Frequency

With the onslaught of the digital bands being released, there is a problem coming that most people aren’t thinking about right now. I just ordered a handheld wireless mic. The guy told me on the phone that any system that does not have multiple channel switching is going to be a risky purchase. Why? Because digital is going to be all over the place and will be on the normal frequencies we use for all kinds of current day wireless stuff. What that means is if there is any gear that can’t switch channels, there is a chance you may be run over by a digital fequency that wasnt previously a problem. Digital is going to be all over the place. So, before you buy new gear, make sure you have channel changing capability.

I could have this all wrong. This is my limited understanding of this problem. But at least you know to ask before you purchase your next batch of wireless stuff. Ay carumba.

Blogs You May Not Know About

Here are a handful of blogs you may or may not know about but are quite interesting, challenging, etc.

 http://www.alltechknow.com/alltechknow/
church tech stuff

http://digital.leadnet.org/
using technology to multiply the church’s impact

http://www.chaosscenario.com/main/
bringing order to a new age of marketing

http://www.leadership501.com/
No new posts but an archive of great leadership stuff

http://lifehacker.com/
Tech tricks, tips and downloads for getting things done.

The last day of 2007

Everyone likes to set goals for the new year. Here are some goals I missed last year by a mile.

I didn’t lose 25 pounds. Why is this same goal on my list every year.

I didn’t make it over to Italy. Maybe this year.

I didn’t stop drinkng frappacinos alltogether. But I did reduce my intake by about three quarters.

I didn’t get up at 6:00 am everyday. But I did get up a bit earlier than I usually do. So I am making progress but I didn’t hit the goal.

I didn’t start a character study with my son like I planned. But it is in the front of my priorities list now. I have the topics laid out and the focus points for it so I just need to sit down and make it happen.

I didn’t convert my sons bed similiar to the one on Drake and Josh. But I am intent on getting it done!!!

I didn’t root for the Patriots at all. Wait. No. That was on my list as “Never ever root for the Patriots”. Sorry, that’s for my other blog posting.

Tom Brady didnt break the index finger on his throwing hand. Can’t say I had anything to do with missing the mark here.

I didn’t finish my Master’s degree in 2007. Officially, my final class work will be mailed out on January 2, 2008. Oh well.

I didn’t win the lottery and I didn’t win any prizes on the Deal or No Deal play at home pick a case game.

I didn’t get completely out of debt. But we are getting closer.

I didn’t get asked to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl game. Maybe next time.

Thoughts roundup

1. Dallas Cowboys are stinkng up the place.

2. Church today was great. I love casting vision and I love looking back over the previous year. Today we did that and we had the biggest offering ever in our church history. Wow is all I can say. Yeah God.

3. We had a lot of first timers today. I love meeting new people.

4. Today we had everyone wear team jerseys to church today. We had the Longhorns, Cowboys, Dallas Stars, Italy National Soccer team, Packers, Chargers, Buckeyes, USC Trojans and I think a couple others. That was a lot of fun seeing that in the congregation. And yes, it was me wearing the Dallas Stars official game time hockey shirt. I looked stunning.

5. We challenged everyone to buy a chair today. We need more. And I think through the end of January, we will be able to order more. Pretty fun needing more chairs.

6. Worship team did a great job today. Mike gets better each week on bass. Mark as usual brings such a polished and profesional feel to the drums. Josh and Shana also did wonderful.

7. I love Mexican food. We had some after church. I really just absolutely dig it. Chips. Salsa. Enchiladas. Chipotle sauce. mmmm.

8. Not sure why the blog stats on this blog are increasing. I haven’t been doing anything different. Maybe people are waiting for a car crash…laugh.

9. I think by the summer we will need to be at two services.

Bryant Gumball again

OK. I am just gonna say it again. Bryant Gumball should not be doing football games. I was kind of excited to see that the NFL game for the Saturday Patriots game was on reglular TV. Then, I heard his voice. Gumball’s voice. Oh my goodness. Will someone please let whoever needs to know that he is awful. Come on Bryant. Go back to Good Morning America. Please? Pretty Please? Am I wrong here? Can someone tell me why they think he should be doing the game?

The People’s Goals

One thing we do every year is to hand out a blank “All I Want For Christmas” worksheet. On that sheet are various questions about what a person wants to see happen in their lives in various areas like spritual, physical, career, etc. The people fill them out, seal them in an envelope, and give them back to us. We hold them for a year and then hand them out at Christmas time. Then they can see how everything worked out. It’s a pretty neat thing to see them open their envelopes and see what dreams came true and what dreams did not. I think God wants us to set goals, dream dreams and have faith. This is a great exercise to spur that on!

2008 Walking Goal

I hate to do it. But I am setting a walking goal next year. I know some of you hard core exercisers will scoff at my paltry goal. Go ahead. Laugh. But here is how I figure. If I can walk around 7 miles a week, at 52 weeks, that is 364. So I am gonna round it off to a nice round 365. At some point, I will put a side note on the blog and have goal vs actual to keep track so you can play along at home. Did I mention I loathe exercising more than eating dirt.

Ipod Touch

Just want to say I absolutely DIG my ipod touch. I am getting a bit spoiled though. I am now looking for video podcasts. It’s the same thing with HighDef TV. You first look for HD programming. Then, if nothing is good there, you slum around in the low def area. Sheesh. I have ipod snobbery.

Thought Provoking

This year, one of my goals is to study up on Islam. I know very little about it. And normally I wouldn’t even consider it. However, I had a conversation with one of my brothers today that has confirmed my need to understand the religion a bit more.

In Europe, the introduction of the European Union has opened the doors to cross-border, employment, education, and relocation. When I was in Dublin, I was amazed at the influx of Eastern European workers. What is happening, in my limited opionion, is that Europe is slowly losing it’s definition. After a few more years of this cross border transitioning, it might be difficult to find full blooded Irish or Scottish or Italian. Not saying it’s bad. Just commenting on the situation. It is akin to Texas and California migrating more and more to a hispanic population where Spannish is no longer a second language but gaining popularity as the other language. The difference in Europe, though, is that there is an influx of Islamic conversion. Couple that with a post-Christian state of affairs and you have what many believe will be the “Islamification” of Europe.

So who cares right? Wrong. It affects us all. If we thought the United States were fighing some losing battles trying to win allies, consider what happens when the perceived “Christian” nation tries to gain support on international issues as we approach “Islamified” countries. A sure clash is coming in the not too distant future.

And, we too will see a similiar thrust in our country as well. Perpaps not with the same width and breadth. But you can be sure you will be engaged in conversations at some point about Islam, and not as a point of Christian study. We will be engaged in discussions with people following the Islamic religion. We used to have to travel to get to the mission field. The mission field is now coming to us. I need to be prepared.

So, I am going to study up on Islam. And when I am finished with that, I will tackle another widely popular religion. So what are your thoughts on this?

Fantasy Football League

I just picked up the trophy for our first place winner of our FFL. Nobody really cares anymore about the league. If you don’t win, you just don’t care. Anyway, the trophy guy at the shop says he gets tons of business from FFL leagues. Wow. I knew it was a niche market but I had no idea there was that much business out there.

In case you want to know, our trophy is a football on a t. It’s golden in color and is about five inches tall. With engraving, walk out price was around $20.