New Year’s Goal: Build a Rock-Mite

I thought I would throw a fun, lightweight goal into the mix – my Geek Goal.

I have to confess that I have a major part of my life that I keep secret. In fact outside of my family, those who supposedly know me probably don’t know what I’m about to reveal or at least the extent that it consumes my life. I have an avid passion for science especially when it comes to astronomy, chemistry, and electronics. When people ask what I’m interested in, I don’t usually tell them that I have a major interest in science because then the stereotype of “geek/nerd” gets pinned on. It’s not fair, but science is not cool. You probably won’t ever catch me talking about my passions in science unless your a family member or a geek.

[WARNING: rated M for Geek Speak]

Right now I’m dabbling in ham radio. I’ve actually flirted with ham radio for a long time. In fact, my callsign isKC0FML which I earned about 10 years ago. I put aside ham radio for several years during college and tried to develop interests in other areas, but it’s hard to kill an old flame. A couple of months ago, I dug up my my dual-band Icom HT (2m/70cm) and fell in love again. Right now, I have just a Technician license, but I’d like to upgrade to a General license sometime this year. A General license would give me privileges on the HF bands. This is where the Rock-Mite comes in. The Rock-Mite is a CW transceiver kit that operates on the 20m, 30m, 40m, or 80m bands. It uses a crystal, so it transmits and receives QRP on one frequency. In order to communicate via CW, I need to learn morse code which I’ve learn about half-way. I’m also in the process of dabbling around with general electronics because I think it would be really cool to homebrew a rig from scratch.

So as you can see there’s a really good reason I don’t usually talk about my science interests. Most people don’t care or don’t understand hence the label “geek/nerd” for those who talk about such things. Because of this, I pursue my passions in secret. Thankfully, I live in a family that loves science as much as I do. When I get home from work, I usually talk with my uncle, who does research for Clemson physics dept,  for a long time each night about different science topics such as the changing properties of water when exposed to the sunlight or the Bedini motor or his research projects. Anyway, the goal to build a Rock-Mite is just a fun goal that hopefully I can achieve in 2009; but if not, well, its not really a big deal.

TNX FOR QSO 73 N1XYZ de KC0FML K

(Okay, back to talking like a postmodern 20something.)

New Year’s Goal: Pray More

My spiritual goal for 2009 is to spend around 15 minutes each day in genuine prayer. I honestly would like  to pray more than 15 minutes; but remember, I’m trying to set realistic goals not lofty or pious goals. I know the great spiritual men of yesterday prayed a lot more; but my spiritual walk with God is not at that place yet; so instead of totally giving up on prayer, I’m going to try a small goal that hopefully will develop my relationship with God. I’m not really interested in doing a lot of spiritual exercises just for the sake of feeling holy or giving the impression either falsely to myself or to others that I’ve got my spiritual life together. I’m more interested in using this goal to further my relationship with Christ, so I know that some days I will miss this goal but that’s not the point.

Here’s Casting Crowns What If His People Prayed video with clips from Lord of the Rings.  I thought it was a creative, powerful combination.

New Year’s Goal: Read the GNT

I’m not sure where 2008 went, but 2009 is upon us and once again it is time to make goals for the new year. In the last couple of years, I’ve not made any goals or resolutions because I always miss my goals/resolutions, and I get frustrated because I’ve once again failed. So what better way to avoid failure than to not make any goals at all? I think my problem is that I’m not making realistic goals. I always made goals that were possible but not realistic for my situation in life. For example, a couple of years ago I made the goal that I would memorize a verse of the Scripture each day. Well, that is a possible goal but not a very realistic goal for me. Anyway, I thought that for 2009 I would make some goals that are realistic. I think goals are important because they help direct our lives and give us a purpose for the year. Personally, it seems that each year zooms by faster and faster and my life actually seems to have a definite feeling of finiteness.

I have made several goals for 2009. My Bible reading goal is to read through the Greek New Testament in a year. I actually started yesterday in order to give myself a head start. I’m following the schedule that was posted at the 2008 SBL in Boston. I’m planning just to use my Reader’s GNT and possibly a lexicon if needed. This might sound like a lofty goal but I’ve taken several semesters of Greek; and I really should be reading my GNT regularly; so this is a realistic goal for me personally.

2008 SBL GNT Reading Schedule

(By the way, reading the New Testament in Greek and translating it for my English thinking mind isn’t that much different than reading the ESV or NASB or other contemporary translations. In fact as a native English speaker, reading an English translation is often more profitable spiritually than reading the Greek NT. I really just would like to hone my Greek abilities and become more familiar with the GNT text.)

Uncle Santa Wants YOU!!

I thought this poster by Pierre Bourgeault was really funny. I always knew Santa had an ulterior motive! lol … Unfortunately, I think it really reflects the spirit of modern day Christmas.

Advent Conspiracy challenges Uncle San with this short vid.

The Shame of Sexual Sin

John Piper gives an incredible challenge regarding sexual sin. Don’t lose heart even if it seems you are losing the fight.

Advent of Messiah

Yesterday marked the 2nd Sunday of Advent. Advent is the time of preparation and anticipation of the coming of Christ not only in his first coming but also looking forward to his second coming. During this time, many churches put on all kinds of Christmas programs, cantatas, musicals, plays, and just about anything you can think of to draw a crowd. Honestly, most of these programs are mediocre at best, but every once in awhile a church presents a really good celebration of Christmas during Advent. I think it is hard to outdo Handel’s old oratorio the Messiah. Last night I heard a nice rendition of the Messiah at 2nd Presbyterian Church in Greenville. I sometimes attend 2nd Presbyterian on Sunday Evening; I had no idea that they were performing the Messiah, so it was quite a treat to arrive Sunday night and hear it. Pastor Richard Philips preached an excellent 35 minute message from Haggai 2, from which Handel himself received some inspiration while writing the Messiah. Something I appreciate about Messiah is that most of the lyrics come straight from the text.  Here’s an excerpt from the piece last night that the narrator (Pastor Philips) read between songs.

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion;

shout, O daughter of Jerusalem:

behold, thy King cometh unto thee.

He is just, and having salvation; and He shall speak peace

unto the heathen.

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be

unstopped.

Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb

sing.

He shall feed His flock like a shepherd:

He shall gather the lambs with His arm,

and carry them in His bosom,

and shall gently lead those that are with young.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and He will give you rest.

Take His yoke upon you, and learn of Him; for He is meek and lowly of heart:

and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

(Zechariah 9:9-10; Isaiah 35:5-6; Isaiah 40:11; Matthew 11:28-29)

All You’ll Ever Need

As a believer, I know I that the gospel for granted in my life. Andrew Peterson wrote an incredible song that reminds me of the simplicity and beauty of the gospel in our lives.

All You’ll Ever Need

The blood of Jesus, it is like the widow’s oil
It’s enough to pay the price to set you free
It can fill up every jar and every heart that ever beat
When it’s all you have it’s all you’ll ever need
When it’s all you have it’s all you’ll ever need

The blood of Jesus, it is like the leper’s river
Running humble with a power you cannot see
Seven times go under, let the water wash you clean
Only go down to the Jordan and believe
Only go down in the Jordan and believe

And I need it, I need it
The closer that I grow
The more I come to know how much I need it

The blood of Jesus it is like Elijah’s fire
Falling on the altar of your faith
All the wisdom of the world could never conjure up a spark
But no power of Hell could ever quench this flame
No power of Hell could ever touch this flame

And I need it, I need it
The closer that I grow
The more I come to know how much I need it
And I need it, I need it
The closer that I grow
The more I come to know how much I need
The blood of Jesus

The blood of Jesus, it is like the widow’s oil
When it’s all you have it’s all you’ll ever need
It is all you’ll ever need

(From Andrew Peterson’s Ressurection Letters: Vol. II Centricity Music/Word. 2008)

Listen to song on Andrew Peterson’s Facebook Fanpage