Technology

• I still heart Ray Kurzweil - this week he is being interviewed on the New York Times.  To be honest I hope some of his predictions in this article come true...but the others, well, I hope don't work out. I still have a hard time with the idea that we should "become computers." Interesting enough, the new comphuman Cylons of the modern Battle Star Gallactica have recently declared that mortality (the ability to die) is part of what made life meaningful.  This is half true...our mortality in this life does point to its fuller meaning but is not the complete story which gives meaning...the true good news is that death can be overcome and life can rise in a new world. Life forever in a fallen world would create perpetual suffering and meaninglessness...life in a redeemed world will be beyond what any eye has seen or ear has heard...it will be better than we can imagine. 
• This is just weird - smiley weird.
  

The Church

• Mark Dever does not want video in church...I'm not persuaded, but I do think he makes a good case for why we should give care to such things. It seems Dever would say "abstain from video" on Sunday morning.  I might say "use moderation" - I would also say that the church would do well to welcome videographers and their craft in service of the Kingdom...I'll copy in the comment I left on the blog here as well:

Dr. Dever,

I think your concern is helpful but would want to know what you mean "in church" - I am assuming you mean showing videos as part of sermons. I for one would show your 9 Marks Video (just to the right here) in a church service. I also like using video thematically to transition in a service to the sermon - See these for a few small examples: 1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxPcX6m1_oo 2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__94uoHdZGo

I understand the concern you have and believe it is needed. I am thankful that you push on these things in the direction you do. When the message people come away with is "great visual" or "great video clip in that sermon" or "that illustration was awesome" rather than - I love God more, I see him more clearly, I am thankful for the gospel or I understand the Scripture which was preached...I too have concern.

Ravi Zacharias once said "The Scriptures do not say, in the beginning was...video" We must stay word centered, yet I do think video can be used in service of the word while never replacing it. In fact, I would say a good missionary to our culture would want to use technology to the glory of God - to redeem its use in God's service rather than 1)despising it or 2) making it an idol.

Thankful for IX Marks...and nice promo video btw.

A smallish POC Bundle today... 

Reviews

• Tim Challies reviews John Eldridge's new book Walking with God - though I am more charismatic (continuationist) than Challies, I think this review makes some very important points.  
  
• I just started reading a book out of the UK called Total Church.  So far the thesis of the book is great.  Churches should be centered on the gospel word, gospel mission and the community.  The community is where life is lived and the fruit of the gospel is observed.  So far, so good.  It seems to want to avoid the ditch of Emergent by focusing on community and loosing the biblical gospel.  At the same time it seems to want to reject the hyper-individualism preached in some conservative churches. I'll try to review it some day here on the POCBlog. 
  

Theological Reflection

• Mars Hill Seattle has a cushy, seeker friendly Good Friday video which begins their message on atonement.  Who said the mega church has to water down the message of the cross...now I do know that this would offend the sensibilities of many church folks - but God on a tree - humiliated, brutalized, suffering shame, crucified and raised for sinners is our message.   Strong stuff.
  

Just for Fun

• If God made you a hairy person, wookie-like even, and you like technology...this little device may be for you.  Silk'n - the light based, hair removal system - FDA approved and coming to a hairy back near you.  
  

Pop Culture

• There is a fascinating site/java application which consistently scourers the blogosphere for people talking about the way they "feel."  Apparently it looks for the word "feel" and pulls that data.  It then uses a cool Java applet to aggregate the data with some fun visualizations.  I watched the "murmers" screen as it scrolled down how people feel in our world - made me pray for people.  Very cool - here is the link - http://wefeelfine.org - The creator of the site gave a speech about it at TEDS which can be viewed here at the TED conference site.

On Science

• There are two interesting posts up over at Uncommon Descent.  The first is a quote by Thomas Jefferson...though no fan of "Jesus, Jesus, we love Jesus" stuff he was certainly a proponent of design in the universe.  Great quote found here. 
  
• Second, did you know you are 70% acorn...or visa versa...and you thought you were mostly chimpanzee.
  

Some fun links flying around in today's POC Bundle

Bible Translations

• A new format for the ESV. Also, I hear the official ESV Study Bible is slated for the fall...I know many have been waiting for that one.

Technology

• Looks like someone is creating the Matrix...well, at least for a pendulum.  Researchers are creating a virtual pendulum that mimics the properties of a real world counterpart.   See the link here. Very cool - you might just get to be Neo after all...then again, probably not.  Although the artificial intelligence posse wants you to believe that a human being is just software running on a brain...I think there is a fundamental flaw in this thinking.  Even so, for a programmer to keep the "state" of a human being in code so that it can be mimicked seems to be infinitely complex. There are optimists and pessiments of course.
  
• Some researchers are saying that we are afraid of being disconnected from technology and our interactions...interesting pdf.
  

The Church

• Lots of audio/video up now from the recent Text and Context conference put on by the Resurgence.  I have heard "best conference ever" many times so I will likely try and pick a few of these to listen. Here is the link to the stuff.
• Praying about going to this Band of Bloggers thing.  I like some young guys I met through blogs - but not sure I have the time...Should I go?
  

General News

• TED - Everyone's favorite group for cultural elites and world changers just finished up. Business Week explains TED for all us small people out there...they also provide a summary of the 08 conference.  A fun quote: Some, even BusinessWeek columnist Sarah Lacy, accuse TED of being a self-satisfied meeting of the rich and successful, who meet to pat each other on the back, hear some thought-provoking ideas, and then zoom off in their hybrid vehicles or private jets (both equally objectionable to the naysayers) to count money at their hedge-fund headquarters or map the future in their ivory towers. Personally, I like geniuses, elites, futurists and uber creatives - they make me realize how cool Jesus is.

• Oh No He Didn't - Apparently a member of the Dutch Parliament has put together a unflattering film about the Koran.  Cartoons had people calling for death threats upon Dutch cartoonists...I can only imagine the peaceful response coming from the religion of peace. Here is the opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal.

• Free Centros from Amazon - really, this looks legit. After rebates of course.
  

The Church

• This article's title just shows me how sideways the Anglican communion can be in some places - Diocese Threatens to Suspend J.I. Packer - For those who do not know JI Packer is a very old scholar highly respected in many circles. He is the author of the book Knowing God which some already consider a classic.
  

General News

• The people of Great Britain are lonely, have long lines to receive mental health care and as such are all hopped up on anti-depressants.   A couple of articles - BBC - Britain is the True Prozac Nation. But the London Telegraph alerts us that anti-depressants are no better than dummy pills

Apologetics

• Chuck Colson says I Heart PETA - well, sort of.  For those unfamiliar, PETA stands for People for Ethical Treatment of Animals. 
  

The Church

• The Pew Research Center has an excellent study on religions in American.  Summary available here
  
• Interesting response by Os Guinness to Frank Schaeffer's book "Crazy for God" - CT Online here

Technology

• Cool looking Bluetooth headset - not in the US yet, but a cool idea

Technology

• iPod Shuffles are now only 49 bucks - a good deal for an MP3 player of that quality
• Palm's Centro is not out on AT&T - in my opinion, AT&T has the suckiest data network out of the big three...but just in case you don't want to spend the loot for an iPhone and want to use AT&T. It is white with a greenish key pad.
• Most of you probably know this but HD DVD is going to the deep technological grave which once consumed Sony's Betamax video cassette recorder.  This time Sony wins - Blu Ray Disc is going to be the defacto standard for High Def optical media.  Word is Sony just paid everyone better to win the day.  Once Warner went with it for movies the dominoes all fell.  Netflix, BestBuy and then the killer - Walmart.  If you can't do Walmart in consumer tech, movies, etc. You just can't win.  All the Walmart haters now tear thy cloths.

Reviews and/or Theological Reflections

Tim Challies reviews The Shack...interesting as this is the "hot book" right now in NashVegas among church folk. It is #42 on Amazon right now and #1 in spirituality and Christian segments as well  I found the theology discussion on the Shack Forums here to be quite revealing.  I am going to read it soon - I know one girl on our church staff that thinks it is not biblical in its depiction of God - Challies seems to agree.  Yet I am convinced that many do not even care whether it is "biblical" or not and will simply be taken by the book.  Those who might question its presentation of God will be called "religious" or "legalists" or people that don't get it...people of an "old way" of seeing God that holds people in shame.  We like views of god that match our sentiments rather than the God of the Bible.  Heck, lots of Christians do not even know the contents of the Bible or the historical doctrines of the church.  We prefer books by Joel Osteen.

Just for Fun

Well, it turns out that monkeys and men are still distinct - in Austria that is.  See the following news story - It's official: In Austria, a chimp is not a person. For those of you who were unaware, there are people that think primates are deserving of human rights - free the chimps!  On a less humorous note, this in an actual paragraph is from the Great Ape Project:

The idea is founded upon undeniable scientific proof that non-human great apes share more than genetically similar DNA with their human counterparts. They enjoy a rich emotional and cultural existence in which they experience emotions such as fear, anxiety and happiness. They share the intellectual capacity to create and use tools, learn and teach other languages. They remember their past and plan for their future. It is in recognition of these and other morally significant qualities that the Great Ape Project was founded. The Great Ape Project seeks to end the unconscionable treatment of our nearest living relatives by obtaining for non-human great apes the fundamental moral and legal protections of the right to life, the freedom from arbitrary deprivation of liberty, and protection from torture.

So for all those zoo keepers out there - feel very ashamed of yourselves for depriving the apes of their freedom and dignity.  

General News

Though receiving a 83-82 scare from Ga Tech this evening, the UNC Tarheel Basketball team is still #1 - In basketball season I cheer for my alma matta. In football season I pull for the Hokies - we served in ministry for six years at VT. 
 

The folks at Stand to Reason have some interesting comments on the "gospel" being "Jesus as means to healing the planet" which is being put forth by some Intervarsity staff.  Remember, if we leave out the central focus of the "good news" we have presented a half truth.  Half truths fall short of communicating the rich reality that the gospel is about God saving sinners through Jesus AND send them on mission in the world.  That mission includes proclaiming the Jesus that died for sinners and forgives them AND sends the church into the world with good works for the common good as well. 

Pop Culture 

The gospel of Mark highlights that Jesus was seen as a different teacher for he taught as one with authority.  Our culture does not like to speak with any sort of conviction - one comedian has picked up on this and unpacks this cultural reality well. 

(HT - A-Team Blog) 

Gospel and Culture

Last Thursday we had a discussion entitled "Green and the Gospel - Christianity and the Environment. The wrap up from the evening is here.

Technology

Some forward thinkers in the UK have come up with a new form of money for use in the intergalactic trade federation.   They are calling it the QUID:

Enter the Quasi Universal Intergalactic Denomination (or QUID -- clever Brits), a stackable, molded chip made of the same material used in non-stick pans, and lacking the chemicals or sharpness inherent to paper, plastic, and coins. The inventors peg the current exchange rate for the QUID at £6.25 to 1Q

So whenever you need to trade with the moon man, or the martian WTO you'll be ready to roll

Gospel and Culture 

Stanley Fish has an interesting article on the relationship between liberalism and secularism over at the New York Times.  He conclusion is that liberalism = secularism and pretty much calls the bluff of anyone who thinks otherwise.  Here is a quote:

There are two answers presidential candidates cannot give to the now obligatory (and deeply offensive) question about their religious faith. A candidate cannot say, “I don’t have any,” and a candidate cannot say, “My faith dictates every decision I make and every action I take.” Rather, a candidate must say something like, “My faith generally informs my moral values, but my judgments and actions as president will follow from the constitutional obligations of the office, not from my religion.” In other words, I too believe in the public-private distinction and I will uphold it. I won’t insist that you adopt my values and I will respect yours. (In short, I’m a liberal.)

Much of it interacts with theocratic state building religious culture where there is no separation between church and state...ie Islamic cultures.  He does not interact with a view that holds a state can be informed on the basis of natural law where religious liberty is permitted.  Of course, natural law theory, requires a world view other than philosophical naturalism as it gives a positive ontology to shared objective moral values.  A bit on this from the POC archive.

On another note, the Council of Europe has declared Creationism a threat to human rights.  Thou shalt not teach that there is a creator in Europe today...
Reuter's article here. 

On Science 

Danish scholar offers up some advice on global climate change.  Climate change is real and humans contribute to it...but his advice? Chill Out. So says controversial scholar Bjorn Lomborg, adjunct professor at the Copenhagen Business School.

General News 

Great wiki on the stats and some skyline photos of the largest cities in America. 

Pop Culture
The Dove foundation's Campaign for True Beauty has created some interesting short films showing what women and young girls face in our culture of plastic beauty. As a father of daughters these drove my wife and I to our knees.

On Science
It seems like we will all be able to hide our Klingon Ships now...er, at least a 10micron circle. US Physicists build Cloaking Device 

The Church
There is a good article on Church planting article at Chrisitanity Today.  My friends in the Acts 29 Network had some good things to say.

Technology
Microsoft has some new Zunes coming.  Pretty impressive lineup and moving in good directions.  Not giving up the iPod yet, but the Zune 4/8 are pretty good Nano competitors with Wifi and an FM tuner built in.  Full comparisons here.

General News

• A married couple who didn't realise they were chatting each other up on the internet are divorcing. Sad story here of online cheating, with their current spouse.  Link here.
• Interesting little clock widget that watches the world - love to look deeper at the underlying assumptions, but interesting nonetheless.
  

The Church

• A look at Brian McLaren's new gospel
  
• Interesting take on the Lord's Supper by John Calvin - A Short Treatise on the Lord's Supper.
• Divorce - well, you know - no big deal for a preacher who God calls...Paula White on her divorce.

Technology

• Blog wars - Movable Type and WordPress - a nod (or 10 of them) for MT4.
  
• World's Smallest Camcorder - At least thats what they claim.
  

On Science

• A very interesting article on cosmology is available over at the American Scientist. It summarizes contemporary inflationary big bang theory and the poor state of modern cosmological speculation.    

Technology

• Arm wrestling arcade game - for real men only...this one breaks arms of girly men
  
• Cool WordPress Theme for Mac fans - the little bomb at the bottom of the screen is what happens when Macs crashed.  Yes, I know they told you Mac's never crashed - but believe me, I used to TA a class on them in college and yes they certainly did.  If you have a Mac Classic in your house that you made into fishbowl then this is for your blog.

Just for Fun

• What men do when they don't have jobs and a mission - they devise ways they can be like Jason Bourne. Don't try these at home.

• This...is just nasty: A Beijing factory recycled used chopsticks and sold up to 100,000 pairs a day without any form of disinfection, a newspaper said on Wednesday, the latest in a string of Chinese food and product safety scares.

On Science 

• Apparently, according to Nigel Calder, former editor of New Scientist, Richard Dawkins needs a refresh in Genetics. Audio interview here.
• Interesting article on the Boston Globe regarding the ID/Evolution debate.

• Going way beyond don't ask don't tell...and false historical claims.  Victor Hanson responds to a claim by Mike Gravel that gay is more than OK for the military. 
  
• Parableman rightly chastises a church for not agreeing to do the funeral for the family of a gay man.
• Great article in the Atlantic Monthly on the financial and manufacturing prowess growing in southern China. See China Makes, The World Takes for a fascinating read.  The picture below is pretty amazing...all the little boxes are shipping containers.

• Palm Treo 755 is reviewed over at PalmInfocenter.  I have looked at smartphones for years...really.  I had the first PalmPilot in 1996 and used to follow the handheld market like a freak.  But none of the smartphones seem to have all I want - getting better, but they still cost a bundle.  Anyway, the new Treo is out.
• Cool looking new Dell Display
• This is a funny list of nightmare client requests from a web designer.  If you do web sites, you will feel a camaraderie in reading this one.
• Al Gore uses a Mac - how do this make you feel?

• Cool new possibility for hydrogen production for fuel cells in automobiles.  It would be great some day to grab a bucket of pellets made out of aluminum and gallium and throw them in the "tank" - then recycle the byproducts...Especially if they could some day get it to be less than 3 bucks a gallon.

The Church

• Joshua Harris, yes that Joshua Harris for those who grew up in youth groups, has an article up by Isaac Hydoski giving counsel for Christians and online dating.  I think it is worth checking out for single folks hanging out online.  Here is the link.
• Lauren McCain - one of the women shot at Va Tech last month was interviewed a few weeks prior to her murder.  The video is online here in flash - it is copyrighted so don't try to rip it off.

Gospel and Culture

• My little ditty on gender according to Scripture and Culture is now up on The Resurgence. If you are new to the Resurgence, book mark it.  It is a great resource.  

This is a spooky cool concept out of R&D at Mikeysoft.  Digidesk of the future - make sure to watch the video if you have a minute.

Logos Bible Software for the Mac is progressing nicely 

Technology/Pop Culture

I am a big fan of the Transformers...these are funny headphones...I wouldn't wear these though.

Pop Culture/Gospel and Culture

Dog the bounty hunter describes his faith - he loves Jesus...but doesn't seem to think anyone else really needs him...a little sad. Dog still cracks some heads
, but it might not hurt to read some more Bible.

Just for Fun 

A funny picture Engadget used for an article on a government sniper program...Get em kitty:

Technology 

As much as the Macintosh fun bunch wants to say how bad Vista is, it sure does suck all the way to the bank.  Here is a quote from a Business week article on the hot selling Windows Vista.

Revenue in Microsoft's (MSFT) Client Division, consisting primarily of Windows sales for PCs, hit $5.3 billion, a 67% jump over a year earlier. That includes $1.2 billion in deferred revenue from presales of Windows Vista, money paid by customers before the quarter started but not counted in results until the product shipped. But even without that spike, the group's sales climbed 17%. In other words, Vista sales growth topped Microsoft's estimates of overall PC unit sales growth, which came in between 10% and 12%. That's largely because 71% of customers opted for the high-priced premium editions of Vista.

Now I know Mac folks may say. This is just because Vista is installed on my PCs which are sold worldwide...not because people like it.  Yeah, but we seem to overlook that it is on most PCs sold worldwide.  Like that doesn't matter?  Sales are likely to increase as many will wait to get a new PC before upgrading.  I know that is my plan.

Just for Fun

1. I am among the few, the proud, the 36% of brave wikipedia users in America. 

2. How to know your ticket price is TOO HIGH for the local soccer game:

3. Christian people...quick pointer...Don't EVER design crap like this. People do not think this is cool - it is goofy.

Source - Drew Goodmanson in a presentation on church communication - Yes, he used it as an example of what not to do in communication

Technology

• Have a company worth 2 billion? Its seems like a good time for DoubleClick to sell.
• In case you missed it, EMI is offering is full line up of MP3s for 1.29 on iTunes now.  What, why the price hike?  Higher quality? Yes.  But much more...they are going to be sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management software).  That means you can use the music on whatever device(s) you like.  If you buy through iTunes, you could play it on your Sansa or Zune.  Zune Marketplace has followed on some of its content as well. 
  

Just For Fun

• Some of you are familiar with Blendtec's pithy "Will it Blend" series of Videos.  This time, they actually "record" a live blending of a camcorder from inside the blender.  Well, at least until the blender kills the feed.  These are funny.
  

Theological Reflection

• Same Storms, a Christian Hedonist, scholar and theological charismatic, has a new, nicely designed web site.  Check it out here (HT - Theologica)
  

Pop Culture - Ubiquitous advertising...not sure if this is a real ad, but it is creative...and obnoxious.

Just for Fun - I definately misspell this word all the time.  Or is it definitely? Also, these are some very, very cool photos from around the world taken from the air.

Technology - Firefox just released an incremental version - 2.0.0.2 - sounds like if you have Vista you should get it.  Though I'm not a gamer, those who follow the Xbox, PS3, Wii wars, this video is pretty funny (warning, there is some language which may be objectionable to some - nothing terrible, but one word at around 40s)

General News

• Yes, we all know that paganism (real polytheistic worship) is on the rise, especially in places like Europe.  Well, now the old Greek gods of Bulfinch's Mythology are being worshiped again today.  The Guardian has an interesting article about those today who worship the thunderbolt hurling Zeus and the faithful God of the sun Apollo.
  
• Superbowl parties at churches can now legally go forward due to a clarification given by the NFL.  I think the use the really big screens was a problem and even that looks to be OK now.  I remember doing SuperBowl parties with college students and we would show a half-time video with Christian testimonies.  We always had to "turn off the game" then we could share the gospel.  Then, we would stop the message, and then "turn back on the game."  It is goofy that the NFL even tries to control these things.  But alas, we tried to play by the rules.  Article at WorldNet Daily.  Apparently someone put together a video saying that the church has prohibited either team from using a "Hail Mary" at the end of the game.  Too funny.

Just for Fun

• Find out How Stuff Works
  

Technology 

• I think I found my reason for staying with Windows/PCs and not jumping to the Macinslosh.  The new version of MS Office for Windows just rocks.  The UI is very different, but I think it is a huge improvement for most tasks.  I was concerned I would not like the Ribbon, but now after living with it for a bit I think it is great. Wikipedia has a bunch of details.
  
• Speaking of Microsoft - check out the original MS Mouse. 

There is some fast action on the web in many of the POC Blog categories...so a HUGE POC Bundle was due.  Here is a ride down a large slide of links... 

Bible Translations

All my friends know that I have been and continue to be somewhat of an ESV evangelist.  Two good pieces of news on that front:

1. Mars Hill Church in Seattle has switched over to the ESV.  Our church did so about a year ago.  Glad to see others joining the party.  See Pastor Mark Driscoll's reasons for switching here.  For his full essay on Preaching and Bible Translations see here
   
2. And the ESV continues to grow in usage:  (This data may still reflect some bloat in ESV numbers due to a “Spread the Word” outreach bible they were selling New Testaments on the cheap in October)
   

The Church

• New book on the theology of Emerging Churches is forthcoming from Zondervan.
• John Yates and Os Guinness way in on why they left the Episcopal Church over at the Washington Post.The reasons they provide are well articulated yet heartbreaking.

Theological Reflection

• The Resurgence has begun a new podcast entitled the Heidelberg Project - Here is there description: Welcome to the Resurgence’s second podcast feed titled "Resurgence Heidelberg Project" which will run each week for all of 2007. The Heidelberg Catechism was divided up into 52 sections and will be read by pastors, professors and other godly men and women in the Church. The Heidelberg Catechism has been translated into many languages and is the most influential and most generally accepted catechism from the Reformation era. The desire of Resurgence is that believers in Jesus Christ stay biblically faithful while reaching people in their community and we believe this project will give support in this missional life. There will be weekly audio downloads of people reading this historic Christian confession of faith.  I plan on listening with my kids.

On Science

• National Geographic has an interesting show upcoming that features views of children in the womb.  The pictures are pretty amazing.
  

Technology

• The ESV Blog has a link to how Google Earth is being merged with data to use as a Bible Atlas.  It is cataloging 1100 places mentioned in the ESV translation of the Bible.  Very cool - here is the link
  

General News 

• This is what is meant by "filthy stinkin rich" 

A small buffet of quick reading. 

The Church 

• Darryl Bock on Emergent - It would great if Dr. Bock would learn some basic HTML like: <ol><li></li><li></li></ol> - you'll see what I mean when you read his post.  Even though it is presented as a big blob of text - he has very good things to say here.  I would only say that we should not shy away from sin/wrath when sharing Jesus with others.
  
• Taylor provided several quotes on anti-intellectualism in the evangelical church - these quotes are awesome.  Continuing the crusade to convince young Christians that being stupid is not a virtue!  Thanks to the peeps at Inversion who are bucking that trend. (HT on these two - Justin Taylor)
  

 
Mars Hill Church in Seattle will begin its series on Jesus tomorrow. My guess is that it will be a series will with Christological rigor, apologetic value, reverant adoration of Jesus, and probably some red neck jokes. Additionally, Mars Hill is launching a new web site - you want to see what can be done on the web when you have a bunch of Microsoft geeks in church?  Go here.

Technology 

Finally, there is a cool Zune page out there now Not that I am interested personally, but the Zune looks like it may have something to offer.

The Church Audio from the Desiring God National Conference is now up at Desiring God's new web site.  The page is ready - the "exerpt" by Piper is great.  DG is also podcasting John Piper's Sunday sermons. 

Biblical View of Women - Grace Driscoll has an article at the newly designed Acts 29 web site on the Biblical view of women and its application in our culture

Quote Fest - Quotes from David Wells, Voddie Baucham, Tim Keller, Mark Driscoll, DA Carson...very strong quotes from men with chests.

General News

Project Management Source has a list of pop business productivity wisdom entitled Lessons from Project Management: 101 ways to organize your lifecomplete with a reference to "ZEN" - my how we love ZEN in just about everything today.  Some of this is good advice, most is the commons sense, blah, blah, blah that sells many books and lacks serious reflection.

Calculate your Miles Per Dollar - you know how many miles per gallon you get in your ride...now you can see how many miles you get for every George Washington in your wallet. I get about 9 miles per dollar...so it costs me about $1.96 round trip to my office each day.

Technology 

Is there a new evil empire brewing?  Google CEO Eric Schmidt joins Apple's board.  I had one friend tell me they were boycotting apple because they are becoming "the man" - this indeed looks more likely now that "the man" of Internet searching and page ranking has joined the board. 

The Old Evil Empire (you know Microsoft) has just released their first "release candidate" of Windows Vista.  Oooo can't wait.  Actually, with our next PC purchase we will be choosing between the Old and New evil empires...what to do? 

Technology - Some interesting screen shots of User Interfaces on personal computers from 1984 to the present.  The Mac worshippers and PC protagonists will love this walk through the past.  You can find the screens here.

Current Mac OS

Next Version of Windows

On Science - The brain control agents are at it again in the UK.  This time they control blind-folded humans through a maze by monkeying with the people's brains.  Hooray! Link here.

Technology -  Firefox is still gaining ground on Internet Explorer and is a solid #2 in the web browser world.  Complete story here...if you have not used Firefox, you should check it out.  Very worthy of the switch.  Article on E-week.com

General News - In further weirdness on the "marriage front" - you need to check this out. Last year I read about a French woman who married her snake.  Now all of this is getting a formal presence.  At least in the weird worlds of cyberspace. MarryYourPet - The pet and people wedding specialists

This quote is a classic:

On this website we often refer to pets as 'he'. We want you to know that we're not sexist, girl pets are great. We're just lazy typists.

Gee, I was worried they were sexist...actually, you are marrying your stinking pets!!! I think being sexist is the least of the problem.  Now, if you hold that "marriage" is socially constructed without definition by God...how they heck can you argue against marrying your dog?  One simply cannot.  I hope and pray that we do not continue to stoop into such lunacy.

Technology - Speaking of weird weddings.  Check out this wedding of some techno-Swedes.  Interactive Wedding Clothes

The Church - Andrée Seu has a great article over at World about churches that plant other churches as part of their DNA.  The title says it all to me: Slouching toward the comfort zone: Do our churches want to be Acts Normal or American normal?  Here is the link - WORLD Magazine | Weekly News, Christian Views

Resurge - Listen to this series of messages from the recent Resurgence Conference on Missional Theology.  Put it on the pod, computer, or wherever - you can find it on all the Resurgence web site.

Mainline Fun - Can't walk the Labrynth to be "centered" (you know this is not mentioned anywhere in the Bible) on your own.  No worries, you can do your own virtual finger Labrynth!  Your soul be delivered! You can even turn on the icons, text (read the text...kind of sad), and spooky sacred tunes...(HT - Challies)

Girly-Church - Where are the men?  Here is a link which highlights the laments and comments on the feminization of men in the church.  Dudes arise and reject the sissy gospel!  My favorite link title here - The Modern American Evangelical Church: (a.k.a. the Evangelical Church of American Women Who, At Times, Bring Their Soft "Nice Guy" Husbands and Sons Says Murrow) (Source - JollyBlogger) 

Islamic Watch

What are the little kiddos learning in school today?  Pluralism? Political Correct Speech codes? Diversity? Maybe a little math and a few spelling bee words?  Perhaps in America.   Or maybe that Jews are apes and Christians are swine?  Or maybe that the Muslim must wage jihad in order to spread the faith in battle against the infidel? Or that Jews and Christians are the "enemies" of Muslims?  Well that would be in Saudi Arabia.  There is an interesting article over at MSNBC about what the kiddos are learning in the land of princes and oil.

Technology

Mac's do have some cool stuff going on today...namely cool Logos Bible Software on the way (PC users like me have had this for years) and now a cool Bible Widget to go with.  Mac users, download today

The Church 

Mark Driscoll comments on Calvary Chapel's recent statement of concern regarding Emergent.   

For Fun - Check this out - ESV “To Do” Bible - purgatorio - and yes, if you are new to Purgatorio, this is a joke. Too funny...

The Church - The PCUSA trashes the Trinity

When one California pastor was asked how he felt about the new terminology for the Trinity, he told the Los Angeles Times newspaper, "You might as well put in Huey, Dewey, and Louie." That minister is not alone in his sentiments -- another conservative Presbyterian theologian and pastor is similarly expressing disgust at what he describes as the denomination's move to "alter a major doctrine of the Christian faith."

For Young Dudes - Great Article - Stop Test Driving Your Girlfriend by Michael Lawrence (HT - Theologica)

On Science and Philosophy - Interesting article on moving robotics with brain impulses...now what causes the brain to move? (HT - Pearcey Report)

From time to time I find little interesting tidbits around the net and in the past have made them separate entries...

To make this a bit cleaner and not bog down everyones RSS readers quite as much I am going to start bundling these together.  

POC Bundles will also be a new category so you can click through these historically as well.  

Bundling at one time in America was a stange cultural phenomena, but now it just will pull together fun little bytes on the POCBlog.