Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

I learned about Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog for the first time yesterday (Thanks Phil). Here's the plan: They are only going to release each one of the three acts on certain dates. Two of those dates have already passed. The last date is tomorrow (Saturday, July 19, 2008). The only place you can watch this is on the Web. All three acts will only be available for free viewing through midnight on Sunday, July 20. It stars Neil Patrick Harris, Nathan Fillion, & Felicia Day. It is a Joss Whedon film.

Well, I got a kick out of it. I really like the storyline, I like the music, I like the quality. In fact, I wouldn't mind seeing this run a lot longer. I was entertained.

Watch it soon - or you'll have to pay.

Ketchup Packets

So with everything "going green¹", why do ketchup packets still exist in their current size? Does anyone really only use one ketchup packet on french fries? Does anyone really only use two ketchup packets with their tater tots? Why not save everyone some time and foil and make a ketchup packet that has the same fl. oz as three packets combined?

C'mon Al Gore, surely you can help me out with the frustrations of eating fast food.

¹ I don't want to discuss any other environmental issue. Just stick to ketchup packets for the time being please.

Super Mario Brothers

I downloaded the old Super Mario Brothers from the original Nintendo to our Nintendo Wii a few weeks ago. I thought it might be fun to have an old game to remind me of how far video games have evolved. My brother who was six years ahead of me started our family out with the Atari 2600. So, my first plea for a gaming system was the Nintendo when it came out. Anyway, I enjoyed this viral video below. I think it has made a trip around the WWW a time or two.

The Book of Micah

I just finished up a study on the book of Micah. As my main resource I used Volume 32 of the Word Biblical Commentary by Ralph L. Smith. I had started buying this series of commentaries several years ago when I was a minister by profession, but I rarely get my money's worth out of them anymore. I have decided to change that.

So, why did I return to commentaries by starting with Micah? Good question. I'm glad I am asking myself that. I think it started with the fact that several years ago, I sat in on a class at a conference that focused on Micah and there was one verse that has stuck with me from that study ever since.

MICAH 7:7
But as for me, I will look to the Lord;
I will wait for the God of my salvation;
my God will hear me.

As was the case with Micah, I was tired and frustrated with seeing people who were doing "evil" prosper, while those who were faithful to Father, often endured suffering and oppression. Micah delivers a "judgment" but he doesn't do it without offering hope at the end. I have to admit that in my life I've not always done what is right. Sometimes it was taking advantage of others for personal gain, something Micah spoke out against. There's no question that judgment on my life would result in a guilty verdict. Repentance can be difficult. For the people Micah prophesied against, I imagine it was even more difficult for them to repent. How could it be easy to walk away from wealth when you worked so hard to take it from others?

Anyway, I was reminded to trust Father. I was reminded that he has saved me - no one else has and I can't save myself. I was reminded that he hears me. Therefore, I gladly wait on Father's timing in everything.

Review of Primal Leadership

One of the books Tim Sanders refers to several times in his book The Likeability Factor is a book written by Daniel Goleman entitled Primal Leadership. As Sanders recommends, you should review books that you've read every now and then.

Here's my review from last year.

Tim Sanders and Dave Ramsey + Dan Miller

Today is the day that Tim Sanders will be interviewed on The Dave Ramsey Show. As an added benefit we all had the privilege of of hearing Tim speak in our weekly devotional here at Lampo. Tim is an an exceptional author and speaker. I am a big fan of his and enjoyed his talk immensely.

Anyway, as you may already know, Dave Ramsey and Dan Miller are friends. So, this morning Dan came to join us for our weekly devotional. Afterward, I wanted to shake Tim's hand and tell him "thanks" for the information he shares in his books and gripping videos he puts on the Web. As I walked up, there stood all three authors (Dave, Dan, & Tim) having a discussion. It was a sobering moment. In front of me stood three icons of "success". I just stood back for a moment and observed.

I saw three men, who were just that...men. Men who work hard, who are passionate about what they do and teach. I saw integrity. I saw humility. I saw greatness. I saw wisdom.

I was reminded that Father has blessed me. I really do work in an extraordinary place. Today, I am especially grateful for my "workplace". Today also marks the beginning of my fifth year with Lampo. What a way to begin this work year, huh?

Tim Sanders and Dave Ramsey

I did not have to wait for Tim Sanders to make the announcement, but I am looking forward to tomorrow. Tim Sanders will be on The Dave Ramsey Show. Tune in.

Great Resource for Mac Users

I'm not going to add this to my reading list, but I thought I would take a minute to mention a thing or two about the Maran Illustrated, book series. I've used a Book for Dummies and an occasional Idiot's Guide and have found them all to be rather helpful. But, a friend of mine let me borrow Maran's book on Mac OS X v.10.4 Tiger a few months back, and I have perused it ever since.

I really like charts and illustrations which is why I like the Maran Illustrated series so much. I bought my first Mac last year and found there was a lot that I had to get accustomed to from switching from windows. This book helped me pick up on some tips and tricks that might have otherwise taken me awhile to figure out on my own.

I know Tiger is not the latest operating system, but if you are a new apple user and this is what you have, it might be worth checking out.