Here's a link to a short video of me flying.
My plane that is.
Ok, it's radio control, but I'm still flying.
Here it is: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showatt.php?attachmentid=948616
It's just over 7mb, captured with a digital still camera in video mode, so the quality is crap. But you get the idea. I really love this new hobby. Maybe someday I'll find the right words to explain why I love it so much.
09 August 2006
Metaphorical Bonsai
So...
Hmmm...
Oh...
Ok.
Somewhere in my mind there is a thought that has been there for a while. I'm not sure how long, but it has been a long time. It's one of those thoughts that gets planted, and grows in very short spurts, and only a little at a time. This one has been growing for quite a few years. It still isn't fully grown, nor will it be for quite some time. But none the less there it is, in a corner of my mind. Not one of those dark back corners, not right at the front either. Just off to the side, enough to be out of the way, but visible none the less. Every once in a while, I take notice, and ponder for a bit. Sometimes I notice that the thougth has grown just a bit. Sometimes it hasn't changed at all. But it's there. I suppose it's some kind of cactus or maybe one of those pine trees or cedar trees you see growing out on a mountain top all by itself. Only this one is still a bonsai, if you need a picture/metaphore.
Anyhow, what thought is that? What would it mean to be a priest of the order of Melchizedek? He was "a priest of the Most High God," and the writer of Hebrews said that Jesus Christ is of his order, not by ancestral right to the priesthood, but by the power of an indestructable life. Now I know that the most often theological explanation of this is that Jesus, through the resurrection has become our new hight priest... but.
The implication here is that Mechizedek was a priest, not by right, but by the power of an indestructable life. And that is almost all we know about him. Was he indestructable? Where did he learn about God? How did he become a priest for God, back in the days of Abraham? The only followers of God mentioned in the Bible for this time frame are Abraham and his family. No one else, except this Melchizedek who was a priest for God and indestructable (and the king of Salem, which later became Jerusalem, small detail of course, along with the fact that Salem means "peace", king of peace - has a nice ring to it, don't it?)
Anyhow, that thought sticks in my brain, a slow growing bonsai in a corner. If we are to be like Christ, how are we also to become priests of the order of Melchizedek? Is it simply by the fact that believers will partake in the ressurection and thus are indestructable? Or is there more to it than that?
Ok, enough questions... time to push that bonsai behind that chair for another year... or so...
Hmmm...
Oh...
Ok.
Somewhere in my mind there is a thought that has been there for a while. I'm not sure how long, but it has been a long time. It's one of those thoughts that gets planted, and grows in very short spurts, and only a little at a time. This one has been growing for quite a few years. It still isn't fully grown, nor will it be for quite some time. But none the less there it is, in a corner of my mind. Not one of those dark back corners, not right at the front either. Just off to the side, enough to be out of the way, but visible none the less. Every once in a while, I take notice, and ponder for a bit. Sometimes I notice that the thougth has grown just a bit. Sometimes it hasn't changed at all. But it's there. I suppose it's some kind of cactus or maybe one of those pine trees or cedar trees you see growing out on a mountain top all by itself. Only this one is still a bonsai, if you need a picture/metaphore.
Anyhow, what thought is that? What would it mean to be a priest of the order of Melchizedek? He was "a priest of the Most High God," and the writer of Hebrews said that Jesus Christ is of his order, not by ancestral right to the priesthood, but by the power of an indestructable life. Now I know that the most often theological explanation of this is that Jesus, through the resurrection has become our new hight priest... but.
The implication here is that Mechizedek was a priest, not by right, but by the power of an indestructable life. And that is almost all we know about him. Was he indestructable? Where did he learn about God? How did he become a priest for God, back in the days of Abraham? The only followers of God mentioned in the Bible for this time frame are Abraham and his family. No one else, except this Melchizedek who was a priest for God and indestructable (and the king of Salem, which later became Jerusalem, small detail of course, along with the fact that Salem means "peace", king of peace - has a nice ring to it, don't it?)
Anyhow, that thought sticks in my brain, a slow growing bonsai in a corner. If we are to be like Christ, how are we also to become priests of the order of Melchizedek? Is it simply by the fact that believers will partake in the ressurection and thus are indestructable? Or is there more to it than that?
Ok, enough questions... time to push that bonsai behind that chair for another year... or so...
02 August 2006
Appologies
I'm so sorry, some settings got changed, and things were not working as they should here on my blog. I have reset the blog settings, and things should be back to normal.
I appologize for any inconveinence this may have caused.
I appologize for any inconveinence this may have caused.
Ermergence, Education, Edification
Ahhh, the sweet smell of employment. Or was that the soft stench of rotting slavery?
Tough sometimes to know for sure. I've been working a new job for the past two months now. Got a job working at a cabinet shop. Custom kitchens, baths, bars, mantles. That kind of stuff. To be honest, I do find it very interesting. I'm learning a lot, and my interest is only growing.
When I started this blog, I mentioned that the name for this blog is appropiate, in that somtimes it feels like I have one square foot. So here I got taking my own steps. I had elluded to trying to make a dream happen. That dream is to someday have my own woodworking shop. So here I go, getting a job in a shop to learn some more skills, and the bits and pieces of business so that I can someday make a go of it.
I'd love to had my own shop, in the backyard, of a house just out of town. Work from home, spend time with my family, and doing something that brings satisfation. I've dreamed of this for so long. It's time to make it happen. I've spent so much time making other people happy. Not that making other people happy is a bad thing. The world needs more happy people. I'm not going to stop doing that. But now, it's time to also start making myself happy (not like that, dirty minded people). It's time to start doing things that I can be proud of, I can look at it and feel satisfied, and get paid for doing that as well.
I'm looking forward to this, but with a bit of trepidation. For the first time in a very long time, I am taking a much firmer grip upon my destiny. I've let things happen for far to long, which has been very fun. Riding the wave, going with the flow, adapting, changing, staying near the edge (so I can be the spectator for those on the edge). But it's time to become the rock, to be the one that the waves break upon. To become what I have been destined to be, to take form, to emerge, to.... ok, enough of dramatic metaphorism.
But in the middle of it all, here I am. The past few weeks have seen some great developments. My relationship with my kids has changed, mainly due to them growing and learning new levels of relating with people. I'm immature, and they just caught up with me. Now that we're on the same level, we get a long a lot better :). Just kidding. But something has changed, and it's a lot more fun now.
The other development? My new hobby: RC gliders. I mentioned earlier, it's something I've wanted to try for a long time. I'm having a lot of fun. If you have no idea what I'm talking about then do some research, keywords: dlg glider. Part of the reason I'm having so much fun with it is that I am learning something new. I realized a long time ago, that one of my strengths is my ability to learn. I makes me who I am, and the more I expand my mind and abilities, the better I feel about myself. I have been a little dormant in this area for a while, and getting back into expanding myself feels good. The other part is the challenge of RC gliders. The style of gliders I have chosen are hand launch gliders (throw it up, fly it for as long as possible with that throw) is a challenge. There is no motor to get you out of trouble, so fly safe. But at the same time, there are things you can do to take advantage of anything that may help extend the flight (thermals, slope lift, good flying technique). Although I havn't been too successful yet, it is possible to get flights well over 30 min. from one throw (if you know what you're doing, which I don't yet). I've gotten to the point that I can consistantly fly the plane without crashing, and I'm getting better at flying it in to land it where I want it to land (within a 10 ft circle at least). But I should be able to get it to the point to land within 12" of any target, including my hand. Hand catches are cool. But as I said, I've got lots to learn.
But yeah, on with life in the meantime...
Tough sometimes to know for sure. I've been working a new job for the past two months now. Got a job working at a cabinet shop. Custom kitchens, baths, bars, mantles. That kind of stuff. To be honest, I do find it very interesting. I'm learning a lot, and my interest is only growing.
When I started this blog, I mentioned that the name for this blog is appropiate, in that somtimes it feels like I have one square foot. So here I got taking my own steps. I had elluded to trying to make a dream happen. That dream is to someday have my own woodworking shop. So here I go, getting a job in a shop to learn some more skills, and the bits and pieces of business so that I can someday make a go of it.
I'd love to had my own shop, in the backyard, of a house just out of town. Work from home, spend time with my family, and doing something that brings satisfation. I've dreamed of this for so long. It's time to make it happen. I've spent so much time making other people happy. Not that making other people happy is a bad thing. The world needs more happy people. I'm not going to stop doing that. But now, it's time to also start making myself happy (not like that, dirty minded people). It's time to start doing things that I can be proud of, I can look at it and feel satisfied, and get paid for doing that as well.
I'm looking forward to this, but with a bit of trepidation. For the first time in a very long time, I am taking a much firmer grip upon my destiny. I've let things happen for far to long, which has been very fun. Riding the wave, going with the flow, adapting, changing, staying near the edge (so I can be the spectator for those on the edge). But it's time to become the rock, to be the one that the waves break upon. To become what I have been destined to be, to take form, to emerge, to.... ok, enough of dramatic metaphorism.
But in the middle of it all, here I am. The past few weeks have seen some great developments. My relationship with my kids has changed, mainly due to them growing and learning new levels of relating with people. I'm immature, and they just caught up with me. Now that we're on the same level, we get a long a lot better :). Just kidding. But something has changed, and it's a lot more fun now.
The other development? My new hobby: RC gliders. I mentioned earlier, it's something I've wanted to try for a long time. I'm having a lot of fun. If you have no idea what I'm talking about then do some research, keywords: dlg glider. Part of the reason I'm having so much fun with it is that I am learning something new. I realized a long time ago, that one of my strengths is my ability to learn. I makes me who I am, and the more I expand my mind and abilities, the better I feel about myself. I have been a little dormant in this area for a while, and getting back into expanding myself feels good. The other part is the challenge of RC gliders. The style of gliders I have chosen are hand launch gliders (throw it up, fly it for as long as possible with that throw) is a challenge. There is no motor to get you out of trouble, so fly safe. But at the same time, there are things you can do to take advantage of anything that may help extend the flight (thermals, slope lift, good flying technique). Although I havn't been too successful yet, it is possible to get flights well over 30 min. from one throw (if you know what you're doing, which I don't yet). I've gotten to the point that I can consistantly fly the plane without crashing, and I'm getting better at flying it in to land it where I want it to land (within a 10 ft circle at least). But I should be able to get it to the point to land within 12" of any target, including my hand. Hand catches are cool. But as I said, I've got lots to learn.
But yeah, on with life in the meantime...
16 June 2006
Redemption
One of the best parts of my new job is the time I have to think. Some of the work requires thinking... measure, double check, cut, measure, make sure you didn't just waste a piece of material... and some of the work requires no thought what so ever. Like sanding. That's the part, which may seem tedious, but if you do it right, it is key to make whatever you're making look great. So it pays to take the time needed and do the job right. Actually, I'm getting paid specifically to do the job right, so I have to take the time and do it right. So that leaves me with time to think.
What to think about?
Well, for one: how can the Canadian postal system be so incredibly inefficient. Better not spend too much time on that one, it's never ending and you'll never resolve the issue.
Lets move onto something we can resolve. Church. Nope, non resolvable again... or is it? There has been a lot of discussion lately in a lot of places by people that are in varying degrees discontent with the state of the Christian Church today. Suffice it to say, I agree. There is a lot to criticize about the Church. Without going into too much detail regarding the different reactions to the church, I would like to present my position.
Redemption.
Take something, usually acquired with some cost, and make it your own. For example, that which God did with us. He acquired us, at the cost of his Son, to make us his own. Within the past 50 years, there have been many more Christians exercising this as well. For example we have such a thing as Christian Rock. We take rock music, many have paid the price of ostercization from mainstream churches (in the past, not so much anymore), and have made it their own. Rock music with a Christian message. Beyond that we have even taken this even further. We have Christian Reggae, Christian Punk, Christian Metal, Christian Country, Christian Bluegrass. Beyond this, we have other things that have been redeemed from the world for use within the church. Christian councelling, Christian exercise videos, Christian retirement homes, Christian autodealers. [I never said that this redemption thing was perfect, it can go too far the other way as well. Remember that grand old song by Steve Taylor, Guilty by Association?]
But the point is that we can redeem things from the world. Maybe it's time to redeem the church from where it has gone. Not from the world, but from the realms of "Christian Culture". The church has developed it's own culture, which can have benifits, but has many negatives. Especially when people take what is culture for what is gospel (a big egg to try to crack open, and one I will leave to people with bigger hands).
But I do believe that it is possible to redeem the church and help make it what it needs to be. But in order to do that, we need to start cutting away the "culture" that we don't need and get back to the gospel. Unfortunately, I have lost my scalpel and don't want to hack away at the church, that will get far to painful, for everyone involved. But it is time to start removing what we don't need anymore.
Any ideas? What don't we need? What are the cultural bits we can do without?
[All the while, I've got Bob Marley's Redemption Song running through my head - "Won't you help to sing, these songs of freedom, 'cause all I've ever had, Redemption Songs..."]
What to think about?
Well, for one: how can the Canadian postal system be so incredibly inefficient. Better not spend too much time on that one, it's never ending and you'll never resolve the issue.
Lets move onto something we can resolve. Church. Nope, non resolvable again... or is it? There has been a lot of discussion lately in a lot of places by people that are in varying degrees discontent with the state of the Christian Church today. Suffice it to say, I agree. There is a lot to criticize about the Church. Without going into too much detail regarding the different reactions to the church, I would like to present my position.
Redemption.
Take something, usually acquired with some cost, and make it your own. For example, that which God did with us. He acquired us, at the cost of his Son, to make us his own. Within the past 50 years, there have been many more Christians exercising this as well. For example we have such a thing as Christian Rock. We take rock music, many have paid the price of ostercization from mainstream churches (in the past, not so much anymore), and have made it their own. Rock music with a Christian message. Beyond that we have even taken this even further. We have Christian Reggae, Christian Punk, Christian Metal, Christian Country, Christian Bluegrass. Beyond this, we have other things that have been redeemed from the world for use within the church. Christian councelling, Christian exercise videos, Christian retirement homes, Christian autodealers. [I never said that this redemption thing was perfect, it can go too far the other way as well. Remember that grand old song by Steve Taylor, Guilty by Association?]
But the point is that we can redeem things from the world. Maybe it's time to redeem the church from where it has gone. Not from the world, but from the realms of "Christian Culture". The church has developed it's own culture, which can have benifits, but has many negatives. Especially when people take what is culture for what is gospel (a big egg to try to crack open, and one I will leave to people with bigger hands).
But I do believe that it is possible to redeem the church and help make it what it needs to be. But in order to do that, we need to start cutting away the "culture" that we don't need and get back to the gospel. Unfortunately, I have lost my scalpel and don't want to hack away at the church, that will get far to painful, for everyone involved. But it is time to start removing what we don't need anymore.
Any ideas? What don't we need? What are the cultural bits we can do without?
[All the while, I've got Bob Marley's Redemption Song running through my head - "Won't you help to sing, these songs of freedom, 'cause all I've ever had, Redemption Songs..."]
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