Extending the Family

20 July, 2010

Mick My Thoughts , 8 Comments

It seems that the three of us will soon be the four (or five?) of us.  We found out a couple of weeks ago that our family is going to grow.  I could not be more excited!  My wife is not really looking forward to process over the next nine months, but I can safely say that we are both excited about the new kiddo.

If you have any name ideas, please post them in the comments.  My wife wants Gilgamesh for a boy, but I told her that’s too medieval.  Just look at the picture of the dude, no way I’m naming my kid after that guy.  Although, he does have a sweet beard.

My wife’s grandmother was a twin, so there is a slight possibility we will have twins.  At this point we do not really want twins, but that is not really for us to decide.

So it looks like we will have two diapers to change early next year.  We’re sure on the due date, but hopefully that will be figured out relatively soon.  Either way, I can’t wait for our family to grow yet again.

You Are My Joy

20 July, 2010

Mick Christianity , , , , , 1 Comment

This is a worship song I wrote.  Enjoy.  Use.  Share.

Supporting a Corrupt Government?

19 July, 2010

Mick Christianity, Community , , , , , , , , , 5 Comments

Yesterday, Matt preached about the role of a Christ-follower in relation to the government.  He had some very Biblical points that we can all learn from.  If you want to listen sermon titled “David & Saul.”

I wanted to follow this up because of an email I received this morning.  The email talked about a ‘new stamp’ that President Obama commissioned the USPS to print.  Perhaps you have received a similar message at some point.  After doing some research I found the email to be a mix of lies and truth. (read the Snopes article)  The following are three points that are from the Snopes article, logic, and the Bible.

1) The stamp was actually introduced on September 1, 2001 as part of the USPS Holiday Celebration Series.  That’s 10 days BEFORE the September 11th tragedy.  Obama was not the US President at that point.

2) Most Muslims are not evil.  Most Muslims do not commit hate crimes.  If you remember, the Oklahoma bombing in 1995 was done by a Christian hate group.  They claimed to be Christian (but as you and I should know, this was definitely not a Christian thing by any means).  So we can’t be prejudice against Muslims in a country that esteems itself in religious freedom.  Do I agree with Muslim teaching?  No, I am a solid Christ-follower.  But this is government stuff we’re discussing.

3) Probably most important, I think all of us (including myself) need to stop bashing the government, no matter who is residing.  Even if we do not agree with what they are doing, God put them there for a reason. We need to pray for them.  Check out these three verses.

Romans 13:1 – Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established—the authorities that exist have been established by God.

1 Peter 2:13-15 – Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.

1 Timothy 2:1-2 -  I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

As a Christ-follower I need to pray for and support our government officials.

In all of the current government affairs going on, it’s easy for some to get discouraged.  In fact, when the election was happening I was following it all and decided to stop because it was depressing and frustrating.  My peace comes in knowing that I serve a much higher authority, Jesus Christ.

I’m not trying to fight against a particular party, so please don’t read this blog in that way.  The fact is that God calls us to something different, something greater.

New Song by Brandon

17 July, 2010

Mick Christianity , , , , , 2 Comments

Here is a new song written by my good friend, Brandon.

How NEET Are You?

16 July, 2010

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After a conversation with one of my friends about the impact Dragon Quest has on Japan (I’ve heard that half of Japan shuts down when a new game is released), he informed me of major cultural issue.  An epidemic of non-motivated people generally between ages 15 & 34 has swept the country of Japan.  These people are called hikikimori, or are described with the acronym NEET ( Not in Employment, Education, or Training).

The hikikimori end up getting so caught up into video games, manga, and anime, that they have no desire to be involved in society.  No job, no school, no family.  I read in article that says over 600,000 people in Japan are considered NEET.  It’s kind of depressing to think about it.

I’m wondering if we are entering into a time of that within the United States.  There has been a sharp rise in college graduates moving back home for several years before they get a job, and lack of motivation has a strong influence on this.

The worst part of it all is that someone has to enable them.  Without a job you cannot buy your basic needs, which means that whoever the sluggard is living with is supplying the needs.

Proverbs 6:6-11 says:

6 Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!

7 It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,

8 yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.

9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
When will you get up from your sleep?

10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest-

11 and poverty will come on you like a bandit
and scarcity like an armed man.

I’m not sure about you, but this verse is warning enough for me.  Sure, I play video games, watch movies, and read comics, but it is in a fair balance with everything else that happens in my life.  May none of us ever fall into the category of NEET.

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