tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74815760274903549712012-02-16T15:21:15.707-05:00The Reflections of a ThinkaholicTrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.comBlogger2641100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-56093172543490605492011-12-29T16:58:00.001-05:002011-12-29T16:58:59.311-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Media_http3bpblogspot_fuixz" height="127" src="http://getfile1.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/GAmvzAvtjFbGtIlCwbsGmaqtrkpaEccDJfciJcoriHzkysqImtHlsaAuhCjJ/media_http3bpblogspot_Fuixz.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="320" /> </div> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.tchinwhyworship.blogspot.com/">tchinwhyworship.blogspot.com</a></div> <p>The latest post, part 1 in a series on Suffering and Worship, is well worth the read and should serve as a great encouragement to your soul. I'm looking forward to the rest of this series, and hope you find this blog as helpful as I have thus far! Enjoy!</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/enjoy-reading-about-all-things-worship-peep-t">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-5609317254349060549?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-8384546417436232192011-12-13T09:53:00.001-05:002011-12-13T09:53:36.392-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote><div> <p>The ROUGH</p> <p>Below is the current condition of a tough but strategic neighborhood in Flint, MI. We have counted at least 10 homes in this condition that are owned by the city that we could purchase for 2,000 or less.</p> <p><a href="http://www.theredrevolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Screen-shot-2011-12-08-at-8.09.57-PM.png" rel="lightbox[1668]"><img title="Screen shot 2011-12-08 at 8.09.57 PM" src="http://www.theredrevolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Screen-shot-2011-12-08-at-8.09.57-PM.png" height="646" alt="" width="481" /></a></p><p></p> <p><a href="http://www.theredrevolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Screen-shot-2011-12-08-at-8.10.14-PM.png" rel="lightbox[1668]"><img title="Screen shot 2011-12-08 at 8.10.14 PM" src="http://www.theredrevolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Screen-shot-2011-12-08-at-8.10.14-PM.png" height="641" alt="" width="481" /></a></p><p></p> <p><a href="http://www.theredrevolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Screen-shot-2011-12-08-at-8.10.32-PM.png" rel="lightbox[1668]"><img title="Screen shot 2011-12-08 at 8.10.32 PM" src="http://www.theredrevolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Screen-shot-2011-12-08-at-8.10.32-PM.png" height="643" alt="" width="478" /></a></p><p></p> <p><a href="http://www.theredrevolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Screen-shot-2011-12-08-at-8.10.50-PM.png" rel="lightbox[1668]"><img title="Screen shot 2011-12-08 at 8.10.50 PM" src="http://www.theredrevolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Screen-shot-2011-12-08-at-8.10.50-PM.png" height="643" alt="" width="477" /></a></p><p></p> <p>The DIAMOND</p> <p>Below is the blessing on the street. This house is being sold for 2,500. The owner put 20,000 into the home and because of life circumstances he needs to sell asap. We would use this home as an outpost for Red Revolution’s vision to raise up indigenous disciples/leaders to help restore the city.</p> <p><a href="http://www.theredrevolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Screen-shot-2011-12-08-at-8.11.06-PM.png" rel="lightbox[1668]"><img title="Screen shot 2011-12-08 at 8.11.06 PM" src="http://www.theredrevolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Screen-shot-2011-12-08-at-8.11.06-PM.png" height="645" alt="" width="480" /></a></p><p></p> <p>The FUTURE</p> <p>Believe it or not what you see below is what they call a “HOOP HOUSE”. This is the future of bringing economy into urban places with a down economy, using natural resources. This Hoop house is 30×80 feet and they are built to produce vegetation year round in cold climates. Yes this “HOOP HOUSE” is in the middle of a “HOOD”, done by one of the members of our church and it’s producing as planned.</p> <p><a href="http://www.theredrevolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Screen-shot-2011-12-08-at-8.32.06-PM.png" rel="lightbox[1668]"><img title="Screen shot 2011-12-08 at 8.32.06 PM" src="http://www.theredrevolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Screen-shot-2011-12-08-at-8.32.06-PM.png" height="644" alt="" width="478" /></a></p><p></p> <p><a href="http://www.theredrevolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Screen-shot-2011-12-08-at-8.34.16-PM.png" rel="lightbox[1668]"><img title="Screen shot 2011-12-08 at 8.34.16 PM" src="http://www.theredrevolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Screen-shot-2011-12-08-at-8.34.16-PM.png" height="642" alt="" width="479" /></a></p><p></p> <p><a href="http://www.theredrevolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Screen-shot-2011-12-08-at-8.36.23-PM.png" rel="lightbox[1668]"><img title="Screen shot 2011-12-08 at 8.36.23 PM" src="http://www.theredrevolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Screen-shot-2011-12-08-at-8.36.23-PM.png" height="643" alt="" width="476" /></a></p><p></p> <p><strong>Vision</strong></p> <p>Our hope is to buy the one “DIAMOND” house for 2,500 and turn it into the hub of urban discipleship in this tough but strategic neighborhood. This neighborhood sits right on the main street that connects the Colleges, business, north (majority african americans) and south side (majority caucasians). We would then pursue the other ten homes at $2,000 in the neighborhood that need to be bull dozed. We would use two lots to put one “HOOP HOUSE” at 10,000 to produce what you see above, giving this neighborhood a since of pride and beauty. We would use the “HOOP HOUSES” along with the “DIAMOND” house to teach keys values that pertain to discipleship/leadership growth such as diligence, patience, hard work and economic literacy.</p> <p><strong>Summary</strong></p> <p>Step 1</p> <p>“DIAMOND HOUSE” 2,500 cash, 1,500 in back taxes and 1,000 to close=5,000</p> <p>Step 2</p> <p>“THE ROUGH” <strong>LONG TERM-</strong>purchase&nbsp;10 homes at 2,000=20,000 from the city. <strong>SHORT TERM-</strong>Start with at least two homes at 2,000=4,000</p> <p>Step 3</p> <p>“THE FUTURE” <strong>LONG TERM-</strong>Bull doze and&nbsp;use&nbsp;the 10 lots to put up 5 “HOOP HOUSES” at 10,000=50,000. <strong>SHORT TERM-</strong>Start with at least two lots to produce one HOOP HOUSE at 10,000=10,000</p> <p>Invest financially and eternally into a city, a neighborhood and a people that many have written off.</p> <p><a href="http://www.theredrevolution.com/take-action/">DONATE</a></p> </div></blockquote><div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.theredrevolution.com/rebuild-the-city-flint/">theredrevolution.com</a></div> <p>Initiatives like this one by @redrev and company bring tears to my heart. Thinking about @amishobaraka's song "Rebuild the City," I always wondered how many times songs like that grow feet and move. This is a prime example of how solid Christology/Missiology can come together to produce ACTION that impacts ENTIRE communities. We need to make noise about efforts like these, and support through finances, prayer, and similar efforts in our own communities. I'd be the first to say it's much much easier said than done. I believe, Lord help my unbelief.</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/rebuild-the-city-flint">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-838454641743623219?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-33176370308864614962011-10-25T09:02:00.001-04:002011-10-25T09:02:31.421-04:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/31035354?portrait=0" frameborder="0" height="283" width="500"></iframe> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://vimeo.com/31035354">vimeo.com</a></div> <p>Recently I watched the Tribe Called Quest documentary and found out through it that Phife has Type 1 Diabetes. In a lot of ways, the disease has caused havoc in his life. My aunt has Type 1, my father-in-law has Type 1. It hasn't been unknown to me, yet I never understood EXACTLY what it is. <br />From the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation): Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. While its causes are not yet entirely understood, scientists believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved. </p><p>Here's the thing for me. I always thought of my aunt's injection of insulin as somewhat a cure. It's not. She'll have to do that every day for the rest of her life. Same goes for Phife, same goes for my Father-in-law, same for the millions of Americans suffering from this disease presently . Since I don't always see these injections happen, it's easy for me to take for granted the difficulty of a life lived needing to measure so many factors throughout a day just to survive. The chairman of the JDRF says that those with the disease "need to be mathematicians, physicians, personal trainers, and dieticians all rolled into one." <br /> Since Type 1 can strike suddenly, it also means that none of us are exempt or immune. We need a cure. Right now there are as many as 3 million folks with Type 1, and about 80 people are diagnosed with it PER DAY! That's staggering. For more info visit <a href="http://www.jdrf.org">www.jdrf.org</a>. Meanwhile, support Diabetes research and get your fresh up at the same time by purchasing some gear from Type 3, featured in the commercial above.</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/type-3-apparel-commercial-2-on-vimeo-muzeone">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-3317637030886461496?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-2067852512588824932011-10-06T08:26:00.001-04:002011-10-06T08:26:50.337-04:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote class="posterous_medium_quote">Mary, Martha, and the Humanity of Anxiety | MockingbirdMary, Martha, and the Humanity of Anxiety. by LRE Larkin on Oct 5, 2011 • 1:30 pm No Comments. Anxiety is technically defined as: Noun: 1. distress or uneasiness of mind caused by fear of danger or mi...</blockquote> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="https://plus.google.com/116896366969948097311/posts/6BUc1svk4jR">plus.google.com</a></div> <p></p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/dejuan-brown-google">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-206785251258882493?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-4920226566221324922011-09-15T12:57:00.001-04:002011-09-15T12:57:19.552-04:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p><img src="http://everystockphoto.s3.amazonaws.com/book_books_263946_l.jpg" alt="old books 1none Objects / General" />So, this morning I was rocked as I read a little book called "Who Will Deliver Us," by Paul F.M. Zahl. &nbsp;I was repeatedly amazed at the riches found in this book, especially since it's only 85 pages long. &nbsp;I couldn't get over how helpful the book is, and how many facets of the Power of Christ's death it addressed. &nbsp;Then I thought, "I'm sure there are tons of books as short as this that were as helpful and potent." Reading through an author's thoughts on a topic in a couple sittings can be very beneficial for a number of reasons. &nbsp;This is where I got this idea. &nbsp;What if I solicited some of <strong>YOUR </strong>favorite shorter books? &nbsp;What are the most helpful books you've read that fit the bill? One hundred pages or less? &nbsp;I'll start with a couple of my own, including the one that sparked this post. &nbsp;Won't you add to it for our mutual benefit? Pass this along to friends so they can join in as well. &nbsp;Happy Reading!</p> <p>1. <strong><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/god-at-work-jonathan-edwards/9780946462384/pd/2380">God At Work</a></strong> (Abridgement)-Jonathan Edwards, 94 Pages &nbsp;</p> <p>2. <strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Who-Will-Deliver-Us-Present/dp/1606082124/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1316105685&amp;sr=8-1">Who Will Deliver Us?</a>- </strong>Paul Zahl, 85 Pages</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/big-things-in-small-packages-gospel-bombs-in">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-492022656622132492?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-18217755736289494242011-07-28T06:25:00.001-04:002011-07-28T06:25:50.050-04:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><a href="http://instagr.am/p/ItSr9/"><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/gFrimjEJBEkreJIbHDfofyrHehGCFIprFjcBhxxeztDFksIqrnJhcxizzjia/media_httpimagesinsta_ybuDw.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Media_httpimagesinsta_ybudw" height="612" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/gFrimjEJBEkreJIbHDfofyrHehGCFIprFjcBhxxeztDFksIqrnJhcxizzjia/media_httpimagesinsta_ybuDw.jpg.scaled1000.jpg" width="612" /></a> </div> </a> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/my-boys">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-1821775573628949424?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-17412298491654188052011-07-28T06:18:00.001-04:002011-07-28T06:18:08.772-04:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><a href="http://instagr.am/p/ItRW5/"><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/mepHqvcCkfbCqhxDbtutcbsnjfaqchGlJHGhjDEDADtBgDgsiiiIsyrghtkj/media_httpimagesinsta_cguIt.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Media_httpimagesinsta_cguit" height="612" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/mepHqvcCkfbCqhxDbtutcbsnjfaqchGlJHGhjDEDADtBgDgsiiiIsyrghtkj/media_httpimagesinsta_cguIt.jpg.scaled1000.jpg" width="612" /></a> </div> </a><br />Taken at Nags Head, NC <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/sunrise-72911">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-1741229849165418805?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-6622937565080768412011-07-15T12:01:00.001-04:002011-07-15T12:01:52.705-04:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <iframe allowfullscreen="true" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-uwY3sjqYX0" frameborder="0" height="417" width="500"></iframe> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uwY3sjqYX0&amp;playnext=1&amp;list=PL266C89666FF74907">youtube.com</a></div> <p>Hilarious......What's amazing is the guy taking the order actually getting it right LOL</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/fast-food-folk-song-at-the-taco-bell-drive-th">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-662293756508076841?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-15136809742796555202011-07-12T12:05:00.001-04:002011-07-12T12:05:34.477-04:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><a href="http://instagr.am/p/HgoD9/"><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/qpltqtqdvrHzqbnDeFugbzHjEFJGDyHtAGfrvJDzkuEcqCzlFvJEfldbFmHw/media_httpimagesinsta_vqeAe.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Media_httpimagesinsta_vqeae" height="612" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/qpltqtqdvrHzqbnDeFugbzHjEFJGDyHtAGfrvJDzkuEcqCzlFvJEfldbFmHw/media_httpimagesinsta_vqeAe.jpg.scaled1000.jpg" width="612" /></a> </div> </a><br />Taken at Ravens Nest Coffee House <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/frozen-hot-chocolate-at">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-1513680974279655520?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-13409995004477446652011-05-20T09:02:00.001-04:002011-05-20T09:02:37.915-04:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <iframe allowfullscreen="true" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qnrJVTSYLr8?hd=1" frameborder="0" height="300" width="500"></iframe> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnrJVTSYLr8">youtube.com</a></div> <p>Think about it........</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/hell-we-cant-afford-to-get-it-wrong">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-1340999500447744665?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-35055533447942202682011-05-18T21:01:00.001-04:002011-05-18T21:01:47.712-04:00<div class='posterous_autopost'>Has something or someone besides Jesus Christ taken title to your heart's trust, preoccupation, loyalty, service, fear and delight? It is a question bearing on the immediate motivation for one's behavior, thoughts and feelings. In the Bible's conceptualization, the motivation question is the lordship question. Who or what "rules" my behavior, the Lord or a substitute? <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/idolatry-and-the-heart">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-3505553344794220268?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-46612240621589285332011-05-12T10:09:00.000-04:002011-05-13T16:44:09.235-04:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><a href="http://instagr.am/p/EJ4ib/"><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/wFzuczzHJvoIGvsvwncjDJEwpIihgJemqizbjcofevinwCujptfznIoGzpht/media_httpimagesinsta_qIhDq.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Media_httpimagesinsta_qihdq" height="612" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/wFzuczzHJvoIGvsvwncjDJEwpIihgJemqizbjcofevinwCujptfznIoGzpht/media_httpimagesinsta_qIhDq.jpg.scaled1000.jpg" width="612" /></a> </div> </a><br />Taken at Ravens Nest Coffee House <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/frozen-hot-chocoalte">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-4661224062158928533?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-45817470047847436262011-05-05T21:04:00.001-04:002011-05-05T21:04:16.412-04:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><a href="http://instagr.am/p/D59qq/"><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/wtqlkBmAAzIvazpbIuiHmdrEibroHJDxznqmHbyEcdljHAGzilqdEplkoIfJ/media_httpdistillerys_EAHqm.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Media_httpdistillerys_eahqm" height="612" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/wtqlkBmAAzIvazpbIuiHmdrEibroHJDxznqmHbyEcdljHAGzilqdEplkoIfJ/media_httpdistillerys_EAHqm.jpg.scaled1000.jpg" width="612" /></a> </div> </a><br />Taken at Chicago <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/beauty-the-river">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-4581747004784743626?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-71932308463594304472011-05-05T21:02:00.001-04:002011-05-05T21:02:04.134-04:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><a href="http://instagr.am/p/D59b0/"><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/vwEcqzumrhBeFzsomplHvagwntcbfdpbdpbjrmvDGyclcGeHaxAcHopsGBsH/media_httpdistillerys_FvJDC.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Media_httpdistillerys_fvjdc" height="612" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/vwEcqzumrhBeFzsomplHvagwntcbfdpbdpbjrmvDGyclcGeHaxAcHopsGBsH/media_httpdistillerys_FvJDC.jpg.scaled1000.jpg" width="612" /></a> </div> </a><br />Taken at O'Hare Airport <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/me-and-my-rib-meet">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-7193230846359430447?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-36764394692599800192011-05-05T21:00:00.001-04:002011-05-05T21:00:36.254-04:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><a href="http://instagr.am/p/D59SO/"><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/bzkeggvkxhApyGyhkqaambCrrAsFvcJvnbbpGhyGumhEesinnrjBnzGvagsu/media_httpdistillerys_cElrw.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Media_httpdistillerys_celrw" height="612" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/bzkeggvkxhApyGyhkqaambCrrAsFvcJvnbbpGhyGumhEesinnrjBnzGvagsu/media_httpdistillerys_cElrw.jpg.scaled1000.jpg" width="612" /></a> </div> </a><br />Taken at TGC11 <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/tedashii">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-3676439469259980019?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-74744297160330908452011-05-05T20:58:00.001-04:002011-05-05T20:58:34.891-04:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><a href="http://instagr.am/p/D59Df/"><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/oaoEyfojldsugvAtgFEFJxDlvAJEqaEbmeDxomvFIdscxBDAbedAcfdcqrCC/media_httpdistillerys_CxgJt.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Media_httpdistillerys_cxgjt" height="600" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/oaoEyfojldsugvAtgFEFJxDlvAJEqaEbmeDxomvFIdscxBDAbedAcfdcqrCC/media_httpdistillerys_CxgJt.jpg.scaled600.jpg" width="600" /></a> </div> </a><br />Taken at TGC11 <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/thisl">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-7474429716033090845?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-78491160581371050462011-04-18T10:37:00.001-04:002011-04-18T10:37:09.926-04:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/gepysiAAezioiuDpbJptuqHryljIIjsqkAtubHmcmvFpvneiHonvCFxIfldg/media_http2bpblogspot_iFEFt.png.scaled1000.png"><img alt="Media_http2bpblogspot_ifeft" height="260" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/gepysiAAezioiuDpbJptuqHryljIIjsqkAtubHmcmvFpvneiHonvCFxIfldg/media_http2bpblogspot_iFEFt.png.scaled1000.png" width="878" /></a> </div> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://takeyourvitaminz.blogspot.com/2011/04/should-missional-pastor-bi-vocational.html">takeyourvitaminz.blogspot.com</a></div> <p>Extremely interesting. Thoughts?</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/take-your-vitamin-z-should-missional-pastor-b">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-7849116058137105046?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-53030932727138301072011-03-28T12:32:00.001-04:002011-03-28T12:32:34.020-04:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="417" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BNd8mZwxOIU&hl=en&fs=1" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed allowfullscreen="true" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BNd8mZwxOIU&hl=en&fs=1" wmode="opaque" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="417" width="500"></embed></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNd8mZwxOIU&amp;feature=youtu.be">youtube.com</a></div> <p>Encouraged by the contents of this interview today. Praise Jesus for his finished work!</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/rightly-divided-episode-7-the-gospel-driven-t">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-5303093272713830107?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-75735572467830929842011-03-25T14:24:00.001-04:002011-03-25T14:24:39.616-04:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="417" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gsq1V0LnhIg&hl=en&fs=1" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed allowfullscreen="true" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gsq1V0LnhIg&hl=en&fs=1" wmode="opaque" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="417" width="500"></embed></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsq1V0LnhIg">youtube.com</a></div> <p>Great testimony of God's saving Pistol Pete.........</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/pistol-pete-maravich-christian-testimony-i-ne">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-7573557246783092984?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-89269675006236780692011-03-21T12:02:00.001-04:002011-03-21T12:02:28.208-04:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="291" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="500" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="src" value="http://blip.tv/play/hss2gpzLbwA%2Em4v" /><param name="wmode" value="opaque" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="false" /><embed allowfullscreen="false" src="http://blip.tv/play/hss2gpzLbwA%2Em4v" wmode="opaque" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="never" height="291" width="500"> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="never" /></embed></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.ballislife.com/profiles/blogs/julius-randle-the-1-player-in">ballislife.com</a></div> <p>WHOA.........He's a Sophomore!</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/julius-randle-the-1-player-in-2013-class-ball">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-8926967500623678069?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-23051189923391201822011-03-21T11:03:00.001-04:002011-03-21T11:03:14.908-04:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Media_httpeicsmartpho_gioan" height="401" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/JEcvgmaJdpbCdvCklxFlxnltgkEBEmGwDbsGrwkgqmrrJkckqIpdxegbFEFj/media_httpeicsmartpho_gIoAn.jpg.scaled1000.jpg" width="600" /> </div> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.everythingicafe.com/polyply-puts-all-your-idevices-in-one-place/2011/03/21/?utm_source=twitterfeed&amp;utm_medium=twitter&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+everythingicafe+%28Everything+iCafe%29&amp;utm_content=Twitter">everythingicafe.com</a></div> <p>This is fresh. Would you support it if it shows up on Kickstarter? <br />I would.</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/polyply-puts-all-your-idevices-in-one-place-e">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-2305118992339120182?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-30308575208437122242011-03-18T10:19:00.001-04:002011-03-18T10:19:46.761-04:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote><div> <p>Yesterday afternoon, I was discussing with a few guys on Twitter how and where we spend our time working. When I came to <a href="http://truegraceofgod.org/">Grace</a> nearly three years ago, there was no “office” space for me at the church building, which meant that I was to do the majority of my work either at home or somewhere in the community.  For me, this was a huge win because I’ve always struggled with the idea that a pastor’s ministry is to be confined to an enclosed office space.  That’s not to say it is entirely wrong; it’s just not who I am and how I try to function.</p> <p>Over the past three years, I have gone back and forth try to determine where is the best place to work for accomplishing certain tasks. With two young boys (3 and 1), my home office is not the ideal place to work, so I have ended up as a patron at various coffee shops and eventually landed at a local Panera Bread where I spend most of my “office” time.</p> <p>I’ve ministered in churches which have a rather strict policy for where and when a pastor works (“office hours”).  Needless to say, the confinement approach was less than appealing and effective, and fortunately for me I have the privilege of working on a pastoral team with a high level of flexibility and trust.  In any case, I thought I’d post what my typical work week looks like, including the places, times, and purposes of each.</p> <p><span></span>First, here’s the breakdown of  <strong>times and places</strong> of my work:</p> <p><strong>Panera Bread</strong> (or various coffee shops) – 25 hours<br /> <strong>Home Office</strong> –  20 hours<br /> <strong>Church Office</strong> – 10 hours<br /> <strong>Public Library</strong> – 5 hours</p> <p>Second, here’s the <strong>purposes</strong> of each workplace:</p> <p><strong>Panera Bread </strong>- administration, discipleship, counseling, coaching, communication, planning<br /> <strong>Home Office</strong> – reading, writing, studying<br /> <strong>Church Office</strong> – staff meeting, elders meeting, membership interviews, counseling, service planning<br /> <strong>Public Library </strong>- sermon prep and teaching prep</p> <p>Thirdly, the <strong>daily breakdown</strong> usually unfolds like this:</p> <p><strong>Panera Bread</strong> – Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8-5<br /> <strong>Home Office</strong> – Nightly 9-12<br /> <strong>Church Office</strong> – Tuesday 9-5; Wednesday night 6-9<br /> <strong>Public Library</strong> – Saturday morning 8-1PM</p> <p>You may be wondering why I choose to work the majority of my time at Panera.  Here’s a few reasons:</p> <p><strong>1.  I want to live as a missionary.</strong> As I work, I want to be mindful that people around me are lost and need the gospel. I structure my work at Panera to encourage interruptions for everyday conversations and hear the stories of the employees.  I learn my community by hearing their questions and find myself able to stay somewhat connected to the 94% of my neighbors who are unchurched and unbelieving.  If I am <em>exhorting</em> our members to live evangelistically or missionally, then I should seek to live <em>exemplary</em> in that manner as well.</p> <p><strong>2.  I want to be considered a pastor of third places.</strong> I have come to know the stories of most of the employees at Panera.  J.J. is a young man who two months ago lost his brother in a tragic accident.  As far as I know, there was no other Christian to minister to him.  I was able to encourage him and pray for him during this time, which has in turn created an openness in him to the gospel.  Audrey is a lady whose husband is like me–Assyrian and Iranian, both of whom are believers.  Kyle is a mystic and seeker, being brought up with a New Age spirituality and almost weekly wants to engage in gospel conversations.  Then there are the other regular patrons, many of whom like me are looking to connect with folks in the community for various reasons.  I want to be on the frontline of pastoral ministry for the unchurched, and that means these people knowing that I care for them, living among them, and desire to minister to them (and not just be a drive-by Christian).</p> <p><strong>3.  I want to maximize time management. </strong> Usually, a pastor will burn 1-2 hours in transit from home to church office to lunch appointments or other meetings.  I take care of that all in one place.  I have a four-seater table where I spread out when I need to work and pack up when I need to meet with others.  Not having to drive to multiple locations allows me to utilize that time with greater efficiency.  It’s my office, counseling area, lunch table, and planning center.</p> <p><strong>4.  There are several other practical benefits. </strong> I get free refills on fountain drinks (including sweet tea!).  I have free wireless internet.  The ladies are always bringing me food they would ordinarily have to throw away, so I’m amply supplied. <img src="http://s2.wp.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif?m=1263084116g" height="15" alt=":)" width="15" />  I can counsel people in an environment that is both private and yet public (I don’t want anything I do to be unnecessarily hidden, so who I am and what I do is in full view).  My wife and boys join me for lunch on occasion, too.</p> <p>Now, I am not as open in the public library.  In fact, I’m rather tunnel vision as I am there only to work in solitude to bring my teaching or sermon preparation to completion.  It is more focused and disciplined, recognizing the nature of the work requiring my full attention.  As you can see, the goal and functioning is completely different.</p> <p>At home, I work in the evening time when my wife and kids have gone to bed, usually for 3-4 hours.  This is the best time for me to read and write in the comforts of my own home and study without distraction.</p> <p>That pretty much sums up the way I work.  How do you work?  If you are a pastor or church planter, how and where do you spend your time?  I’d love to get your thoughts and experiences on this and how perhaps I might tweak the structure of my week with the wisdom you provide. </p><div> <ul> <li>Share this:</li> <li><a href="http://timmybrister.com/2011/03/18/the-places-and-purposes-of-my-work/#print" title="Click to print" rel="nofollow">Print</a></li> <li><a href="http://timmybrister.com/2011/03/18/the-places-and-purposes-of-my-work/?share=email&amp;nb=1" title="Click to email this to a friend" rel="nofollow">Email</a></li> <li> <p> </p></li> <li><a href="http://timmybrister.com/2011/03/18/the-places-and-purposes-of-my-work/?share=facebook&amp;nb=1" title="Share on Facebook" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a></li> <li><a href="http://timmybrister.com/2011/03/18/the-places-and-purposes-of-my-work/?share=stumbleupon&amp;nb=1" title="Click to share on StumbleUpon" rel="nofollow">StumbleUpon</a></li> <li><a href="http://timmybrister.com/2011/03/18/the-places-and-purposes-of-my-work/?share=digg&amp;nb=1" title="Click to Digg this post" rel="nofollow">Digg</a></li> <li></li> </ul> <p> </p></div> <strong>Explore posts in the same categories:</strong> <a href="http://en.wordpress.com/tag/i-love-the-local-church/" title="View all posts in I Love the Local Church" rel="category tag">I Love the Local Church</a>, <a href="http://en.wordpress.com/tag/life-with-grace/" title="View all posts in Life With Grace" rel="category tag">Life With Grace</a>, <a href="http://en.wordpress.com/tag/missional/" title="View all posts in Missional" rel="category tag">Missional</a> <p> <small> This entry was posted on March 18, 2011 at 8:20 am and is filed under <a href="http://en.wordpress.com/tag/i-love-the-local-church/" title="View all posts in I Love the Local Church" rel="category tag">I Love the Local Church</a>, <a href="http://en.wordpress.com/tag/life-with-grace/" title="View all posts in Life With Grace" rel="category tag">Life With Grace</a>, <a href="http://en.wordpress.com/tag/missional/" title="View all posts in Missional" rel="category tag">Missional</a>. You can subscribe via <a href="http://timmybrister.com/2011/03/18/the-places-and-purposes-of-my-work/feed/">RSS 2.0</a> feed to this post's comments. </small></p><p><small><strong>Tags:</strong> <a href="http://en.wordpress.com/tag/evangelism/" rel="tag">Evangelism</a>, <a href="http://en.wordpress.com/tag/ministry/" rel="tag">Ministry</a>, <a href="http://en.wordpress.com/tag/missional/" rel="tag">Missional</a>, <a href="http://en.wordpress.com/tag/pastoring/" rel="tag">Pastoring</a></small></p><small> You can <a href="http://timmybrister.com/2011/03/18/the-places-and-purposes-of-my-work#respond">comment below</a>, or <a href="http://timmybrister.com/2011/03/18/the-places-and-purposes-of-my-work/trackback/">link to this permanent URL</a> from your own site. </small> <p></p> </div></blockquote> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://timmybrister.com/2011/03/18/the-places-and-purposes-of-my-work/">timmybrister.com</a></div> <p>I love it when people share aspects of their lives that are generally overlooked with regard to their potential helpfulness. This is one such post by Timmy Brister. In it, he details what a typical work week looks for him, and the reasons why. I find this both helpful and encouraging, because in it I see the type of thoughtful deliberateness that I pray God will grace me with. Believe me, I know that no plan for productivity/effectiveness is fool proof, but thinking through whats and whys is something we're all capable of to a degree. I suffer from "Spontaneousism," a condition that disallows me from properly planning and executing efficiently. (I jest partly, but mostly it's very true of me). Anyway, I'm really helped, primarily in thought process but also in practical living out my days by this. I hope you will be too.</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/the-places-and-purposes-of-my-work-provocatio">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-3030857520843712224?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-21939010719108575962011-03-17T08:58:00.001-04:002011-03-17T08:58:05.022-04:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="417" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HSourYfuBU8&hl=en&fs=1" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed allowfullscreen="true" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HSourYfuBU8&hl=en&fs=1" wmode="opaque" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="417" width="500"></embed></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSourYfuBU8">youtube.com</a></div> <p>This is a band I really love. This is one of the first vids of theirs I saw. Since this they have released another album called Let the Light In. It's an eclectic mix of dopeness. Check em out if you haven't already.</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/shachah-arise-stand-up-music-video-cmr">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-2193901071910857596?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-17270502647690157162011-03-09T11:45:00.001-05:002011-03-09T11:45:39.656-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="417" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aE7rkSELM3I&hl=en&fs=1" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed allowfullscreen="true" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aE7rkSELM3I&hl=en&fs=1" wmode="opaque" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="417" width="500"></embed></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE7rkSELM3I">youtube.com</a></div> <p>Don't judge me. Enjoy</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/the-avett-brothers-murder-inthe-city-this-is">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-1727050264769015716?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-57231156111324257512011-03-03T12:03:00.001-05:002011-03-03T12:03:26.654-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="417" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/w9dpmp_-TY0&hl=en&fs=1" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed allowfullscreen="true" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/w9dpmp_-TY0&hl=en&fs=1" wmode="opaque" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="417" width="500"></embed></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9dpmp_-TY0&amp;feature=player_embedded#at=426">youtube.com</a></div> <p>WOW. Thanks Justin Taylor for blogging this video (<a href="http://www.thegospelcoalition.org">www.thegospelcoalition.org</a>). This is simply amazing. The response of the people to having their first New Testament in their own language. I've got double-digit Bibles in my home. May the Lord warm my heart to His revealed Word so I would love it as I ought. <br />#heartwrenching</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/kimyal-tribe-receiving-the-first-new-testamen">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-5723115611132425751?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-52673910599999222122011-02-25T10:14:00.001-05:002011-02-25T10:14:42.244-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/fDfqqiAkCqFIyvjjaaAorAEuEayvuHfafFjjJHfEuviEeAoCapzHdavtBmmz/media_httpcommuniteet_ybFCG.jpg.scaled1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/fDfqqiAkCqFIyvjjaaAorAEuEayvuHfafFjjJHfEuviEeAoCapzHdavtBmmz/media_httpcommuniteet_ybFCG.jpg.scaled1000.jpg" width="890" height="390"/></a> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://communitee.terminustees.com/store/b3arfruit/258-cool-grey-baxter">communitee.terminustees.com</a></div> <p>Whoa! I skipped a couple B3arfruit t's. With this Cool Grey jawn, I had to get back in the game! 3X, Let's get it!! <br />#copped</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/b3arfruit-cool-grey-baxter-tee">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-5267391059999922212?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-15535230669906837442011-02-24T13:59:00.001-05:002011-02-24T13:59:27.624-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p><img src="http://www.astrosociety.org/education/publications/tnl/70/images/solarsystem.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p>Just a quick reminder. &nbsp;The earth fits into the sun's volume 1 million times. &nbsp;God's mercy to us tiny creatures is nothing short of miraculous.</p> <p>#carryon</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/who-is-man-that-you-are-mindful-of-him">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-1553523066990683744?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-51133760481988759882011-02-22T18:00:00.001-05:002011-02-22T18:00:23.907-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object data="http://video.foxnews.com/assets/akamai/FoxNewsPlayer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="281" width="500" style=""><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000" /><param name="wmode" value="opaque" /><param name="scale" value="noScale" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="flashvars" value="location=http://video.foxnews.com/v/4545541/what-is-the-true-word-of-jesus&amp;core_ads_enabled=true&amp;core_omniture_player_name=fullpage&amp;core_omniture_account=foxnewsmaven&amp;core_ad_player_name=fullpage&amp;core_yume_ad_library_url=http://video.foxnews.com/assets/akamai/yume_ad_library.swf&amp;core_yume_player_url=http://video.foxnews.com/assets/akamai/yume_player_4x3.swf&amp;auto_play=true&amp;video_id=4545541&amp;settings_url=http://video.foxnews.com/assets/akamai/resources/conf/config.xml?c&amp;show_autoplay_overlay=true&amp;auto_play_list=true&amp;cache_bust_key=1298415218&amp;autoplay=false&amp;data_feed_url=http://video.foxnews.com/v/feed/video/4545541.js?template=grab" /></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://video.foxnews.com/v/4545541/what-is-the-true-word-of-jesus">video.foxnews.com</a></div> <p>I love it. Another chance to put Jesus in the limelight. Enjoy!</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/what-is-the-true-word-of-jesus-tim-keller-on">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-5113376048198875988?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-62170322271018784742011-02-22T13:00:00.001-05:002011-02-22T13:00:09.695-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/osIErpjphimiwodkrDAIFawyExypufbgCoymItbHDtjrwBGaldzerDiztAtr/media_httpwwwguidingt_ribpg.png.scaled600.png" width="589" height="344"/> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.guidingtech.com/5319/killer-google-chrome-features/">guidingtech.com</a></div> <p>Since I've begun to use Chrome on my iMac, this is of value to me. Perhaps to you too? Enjoy..........</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/15-killer-google-chrome-features-you-might-no">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-6217032227101878474?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-25991876821708043722011-02-21T16:00:00.001-05:002011-02-21T16:00:17.449-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/axkjeFcoCbfywDcbFEpGxbGvIoBqIvboeztbgJEikiGFJAIrleeyujmhyagr/media_httpimglistalco_Idyod.jpg.scaled600.jpg" width="600" height="846"/> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.listal.com/viewimage/1200456">listal.com</a></div> <p>This is indeed minimalist. I likes.</p> </div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/minimalist-postersthe-matrix">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-2599187682170804372?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-26704713805352900872011-02-21T10:26:00.001-05:002011-02-21T10:26:09.750-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote><div> <p> Reading is that one activity that we do every day but we don't really practice. Most people learn the basics of reading in kindergarten and never graduate to the next levels. </p> <p> You are probably using the same basic rudimental tools and techniques that you learned when you were 6. The average American person reads at an average speed of 180 to 240 words per minute and has done so since he was 16 years old. Does it make sense that we hit our best performance at age 16 and that we don't improve much after that? Keep in mind less than 10% read at 400 words per minute and less than 1% faster than 600. </p> <p> Have you ever wished you could take one of those costly speed reading courses? The problem with those courses is that you have to keep practicing those techniques until they become second nature. That's the goal of this site. </p> <p> We are here to keep you focused and to help you improve your speed reading everyday. </p> <p> Using this tool will help you eliminating sub-vocalization. What is sub-vocalization? Sub-vocalization is that voice that you hear in your head as you're reading this text. In many cases it manifests itself as your vocal chords actually engaging as if you were reading out loud. Regression is also a common reading problem fixed by eyercize. Regression happens when you read the same sentence more than once. </p> <p> Many people experience this problem where they kinda go into a loop and read the same phrase or paragraph multiple times without noticing it. On the left there are the controls of this neat application. You can increase the speed of the pacer just press the letter "i" on your keyboard. Conversely to decrease the speed you would just press the letter "d". If this text is too small to read you can increase the size with the handy slider on the left. Try different settings, I personally love page mode showing 20 lines at the time. </p> <p> Read faster and get more things you care about done. In the era of information anxiety it's easy to get overwhelmed. Even if you were just to use only this reading pacer you'll probably learn how to read 2-3 times faster than you do right now. So what are you waiting, install our bookmarklet on the left and start reading you website faster. Many new things are coming out from eyercize so stay tuned. </p> </div></blockquote><div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.eyercize.com/">eyercize.com</a></div> <p></p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/speed-reading-software-and-tools-excellent-re">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-2670471380535290087?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-23907275684526829532011-02-21T10:05:00.001-05:002011-02-21T10:05:30.975-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <embed name="infographic_window" src="http://www.portfolio.com/interactive-features/google2.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="opaque" height="197" quality="high" width="500" style="" /> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.portfolio.com/interactive-features/2007/08/google">portfolio.com</a></div> <p>I've always wanted to know. Just not enough to actually google "how Google works." You too? Well now you don't have to worry, it's all here. This is a great interactive that gives the details of the inner workings of our favorite search engine. Press "start the search" and watch the magic. <br />Enjoy</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/google-interactive-features-this-is-great">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-2390727568452682953?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-27363888446001652632011-02-20T16:54:00.001-05:002011-02-20T16:54:39.644-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote><div> <h3><a href="http://www.blogherald.com/2008/10/06/5-sources-for-free-and-legal-images/" title="5 Sources for Free and Legal Images" rel="bookmark">5 Sources for Free and Legal Images</a></h3> <div> <div> <p>Filed as <a href="http://www.blogherald.com/category/guides/" title="View all posts in Guides" rel="category tag">Guides</a> on October 6, 2008 9:01 am </p> </div> <div> <p>by <a href="http://www.blogherald.com/author/plagiarismtoday/" title="Posts by Jonathan Bailey">Jonathan Bailey</a></p> </div> </div> <div><p>Everyone knows that almost any blog post is better with images. However, getting them can be a difficult matter. With a maze of licensing and fair use issues making it hard to decide what is and is not legal to use, many bloggers don’t wish to use images that they have not taken themselves.</p> <p>But while using your own images is always the best way to go, there are several great sources to help you find and locate images that you can use as part of your blog posts. In fact, there are some very neat tools designed specifically to help you correctly license and use other people’s photography, art and more.</p> <p>The best part of all is that these tools are free. They will not cost you a dime to use and, if used correctly, can let you fill up your blog posts with as many images as your heart desires.<span></span></p> <h3>Photo Dropper</h3> <p><img src="http://www.blogherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/bh-photodropper.png" height="36" alt="" width="255" /><a href="http://www.photodropper.com">Photo Dropper</a> is hands down one of my favorite WordPress plugins. Not only does it make excellent use of Creative Commons-licensed photos, but it solves one of the biggest problems with CC licensing, incomplete compliance with the terms of the license.</p> <p>Photo Dropper is extremely simple to use. Simply install it in your WordPress plugins, activate it, set your options and then, on the “Write Post” page you can either click the “PD” icon next to the other media items or scroll down below the post entry box. </p> <p>From there, you’ll be able to search for keywords related to your post. Photo Dropper will then search Flickr for Creative Commons-licensed works that might fit with your description. When you find one you like, you select the size you want and Photo Dropper inserts it into your post, complete with a CC-compliant attribution line. </p> <p>Photo Dropper may take some fiddling to get relevant images and you might have to tweak the HTML to get it to fit well in your posts. However, it is still by far the easiest way to insert legal images into your posts.</p> <h3>Zemanta</h3> <p><img src="http://www.blogherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/bh-zemantafull.png" height="56" alt="" width="176" /><a href="http://www.zemanta.com/">Zemanta</a> is a Firefox extension/IE plugin that integrates itself with most major blogging platforms, including both self-installed and hosted WordPress blogs, Blogger accounts, MovableType and more. When the user pulls up their blog’s editing interface, they are presented with related links, stories, tags and images that they can use with the post.</p> <p>The advantage of Zemanta is that its images come from a variety of sources including public domain sources, Creative Commons sources, including Flickr, and other sources that license their images for use at low resolution. This provides a much greater variety of images to the user and it automatically performs a license-compliant insertion of the image into the post.</p> <p>The drawback to Zemanta is that it can make modifications to the post beyond what is selected. You may need to go through your post’s HTML code thoroughly after insertion to be certain that nothing unwanted was inserted.</p> <h3>GumGum</h3> <p><img src="http://www.blogherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/bh-gumgumfull.png" height="70" alt="" width="201" />While the sources above are great for those that need abstract photographs or just something quirky to go with a story, finding an image to go with a news or politics story can be very tricky. Fortunately there are also a series of services to help with that, including <a href="http://www.gumgum.com">GumGum</a>.</p> <p>The service allows publishers to search through related images and then embed interesting photos as a line of JavaScript code. Why JavaScript? Because that is how GumGum provides the service for free, using the JavaScript to both protect the image and display ads on top of it.</p> <p>This use of ads is what may upset many. Where Photo Dropper and Zamanta don’t display ads, GumGum does. <del datetime="00">Also, the use of JavaScript may prevent the image from showing up in some RSS readers. These drawbacks, along with the need to apply for an account, are but a small price to pay for high-quality images.</del></p> <p>Update: GumGum has clarified this article and said that they only require a one-time JavaScript insertion and then grant access to the full images, this negates many of these drawbacks. There is also a pay-per view model that allows you to skip the ads and just pay every time the image is displayed. </p> <h3>PicApp</h3> <p><img src="http://www.blogherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/bh-picappfull.png" height="70" alt="" width="222" />Similar to GumGum, <a href="http://www.picapp.com">PicApp</a> lets you search through newsworthy images to find ones that might interest you and then lets you embed the one that works best as a JavaScript. However, PicApp also lets you search for “creative” as well as “editorial” images, giving you a slightly wider variety.</p> <p>PicApp comes with many of the same concerns and drawbacks as GumGum and uses a similar advertising model to pay for the free service. PicApp, however, does not require you to register for the service and you can begin embedding images from the very first time you visit.</p> <p>Whether you use PicApp or GumGum will likely be a matter of personal preference as the two sites largely fill the same niche. It comes down to which site has the best images for your content and which embeds you prefer.</p> <h3>Voxant Newsroom</h3> <p><img src="http://www.blogherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/bh-voxantfull.png" height="70" alt="" width="144" /><a href="http://www.thenewsroom.com/">Voxant Newsroom</a> is another service that functions similar to GumGum or PicApp, letting users embed content, this time as a Flash app. But this service, unlike the former two, get their images exclusively from major mainstream media outlets including the Associated Press, CBS News and more. </p> <p>As neat as Voxant is, I <a href="http://www.blogherald.com/2008/06/09/seven-great-sites-for-legal-free-content/">previously covered it in my broader article about getting free content for your site</a>, there is not much flexibility regarding the layout of the embedded images. However, the site does offer a variety of content, including video and articles, all from major news sources.</p> <p>Once again you and your visitors will be putting up with advertisements over the media, at least in many cases, but what is more likely a deal breaker for many is that the layouts of the images may not fit in many blog layouts and are often too large to go neatly with posts.</p> <p>This is definitely one to consider though and see if it can work for you.</p> <h3>Conclusions</h3> <p>The bottom line is this, content licensing is hard, even with Creative Commons. Fortunately though, there are a series of sites that have come up to do the hard work for you and let you easily and legally use images with your blog posts.</p> <p>In addition to these sites, there are also a slew of stock photography sites that let you download and use photographs and images for free or a small license. However, they generally provide no help with the insertion process and, if there are licensing terms, provide little help in complying with them.</p> <p>A solution such as these tools can help not only keep your site legal, but speed up the writing process dramatically, saving you time and money.</p> <span style="clear: both; display: none;"><img src="http://www.blogherald.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-spamfree/img/wpsf-img.php" height="0" alt="" width="0" style="border-style: none; height: 0px; display: none;" /></span></div> <p>Tags: <a href="http://www.blogherald.com/tag/copyright/" rel="tag">copyright</a>, <a href="http://www.blogherald.com/tag/creative-commons/" rel="tag">creative commons</a>, <a href="http://www.blogherald.com/tag/gumgum/" rel="tag">gumgum</a>, <a href="http://www.blogherald.com/tag/images/" rel="tag">images</a>, <a href="http://www.blogherald.com/tag/licensing/" rel="tag">licensing</a>, <a href="http://www.blogherald.com/tag/photo-dropper/" rel="tag">photo dropper</a>, <a href="http://www.blogherald.com/tag/photos/" rel="tag">Photos</a>, <a href="http://www.blogherald.com/tag/picapp/" rel="tag">picapp</a>, <a href="http://www.blogherald.com/tag/semanta/" rel="tag">semanta</a></p> </div></blockquote><div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.blogherald.com/2008/10/06/5-sources-for-free-and-legal-images/comment-page-1/">blogherald.com</a></div> <p>As a micro-blogger, sometimes I need pictures to enhance my posts. I admit, using posterous makes that easy, since the pics in my blog usually come from what I'm blogging. There are times, however, that I need to find a pic to go along w/ a specific topic. That's when I typically turn to <a href="http://www.everystockphoto.com">www.everystockphoto.com</a>. Maybe you have a service you like for accessing free and legal photos for your blog. Here are 5 for you that you might try out. After all, a picture is often worth 1000 words. Let these images speak for you.</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/5-sources-for-free-and-legal-images-the-blog">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-2736388844600165263?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-51061038788564481192011-02-18T18:24:00.001-05:002011-02-18T18:24:01.596-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote><div> <p>Web applications have come a long way. They used to be amateur imitations of their desktop counterparts, with only one or two functions and not at all practical. But my, have these web apps grown. Web apps these days have become so powerful and useful that in some cases, they’ve begun to replace desktop software.</p> <p>Desktop programs are great and all, but they don’t provide the same benefits as web apps that make use of cloud computing. With most web apps, you only need a browser and an internet connection to access all your data online. That beats having to install annoying programs any day. To give you a better sense of how useful web apps have become, I’ve compiled a list of web tools and apps that can very well replace some desktop programs. I hope you take the time to try them all out. You’ll be surprised how well they work.</p> <p>Without further ado, here are some great web alternatives to the popular desktop programs we all love.</p> <p><span></span></p> <h3><a href="http://www.sliderocket.com/">Sliderocket</a></h3> <p><strong>Replaces: Microsoft PowerPoint</strong></p> <div style=""><a href="http://www.sliderocket.com"><img title="SlideRocket" src="http://web.appstorm.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/SlideRocket.jpg" height="427" alt="SlideRocket" width="500" /></a><p><a href="http://www.sliderocket.com"></a></p><p>SlideRocket</p></div> <p>Sliderocket is a fully functional presentation web app that allows you to create, manage, edit, and share presentations on the fly. It offers many of the same features present in PowerPoint and then some. Sliderocket is an awesome tool and if you want to read more about it, take a look at our <a href="http://web.appstorm.net/reviews/office/sliderocket-desktop-like-online-presentations/">in-depth review of Sliderocket</a>.</p> <h3><a href="https://acrobat.com/">Acrobat.com</a></h3> <p><strong>Replaces: Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat</strong></p> <div style=""><a href="https://acrobat.com"><img title="Acrobat" src="http://web.appstorm.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Acrobat.jpg" height="342" alt="Acrobat" width="500" /></a><p><a href="https://acrobat.com"></a></p><p>Acrobat</p></div> <p>Acrobat.com is a suite of web applications by Adobe that replaces your office suite. The online suite includes services like Buzzword, Tables, and Presentation which replace Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint respectively. Acrobat.com also offers other features, allowing users to convert files into PDFs, hold online meetings, and collaborate with one another. All of its services are free (with some limitations), but users can subscribe to different plans for more features. Check out the <a href="https://acrobat.com/pricing.html">pricing section</a> for more details.</p> <h3><a href="http://aviary.com/">Aviary</a></h3> <p><strong>Replaces: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Soundbooth</strong></p> <div style=""><a href="http://aviary.com"><img title="Aviary" src="http://web.appstorm.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Aviary.jpg" height="326" alt="Aviary" width="500" /></a><p><a href="http://aviary.com"></a></p><p>Aviary</p></div> <p>We have already covered a <a href="http://web.appstorm.net/roundups/the-top-8-free-online-image-editors/">list of online image editors</a>, and of that list, my favorite would have to be Aviary. The Aviary web suite offers powerful tools that allow you to edit images, vectors, and even audio! Take a look at the huge list of the tools included in their suite:</p> <p>• Phoenix: Image Editor<br /> • Toucan: Color Editor<br /> • Myna: Audio Editor<br /> • Peacock: Effects Editor<br /> • Raven: Vector Editor<br /> • Falcon: Image Markup<br /> • Roc: Music Creator. Check out our <a href="http://web.appstorm.net/reviews/media-reviews/magical-music-creation-with-roc-from-aviary/">in-depth review of Roc</a>.</p> <h3><a href="http://www.mint.com/">Mint</a></h3> <p><strong>Replaces: Quicken</strong></p> <div style=""><a href="http://www.mint.com"><img title="Mint" src="http://web.appstorm.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Mint.jpg" height="291" alt="Mint" width="500" /></a><p><a href="http://www.mint.com"></a></p><p>Mint</p></div> <p>If you’re still using Quicken to manage your money, it’s time to toss it out and move on to the better solution: Mint.com. Mint is a very popular personal-finance tool that allows you to keep track your credit card transactions, balance your budget, and create charts or graphs to help you visualize your spending. Mint is the free and secure way to manage your money online. In fact, Mint has been so successful that the makers of Quicken and TurboTax purchased it in 2009. What are you waiting for? Hurry up and sign up!</p> <h3><a href="http://www.kongregate.com/">Kongregate</a></h3> <p><strong>Replaces: Desktop Gaming</strong></p> <div style=""><a href="http://www.kongregate.com"><img title="Kongregate" src="http://web.appstorm.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Kongregate.jpg" height="374" alt="Kongregate" width="500" /></a><p><a href="http://www.kongregate.com"></a></p><p>Kongregate</p></div> <p>Forget about your desktop gaming – why waste space when you can play awesome games online? Kongregate is an online gaming community with a library of over 30,000 flash games. Not only do you have access to a variety of games, but you can also gain points, chat, and unlock achievements for the games you play. Developers can upload their own games and even make money off ad revenue for their games! If you’re looking for more online games to replace desktop games, take a look at our <a href="http://web.appstorm.net/category/roundups/games/">game roundups</a>.</p> <h3><a href="http://jaycut.com/">JayCut</a></h3> <p><strong>Replaces: Video Editing Software</strong></p> <div style=""><a href="http://jaycut.com"><img title="JayCut" src="http://web.appstorm.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/JayCut.jpg" height="337" alt="JayCut" width="500" /></a><p><a href="http://jaycut.com"></a></p><p>JayCut</p></div> <p>JayCut is a very easy to use and powerful online video editor. With Jaycut, you can create videos with the same tools used in desktop programs. Add clips, transitions, audio, effects, and more with their simple UI. When you finish editing a video, you can choose to download it or export it directly to YouTube. Export up to 20 videos a month with 2GB of storage under a free plan, or pay monthly for a better plan.</p> <h3><a href="http://www.wobzip.org/">WobZip</a></h3> <p><strong>Replaces: Unzipping Software</strong></p> <div style=""><a href="http://www.wobzip.org"><img title="WobZip" src="http://web.appstorm.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/WobZip.jpg" height="343" alt="WobZip" width="500" /></a><p><a href="http://www.wobzip.org"></a></p><p>WobZip</p></div> <p>Have you ever tried to open a compressed file only to find out you don’t have the right unzipping software to do the job? In comes WobZip, an online tool that helps you uncompress your files. It supports a variety of compression formats, including the popular ZIP, RAR, and 7z formats. You can upload a zipped file from your computer or direct WobZip to a URL. The best part? WobZip will scan the files using BitDefender to make sure there isn’t a nasty virus lurking around.</p> <h3><a href="http://zamzar.com/">Zamzar</a></h3> <p><strong>Replaces: File Conversion Software</strong></p> <div style=""><a href="http://zamzar.com"><img title="Zamzar" src="http://web.appstorm.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Zamzar.jpg" height="365" alt="Zamzar" width="500" /></a><p><a href="http://zamzar.com"></a></p><p>Zamzar</p></div> <p>Instead of downloading dozens of different programs to convert a file, you can always use the Zamzar, the free online file conversion tool. Can’t open a crucial .docx or .pptx file and your boss is screaming in your ear? No problem, just upload and convert your files using Zamzar. Zamzar supports dozens of image, document, video, and music formats and is the only tool you will ever need to convert files.</p> <h3><a href="http://www.hulu.com/">Hulu</a></h3> <p><strong>Replaces: TV Tuner Software</strong></p> <div style=""><a href="http://www.hulu.com"><img title="Hulu" src="http://web.appstorm.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Hulu.jpg" height="395" alt="Hulu" width="500" /></a><p><a href="http://www.hulu.com"></a></p><p>Hulu</p></div> <p>I’m a cheap guy who spends all his time on the computer. How could I watch my favorite TV shows without leaving my computer? Well, I could purchase a TV tuner and install their lame software or I could head to Hulu.com and watch my favorite shows for free. Hulu is a website that offers streaming video of popular TV shows and movies in the US. It is ad supported, but allows you to watch your favorite shows from the comfort of your computer. Although Hulu is a U.S. only website, there are ways to <a href="http://lifehacker.com/5583515/access-hulu-from-outside-the-us-without-a-proxy-server">access Hulu from outside the U.S</a>.</p> <h3><a href="http://www.meebo.com/">Meebo</a></h3> <p><strong>Replaces: Desktop Chat Clients</strong></p> <div style=""><a href="http://www.meebo.com"><img title="Meebo" src="http://web.appstorm.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Meebo.jpg" height="383" alt="Meebo" width="500" /></a><p><a href="http://www.meebo.com"></a></p><p>Meebo</p></div> <p>With Meebo, you can chat with your friends from anywhere as long as you have a browser and an internet connection. Meebo is an online tool that allows you to login to any major IM network, including AIM, MSN, GTalk, and Facebook. You don’t even need to create an account, just input your IM information and you’re ready to go. If you take the 20 seconds to set up a Meebo account, you can login to multiple accounts at once. This sure beats downloading and managing three IM programs at once, doesn’t it?</p> <h3><a href="http://www.tokbox.com/">TokBox</a></h3> <p><strong>Replaces: Video Chat</strong></p> <div style=""><a href="http://www.tokbox.com"><img title="TokBox" src="http://web.appstorm.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/TokBox.jpg" height="330" alt="TokBox" width="500" /></a><p><a href="http://www.tokbox.com"></a></p><p>TokBox</p></div> <p>TokBox is an online video chatting app that enables you to chat with up to 20 people for free. There are no downloads required, just sign up and start a video chat! Invite your friends via social networks or IM and set up a chat in just minutes. TokBox is free to use, but if you’d like more options, you can sign up for monthly plans. TokBox may be free, but you’re going to need your own microphone and webcam.</p> <h3><a href="http://moof.com/">Moof</a></h3> <p><strong>Replaces: iTunes</strong></p> <div style=""><a href="http://moof.com"><img title="Moof" src="http://web.appstorm.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Moof.jpg" height="274" alt="Moof" width="500" /></a><p><a href="http://moof.com"></a></p><p>Moof</p></div> <p>You may have a huge iTunes library, but what happens when you go out and forget to bring your iPod along? Moof is the solution. Moof is another web app that streams music online, but I think of it as an iTunes alternative. You can export your entire iTunes library as an .xml file and upload that to Moof, so you can have a full backup of your music online. Where does Moof get all its music from? Youtube. Yeah, I know, it’s a little disappointing, but the quality isn’t that bad. Don’t like Moof? Check out our roundup of the <a href="http://web.appstorm.net/roundups/the-top-10-apps-for-music-streaming/">top apps for music streaming</a>.</p> <h3><a href="http://www.eset.com/online-scanner">ESET Online Virus Scanner</a></h3> <p><strong>Replaces: Anti-Virus Software</strong></p> <div style=""><a href="http://www.eset.com/online-scanner"><img title="ESET" src="http://web.appstorm.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/ESET.jpg" height="399" alt="ESET" width="500" /></a><p><a href="http://www.eset.com/online-scanner"></a></p><p>ESET</p></div> <p>While the ESET Online Virus scanner is a great alternative to Anti-Virus programs, you shouldn’t literally replace your Anti-Virus program. Think of this tool as a backup tool, in case your Anti-Virus software malfunctions. Made by the folks that brought you NOD32, the ESET online scanner uses the same threat signatures as NOD32 and allows you to scan your computer from your browser. It may take a while, but after the scan, suspicious files will be quarantined for you to restore or permanently delete. A great tool for your security toolbox.</p> <h3><a href="http://www.bitlet.org/">Bitlet</a></h3> <p><strong>Replaces: BitTorrent Client</strong></p> <div style=""><a href="http://www.bitlet.org"><img title="BitLet" src="http://web.appstorm.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/BitLet.jpg" height="390" alt="BitLet" width="500" /></a><p><a href="http://www.bitlet.org"></a></p><p>BitLet</p></div> <p>When you don’t have access to a BitTorrent client on your computer, you can use the BitLet app to download your torrents. BitLet is a Java based file sharing protocol that allows you to download torrent files from your browser. Just upload a .torrent file from your computer or direct BitLet to the torrent URL and it’ll do the rest for you.</p> <h3><a href="http://icloud.com/en/">iCloud</a></h3> <p><strong>Replaces: Operating System</strong></p> <div style=""><a href="http://icloud.com/en/"><img title="iCloud" src="http://web.appstorm.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/iCloud.jpg" height="340" alt="iCloud" width="500" /></a><p><a href="http://icloud.com/en/"></a></p><p>iCloud</p></div> <p>We’ve already covered dozens of web alternatives to desktop software, but why not go a bit further and include a web app that replaces your entire operating system? Meet iCloud, the future of operating systems. iCloud is a very slick web operating system that gives you access to hundreds of built in applications, including an office suite, a media player, a chat client, nifty games, and much more. You have 3 GB of free storage and can opt to buy more if needed. You can get everything you need in this web OS. For those of you interested in Web OSes, be sure to read our article about other <a href="http://web.appstorm.net/roundups/top-5-oses-to-leverage-cloud-computing/">operating systems that utilize cloud computing</a>.</p> <h3>Conclusion</h3> <p>As the world turns to cloud computing, we’re only going to see more and more web apps that function like their desktop counterparts. I’ve only listed a few of the web alternatives to desktop software, and I’m sure there are many more out there. As these web applications become more powerful and appeal to the masses in terms of functionality, we may soon see a decline in desktop programs as we all move towards the web and the cloud. Is this the end of desktop software? Who knows, we’ll have to wait and see.</p> <p>Do you use any web apps in place of desktop programs? What do you think is going to be the future for desktop programs? Share your comments below!</p> <p><strong>Like the intro. image? Get the <a href="http://graphicriver.net/item/ultimate-allinone-computer-vector/92824">high resolution vector at GraphicRiver.net</a> by author <a href="http://graphicriver.net/user/iqbalbaskara">iqbalbaskara</a>.</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> </div></blockquote><div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://web.appstorm.net/roundups/15-web-alternatives-to-popular-desktop-software/">web.appstorm.net</a></div> <p>Some of these I didn't know about and seem useful. Knowing's half the battle.</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/15-web-alternatives-to-popular-desktop-softwa">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-5106103878856448119?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-2701919180919104382011-02-18T16:20:00.001-05:002011-02-18T16:20:51.461-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="417" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SOYKL7KYeSQ&hl=en&fs=1" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed allowfullscreen="true" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SOYKL7KYeSQ&hl=en&fs=1" wmode="opaque" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="417" width="500"></embed></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOYKL7KYeSQ&amp;feature=player_embedded">youtube.com</a></div> <p>This is probably not a new site, but it's new to me. I've often had to copy text from pages, then paste it into a Word doc. just to get a clean print. Not anymore. With this Print Friendly site, it gives you a clean copy to print quickly. I like this.</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/print-friendly-tired-of-copypasting-to-print">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-270191918091910438?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-42295574111434076482011-02-18T12:26:00.001-05:002011-02-18T12:26:22.972-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote><div> <h3><a href="http://mysterytricycle.com/7-alternatives-to-pandora-and-last-fm" title="Permanent Link to 7 Alternatives to Pandora and&nbsp;Last.FM" rel="bookmark">7 Alternatives to Pandora and&nbsp;Last.FM</a></h3> <div> on Oct 12, 2010 in <a href="http://mysterytricycle.com/category/featured/other" title="View all posts in Other" rel="category tag">Other</a> by Nick | <a href="http://mysterytricycle.com/7-alternatives-to-pandora-and-last-fm#comments" title="Comment on 7 Alternatives to Pandora and&nbsp;Last.FM">47 Comments »</a> </div> <div> <p style="text-align: left;">Whether you are annoyed by the ads on <a href="http://pandora.com/" target="_blank">Pandora</a>, the limited number of skips, or the abyss of cruel 30-second song teasers from <a href="http://www.last.fm/home" target="_blank">Last.FM</a>, many online listeners are growing weary of mainstream methods of hearing new music. While the Pandora algorithm is strong, and the Last.FM related artists tool is pretty useful, don’t fool yourself in to thinking that there aren’t other great ways to expose yourself to new music in the depths of cyberspace.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Here are 7 alternatives to Pandora and Last.FM that will infuse your day with an uninterrupted stream of music that large record companies haven’t managed to squash under their thumbs yet.</p> <p><br /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stumbleaudio.com/"><img title="StumbleAudio" src="http://mysterytricycle.com/7-alternatives-to-pandora-and-last-fm/../wp-content/uploads/2010/10/StumbleAudio.png" height="114" alt="" width="150" style="border: 0pt none;" /></a></p><p></p> <h3><a href="http://www.stumbleaudio.com/">StumbleAudio</a></h3> <p>StumbleAudio has a killer recommendation engine that works better for me than Pandora’s. Instead of “genomes”, StumbleAudio uses listeners’ favoritism as well as buying pattern data from online music stores to make suggestions. Even better, for every track that comes up in the player, you can choose to explore the entire album – a great feature for music snobs. Unlike Pandora, a listener can choose very specific genres in which to listen – within the ‘Blues’ category alone there are 14 sub-types. No skip limit, at least not that I’ve ever reached and I’m notorious for flying through my Pandora skip limit.</p> <p><br /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://songza.com/"><img title="Songza" src="http://mysterytricycle.com/../wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Songza1.png" height="112" alt="" width="250" style="border: 0pt none;" /></a></p><p></p> <h3><a href="http://songza.com/">Songza</a></h3> <p>Songza uses a recommendation engine that runs for each ‘channel’, but unlike Pandora, channels are not tied to specific listeners and rather are community property. Anyone can listen to anyone’s station and add suggestions for tracks or artists that belong there. Powered by the <a href="http://www.emergentdiscovery.com/">Emergent Discovery</a> recommendation engine, Songza is in beta version and makes streaming music a very community-based activity – this is bound to gain a strong footing in the music community during this social networking renaissance we are all living in.</p> <p><br /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://musicovery.com/"><img title="Musicovery" src="http://mysterytricycle.com/../wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Musicovery.jpg" height="99" alt="" width="261" style="border: 0pt none;" /></a></p><p></p> <h3><a href="http://musicovery.com/">Musicovery</a></h3> <p>Elegantly, Musicovery boils down songs to a location on two scales: Energetic-Calm and Positive-Dark. These attributes may be more meaningful in targeting music for a listener’s mood than the hundreds of music genomes that Pandora uses. When you click a location on an X-Y graph of these two scales that fits your mood, Musicovery builds a playlist. Complimented by the ability to disable “hits” and a decent recommendation algorithm, the only limitation here is that you’ll need a paid account to skip songs.</p> <p><br /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stereomood.com/"><img title="Stereomood" src="http://mysterytricycle.com/7-alternatives-to-pandora-and-last-fm/../wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Stereomood.gif" height="101" alt="" width="193" style="border: 0pt none;" /></a></p><p></p> <h3><a href="http://www.stereomood.com/">Stereomood</a></h3> <p>Ah, the power of the ‘tag cloud’. Stereomood crawls the music blog scene and extracts any posts with an embedded .MP3 file as well as associated tags. Users can select channels based on their mood or activity. <a href="http://www.stereomood.com/activity/chillout" title="listen to chillout activity">Chillout</a>, <a href="http://www.stereomood.com/mood/beautiful" title="listen to beautiful mood">beautiful</a>, <a href="http://www.stereomood.com/mood/melancholy" title="listen to melancholy mood">melancholy</a>, <a href="http://www.stereomood.com/mood/calm" title="listen to calm mood">calm</a>, <a href="http://www.stereomood.com/mood/dreamy" title="listen to dreamy mood">dreamy</a>, <a href="http://www.stereomood.com/mood/happy" title="listen to happy mood">happy</a>, <a href="http://www.stereomood.com/activity/summer" title="listen to summer activity">summer</a>, <a href="http://www.stereomood.com/mood/sad" title="listen to sad mood">sad</a>, <a href="http://www.stereomood.com/mood/electronic" title="listen to electronic mood">electronic</a>, <a href="http://www.stereomood.com/mood/ambient" title="listen to ambient mood">ambient</a>, <a href="http://www.stereomood.com/mood/cool" title="listen to cool mood">cool</a>, and <a href="http://www.stereomood.com/mood/sexy" title="listen to sexy mood">sexy</a> are among the dozens of popular tags that users can select which spurs an ongoing playlist of tunes that fit the listener’s mood. Of course, users can suggest new tags and improve the database, making this a very groovy place to lurk on the web.</p> <p><br /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://8tracks.com/"><img title="8tracks" src="http://mysterytricycle.com/7-alternatives-to-pandora-and-last-fm/../wp-content/uploads/2010/10/8tracks.jpg" height="76" alt="" width="150" style="border: 0pt none;" /></a></p><p></p> <h3><a href="http://8tracks.com/">8tracks</a></h3> <p>If you are in the mood for a personalized gift from an anonymous friend, you can find a slew of carefully hand-crafted mix tapes ready to listen to on 8tracks (over 100,000 currently). Based on user uploads, you can find mix tapes for every occasion, from the <a href="http://8tracks.com/tylr/songs-that-make-you-feel-better">simple</a> to the <a href="http://8tracks.com/teamteamwork/the-ocarina-of-rhyme">bizarre</a>. With a pretty decent tag engine and a deep collection of B-sides, there only two limitations: your imagination and the number of skips (though the point of a mix tape is not to skip, have some respect, son).</p> <p><br /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://listen.grooveshark.com/"><img title="Grooveshark" src="http://mysterytricycle.com/7-alternatives-to-pandora-and-last-fm/../wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Grooveshark-150x150.jpg" height="150" alt="" width="150" style="border: 0pt none;" /></a></p><p></p> <h3><a href="http://listen.grooveshark.com/">Grooveshark</a></h3> <p style="text-align: left;">Supported by millions of user uploads, Grooveshark is an online music player without limitations and virtually every song you could ever want to hear. It is the only service on this list which has the capability to play a specific song of your choosing, free from the confines of DMCA licensing and recommendations. Between its extensive library, its radio stations and its limitless playback, if you have a song in mind that you need to hear, drop the YouTube music in the dumpster and stumble over to Grooveshark.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://hypem.com/"><img title="Hype Machine" src="http://mysterytricycle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Hype-Machine-300x161.jpg" height="161" alt="" width="300" style="border: 0pt none;" /></a></p><p></p> <h3 style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://hypem.com/">The Hype Machine</a></h3> <p>Similar to Stereomood, The Hype Machine is a blog-crawling service that finds new music in the music blogging community, but in contrast, THM is focused around the writing rather than just listening alone. THM is a giant catalog of high-quality music blogs that also aggregates embedded music from its sources directly on the site, so you can crawl around for hours of listening and reading about your favorite artists, concert and album reviews and emerging talent without ever leaving the site; a great alternative to the feverish Wikipedia crawler who happens to be a music snob.</p> <p><br /></p> <h4>Final thought: Life is too short to listen to cruddy music – especially with all of these ways to find new material. Go enhance your snobbery, my pretentious loyal subjects!</h4> <div style="">style=”border: 0pt none;”</div> <div style="border: 0pt none ; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; clear: both;"><div><h4>Related Posts :</h4></div><ul style=""><li style="height: 74px;"><div><a href="http://mysterytricycle.com/how-to-snob" target="_top"><img src="http://mysterytricycle.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-thumbie/timthumb.php?src=/wp-content/uploads/snob1-219x300.gif&amp;w=70&amp;h=70&amp;zc=1" height="70" width="70" /></a><p><a href="http://mysterytricycle.com/how-to-snob" target="_top"></a></p></div><div><a href="http://mysterytricycle.com/how-to-snob" target="_top">How to Snob Up Your Taste</a></div><p> No doubt as your read the brilliant work on the site day after day, week after week, you can't help but be filled with a sense of shame and self-doubt at your own practically vestigial musical (and, let's be honest, intellectual) prowess. &nbsp;Obviously, shame and self-doubt are the obvious merited responses, but fear not. &nbsp;There are ways that ...</p></li><li style="height: 74px;"><div><a href="http://mysterytricycle.com/invest-in-quality-equipment" target="_top"><img src="http://mysterytricycle.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-thumbie/timthumb.php?src=/wp-content/uploads/Mixer.jpg&amp;w=70&amp;h=70&amp;zc=1" height="70" width="70" /></a><p><a href="http://mysterytricycle.com/invest-in-quality-equipment" target="_top"></a></p></div><div><a href="http://mysterytricycle.com/invest-in-quality-equipment" target="_top">Invest in Quality Equipment</a></div><p> Don't let a hipster's anachronistic philosophy fool you - when critically listening to music, technology is your friend. In this brief tutorial, I'm going to give you some hints on what tools you will need to become a music snob virtuoso and how to use them. The main goal: avoid loss. From the moment a sound wave leaves the mouth, gui ...</p></li><li style="height: 74px;"><div><a href="http://mysterytricycle.com/roster-mccabe-through-space-time-2010" target="_top"><img src="http://mysterytricycle.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-thumbie/timthumb.php?src=/wp-content/uploads/Through-Space-and-Time.jpg&amp;w=70&amp;h=70&amp;zc=1" height="70" width="70" /></a><p><a href="http://mysterytricycle.com/roster-mccabe-through-space-time-2010" target="_top"></a></p></div><div><a href="http://mysterytricycle.com/roster-mccabe-through-space-time-2010" target="_top">Roster McCabe – Through Space &amp; Time (2010)</a></div><p>Roster McCabe's sound is above all else, rich. It's thick, it's palpable, it is as if you were swimming inside of each track as they envelope you. I was such a fan of their debut disc The Rhythm/The Elements (2007) that I couldn't wait to digest every last morsel of Through Space &amp; Time. Through Space &amp; Time is the natural evolution ...</p></li><li style="height: 74px;"><div><a href="http://mysterytricycle.com/rpwl-youre-welcome" target="_top"><img src="http://mysterytricycle.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-thumbie/timthumb.php?src=/wp-content/uploads/RPWL.jpg&amp;w=70&amp;h=70&amp;zc=1" height="70" width="70" /></a><p><a href="http://mysterytricycle.com/rpwl-youre-welcome" target="_top"></a></p></div><div><a href="http://mysterytricycle.com/rpwl-youre-welcome" target="_top">RPWL: You're Welcome For This One.</a></div><p>You're reading this blog, so you almost certainly get immense pleasure out of playing music for someone and having them stroke your music-snob knob like only the most skilled of hands by asking, "Who's this?" At this point, you get to drop on them some new knowledge, making your ego just a little bit more inflated and their music collection t ...</p></li><li style="height: 74px;"><div><a href="http://mysterytricycle.com/heather-kelday-the-hitchin-post-2009" target="_top"><img src="http://mysterytricycle.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-thumbie/timthumb.php?src=/wp-content/uploads/Heather-Kelday-The-Hitchin-Post.jpg&amp;w=70&amp;h=70&amp;zc=1" height="70" width="70" /></a><p><a href="http://mysterytricycle.com/heather-kelday-the-hitchin-post-2009" target="_top"></a></p></div><div><a href="http://mysterytricycle.com/heather-kelday-the-hitchin-post-2009" target="_top">Heather Kelday - The Hitchin' Post (2009)</a></div><p>Coursing through the veins of the Eastern Canada grassroots festival circuit, Heather Kelday is riding that glorious wave of pretentious popularity that occurs right before you get your own Wikipedia article. Resting somewhere between blues and bluegrass, Heather sits comfortably and confidently on her little folky lilypad. The Hitchin' Post ...</p></li></ul><p></p></div> </div> <p>Tags: <a href="http://mysterytricycle.com/tag/pandora" rel="tag">Pandora</a>, <a href="http://mysterytricycle.com/tag/snob" rel="tag">snob</a>, <a href="http://mysterytricycle.com/tag/streaming-music" rel="tag">streaming music</a></p> <p> <span><span style="text-decoration: none; color: #000000; display: inline-block; cursor: pointer;"><span>Facebook</span></span></span> <span><span style="text-decoration: none; color: #000000; display: inline-block; cursor: pointer;"><span>Twitter</span></span></span> <span><span style="text-decoration: none; color: #000000; display: inline-block; cursor: pointer;"><span>Email</span></span></span> <span><span style="text-decoration: none; color: #000000; display: inline-block; cursor: pointer;"><span>Digg</span></span></span> <span><span style="text-decoration: none; color: #000000; display: inline-block; cursor: pointer;"><span>Reddit</span></span></span> <span><span style="text-decoration: none; color: #000000; display: inline-block; cursor: pointer;"><span>StumbleUpon</span></span></span></p> </div></blockquote><div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://mysterytricycle.com/7-alternatives-to-pandora-and-last-fm">mysterytricycle.com</a></div> <p>Nice list. I do note that there is at least 1 missing. That is the new (to me anyway) <a href="http://www.mflow.com">www.mflow.com</a> <br />It's pretty cool and brings a social aspect that may actually work. Thanks to @joeholland for putting me on to it. Enjoy this list and get your music game up!</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/7-alternatives-to-pandora-andlastfm">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-4229557411143407648?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-54169016041920327572011-02-18T11:12:00.001-05:002011-02-18T11:12:58.472-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/fqireIhJscseEpFekxGoFCivgFyozenHmdrcpyhIIylIDxrqiktzvJcectvu/media_httpnerdlikecom_BBbmH.jpg" width="386" height="479"/> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://nerdlike.com/wp-content/uploads/dan-meth-my-trilogy-meter-i-know-other-movie-geeks-are-mozilla-firefox-31-beta-2.jpg">nerdlike.com</a></div> <p>Star Wars and LOTR looks worth it. This is my gauge. <br />#imin</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/robz4uk-joeholland-etgryphon">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-5416901604192032757?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-88034314984005947782011-02-18T10:34:00.001-05:002011-02-18T10:34:55.347-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote><div> <h3><a href="http://www.yankodesign.com/2007/07/10/alarming-ring/" rel="bookmark">Alarming Ring</a></h3> <p></p> <p>Ring is a vibrating alarm designed for people who hate the loud blaring sounds of a typical alarm. The charging cradle is where you set what time you want each ring to go off. The ring fits over the tip of your finger and when that opportune time arrives, it vibrates. Putting the ring back on the dock shuts off the alarm.<span></span></p> <p>The benefits are two-fold. It’s perfect for couples whom wake up at different hours. Never again will you be disturbed from your precious sleep when the alarm goes off. It’s a discrete sensation that only you feel. Another application is for the hearing impaired helping to improve their quality of life.</p> <p>Designer: Meng Fandi</p> <p><img src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2007/07/10/alarm_ring.jpg" height="326" alt="" width="468" /></p> <p><img src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2007/07/10/alarm_ring2.jpg" height="351" alt="" width="468" /></p> <p><img src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2007/07/10/alarm_ring3.jpg" height="243" alt="" width="468" /></p> <p></p> <p> </p></div></blockquote><div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.yankodesign.com/index.php/2007/07/10/alarming-ring/">yankodesign.com</a></div> <p>#iwant</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/alarming-ring-by-meng-fandi-this-is-elegant-d">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-8803431498400594778?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-26996725517332675952011-02-17T15:17:00.001-05:002011-02-17T15:17:14.322-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="417" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dsU3B0W3TMs&hl=en&fs=1" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed allowfullscreen="true" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dsU3B0W3TMs&hl=en&fs=1" wmode="opaque" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="417" width="500"></embed></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsU3B0W3TMs">youtube.com</a></div> <p>Creative............</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/music-using-only-sounds-from-windows-xp-and-9">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-2699672551733267595?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-90214922196384209592011-02-16T16:26:00.001-05:002011-02-16T16:26:35.537-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="300" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vrbgelwcoPk&hl=en&fs=1&hd=1" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed allowfullscreen="true" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vrbgelwcoPk&hl=en&fs=1&hd=1" wmode="opaque" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="300" width="500"></embed></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrbgelwcoPk&amp;feature=related">youtube.com</a></div> <p>Dope Sauce! Shouts to B Tate for putting me on to this squad............</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/gungor-you-have-me">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-9021492219638420959?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-32229855847610674182011-02-10T08:52:00.001-05:002011-02-10T08:52:17.697-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="305" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/s0WMd0Y6hIw&amp;rel=0&amp;showcolor1=0xFFFFFF&amp;color2=0xFFFFFF&amp;egm=0&amp;showinfo=0&amp;fs=1" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/s0WMd0Y6hIw&amp;rel=0&amp;showcolor1=0xFFFFFF&amp;color2=0xFFFFFF&amp;egm=0&amp;showinfo=0&amp;fs=1" allowfullscreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="305" width="500" /></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://joehol.com/post/3215789748/beingandyjones-the-trick-shot-quarterback">joehol.com</a></div> <p>Wow......I need to check his highlights and see if this accuracy carries on to the actual field of play. If so, he's gonna be a Problem!</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/joe-holland-beingandyjones-the-trick-shot-qua">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-3222985584761067418?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-7808210708721061902011-01-27T17:41:00.001-05:002011-01-27T17:41:51.925-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote><div><h3>Amazon sales pop as Kindle books overtake paperbacks</h3> <img src="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/money/2011/01/27/technology/amazon_earnings/amazon_kindle.top.jpg" border="0" height="325" alt="amazon_kindle.top.jpg" width="475" /><span><b>The U.S. Kindle Store now has more than 810,000 books.</b></span><span><span></span></span> <span>By <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2011/01/27/technology/amazon_earnings/index.htm?section=money_latest&amp;utm_source=twitterfeed&amp;utm_medium=twitter#">Julianne Pepitone</a>, staff reporter</span><span>January 27, 2011: 5:37 PM ET</span><p><br /></p><p>NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- OK, bookworms, now you can declare Armageddon: Kindle e-books have overtaken paperback books as the bestselling type of content in Amazon's bookstore. </p><p>Amazon made waves when it announced in July that Kindle content was <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2010/07/19/technology/amazon_sells_more_kindles_than_books/index.htm?iid=EL">outselling hardcover books</a>. But industry analysts quickly dismissed that milestone, pointing out that paperback books sell far more copies than pricier hardcovers. </p><div><div> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://money.cnn.com/2011/01/27/technology/amazon_earnings/index.htm&amp;t=Amazon sales pop as Kindle e-books overtake paperbacks - Jan. 27, 2011" target="_blank">18</a></li> <li></li> <li><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;source=CNNMoney&amp;url=http://money.cnn.com/2011/01/27/technology/amazon_earnings/index.htm&amp;title=Amazon sales pop as Kindle books overtake paperbacks" target="_blank"></a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="http://money.cnn.com/2011/01/27/technology/amazon_earnings/index.htm?section=money_latest&amp;utm_source=twitterfeed&amp;utm_medium=twitter#">Email</a></li> <li><a href="http://money.cnn.com/2011/01/27/technology/amazon_earnings/index.htm?section=money_latest&amp;utm_source=twitterfeed&amp;utm_medium=twitter#">Print</a></li> </ul></div><p></p></div><p>E-books have now vanquished their paperback rivals as well.</p><p>"This milestone has come even sooner than we expected -- and it's on top of continued growth in paperback sales," Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos said in a prepared statement. </p><p>In fact, for every 100 paperback books sold, Amazon has sold 115 Kindle books since the beginning of the year, the company said.</p><p>Amazon reported record quarterly sales of $13 billion for the three months that ended Dec. 31, up 36% compared to last year. Earnings also topped Wall Street's estimates, with net income of $416 million, or 91 cents a share.</p><p>Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters were looking for 88 cents a share on $13 billion in revenue.</p><p>Sales in the Canada and the United States jumped almost 50% from a year ago, while international sales climbed 26%. </p><p>Though the results were solid, investors were rattled by the online retailer's guidance for the current quarter. </p><p>Amazon expects sales to come in between $9.1 billion and $9.9 billion, but it anticipates that its operating income will decline. It set a very wide range for its forecast, saying it expects operating income of $260 million to $385 million -- which would be down a mild 2% or a whopping 34% compared to last year. </p><p>Shares of Amazon (<a href="http://money.cnn.com/quote/quote.html?symb=AMZN&amp;source=story_quote_link">AMZN</a>, <a href="http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2010/snapshots/10810.html?source=story_f500_link">Fortune 500</a>) tumbled almost 9% in after-hour trading, after rising more than 5% during the market's open. </p><p>For the full year, the Seattle-based company booked a profit of $1.15 billion, up 28% from 2009, as sales increased 40% to $34.2 billion</p><p>Amazon has never revealed sales figures for the Kindle. Price cuts late last year brought the most basic version down to $139, and Kindle apps are now available now for a wide variety of devices -- including the iPhone, iPad as well as BlackBerry and Android phones.</p><p>Beyond the Kindle, other dedicated e-readers include the Barnes &amp; Noble (<a href="http://money.cnn.com/quote/quote.html?symb=BKS&amp;source=story_quote_link">BKS</a>, <a href="http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2010/snapshots/10061.html?source=story_f500_link">Fortune 500</a>) Nook, the Sony (<a href="http://money.cnn.com/quote/quote.html?symb=SNY&amp;source=story_quote_link">SNY</a>) Reader and Borders' Kobo.</p><p> <i>-CNNMoney staff reporter Hibah Yousuf contributed to this report.</i>&nbsp;<a href="http://money.cnn.com/2011/01/27/technology/amazon_earnings/index.htm?section=money_latest&amp;utm_source=twitterfeed&amp;utm_medium=twitter#TOP"><img src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/money/images/bug.gif" border="0" height="7" alt="To top of page" width="7" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p> </p><div> <ul> <li> <span><a href="http://money.cnn.com/2011/01/27/technology/amazon_earnings/index.htm?section=money_latest&amp;utm_source=twitterfeed&amp;utm_medium=twitter#" title="ShareThis via email, AIM, social bookmarking and networking sites, etc."><span>Share this</span></a></span> </li> <li><a href="http://money.cnn.com/2011/01/27/technology/amazon_earnings/index.htm?section=money_latest&amp;utm_source=twitterfeed&amp;utm_medium=twitter#">Print</a></li> <li><a href="http://money.cnn.com/2011/01/27/technology/amazon_earnings/index.htm?section=money_latest&amp;utm_source=twitterfeed&amp;utm_medium=twitter#">Email</a></li> </ul> </div> <div><div><a href="http://money.cnn.com/2011/01/27/technology/netflix_earnings/index.htm?iid=EAL">Netflix shares rise 15% on strong profit</a><p> <a href="http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2011/01/24/what-livingsocialâ¬?iid=EAL">What LivingSocial's biggest deal means for Amazon</a></p><p> <a href="http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2011/01/26/a-harsh-light-on-apples-supply-chain/?iid=EAL">A harsh light on Apple's supply chain</a></p></div></div><p></p><p></p><div>First Published: January 27, 2011: 5:01 PM ET</div></div></blockquote><div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2011/01/27/technology/amazon_earnings/index.htm?section=money_latest&amp;utm_source=twitterfeed&amp;utm_medium=twitter">money.cnn.com</a></div> <p>So, what do you think? Will there come a day in the foreseeable future when "turning the page" is always "pushing the button?"</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/are-paper-books-going-the-way-of-the-8-track">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-780821070872106190?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-7134905848599288882011-01-27T08:56:00.001-05:002011-01-27T08:56:50.037-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote><div> <img title="williams_bolar_012611" src="http://timenewsfeed.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/williams_bolar_012611.png?w=455" height="331" alt="YouTube" width="455" /> <p>YouTube</p> <p></p> <p> </p><p> </p><p>Much of the poltical rhetoric on education reform has centered on the ability of parents to send their children to better schools, particularly in situations where they were forced to send them to schools that were failing. But in the case of Kelley Williams-Bolar, her desire to get her children better educational placement landed her in jail, and may well derail her aspirations of becoming a teacher herself.<span></span></p> <p>Williams-Bolar, 40, and her two children live in housing projects in Akron, Ohio. For two years, she sent them to school in the Copley-Fairlawn district, where her father lived, because it was a safer environment -- the high crime rate in her area drove her decision. The suburban school district hired a private investigator to find their residential records and it turned out she listed the children as living in that district, although they actually stayed with her.</p> <p>(<strong>More on TIME.com:</strong> <a href="http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1938815,00.html" target="_blank">See pictures of a Mandarin school in Minneapolis</a>)</p> <p>Technically, that qualifies as a felony since she falsified records, and <a href="http://www.ohio.com/news/break_news/114148484.html">Judge Patricia Cosgrove sentenced her</a> to two concurrent five-year prison sentences. She suspended the sentence, though, in favor of a 10-day jail sentence, 80 hours of community service and three years probation. She had been working as a teaching assistant for special needs children and earning a teaching degree, but since she is now a convicted felon, under Ohio law she cannot earn that degree.</p> <p>The conviction has caused outrage among many who advocate change and improvement in education, particularly for the poor and disadvantaged minority communities. Syracuse University professor Boyce Watkins took to the blogosphere to openly voice his outrage.</p> <p>"There is no logical reason on earth why this mother of two should be dehumanized by going to jail and be left permanently marginalized from future economic and educational opportunities, <a href="http://drboycespeaks.blogspot.com/2011/01/mother-jailed-for-sending-kids-to-wrong.html">he wrote on his blog</a>. "Even if you believe in the laws that keep poor kids trapped in underperforming schools, the idea that this woman should be sent to jail for demanding educational access is simply ridiculous."</p> <p>The website Change.org has <a href="http://education.change.org/blog/view/why_is_kelley_williams-bolar_in_jail_for_sending_her_kids_to_a_better_school">launched a petition</a> in support of reduction on appeal of Williams-Bolar's conviction, and have started a <a href="http://bit.ly/williamsbolar">Twitter campaign</a> on it.</p> <p>Both girls, now aged 16 and 12, attended schools in Copley-Fairlawn from August 2006 to June 2008, but now attend school elsewhere, according to the Akron <em>Beacon-Journal</em>.</p> <p>(<strong>More on TIME.com:</strong> <a href="http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1967762,00.html" target="_blank">See pictures of homeschooled children</a>)</p> <p> </p></div></blockquote><div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/01/26/ohio-mom-jailed-for-sending-her-kids-to-a-better-school/">newsfeed.time.com</a></div> <p>Right or Ridiculous? Thoughts?</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/ohio-mom-jailed-for-sending-her-kids-to-a-bet">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-713490584859928888?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-40274913094203955062011-01-20T15:04:00.001-05:002011-01-20T15:04:26.518-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/BklJzAAlomdebAAhBdhwsqAixmgewlmHcgBazHfhyCIoBJmIzpsyHrrfApno/media_httpiusatodayne_CBxqA.jpg" width="245" height="177"/> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2011-01-18-littlelearning18_ST_N.htm?csp=hf&amp;loc=interstitialskip">usatoday.com</a></div> <p>Thoughts? <br />Check out this excerpt: </p><p>"Many of the students graduated without knowing how to sift fact from opinion, make a clear written argument or objectively review conflicting reports of a situation or event, according to New York University sociologist Richard Arum, lead author of the study. The students, for example, couldn’t determine the cause of an increase in neighborhood crime or how best to respond without being swayed by emotional testimony and political spin… <br />The study’s authors also found that large numbers of students didn’t enroll in courses requiring substantial work. In a typical semester, a third of students took no courses with more than 40 pages of reading per week. Half didn’t take a single course in which they wrote more than 20 pages over the semester." </p><p>Scary new trend, or well-known fact of old?</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/wow-first-two-years-of-college-show-small-gai">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-4027491309420395506?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-81133580410701221562011-01-14T13:41:00.001-05:002011-01-14T13:41:30.755-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/mtDIqcnAHxJidqigfCiDBAuIbcpGzoBsoHFoGBItzwxdzalCJEyzuxnCeFfB/media_http1bpblogspot_oGaom.jpg" width="350" height="350"/> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5nKq-1AhOEg/R9bN79MB3tI/AAAAAAAAADY/0u6lLT7yoG4/s400/blue_crocs.jpg">1.bp.blogspot.com</a></div> <p>I now LOVE Crocs!! I have 3 pair, and they make me forget I have shoes on. <br />Winners all day. <br />My Favorite Things Day</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/crocs-some-of-my-favorite-things">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-8113358041070122156?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-12904104119542685922011-01-14T13:39:00.001-05:002011-01-14T13:39:13.302-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/fJdfGEAdsteiDuipaujCxklwvlcAIEnIJeDvcdtowafueFcFxCgodxidnvdl/media_httpecximagesam_dIFuA.jpg" width="300" height="300"/> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31Z3%2BHQoqbL._SL500_AA300_.jpg">ecx.images-amazon.com</a></div> <p>Salt and Vinegar Chips, one of my favorite snacks. <br />My Favorite Things Day</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/salt-and-vinegar-chips-some-of-my-favorite-th">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-1290410411954268592?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-62223692804075460472011-01-14T13:35:00.001-05:002011-01-14T13:35:20.389-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="417" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8xuH5A6c8Oc&hl=en&fs=1" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed allowfullscreen="true" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8xuH5A6c8Oc&hl=en&fs=1" wmode="opaque" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="417" width="500"></embed></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xuH5A6c8Oc">youtube.com</a></div> <p>One of my favorite songs by Prince. Part of my "Favorite Things" day today. <br />Enjoy</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/prince-starfish-and-coffee-some-of-my-favorit">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-6222369280407546047?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-18267822154424015792011-01-05T14:08:00.001-05:002011-01-05T14:08:01.261-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="306" width="499"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mu0OFi5pScE?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;hd=1" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed allowfullscreen="true" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mu0OFi5pScE?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;hd=1" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="306" width="499" /></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://reachlife.org/news/article/john_piper_interviews_lecrae">reachlife.org</a></div> <p>Grace and Peace <br />It's refreshing and encouraging to see the mission articulated well. <br />#FOTUforlife <br />#letsgetit</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/john-piper-interviews-lecrae-reachlife-minist-0">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-1826782215442401579?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-19844727842871459722011-01-05T11:59:00.001-05:002011-01-05T11:59:29.739-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote><div> <p><img src="http://img0.yardbarker.com/media/c/1/c13cb610976fbbf78b6280b2dc325c9e43135ad9/xl/Screen_shot_2011-01-05_at_9.41.58_AM.png?stamp=1294171232" height="347" alt="" width="480" /></p> <p>While the Cavaliers are struggling on the court this season without their former superstar, the organization is still making waves in the community. In perhaps one of the most amazing stories I've ever seen. </p> <p>Ted Williams, who was previously homeless held up a sign every day telling the world about his "Golden Radio Voice". Someone pulled off to the side of the road to speak with him and video taped the man, and he wasn't lying. This guy has an incredible voice! </p> <p>Apparently the Cleveland Cavaliers took notice after the Columbus Dispatch featured the man in the paper they and offered him a job and a house. Williams was on a local radio station, WNCI exclaiming "The Cleveland Cavaliers just offered me a full-time job and a house! A house! A house!"</p> <p>He also added "I've been out there about a year; I just didn't know anything like this would ever happen. There's so many words. I've already been compared to Susan Boyle. I'm just so happy."</p> <p>It's unclear what position the Cavaliers have offered Williams, but it is an incredible story of redemption after Williams threw his career away years ago admittedly due to drugs and alcohol. </p> <p>"Just to get back to some normalcy and responsibility.. If I can get a job, whether it's a $25,000 or even $18,000, I'd be happy. At least I know God has me where he wants me."</p> <p>Here is the video... it's pretty incredible how this all went down. </p> </div></blockquote><div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/15605">clevelandleader.com</a></div> <p>BOOM!!! <br />What an awesome story. I posted just an hour or so ago, and to find out, the Cleveland Cavs just gave him a job and a crib!! <br />Pray for this man, that he would seek the Lord of Grace who has provided.......</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/cleveland-cavaliers-hire-homeless-man-with-go">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-1984472784287145972?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-76362060807557083612011-01-05T11:10:00.001-05:002011-01-05T11:10:29.302-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="417" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uTysXITBCmk&hl=en&fs=1" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed allowfullscreen="true" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uTysXITBCmk&hl=en&fs=1" wmode="window" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="417" width="500"></embed></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTysXITBCmk&amp;feature=player_embedded#!">youtube.com</a></div> <p>That was a trip to hear that voice! He definitely should have a gig somewhere. <br />Man, 2 years clean. I pray the Lord provide both physical and spiritual sustenance for this young man. Perhaps even through that voice he's been given. <br />#that'sreal</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/homeless-man-wgolden-radio-voice-in-columbus">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-7636206080755708361?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-50829048105610172812011-01-05T10:19:00.001-05:002011-01-05T10:19:51.893-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="300" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3FhixsgF6jY&hl=en&fs=1&hd=1" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed allowfullscreen="true" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3FhixsgF6jY&hl=en&fs=1&hd=1" wmode="window" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="300" width="500"></embed></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FhixsgF6jY">youtube.com</a></div> <p>Soon to be used by me. This is a phenomenal feature that makes Posterous >>>>Tumblr, in my humble opinion. <br />Where else can you do anything like this anywhere near as easy? <br />Thanks.</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/posterous-groups-game-changer">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-5082904810561017281?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-39798757418687002252011-01-04T16:09:00.001-05:002011-01-04T16:09:25.423-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/18401870?portrait=0" frameborder="0" height="283" width="500"></iframe> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.vimeo.com/18401870">vimeo.com</a></div> <p>Andy Stanley going IN at Passion '11. Enjoy! <br />For this and the other vids I post from Passion 2011, I want to give a shout to Ben Terry, whose Vimeo page I actually am grabbing them from. <br />You can see more of his vids HERE:</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/andy-stanley-kill-your-appetites-before-they">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-3979875741868700225?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-32892866897241695922011-01-04T16:06:00.001-05:002011-01-04T16:06:26.262-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/18417131?portrait=0" frameborder="0" height="283" width="500"></iframe> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.vimeo.com/18417131">vimeo.com</a></div> <p>I'm just beginning to watch some of these vids being posted from Passion 2011 (From their website) : "Passion is an experience you can't find anywhere else. It's a worship and educational conference designed for 18-25-year-olds and college students. Last year, we worshipped with 22,000 people! The next Passion is January 1-4, 2011, at Philips Arena and the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA." </p><p>Many of you know John Piper or are somehow only seperated by 5 or 6 degrees from him if you look back over your Christian life :) <br />Anyway, he's back from an 8-month sabbatical and I understand that he really preaches a timely, convicting, and encouraging word in this sermon. I have yet to watch, but I am planning to do so very soon. I thought meanwhile I'd share with you all this and a couple other sermons that have had the Twitterverse buzzing over the last couple days. Enjoy them as I do, and if you happen not to be a Christian, I pray you'd watch, listen, read other posts on my blog and be provoked by the Lord Himself to repent and live. Christ is King!!</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/john-piper-from-passion-2011">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-3289286689724169592?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-69831233988122247612011-01-03T09:39:00.001-05:002011-01-03T09:39:25.863-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/ifqBoHuHhCJyuGdanEGEgEAqAttkzEbGrEpsysjhBhJxIJetsghkdvltdasC/media_httplaughingsqu_qsdai.jpg.scaled1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/ifqBoHuHhCJyuGdanEGEgEAqAttkzEbGrEpsysjhBhJxIJetsghkdvltdasC/media_httplaughingsqu_qsdai.jpg.scaled1000.jpg" width="640" height="877"/></a> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://laughingsquid.com/how-the-world-has-changed-2000-vs-2010/">laughingsquid.com</a></div> <p>Muy Interesante!</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/how-the-world-has-changed-2000-vs-2010">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-6983123398812224761?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-27156916032440126652010-12-28T09:12:00.001-05:002010-12-28T09:12:20.820-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="298" width="500"> <param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /> <param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12568814&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12568814&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" allowfullscreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" height="298" width="500"> </embed></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://theresurgence.com/2010/12/27/an-intentionally-missional-lifestyle">theresurgence.com</a></div> <p>Wow. <br />Thoughts?</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/an-intentionally-missional-lifestyle-the-resu">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-2715691603244012665?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-28847588704801900292010-12-27T16:47:00.001-05:002010-12-27T16:47:44.926-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote><div> <div> <p><img src="http://a57.foxnews.com/static/managed/img/Scitech/604/341/Mideast Israel Ancient Teeth.jpg" height="282" alt="Professor Avi Gopher from the Institute of Archeology of Tel Aviv University holds an ancient tooth that was found at an archeological site near Rosh Haain, central Israel, Monday, Dec. 27, 2010. Israeli archaeologists say they may have found the earliest evidence yet for the existence of modern man." width="500" /></p> <p><span>AP Photo/Oded Balilty</span></p> <p>Professor Avi Gopher from the Institute of Archeology of Tel Aviv University holds an ancient tooth that was found at an <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/12/27/ancient-teeth-change-picture-evolution#" target="undefined" style="text-decoration: underline !important;"><span style="color: blue !important; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font-size: 11px;">archeological</span></a> site near Rosh Haain, central Israel, Monday, Dec. 27, 2010. Israeli archaeologists say they may have found the earliest evidence yet for the existence of modern man.</p> </div> <p style="font-size: 14px;"><span>JERUSALEM – &nbsp;</span>Israeli archaeologists say they may have found the earliest evidence yet for the existence of modern man.</p> <p style="font-size: 14px;">A Tel Aviv University team excavating a cave in central <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/topics/politics/israel.htm#r_src=ramp">Israel</a> said Monday they found teeth about 400,000 years old. The earliest Homo sapiens remains found until now are half that old.</p> <p style="font-size: 14px;">Archaeologist Avi Gopher said Monday further research is needed to solidify the claim. If it does, he says, "this changes the whole picture of <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/12/27/ancient-teeth-change-picture-evolution#" target="undefined" style="text-decoration: underline !important;"><span style="color: blue !important; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px;">evolution</span></a>."</p> <p style="font-size: 14px;">Accepted scientific theory is that Homo sapiens originated in Africa and migrated out.</p> <p style="font-size: 14px;">Sir Paul Mellars, a prehistory expert at Cambridge University, says the find is "important," but it is premature to say the remains are from modern man. He says they are more likely related to man's ancient relatives, the Neanderthals.</p><div> <p></p><dl> <dt><span>Related</span> Links</dt> <dd><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/12/27/ancient-teeth-change-picture-evolution#">Human, Neanderthal, or Other? Finger Bones Point to New Branch of Humanity</a></dd> <dd><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/12/27/ancient-teeth-change-picture-evolution#">Gnawed Bones Reveal Cannibal Cavemen</a></dd> <dd><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/12/27/ancient-teeth-change-picture-evolution#">Did Neanderthals Have Sex with Modern Humans?</a></dd> </dl> <div style=""> <dl style=""> <dt> <span>YOU MIGHT ALSO BE </span><strong>INTERESTED </strong>IN </dt> <dd> <a href="http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2010/12/14/smarthphone-best?intcmp=prn_baynote-js_Which_Smarthphone_Is_Best_for_2011" title="Which Smarthphone Is Best for 2011?">Which Smarthphone Is Best for 2011?</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2010/12/23/travelport-dropped-united-sees-h-p-winning-contract?intcmp=prn_baynote-js_Travelport_To_Be_Dropped_By_United_Sees_H-P_Winning_Contract" title="Travelport To Be Dropped By United, Sees H-P Winning Contract">Travelport To Be Dropped By United, Sees H-P Winning Contract</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/12/25/man-year-old-girl-killed-wyo-ski-collision?intcmp=prn_baynote-js_Man_5-Year-Old_Girl_Killed_in_Wyo_Ski_Collision" title="Man, 5-Year-Old Girl Killed in Wyo. Ski Collision">Man, 5-Year-Old Girl Killed in Wyo. Ski Collision</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/12/26/arizona-state-lawmaker-beaten-business?intcmp=prn_baynote-js_Arizona_State_Lawmaker_Found_Beaten_at_His_Business" title="Arizona State Lawmaker Found Beaten at His Business">Arizona State Lawmaker Found Beaten at His Business</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2010/12/21/parents-know-buying-laptops?intcmp=prn_baynote-js_What_Parents_Should_Know_Before_Buying_Laptops" title="What Parents Should Know Before Buying Laptops">What Parents Should Know Before Buying Laptops</a> </dd> </dl><p> </p></div></div> </div></blockquote><div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/12/27/ancient-teeth-change-picture-evolution/">foxnews.com</a></div> <p>Oh, the "facts" may be changing again? #heightofridiculum</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/ancient-teeth-may-change-whole-picture-of-evo">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-2884758870480190029?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-35409868162728969702010-12-22T12:39:00.001-05:002010-12-22T12:39:32.845-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <a href="http://holykaw.alltop.com/homeschooling-by-the-numbers-infographic?tu2=1"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/guykawasaki/bvCguJqekGwrkyEBwoglDqlrbecAztGitohBIqIIqbiEeiJuCnjBvubDtxCC/media_httpdailyinfogr_qvriE.jpg.scaled500.jpg" border="0" width="500" /></a> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://holykaw.alltop.com/homeschooling-by-the-numbers-infographic?tu2=1">holykaw.alltop.com</a></div> <p>At the very least, interesting numbers...........</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/homeschooling-by-the-numbers-infographic-holy">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-3540986816272896970?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-84039953686469296272010-12-20T22:07:00.001-05:002010-12-20T22:07:31.065-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p><a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/zfoIjxAxrguqCzEgeiJcwmGffIepbDlwziikuevhDdssdloiJwxnulBnlxln/normal_1292900823.236224.jpeg.scaled1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/zfoIjxAxrguqCzEgeiJcwmGffIepbDlwziikuevhDdssdloiJwxnulBnlxln/normal_1292900823.236224.jpeg.scaled600.jpg" width="600" height="803"/></a> </p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/37011302">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-8403995368646929627?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-72500084554120641182010-12-17T18:00:00.001-05:002010-12-17T18:00:50.321-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="417" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zddWvPsWUqI&hl=en&fs=1" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed allowfullscreen="true" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zddWvPsWUqI&hl=en&fs=1" wmode="window" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="417" width="500"></embed></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zddWvPsWUqI">youtube.com</a></div> <p>I'm on board. Can't wait! <br />1/11/11, 11 new songs. FOTU for life!!</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/overdose-itll-be-here-soon">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-7250008455412064118?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-67788767089430335722010-12-16T19:55:00.001-05:002010-12-16T19:55:06.014-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p><a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/tuvjizCcjIrEyECblvcsyBvurEpECAwIqnilckgEFlofksrGriagftvDAlan/normal_1292547211.389293.jpeg.scaled1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/tuvjizCcjIrEyECblvcsyBvurEpECAwIqnilckgEFlofksrGriagftvDAlan/normal_1292547211.389293.jpeg.scaled1000.jpg" width="747" height="1000"/></a> </p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/36619998">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-6778876708943033572?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-972843027742552092010-12-16T19:54:00.001-05:002010-12-16T19:54:59.004-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p><a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/iBovlldtGabhpdkiumGqqihaewCDvzEhqsFiybmvmhivffbgzDyHGsgiFfrf/normal_1292547224.673119.jpeg.scaled1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/iBovlldtGabhpdkiumGqqihaewCDvzEhqsFiybmvmhivffbgzDyHGsgiFfrf/normal_1292547224.673119.jpeg.scaled1000.jpg" width="747" height="1000"/></a> </p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/36619986">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-97284302774255209?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-86608809546132309662010-12-16T18:10:00.001-05:002010-12-16T18:10:18.491-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="300" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0CYKG3gpmYc&hl=en&fs=1&hd=1" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed allowfullscreen="true" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0CYKG3gpmYc&hl=en&fs=1&hd=1" wmode="window" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="300" width="500"></embed></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CYKG3gpmYc&amp;feature=youtu.be&amp;a">youtube.com</a></div> <p>What does it profit you if you gain the whole world and lose your soul? <br />Let me help you with that one---Nothing. <br />No gain, all loss <br />#repentandlive</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/sweeeeet-simplyseth-shared-this-and-i-love-it">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-8660880954613230966?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-27270594432233246502010-12-16T05:46:00.001-05:002010-12-16T05:46:10.587-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/mhFxeJoeniigaoDxntJkqsIjaewvuznieDvtratJobjwuriuzjyivcbDyqxm/media_httpcommuniteet_rjuzm.jpg.scaled1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/mhFxeJoeniigaoDxntJkqsIjaewvuznieDvtratJobjwuriuzjyivcbDyqxm/media_httpcommuniteet_rjuzm.jpg.scaled600.jpg" width="600" height="263"/></a> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://communitee.terminustees.com/store/b3arfruit/232-black-baxter-pullover-hoodie">communitee.terminustees.com</a></div> <p>It's on the way. BOOM!!</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/b3arfruit-black-baxter-pullover-hoodie">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-2727059443223324650?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-15271179029441418462010-12-16T04:51:00.001-05:002010-12-16T04:51:31.630-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/lzltpJgsylyCGgCvlFuvAIInfEmJdxgyujvfovgpervjHnGvqeuHBkCitywx/media_httptheresurgen_jGJdc.jpg" width="230" height="129"/> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://theresurgence.com/series/know-your-heretics">theresurgence.com</a></div> <p>Since there is nothing new under the sun, it's a good idea to study history to inform the future, no? Well in this series by Justin Holcomb over at The Resurgence (<a href="http://www.theresurgence.com">www.theresurgence.com</a>), several historical heresies are unmasked and laid bare for our benefit. It's crazy to see that what we know today as Oneness Pentecostalism is just a repackaged/rebranded form of the heresy taught once by Sabellius. Yup, there IS NOTHING new under the sun. Perhaps reading these articles will have you better informed for the sake of contending for the faith. At worse, perhaps we'll see aspects of our OWN theology that needs a reboot. Either way, enjoy and be blessed by the series. I know I am.</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/know-your-heretics-the-resurgence">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-1527117902944141846?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-65791891561275581702010-12-15T06:48:00.001-05:002010-12-15T06:48:56.540-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object data="http://i.d.com.com/av/video/cnettv/4/20101210/player.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="266" width="386"><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="wMode" value="transparent" /><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true" /><param name="wmode" value="opaque" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#666666" /><param name="scale" value="noscale" /><param name="salign" value="lt" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="flashVars" value="si=7&br=25&ip=76.120.226.93&ua=Mozilla/5.0%20%28Macintosh%3B%20U%3B%20Intel%20Mac%20OS%20X%2010.6%3B%20en-US%3B%20rv%3A1.9.2.12%29%20Gecko/20101026%20Firefox/3.6.12&cid=34142159&oid=4505-11314_7-34142159&edid=3&nd=11314&pt=4505&ncat=8900:6450:11314&chid=8900&ddom=reviews.cnet.com&guid=b2dEwQoOYJUAAH7DuBgAAAEt&dvarMfg=&autoplay=false&playlistType=morelikethis&playerWidth=386&playerHeight=266&vidWidth=386&vidHeight=217&playlistDisplay=over&ccEnabled=true&hdEnabled=true&fsEnabled=true&shareEnabled=true&dlEnabled=true&subEnabled=true&controlsDisplay=below&bbuttonDisplay=auto&playOverlayText=PLAY CNET VIDEO&startVolume=30&adCallTemplate=http%3A//mads.cnettv.com/mac-ad%3FUA%3DMozilla/5.0%2520%2528Macintosh%253B%2520U%253B%2520Intel%2520Mac%2520OS%2520X%252010.6%253B%2520en-US%253B%2520rv%253A1.9.2.12%2529%2520Gecko/20101026%2520Firefox/3.6.12%26REMOTE_ADDR%3D76.120.226.93%26BRAND%3D25%26SITE%3D7%26PTYPE%3D%7B%25pType%7D%26DVAR_VERSION%3D2008%26CNET-PAGE-GUID%3Db2dEwQoOYJUAAH7DuBgAAAEt%26DVAR_MFG%3D%26COOKIE%3AANON_ID%3DCg+IKEyO2ntCAQAAPBk%26NCAT%3D%7B%25videoNodePath%7D%26SP%3D%7B%25spMads%7D%26POS%3D%7B%25posMads%7D&adInterval=2&adTargetType=&adPreroll=true&adPrerollType=&adPostroll=true&adPostrollType=&adPostFirstVideo=true&adPostFirstVideoType=&refreshMpuEnabled=false&uvpc=http://i.d.com.com/av/video/cnettv/config/uvp_reviews.xml&customTrackVars=&shareUrl=http://reviews.cnet.com/voice-recorders/livescribe-echo-8gb/4505-11314_7-34142159.html&overlayInterval=0&contentType=videoId&contentValue=50091767" /></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://reviews.cnet.com/voice-recorders/livescribe-echo-8gb/4505-11314_7-34142159.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody;1r">reviews.cnet.com</a></div> <p>I heard about this pen while reading about the various things that you can sync with Evernote. I had never heard of this pen, but after doing a bit of cursory research, was WOW'd by what I saw. Imagine sermon note-taking, classroom or job training??!!?! Anyway, I'm not quite ready to pull the trigger on this, but I imagine it'll be coming to an educational venue near me really soon! My birthday *IS* coming up. When I get this, I'll report back as to how effective it is. The Evernote integration is beast IMO, but that's just one of tons of features that make this pen a good investment.....</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/livescribe-echo-review-8gb-the-potential-uses">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-6579189156127558170?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-3085737978617697142010-12-14T10:58:00.001-05:002010-12-14T10:58:35.699-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote><div> <p><img src="http://theresurgence.com/files/2010/11/18/BeWhoYouAre.jpg" height="279" alt="" width="500" /></p> <p>To understand what it means to be who you are in Christ, you need to understand two concepts in Scripture: <strong>the indicative</strong> and <strong>the imperative</strong>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>The indicative</strong>&nbsp;informs us of an accomplished fact; it is what has already been declared about you. For example, “God in Christ has forgiven you.”</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>On the other hand, <strong>the&nbsp;imperative</strong>&nbsp;is a&nbsp;command or direction. In Ephesians 4:32, Paul gives us this command: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another.” The New Testament is filled with the imperative: we’re commanded to live changed lives.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3><strong>The Motivation: What God Has Already Done</strong></h3> <p>The beautiful balance between the&nbsp;indicative&nbsp;(who you are in Christ) and the imperative (who you’re becoming in Christ) is perfectly demonstrated in the verse we’ve been considering. The entire verse reads, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The imperative, “Be kind, tenderhearted and forgiving,” is firmly anchored in the&nbsp;indicative: “you’re forgiven in Christ.” This verse demonstrates a beautiful synergy that not only tells us what to do, but also plants within our souls the only motive that will empower God-pleasing compliance: what God has already done. We’ve already been forgiven in Christ.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3><strong>Know Who You Are</strong></h3> <p>In some cases, the New Testament writers couple indicative&nbsp;statements with both negative and positive imperatives; commands to stop doing one thing and to start doing another. For instance, because such-and-such is true about you (the&nbsp;indicative), you should put off this kind of behavior (the negative imperative) and put on this kind of behavior in its place (the positive imperative). Colossians 3:1-5, 12-13 provides an example:</p> <ul> If then you have been raised with Christ [the&nbsp;indicative], seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above [a positive imperative], not on things that are on earth [a negative imperative]. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory [the&nbsp;indicative]. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you [a negative imperative]. . . .Put on then [a positive imperative], as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved [the indicative], compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other [a positive imperative]; as the Lord has forgiven you [the indicative], so you also must forgive [a positive imperative]. </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>So many of us cavalierly gloss over what he has done and zero in on what we’re to do, and that shift, though it might seem slight, makes all the difference in the world. Our obedience has its origin in God’s prior action, and forgetting that truth results in self-righteousness, pride, and despair.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>As you study Scripture, remember that the imperatives are always rooted in the indicatives. God calls you to <strong>become who you already are in Christ</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>This post is adapted from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/BecauseHeLovesMeHowChristTransformsOurDailyLife/dp/1433519518/?tag=theresurgence-20">Because He Loves Me: How Christ Transforms Our Daily Life</a>.</em></p> </div></blockquote><div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://theresurgence.com/2010/12/04/be-who-you-are-indicative-imperative">theresurgence.com</a></div> <p>Great reminder to keep first things first. Thank the Lord for the Gospel. The one that both rescued me and continues to reorient me to Christ!!</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/be-who-you-are-indicative-imperative-the-resu">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-308573797861769714?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-82899638997621429862010-12-09T13:05:00.001-05:002010-12-09T13:05:03.347-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="417" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4k7QIpcMkcY&hl=en&fs=1" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed allowfullscreen="true" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4k7QIpcMkcY&hl=en&fs=1" wmode="window" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="417" width="500"></embed></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4k7QIpcMkcY&amp;feature=related">youtube.com</a></div> <p>This joint is fire! I love this album as a whole (those who know me know this). <br />To Die is Gain, Stephen the Levite. Cop it if you haven't already.</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/night-light-stephen-the-levite">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-8289963899762142986?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-63104763946010884172010-12-09T11:10:00.001-05:002010-12-09T11:10:45.166-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote><div> <div> <p>Kevin DeYoung<span>|</span>5:35 am CT</p> </div> <h3>Out of Egypt I Called My Son</h3> <div> <p><img src="http://www.abcgallery.com/G/giotto/giotto54.jpg" height="303" alt="" width="291" />Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” (<a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matthew%202.13-15" target="_blank">Matthew 2:13-15</a>)</p> <p>That last verse has caused lots of consternation.&nbsp; The Holy Family goes to Egypt, and this somehow fulfills Hosea’s reference to Israel’s exodus? As I mentioned<a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2010/12/03/it-just-doesn%E2%80%99t-seem-right-the-new-testament%E2%80%99s-use-of-old-testament-prophecy/"> last week</a>, at first glance it looks like Matthew is connecting the dots by the slimmest of connections.</p> <p>Here’s what we read in <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Hosea%2011.1-4" target="_blank">Hosea 11:1-4</a>:</p> <blockquote><p>When Israel was a child,I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. The more they were called, the more they went away; they kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning offerings to idols.Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of kindness,with the bands of love, andI became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, andI bent down to them and fed them.</p></blockquote> <p>Clearly, Hosea, speaking for the Lord, is harkening back to the Exodus. He is remembering when Israel was just a little toddler of a nation and God delivered them out of bondage in Egypt. “Many years ago, by Moses and the plagues and all that, I called my son Israel out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery”–that’s what Hosea 11 is about.</p> <p>But look again at Matthew. “Out of Egypt I called my son” here refers to God hiding Jesus away in Egypt to avoid Herod’s decree and then calling him back from Egypt when Herod is dead. This seems to be unrelated to anything Hosea was talking about. How can Matthew say this flight to Egypt fulfilled the words of the prophet Hosea when the two events seem connected by no more than the word Egypt? How can this possibly be a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy?</p> <p><strong>Swing and a Miss</strong></p> <p>That’s a tough question and one that has generated a lot of bad answers. Some, with good intentions, have said “Look, Matthew says Jesus fulfilled this prophecy, so it must be that Hosea is a direct prophecy about the Messiah and only about the Messiah. Hosea knew he was predicting something about the Christ.” That does try to make sense of Matthew’s language, but you really have to get creative with Hosea to make it look like he was knowingly predicting a Messianic flight to Egypt.</p> <p>Others have suggested that Matthew was just making a loose connection between two events that had to do with Egypt. He’s just playing free association with Biblical prophecy. “Jesus came out of Egypt. Here’s something in the prophets about Egypt. So let’s put the two together.” Not only does this make Matthew look a bit silly and throw into question some basic beliefs about biblical inspiration, this sort of loosey-goosey prophetic fulfillment simply doesn’t fit with the rest of Matthew’s gospel.</p> <p>Matthew, more than any gospel writer, goes to great lengths to show that Jesus’ birth, life, and death, are rooted firmly in the Old Testament. Jesus was born of a virgin (fulfilling <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isaiah%207.14" target="_blank">Isaiah 7:14</a>). He was born in Bethlehem (fulfilling <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Micah%205.1-2" target="_blank">Micah 5:1-2</a>). He was sought out to be killed by Herod (fulfilling <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Jeremiah%2031.15" target="_blank">Jeremiah 31:15</a>). He was preceded by John preparing the way (fulfilling <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isaiah%2040.3" target="_blank">Isaiah 40:3</a>). He healed diseases (fulfilling <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isaiah%2053.4" target="_blank">Isaiah 53:4</a>). He spoke through parables (fulfilling <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Psalm%2078.2" target="_blank">Psalm 78:2</a>). He came to Jerusalem riding on a donkey (fulfilling <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Zechariah%209.9" target="_blank">Zechariah 9:9</a>). Matthew is very deliberate with his use of the Old Testament. So his citing of Hosea 11 must be more than just a connection with the word Egypt.</p> <p><strong>Jesus as the True Israel</strong></p> <p>So how do we make sense of this prophecy in Hosea and fulfillment in Matthew? The first step toward understanding Matthew’s purpose is to look more carefully at the word “fulfill.” The Greek word is<em> pleroō</em>. And it simply means to fill up. That’s what Matthew is at pains to demonstrate–that Jesus was filling up the Old Testament. Sometimes this meant very specifically that the Old Testament predicted the Messiah’s birthplace would be in Bethlehem and Jesus was, in fact, born in Bethlehem. There you go. That’s fulfillment. But fulfillment can be broader than that. It can refer to the filling up of the Old Testament; that is, the bringing to light what previously had been in shadows.</p> <p>Take <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Mark%201.14-15" target="_blank">Mark 1:14-15</a>, for example. “Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” When Jesus said “the time is fulfilled,” he did not mean “right now a specific prediction of Scripture is coming to pass.” He meant, “with my preaching of the gospel, the time has been filled up and the kingdom is here. The Old Testament is reaching its climax.” Likewise, I don’t believe Matthew thought Jesus’ flight to Egypt was <em>predicted</em> in <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Hosea%2011.1" target="_blank">Hosea 11:1</a>. But I do believe that Matthew thought Jesus’ flight to and return from Egypt was<em> filling up</em> <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Hosea%2011.1" target="_blank">Hosea 11:1</a>.</p> <p>So what exactly is Jesus fulfilling, or filling up in <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matthew%202.15" target="_blank">Matthew 2:15</a>? Jesus, as Matthew correctly understands the situation, is filling up the redemptive historical purposes of the nation. In other words, Matthew can claim that this Hosea passage, which talks about the Exodus of Israel out of Egypt, is fulfilled in Jesus, because Jesus is the embodiment of Israel.</p> <blockquote><p>Matthew looked back and saw an analogical correspondence between the history of the nation Israel and the history of the Messiah…the <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Hosea%2011.1" target="_blank">Hosea 11:1</a> quotation by Matthew is not an example of arbitrary exegesis on the part of a New Testament writer. On the contrary Matthew looked back and carefully drew analogies between the events of the nation’s history and the historical incidents in the life of Jesus (<em>Biliotheca Sacra</em> 143:325).</p></blockquote> <p>In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus is cast as the true and faithful Israel. Matthew is retelling Israel’s well known story, but he’s putting Jesus right in the middle as the main character in the story. Jesus is the new Israel.</p> <ul> <li>Chapter one starts with the genealogy of Jesus. The very first words, in Greek, are “<em>biblos geneseos Iesou Christou</em>”–a book of the beginning of Jesus Christ. Now why is that significant? Well, because that word <em>geneseos</em> is a form of the word genesis, as in the first book the Bible. I don’t think Matthew is trying to be tricky here, but surely he knew the first book of the Bible and realized that when he begins his gospel with “a book of the genesis of Jesus” he is, at least, strongly suggesting that this story of Jesus Christ marks a new beginning for the people of God. The story is starting over. This suggestion is supported by another parallel with the first book of the Bible. Genesis is broken up into ten <em>toledoth</em> sections. Ten times in the book of Genesis, we read “these are the generations (<em>toledoth</em>) of…” Interestingly enough, these <em>toledoth</em> sections are, in a couple of places, translated into the Greek Septuagint with<em> biblos geneseos</em> (<a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Gen.%202.4" target="_blank">Gen. 2:4</a>; <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Gen%205.1" target="_blank">5:1</a>), which further points in the direction that Matthew understood Jesus to be a new generation, a new genealogy, a new beginning for the nation of Israel.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Not only is Jesus the new Genesis, his life embodies the new Exodus. Shortly after Jesus birth, he was rushed away to safety to avoid the wrath of a jealous king who had ordered all the young boys to be killed. Where else does this happen in the Bible? Exodus 1. Pharaoh fears the Hebrews and so he orders that every baby boy be thrown into the Nile. But Moses was spared because his mother hid him in a basket in the river. Likewise, Jesus was spared Herod’s decree because his mother hid him in Egypt.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Following right on the heels of Jesus’ exodus out of Egypt, we come to his baptism in the Jordan in Matthew 3. Again, I don’t think Matthew is trying to be speak in secret code, and he certainly isn’t making the stories up, but he has arranged the material in such a way as to retell Israel’s story, with Jesus now as the true Israel. So just like the Israelites left Egypt and then passed through the Red Sea (baptized into the sea according <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Cor.%2010.2" target="_blank">1 Cor. 10:2</a>), Jesus too leaves Egypt and passes through the waters in his baptism.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Just to point out one more parallel, think what happens to the Israelites after they pass through the Red Sea. They wind up in the desert where they wander for forty years. And where is Jesus in Matthew 4 after his baptism? He is in the desert about to be tempted after having fasted for forty days and forty nights.</li> </ul> <p>Matthew clearly wants to portray Jesus as fulfilling Israel’s history and bringing it to a climax. Matthew didn’t think <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Hosea%2011.1" target="_blank">Hosea 11:1</a> was a direct prophecy about Jesus and his family going to Egypt. And Hosea certainly didn’t mean it as such. The passage is about Israel’s Exodus out of Egypt and about her subsequent idolatries and adulteries. Matthew understood that. He wasn’t trying to give Hosea 11 a new meaning. But he did see something Messianic in Hosea’s words. Jesus would be the faithful Son called out of Egypt, filling up what was lacking in the first faithless son, Israel. From his genesis to his exodus to his baptism in the Jordan to his forty days in the wilderness, Jesus was identifying himself with the covenant people. He was the embodiment of Israel.</p> <p><strong>With Him He Was Well Pleased</strong></p> <p>And so when Jesus fled Herod and went to Egypt, it brought to a climax the work of deliverance that began in the Exodus of Israel and was now coming to completion in the Exodus of Jesus. That’s why Matthew can say “this was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet.” But whereas the first Israel, God’s son, broke the covenant and deserved God’s wrath, when God beholds his only begotten Son Jesus Christ, he says in <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matthew%203.17" target="_blank">Matthew 3:17</a>, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”</p> <p>Far from being a barely connected prophetic fulfillment, this word from Hosea 11 filled up in Matthew 2, is a robust piece of New Testament theology. This text says something weighty about the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the one who came to complete all that Israel was designed to perform. All the adulteries and idolatries and rebellion and waywardness that characterized Israel would be recast in the true Israel Jesus Christ. God sent his Son to do himself what his people could not do for themselves. This is the meaning of fulfillment of Hosea 11 and the true meaning of Immanuel, God with us.</p> </div> <div> <p> <span><a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2010/12/09/3133#" title="ShareThis via email, AIM, social bookmarking and networking sites, etc."><span>Share This</span></a></span> <span>|</span> <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2010/12/09/3133/print/" title="Printable Version" rel="nofollow">Printable Version</a> </p> <p> </p><p> </p></div> There are <strong> comments</strong> on this post. --&gt; <p> <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2010/12/09/3133#">View Comments (5)</a> <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2010/12/09/3133#">Post Comment</a> </p> </div></blockquote><div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2010/12/09/3133/">thegospelcoalition.org</a></div> <p>Thank God for Jesus!</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/out-of-egypt-i-called-my-son-kevin-deyoung">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-6310476394601088417?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-19975878966788618942010-12-07T18:53:00.001-05:002010-12-07T18:53:01.772-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/mfHHiyJfaxqvfcCmGBrkmvFwasFDCnGGikjBwHjCIJGCocipuvFhlwBvgJAB/image.jpg.scaled600.jpg" width="480" height="640"/> </p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/tweology">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-1997587896678861894?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-40215561506905791012010-12-06T03:43:00.001-05:002010-12-06T03:43:24.821-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p><a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/dgfbsAvgfBjIrEFpfhtvjdEeiDsprbfrFbpjpuFcdiajspiJlGinniICahlh/p1495.jpg.scaled1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/dgfbsAvgfBjIrEFpfhtvjdEeiDsprbfrFbpjpuFcdiajspiJlGinniICahlh/p1495.jpg.scaled600.jpg" width="600" height="804"/></a> </p>The Gospel will interpret the Old Testament by showing us its goal and meaning. The Old Testament will increase our understanding of the Gospel by showing us what Christ fulfills. <br />--According to Plan <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/goldsworthy-gold">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-4021556150690579101?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-33464041798750196812010-12-03T18:30:00.001-05:002010-12-03T18:30:30.913-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote><div> <p><a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#">Home</a> &gt;&gt; <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#">Life at The Village</a> &gt;&gt; <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#">Blogs at The Village</a> &gt;&gt; <span>From Our Pastors</span></p> <img src="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/images/blogs/hvpastors.jpg" height="126" width="500" style="" /> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div> <div> <div>Dec</div> <div>02</div> </div> <div> <h3><a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758" title="Permanent Link to One Year Later" rel="bookmark">One Year Later</a></h3> <div> <span>Matt Chandler</span> <span><a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?cat=3" title="View all posts in Matt Chandler" rel="category">Matt Chandler</a></span> <span>2010-12-02</span> </div> </div> <div> <a href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758&amp;title=One Year Later&amp;description=This Saturday, Dec. 4 marks the one-year anniversary of the 7-8 hour craniotomy that removed a malignant cancerous tumor from my brain and started a year of"><img src="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/wp-content/plugins/add-to-any/share_save_171_16.png" height="16" alt="Share" style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px;" width="171" /></a><p><a href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758&amp;title=One Year Later&amp;description=This Saturday, Dec. 4 marks the one-year anniversary of the 7-8 hour craniotomy that removed a malignant cancerous tumor from my brain and started a year of"></a> </p><p>This Saturday, Dec. 4 marks the one-year anniversary of the 7-8 hour craniotomy that removed a malignant cancerous tumor from my brain and started a year of radiation, chemo and recovery. To say that we’ve been doing some reflecting as a family would be an understatement. So on the one-year anniversary here are a few random thoughts I’ve had:</p> <p><img src="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/chandler.jpg" height="400" alt="" width="300" /></p> <h3>He really is enough.</h3> <p>For years I have taught that simple sentence to people, and I believed with everything in me that it was true. Seeing it personally has been another story, like the difference between seeing a picture of the Grand Canyon and actually seeing it. I found out on Nov. 26 that I had a mass on my frontal lobe, on Tuesday Dec. 1 that I was going to need surgery soon and that the scans “didn’t look good,” and on Dec. 4 had a good portion of my right frontal lobe removed. I’ll be honest, that season was terrifying, and we wept. I wept with Lauren, my friends, family members, partners in ministry and by myself. Leading up to the surgery if I saw one of my children, particularly my oldest daughter Audrey, it was a fight to hold myself together. Under all of that fear and all those tears there was this quiet confidence, this firm foundation, this unshakable promise, and we never lost it. The world would sink in the days and months to come but we continually found our footing in the truth that He is in control of all things and loves me deeply (<a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Romans 8.28-39" target="_blank">Romans 8:28-39</a>).</p> <h3>The only thing that matters is I am His.</h3> <p>If you ask people about me, depending on who they are, they will tell you I am a husband, father, preacher, leader, son, brother, friend, etc. When we were prepping for surgery, they went over this long list of things that were “possibilities.” I could lose the ability to speak, walk and lose short-term or long-term memories. The list was much longer, but I think you get the point. I am primarily known as a pastor and preacher, but here’s the truth that slammed into me when I was wrestling with God over this surgery. One day I am not going to preach or pastor; one day I am not going to be Lauren’s husband or my kid’s father. All the things that define me here will be gone, and I will simply be His. I’m still meditating on that. That’s all I really am…His. Now, while He gives me breath there are sermons to preach and people to shepherd, children to impart the glory of God to and an extremely beautiful wife to love. All these things are shadows of a greater reality. (<a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ephesians 5.22-33" target="_blank">Ephesians 5:22-33</a>, <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Colossians 2.17" target="_blank">Colossians 2:17</a>)</p> <h3>If it’s not by grace alone, I’m in a lot of trouble.</h3> <p>Jonathan Edwards was right to resolve, “to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.” The thought of dying, though repulsive to most of us, brings an uncanny clarity to life. I was told in mid-December that what I had was fatal and that the average lifespan was 2-3 years after diagnosis. So I have at max, 2 years left (I want to quote Twain here on statistics but don’t want to answer the e-mails and complaints in the comment section I would get). When you hear that kind of news, you do some real soul searching and here is something disturbing I found out about me. I don’t trust all my motivations in ministry. Now don’t get me wrong. I deeply, deeply love the God of the Bible. I love to proclaim Him and think about Him and talk about Him to anyone who’ll listen, but I learned in college that when I do that, good things happen and by good things I mean good things for me. People want to hear me teach; they pay me money. I’m actually “famous” in some circles. What a dangerous culture we live in. In some places being used powerfully by God can get you killed and here it makes you “famous.” Hear me confess this. I like it. I like that people download me, watch videos of me, want my take on things and I believe that there is a part of me (that’s hopefully dying) that likes it not just because it makes much of Jesus but makes much of me. That is an embarrassing truth about me, and I have fasted and prayed that God would put it to death. So to quote Lecrae “If Heaven ain’t a gift then I ain’t getting in.”</p> <h3>I suck at praying.</h3> <p>I didn’t think I did before this. I thought it was a strength, but I was wrong. When you realize that all you are is His, you realize or at least I did, that I don’t stay connected to Him as I have been commanded to. I would spend some time praying in the morning, but my life wasn’t saturated in it. I lived like I put my time in and now I can handle this. So again, I confess that I went into hundreds of meetings over my first seven years as pastor of The Village without asking for direction and wisdom, without asking for power and clarity. Although I knew I wasn’t wise enough, experienced enough or seasoned enough, I went and tried to be what they needed. I have grown exponentially in this area this year and I’m hoping that when I’m done with my race, I would be known not just as a faithful preacher of God’s Word but a man who communed with his Father without ceasing.</p> <h3>Thank you, thank you, thank you.</h3> <p>If God grants me another 100 years, I couldn’t begin to thank all of you who have prayed, encouraged, sent me cards, letters, books, money, prayer blankets (BTW I sat under everyone of those blankets and received your prayers in Jesus’ name), pictures, paintings and poems. Things came in from all over the world, and the entire Chandler family felt the tangible love of God made visible through His saints.</p> <p>If I kept going this would be too long to be considered a blog so I’ll stop here for now and write some more next week — including one of the biggest, most painful lessons I’ve learned.</p> <p>Christ’s blessing to you all,<br /> Matt Chandler</p> <p> </p></div> <div> Address: <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758" title="One Year Later" rel="bookmark">http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758</a> </div> </div> <div> <div>« <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=749" rel="prev">Get hip and help build an orphanage</a></div> <p> </p><p> </p></div> <div><span><a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/wp-trackback.php?p=758" title="Trackback URI" rel="trackback">Trackback</a></span><h3><span>42 comments</span> </h3></div> <ol> <li> <div>Nick Stevens<span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12228" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 4:50 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/d1b4a53fc003a12c57bf776543427fb5?s=32&amp;d=http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>I love you, Matt. God, through your teachings, saved me. Watching you struggle has taught me how to live, and how to love God more. You are a clear example of how not to waste one’s life. </p> <p>Thank you for your humility. Having you shepherd us is a gift that we don’t deserve.</p> <p>Blessings,</p> <p>Nick</p> </div> </li> <li> <div>Michael C<span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12229" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 5:01 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/50a113d7591c5fc4a2ce6ff79edc6e0a?s=32&amp;d=http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>Chandler,<br /> I podcast you’re sermons, but don’t attend your church. It is your confessions and weakness that are your best thing. Sometimes I want God to blow people up to. I say that because you have taught me to live and view EVERYTHING through the lense of the gospel. I had a general idea that I needed this hermeneutic that said to run everything through the gospel but didn’t know how to get from living in my reformed head to my heart. What I learned from you is to live constantly repentant to Jesus, my wife, and realize that only his grace will protect my family from my iniquity. You’ve taught me to glory in NOTHING but the blood of Christ. I fail daily and he saves daily. It is from that foundation that I lead and love with prayer and thankfulness. In that vein, I constantly encounter his love. Thank you for being weak, mouthy, and broken. Rage on brotha.</p> </div> </li> <li> <div><a href="http://www.redeemerlouisville.org" rel="external nofollow">Doug Weaver</a><span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12230" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 5:03 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/39cd0ce1f98e0985ee92eadb83460d65?s=32&amp;d=http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>Great post, Matt. You’re an inspiration to me in many ways, but most in that in all things you glorify Christ. Praising Him that you’re still with us. Here’s to 32 more years of ministry! Be blessed, brother.</p> </div> </li> <li> <div>minstrel<span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12231" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 5:03 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/c6f3db8472d7352bdf716534f8eb24be?s=32&amp;d=http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>For your honesty and your boldness, your humility and your vulnerability, your clarity and your humor and your fortitude — I am grateful to our Creator, my brother.</p> <p>May he sustain you and those who love you, in every season of your life, and bless you with peace, wisdom, strength and healing.</p> <p>My prayers, today and each day….</p> <p>Julie, chicago</p> </div> </li> <li> <div><a href="http://ryanguard.net" rel="external nofollow">ryan guard</a><span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12232" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 5:04 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/951ea9363e151409b3569e738abc791f?s=32&amp;d=http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>I believed everything you said before this, but after watching you walk through this, you’ve got even more credibility in my book. Thank you for walking through most of this in a public arena- you’ve inspired a whole bunch of us. One of my volunteers had her first chemo treatment today. She’s been watching how you’ve walked through this storm. Your strength has given her strength.</p> </div> </li> <li> <div>Eddie Lee<span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12233" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 5:05 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/718452a9012e9330156e75c3ddb2a938?s=32&amp;d=http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>May God continue to bless you brother!</p> </div> </li> <li> <div>SA Youth Minister<span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12234" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 5:12 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/915501084775b25fbd165baff5ae0f74?s=32&amp;d=http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>Pastor,</p> <p>I’ve never met you, never been to any of your church services, just heard about you two years ago and heard one message of yours, but you are a vessel being used by God. Thanks for being a “light”. </p> <p>Hope to meet you one day, either on Earth or in Heaven! </p> <p>God Bless.</p> </div> </li> <li> <div>Marlo Haft<span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12236" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 5:20 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/363c3795a8261088e8df176866446e90?s=32&amp;d=http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>Pastor – so great to hear/read your heart and where the Lord is bringing you. We are so thankful to be a part of the Village. </p> <p>Your statement, “That is an embarrassing truth about me, and I have fasted and prayed that God would put it to death.” has given me a whole new perspective on fasting. I believe my fasting in the past has been with a heart of “Lord, here’s what I need” and not “Lord, what would you have more me, what do you want me to do”. Such conviction. Thank you for you leadership. The Haft Family loves y’all.</p> </div> </li> <li> <div>Joseph Swenson<span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12237" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 5:23 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/7548cfd7d759d996a0c18080b3ad4acf?s=32&amp;d=http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>To God be the glory for all the ways He draws us and loves us. Thank you for pressing in and encouraging us in Christ. </p> <p>~JS</p> </div> </li> <li> <div>Zach Harms<span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12238" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 5:32 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/4c3536ba8d69c8de728290e31285cde0?s=32&amp;d=http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>i suck at praying, too. i love having a pastor who strives for transparency.</p> <p>when i first started attending the village almost a year ago, i fell in love with the body of Christ He graciously provided me. i “have grown exponentially” under your shepherding and selfishly prayed that God would not take you home. i prayed, “God, your servant speaks to me, he speaks to your people… let him stay and lead us… for our joy and for Your glory.”</p> <p>love you brother, thanx for visiting Denton</p> </div> </li> <li> <div>elaine black<span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12239" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 5:38 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/4077dc613491f2765917aa84866070d5?s=32&amp;d=http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>Matt<br /> Thanks so much for your openness and honesty. I have listened to you for over three years now after stumbling across you whilst I was in Paraguay and needing sermons in my own language. I am now back in the UK continuing to follow God’s call on my life and downloading your podcast each week.<br /> You are famous to me yes and I thank God for having had the chance to listen to you and be taught by you over the years.<br /> I am now embarking on a new venture and becoming a foster carer at the age of 54 and a granny to a gorgeous little girl.<br /> I often stumble and fall short but truely know God’s grace and the love and sacrifice that was made for me and I am moved to tears often when listening to you.<br /> I pray for your continued recovery and for you family too.<br /> Gods blessings this Christmas time from England.<br /> Elaine.</p> </div> </li> <li> <div>p<span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12240" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 5:41 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/ddb392de9953ba2ab97b569abe3c442d?s=32&amp;d=http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>Yey! Learning is great. God is awesome.</p> </div> </li> <li> <div>Brad<span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12241" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 5:54 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/40141081248c6e328baa811b0f7e4074?s=32&amp;d=http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>Great post! I, honestly, didn’t know you from Adam until T4G in April. I was so moved by your talk and the preceding prayer for your healing that, frankly, I’ll never be the same. Since then I have made it a point to pray for you often. </p> <p>I do have one question. How is it that every pastor I have ever seen has married way out his league? And since I have married out of my league do you think that may be evidence that God is calling me into ministry? Haha! God bless you, man!</p> </div> </li> <li> <div>shawn<span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12242" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 5:59 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/25829e3742ab6eaaa97e84bace394bcd?s=32&amp;d=http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>Matt, I am thankful for your transparency. These are all lessons I need to learn myself. Thanks for this post.</p> </div> </li> <li> <div><a href="http://www.westcoastwitness.com" rel="external nofollow">Wes Woodell</a><span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12243" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 6:02 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/aedcd137a62626a3003bc404824b45d8?s=32&amp;d=http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>Your faith is very encouraging, brother. Prayed for you today.</p> </div> </li> <li> <div><a href="http://alexspeaks.com" rel="external nofollow">Alex Humphrey</a><span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12244" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 6:03 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/8ba083ed55bc87edc00db3a11a03d70e?s=32&amp;d=http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>Thank you for sharing these thoughts with us Matt. I will eagerly await the next installment! You have such a gift for describing the world and it pierces the heart of so many. Thank you for being so transparent through all of this! Thank you for allowing us to join you through this difficult time.</p> </div> </li> <li> <div>Holly Mason<span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12246" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 6:27 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/2d96d42d8b20ae2e81362487de3c5508?s=32&amp;d=http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>“One day I am not going to preach or pastor; one day I am not going to be Lauren’s husband or my kid’s father. All the things that define me here will be gone, and I will simply be His” –<br /> Oh sweet Father in heaven.. that we ( starting with me) would ALL chew and chew and chew on this truth! Its really all so simple. He loves us and we are His. May we be brought back to the simple, powerful, bottom line reality of belonging to Him and clinging tightly to just Him. I can not think of a single sermon you have done that honors the Lord more than what you said here… “Simply His”. Much love to you and your family.</p> </div> </li> <li> <div>Delinda Gillham<span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12247" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 6:46 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/87ad1ac8fb44f9478c4dc1fa698742b9?s=32&amp;d=http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>May God continue to love on you, Matt Chandler!!! Thanks for sharing with all of us.</p> </div> </li> <li> <div><a href="http://pcpastor.blogspot.com" rel="external nofollow">Ray Campbell</a><span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12248" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 7:14 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/e911ab5634aec375ec2b742fa34b416b?s=32&amp;d=http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>Matt,</p> <p>Your openness and honesty in this post is something that I think most of us wish we could articulate. I remember hearing Francis Chan at one time when he walked away from the church in Simi Valley, CA make the statement that he became more popular than Jesus and realized that was not the way things were supposed to be. He was not trying to become famous or popular but he realized that he had and yet he looked at Scripture and saw that Jesus would sometimes run people off. For instance, when He told them about eating His flesh and drinking His blood, all left him but the 12. He then asked them if they wanted to leave too and we know they stayed. </p> <p>I too agree with Jonathan Edwards that we should think upon death and do so often. Several times I have been on the verge of death and have come to gain a much better…understanding of myself…my weaknesses…my flaws…lack of faith and the like. </p> <p>While I have never met you I have a great deal of respect for you, your walk, your realization of the true value of your life and knowing that you are His. Thank you for your transparency in this post. I am sure it was not an easy thing to share but I am confident that God is glorified through it and many wil be able to relate to your insight. </p> <p>May the Lord continue to use you mightily as a tool for Him! </p> <p>In His Strength,</p> <p>Ray</p> </div> </li> <li> <div>Angela Smith<span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12249" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 7:39 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/abdf364dd470c20d383b197e6073ad14?s=32&amp;d=http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>Thank you so much for sharing !! My husband and I live in Atlanta. My husband Charles had surgery for a brain tumor also. January 4th will be his ine year anniversary. He is doing a year of chemo at this time. God has been good thus far !! We will pray for you and your family and ask for your prayers for our situation in return ! </p> <p>Charles and Angela Smith</p> </div> </li> <li> <div>John M. Kirton II<span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12250" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 7:41 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/6f5fe35371fbe520a8cc2fb696d14533?s=32&amp;d=http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>I’ll quote Twain, “Lies, damned lies, and statistics.” Also, Paul, “With God, all things are possible.” Matt, thank you SO much for your humility, humanity and manliness to admit what most would not be willing to do so! </p> <p>I love this brother SO much!</p> </div> </li> <li> <div>chris woolf<span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12251" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 8:23 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/2bbc54adf32cd00027d335f15db11aad?s=32&amp;d=http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>i’ve got a mustard seed or two…and i will stand in the gap for a miracle of complete healing for you , here in louisville ohio. my friend sent me this , she attends your church.she loves Jesus and is blown away by your faith. i concur. be encouraged. here is something i am “chewing on” this week.<br /> the key to this life is to go deeper in Christ, not be buried by the enemy.<br /> peace….to you and your family.</p> </div> </li> <li> <div><a href="http://theparkersfour.blogspot.com" rel="external nofollow">Wesley</a><span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12252" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 8:35 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/824d1fa1312ad438b6ba9f97a0f009d4?s=32&amp;d=http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>Matt -<br /> i am so blessed by you bro. I’ll confess that your voice is very powerful in my life and you certainly are a degree of “famous” to me. But know this: your faithful, unfliching, sarcastic, passionate presentation of Jesus Christ is what points me to Him and not you every time. That’s the biggest thing i love about you is how you never pojnt to Matt or your church but to Jesus. Now, maybe i’m the exception … i probably am, but know from one of your biggest “fans” that, to me, it’s always been about Jesus and never about you, and that’s from someone who’s listened to almost every sermon of your i can find. I know we all have blind spots, but it’s your passion for Him that makes me love you so much bro, not you. Sure, you’re a cool hombre, and one day when i meet you i’m gonna give you a huge hug and try to get my photo taken with you.<br /> May the Lord bless you and keep you Matt and continue to refine and shape you more and more into His image. Your ministry is powerful and vast and it is those things b/c of Him. Thank God for you bro.<br /> Wesley.<br /> Vancouver, BC</p> </div> </li> <li> <div>kr<span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12253" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 9:18 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/252525e9d9ee404532461f0af270027a?s=32&amp;d=http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>Thank you for sharing with us. It has been a blessing to see you, your family, and your church grow through this year. May God bless you and continue to use you to His glory.</p> </div> </li> <li> <div><a href="http://www.caregivercancerjourney.com" rel="external nofollow">Cynthia Siegfried</a><span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12254" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 10:22 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/0e4ed1fccb90fbba42580c40108b3343?s=32&amp;d=http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>Matt,<br /> I have been following your progress since February of this year. My husband has been living (well) for 8 years with advanced lung cancer. In my book, “Cancer Journey: A Caregiver’s View from the Passenger Seat,” I write about the spiritual and emotional struggles that most people experience when facing a terminal disease. Your random thoughts could have been taken directly from my book. I don’t think it’s posssible to live life fully until you have accepted your mortality. We are now living the abundant life–even in the valley of the shadow of death.</p> </div> </li> <li> <div>Michael<span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12255" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 10:46 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/c757889166f96276c72cb63e0b82a1dd?s=32&amp;d=http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>Your tragedy has moved me. I’m struggling with addiction and it seems minute, compared with your problems. Know, the good Lord is shaken me to my my reality. God’s Blessings, Abba Father forgive me.</p> </div> </li> <li> <div>Jeff R<span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12256" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 11:04 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/599e4502145d5c636a782ff3bd7b3251?s=32&amp;d=http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>God Bless.</p> </div> </li> <li> <div><a href="http://www.dakota-photography.com" rel="external nofollow">Brandi</a><span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12257" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 11:12 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/b7dc5d527d97ac1fa503bd33dd984ee3?s=32&amp;d=http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>Simply amazing a true inspiration. My God continue to bless you and your family.</p> </div> </li> <li> <div><a href="http://www.joshuafoundation.org.za" rel="external nofollow">Ash</a><span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12258" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 11:25 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/0303d3dd89ec2c075de670b2908a8244?s=32&amp;d=http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>Wow. Awesome.thanks for your honesty and realness in what God has been teaching you and how you have been feeling. Brought tears to my eyes and made me realise how fragile I am,and We all are.God bless you for sharing.</p> </div> </li> <li> <div><a href="http://stealtherush.blogpspot.com" rel="external nofollow">Billy Barron</a><span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12259" title="">Thursday, December 2, 2010 11:46 pm</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/05902e71236619b4b01f3b8f23bf0361?s=32&amp;d=http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>sure I’m not the first to add the Twain quote to the comments:<br /> “Figures often beguile me, particularly when I have the arranging of them myself; in which case the remark attributed to Disraeli would often apply with justice and force: “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics.”</p> <p>Also, I am a part time youth pastor in Farmville Va (it’s a real place, not a Facebook game)…I knew nothing of you before your sickness, but since then I have listened to almost all 8 years of your podcasts over the past year and have grown soooo desperate for Jesus through your teaching, life, and love of Him…through Jesus in you…thank you so much and praise HIM!</p> </div> </li> <li> <div>Jessica Kelly<span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12260" title="">Friday, December 3, 2010 12:02 am</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/c753edb2bc7c29b988e95dd643f347c9?s=32&amp;d=http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>I am so encouraged by this! Thank you, Pastor Matt, for walking so faithfully with the Lord through this! The flock you lead has been BLESSED in ways we will never fully know in this life because of your crying out to God during this time!</p> </div> </li> <li> <div>Mairi<span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12261" title="">Friday, December 3, 2010 1:22 am</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/e4d683a3f02817c35fb19577221ee14a?s=32&amp;d=http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>Thank you, God, for all that you keep on bringing into our lives. Thank you for Matt.</p> </div> </li> <li> <div>Tracy Forde<span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12262" title="">Friday, December 3, 2010 2:00 am</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/f032a004278923406efd04e019e7940d?s=32&amp;d=http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>Love you pastor Matt……in weakness…He is made strong…may He devestate our hearts for our good…for His glory. Thank you for not punting it….but in yer vulnerbility dying to self…showing me how He is better….and I am HIS. <img src="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif" height="15" alt=":)" width="15" /> Thank you for being real…please don’t stop dying to you…so that He is made much<br /> of…see you Sunday at 11 am. <img src="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif" height="15" alt=";)" width="15" /> </p> </div> </li> <li> <div>Jo Lynne Nugent<span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12263" title="">Friday, December 3, 2010 6:08 am</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/fc1b9389ca29a787e54b1e5280455d7e?s=32&amp;d=http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>I don’t know of you, your blog post came across my Facebook newsfeed, but your words were powerful, even profound, &amp; acted as a mirror for me. Thank you for the lesson in which I saw myself, in not a very good light, and learned. God bless you.</p> </div> </li> <li> <div>Mindy Gordon<span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12264" title="">Friday, December 3, 2010 8:58 am</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/529922a273b33cfd5f6892f5d5f64b50?s=32&amp;d=http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>So let me get this straight…<br /> Matt Chandler: lover of the Almighty; faithful and loving husband; devoted father; strong Godly shepherd of God’s church; God’s tool, being used in amazing ways for the Kingdom, and for His glory…<br /> And that makes Matt Chandler:<br /> a sinner saved by Grace.</p> <p>We love you and pray for you daily. Thank you for your honest testimony. It means more than you know.</p> </div> </li> <li> <div>Sheryl Jacobson<span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12265" title="">Friday, December 3, 2010 9:00 am</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/9ad22ee14598a9d24b16cf082aa6ba02?s=32&amp;d=http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>Matt, my father was diagnosed this past summer with a malignant brain tumor in his parietal lobe. He too was given the sad and shocking news that this tumor is fatal and he had between 9 months to 2 years to live. I am sure I don’t have to tell you how nauseating those words were when the surgeon revealed to us that our dad,the leader of our family, was very ill, and he needed to go home and live each day to it’s fullest from now on.</p> <p>I too have dug deeper in my soul searching, and I have found many things about myself that I do not like. Although I need to daily tell myself “What would Jesus do.” How would he handle this situation. I am embarrassed to say that I know he would be ashamed of me often. </p> <p>I, like you, struggle daily with following through with daily prayer, trusting in him, realizing that in eternity, I would have a lot of explaining to do if the Lord took my life away today.</p> <p>Thank you for your honesty, it touched my heart</p> </div> </li> <li> <div><a href="http://KevinRossen.com" rel="external nofollow">Kevin Rossen</a><span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12266" title="">Friday, December 3, 2010 9:20 am</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/a984144fc79cfd5f8f529765663b9add?s=32&amp;d=http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>Thank you for this honest, heart-felt post. Great insights into life, ministry, and faith!</p> </div> </li> <li> <div><a href="http://fierceandfiesty.blogspot.com" rel="external nofollow">Jill Haskins</a><span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12267" title="">Friday, December 3, 2010 9:26 am</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/d037ee64ec49c2cf7aca9793314db052?s=32&amp;d=http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>Matt- </p> <p>Someone referred me to your site and told me that it could be of some encouragement to me. </p> <p>My son Joshua died of a severe heart defect 51 days after her was born. He is the 3rd of my 3 children. </p> <p>As I read this post, I found myself nodding and thanking Jesus for your words. </p> <p>I just wanted to thank you for your words and for your openness. I look forward to continuing to reading more.</p> </div> </li> <li> <div>Steve Cloud<span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12268" title="">Friday, December 3, 2010 9:43 am</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/fa846a11f923ba9483202ae2a5bbc30b?s=32&amp;d=http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>Thank you for being so candid, Matt. What a journey this past year has been. I pray that God will continue to shape and use you for His purposes. It is encouraging to hear about the glory of God’s presence, even in the midst of so much pain and uncertainty. Thank you for giving us a glimpse of that personal growth in your life. Too often, those of us who lead churches get caught up in “doing” ministry…and forget that when all is said and done, we are nothing but…”His.” I needed a reminder of that this morning. Praying for you, man. Hope you have an amazing week!</p> </div> </li> <li> <div>Jared Still<span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12270" title="">Friday, December 3, 2010 10:43 am</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/6906d5b34d0abf1915d1417edb8679fe?s=32&amp;d=http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>Thanks so much for this, Matt. It’s encouraging beyond words. Specifically to know you, and others with you, wept in the face of this. It’s so easy to see, or project, so much strength on leaders in your position. It affirms God’s greatness to know that He doesn’t just meet us all in the valleys, that He loving guides us through them for His glory, purpose and our joy is incredibly satisfying!</p> <p>Blessings bro</p> </div> </li> <li> <div><a href="http://www.kingdomstrategist.com" rel="external nofollow">Kevin Ring</a><span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12271" title="">Friday, December 3, 2010 11:11 am</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/e9fac1e1374f0565f97560f9a64b011d?s=32&amp;d=http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>Thank you, Matt. Thank you for this glimpse of grace and for showing me the radiance of Jesus that shines through your words.</p> </div> </li> <li> <div><a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001139422254" rel="external nofollow">Jeff Brown</a><span> @ <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758#comment-12272" title="">Friday, December 3, 2010 11:23 am</a></span></div> <div><img src="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/d818505e580cad9393cf9f130c7052f9?s=32&amp;d=http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=32&amp;r=G" height="32" alt="" width="32" /></div> <div> <p>Amen brother, ive never got the chance to actually meet u but i want u know i love u much and u will stay in my prayers! God is really enough and he shows us much in our lives and im learning that same lesson many times in my 19 years of living! God bless u my dear brother and stay humble to our God in Jesus mighty name! My hat is off and i can trully say your testimony will change lives and point to the cross! I wish i could wrap my arms around u and your family! God is enough!</p> </div> </li> </ol> <div> <h3>Add your comment now</h3> <p>The comment section of this blog is designed for comments that relate to the blog content specifically. Comments will not be posted that are vulgar or are not related to the blog content.</p> </div> </div></blockquote><div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=758">fm.thevillagechurch.net</a></div> <p>This really blessed me. For a number of reasons, not the least of which was the glaring transparency of our brother. May the Lord grant me grace to see my own motivations as clearly and confess them as openly.</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/one-year-later-the-village-church-from-our-pa">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-3346404179875019681?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-32254926998978184492010-12-01T07:32:00.001-05:002010-12-01T07:32:26.502-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote><div> <div> <p>Mike Cosper<span>|</span>10:41 AM CT</p> </div> <h3>The 3 Most Disturbing Words on TV</h3> <div> <p>Not long ago, <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2010/11/09/piper-on-what-could-make-the-gospel-centered-movement-unravel/">Justin Taylor linked an excerpt from a sermon by John Piper</a>. The clip was about Piper’s fears that certain cultural attachments could cause this whole gospel-centered movement to unravel. Here are a few quotes:</p> <ul> <li>“There’s the giving of zeal for truth in biblical doctrine back and forth among young people, and I’m concerned that there are some loose wires dangling between the majesty of God that is sung about in the services that causes people to soar with the kind of emotional euphoria about the greatness of God and the wires of our daily, practical, detailed lives.” (2:08)</li> <li>“They dangle disconnected between big thoughts about God and big appetites for beer.” (2:40)</li> <li>“They dangle disconnected between infinite purity of God and the lure of pornography.” (2:46)</li> <li>“They dangle disconnected between the majesty of Christ and the carelessly attended default weekend movie, no questions asked, it’s just a thing to do.” (2:53)</li> <li>“They dangle disconnected between white-hot, all-satisfying divine holiness and hip-huggers and plunging necklines.” (3:06)</li> </ul> <div> <dl style=""> <dt><img title="Mike Cosper" src="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/files/2010/11/Mike-Cosper3-300x119.jpg" height="119" alt="" width="300" /></dt> </dl> </div> <p>Several friends sent me the clip wondering what I thought. My initial reaction was concern over the collection of issues. There are differing degrees of moral ambiguity between “hip-huggers” and pornography. Other comments could be made regarding movies and beer, but Piper is too wise to simply throw these at us as blanket statements. The modifying phrases, such “big appetites” and “carelessly attended,” should be what catch our attention.</p> <p>It got me thinking about the concept of “<a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/11/12/art-for-from-and-facing-the-church/">art facing the church</a>” (how we as Christians respond to the culture of creativity around us). Much of our media consumption could be called “careless” or “mindless,” and the effect it has on our souls is little noticed. It reminded me, too, of the three most disturbing words on television.</p> <h3>Good Art Tells the Truth</h3> <p>As I’ve admitted here before, I grew up kind of a TV junkie, and remain to this day an avid apologist for television. I love TV for its ability to tell a complex, many-layered story, like <em>Lost</em> or <em>Mad Men </em>do, or like <em>The X-Files </em>did when I was a kid. Even formulaic shows like <em>The Mentalist</em>, which essentially repeat their premise week after week, are telling a larger story about a man haunted by his wife’s murder, wracked with guilt, and in spite of his charming exterior, seething with vengeance.</p> <p>To me, the problem with our television viewing, like our movie viewing, has less to do with content than it does with our hearts. In our tribe of evangelicals, the conversations tend to focus on lust and sexuality. But there’s far more than sex happening in our hearts when we watch TV and movies.</p> <p>Let’s take a fairly friendly show like <em>The Amazing Race. </em>I’m not a huge fan but watched a few episodes several seasons back, and I catch glimpses of it now and then. I remember when it dawned on me that the casting directors on the show are the true geniuses. Like any good story, they give you sympathetic characters, underdogs, and villains. It’s with the villains that we need to examine our hearts. There’s almost always a verbally abusive alpha-male, dominating his poor wife or girlfriend throughout the show. It brings out the bile in us, and we hate him. In fact, this sort of slimy weasel character shows up on a lot of reality television.</p> <p>Now why would casting directors consistently put people on TV for us to hate? You’d think our tendency would be to change the channel when they were on TV. On the contrary, we love the villains. We love to hate them. Having a villain, an enemy, a monster to watch puts us as the viewer on the judgment seat. We’re empowered to stare down our noses at these villains, and the contempt feels great.</p> <p>The villain role was so successful in reality TV that it gave birth to this whole second-generation of shows like <em>Rock of Love, I Love New York, </em>and <em>Jersey Shore—</em>houses full of contemptible people doing dehumanizing things for a moment of fame. The phrase, “I’m not here to make friends” has become a mainstay of all reality TV shows, indicating the moment when the villain is revealed, the contempt pours out, and things get ugly.</p> <p>Why do we watch them? Why do we have “big appetites” for contempt? Because it fans the flames of our self-righteousness. The fall has left our souls without gravity, adrift, looking for any indication they can find of their security. Reality TV’s villains present us with the minimal assurance that, no matter how bad things may be, at least we aren’t eating animal entrails for a chance to date a washed-up rock star.</p> <h3>Other Terrors Lurk</h3> <p>There are other terrors that lurk in primetime slots of our national networks. Few Christians would openly defend viewing a show like <em>Rock of Love</em>, but who doesn’t get teary-eyed watching the final moments of <em>Extreme Makeover: Home Edition</em>? Never mind that it’s a spinoff of a show about radical plastic surgery, <em>EMHE </em> pulls together a whole community to give a deserving family a new, grandiose home. Who could argue with that?</p> <p>Which brings me to the three most disturbing words on television: “Move that bus.”</p> <p>Again, there’s no arguing with the warmth and altruistic sentiments of the show. The families who have been profiled always seem to be wonderful people, I don’t impugn them or the show’s creators with secret evil intentions. But a disturbing thing happens in the final moments of the show. After profiling the family’s suffering, after talking about hardship and perseverance, after recruiting an army of volunteers, the family is brought in front of the new home, which is hidden from view by a large touring bus. They count down and call out those three words, and the reaction can only be described as worship. There are tears and shouting while people fall to their knees, hands raised in the air.</p> <p>Here it is on bold display: the ultimate hope of most Americans. It’s as though a phantom voice is responding to their suffering with the words, <em>Well done, good and faithful servant. Here is your reward: dreamy bedrooms, big-screen TVs, privacy fencing, and wireless internet.</em> We watch. We weep. And we hope for ourselves. It’s yet another gospel alternative, this one packaged as a heart-warming vision of the way life is “supposed to be.”</p> <p>Instead of just asking yourself about lust when you watch a film, ask yourself about hope. What’s the hope being proclaimed? What other desires are being stirred? Does it feed your sense of self-righteousness? Does it give you cause for contempt? Or does it give you a call to worship at the feet of the American dream?</p> <p>Good art tells the truth, and sometimes the truth is ugly. Sometimes people who suffer don’t receive a reward. Sometimes the truth involves sinful people doing sinful things, and in telling a story (even a redemptive story) it’s necessary to talk about that darkness. Sometimes what appears to be good for the heart and the family is actually an idol in disguise. At all points in the spectrum, individual tolerance for media should be constrained by a Scripture-soaked and gospel-informed conscience and by the input and feedback of our community in the church.</p> <p>Mike Cosper is pastor of worship and arts at Sojourn Community Church in Louisville, Kentucky. He writes on the gospel and the arts for The Gospel Coalition.</p> </div> <div> <span>Categories:</span> <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/category/articles-of-interest/" title="View all posts in Articles of Interest" rel="category tag">Articles of Interest</a>, <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/category/commentary/" title="View all posts in Commentary" rel="category tag">Commentary</a>, <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/category/featured/" title="View all posts in Featured" rel="category tag">Featured</a>, <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/category/essays-and-opinion/" title="View all posts in Opinion" rel="category tag">Opinion</a> </div> <div> <p> <span><a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/11/22/the-3-most-disturbing-words-on-tv#" title="ShareThis via email, AIM, social bookmarking and networking sites, etc."><span>Share This</span></a></span> <span>|</span> <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/11/22/the-3-most-disturbing-words-on-tv/print/" title="Printable Version" rel="nofollow">Printable Version</a> </p> <p> </p><p> </p></div> There are <strong> comments</strong> on this post. --&gt; <p> <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/11/22/the-3-most-disturbing-words-on-tv#">View Comments (61)</a> <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/11/22/the-3-most-disturbing-words-on-tv#">Post Comment</a> </p> </div></blockquote><div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/11/22/the-3-most-disturbing-words-on-tv/">thegospelcoalition.org</a></div> <p>What a well-written piece. I find its truthfulness and accuracy to be convicting. How far do we go in the thought process to unmask the REAL culprit as we consume media? Some of the questions here are really challenging, and I'm thankful for it. Enjoy the rest HERE</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/the-3-most-disturbing-words-on-tv-the-gospel">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-3225492699897818449?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-22815612183871906502010-11-30T14:48:00.001-05:002010-11-30T14:48:06.378-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/4125092?portrait=0" frameborder="0" height="283" width="500"></iframe> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://vimeo.com/4125092">vimeo.com</a></div> <p>Be Reconciled!</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/cardboard-stories-on-vimeo-thanks-jaredcwilso">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-2281561218387190650?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-340702411737577302010-11-29T10:53:00.001-05:002010-11-29T10:53:46.472-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/17139113?portrait=0" frameborder="0" height="283" width="500"></iframe> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.vimeo.com/17139113">vimeo.com</a></div> <p>BOOM!</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/the-suffering-servant-promo-believin-stephen">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-34070241173757730?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-65774966777598745002010-11-27T20:14:00.001-05:002010-11-27T20:14:30.201-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <embed src="http://wespendleton.com/swf/audio_player_black.swf?audio_file=http://www.tumblr.com/audio_file/1707422481/tumblr_lckj4nX1iG1qbfo22&amp;color=FFFFFF" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="27" quality="best" width="207" /> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://wespendleton.com/post/1707422481/sweeter-wes-pendleton-young-joshua?ref=nf">wespendleton.com</a></div> <p>Fire! I'm loving this joint. I also LOVE Phien's refined flow on this joint. Can I get an album from you 3? Thanks.</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/wes-pendleton-sweeter-wes-pendleton-young-jos">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-6577496677759874500?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-64776016485584497902010-11-26T09:48:00.001-05:002010-11-26T09:48:04.643-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/DBnvqwwzxczIACjbylslvsjAxulhAInGznHjlJmFqtvvvckritFwcDqdelis/camera_1290782852.080265.jpeg.scaled600.jpg" width="478" height="640"/> </p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/34576872">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-6477601648558449790?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-26733301937433701232010-11-20T11:09:00.001-05:002010-11-20T11:09:04.175-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p><a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/oEkGqJmwpfnHvEymIHBwwpuhtmndFIAIeJrjtqFewhotvwEderxEFmsqzpiw/normal_1290269323.730348.jpeg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/oEkGqJmwpfnHvEymIHBwwpuhtmndFIAIeJrjtqFewhotvwEderxEFmsqzpiw/normal_1290269323.730348.jpeg.scaled600.jpg" width="600" height="800"/></a> </p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/33995246">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-2673330193743370123?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-81619858463796143812010-11-19T14:10:00.001-05:002010-11-19T14:10:39.456-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/tHGcejCzIFlyxfceHAkhpyeIIcozwFiBrEoiffykurqAJzEgGaIjdrHvwuhb/media_httpwwwrapzilla_wmAjF.jpg.scaled600.jpg" width="540" height="540"/> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://rapzilla.com/rz/component/content/article/39-rapzillas-news/2651-fruit-cocktail-cover-and-tracklisting">rapzilla.com</a></div> <p>Nuff Said. <br />11/23/10</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/fruit-cocktail-cover-and-tracklisting-rapzill">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-8161985846379614381?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-74734091587131285282010-11-19T09:18:00.001-05:002010-11-19T09:18:42.878-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="303" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5z1S0wd3nsA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=FFFFFF&color2=FFFFFF&showinfo=0" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5z1S0wd3nsA?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=FFFFFF&amp;color2=FFFFFF&amp;showinfo=0" allowfullscreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" height="303" width="500" /></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://hotair.com/archives/2010/11/19/four-year-old-met-his-mothers-miscarried-child-in-heaven/">hotair.com</a></div> <p>True or False? Please bring Scripture.</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/four-year-old-met-his-mothers-miscarried-chil">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-7473409158713128528?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-60824002429091911252010-11-18T11:56:00.001-05:002010-11-18T11:56:29.678-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/uDfklEGfqywdopCrbrGoHBuggowtIwhxcqepbuxGGjbxaFsgfgcvyGJIaBfG/media_httpbehancevoll_GpjGh.png.scaled600.png" width="572" height="429"/> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://the99percent.com/tips/6954/the-1-step-plan-for-super-productivity">the99percent.com</a></div> <p>A very interesting article here on productivity. This is probably the five-hundreth time/place I've seen said advice. Is it a mandate? No. Is it inexpressibly helpful? I'd guess yes. Don't worry, getting up early is not a panacea. The bottom line though is for those of us (myself included) wishing there were more hours in the day, there are. If you're like me, you tend to use them to sleep more. Ease into the early routine, try it on. You may find it fits you better than you could've imagined. <br />Enjoy the rest of the article, including tips on getting started HERE</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/the-1-step-plan-for-super-productivity-boom-r">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-6082400242909191125?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-84446646482462547832010-11-18T07:37:00.001-05:002010-11-18T07:37:25.184-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/16952422?portrait=0" frameborder="0" height="283" width="500"></iframe> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://vimeo.com/16952422">vimeo.com</a></div> <p>I don't even think I need to say anymore! It's getting mad hectic over at B3ar Fruit, no? Zae Da Blacksmith gettin it in with the next installment of teasers for the upcoming project. How often do we consider the Fruit of the Spirit? For myself until now, it wasn't all that often. Obviously my consideration of it doesn't stop the Lord for working them out in me, yet.... <br />In a disciplining moment between my son and I, I was better able to express some of what the Lord means to do in His people by referring to the fruit. Self-control is actually the fruit he and I were discussing, and I found myself moving from it to the other fruit as well. Reflecting on the goals the Lord has revealed as His in Scripture doesn't cause the goal to be reached in ourselves. However, it DOES prompt us to look to the ONE who met every goal on our behalf. As I consider the fruit of the Spirit, I think of Jesus, who never lapsed in the exercise of any of them. He's my Savior, and through Him, I'm compelled to B3ar Fruit!!</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/fruit-cocktail-zae-da-blacksmith-self-control">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-8444664648246254783?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-42890977016589186632010-11-17T11:44:00.001-05:002010-11-17T11:44:19.055-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote><div> <p>There's loads of knowledge to be found, but wisdom is a rare commodity. Why? Because wisdom is one of sin's first casualties. It's hard to admit, but true none the less: sin reduces all of us to fools. And the fact is that no one is more victimized by your foolishness than you are.</p> <p>You see the empirical evidence of the foolishness of sin on almost every page of Scripture. For example, you see foolishness in full operation in the tragic story of David and Bathsheba. This is why David says, "Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place" (<a href="http://biblia.com/bible/niv/Psalm%2051.6" target="_blank">Psalm 51:6 NIV</a>).</p> <p>You read the story of David's sin, and you say to yourself, "What was he thinking? Did he really believe that he'd get away with this? Did he completely forget who he was? Did he think that God was going to stand idly by and let this happen?" But David is not some extreme case of foolishness gone wild; you see evidence of the same foolishness in each of our lives daily. People could say of us again and again, "What was he thinking? What was she thinking?"</p> <p>What does foolishness look like? Here are four of its most significant aspects.</p> <h4>1) The Foolishness of Self-centeredness</h4> <p>We were created to live for something, someone bigger than ourselves. We were designed to live with, for, and through the Lord. God is meant to be the motivation and hope of everything we do. His pleasure, his honor, and his will are the things for which we are meant to live. But the foolishness of sin really does cause us to reduce our lives to the size and shape of our lives.</p> <p>Often our living has no greater purpose than self-satisfaction and self-fulfillment. Does this sound harsh? Well, ask yourself, "Why do I ever get impatient with others?" "Why do I ever say things I shouldn't say?" "Why do I get discouraged with my circumstances?" "Why do I give way to anger or give in to self-pity?" The answer is that, like me, you want your own way, and when things don't go your way or people are in your way, you lash out in anger or you turn inward in discouragement.</p> <h4>2) The Foolishness of Self-deception</h4> <p>We're all very good at making ourselves feel good about what God says is bad. We're all very skilled at recasting what we've done so what was wrong doesn't look so wrong to us. I'll tell myself that I didn't really lash out in anger; no, I was speaking as one of God's prophets. I'll tell myself that that second look wasn't lust; I am simply a man who enjoys beauty. I'll tell myself that I'm not craving power; I'm just exercising God-given leadership gifts.</p> <p>Foolishness is able to do something dangerous. It's able to look at wrong and see right. Had David been able to see himself with accuracy and if he'd been able to see his sin for what it really was, it's hard to imagine that he would have continued to travel down that pathway.</p> <h4>3) The Foolishness of Self-sufficiency</h4> <p>We all like to think of ourselves as more independently capable than we actually are. We weren't created to be independent, autonomous, or self-sufficient. We were made to live in a humble, worshipful, and loving dependency upon God and in a loving and humble interdependency with others.</p> <p>Our lives were designed to be community projects. Yet, the foolishness of sin tells us that we have all that we need within ourselves. So we settle for relationships that never go beneath the casual. We defend ourselves when the people around us point out a weakness or a wrong. We hold our struggles within, not taking advantage of the resources that God has given us.</p> <p>The lie of the garden was that Adam and Eve could be like God, independent and self-sufficient. We still tend to buy into that lie.</p> <h4>4) The Foolishness of Self-righteousness</h4> <p>Why don't we celebrate grace more? Why aren't we more amazed by the wonderful gifts that are ours as the children of God? Why don't we live with a deep sense of need, coupled with a deep sense of gratitude for how each need has been met by God's grace? Well, the answer is clear. You'll never celebrate grace as much as you should when you think you're more righteous than you actually are.</p> <p>Grace is the plea of sinners. Mercy is the hope of the wicked. Acceptance is the prayer of those who know that they could never do anything to earn it. But the foolishness of sin makes me righteous in my own eyes.</p> <p>When I tell my stories, I become more the hero than I ever was. I look wiser in my narratives than I could have been. In my view of my history, my choices were better than what they actually were. Often it isn't my sin that keeps me from coming to God.&nbsp; Sadly, I don't come to him because I don't think I need the grace that can be found only in him.</p> <p>Here is what all of us must face, sin really does reduce us all to fools, but happily the story doesn't end there. The One who is the ultimate source of everything that's good, true, trustworthy, right, and wise is also a God of amazing grace.</p> <p>You don't get freed from your foolishness by education or experience. You don't get wisdom by research and analysis. You get wisdom by means of a relationship with the One who is Wisdom.</p> <p>The radical claim of the Bible is that wisdom isn't first a book, or a system, or a set of commands or principles. No, wisdom is a person, and his name is Jesus Christ. When you and I are graced into acceptance with him, we're drawn into a personal relationship with Wisdom, and Wisdom begins a lifelong process of freeing us from the stronghold that the foolishness of sin has on us. We aren't yet completely free, but there will be a day when our every thought, desire, choice, action, and word will be fundamentally wise!</p> <p>It makes such sense then, that a repentant man (David) would reflect on his need for wisdom. Sin, in reducing us to fools, causes us to do foolish things, even though we think we're wise. And for this we need more than information, education, and experience. We need exactly what we find in Christ—grace.</p> <p>Wisdom is the product of grace; there is simply nowhere else it can be found.</p> </div></blockquote><div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/youre-fooling-yourself">desiringgod.org</a></div> <p>Ouch. And Amen.</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/youre-fooling-yourself-desiring-god">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-4289097701658918663?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-22421862500415694882010-11-17T09:04:00.001-05:002010-11-17T09:04:28.643-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p><a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/HGpnErwCzEdttuzbkcdjapybwlcAfJvyhmiFJvgfuAbAbndFofnrgDdrhJwy/normal_1290002612.810374.jpeg.scaled1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/HGpnErwCzEdttuzbkcdjapybwlcAfJvyhmiFJvgfuAbAbndFofnrgDdrhJwy/normal_1290002612.810374.jpeg.scaled600.jpg" width="600" height="803"/></a> </p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/33711351">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-2242186250041569488?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-85827630261033938312010-11-17T07:41:00.001-05:002010-11-17T07:41:57.944-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/16913921?portrait=0" frameborder="0" height="283" width="500"></iframe> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://vimeo.com/16913921">vimeo.com</a></div> <p>B3ar Fruit is GOING ALL THE WAY IN!!! 11/23/10, Keep your eyes peeled family! Here's yet another banging installment in what is shaping up to be a monster of a compilation. Straight up, with the mix of rhyme and song that has been seen with these snippets, I'm in anticipation mode for the final product. Anyway, peep Trip's contribution, and go HERE for the rest of them. Enjoy!</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/fruit-cocktail-trip-lee-gentleness-on-vimeo">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-8582763026103393831?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-20452350439763397952010-11-14T07:28:00.001-05:002010-11-14T07:28:26.213-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote><div> <img src="http://thegospelcoalition.org/images_new/2011_conference/overview_title.png" height="23" width="413" /><br /> <p>Many pastors and Bible teachers hunger to handle the Old Testament with more confidence—in the same way that New Testament writers handle it, in a way that understands how and why the New Testament writers treat the Old Testament as they do, and so arrive at Jesus and the Gospel. We might have begun by working through a number of New Testament passages where the Old is quoted, but we decided to start at the other end.</p> <p>This way we may hope to model how a selection of Old Testament texts might be taught or preached—all in the hope of better learning how to teach and preach the whole counsel of God, how to become workers who do not need to be ashamed as we handle the Word of truth.</p> <div><img src="http://thegospelcoalition.org/images_new/2011_conference/overview_speakers.png" height="22" width="137" /><br /></div> <table width="400"> <tr valign="top"> <td width="194"> Thabiti Anyabwile<br /> Voddie Baucham <br /> Alistair Begg<br /> Paige Benton Brown<br /> Mike Bullmore<br /> Don Carson<br /> Matt Chandler<br /> Bryan Chapell<br /> K. Edward Copeland<br /> Mark Dever<br /> Kevin DeYoung<br /> Bob Doll<br /> Mark Driscoll<br /> Ligon Duncan<br /> Craig Dyer<br /> Keith and Kristyn Getty<br /> Greg Gilbert<br /> Nancy Guthrie<br /> Joshua Harris<br /> Dave Harvey<br /> David Helm<br /> R. Kent Hughes<br /> Gary Inrig<br /> Mary Kassian<br /> Scott Kauffmann<br /> Tim Keller<br /> Julius Kim<br /> Richard Lints<br /> Crawford Loritts <br /> </td> <td width="194"> Erwin Lutzer<br /> James MacDonald<br /> John Mahaffey<br /> C. J. Mahaney<br /> Carolyn Mahaney<br /> Eric Mason<br /> Conrad Mbewe<br /> Mike McKinley<br /> R. Albert Mohler, Jr.<br /> Russell Moore<br /> Randy Newman<br /> Kathleen B. Nielson<br /> Michael Oh<br /> Ray Ortlund<br /> Darrin Patrick<br /> Tony Payne<br /> David Powlison<br /> Phil Ryken<br /> Jenny Salt<br /> Juan Sanchez<br /> Tim Savage<br /> Colin Smith<br /> Scotty Smith<br /> Tullian Tchividjian<br /> Stephen Um<br /> Sandy Willson<br /> </td> </tr> </table> <br /> <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/conferences/2011/#speakers"><img src="http://thegospelcoalition.org/images_new/2011_conference/overview_more_speakers.png" height="25" width="202" /></a><p></p><p> <img src="http://thegospelcoalition.org/images_new/2011_conference/overview_arrows.png" height="22" width="406" /></p><p> </p></div></blockquote><div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/conferences/2011/#overview">thegospelcoalition.org</a></div> <p>This has the makings of a doozy of a conference. Not just because the speaker list reads like a who's who among Gospel-centric preachers/teachers in America today either. The REAL dooziness (patented coinage of term) of this conference is in the subject matter being addressed. Namely, preaching Jesus and the GOSPEL from the Old Testament!!! Reading Graeme Goldsworthy has definitely whet my apetite to hear/learn more about what is the central theme in all of Scripture. I am AT THE VERY least, excited to hear the sermons online that originate from this conference. AT THE VERY MOST, however, my wife and I will be front and center. Looking at the scheduled workshops is also real reason for us to find ourselves in Chicago in April. I don't know what your plans are for April 12-14th but if the Lord wills, and our plans converge me and my bride will see you there.</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/2011-national-conference-the-gospel-coalition-0">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-2045235043976339795?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-56358102597913792052010-11-12T22:02:00.003-05:002010-11-12T22:02:40.556-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p><a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/JbsirGsDjCfodItduICjhwxzAdwIbdarnigEnJhmAtHdaGBwCHJgHczpFAvo/normal_1289614020.905537.jpeg.scaled1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/JbsirGsDjCfodItduICjhwxzAdwIbdarnigEnJhmAtHdaGBwCHJgHczpFAvo/normal_1289614020.905537.jpeg.scaled600.jpg" width="600" height="803"/></a> </p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/33313611">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-5635810259791379205?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-3374129605776099652010-11-12T22:02:00.001-05:002010-11-12T22:02:19.909-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/aqlcvtCDvIAJEcrEmxovbGuwlszynlAGcFAhdHIrHGxCadapdAyIcJDpGhGo/normal_1289614032.844521.jpeg.scaled600.jpg" width="480" height="640"/> </p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/33313598">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-337412960577609965?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-16202248412242648472010-11-12T09:57:00.001-05:002010-11-12T09:57:07.741-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="500" width="500"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F6939140&amp;auto_play=false&amp;player_type=artwork&amp;color=fd1b14" /> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /> <embed src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F6939140&amp;auto_play=false&amp;player_type=artwork&amp;color=fd1b14" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="500" width="500"> </embed></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.rapzilla.com/rz/music/2619-level-316-qtell-em-internal-conflict">rapzilla.com</a></div> <p>Banging!!! Here's the first "official" single from the squad I been tellin ya'll about, Level 3:16. Thanks to Rapzilla for posting this joint. Peep the lyrics HERE! <br />Enjoy, as I did. I can't wait until their album drops</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/level-316-tell-em-internal-conflict-rapzilla">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-1620224841224264847?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-45632612800006831122010-11-12T09:20:00.001-05:002010-11-12T09:20:23.096-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/16755982?portrait=0" frameborder="0" height="283" width="500"></iframe> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://vimeo.com/16755982">vimeo.com</a></div> <p>I smell a flavorful compilation cooking!! B3ar Fruit (@b3arfruit on twitter, <a href="http://www.b3arfruit.com">www.b3arfruit.com</a> on the net) has been putting out acapellas from various artists for the past week or so, and all signs point to a compilation! At the end of each artists' work, there is the slogan "11/23/10, Keep your eyes peeled" (pun, I'm sure, intended). As B3ar Fruit easily segues into discussion of the Fruit of the Spirit, each artist has thus far artistically represented one of the fruit. Sounds/looks like there will be a concept album around just this, and I can't wait! Every one of the videos up to this point has been stellar, and this is the latest one. They can all be seen here <a href="http://vimeo.com/b3arfruit/videos">http://vimeo.com/b3arfruit/videos</a> <br />I can't say positively what will happen on 11/23, but based on what I've seen so far, I'm ready to support. Enjoy this and all the vids in preparation for the "unveiling." <br />Grace and Peace!</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/fruit-cocktail-c-lite-kindness-on-vimeo">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-4563261280000683112?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-39045682788937837012010-11-11T10:27:00.001-05:002010-11-11T10:27:47.400-05:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote><div> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theblazingcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/fruit.jpg"><img title="fruit" src="http://www.theblazingcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/fruit.jpg" height="359" alt="" width="487" /></a></p><p></p> <p>I’m a product of the instant gratification generation.</p> <p>If I start watching a video online and it takes more than three seconds to load, forget it. Who’s got that much time on their hands? Not this guy. Thankfully, Google now has instant search. Now I save at least a half second on every web search, giving me three seconds more free time every day.</p> <p>I don’t like to wait for things. Ever.</p> <p>Unfortunately, this instant attitude can cause me to have really unrealistic expectations when it comes to doing ministry for the Lord.</p> <p>Serving the Lord is a slow, long-term project, and fruit is often a very long time in coming. The fruit of parenting isn’t seen in a week or a month, but over the course of years. The members of your small group will probably change over the course of five years, not six months. The fruit of your efforts in children’s ministry probably won’t show up until many years later. That’s just the way it works when it comes to serving the Lord.</p> <p>That’s why Paul says,</p> <blockquote><p>What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. (1 Corinthians 3:5-7 ESV)</p></blockquote> <p>If we look too closely for fruit we’ll probably end up feeling discouraged. We can’t evaluate fruitfulness based upon a single small group meeting, or month of family life, or sermon series. We need to have a big picture, long-term mentality when it comes to serving the Lord.</p> <p>Sometimes we’ll see fruit, which is a wonderful experience. But other times we’ll just be watering, which is just as pleasing to the Lord. We’re called to be faithful to the task, not faithful to create fruit. God creates the fruit, not us.</p> <p>If you’re feeling discouraged about a perceived lack of fruitfulness in a particular area, take a step back and look at the big picture. God <em>will</em> produce the fruit. You just need to keep watering.</p> <p><strong>Do you ever find yourself discouraged by a lack of fruit? </strong></p> <p>–</p> <p>+photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/darwinbell/">Darwin Bell</a></p> <p> </p><div><h3>You may also like -</h3><div><a href="http://www.theblazingcenter.com/2010/04/the-only-thing-keeping-me-from-playing-jazz-piano.html" style="height: 171px;"><div style=""><img src="http://img.nrelate.com/image_cache/50df488e0ba6eed5db93b00ce412e967_110_110_280951279_4479d2d7011.jpg" height="110" width="110" style="height: 110px;" /><p></p></div><span>The Only Thing Keeping Me From Playing Jazz Piano</span></a><a href="http://www.theblazingcenter.com/2009/10/though-i-starve-i-will-bless-the-lord.html" style="height: 171px;"><div style=""><img src="http://img.nrelate.com/image_cache/490dece61b86e4269a57f08f991480d5_110_110_tree.jpg" height="110" width="110" style="height: 110px;" /><p></p></div><span>Though I Starve, I Will Bless the Lord</span></a><a href="http://www.theblazingcenter.com/2008/12/lessons-from-jerry-bridges.html" style="height: 171px;"><div style=""><img src="http://img.nrelate.com/image_cache/7589aa7511109f9764d01e44fdb152ec_110_110_2861312474_f2d88a17e6.jpg" height="110" width="110" style="height: 110px;" /><p></p></div><span>Lessons From Jerry Bridges</span></a></div> </div> <iframe height="0" style="border-width: 0px; display: none;" width="0"></iframe> <p> </p><p><span><span style="text-decoration: none; color: #000000; display: inline-block; cursor: pointer;"><span><span>Share</span></span><span></span><span>4</span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration: none; color: #000000; display: inline-block; cursor: pointer;"><span><span>&nbsp;</span><span style="display: inline-block;"><span>&nbsp;</span><span>1</span></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration: none; color: #000000; display: inline-block; cursor: pointer;"><span><span><span>share</span></span><span><span>0</span></span></span></span></span><span><span style="text-decoration: none; color: #000000; display: inline-block; cursor: pointer;"><span><span><span>share</span></span><span><span>5</span></span></span></span></span></p> </div></blockquote><div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.theblazingcenter.com/2010/11/where-the-heck-is-the-fruit.html">theblazingcenter.com</a></div> <p>Be encouraged, Family. There is a blessing within this short article. :)</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/the-blazing-center-where-the-heck-is-the-frui">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-3904568278893783701?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-40209255550292515892010-11-05T17:39:00.001-04:002010-11-05T17:39:04.491-04:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="417" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/f-uL2hzNR04&hl=en&fs=1" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed allowfullscreen="true" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/f-uL2hzNR04&hl=en&fs=1" wmode="window" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="417" width="500"></embed></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-uL2hzNR04">youtube.com</a></div> <p>Agreed? Post any thoughts in comments.</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/should-the-gospel-be-central-to-counseling-tu">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-4020925555029251589?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-31597568636391790632010-11-04T13:50:00.001-04:002010-11-04T13:50:31.099-04:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="417" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/99T9ry5NQBQ&hl=en&fs=1" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed allowfullscreen="true" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/99T9ry5NQBQ&hl=en&fs=1" wmode="window" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="417" width="500"></embed></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99T9ry5NQBQ">youtube.com</a></div> <p>Oh, you ain't know?? I LOVED me some John P. Kee and the NLCC!! This is one of my all-time faves from that era........ <br />Love it or not, Jesus IS REAL!! <br />Enjoy! <br />Throwback Thursday</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/john-p-kee-jesus-is-real-live-1991-throwback">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-3159756863639179063?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-69277326490418717562010-11-04T13:38:00.001-04:002010-11-04T13:38:37.676-04:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="417" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/z3Bubecwulw&hl=en&fs=1" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed allowfullscreen="true" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/z3Bubecwulw&hl=en&fs=1" wmode="window" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="417" width="500"></embed></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3Bubecwulw">youtube.com</a></div> <p>LOOOOOOOOOOVED this when it dropped! Any older joints you loved? Post in the comments and we can get them on for today's Throwback Thursday. <br />Let's shoot for pre-2000!!</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/da-truth-south-street-2004-throwback">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-6927732649041871756?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-64830188728132484632010-11-04T13:24:00.001-04:002010-11-04T13:24:48.348-04:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="417" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oWZf39lBfGo&hl=en&fs=1" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed allowfullscreen="true" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oWZf39lBfGo&hl=en&fs=1" wmode="window" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="417" width="500"></embed></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWZf39lBfGo">youtube.com</a></div> <p>Loving it.....Throwback Thursday, more to come!! Enjoy</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/116-clique-video-2005-throwback">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-6483018872813248463?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-33217270492829626392010-11-04T11:41:00.001-04:002010-11-04T11:41:50.488-04:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="301" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xr78DvvYK6w?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0&amp;hd=1" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xr78DvvYK6w?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0&amp;hd=1" allowfullscreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" height="301" width="500" /></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/04/dell-inspiron-duo-flips-its-lid-on-official-video/">engadget.com</a></div> <p>What say ye?</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/dell-inspiron-duo-flips-its-lid-on-official-v">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-3321727049282962639?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-85671679802258173682010-11-03T14:20:00.002-04:002010-11-03T14:26:55.848-04:00<div class="posterous_autopost"><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="417" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nEMD0XH0rI8&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1"><param name="wmode" value="window"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed allowfullscreen="true" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nEMD0XH0rI8&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1" wmode="window" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="417" width="500"></embed></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEMD0XH0rI8">youtube.com</a></div> <p>This is poignant. As often as we see Jesus hammering legalism in (among others) the Pharisees, we'd do well to think through the implications of THE GOSPEL. Death to legalism by the Spirit and Grace of God.....<br />Peace </p><p>PS, Peep the Plumbline Collective and their latest work <a href="http://www.theplumblinecollective.com/">HERE</a>. Christ-centered music for the win.</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/legalism-dont-get-it-twisted-legalism-is-dang">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-8567167980225817368?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-27071962357104707222010-11-03T08:02:00.001-04:002010-11-03T08:02:37.416-04:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/dropsofthought/dxAGlkEdEmlvjIrcrhxkJbhmgCffdHHzcdowrFmtDynlGkbtmiligoauyBEc/media_https3amazonaws_wiHhm.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="375" height="500"/> <p /><br />So, here at Drops of Thought, I just learned something valuable.  Namely, to forward my domain name without masking.  What&#39;s masking, you ask?  Well, simply put, it allows you to type in &quot;Dropsofthought.com&quot; and go directly to my site without the &quot;.<a href="http://posterous.com">posterous.com</a>&quot; appearing in the address bar.  What&#39;s the difference? Well, unfortunately as I just found out, when I mask the URL, I am unable to link you directly to a page in my blog.  This became problematic because whenever I wanted to link someone to a particular entry, it would take them to the homepage regardless.  This is annoying, since visitors interested in one post must then scroll until they find it.  Well, I&#39;ve removed the masking.  Henceforth if there&#39;s a post you like and want to link others to, you may do it unimpeded.  I hope you find such freedom as helpful as I do.  This is really important when it comes to some of our most enjoyed posts, like <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/tullian-tchividjian-on-twitter-on-grace-gospe">THIS ONE</a>  With masking on, it took a bunch of people a bunch of time to find it.  It took me a while to understand what was happening and why (I&#39;m not domain genius).  Now that I know, however, I pray Drops of Thought will become increasingly relevant, and useful to you.  Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment anytime on any post.  Grace and Peace! <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/removing-the-mask">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-2707196235710470722?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-36939574472041911342010-11-02T04:10:00.002-04:002010-11-02T04:21:36.717-04:00<div class="posterous_autopost"><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote><div> <p><a href="http://ddflowers.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/pharisee_crucify_him.jpg"><img src="http://ddflowers.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/pharisee_crucify_him.jpg" alt="" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; height: 250px;" height="250" width="211" border="0" /></a></p><p>I’m a Pharisee. And I’m a Calvinist.</p> <p>Those things should not go together. But they do in far too many instances. The Calvinist should be the last to become a Pharisee. Our theology should keep us humble. Or, so we’re told.</p> <p>But I’m a Pharisee. And I’m a Calvinist. Which means I’m a bad Calvinist.</p> <p>Here’s the first reason I’m a Pharisee and Calvinist, or, one reason why those two things happen together far more often than they should. The Pharisee and the Calvinist are both exacting persons. They care about precision, about “getting things right.” They care about the letter because each believes getting the letter correct is important. And it is.</p> <p>So, there is this “bent” toward intellectual things. There is this tendency to live in our heads. And when that meets with a theological tradition as rich and robust as the Reformed tradition, sparks fly–in our heads. Add to that a pinch of argumentative spirit and out comes the Pharisee.</p> <p>But you know what’s lost? The spirit, or the Spirit. Sometimes both. The letter kills. That’s what happens with us Calvinist Pharisees.</p> <p>In my particular case, the letter became pretty important once I realized I had spent a few years of my life giving praise to an idol. Once I realized I had believed a lie and bowed to a god who was not God, well getting things correct theologically became desperately important. Who wants to “get it wrong” in the things of God? I certainly didn’t any longer.</p> <p>I didn’t know it, but I began the Christian life with this impulse that could either help me grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, and/or push me into peevish, narrow, gnat straining regard for “getting it right.” I’ve experienced both in my Christian life. The difference is made by where you’re aiming: those who aim at knowing Jesus escape so much pharisee-ism; those that aim at “getting it right” become so much more Pharisaical.</p> <p>Perhaps you’re like me. You’ve had some experience that’s left you zealous for getting it right. You love the Book in part because you love parsing things, dissecting them, weighing them, identifying what is wanting, tossing the chaff and holding onto the wheat. There’s a joy that comes from discovery–and refutation. Soon, you’re proud you’re not “one of those publicans” that explains the Trinity in loose language, that balks at giving various views of the atonement, that’s read the latest book from one of “those authors.” “Lord,” you pray, “I work to get it right. I avoid mistakes. I protect your word. I’m not like those who ‘happily’ accept ‘weak’ doctrine.”</p> <p><img src="http://wordincarnate.files.wordpress.com/2007/09/13-pharisee.jpg" alt="" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; height: 216px;" height="216" width="288" border="0" /></p> <p>Pharisee.</p> <p>Truthfully, it isn’t our theology that keeps us from the self-righteousness of the Pharisee. Our theology, and the smugness of “Reformed” correctness, are part of the problem. Oh, I don’t mean we have aberrant ideas mingled with our theological outlook. We’d never have that. I mean all this heady truth barely lights our hearts. Our theology becomes the handmaid of our pride and our empty orthodoxy. Our fine theological theorems too seldom ignite liberty, joy, love, or anything else that accompanies the Spirit. Honestly, how often does your theology leave you with Jesus?</p> <p>I know. The Lord reveals Himself in and by the word. The Spirit and the word belong together. Pharisee.</p> <p>Do you remember that time when you were free? No, I mean happily care-free in your walk with the Lord. When there was lightness to everything?</p> <p>Do you remember when you could share with others something God was teaching you, perhaps with imprecise language and a lot of enthusiasm, without <em>first </em>hesitating to make sure you were saying it “correctly”? Perhaps you were too liberal in assigning your enthusiasm or ideas to God, but you were happily excited about the possibility that indeed God had done something <em>in </em>you, <em>for </em>you, <em>through </em>you. Do you remember that?</p> <p>I do. It was before I was self-consciously “Reformed.” I didn’t have a label then, other than “Christian” or “Baptist.” Even those I held lightly. I was label-less, free. And I felt free. I did dumb stuff. I said dumber stuff. But people knew what I meant. Then <em>I</em> discovered what I meant, and knowing what I meant seemed to replace <em>experiencing </em>what I meant.</p> <p>Now, “experience” is a bad word. Pharisee.</p> <p>Yep. That’s me.</p> <p>Don’t get me wrong. I’m a “Calvinist” because what we popularly call “Calvinism” or “Reformed Theology” looks a whole lot like what I understand from the Bible. I think that’s what the Bible teaches, and that’s what I believe. So, I’m comfortable with the label–if we have to use one. I’m just not comfortable with the self-righteousness I see all too often in my heart and life. I’m sure I was self-righteous before; after all, I was an adherent of the world’s largest works-based religion. Pride and self-justification have always been there. Yep. Certified Pharisee here.</p> <p>But here’s the bottom line: As long as my inclination toward detail ends with “getting it right” and not with getting more of Jesus, I’m going to be a Pharisee. Our theology doesn’t keep us humble. Jesus keeps us humble. I think there are a lot of Calvinist Pharisees out there, like me, who push deeper into the theology trusting the next truth to abase them before God. But we keep getting “puffed up” instead. Why? We settle for <em>knowing more</em> rather than <em>knowing Jesus</em>. We don’t stop to sit at Christ’s feet, to adore Him, to commune with God the Spirit. Far too often, that’s not the goal we have in mind.</p> <p>My grandmother couldn’t cite you two theological terms if you paid her. She probably never heard of the theological “giants” of church history, and certainly never read them. You know what she did? She “had a little talk with Jesus, told Him all about her troubles. He would hear her faintest cry, and answer by and by.” With all her “little talks with Jesus,” she had infinitely more than I’ve gotten from my books. She walked with the Lord about like Enoch.</p> <p>I know. Books are not the enemy. Books are our friends. Communing with the saints is important. That’s how we get it right and avoid mistakes. I know. I know. Pharisee.</p> <p>There was another “Calvinist” (speaking anachronistically, of course) who won his bout with his inner Pharisee. He wrote: “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of <em>knowing Christ Jesus my Lord</em>” (Phil. 3:8). I want to be more like that brother–gripped by the greatness of knowing Jesus.</p> <p>Lord, let us know you and cease the pretension of Pharisees.</p> </div></blockquote><div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/thabitianyabwile/2009/12/20/calvinist-confessions-1/">thegospelcoalition.org</a></div> <p>Almost a year ago, Thabiti Anyabwile began a series, in essence, that confessed areas of his life that were Pharasaical. It ended up being a five-part series that is full of reflection, truth, and conviction for the honest reader. I was just turned on to this series yesterday, and am thankful for its honesty, and quite frankly its comprehensiveness. Thabiti tackles the Pharisee in himself, a measure of transparency more needful in our time. Though while addressing himself mainly, I believe this series to do what all Christ-centered writing should do: namely, point those of us who fail in areas of life to the Cross as our only hope and remedy. I hope you enjoy the same smiles AND frowns (and perhaps different ones depending on your stage in the walk) that I did. The first one I'll post in entirety, the links to the other four follow: </p><p>Part 2:http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/thabitianyabwile/2009/12/22/calvinist-confessions-2/<br />Part 3:<a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/thabitianyabwile/2009/12/23/calvinist-confessions-3/"> http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/thabitianyabwile/2009/12/23/calvinist-confessions-3/</a><br />Part 4:http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/thabitianyabwile/2009/12/28/calvinist-confessions-4/<br />Part 5: <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/thabitianyabwile/2009/12/29/calvinist-confessions-5/">http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/thabitianyabwile/2009/12/29/calvinist-confessions-5/</a><a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/...confessions-5/"></a></p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/thabiti-anyabwile-on-being-a-calvinist-pharis">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-3693957447204191134?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-36344976564933865042010-10-29T12:43:00.001-04:002010-10-29T12:43:30.433-04:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/16314222?portrait=0" frameborder="0" height="283" width="500"></iframe> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://vimeo.com/16314222">vimeo.com</a></div> <p>Would love to be able to make this one. His 1st release was monumental and full of surprises.......</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/release-party-hoping-lampmode-records-this-ev">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-3634497656493386504?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481576027490354971.post-10546974811739835842010-10-29T09:21:00.001-04:002010-10-29T09:21:04.840-04:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote><div> <p>Mark 10 closes with two accounts. The first is of James and John coming to Jesus to ask for the two coveted seats of honor at Jesus’ right and left when the Lord reigns in glory as the enthroned king (10:35–45). The second is of blind Bartimaeus, who importunately cries out for mercy from Jesus, heedless of the crowd’s attempts to silence him, and is healed (10:46–52).</p> <p>The two stories are intended to be mutually illuminating.</p> <p>In both accounts:</p> <ul> <li>Jesus is confronted with a request (vv. 35, 48–50);</li> <li>Jesus initially responds by asking, “What do you want me to do for you?” (vv. 36, 51);</li> <li>The parties making the request clearly understand who Jesus is, prompting them to lay before him their true heart’s desire (vv. 37, 47–48).</li> </ul> <p>A fourth parallel exists that is more subtle, underneath the surface of the narrative: In both cases the party making the request is suffering from blindness.</p> <p>This emerges when we view the differences between the two accounts. While Jesus asks both the sons of Zebedee as well as Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?”, James and John request glory while Bartimaeus requests mercy. James and John thought they deserved honor and received a no from Jesus. Bartimaeus knew he deserved nothing and received a yes from Jesus. James and John came with a sense of entitlement, Bartimaeus—whose very name meant “son of uncleanness/filth”—with a sense of unworthiness.</p> <p>James and John, while physically seeing, were spiritually blind. Bartimaeus, while physically blind, was spiritually seeing. All three men were blind; only Bartimaeus knew it.</p> <p>The strange way naturally blind human beings like you and me receive true sight is by asking for mercy. All it takes is an admission of personal blindness. And what stops up mercy from flowing into the lives of blind sinners is not the blindness itself (that’s the very reason Jesus came) but stubborn denial of blindness (John 9:39–41). “If you have anything of your own,” Charles Spurgeon preached, “you must leave it all before you come. If there is anything good in you, you cannot trust Christ.” All we bring is our need. All we bring is our blindness.</p> <p>How can the solution to rebellious human blindness be so fraudulently easy?</p> <p>The solution is so easy for one reason—Jesus.</p> <p>Jesus Christ was, in the deepest sense, <em>seeing</em>. He is the only person to walk this earth never to have been blinded by sin. Yet he came to the end of his life and received not what he deserved (a crown) but what we deserve (a cross). As he explained to his disciples in the wake of James and John’s request, “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). On the cross, Jesus allowed himself to become blind so that you and I, blind sinners, can see again. He came “to open the eyes that are blind” (Isa 42:7) not by exhortation but by substitution.</p> <p>Jesus asked the sons of Zebedee, and he also asked Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?”</p> <p>Crucially, he asked this question a third time, not to any human but to his own Father. “What do you want me to do for you?” (Matt. 26:39)</p> <p>James and John asked Jesus for glory. Bartimaeus asked Jesus for mercy. God the Father asked Jesus to lay down his life, securing both glory <em>and</em> mercy for those who admit their blindness, and cling to Christ.</p> <p>Dane Ortlund (PhD, Wheaton College) is Senior Editor of Bible at Crossway Books in Wheaton, Illinois, where he lives with his wife, Stacey, and two boys. Dane blogs regularly at <a href="http://dogmadoxa.blogspot.com/">Strawberry-Rhubarb Theology</a>.</p> </div></blockquote><div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/10/28/three-blind-men/">thegospelcoalition.org</a></div> <p>May the Lord grant me grace to "see" my own blindness and eschew personal glory.........</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://dropsofthought.posterous.com/three-blind-men-the-gospel-coalition-blog">Drops of Thought</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7481576027490354971-1054697481173983584?l=mystreamsofthought.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TrueConverthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01539099479863760636noreply@blogger.com0