tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63624082012-01-09T13:17:22.890-08:00"The opposite of faith is not doubt. The opposite of faith is certainty." -Ieuan Brydydd Hir ********************* "Biblical piety is not really pious; one must rather characterize it as well-considered, qualified worldliness." -Dietrich BonhoefferDavid T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.comBlogger4101100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-64313511906246799872012-01-09T13:17:00.001-08:002012-01-09T13:17:22.902-08:00

It is not necessary to be in a missional church to be missional. It is not necessary to participate in the emergent church to emerge from the deadness of evangelicalism. It is not necessary to wait for the kingdom of God or even understand the kingdom of God in order to live the kingdom of God. We are promised, Christ in us, the hope of glory!It is only necessary to submit to Him as Lord as bear

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-13282576728808131562012-01-09T12:53:00.000-08:002012-01-09T12:55:19.079-08:00

"Identifying with the incarnation [of Christ] as the motivation and the power of Christian obedience changes our very [attitude toward others] so that we are always identifying [with our] enemies." -David Fitch, "The End of Evangelicalism", p.164No longer is it us vs. them, but us in the place of Christ for them. This is incarnational ministry that transcends all labels, republican and democrat,

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-38853085395908863432011-12-28T08:11:00.001-08:002011-12-28T08:52:44.570-08:00

I grew up KJV-Only and remember hearing people play up the confusion factor of "so many different translations." While if you took every translation made and put them in a stack, it might seem overwhelming. However, Bible translations aren't made to necessarily stand in parallel with everything that has come before it. A new Bible translation is designed to move the overall translation of the

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-5820379260935536662011-12-28T07:45:00.001-08:002011-12-28T07:45:32.172-08:00

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands: ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate evildoers; you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them to be false. I also know that you are enduring

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-16719784299917384562011-12-19T15:27:00.000-08:002011-12-19T15:32:50.703-08:00

When we define ourselves by our associations we mold those associations into our own image. To an extent, an association is always molded by its members. To another extent, such molding is simply a deluded self-projection onto the group. It can be a positive delusion that conveys belonging where it does not exist, or it can be a negative delusion that denies belonging where it does exist. Such

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-81552286975220828392011-12-19T13:37:00.001-08:002011-12-19T13:37:52.595-08:00

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands: ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate evildoers; you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them to be false. I also know that you are enduring

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-88269476292964543712011-12-14T09:09:00.000-08:002011-12-14T09:43:13.106-08:00

What are some positive outlooks on the Peak Oil scenario?First, I must say up front that the only way out that does not involve a challenge to our energy usage both now and growing into the future would be the development of fusion power to point where it can be deployed on the electric grid. With such an unlimited power source, you could power the desalination plants to solve our water crises,

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-86381891711177602112011-12-13T11:58:00.000-08:002011-12-13T12:02:00.272-08:00

Peak Oil is a term used to describe the event where the production of fossil fuels reaches its maximum, where approximately half of all available oil has been pulled out of the earth. Aside from those who believe in the abiotic theory of oil (which is implausible for many reasons) it is widely accepted that fossil fuels are a limited, or non-renewable, resource. As someone put it, there aren't

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-86627065607392559612011-12-06T12:07:00.000-08:002011-12-06T12:08:00.744-08:00

“‘To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands: ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate evildoers; you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them to be false. I also know that you are enduring

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-69252667222547799252011-09-20T12:30:00.000-07:002011-09-20T14:28:32.121-07:00

Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose.And the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” There were giants

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-8096062708521845622011-08-08T08:44:00.000-07:002011-08-09T07:32:09.615-07:00

If you attempt to encode MP4 video with WinFF using later versions of FFmpeg, you will get an error:Unknown encoder 'libfaac' libfaac has been removed from FFmpeg for licensing reasons. So instead of using the following option to encode AAC:-acodec libfaac Use FFmpeg's experimental encoder instead:-acodec aac -strict experimental In WinFF, you can go into Edit>Presets and make this change to the

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-15541888821104562992011-08-04T20:54:00.000-07:002011-08-04T21:40:32.529-07:00

It has been almost two months since my last post. Most of the readers of this blog are people who pull up something I wrote by using a search engine, then move on. Average time per visit is just under one minute according to sitemeter statistics. However this blog is based on me. This blog is about the evolution of my Christian identity.If you are a regular reader you will remember that recent

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-69491819475268971782011-08-04T20:51:00.000-07:002011-08-04T20:53:59.722-07:00

As you may know, I prefer to use the NRSV translation of the Bible. I have noticed lately a lot of people in my church carrying around the ESV. Commenter "Michael" over here puts into words my EXACT feelings about the ESV:"The reason why the NRSV is stylistically superior to the ESV is because the translators devoted a lot more time and attention to the task than did the ESV translators."The NCC

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-26020224448970973972011-06-15T08:25:00.000-07:002011-06-15T09:00:10.175-07:00

I just purchased a Microsoft Natural Ergo Keyboard 4000 from Best Buy, since my wrists were starting to complain. It is a great ergonomic keyboard; however, one thing is exceedingly bothersome... the stiff space bar. If you don't hit it just right there is too much resistance.I searched the web for solutions. I ran across http://www.paulstravelpictures.com/

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-65168180344780342792011-06-13T15:39:00.001-07:002011-06-13T15:39:55.653-07:00

There are two separate issues I want to talk about in this post. Issue number one is the concept of being the concept of comfort and the Christian. Issue number two is the concept of numerical growth.It has been said that you can't do anything for Christ until you get out of your comfort zone. I understand the motivation behind this. People can sometimes let their petty preferences get in the way

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-53364226629826084012011-06-10T09:25:00.001-07:002011-06-10T09:25:42.482-07:00

I have finally found a way to neatly define my frustration and dissatisfaction with Christianity. It came about as I considered how I feel about life. I think that it would be better if none of us existed. I see no purpose for our existence in this temporal world. If I think that way, I am a nihilist.And yet, I "call" myself a Christian. Isn't a Christian nihilist an oxymoron? It's like saying

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-878329150401597312011-05-17T07:25:00.000-07:002011-05-17T07:26:28.433-07:00

I asked a question of several Christians today. How can you prove that it is God that leads you, and not your own imagination? I have received no answers or comments.It seems that most Christians derive their comfort from Christianity, and not God or Christ. Those Christians who say they derive their comfort and joy from God or Christ actually derive their comfort from their perceptions of Him.

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-44592862142527708262011-05-15T13:47:00.000-07:002011-05-15T13:48:31.111-07:00

I have been taking classes online for about 1 1/2 years now at American Public University, and there are a few things you should definitely purchase and/or have on hand to help you be successful.1) Access to a notebook and one additional computer, both with Microsoft Office 2007 or newer.I typically use my notebook, but when that went out, I used my desktop. Now my desktop needs repair, but I

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-29668704898484893802011-04-15T08:10:00.000-07:002011-04-15T08:11:09.636-07:00

Much of the motivation for promoting equal elder rule comes from the desire to avoid unscriptural single pastor rule. That debate, however, ignores the concept of congregationalism, in which the congregation as a body rules. Opponents of equal elder rule point this out quickly, that equal elder rule is still rule by a few men at the top, when the New Testament gives us a concept of leadership

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-86772694815189135832011-04-15T07:07:00.001-07:002011-04-15T07:08:46.473-07:00

I had to write about Social Security for a college class, so I started to dig into the issues since I never really paid close attention to it before. Below are my findings, a solution, and thoughts on privatization. Enjoy!How Social Security works:Workers pay social security taxes as part of FICA. The SSA pays out existing claims and puts the rest in a trust fund (3).[Workers] --$$--> [SSA] --$$-

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-66175840579578395832011-04-12T08:21:00.000-07:002011-04-12T08:23:54.440-07:00

Some of you may have watched the ABC 20/20 special on Friday, April 12, 2011, concerning sexual abuse in IFB churches. What we have been hearing about the Catholic church, we are now hearing about IFB churches. I think the two situations are similar. Some will respond that the Catholic church issue is more dangerous because it is the priests who are molesting, but that misses the issue, I think.

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-36320839032505152002011-04-01T08:51:00.000-07:002011-04-01T08:51:26.904-07:00

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-16214851193630969822011-03-14T08:34:00.000-07:002011-03-14T08:35:40.188-07:00

There is no section in the Bible titled, "How to Have a Godly Marriage and How to Raise Kids."Surely, the Bible has things to say about those topics. But they are scattered against a background of general Judeo-Christian belief and world-view. The Bible itself is a story of God's dealings with man. We treat our spouses properly, and raise our children properly, as an outpouring of what we already

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-3580882985403102362011-03-11T13:31:00.000-08:002011-03-11T13:38:07.700-08:00

As a student of APU (American Public University), discussion board postings make up a large part of my class work. I have found it rather frustrating to digest all the different requirements of each class's discussion board posting guidelines and deadlines which often results in me losing points the first few weeks. To remedy this, I have created a sheet to be filled out the first day of class. I

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-74833965826118204752011-03-09T10:23:00.000-08:002011-03-09T10:29:58.700-08:00

My church posts their sermons on SermonAudio.com, as well as many other conservative churches. So I hop on there to look up sermons on existentialism. Maybe I can find a good Biblical response in the mix. But nooooo.... what I find makes me question my Christian affiliation even more. Among the mix, I got:Obama-bashingLaunching into an abortion tirade as the "grinding-up" of babiesAn older sermon

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-79645651426780599102011-03-09T08:30:00.000-08:002011-03-09T08:31:47.803-08:00

I don't have all the answersCan't have themI would do what seems best and be at peaceBut for the fear of being wrongI walk against my willBut I must rememberThey don't have all the answers eitherTheir self-assurance itselfIs a product of fearIn fear they will hurt meI fear they are rightIf I take my leave of fearI will hurt them,Not directly,But in the calling forth of their fearsAnd in the

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-5593415776566791802011-03-02T11:41:00.000-08:002011-03-02T15:37:59.754-08:00

I have run across a listing online, provided by Grace and Truth Church, of places where the KJV allegedly reads the exact opposite of modern versions. The listing takes its information from none other than KJVO icon Gail Anne Riplinger. I have completed reviewing the New Testament references so far, and found her assertions seriously wanting. Her Old Testament references are to come in the

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-82774770963570164112011-02-16T07:03:00.000-08:002011-02-16T07:07:36.061-08:00

Interesting tidbit from his life testimony on the Grace to You website (gty.org):"PHIL: Right. So you went to college. You went to a Christian college. JOHN: I did. My Dad wanted me to go to Bob Jones University. I didn't want to go. I wanted to play football and baseball and basketball. They didn't have any athletics.PHIL: Was it difficult giving up sports? I mean, that was a priority.JOHN: Oh

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-9756606061524005782011-02-08T09:02:00.000-08:002011-02-08T11:16:10.972-08:00

I am against women's ministries.Let me start out a Scripture that is going to seem totally demeaning at first, but I'll explain the principle after:"As in all the churches of the saints, women should be silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as the law also says. If there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-80321447162968509032011-01-20T13:49:00.001-08:002011-01-20T13:50:19.256-08:00

PEOPLE!!!! WHEN I TELL YOU TO TYPE SOMETHING INTO THE COMPUTER, DON'T WRITE IT DOWN FIRST!

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-80321432060384953922011-01-20T11:26:00.001-08:002011-01-20T11:30:23.223-08:00

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-29254948225505394252011-01-19T13:47:00.000-08:002011-01-19T13:54:19.971-08:00

Summary.txt tells you: "Failed to find the ASP.Net Version Registration with Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS)"This error will occur with SQL Server 2005 on some 64-bit versions of Windows.How to resolve it:Go to Control Panel>Programs (or Programs and Features)>Turn Windows features on or offSelect the following items circled in red. Other items will auto-select as a result:Click OK

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-3458640917001271212011-01-18T08:05:00.000-08:002011-01-18T08:18:41.815-08:00

It's sad really. What was laughable in the early 1970s has become mainstream Republican politics today. Even the racism, except the target now is Mexicans.On an additional note, my Christian fundamentalist upbringing was like growing up around lots of Archie and Ethel Bunkers...

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-86836521140322073502011-01-07T21:59:00.000-08:002011-01-07T22:13:38.254-08:00

And now for something entirely different.A Pakistani woman called my wife tonight from a restricted number, accusing her of kicking her dog and demanding that we pay the vet bill for surgery. She insisted that she had a witness, followed my wife back to our house, and looked up her phone number online. The woman refused to give a name or number, or say where the dog-kicking actually occurred.

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-83566251382224162872011-01-07T12:22:00.000-08:002011-01-07T12:40:39.686-08:00

...don't do it! Here's why:The W-2 you receive is a document that is also being filed with the IRS. The IRS will compare your reported W-2 amounts with what they have on file and if they don't match, you return could be rejected or you come under personal IRS scrutiny.While figuring W-2 amounts from the last paycheck of the year is, technically, foolproof, you'll end up with a mismatch if the W-2

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-6599980290552930792011-01-05T10:17:00.000-08:002011-01-05T10:19:41.941-08:00

I have spent some time recently reflecting on the concept of whether a church should have a "vision" or "purpose" outside of itself. Parallel to that, I have been (once again) thinking about the many scandals in conservative churches, involving not only sexual wrongdoing but running over people and general ethical inadequacy. Today, these two lines of thought converged.As Christians, we like to

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-7278934770476244282011-01-04T08:29:00.000-08:002011-01-04T08:57:25.841-08:00

The December 2010 issue of "Acts & Facts", the periodical produced by the Institute for Creation Research, had as its cover article, "XMAS/Removing the Reason for the Season.""Oh good grief," I thought. What truck does the Institute for Creation Research have with "Xmas"?And closer to home for me, a stack of these prominently displayed on the literature table at my church. Arrggghh!Anyways-- "X"

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-73903776143651548822011-01-03T10:56:00.000-08:002011-01-03T11:23:06.412-08:00

I want to post links to a series written by Chris Brown of East Coast Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, VA. He writes on not adding to Scripture. Very solid, anti-legalistic stuff coming from a KJVO church who is (at least used to be, I don't know) independent fundamental Baptist. His theme verse is Proverbs 30:5-6:"Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-27061227140447278122010-12-30T14:14:00.000-08:002010-12-30T14:33:20.568-08:00

The article by Chuck Burke on why it's Biblically incorrect to prohibit pants on women "Let My Women Go" has been there a while, this part of the post is to hopefully grab some Google indexage since Google doesn't index Dropbox...Likewise, a new article has been added "Is Homosexuality a Sin?" by David Emerson Root, Jr., formerly on layhands.com, revived from the dead with the help of the Wayback

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-2714048229860643412010-12-21T13:30:00.000-08:002010-12-21T13:45:47.103-08:00

As I mentioned before, I am eligible for EIC. Which essentially means, I don't pay federal income tax, when all is said and done. But with the phase out of Advance EIC in the paycheck, how can I make sure no federal income tax gets withheld?The new tax bill just passed and early release percentage tables are available on the IRS website.So how to figure this up? Two first questions:What is your

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-78799706740283512402010-12-21T09:24:00.001-08:002010-12-21T09:37:27.471-08:00

We are not responsible for incidental or consequential inconveniences or damages arising from issues with our software and hardware.This includes the guy I spoke to who purchased our software on the very same day he needed to get a project done with it, or else he was going to lose thousands of dollars. I'm sorry sir, but you should've given yourself more than 24 hours if that much money is on

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-30256454667490594632010-12-20T09:48:00.000-08:002010-12-20T15:25:17.426-08:00

"True humility is an excellent grace; it is the clothing and ornament of a Christian; nor is there anything that makes a man more like Christ, than this grace; but in these men here respected, it was only the appearance of humility, it was not real; it was in things they devised and willed, not in things which God commanded, Christ required, or the Scriptures pointed at; they would have been

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-15249349706510769122010-12-17T13:56:00.000-08:002010-12-17T14:11:35.978-08:00

As Tech Support "dude," people do some stupid, nasty, mean, idiotic, brain-dead, self-serving, circular stuff. But at the end of the day, it's just part of the working environment. Tech Support is deceptive. Inside, at a cubicle (most times your very own), fluorescent lights, office environment, semi-comfy chair. Then the s--t starts to batter you as you deal with unaccountable customers all day

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-20978776271487673792010-12-17T13:28:00.001-08:002010-12-17T13:49:42.449-08:00

Me: "In the address box, type in w, w, w, dot, tinyurl, t, i , n, y, u, r, l, dot, com, slash, 2, l as in larry, s as in sam, 3, 3, 2"Customer: "That was tiny, r, c, l, dot, what?"Me: "tiny, u, R, l, dot, com, slash,"Customer: "Forward slash?"Me: "Yes... slash, 2, l as in larry, s as in sam, 3, 3, 2. Then press enter. You should get the XP Codec Pack page."Customer: "I got 'Your search did not

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-36489384000835673892010-12-16T15:29:00.001-08:002010-12-16T15:29:44.333-08:00

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-88560625945153755112010-12-16T15:15:00.000-08:002010-12-16T15:43:38.471-08:00

My medical premium at work is going down $100/mo, offsetting my Advance EIC loss and resulting in a net increase of $6 per paycheck,My department got $50 gift cards to Target,There was lots of holiday food and eggnog,And the CEO sent out an email last week saying that they are going to be looking to partially restore our pay-cut early next year.Merry Christmas everybody!

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-66266254166431136932010-12-16T09:32:00.000-08:002010-12-16T10:24:48.584-08:00

I realized the other day that the music video "21 Guns" from Green Day very much matches my life of the last few years, regarding religion/finding my wife Sarah. I wrote an entire interpretation of the lyrics but that misses the point. Just watch it.If only they would listen...... :(I'm not sure about much anymore but I am sure that I love you, sweetheart!

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-77221265841522592112010-12-16T09:22:00.000-08:002010-12-20T08:13:16.291-08:00

For some reason, Adblock for Chrome is not yet blocking the new pink GMail text ads at the bottom of the message view. Below is a manual filter that can be used to block them:mail.google.com##div.MI[I changed it... thanks to the commenter Roberto... my original string stopped working this morning]You will need to edit the filter list in the Adblock options.You may need to restart your browser for

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-49178112169957877452010-12-09T10:40:00.000-08:002010-12-09T10:41:23.001-08:00

Found over at JesusNeedsNewPR

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-18139920001093336822010-12-06T08:43:00.000-08:002010-12-06T16:33:36.482-08:00

There is a segment of Independent Baptist Fundy-land that is getting high on Baptist history. Call it a "Trail of Blood" renaissance. But before I go any further, it must be noted that they absolutely don't want to be called fundamentalist. No way, no how. Fundamentalist=ecumenical, they say. But their highest level of ire and vitriol is reserved for the reformers like Luther and Calvin. They

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-90676152114568349442010-11-30T15:56:00.000-08:002010-11-30T16:01:46.062-08:00

Maybe you've called tech support in the past. About the same problem. And you've done it several times. And you've spent three or four hours on the phone with us each time. Okay we get it. Don't repeat that over and over and over as I am trying to help you. I am trying to do my best for you right now.Along the same lines, don't keep running down my company or its products to me while we are

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-81058666599816238862010-11-30T09:49:00.000-08:002010-11-30T10:43:47.349-08:00

Christianity…meh.I was raised a Christian—still am. This is not to say that I haven’t seriously considered dumping my religion. It is insanely tempting. Twenty-four years of eternal security does away with any fear of hell. What’s left just seems so…bland.Allow me a somewhat disgusting analogy. I once went to the emergency room with serious bowel issues. Among other treatments, I was administered

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-33283128895340721242010-11-22T11:00:00.000-08:002010-11-22T11:03:27.491-08:00

Here is how to change your account picture under Windows Vista/7 when you do not have access to the Users control panel:1. Go to your profile folder (easiest way: Start>{username})2. Go into the Contacts folder3. Open up your contact file4. Use the arrow button under the picture to change it

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-27112610528516652752010-11-12T16:18:00.000-08:002010-11-12T16:18:27.366-08:00

Wish I could've been there...

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-11061215593175750032010-11-12T10:48:00.000-08:002010-11-12T10:58:18.877-08:00

Currently, my family qualifies for the Earned Income Credit(EIC), a refundable tax credit from the federal government. This also means that I can get Advance EIC, a little bit of that put in each paycheck in advance. The total amount I get this way is just a fraction of the whole, but it is $44 every two weeks, which means $88 in my monthly budgeting.Because of new legislation, the Advance EIC

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-16457577052854687572010-11-11T11:40:00.000-08:002010-11-11T11:42:08.962-08:00

OK people. When we tell you that you need to format your hard drive and reload Windows, don't just clean things up and call back and say you did it. We know better, and with a simple command we can get your computer to tell us when the operating system WAS installed last.

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-27404056851663915382010-11-04T13:29:00.000-07:002010-11-04T14:50:20.490-07:00

...theistic or otherwise. Several major reasons present themselves:1. Paul's theology requires a literal Adam and Eve.-Some will argue God could have endued mankind with souls at some point or specially created Adam and Eve, but...2. The Scripture uses the argument from design (teleological argument) over and over and over again.-Scripture attributes all of nature to a designing Creator.3. Any

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-61033723885044421882010-11-04T07:35:00.000-07:002010-11-04T07:39:02.272-07:00

Once in a blue moon we absolutely cannot make our software work with your computer. If this happens, please just get a refund or use a different computer. Please DON'T badger us and customer service half a dozen times saying "there has got to be something else that can be done..." or "just send me a whole new set of discs." We wouldn't have given up if we thought anything else could be done.

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-54864605114970506012010-11-01T11:10:00.000-07:002010-11-01T12:01:07.585-07:00

In my previous post I pointed out the striking implications on the Biblical text should the argument from design be proven invalid. The authors of Scripture use it repeatedly, and to deny the argument from design is to remove the backbone of many passages. To an evangelical or fundamentalist this becomes even more startling because it profoundly challenges the concept of the inerrancy of

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-42570303706242725752010-10-27T19:15:00.000-07:002010-10-28T08:40:35.922-07:00

"Jesus freaks out in the streetHanding tickets out for GodTurning back she just laughsThe boulevard is not that bad..."-"Tiny Dancer" by Elton John, lyrics by Bernie TaupinAs I seek what being a Christian on this earth means to me, outside of mere "soulwinning", I am drawn to study creation and eschatology. To know where you came from and where you are going is to have a sense of mission and

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-47521556112083562512010-10-27T19:07:00.000-07:002010-10-27T19:10:23.314-07:00

Born October 26th, 2010 at 1:40PM. 6lb 7oz and 18in long!

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-2214783471223326512010-10-25T11:03:00.001-07:002010-10-25T11:12:32.877-07:00

I saw this comment from "Dave" over at Stuff Fundies Like:"What amazes me is that, in all my years in Evangelicalism, I never learned anything about the mind blowing ramifications of the Incarnation. It was all Penal Substitution, Penal Substitution, Penal Substitution. None of this second Adam, new creation, God condescending to unite himself with his creation, Christ retaining a glorified body

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-89797617622183707192010-10-25T09:17:00.000-07:002010-10-25T10:14:15.260-07:00

Our church uses the KJV as the standard translation for all public preaching and teaching. However, they are not KJVO, and other translations are brought into the mix from time to time. This takes the form of a member of the congregation being asked to read a verse, and reading it from another translation, or the pastor or teacher making reference to another translation to bring out a point.Last

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-71531518659725617112010-10-25T08:26:00.000-07:002010-10-25T09:12:34.751-07:00

"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." -Proverbs 18:24 KJVHere is yet another verse out of the book of Proverbs that, because of KJV rendering, is used improperly in multiple ways.The first improper use of this verse is simply this: If you want to have friends, you must be friendly.Various versions appear at first glance

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-76526322921990355152010-10-22T10:26:00.000-07:002010-10-22T10:28:13.533-07:00

Yay! My wife got approved for Medi-Cal (CA Medicaid) for pregnancy related medical. All that red tape paid off. That saves me $1,800 that I didn't have in the first place!

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-25474745034813642602010-10-19T14:33:00.000-07:002010-10-19T14:36:35.562-07:00

"The biblical metanarrative offers itself as the one story which resists deconstruction, to which the criticisms of Marx, Nietzsche and Freud are not relevant. It speaks from first to last of a God who did not need to create, but who did so out of overflowing and generous love. It speaks of a God who did not need to redeem and recreate, but did so as the greatest possible act of self-giving love.

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-63142948483893191772010-10-18T10:18:00.000-07:002010-10-18T10:25:53.275-07:00

Please, please, please,if you call Tech Support and they ask you to type something into your computer, don't write it down and then type it in. Position yourself so you can type it in as I give it to you.The trip from my mouth to your ear to the keyboard is long enough without it turning into a trip from my mouth to your ear to a piece of paper to your eyes to the keyboard. Web addresses and

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-788375777541159972010-10-14T08:59:00.001-07:002010-10-15T21:46:45.988-07:00

I am currently reading through N.T. Wright's "Surprised by Hope." For many American evangelicals, things won't get better until Christ comes back, and things will get worse until He comes back, and Christians will be snatched away before things get really bad. Wright takes issue with this position. Of course, my challenge in deciphering Wright is that he is writing as an Anglican and assuming

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-13762346258353478462010-10-12T09:28:00.001-07:002010-10-12T09:28:57.229-07:00

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-25361401971972401342010-10-12T09:24:00.001-07:002010-10-12T09:24:33.057-07:00

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-18152023749199554812010-10-11T14:15:00.000-07:002010-10-11T16:05:43.761-07:00

I sat/paced around in the San Diego County Health & Human Services office (aka welfare office) for about 2 hours today. Other than the wait, everything went pretty well; I was just there to turn in some documentation that I was unwilling to mail (such as original IDs, original birth certificate, original social security cards, etc). However, I pity the person who walks in there without being

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-44936950814019902792010-10-08T08:49:00.000-07:002010-10-08T08:55:08.522-07:00

I recently read an article by John Jefferson Davis on 1 Tim 2:12, arguing that it is in fact appropriate for women to teach and hold leadership positions in the church. The first part of his argument basically stated that the exhortation was local and intended to correct abuses at Ephesus. The second part of his argument states that we can’t use Paul’s appeal to the creation story to establish a

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-39657989916960315102010-10-06T11:55:00.000-07:002010-10-06T12:17:44.062-07:00

In 2009 my company implemented a 10% pay cut for all employees. That's when it started. Immediately, I looked at my expenses and realized I wouldn't be able to make my car payment anymore. No way, no how. Fortunately, I was up against tax refund time. Unfortunately, I had to plunge my entire tax refund into my car so my family could continue to have transportation.I hacked services off of the

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-53302333996803871212010-10-05T09:27:00.000-07:002010-10-05T09:28:28.638-07:00

Or, how the death of Christian America is a good thing.CLICK HERE TO VIEW

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-86679800262491882232010-09-23T13:04:00.000-07:002010-09-23T13:07:51.361-07:00

Monday - I Wish it Were FridayTuesday - It's Closer to FridayWednesday - The Day After Tomorrow is FridayThursday - Thank God Tomorrow's FridayFriday - Thank God It's FridaySaturday - I Wish the Weekend Would Never EndSunday - Darn it I Gotta Go Back to Work Tomorrow

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-69162157931092375832010-09-15T08:59:00.000-07:002010-09-15T09:00:10.931-07:00

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-90123731912008899472010-09-13T09:50:00.000-07:002010-09-13T09:54:59.039-07:00

I quote the aforementioned Pastor Cole of Flagstaff regarding Christian psychology:“As this elder and I were discussing Cloud’s approach, he told me that people like his wife who were from dysfunctional homes could not relate to my preaching because I emphasize obedience to God’s Word. Because they had strict, cold, authoritarian fathers, they don’t relate well to authority. I replied that I

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-39881139099374477312010-09-10T10:54:00.001-07:002010-09-10T13:31:58.281-07:00

If your pastor starts a series on Nehemiah, a ministry push or building program is sure to follow. This has been the case in every church I have been in.Now let's break this down a little bit. The rebuilding of Jerusalem happened in two major phases. The first was spiritual reform under Ezra. The second was material and physical restoration under Nehemiah. God always works this way with His

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-20196736313153084342010-09-10T08:50:00.001-07:002010-09-10T08:51:56.605-07:00

A great post at Financial Armageddon:"A great many corporate executives seem to think they can keep squeezing labor costs with impunity to impress Wall Street analysts and drive up their company's share prices. But as with most seemingly unstoppable trends that only really make sense to those with a simplistically myopic focus on cold, hard numbers, the reality in a world where the data reflects

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-86224407693703782172010-09-09T12:23:00.001-07:002010-09-09T15:08:38.525-07:00

Have you ever considered the possibility of a Cold-War style nuclear exchange? If you have done any study on the subject, you will know you need two types of protection: blast protection, and fallout protection. Some structures provide great blast protection, but do nothing for you fallout-wise; other structures would provide great fallout protection, but would be destroyed in the vicinity of the

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-56018205264340010012010-09-09T11:32:00.000-07:002010-09-10T08:44:28.351-07:00

I started out at Gateway in 1998 doing technical support for end users. It is now 2010, and I have not been able to advance any higher than IT helpdesk. I left that job to move to back to where I grew up, since there were NO opportunities there to move into desktop support, and have continued to look for desktop support positions for 6 years now. Nada, nothing, zilch. My resume looks nice, and I

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-27036736896355104692010-09-01T10:03:00.001-07:002010-09-01T10:05:14.763-07:00

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-23293053205857536082010-08-24T14:14:00.001-07:002010-08-24T14:14:27.628-07:00

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-66625113711340505392010-08-22T20:39:00.000-07:002010-08-22T21:20:16.028-07:00

"Where there is no vision, the people perish:"-Proverbs 29:18a, KJVWhen was the last time you heard this verse? Sadly, in most evangelical American churches, this first part of the verse is used as a Scriptural justification for ministries, programs, or whatever new thing the pastor wants to get the church rallied behind. I am so sick and tired of the misuse of this Scripture it makes me want to

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-63815572983053503782010-08-04T13:31:00.000-07:002010-08-04T13:33:00.245-07:00

"Put up with hard times. God uses them to train you. Hebrews 12:7"This is the verse of the day text I received today. Now, this verse took me aback. I am currently praying for some things in my life, and I have the sense that the Lord will answer me favorably. Then this verse pops up on my cell phone. Now, I am not superstitious, but God can use many different methods to reach us, right? What am

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-24331496151903228382010-07-27T13:26:00.000-07:002010-07-27T13:29:35.131-07:00

Conservative Christians are wont to not think much about the last days. They assume that the rapture will pull them out before the really bad judgment of God starts rolling. Now I am not writing at this point to challenge the idea of a pre-trib rapture; I have done that before. I am now writing about what Christians need to be prepared for as concerns what will confront the body of true believers

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-67021098033678366722010-07-25T23:32:00.000-07:002010-07-26T00:08:35.952-07:00

Perhaps I will delve into this a little deeper at a later time. I would like to mainly point out that we seem to be coming to a consensus on a post-KJV English Bible text. Why do I say that?Consider the Bible translation landscape of the 1970s. You had the KJV, NASB, and RSV as a few major translations in use at the time. While the "virgin"/"young woman" dust up had some dampening effect on the

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-7282102161656350292010-06-07T07:32:00.001-07:002010-06-07T07:33:42.428-07:00

Please don't make your elderly parents call tech support for you. How stupid is that.

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-22522057013843455232010-05-19T09:48:00.000-07:002010-05-19T09:53:02.251-07:00

If our software requirements include a CD or DVD drive, why would you call us and ask if it can be run on a netbook?

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-38973721593138463622010-04-27T10:42:00.000-07:002010-04-27T10:59:40.710-07:00

I have one computer in the living room running Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit, and a notebook computer in the bedroom running Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit. I have a Brother HL-2140 printer connected to the Windows 7 computer. The computers are all on a wireless network. The Windows 7 computer is set to share the printer, and my Windows Vista system sees it on the network. When I try to install it,

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-35439046932091717522010-04-06T11:29:00.001-07:002010-04-06T11:29:56.735-07:00

"If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away."-Mat 5:40-42When was the last time you settled with someone who was suing you, for more than what they asked for? Have you always given to those who ask from you? Have you

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-9810572707491961292010-03-22T14:56:00.000-07:002010-03-22T14:59:01.938-07:00

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-27057120666332615082010-03-12T22:26:00.000-08:002010-03-12T22:27:25.569-08:00

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-79622930663697941252010-03-04T10:19:00.000-08:002010-03-04T10:38:15.292-08:00

It rained last night, and as I drove to work today, I noticed a rainbow in the sky. I noticed that I could see the purple really well; most of the time the purple edge of the rainbow is really faint.I thought about God's promise after the flood to never destroy the earth again, and how the sign of the promise was to be the rainbow in the sky. This always puzzled me. We know that rainbows are

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-57403084910018330082010-02-27T20:43:00.001-08:002010-02-27T20:45:50.645-08:00

Raised as a fundamentalist, if it can't be found and proven from Scripture, it isn't a part of the Christian faith. And yet, Scripture feels so out of tune with the reality of day-to-day faith. But this is so not because it is true per se, but because of the narrowness of application. It is unfortunate that the fundamentalists who have struggled to maintain Sola Scriptura end up using that

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-47664925326636739542010-02-17T11:14:00.000-08:002010-02-17T11:17:17.459-08:00

You know it's not the right apartment for you when:You schedule a showing and 7 other people show up too. The agent is 20 minutes late and doesn't have a key. This was the same place that tells you they don't schedule showings in advance; you have to wait for them to call you the day before they are ready to show, and you must accept whatever time of day they come up with.You love the apartment

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-85637102891312098162010-02-17T10:16:00.000-08:002010-02-17T10:37:30.625-08:00

Lately, I have been reading a book on prayer by Steve Brown titled, "Approaching God." Prior to this, the best books on prayer that I heard about (but never read) were from E.M. Bounds. I had a friend of mine who read that author and told me that basically, Bounds argument for prayer comes down to the fact that God tells us to pray, so we should.Brown's book definitely doesn't not try to push

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-4463369333650512442010-02-17T09:57:00.001-08:002010-03-08T16:19:54.990-08:00

Are you using Google Chrome and has it become intolerably slow now? Is Chrome always hanging up on webpages saying "Waiting for (page)" or "Waiting for cache"? Try the following steps until the problem is gone, making sure to restart Chrome after each step:1. Wrench>Options>Under the Hood, uncheck "Help make Google Chrome better..." then restart Chrome2. Wrench>Options>Personal Stuff>Clear

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-29814740100042076472010-02-08T08:36:00.000-08:002010-02-08T08:55:34.145-08:00

So the economy seems to be getting better. Granted, America still doesn't make anything, and can't provide decent middle-class jobs for high school graduates without a college degree- this will bite us in the butt HARD one day. But with time and massive stimulus we seem to be going back to the status quo, more or less.I have said before that I expected a double-dip. It is still a possibility,

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6362408.post-57154129836833049392010-02-03T08:20:00.000-08:002010-02-03T08:32:57.774-08:00

I was unemployed for a long stretch in 2006-2007 and lost a house I had just purchased. Let me share with you two important points to remember if you find yourself heading for foreclosure. Mind these matters and you will truly be able to walk away free (more-or-less).1. Eviction. Once the lender has set a foreclosure date, call them and let them know you plan to be out of the house by then. Get

David T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09895441887701955298noreply@blogger.com0