Bringing it

As BIG as it gets

(Tech-geek update)

Yesterday I picked up both a SVGA and a stereo miniplug cable ... so now I can watch the New Spring Web Campus on my LCD TV.  With real stereo speakers, too.

That's what I'm talking about.

And The Loser Is ...

(Sunday morning blog lite)

Me?  I think it must be, because The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will be presenting the Academy Awards tonight, including the "Oscar" for Best Picture.

Isn't that exciting?  Yawn, here's the 5 nominees:

How many have I seen?  Nada.  Not a single one ... so am I missing anything?

Nope, I don't think so.  And besides, the category that would matter most to me is Best Cinematography.  Here's the nominees in that category:

Notice they're almost identical to the nominees for Best Picture.  So what does that mean?

It means film is a visual medium and that 99.9999% of everything you see on the screen is there because of lighting (the rest is dirt, scratches, film grain and emulsion blur).  Without light, there's no need for a camera to capture the action ... and we might as well sit blinking in the dark, trying to watch the soundtrack.

________________

Log on to the web and watch this before the Oscars:

Where?  New Spring Web Campus

When?  Today at 11:15 AM and 6:00 PM

What?   I Want A New Marriage - part 3

Why?     Even if you're not married, this amazing series deserves your undivided attention.

BIG Plans for a Full-Size weekend

It's freezing outside today with sustained winds at 50mph, same as it was yesterday, but I'd still like to get over to Radio Shack tomorrow ... and pick up a SVGA cable to connect my laptop to my TV screen.

That way, come Sunday morning, I can visit the New Spring web campus and watch I Want A New Marriage pt.3 on a full-size screen.

I mean, as "full-size" as full size gets on a 28-foot cruiser.

;-)

In the meantime, check out Can Church Work Inside A Social Network for the Masses? on Nick's blog. 

You're on my mind

No matter what happens,

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

- Philippians 1:19

Starbucks goes Green in SC

Starbucks touts new ‘green’ S.C. roasting plant

Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle)

Starbucks Corp. said its new roasting plant in Calhoun County in South Carolina has been awarded a “green” designation from a national building organization.

The Seattle coffee giant (NASDAQ: SBUX) said the central South Carolina plant has been awarded a “silver” LEED certificate for new construction from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Starbucks officials have vowed to “significantly” reduce the company’s environmental footprint by 2015. At the new plant, 20 percent of building materials were from recycled content and more than 75 percent of construction waste was recycled, they said, adding that a portion of the plant’s power will be supplied by wind energy.

“In this business climate, it’s more important than ever that we make the right investments in our business, while making sure we do it in ways that support our business, the communities we work in, the environment and our people,” said Howard Schultz, chairman, president and CEO, in a statement.

- source

Whatcha reading?

Who Moved the Stone?

English journalist Frank Morison had a tremendous drive to learn of Christ. The strangeness of the Resurrection story had captured his attention, and, influenced by skeptic thinkers at the turn of the century, he set out to prove that the story of Christ’s Resurrection was only a myth. His probings, however, led him to discover the validity of the biblical record in a moving, personal way.

Who Moved the Stone? is considered by many to be a classic apologetic on the subject of the Resurrection. Morison includes a vivid and poignant account of Christ’s betrayal, trial, and death as a backdrop to his retelling of the climactic Resurrection itself. - amazon.com

33

- source: BaltimoreSun.com

Gross Love

Around 7 PM tonight it occurred to me that some folks might read today's earlier "Tithe First" post and get the impression from the imaginary budget I used that I'm suggesting tithing should be based on post-tax, post-withholding, net income.

Sorry, but for folks looking to cut corners around God and set set-asides for themselves, I've got bad news.

We should never we think we're smarter or more important than God, and waste time figuring out workarounds to keep for ourselves what God said belongs to Him.

What did Jesus surrender, and do without, to take our place on the cross? Did He hold something back for Himself, or did He willing surrender everything in our place?   Was the Son of God's sacrifice based on Net, or Gross?  

Christ gave up everything because He loved us more than any thing in the world.  His love was gross ... unqualified, without profit, without deductions and without withholdings.

So if tithing still seems financially difficult, remember that a Tithe means 10% ... and represents the bare, basic minimum: we haven't even started talking yet about Offerings.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

1 Timothy 6:10

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

- 2 Corinthians 9: 6-8

Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." 
      And they were amazed at him.

- Mark 12:17

Why Men and Women are just like Computers

Here's a video clip from Perry's second message in the I Want A New Marriage series.

You can catch Part 3 on Sunday at 11:15 AM and 6:00 PM on the New Spring web campus.

Tithe First

Probably the most-often heard excuse people offer for not tithing is "I can't afford it."

Sometimes they'll frown or shake their heads, hoping for a sympathetic reaction, but remember: "An excuse sounds best to the guy who's saying it." 

An Excuse is not a Reason ... and it's their Reasoning, not their income, that's the problem. 

--  --  --

Budget Me This

Let's say your take-home income, after taxes and withholdings, is $2000 per month.  A quick peek at your Budget looks like this:

Mortgage/Rent: $600

Utilities: average $250

Groceries: $450

Insurance: (all)  $300

Property Taxes: $150

Credit Cards: (minimum payments) $200

Sound good so far?

Sure it does, except that the total spent so far is $1950 ... and we haven't even started tacking on all the "other necessities" (like internet access, NetFlix, dining out or weekend shopping).  And there's nothing left over for savings, either.

No wonder folks say they can't afford to tithe: they're out of money before they're out of month. So what's the solution when you "can't afford to tithe"?

A Two-Step Program

Step 1: Pray to God, and ask Him take control of your finances.

Step 2: Move tithing to the top of the list ... and calculate your God Goes First Budget from there.

But what about my standard of living?    How will I pay my bills?  I'm not gonna work like a slave for nothing, just to scrape by in life.

Hint: Instead of concentrating on a standard of living as your #1 priority, focus instead on Serving God, and make Obeying Him your only priority ... and see if a change of heart doesn't induce a change of finances.  Besides, about 95% of the world lives with lots less than what you've already got.  

If you're still having trouble taking the first step, remember that your eternal life was paid in full at a price ... and Christ didn't use a revolving account or Easy Terms to do it.

My goodness, did you really miss it?

Did you miss the 11:15 AM service at New Spring's web campus?

Well there's good news ... today's 6:00 PM service is just around the clock-corner.