Technologism: Are you a victim or perpetrator? December 7, 2007

Kudos go to my hubby for giving me the idea for this blog post – after I explained to him my experience at a local Apple Store at the mall. I suppose I should first define technologism, in my own view, of course, since the word doesn’t appear to exist – the blatant discrimination against a person who uses an electronic or technological device that has been upgraded and enhanced and is almost obsolete.

Now, continuing with my story…I decided to make a longer trek to a fancy mall to show my 2-year-old son something different. He was excited once he got there (he kept yelling ‘Mu, mu, mu’ (translation: mall) in the car knowing that I was clearly driving in a different direction than we usually head for our regular mall outing.)

So, as I just purchased a refurbished iPod mini, which is ironically not really mini since newer and slimmer versions of the iPod exist, I wanted to go to The Apple Store to find a better case for my new gadget. A pink case did come with the mp3 player but I wanted something different.

I finally find the store in the mall (which has no name on the outside, just the Apple symbol – how clever), I look around at all the cases available. After about five minutes, I realized that cases for my mini are not displayed. So, I ask the employee there, “Do you all have cases for the iPod mini?” She looks at me and then looks at the wall o’ cases, smiles and says, “No, we sure don’t,” and then she laughs! Not a gut-wrenching, belly-busting a laugh, but more of a snicker, like what I had asked was funny.

I kindly thanked her and left. I was however a bit shocked at her response. I mean, I understand that the iPod has evolved over the years, as does all technology, but that doesn’t mean everyone who has ever received or bought an iPod must discard their “outdated” equipment for something newer. I am actually quite happy with my mini, even though I bought it used and refurbished. It’s my first iPod, it works well and does the job I wanted it for.

So, I believe I was a victim of technologism – discriminated against by a perpetrator who was surprised to find someone still uses the mini. Maybe if Apple and other companies could come up with some sort of trade-in program, for example, donate your old ipod and we’ll give you a 10 percent discount on a new one, then more people like myself would be willing to spend money on updated products. In any case, I will be keeping my mini, thank you very much, and trying to find a case elsewhere. Anyone have one to sell?

Britney’s babies need their mama October 2, 2007

By now, we’ve all seen or heard that Britney Spears’ two young sons were taken away from her. The story is sad yet many people believe this is what she deserves after an irresponsible lifestyle of partying, drinking and law-breaking. I’m not trying to argue for what she deserves or defend her but one fact remains – her children need her. There is just something that a father cannot give to young children. Although, a father’s presence and involvement in a child’s life is necessary and crucial. But young children need their mothers – they desire to be with their mothers and know their mothers care.

But what kind of mother do her children need? They need a mother who will sacrifice her needs and desires to fulfill theirs. They need a mother who will make their breakfast in the morning and tuck them in at night. They need a mother who will take them to the park and read stories to them. They need a mother who will find time to take good care of herself so she can take even better care of them. They need a mother who will teach them wisdom and understanding so they are prepared for life. They need a mother who will be a mother.

When I play and hide-and-go-seek with my son and he gives up way too easily, he starts crying out ‘mama’ in desperation, wondering where I am. It breaks my heart to hear him even though I know I’m only a couple feet away hiding. I can’t imagine the pain Britney’s kids feel as they are calling out for her, wondering when they will see their mama. Will she one day choose to be a mother before it’s too late?

The world is coming to an end! Halo 3 disks are scratched! September 26, 2007

Sorry for the sarcasm but this story about some Halo 3 disks being scratched just caught my attention. It was one of the lead stories on the Houston Chronicle’s Web site under “Entertainment.” Now, I realize this game is a big deal – well a really, really big deal – but seriously. Don’t people have anything better to consume their time and money with? And now there are disks that are scratched (but according to officials they still work fine) and the game is making even more news. All in moderation, right?

I read recently that one could argue that our society is more idolatrous than ancient cultures were – we worship TV, the Internet, iPods, iPhones and Halo 3. Oh, and don’t forget to complete your idolatry with the replica helmet worn by Master Chief. I gotta get me one of those!

Don’t lie to yourself: “Open Marriage” is ADULTERY September 25, 2007

I don’t watch Oprah – every now and then I catch a few minutes of her show while flipping channels but today I stopped to see what her program was about. And I was disgusted and disturbed by the content. The couple, Hollie and Gregg, admitted to having an “open marriage,” meaning that Hollie has a boyfriend she is intimate with. And Gregg said he is OK with that. They both claim they are lacking nothing and don’t NEED to go outside their marriage for relationships but this makes them have more “love.”

Of course, there is no way they can even be Christian and live this lifestyle, so I have to rule that out. But seriously, this is not marriage. Whatever you want to call it, it is not marriage in any sense of the word. “Open marriage” is adultery – pure and simple. Even if the “other relationship” is accepted by one spouse, it is still adultery. It’s completely disgraceful and destructive. There is NO love in an open marriage. There is only deceit and denial. It’s a purely selfish way to live. God created marriage to be holy and of course we humans ruined that and continue to do so. The saddest part is that this couple has children. What kind of lesson is this teaching children? I can’t imagine.

I’ll end this post (which I hesitated writing due to the content) with a verse that I believe is appropriate:

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Hebrews 13:4

I would like to introduce you to Jesus Christ July 25, 2007

One of my all-time favorite Christian songs is “In Christ Alone” written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townsend (performed by various groups including The Newsboys and Avalon.) The song’s lyrics are so powerful and beautifully describe my Savior, Jesus Christ, and the power all believers have in Him. He is the Prince of Peace, the ruler of all nations, the shepherd, the lamb, the lion and the victor. He became our sin to give us freedom and life. And one day all nations will bow before Him.

So, with no further adieu, please meet the Lord of Lords and King of Kings…

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev’ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.

Anyone interested can hear the song performed here:

Could you go 30 days without watching TV? July 25, 2007

Could you really do it? Fast from the TV for 30 days? For some people, not watching TV is no big deal. For others, removing the beloved boob tube from their daily routine would be like torture. As a work-at-home mom, I rarely turn on the TV due to a lack of time and lack of valuable programming (except for the evening news.)

However, I ran across an interesting challenge as part of an online/radio Christian ministry called Revive Our Hearts. The radio conversation today featured Nancy Leigh DeMoss and author Joshua Harris. The topic was parenting and how continuous media viewing (i.e., TV, movies, Internet) affects our relationship with God, each other and children. The two talked today about how we don’t hunger and thirst for God’s word because we’re filling our lives with so much other stuff like TV and the Internet.

Here’s a snippet of their chat today:

Joshua: That’s very true. I think there’s a kind of mindset and a way of thinking, a pace of thinking that is developed when you are constantly watching TV or constantly watching movies. It makes reading—just taking in God’s Word, for example—just seem so . . .

Nancy: . . . boring.

Joshua: Boring, exactly. So there’s a quietness that we need, to be able to hear God’s voice and to be able to commune with Him, that I think is often lost in a steady media diet.

Joshua tells how his parents didn’t even have a TV in their home when he was growing up and how it made their family relationships stronger. He creatively used his time, which led to an interest in writing. More importantly, his parents did not use the TV as a babysitter or allow negative influences to infiltrate their home.

As part of this discussion, the Revive Our Hearts ministry issued a challenge for families. Spend the next 30 days without the TV. Go TV-free. Do other activities in the home and outside as a family. The ministry even provides a list of fun activities, most of which are creative and inexpensive.

You’re probably wondering by now what purpose this would serve. Shouldn’t you be connected to what’s going on in the world? What about your favorite show (most are re-runs now anyways) or that game (I’ve heard something about college football starting up…)? But what about God? How much time does He get? And your family? Do you all typically gather around the television before, during and after dinner?

It’s mesmerizing, isn’t it? Almost hypnotic. I think the word is addicting. We stare and stare, watch and watch, and soon two hours have flown by and we wonder where the time went. What have we gained? What have we learned? In TV’s defense, there are some good, educational programs. However, are you actually watching those? Even so, you could probably use the break and maybe share some of that good, educational information with your children.

Well, if anyone is up for the challenge please feel free to let me know how you do and what you learn! I’m sure God would be more than happy to fill your TV-free time with better things.

Did “Desperate Housewives” steal its storyline from the Bible? July 14, 2007

I believe I have found the original “Desperate Housewife.”

Before ABC dramatized the extramarital affairs and carefree lives of disgruntled suburban housewives, the Bible actually describes this woman in an even more explicit way.

She is the harlot and will use any means necessary to seduce her naive victim and live out illicit fantasies while her husband is away. In the middle of the night as a young man is passing by, Proverbs 7 shows us the wiles of the harlot:

And behold, a woman comes to meet him, dressed as a harlot and cunning of heart. (v. 10)

Definition of harlot: a prostitute. How does a prostitute dress? Nevermind, let’s get back to our story…

She is boisterous and rebellious, her feet do not remain at home. She is now in the streets, now in the squares, and lurks by every corner. So she seizes him and kisses him and with a brazen face she says to him: (vs. 11-13)

Brazen is defined as unrestrained by convention or propriety. Obviously…

I have spread my couch with coverings, with colored linens of Egypt; I have sprinkled my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. Come, let us drink our fill of love until the morning; let us delight ourselves with caresses. For my husband is not at home, he has gone on a long journey. (vs. 16-19)

She is ready for a long evening of adultery but her victim is in for something else…

With her many persuasions she entices him; with her flattering lips she seduces him. Suddenly he follows her as an ox goes to the slaughter or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool…so he does not know that it will cost him his life. (vs. 21-23)

Yes, I believe that antiquated book called the Bible has beat ABC to the punch. Or perhaps the creators of the “hit series” took notes from the seventh chapter of Proverbs…just forgetting to add the part about how adultery and fornication lead to death. But I suppose that could be a spin-off?

That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9