Two New Little Ones in the House

For many months now I have really been wanting a pet. We tried last year to get a dog, but he ended up destroying our house ($200 + in damage in 2 months!!) so we had to get rid of him. I still really love dogs and wanted to give it another try, but, the HOA of our town home does not allow dogs over 30 pounds. What can you get for under 30? A chihuahua? No thanks.

So I must settle for a cat. Don't get me wrong, I love cats, but they are nothing compared to a dog. Dogs can go on hikes with you, and play fetch and run in the park, and do many other things that a cat cannot do.

So Friday and Sunday afternoon, after church, we went to the Humane Society to look at the different animals. We saw an awesome looking Corgy, dark red fur with other colored spots and a very cute look on his face that made you want to take him home instantly. Unfortunately the dog was in such high demand that they raised the price to a mere $380. So yeah, we did not get the dog. So, we continued looking for pets and we came across two awesome kittens, one that Danae wanted and one that I really wanted. We had a visit with the cats to see what their attitudes were, how they would interact with each other and most importantly, how they would react with a 9 month old baby who loves to grab things.

It turns out that the cats were very friendly. The two month old kitten (Danae's cat) was hyper but loved to sit in Danae's lap, and the five month old (my cat) was relaxed but liked to explore a lot. So the next test, how do the cats and Malikai interact with each other? Malikai was interested in the bigger cat right away. He would grab it and run his hand across its back, and the cat didn't seem to care at all. So, besides the fact that one cat was sneezing, everything seemed purrrfect.

So we bought the cats (thanks to credit....) and took them home. First thing we did was trim their claws so they didn't destroy the furniture, or us or Malikai, then we let them go around exploring. Malikai had fun chasing the cats around the house and trying to eat and crush the older cat. I walked into the kitchen to see what Malikia was doing and he had his hand pushing down on the back of the cat who was trying to get away. Another time I went to pet the cat after Malikai was done playing with him, and the cats head was completely web from baby drool. (The cats are clean, so no worries about Malikai catching something from them). It may sound bad, but Malikai was fairly gentle with them considering. So now Malikai has a couple of new toys in the house to keep him occupied (both the cats, and the cat toys) and we have some cats that like to cuddle on our laps while we talk or watch a movie. Pets really do bring more happiness to the home, although we really didn't need more since we have Malikai, but for those times when Malikai is being a brat and crying for no reason no matter what you do, at least you can put Malikai in his play pen, grab your cat, and go enjoy some fairly relaxing time.

- Jon's Cat -


- Danae's Cat -

- Danae and her cat -





We still have not picked out names for the cats. Currently we are thinking of Merlin or Dagher for my cat, and cricket for Danae's, but who knows what we will end up naming them. If you have ideas for names, leave a comment.

In other news, I have started my class at Calvary Chapel Bible College. A huge part of the grade is determined by 32 hours of church service, so next Sunday at church I am handing in an application to help out at church. At first it will be helping with facility stuff, but possibly doing more things later. Next month I will be eligible to be an usher and I am looking forward to that, as long as my work schedule will work out to allow it.

Wish me luck as I am doing my classes, this will be a lot of work and a lot of money, so I am waiting for the Lord to provide, both finances and wisdom.

Malikai has been doing okay lately. He is getting bigger, crawling around more, and getting into things. Tonight was especially annoying, he was crying a lot even while trying to feed him. Although later in the night I did get a smile out of him.



That is all that is new with us. Good night everyone!

<(((><
Join our forums: Eternal Truth Ministry

The Sharp Bite

Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of the Making Disciples Blog. Sorry I have not written lately, but I have been kept busy, and tired by life.

Work has been making me so tired lately that I sometimes will go to bed as soon as I get home from work, without dinner or anything. Then I just sleep through until I wake up for work again. Very depressing life sometimes... I want to be able to spend time with Danae and Malikai when I get home from work. Oh well, we do what we have to do to pay the bills. So, on to some other news.

Malikai has been a little speed demon. He has fully mastered the crawl technique, staying on hands and knees, belly off the ground, and from one end of the room to the other in about 20 seconds or less. Whatever he sees that he wants, that's what he goes for. It's fun to watch him crawl around until he goes for something that he shouldn't. The fun is only beginning.

Malikai can also quickly stand up as long as he is supporting himself on something. Of course with standing up comes falling down, which he does a lot also. He needs to learn how to sit down instead of just falling down. It reminds me of kids who are learning how to roller blade outside. They figure out how to go, but don't really know how to stop so they just crash into the grass or nearest wall. Never does make much sense...

So, Malikai tried to suck on my finger the other day, and was biting down on it like usual, except unlike usual, this time the bite was a bit sharp. That's right, Malikai's first tooth is coming in. Lower front right tooth for those who absolutely must know every detail about it. I tried to take a picture of it, but they didn't turn out at all.

There is just one more thing that Malikai is doing that is new. And it can best be displayed by a picture. So here:

That's right, he is standing up on the second or third step, and all that with no assistance.

So of course this means I need to put up the gate that I have been procrastinating at putting up, but our stairs make it extremely difficult to attach a gate because the railing is so large and hangs down low. So tomorrow will be a trip to Home Depot so I can buy the stuff to screw it into the wall. Now I just need to find my drill which somehow wound up missing.

This weekend Danae's sister is coming into town. That should be a fun time, but it would be better if we actually had the money to do things. At least going for hikes at any of the many hiking places around here is free. We will be taking full advantage of that next week. Also this weekend we have to get the 60,000 mile service done on the car and buy Malikai some bigger winter clothes. Not looking forward to the extra expenses, but it's all a part of life. Even when we don't know how we are going to make certain payments, we know that God will provide. It just takes faith, even when that faith is hard to have.

Remember the passage where Jesus says that God provides for the birds, they don't have to worry about where their next meal will come from, and if God provides for the birds then how much more so will He provide for us? (Luke 12:22-34) It is so true, do we really think that God cares for us more than He does the birds of the air? If He does, then why should we ever worry about where our provisions come from? As Jesus said: "O you of little faith." It all boils down to faith. If we have faith, then we find that there is nothing to worry about.

Of course I still have a problem worrying about money sometimes, but then I just need to sit back and think about the truth's of the Bible. God does love us, so why would our heavenly father not provide for us? If even our earthly fathers provide for us when we ask for things such as food, and our earthly fathers being evil and sinful, how much more will our Heavenly Father provide, being perfect and good? (Luke 11:11-13)

Well I'm off to the world of Azuroth for an hour or so before going to bed, so until next time, I shall say good bye.

Good Bye!

<(((><
Join our forums: Eternal Truth Ministry

New FREE 411 service from Google

I found out today that Google is testing out a new FREE service. They call it Goog 411, and what it does is act almost as a traditional 411 service to lookup a name and address for you and connect your call automatically. This is much better than the traditional 411 service in that it is completly free.

I briefly tested out the service today and here is what I thought of it.

- Voice activated: Most of the time I hate using voice activated phone calls, I want to talk to a person, not a computer who can barely understand me! So at first I had that as a negative point for this service, but I tried it anyway. Of all the voice activated services that I have used, this one is probably the best. It is simple, and easily understood my voice. I didn't have to repeat what I was saying for anything. I was understood the first time and I didn't have to confirm everything that I said, which is definatly great.

I called and it gave me a breif welcome, then asked for city and state (or you can use zip code), so I said "Colorado Springs Colorado" and the voice came back saying "Colorado Springs Colorado, say the business name or type". So that was cool, it didn't make me say "yes" to confirm that it heard me right, it just repeated what I said so I know it heard me right and moved right along. If it doesn't get it right all the time, you can say "go back" or "start over".

So after looking up a business name, Best Buy, it fed me the results. It gave the location (not the full address) of the closest match, a few instructional commands I could use, and then said it would connect me automatically. Some of the instructions included saying "details" to receive the details of that location, including the address and phone number, or you can say "next" to go to the next search result.

All in all it took about a minute or less to find the number that I was looking for and then connect me, without frustrating me at all. (Very cool!)

It would be better if I was talking to a person instead of a computer, but if the service is free then I think I could do without that. Besides, if a person did answer it would probably be someone from India with a thick accent that I can barely understand. So it isn't too bad this way.

To use this service, just dial 800-GOOG-411 and that's it.

Here is some information from the Goog411 website.

About Google Voice Local
Search

As part of our ongoing effort to make the world's
information universally accessible, we’re testing a free service called Google
Voice Local Search. Using this service, you get fast access to the same local
information you’d find on Google Maps. But you don’t need a computer, you don’t
need an Internet connection, and you don’t even need to use your cell-phone
keypad. It’s voice-activated, and you can access it from any phone (mobile or
landline), in any location, at any time.

Here are a few of the features:

• You can find a business listing by category. Just say "pizza," for example.


• You can send the listing details to your mobile phone via SMS.


• The service is fully automated, so it doesn’t rely on human operators.


• It connects you directly to the business, free of charge. However, your telephone company may apply regular charges for making a phone call or receiving an SMS.

Google Voice Local Search is still in its experimental
stage. It may not be available at all times and may not work for all users.
We’re fine-tuning the service to get better at recognizing our user’s requests
and at finding the businesses they are looking for. It’s currently only
available in English, in the US, for US business listings.

If I find any problems or other issues with this service I will make sure I let you know. So go, and no longer pay big fees for 411 services!

<(((><
Join our forums: Eternal Truth Ministry

If we are the Body of Christ

Casting Crowns, who is now one of my favorite bands, has a great song that should challenge every Christian by the words that it speaks. Let's have a look at the lyrics and I will comment about them.

<============================>

It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in trying to fade into the facesThe girls teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know

It is the Christians job to witness to the world, but on the occasion where someone is curious enough to come to the church, we have such a great oppertunity to be a witness. Instead of us having to go out and look, that person comes to us! And then what do we do? We find any reason that we can to make that person feel uncomftorable, because of how they are dressed or some other dumb reason.

Then what have we done? We have driven someone away from Christ! How do you think our Lord Jesus likes us driving those away from Him that He has suffered so much for to draw to Him!

Chorus:
But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way

Who is doing the work of Jesus when His body is sleeping or indulging itself in the things of the world? We are His workers, but we don't care! Do we not care that Jesus suffered and died to free us from sin? Do we not care that we have been given such a great gift in having a relationship with God? Do we not care that so many people, that God loves, are in bondage to sin while we walk around blindly trying to fade into the world?

The Christian church today is more concerned with our own comfort than we are that those around us are going to hell. We like to be a part of our own church club that doesn't allow any outsiders who might look or think differently than we do. It's sad how far from God's will that our church has fallen.

A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coat and quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances
Tells him that his chances are better out on the road

I know of stories like this, where someone comes in with tattoo's or isn't properly dressed by our standards, and we make them feel uncomftorable to the point where that person wants to leave! Instead of judging someone for how they are dressed, let's share Christ with them first. If we convince the person to change their outside, how they dress or cut their hair or to give up smoking, they can still be on the road to hell. But if we share Jesus with them, then they will follow Jesus and be saved! Then they will allow Jesus to work in their life and their appearance will change to reflect the change in their heart.

So tell me, which is more important? That the person follows Jesus, or follows the exact rituals, principles and political lines that we do?

Chorus

Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the body of Christ

Chorus

Jesus is the way

Think about this last line... "Jesus paid much too high a price, for us to pick and choose who should come..."

Think of the sacrifice that God has made to allow people to come to Him, and how can we even think to make the decision of who should come to Him? Isn't that Jesus's decision instead of our own? We need to share the gospel, with everyone that we can, and then let that individual make the decision on if they want to come or not.

<============================>

Once again I will post the words to this song, just read the words and think about what they are saying:

It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in trying to fade into the faces
The girls teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know

Chorus:
But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way

A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coat and quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances
Tells him that his chances are better out on the road

Chorus

Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the body of Christ

Chorus

Jesus is the way

<============================>

<(((><
Join our forums: Eternal Truth Ministry

Give God the Glory

An excerpt from "The Man God Uses" by Chuck Smith

It must have been a sight to see! The lame man who had been sitting at the gate of the temple begging for alms day after day, literally for decades, was now walking around, leaping into the air, and praising God (Acts 3:8)! Every person in the city had walked by htis man over and over again throughout the years, maybe occasionally dropping a coin or two into his hand. His frail frame was undoubtedly a familiar sight, linked with the whole experience of going into the temple in Jerusalem.

All of a sudden one day, this man is dancing around, yelling at the top of his lungs, hugging Peter and John, and generally creating a major disturbance in the daily routine of hte temple. The news must have spread like wildfire throughout the crowd! Luke factually states in Acts 3:10, "...they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him."

The story continues in Acts 3:12:
"So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: 'Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?'"

In other words, Peter was saying to them, "You men are Israelites! Don't you know the power of your own God? People from foreign countries who aren't acquainted with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob could conceivably be amazed by this event, byt why should you be surprised?"

This is exactly the way we so often behave in the face of miracles, even today. By our own confession, we believe that God created the heavens and hte earth and every living creature in them, but when we hear of a quadriplegic walking out of a hospital, it challenges our credulity. Is it any more difficult for God to heal a cripple than it was for Him to create Adam out of the dust of the earth? Do we really believe what we claim to believe?

<(((><
Join our forums: Eternal Truth Ministry