Downsizing Sale Part 2

Need a Pool Table set with extras?

Downsizing Sale Part 1

Looking for a piano? Buy mine.

The Star Trek A-Team

Thanks to the Facebook of Veronica Belmont, a female geek that all the geeks are in love with because she knows about what geeks know about and she's fairly attractive, I have a video mash-up of two things I find entertaining; Star Trek and the A-Team. Enjoy the video.

Happy Thanksgiving

Remember back to a simpler time, a happier time, a goofier time....back when Adam Sandler was funny and Kevin Nealon was sort of funny. Then be thankful for something like the Internet, that can bring back these memories of good times.

R8 vs ZR1

Watch it while it's still up. Clarkson is so fun to watch. And the Stig is a great driver.

Ladder Fail

Fail Blog is great. This is an infomercial fail...painful to the chin.

Reed's Inc. A Healthy Soda Company

BevReview.com may allow me to write a review for their site. In preparing for this review, I looked at the company that makes Vigil's Root Beer and China Soda, two of the sodas I am planning to review here. Reed's, Inc. is the maker of both these sodas and another beverage called Reed's Ginger Brew. The Ginger Brew is Reed's signature soda. It's a ginger ale made with real ginger and other all natural ingredients they brew (similar to beer) into this healthier ale. Reed's claims to be the "Coke" of health food stores, being the largest nature/premium soda seller. Their similarity to Coca-Cola ends there. Their Ginger Brew is made one brewed batch at a time and they use no chemicals in making their products. With real ginger root, Reed's boast of health benefits from drinking their brews. Ginger has been tied to digestive health and can be used as a motion sickness aid. The first time I went on an ocean cruise I took ginger tablets to help with motion sickness. There were no bad side effects from the ginger. If I had taken medicine, I may have suffered from drowsiness. Virgil's Root Beer was purchased by Reed's, Inc in 2000. Virgil's followed the same philosophy of soda making as Reed's, being made with all natural ingredients, being brewed like old fashioned sodas (claiming to be the only brewed Root Beer), and boasting of health benefits. China Soda is heralded as the #1 selling cola in health food stores. Just as Virgil's Root Beer and Reed's Ginger Brew offer a natural and healthy choice in soda consumption, China Soda takes the classic cola taste and adds Chinese herbal knowledge and ingredients to make this cola a natural way to balance the body's "imbalances" commonly found today. It naturally increases the energy level of its consumer. Here is a video from the History Channel's Modern Marvels. I love this show, and I wish I had this full episode. Enjoy.

The CHP Attempt to Entrap at Sac Auto Show

Here is my favorite part of the 2009 Sacramento Auto Show: The CHP booth had the above pill box as a give-a-way. I immediately asked the officer working the booth if this could be considered entrapment. She said something about Aleve. So I asked her about prescrition meds. She ignored my comments. She didn't even respond after that. See, in California there is a law, 4060 B&P, stating it is illegal to possess prescription medications without a prescription. The meds should stay in the prescription bottle, which shows the person they are prescribed to, the prescriber, and the correct dosage information. If prescription meds are found in one of these "daily pill organizers" and there is no sign of a prescription bottle anywhere, law enforcement can use that as evidence of no prescription, and they may arrest the person holding this sort of pill container, sighting 4060 B&P.

Tricky CHiPs.

All Commandments Can Be Summed Up By Love

"...for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law." I thought I'd be able to review Romans 13:8-10 and have a lot to say, but the simple truth of that first quote sums it up so nicely. If we love others, we fulfill the law. You don't go lie, cheat, steal, hurt, or kill someone you love. If you love others, you fulfill the commandments. If you love others, you will stop sinning. Love, love, love.

And then there is the reality of my own life. There is barely love for the ones I claim to love. I am so unloving. I often have to question my own salvation because I am not a person who loves others. Sometimes I tell myself I am, because I'll feel bad for someone in need or pain, but that's not the love that counts here. This love is contrasted against the commandments against adultery, murder, stealing, and coveting. We need to love in the hard situations. We need to love the unlovable.

Praise God for His Love.

2009 Sac Auto Show Last Live Blog

The new Taurus has a massive trunk. The Can-Am 3-wheeler was neat but
started at $16k. And the new Nissan Altima is really just the same
Altima with a nose job.

2009 Sac Auto Show Continued Again

Test drove the new Ford Taurus SHO and the Fiesta. The Fiesta was
actually the drive of the show. So much fun. The Dodge Callenger
dressed up as a cop car. And the new Toyota 4Runner is pretty sweet too.

Sac Auto Show Continues

We both drove the V8 Camaro. We both signed up to test drive a Ford
Taurus and get a $50 gift card. We both got free t-shirts from Ford.
And now we are going to drive some Fords.

2009 Sac Auto Show

Ted and I are enjoying the Sac Auto Show. Are are our first pictures.
Ted is about to drive this yellow V8 Camaro.

Beverage Reviews Ahead

China Cola, Oogavé Watermelon Cream and Rootbeer, and Jones Root Beer and Orange and Cream.

I can't wait to try them all. I should ask the guy at bevreview.com for a job.

When Baked Cops Call 911

This is an old clip but Fail Blog had it as their "Friday Rewind" clip, so enjoy. Note the time of my post. 4:20, sweeeeet Dude!

Want to Drive Your Car with Your iPhone? There's an App for That

Nerds can do anything.

Submit To The Authorities

Romans 13:1-7 is a little confusing, especially after last nights Facebook discussion about whether or not Obama is "an idiot" or not. Although those weren't my words for him, I think we are headed toward socialism with Obama. But before I go any further, back to the passage at hand. "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God..."

God places whomever He wants into the positions of authority. This is a little confusing for me because of bad people like Saddam Hussein. But I think the United States took care of him. I think there are bad people who become rulers but God has placed those people in those roles for a reason. I think we can look at the USA as a leader in the world and we took care of one that was not doing "good." We, as citizens, are called to do good and we will "receive approval" from the authority.

But this is still a confusing passage, because of people like Saddam and others. Then I read verse 7. "Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes...revenue...respect...honor..." When I saw the word respect in there, I instantly thought of the person at my last job who was the main instrument in my release. He was an arrogant, foolish man, in my opinion, but until this moment, I didn't realize my complete disrespect for him. He did get himself to the position of authority he was in, where God placed him in my life. I think all would have been right with me if I had respected his authority. I thought I'd be "butt kissing" but really it was my own arrogance that stopped me from listening to his opinion and learning from it.

We each have a place in this world and a role to fulfill. DON'T think yours is something grand and important. It may be the position of the butt kisser, the respectful obedient follower. Follow the law, respect and honor those who should be, be a good citizen.

Praise God the Ultimate Authority.

Apple's Facebook Shows iPhone Fault

So Apple's own iTunes Facebook page shows that Apple NEEDS Flash on the iPhone. Whatever Adobe's and Apple's beef is about, Apple needs to get over. The iPhone is so limited because of its lack if Flash. I can't believe they haven't been sued over the claim that the full Internet is on the phone. Too many sites use Flash to say the full Internet is on this phone. It's better than the rest, but it still has a long way to go to be able to offer the full Internet. Step 1: ADD FLASH!!

Call 911 If You DUI

Don't drink and drive. But if you do, call 911 to report your DUI. Mary did.

Bless Those Who Persecute You

This section of Romans 12 from verse 9-21 has been all about the "marks of the true Christian", as titled in my Bible. Today I'm going to continue with verse 14-21 to finish this section and chapter 12. For me, I have to completely do a 180.

First in verse 14 it says, "Bless those who persecute you...do NOT curse them." So hard. When someone wrongs me, I feel so angry. I have to get them back so I don't look like a fool. But this is the wrong direction according to God's Word. Verse 19 needs to ring out in this time. "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord." If some sort of vengeance is deserved and God decides to exact His vengeance, how much greater will the vengeance of God be than that of me, a mere humans? But we are called to not only resist our desire for revenge, we are called to bless and care for our enemies. Verse 16 says, "Live in harmony with one another..." Verse 17 says, "Repay NO one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all." Verse 19 says, "...never avenge yourselves."

We are to do the opposite of what we think is just. Verse 20 tell us to feed our enemies if they are hungry, give them a drink if they are thirsty. We are not to be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. So hard. So hard. But it is possible, because God's Word tells us to do it. We must be in constant prayer over this. We must rely on the strength that comes from God alone. Remember your sins have been forgiven. Remember the wrongs we have done against the almighty God, who is perfect and good. We wronged a loving God who should not be our enemy. He is the enemy of sin and the Savior of souls.

Praise God for His Grace and Mercy.

COME ON YOU FAILURE!

Romans 12:10-13. First the easier stuff. Verse 13b seek to show hospitality. DONE!

Now the rest. We need to be serving the Lord with a fervent spirit and with zeal. We need to be rejoicing in the hope we have as the children of God. We need to be PATIENT in tribulation. And we need to be in constant prayer. FAIL!

All these things work together too. And all these fails are why I feel like I'm in a deeper pit of failure than before. If I rejoice in the grace that God has given me, and in the hope of heaven and eternity with Him, and if I am in constant prayer to my Creator and Savior, all the struggles of daily life will fade, patience will be provided in tribulation. I believe my struggles would not be so frustrating and difficult if I was leaning on God and trusting Him in the first place. I think He is faithful to me and is constantly trying to draw me back to Himself. Oh what a fool I am.

Praise God for His Faithfulness.
Praise God for the Hope we have in Him.

Salt

This doesn't even come out until summer 2010, but "Salt" looks really good.

'Salt' Teaser Trailer @ Yahoo! Video

A Breakfast Break

On Tuesdays I've been meeting with Stuart and Jordan for breakfast and a time to encourage each other. And it is an encouraging time for me. We pray for each other and give each other advice from God's Word. We also have studied things together in the past, like the book "Crazy Love."

I'm a little late today, but I wanted to enter something. My advice today is to always have a group of people you can meet with on a regular basis as an accountability team. Find people that are spiritually mature and know the Bible. Oh, and they need to be the same gender.

Praise God in Patience today.

Let Your Love be Genuine

Romans is a hard book for a struggling Christian. It's a deep book of truths about God and salvation and how we are to live as Christians. Romans 12:9-21 are all about "Marks of the True Christian", as my Bible titles it. And it is stuff that is not easy to hear.

Verse 9 and 10 are all I'm going to cover today. "Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." Why do I always fail? I don't love. In fact, people "joke" about my lack of love of others. I'm know as someone who hates things, is annoyed by people, and generally is negative most of the time. I'm not loving. This is so hard for me. I think I can read other people's genuine attitudes in a giving situation; and when others are not genuine or honest with me or a particular event, I get angry and frustrated with them. Or if someone is not paying enough attention to what's going on, when something serious happens and they are shocked, I'm annoyed they weren't prepared. I feel like people are usually not lovable.

BUT, God loves people. "For God so loved the world, He gave his only son..." John 3:16. Even the guy at the baseball game in the outfield, or the one in the end zone at the football game, is trying to tell people that the God of the universe loves people. And now we are called to love people too, right here in Romans.

Let me take this in a different direction. I love music. I love playing the piano and singing. I loved leading worship and First Baptist in Auburn. I loved everything about it. I would say, the job of a music pastor at a church would be my dream job. Except a huge part of being a pastor is loving people. And that love spreads to so many other aspects of the job. Just getting up on the stage and leading people in music worship is not the extent of the job. It takes genuine love.

Praise God Today by Loving Others.

Getting Ready To Make the Switch

Apple and the iPhone are starting to be so frustrating. Apple is too exclusive and arrogant about what they will and won't allow on the iPhone. It's too locked down. The Google Android phone is open source, is on multiple phones, and has free stuff; free stuff like a Navigation Program. The Android phone also has the stuff we want from Google, that Apple keeps blocking. Voice recognition, location software, navigation, Google docs, and more. There are apps and more too. I don't know enough yet about the phone, which is why the title is "Getting Ready to Make the Switch" not "Making the Switch", but with Apple doing things the way they are, and the way they always do, I'm being pushed to boycott. (Other Apple-ism, the new iMac and it's 2 different functioning mini DVI ports on the 2 models. The 27" allows input, while the 21.5" doesn't. And the glossy finish on the screens is not great. Even in Apple's own stores, the glossy finish makes it hard to see the screen. Where's the mat option? How about the iPod Touch? You have to pay $10 every time they update the software. Stupid.) I will admit the iPhone is the greatest phone ever, but there are a lot of things that could be done better. Maybe someone will create the hardware to match the great work Google has done on the software of Android. It will be hard to match or beat the beauty of the iPhone. I was hopeful Motorola would do it with the "Droid", but first pictures aren't looking good. Someone needs to build a phone with a high quality, high resolution screen, and other quality materials and design.

People Without Skills Shouldn't Own Cars with HP

This guy is the anti-Ken Block. People without driving skills shouldn't be allowed to own cars with horsepower. This guy looks like a jerk.