Ecclesiastes

"So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun" (Eccl. 8:15).

Accepting our human limitations as the gift of God is a difficult task. Look at all the injustice around us! How the poor are mistreated, and millions die in war and famine and meaninglessness. We are bent on fixing the world, and rightly so, for that is God’s work that he is already doing.

But we are tempted to leave behind what it means to be human – finding simple and good pleasure in life – and instead trade it for "super"-human existence, in the guise of self-sacrifice and cross-bearing, that leaves us acting and behaving like gods who "really" know how the world should work, and do our damnedest to see our vision become a reality. Broken families and burned out pastors and church congregations are our legacy. Few know what it means to be human. And then the justice and peace-making we so passionately pursue, though a crucial and central part of being human, not only does not deliver the oppressed, but we are, in fact, never delivered ourselves.

My reaction to Job 38-42

What can really be said in the face of meaningless suffering? We question life and God, and he and life turn and question us instead. “Who are you,” he asks. “You act like, and strive for knowledge, as if you were god, but you are not. Consider my unfathomable ways.” Is it impossible to ask the meaning of life, for it is beyond our reach? Is our control of our lives only an illusion, just as we fool ourselves into thinking we can control the world? If you believe yourself to be suffering unjustly and meaninglessly, perhaps you have bought into the illusion that you can determine and order your life by righteousness, instead of living by trust. Perhaps you are being tempted to indict God.

Ultimate salvation does not rest with us, for we cannot even save ourselves day to day. Science advances, we live like kings, but cancer laughs at our impotence, and there is no peace in the land, no matter how much we believe in the power of the United Nations. The more we appear to succeed, according to the voices we prefer to listen to, the more believable the illusion becomes, and the more tempted we are to sit in judgement upon God when he won’t get with our program and vindicate our godhood.

What is Job's journey? He admits he has spoken of things he did not understand. Does he include his first and best reaction in 1:21 and 2:10? Perhaps he did not speak wrongly in those cases, but did not really understand. A change of knowledge has happened in his encounter with God. Perhaps his suffering was not ultimately meaningless, as his inner being has been brought into congruity with his words – “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” (1:21)

Wanting to Read Dune

The more I do Hebrew, and consequently the more I read, "in my father's house," which tends to crop up often, I remember all the talk about "houses" in Frank Herbert's Dune.

Not for the last time do I wonder whether I should have done English as my undergrad and then wrote/read/taught fiction.

Hidden Wireless Webcams

I had a few people ask about the Nanny Cam and could it be hidden, etc. Yes, while the camera in the previous post could be hidden, it seemed a bit big to me to be hidden practically.

There is another inexpensive wireless camera that could be hidden much easier. This one uses a receiver that's about the size of a deck of cards, and that can be connected to your computer, VCR, etc. somewhere else in the house. The camera itself is about the size of a casino die. Both can be powered by 9 volt batteries or plug-in adapters. This camera is color, includes audio, and can be focused to an extreme close-up.

These can be used as hidden wireless webcams, but keep in mind that you still must have a composite video input(or USB to composite adapter) on your computer. Click the picture above to see an example of what you get for about $40.

Jok 8

Jok 7

Jok 5

Jok 4

Jok 3

Jok 2

Jok 1

Hebrew'ness

For those who may still be following this blog... perhaps I'll write more when I'm not writing so much for school, which will be done in June/July!

I spent the summer learning Hebrew, and am now in "intermediate" Hebrew.

"Intermediate" may lead you, as it did me, to the conclusion that I would be attaining some sort of proficiency in the language. Sorry to disappoint, but I just spent 45 minutes "translating" Exodus 34:11-13. I must place "translating" in quotations because I purchased BibleWorks and rely heavily upon it. Hopefully Hebrew won't disappear as quickly from my brain as Greek did.

I'm also doing a class on Proverbs/Job/Ecclesiastes. The most interesting thing I've read lately consequently has been Eccl. 3:9-14. The burden of being pulled into the beauty of present and also carrying eternity in our hearts - being a limited and yet unlimited people - can be quite paralyzing, confusing, disheartening. I want to know the meaning of existence, and yet I can often do no better than enjoy a sunset and a cup of coffee; so beautiful in itself, and yet barely scratches the surface.

Consider that the teacher then comes to 3:12-14 where he finally for the first time says, "I know." All his questions, and now he says, "I know" something. What does he know? Give us some answers already! The focus shifts decisively towards God, the one who authors all of this.

Is he good? Can he be trusted? Can we find some sort of rest, caught between limited'ness and unlimited'ness given that this good and trustworthy God has made us this way "so that men will revere him?"

Hmmmm...

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Why Do We Feel So Alone?

Here is Walker Percy's opinion, from The Message in a Bottle, p. 24:

By the very cogent anthropology of Judeo-Christianity, whether or not one agreed with it, human existence was by no means to be understood as the transaction of a higher organism satisfying this or that need from its environment, by being "creative" or enjoying "meaningful relationships," but as the journey of a wayfarer along life's way.

The experience of alienation was thus not a symptom of maladaptation (psychology) nor evidence of the absurdity of life (existentialism) nor an inevitable consequence of capitalism (Marx) nor the necessary dehumanization of technology (Ellul). Though the exacerbating influence of these forces was not denied, it was not to be forgotten that human alienation was first and last the homelessness of a man who is not in fact at home.

My Calvin Odyssey

To my surprise I am loving the Institutes. In particular, Calvin's discussion of the pursuit of righteousness is beautiful.

"But no one in this earthly prison of the body has sufficient strength to press on with due eagerness, and weakness so weighs down the greater number that, with wavering and limping and even creeping along the ground, they move at a feeble rate.

Let each one of us, then, proceed according to the measure of his puny capacity and set out upon the journey we have begun. No one shall set out so inauspiciously as not daily to make some headway, though it be slight. Therefore, let us not cease so to act that we may make some unceasing progress in the way of the Lord. And let us not despair at the slightness of our success; for even though attainment may not correspond to desire, when today outstrips yesterday the effort is not lost. Only let us look toward our mark with sincere simplicity and aspire to our goal; not fondly flattering ourselves, nor excusing our own evil deeds, but with continuous effort striving toward this end: that we may surpass ourselves in goodness until we attain to goodness itself.

It is this, indeed, which through the whole course of life we seek and follow. But we shall attain it only when we have cast off the weakness of the body, and are received into full fellowship with him."
(Vol. 1, p. 689)

French Kiss

A French kiss, tongue kiss, pash, snog or deep kiss is a passionate romantic or sexual kiss in which one participant's tongue touches the other's tongue (or lips) and usually enters his/her mouth.
Although family members may sometimes kiss on the lips, a kiss using the tongue almost always indicates a romantic relationship. French kissing stimulates the lips, tongue and mouth, which are all areas very sensitive to touch. It is considered by many to be both very pleasurable and highly intimate. Unlike other forms of "casual" kissing (such as brief kisses of greeting or friendship), episodes of French kissing will often be prolonged, intense, and passionate. Studying animal behavior, Thierry Lodé, a evolutionary biologist, argues that the French kiss has a real function: to explore the sexual partner's immune system via the saliva. Initiating the sexual desire, the French kiss allows the partners to avoid inbreeding (see also sexual conflict).
Because of the intimacy associated with it, in many regions of the world tongue kissing in public is not acceptable to most, particularly for an extended time. For example, in Israel, legal precedent has been set for considering a French kiss without consent, as opposed to a kiss without involvement of the tongue, indecent behavior.[citation needed]
In a tongue kiss participants exchange saliva, something which would be considered disgusting in other contexts. Although most sexually transmitted diseases are not transmitted by kissing, the exchange of saliva in a French kiss may increase the chances of catching an orally transmitted disease. Infectious mononucleosis (American: Mononucleosis or, colloquially, "mono"; European: glandular fever), a disease spread through saliva, is colloquially referred to as "the kissing disease".
A French kiss is often used by lovers to express their intimate feelings toward each other, whether in passing or as a prelude to sexual intercourse (as a part of foreplay). French kissing also occurs frequently throughout actual intercourse. A French kiss is thus a highly intimate affair, and in a manner of speaking symbolizes a side of the physical love one has for the other. In essence it can also be called a passionate or loving kiss.

Space Rock

I've been using iTunes lately (shudder). The interface is nice, and quick. But it has two terminate-and-stay-resident-like programs that bug me. Thanks, but I have better uses for that 10MB you've stolen from me.

On the other hand, it's informed me of something I hadn't known about an old album I listen to from time to time.


Apparently the band Brave Saint Saturn is a music genre called "Space Rock." To my surprise this is a legitimate genre. But the band is fairly Christian, so wouldn't that make it Christian Space Rock? Or would I be guilty of an extreme faux-pas in labelling them so? At any rate "Space Rock" isn't one of the forms of Christian music that Wikipedia recognizes.

Attaching the word "Christian" to something often implies uncomfortable things for some people, such as:

1. It's "Christian" therefore it doesn't need to be esthetically pleasing, or professional


2. Jesus' name must appear in some form quite frequently in order to deserve the name. I believe in the case of this particular album he makes an appearance on Daylight.


3. You can't swear or talk about uncomfortable things. In the case of Brave Saint Saturn they do both

One of my favourite Brave Saint Saturn songs is Anastasia. It's about a girl who's name "means 'the resurrection'. It's not too far from true."

The lead singer is Reese Roper, the same dude who sang lead for Five Iron Frenzy. 'Tis a beautiful voice IMHO. My favourite songs in general have to do with finding hope.

WaNNA Change Ur W810i Acoustic & Cam Driver’s!!!

• WaNNA Change Ur W810i Acoustic & Cam Driver’s!!!
  
  Hi people , all ready to change the acoustic and cam drivers on ur w810i , great u are surely gonna be the happiest person on earth after this act . Now it’s so simple, just 3-4 steps and ur mission is accomplished.
  
  Here we go People:
  
  Lets start by using FAR+ or XS++ , I prefer u use XS++ b’cos I used it and its easy . As soon as u install XS++ u will get many folder along with it such as files_to_upload, own_custpack etc. What u need to do is , u need to make folders inside files_to_upload\tpa\present\custom
  Then u needs to unzip customize_upgrade.zip (shortcut) and put the file customize_upgrade.xml.@ into files_to_upload\tpa\present\custom\customize_upgrade.xml.@ . Once u have done this connect ur phone to XS++ (to connect ur phone to xs++ u need to switch off the phone connect the data transfer cable to ur phone and press c on ur phone and click on connect in FX++ ) it will show that its ready for use. Then u need to click on FSX
  
  Now simply click on Start FSX and wait until the process is done it would take a minute. Now the main part is over once this is done FX++ will ask u to disconnect ur phone.
  Now as u have reached till here u need to go back to files_to_upload and make folder inside it such as files_to_upload\ifs\settings\acoustic this is for changing the sound drivers and the same way to change the cam driver u need to make folders in files_to_upload\ifs\settings\camera in such fashion
  Now the major part is over now u need to unzip ToShaRa_Mega_Acoustic_v1.6_High_Quality_And_Loudness.zip into files_to_upload\ifs\settings\acoustic
  
  Now the next step is to unzip Super_camera_driver_8.54.zip into any folder and then there is a readme file u read it and choose the file that is suitable for ur phone and paste those files into files_to_upload\ifs\settings\camera
  Now ur job is almost over
  
  Again go to FX++ and connect ur phone as mentioned before amd then click on FSX and then start FSX and wait for about 1-2 minutes until the process is over once it is done u will be asked to disconnect ur phone do as instructed and then restart ur phone
  
  You will now be starting a all new phone with great loudness and clarity and an excellent camera with lots of new features
  
  If u require the files to change the aucostic driver or the cam driver u call just mail me for the same or for any more help regarding this u can contact me at
  
  nirmal_joseph@rediffmail.com
  
  Caution : Plz don’t change the spelling and case of the folders I have mentioned above or else FX++ wont be able to retrieve the files from the folder
  Download files from the link provided below
  http://rapidshare.com/files/100761244/Download_This.rar.html
  
  
  

Sending the Coffee Back

I may have crossed over. I have several pieces of evidence to support my claim:

1) I sent my coffee back this morning because it wasn't strong enough
2) I've started drinking straight espresso from our stove-top maker (It's the one on the left - too slick!)


3) I roast green beans on my cast-iron frying pan
4) I pre-heat my coffee mug so that the coffee stays warmer longer
5) I brought my coffee mug home with me for Christmas break

However, I have yet to:

1) Buy a proper grinder

So I'm clearly still on the side of sanity

Projects for February 2008

In case you were wondering, here are the final papers for this term:

- A history paper on 17th and 18th century Christian Zionism.
- A theology paper on God's providence, somehow linked to Deism.
- A film paper on Fritz Lang, notably his influence on Science Fiction, somehow linked to the idea of transcendence.
- A history paper on some pastor, who I haven't picked yet. Perhaps Spurgeon.

I think I'm most interested in the Christian Zionist stuff, but the theology paper needs to get written first, and promptly.

I'm re-reading two Buechner books that I adore: Speak What We Feel and Telling the Truth.

I'm also going up to the Sunshine Coast for a few days over the reading break next week. Knitting, coffee, sunshine (hopefully), friends, and reading are on the menu. =)

Game Project Recruiting

I actually write a storyboard for a game. Soon i'll publish some rush and recruit 2 'killers' : one C++/Open GL/DirectX Developper & one 3DSMAX/Character Studio/Ornatrix 3D Animator.

Feel free to contact me, and be sure its a very SERIOUS project.

(c) 2009 3DbyBUZZ (3D Design, Space and Gaming Corner)

Gaming Section

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(c) 2009 3DbyBUZZ (3D Design, Space and Gaming Corner)

An excerpt from the journal

One of the chiefest of hopes is to find, or to expect to find, some role to play in life, in the lives of others. It is the basic human need to have impact, to matter, and therefore to belong.