So, we showed up at Noon for the party and made our way through the ocean of children to the back corner where the parties were taking place. As we made our way back there I saw one of Rick’s parents (he’s one of the little boys that Jeremiah led to Christ last Thursday). That’s when the feeling of trepidation hit. My mind raced as I thought of all the possible responses a parent could have to what had happened with her son at school. And most of the responses I could imagine were mildly negative to highly volatile. Am I about to get a smack down Cheerleader mom style in Chuck E. Cheese? Damage control kicked in as she made eye contact with me and headed my way (insert ominous music here). Read the rest of this entry »
Last Wednesday night, Jeremiah (my 7 year old) and I were riding home in my truck when he asked me if I thought his teachers would let him take his Bible to recess.
“I’m not sure, bud. Why?” was my reply.
His response was thoughtful, “Well, I realized tonight that I am not spreading God’s Word like I should be.”
Now, you’ve got to understand that this kind of conversation is normal with Jeremiah. He thinks Read the rest of this entry »
I realized something the other day. I was filling out a short bio sheet about myself and it asked about my hobbies and interests. I listed Tae Kwon Do, Paintball, hockey, reading, music, and a few other things. Then I paused…I do all of those things, and look forward to them, but it didn’t really capture the essence of what I am about. That’s the point of the question, right? It’s supposed to give people a feel for the “color” of your life. So I really got to thinking about what get’s me most excited. What is it that I immediately call home to talk to Caryn about? I discovered my real hobby; it’s conversations. I love to talk to people. Whether it’s over coffee, lunch, or during tae kwon do, it’s a lot more fun when you have someone to talk to while you eat or play. It’s a lot more engaging to read if you will have someone to talk to about what you read. Sure, these are some of the activities I enjoy, but the one I enjoy the most (and have for years) just popped up and slapped me in the face! How could I miss it? I love to talk to people. If you ever need to talk, give me a call. I truly would love to talk to you!
I put together a Prayer Labyrinth for our local faith community and it opened last night. I did it for our students, but it is such work that I thought that I would open it to the community at large for the next 3 days. Last night we had 48 teens and adults use the labyrinth. Tonight we will have another 20 or so adults use it. Almost to a person, everyone comes out and talks about how awesome an experience it is. They feel “closer to God,” or “at peace,” or “like I really worshipped.” It happens all the time: a special event that people look forward to and they encounter God; touching them in a meaningful way.
But from here, Read the rest of this entry »
While recently connecting with other mystics and searching for those who blaze the trail in pursuit of the mission, I had one of the most moving encounters of my life. I was visiting a communist county in Asia, and went to visit the local “government sponsored” faith community in a city of well over 1 million people. Now, this community is a bit different than most government sponsored “clubs,” as true warriors have infiltrated the leadership, and they are using their governmental seal of approval to advance the cause. Read the rest of this entry »
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