Too much Walking Dead?

I used to be scared of my bedroom.  There, I said it.  When my family moved to this new town and new house, for the first time I got my own room.  At 10 years old, I was excited to have my own space where my brother couldn't lay his wet towels on my bed any longer.  But there was a problem.  In this particular house, the way to the attic was in my closet.

Let me paint a picture for you.  You open the door to my nice walk-in closet and see space for clothes as any other closet would have, until you turn to the right.  To the right in the closet are large steps leading up to a square hole in the ceiling that would take you into the attic.  But that area wasn't covered with a door.  Instead a styrofoam piece about 3 inches thick fit into the ceiling doorway to the attic.  And on a windy day, I could open my closet door to see that styrofoam lifting up as if some axe murderer was getting ready to make his way down to me.  It. Was. Terrifying.  So most nights I piddled around until my brother's bedtime so I could go and sleep in his room.

Needless to say, I was not a fan of scary movies either.  We weren't allowed to watch the classics like Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween, or Friday the 13th; and that was fine by me.  I'd get nightmares from watching the trailers for those movies on television.

So when The Walking Dead came to AMC I had no interest.  Even as an adult I have little interest in gory horror movies, and still don't understand people's obsession with being scared.  But more and more, people told me how great this show is.  And I began to feel a bit tempted to try it out.  So through the magic of Netflix, Katie and I sat down to begin the first season of TWD.  Long story short: we watched 2 episodes and were done.  Too gory, too terrifying.  (I mean, this is a worst nightmare scenario.  Disgusting looking zombies eating you alive.  No thanks.)  

A few months passed and the lure to try TWD again was strong; more of my friends and family were hooked and I was missing out.  So I decided to try again, but with a catch.  I only watch during daylight.  Otherwise my sleep is too affected.  

I watched three and a half seasons in about three weeks.  (I would have gone faster but the sun kept setting every day.)  And something crazy happened; I stopped being grossed out or afraid of zombies.  My friends and family were right that the show is phenomenal.  It is fascinating to watch what happens to people when the structures of civilization fall apart.  The zombies are an important part, but they are more the cause that allow you see the effects on human characters.  And no matter how gory and tense the episodes, I find them affecting me less and less.  

I've gotten used to zombies!!  

Is this what happens with sin in our lives?

Those things that we used to think were abhorrent become the norm when we let them little by little into our daily lives.

I've read that in support groups for broken marriages they call this "the fog".  This term refers to the way that living in the midst of sin begins to fog up a person's ability to see right and wrong.  When sin makes its way into our lives and goes unchecked, it begins to change us.

Have you ever experienced "the fog"? Have you been desensitized by sin?  Don't worry, there's a way out.  Encountering Jesus has a way to cut through the fog so you can see reality.

It worked for Zacchaeus.  A tax collector, traitor to his own people, cheat, and sinner; one encounter with Jesus and the fog was lifted.  (Luke 19)

I love that story.  This "wee little man" must have known that something was different about Jesus because he was determined enough to scurry up a tree to see Jesus walking by.  The Bible never says if Jesus even mentioned Zacchaeus' sin, but almost immediately the man was changed.

It may not be that sudden, but reconnecting to Jesus will always get through the muck so you can see clearly again.

A Techy Sermon Prep

How do you write your sermons?  I read an article about how much time different well-known preachers spend on their weekly sermon, and you find a wide range among them.  It's great to see that we all have different ways to put together these important messages, because God has gifted us differently and placed us in different contexts.

For me it's baffling that some preachers spend 30+ hours per week on their sermons.  I'm not judging, but I'd never get it done if that were the case for me.  But again, that is a part of my personality and calling her in Mount Pleasant.  I'm an open door person, first of all.  I cannot bring myself to close my door unless I have to.  You may find my door closed very few times of the year, and usually you would look through the window to find I'm meeting with someone.  That's about the only time I close the door, because I can't stand shutting people out.  I want people to know I'm truly accessible, whether it's just for a chat or for serious needs.  (I'm also a huge extrovert, and can't stand being alone.)

For me, a huge blessing and curse is my ADD brain that keeps me focused on multiple things at once at all times.  On the plus side, I will keep sermon themes in my head throughout the week in whatever places God calls me in ministry.  My experiences get connected in my head with the focus that God's Word is leading me toward.  This is great because I find that I'm preparing my sermon subconsciously all week long, even when I'm not trying to.  The downside of this is that I literally cannot sit down and work on my sermon throughout the week.  I can read through the Scriptures, study some commentaries, and meditate on it, but I just can't sit down and start putting things together.  I can't focus on something coming on Sunday when I have everything else coming up first.  I may have meetings, Worship Jam prep, youth group lessons, counseling sessions, and program planning to do and I just can't get my mind to focus on making the sermon happen.  So I've learned not to fight it.  I let my mind ruminate on Sunday's theme in the midst of everything else I'm doing, and pray that God will shed some light on where I need to go when I'm ready to go there.

Then comes Saturday night.  The boys are in bed around 8pm and I get to work.  No longer are the needs of the week pulling me in different directions, and the immediacy of Sunday morning allows me to focus as I haven't been able to all week.  I sit down with my Nexus 7, my bluetooth keyboard, and my favorite app - Google Drive, to put my thoughts on paper.  With Google Play Music All Access pumping worship music through my Plantronics bluetooth headphones from my HTC One phone, I outline my message; cutting and pasting the Scripture verses into my Google Document from my NIV Study Bible app.  And in no time, all that has been bouncing around my head and heart finds its way into my notes for Sunday morning.  Then, I use my Nexus 7 housed in a nice leather Poetic Slim Case and that same Google Drive app to preach it.  Praise be to God for making this craziness work in my life and ministry.  No, I'm not the best preacher you've ever heard.  But God does let me help to share His Word with great people every week, and for that I'm grateful.

If you didn't catch all the tech in this post, here's a list of what I'm using for sermon prep:

Hardware:

• Asus Nexus 7 (2013)
• Poetic Slimline Portfolio Case
• Motorola Bluetooth keyboard
• HTC One (Sprint)
• Plantronics Backbeat 903+ bluetooth headphones

Apps:

• Google Drive
• NIV Study Bible
• Youversion Bible app
• Google Play Music All Access

How much security is too much?

This post comes from my recent experiences in dealing with Apple's customer service department.  To be fair, I was very impressed with the Apple reps that I talked with.  But my positive impression went downhill as I dealt with some policies that seem to be overkill, in my opinion.  Here's the story:

Recently a couple in my church tragically lost their adult son.  In the process of sorting through his belongings, they came upon a computer, a couple of mobile phones, and his ipad.  Both his computer and iPad were password protected and they had no way to find out the password, so they brought them both to me.  

First, I took this Windows 7 laptop, created a reinstallation disk, and wiped out the computer.  They now have a decent laptop to use that they can fully access without all of their son's previous data.  

Then, I tried to work with the iPad.  They were unable to do much with it without the password, including updating apps, downloading new apps, or updating the OS.  After a little research online, I went against every fiber of my being and downloaded iTunes on my PC so I could reset the iPad to factory settings.  Surely this would allow them to sign in with their own Apple ID and get use out of this device.  Nope.  After restarting to factory settings, I couldn't even get into the iPad without putting in the original Apple ID and password.

Initially I thought this was pretty good security.  After all, if I'd have stolen this device, it would be unusable to me.  But this was a unique situation so I made the call to Apple for help.  After speaking with several representatives - which were all very nice - and being put on hold numerous times, a supervisor finally told me that all I needed was the Apple ID name and a copy of the death certificate, and they would reset the password.

Then, the day came that this couple came in with the death certificate, ready to send it to Apple and make this device usable again.  This time, the Apple supervisor said that we would not only need the certificate, but also a court order for reset.  What?!  These are the parents of a man who'd deceased.  It's obvious that this is not the case of a stolen iPad.

To make a long story a little less long, after speaking to a lawyer, the couple have given up.After speaking to Apple herself, the  lawyer said it wouldn't be worth the trouble of getting all they need to unlock the iPad to continue. 

Isn't this a bit much?  While I understand and appreciate a company protecting its customers, this is not protection.  It's bad customer service, and bureaucratic nonsense.  And so it sits.  Yet another reason I don't buy from Apple.  

What do you think?  When is security going too far?

Tablet Decisions...

Fall is the time for tablets.  Most major Android tablets have recently been released or are set to announce soon, the new Amazon Kindle Fires were just recently announced, and the iPad event is coming up this month.

Some may say that a tablet is an unnecessary device but I find that they do many things very well, and for me fill a specific need.  I've had both 7 and 10 inch tablets and have used both sizes of iPads as well.  I had the first Amazon Kindle Fire, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, Asus Nexus 7, and now the 2nd generation Asus Nexus 7.  My particular use case has some to do with my vocation and some to do with how I use technology.  7 inch tablets are a particular need for me because I use them to preach and to officiate weddings a funerals.  I've found that a 7 inch tablet in a nice leather case simulates the look of a Bible or book from the front for those that may balk at the use of such a device in worship.  Using technology for preaching has helped me be better prepared as well as keeps sermons organized within my chosen file system - Google Drive.  A second important use for me is for reading.  I have all of my books on my tablet, whether in the Google Play Books app or Amazon Kindle app.  I never have to decide which books to carry with me, cause they're all there.  (In a future post, I'll outline which e-book app I prefer and why.)  I also use my tablet for content creation, such as outlining my sermon notes using a bluetooth keyboard.  And of course I use my tablets to surf the web and play games as well.

So which tablet is best.  That completely depends on you.  Let me outline a case for each option.

• Apple iPad: If you're reading this, you probably know I am not a fan of Apple's products, services, or business practices.  But there are cases that an ipad is the best purchase for a user.  Also, iPads are well made and very well supported.  Here are a few reasons to go with an ipad.
• You have an iPhone:  Stick with an ecosystem.  Whether you choose Android or IOS, apps you purchase are sharable between multiple devices on your account, so if you have an iPhone, you should stick with IOS for a tablet.  Plus, you know how the OS works, so it makes sense to you.
• Tech illiterate?: Are you a little less than what we'd call tech-savvy?  If you want the simplest experience on a tablet, the iPad is for you.  (Though IOS 7 is changing that somewhat.)  IOS is not easy enough for a kindergartener, it's easy enough for a nursing home resident.  (Kindergarteners pick up on this stuff incredibly quickly.)  For the most part, IOS is a grid of app icons that you touch to open, and a home button to take you back to the grid.  Easy peasy.  (Yes, there is much more that you can do, but that's the simple basics.)
• Specific App Needs: My wife is a preschool director and teacher.  Some educational resources only work in IOS apps.  And many school districts issue iPads to teachers and/or students.  If the apps you need are only on IOS, then the iPad is the way to go.  (One of the reasons I don't like Apple; they work hard to get exclusive apps and services so no one else can offer them.  Anti-competitive much?)

• Amazon Kindle Fire HDX: Amazon's new 7" and 8.9" tablets are not even released yet, but offer some nice upgrades from previous models.  I haven't used them but there are definite benefits to being in the Amazon ecosystem.


• Great services from Amazon: Amazon has their own Appstore, Prime videos, and music offerings that work flawlessly with the Kindles.  If you're a big Amazon user, this is a great way to go.
• Best current specs: With the top of the line Qualcom Snapdragon 800 quad core processor, and incredible 2560x1600 resolution screen (on the 8.9" version), this thing is a beast.  (The 7" version has great 1920x1200 resolution matching the Nexus 7.)
• Mayday: If you're not particularly tech savvy, this new feature lets you get live support with the touch of the screen.  Very cool for those that aren't sure how to use all the features, or even if you want some ideas for good apps.
• Price: Much better priced for the quality compared to Apple tablets.

• Nexus 7/Nexus 10: Out of all the possible Android tablets, these are the only two I'd consider buying.  The only exception may be the new Galaxy Note 8.0 or 10.1 from Samsung if you're looking for the Wacom stylus support.  Otherwise, Android tablets that aren't the Nexus are usually too expensive, have lesser specs, and are behind in software.
• Quality/Price: These tablets are great quality for great prices.  The new Asus Nexus 7 sets you back only $229, has great resolution (1920x1200), a fast quad core processor, and a really nice feel.  It's very light and thin, and can easily fit in a back pocket.  (Unlike the $329 iPad Mini)  The Nexus 10 has the same high resolution screen as the Kindle Fire HDX and is very nicely made materials with a price point over $100 less than iPad.  (A new refreshed version is due out in November.)
• Customizable: Unlike either the Kindles or iPads, Android tablets are endlessly customizable.  You can change launchers, keyboards, default apps, and homescreens as much as you want.  That means you get a tablet that works how you want it to, instead of having the manufacturer decide for you how it should work and look.
• Apps: Apple lovers will tell you that Android tablets are behind in apps because there aren't as many tablet-specific apps, but that's not a major problem to a real user.  Unlike IOS, Android apps are scalable to many different screen sizes and resolutions.  Apps that are made for phones can scale very well to tablets without major problems.  And i-users also don't realize that Android devices are capable of actually using something called the internet.  Not everything has to be an app when the browser works so well.  
• Updates: It's exciting to have a device that gets better with time.  Nexus devices get very quick updates to the latest versions of Android so your tablet just get better and better.  (iPads benefit from the same updates, but don't always get all the new features.)

It's exciting that there are so many good tablets available right now, and it's a growing market.  While I'm an Android fan and have been weaning myself off of many of Amazon's services for Googles, I can see some great things in the Kindle Fires.  Apple may be a company I have no interest in purchasing from, but I can also see the quality in their products and the benefit for some.  (Dare I admit that I've even recommended IOS devices to people.)  

Ultimately, find something you like in your price range and spend some time learning how to use it.  Tablets are a relatively new market still, but I find myself using computers less and less and picking up my Nexus 7 more.

Back again!

So... I'm the worst at blogging.

What's worse, is that technology changes so fast that I've changed pretty much all of my devices since writing last.

What am I using now?

Phone: My Sprint HTC One is by far the nicest phone I've ever used.  It's also my first HTC phone.  The device is machined from one block of aluminum, sports a 1080p screen (yes, that's as much as an HDTV), a quad core processor, and "ultrapixel" camera.  I love this phone!  While I've always said that materials were not that important when I had plastic Samsung phones, I did always understand the premium feel the iPhones had.  This is the best of any device I've ever seen.  It's nicer than even the newest iPhones, and the only Android phone that was nicely built was the LG Nexus 4.  The only downside is that this phone is behind in software, and I'm anxiously awaiting Android 4.3 - which is supposed to be here any day.
Update: 4.3 is here for Sprint HTC One phones.  A great phone just got better!!  BTW: That makes this the first manufacturer-skinned phone released before Android 4.3 to be updated to the latest version.




Tablet: Gone is the original Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and original Asus Nexus 7, and replacing them is my new 2nd generation Nexus 7 by Asus.  And this thing is awesome.  With it's super high resolution of 1920x1200 pixels, it looks amazing.  The new quad core processor and Android 4.3 make it screaming fast too.  And it even has a camera on the back.  To be honest, I still miss the dimpled pleather back of the original Nexus 7, and the wider bezel gave you something more to hold onto, but the thinness and lightness of this new one more than make up for it.  I use this to preach, read, surf the web, and even put my thoughts down for my sermons.


Watch: My new favorite toy is my Pebble Smartwatch!  It's a watch with an e-paper screen with backlighting, and it connects to my phone via bluetooth.  I get all my texts, messages, emails, etc with a little vibrate on my wrist and scrolling text.  I can also change the watchfaces and monitor things like weather and battery of my phone.  It even works with apps like Runkeeper to track running through the phone's GPS.  It's great to get my notifications

Propaganda - Be Present

Hits me right between the eyes.  You?

Bad Things

You know that question people always ask? "Why do bad things happen?" I found myself asking it a few weeks ago as our beautiful 2 year old boxer dog died suddenly and without warning on Thanksgiving day. Our poor dog-sitter returned to the house to find her body while we were hours away with family.


Josie was a new dog to us, that we had gotten through Craigslist 8 months before from a nice family who just didn't have time for her. She spent her days in a kennel while they went to work and school. At 15 months old, she still wasn't potty trained when we got her. But our Chloe needed a playmate and Josie was a sweet little boxer and we brought her home. She quickly learned her place in our lives; playing in the yard with Chloe, going on runs with me, and following my wife Katie to every single room she went to throughout the day. Josie was always touching someone, as lovable as they come. We always believed that her previous neglect caused her to be so dependent on us for affection, and we loved that. And therefore, she wiggled her way into our hearts quickly.


Then she was gone. I am not a cryer. The last time I cried was ten years ago when my grandpa died, and even then, I did it in secret. I am a practical, logical person, and emotion rarely bubbles to the surface in this way. (In fact, I sometimes laugh at inappropriate times instead.) But I balled at the loss of my Josie. Katie and I were a mess. It ruined our Thanksgiving and made us terrible parents to our boys; we just lost all patience for their behavior and yelled unnecessarily. It was a rough weekend.


I, being the impatient person that I am, started looking at Craigslist for another boxer. No, another one wouldn't erase the hurt from missing Josie, but we knew we'd want another for us and for Chloe, and I'm not much for waiting. And there he was; a 6 month old brindle boxer named Prince in Des Moines, who needed a new home. So there we went, 50 miles out of the way on our already horrendous 8 hour drive home from Wichita, to Des Moines to see a dog. And we brought him home.


Cassius - the dog formerly known as Prince - is possibly the tamest boxer I've ever seen. He is mild mannered, sweet, and extremely loving; and a great addition to our family.


So let me get back to the question. "Why did our sweet little Josie have to die?" While I don't know specifically, I do know this. We live in a world wrought with sin, illness, and death; and all of these are a result of the Fall. And because of this, we all die. I don't for a second believe God took my Josie away from me. Not to test my faith, not to punish me, not to make way for Cassius. Jesus loves me, this I know, and His desire is not to hurt me. In fact, I believe He was with my family as we grieved.


But our God is a God of redemption. And He can redeem the worst situations. I've seen it before in my life, and I'm seeing it now. While we miss Josie and would never have wanted her gone, Katie and I talked at lunch today at how happy Cash seems to be now. His previous owners had no room and he went from inside kennel to outdoor kennel and back. Now, he runs and plays with Chloe, chases our boys, and lays on the couch with us at night. In fact, he follows Katie around all day just like Josie did. In the midst of our loss, God is redeeming our family, our hurts, and working for our good.


I know what some of you are thinking: You have way bigger problems than losing a dog. I agree. There are much worse situations in many peoples' lives. But God is there too; redeeming your story and working to give you a hope and a future.


Our world is broken and bad things happen, but our God is hard at work redeeming His creation; getting His hands dirty on our behalf. And I am grateful for His faithfulness, even when my faith wanes.


Thanks, Jesus, for Your love and grace. And tell Josie we love and miss her.