Ok, now for a lighter side of life: Gas. Gasoline that is... I've learned some new things about gasoline and want to pass them onto the world. Granted, i'm taking this email for what its worth. I didn't bother to research it, so if its wrong, please inform me of it. I am blindly believing it.
LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY!
I've been in petroleum pipeline business for about 31 years, currently working for the Kinder-Morgan Pipeline here in San Jose, CA. We deliver about 4 million gallons in a 24-hour period from the pipe line; one day it's diesel, the next day it's jet fuel and gasoline. We have 34 storage tanks here with a total capacity of 16,800,000 gallons. Here are some tricks to help you get your money's worth.
1. Fill up your car or truck in the morning when the temperature is still cool.
Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground;
and the colder the ground, the denser the gasoline. When it gets warmer gasoline expands, so if you're filling up in the afternoon or in the evening, what should be a gallon is not exactly a gallon. In the petroleum business, the specific gravity and temperature of the fuel (gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum products) are significant. Every truckload that we load is temperature-compensated so that the indicated gallonage is actually the amount pumped. A one-degree rise in temperature is a big deal for businesses, but service stations don't have temperature compensation at their pumps.
2. If a tanker truck is filling the station's tank at the time you want to buy gas, do not fill up; most likely dirt and sludge in the tank is being stirred up when gas is being delivered, and you might be transferring that dirt from the bottom of their tank into your car's tank.
3. Fill up when your gas tank is half-full (or half-empty), because the more gas you have in your tank the less air there is and gasoline evaporates rapidly, especially when it's warm. (Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating 'roof' membrane to act as a barrier between the gas and the atmosphere, thereby minimizing evaporation.)
4. If you look at the trigger you'll see that it has three delivery settings: slow, medium and high. When you're filling up do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to the high setting. You should be pumping at the slow setting, thereby minimizing vapors created while you are pumping. Hoses at the pump are corrugated; the corrugations act as a return path for vapor recovery from gas that already has been metered. If you are pumping at the high setting, the agitated gasoline contains more vapor, which is being sucked back into the underground tank so you're getting less gas for your money .
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Abortion Pictures
Parental Warning: Parents, if you have small children nearby, I highly advise you about the following pictures. I Just received them in an email, and I have a hard time looking at them. I have a tough stomach and have seen a lot in my day. But I want to forewarn you. The following pictures are graphic.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Old Testament Reading
I'm currently reading 1 Samuel. I'm working on making it cover to cover. I remarked to someone at work the other day that i'm working on doing a cover to cover as well and they mentioned that they have a hard time getting through Leviticus and some of the books like that. I can imagine why. Some of the books aren't exactly easy to get through. Because some of the stuff is just like "what the world.. why is this in here? What does 'don't boil a hefer in its mother's milk got to do w/ anything today?" I know i've asked stuff like that before.
Often times i'm reading it and i read it like a story. Whether i can think of relevance today, i just read it nonetheless. Also, there has to be a grace for it. Right now, there just seems to be a grace to read through the Bible for me. Perhaps because if nothing else, i'll at least have it in my head and when people ask about it or need a reference, i'll have an answer... making me sound like really good and cool and like i learned something.
How can i say all this? Because I've asked the questions of what the world is the Bible saying? It also depends on your purpose for reading it, or at least i think so. for instance, the NASB isn't really a good one to do memory verses off. For that, i might recommend the NIV or NKJV... something that flows better. The NASB is better for word for word translation. That might be a better study one. I've never read "The Message" Bible yet. Don't know if i ever will. That version is better if your wanting to read it more for story book form. But definitely not good for studying. For true studying, try learning the original languages of Hebrew/Aramaic (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament). It will take time and dedication. I have yet to learn the original languages.
All in all, i've wrestled with a lot of issues like this. There are times where it SEEMS that the Bible is contradicting itself. But when you truly read it, its just confirming everything it says. I just ask the Holy Spirit to speak to me about this stuff and chew on it, meditate on it... seek the Father's heart for what He's saying through it all. Remember that this is a book that has withstood the test of time. We're talking milleniums here. Written over almost 1,500 years, by 25+ scribes, many of whom have never met one another, yet the message is still the same: Jesus reigns!
I can understand frustrations with reading the Bible. As i've mentioned before, i've wrestled w/ many of these frustrations, struggles, problems, feelings. Just when you think your all alone, you realize that when you turn on the light and are honest with yourself and with others, the room is crowded with others who have the same problem.
Enjoy the read.
Often times i'm reading it and i read it like a story. Whether i can think of relevance today, i just read it nonetheless. Also, there has to be a grace for it. Right now, there just seems to be a grace to read through the Bible for me. Perhaps because if nothing else, i'll at least have it in my head and when people ask about it or need a reference, i'll have an answer... making me sound like really good and cool and like i learned something.
How can i say all this? Because I've asked the questions of what the world is the Bible saying? It also depends on your purpose for reading it, or at least i think so. for instance, the NASB isn't really a good one to do memory verses off. For that, i might recommend the NIV or NKJV... something that flows better. The NASB is better for word for word translation. That might be a better study one. I've never read "The Message" Bible yet. Don't know if i ever will. That version is better if your wanting to read it more for story book form. But definitely not good for studying. For true studying, try learning the original languages of Hebrew/Aramaic (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament). It will take time and dedication. I have yet to learn the original languages.
All in all, i've wrestled with a lot of issues like this. There are times where it SEEMS that the Bible is contradicting itself. But when you truly read it, its just confirming everything it says. I just ask the Holy Spirit to speak to me about this stuff and chew on it, meditate on it... seek the Father's heart for what He's saying through it all. Remember that this is a book that has withstood the test of time. We're talking milleniums here. Written over almost 1,500 years, by 25+ scribes, many of whom have never met one another, yet the message is still the same: Jesus reigns!
I can understand frustrations with reading the Bible. As i've mentioned before, i've wrestled w/ many of these frustrations, struggles, problems, feelings. Just when you think your all alone, you realize that when you turn on the light and are honest with yourself and with others, the room is crowded with others who have the same problem.
Enjoy the read.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Underground Reality: Vietnam
I think i might have mentioned something about this in a previous blog, but here goes again.
Sometime ago, i ordered a video from Voice of the Martyr's entitled "Underground Reality: Vietname." VOM took 8 teenagers from here in the states and sent them over to Vietnam to experience what its like over there. Its reality tv worth watching for me. its the American gospel vs. the truth of the reality. you put your money where your mouth is. i was watching it and just watching these teens get there world rocked. just about all of them had no idea what they were getting themselves into. i mean, they're coming from a society where everyone is supposedly Christian. but where its just like nothing really important to a society where you could die for being called a Christian. makes me think how easy we got it over here. we have no idea what we got over here. we think we've done God a favor by attending some sort of religious service on a sunday morning, shook a few hands, said we're doing fine a couple thousand times (and probably lied about it, but who really cares?) and then attended some sort of mid week either service and/or home group meeting. meanwhile, half the world spirals into the utter abyss of hell... but hey, at least you were at church this past week... what ever happened to the power of God?
over here, we hide in the corner behind our nice theology and think we've got it all together. meanwhile, we have ministries that give wheelchairs out to the cripples. hey, here's an idea: instead of giving wheelchairs out, get your hands on them and heal them. just a thought. i know, that might offend someone if we do that. so, better to just cater to everyone elses needs than to offend someone in their false thinking.
in other parts of the world, you die for mentioning Jesus. you get in trouble for having a public worship service. i have numerous different copies of the Bible here in my room. in other parts of the world, i could die for that! i'm blessed to have soo many copies and allow them to gather dust on the bookshelf. in Vietnam, your lucky if you have a bible, much less be able to read it.
I like watching things like this that challenge me. it wakes me up out of my slumber and says "ok, Bible school grad... you have a nice theology... now heal that person over there!" you can't hide behind theology. when don't have what you say you have, u just admit it and get on with life. makes you think, doesn't it?
Sometime ago, i ordered a video from Voice of the Martyr's entitled "Underground Reality: Vietname." VOM took 8 teenagers from here in the states and sent them over to Vietnam to experience what its like over there. Its reality tv worth watching for me. its the American gospel vs. the truth of the reality. you put your money where your mouth is. i was watching it and just watching these teens get there world rocked. just about all of them had no idea what they were getting themselves into. i mean, they're coming from a society where everyone is supposedly Christian. but where its just like nothing really important to a society where you could die for being called a Christian. makes me think how easy we got it over here. we have no idea what we got over here. we think we've done God a favor by attending some sort of religious service on a sunday morning, shook a few hands, said we're doing fine a couple thousand times (and probably lied about it, but who really cares?) and then attended some sort of mid week either service and/or home group meeting. meanwhile, half the world spirals into the utter abyss of hell... but hey, at least you were at church this past week... what ever happened to the power of God?
over here, we hide in the corner behind our nice theology and think we've got it all together. meanwhile, we have ministries that give wheelchairs out to the cripples. hey, here's an idea: instead of giving wheelchairs out, get your hands on them and heal them. just a thought. i know, that might offend someone if we do that. so, better to just cater to everyone elses needs than to offend someone in their false thinking.
in other parts of the world, you die for mentioning Jesus. you get in trouble for having a public worship service. i have numerous different copies of the Bible here in my room. in other parts of the world, i could die for that! i'm blessed to have soo many copies and allow them to gather dust on the bookshelf. in Vietnam, your lucky if you have a bible, much less be able to read it.
I like watching things like this that challenge me. it wakes me up out of my slumber and says "ok, Bible school grad... you have a nice theology... now heal that person over there!" you can't hide behind theology. when don't have what you say you have, u just admit it and get on with life. makes you think, doesn't it?
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
When I Grow Up....
When i grow up, I wanna be like Mr. Brayden! This picture is me (i'm the bigger guy in the grey coat) and my little buddy from Southern Chase, where i used to live, the one, the only, THE Mr. Brayden Lambert. This little guy is one of the coolest guys you could ever meet. This guy helped me mow my yard at least once and then he let me swim with him in his pool! I mean, you don't get cooler than that. So, Mr. B, this ones for you.
Law of Grace
Well, since February, i've been doing a cover to cover reading of the Bible. It's been hard at times... just sometimes i feel like i'm just reading and not paying attention. but there seems to be a real grace for it for the time being. Because at least i'm getting this stuff into my mind and later on able to somewhat recollect it.
I've heard more sermons in the past few years than what i can even remotely remember. I've discovered that i don't actually remember most of them unless if there was some kinda point of rememberance. And once i have that point, i can pretty much remember a good portion of what was said and done. It's funny though to hear peoples responses to different things. So often people say "oh, well, i'm under grace so therefore..." when we forget that the Law of Grace holds us to a higher standard than the Law of Moses (Ten Commandments). Ten Commandments says to not commit adultery (no affairs). Law of Grace says if you've looked at a woman w/ a perverted sexual thought, you've already commited the act in your heart. thats rough. here's the kicker: Jesus died for all our sins. His blood makes up for my sins and your sins. so your probably thinking "so i can just keep sinning and Jesus covers me..?" well, thats not exactly the idea.
think of it this way: you've done something nice for a cop and he gives you a "get out of a ticket for free" card. (I don't think they actually do this, but run w/ me here). So, your sitting on this card, just waiting to use it. you can use it if your ever stopped for speeding and the officer is giving you a ticket, or something of that nature. now, do you just go flying down the road and wait for the cop to pull you over, at which time you'll give them the card? or, do you wait until you really need it and didn't have the intention of doing something wrong and then pull the card out? I'd probably wait until you really need it. Hebrews 10:26 states that there is no atonement for those who have knowingly sinned and just waiting for the blood to cover you.
in other words: don't abuse the cross and the blood of Jesus and use it for stupid purposes. I mean, if you mess up then of course, the blood covers you. but don't knowingly sin and just exscuse yourself by saying that Jesus has paid the price for you. it doesn't work like that. Use the blood for worth while purposes. Leading a true sinner to the Cross is good. That's what Jesus died for. His blood covers the heart of a truly repentant person. when you truly repent, you begin a new life. You begin a new friendship with Jesus. and friends don't like it when you do something that hurts them. So don't be stupid and misuse the blood of Jesus.
Don't just come to Christ for what you can get out of the deal. thats wrong. when you truly come to Christ, you turn from your wickedness and don't wanna do things anymore that Jesus wouldn't want you to do. Be smart.
I've heard more sermons in the past few years than what i can even remotely remember. I've discovered that i don't actually remember most of them unless if there was some kinda point of rememberance. And once i have that point, i can pretty much remember a good portion of what was said and done. It's funny though to hear peoples responses to different things. So often people say "oh, well, i'm under grace so therefore..." when we forget that the Law of Grace holds us to a higher standard than the Law of Moses (Ten Commandments). Ten Commandments says to not commit adultery (no affairs). Law of Grace says if you've looked at a woman w/ a perverted sexual thought, you've already commited the act in your heart. thats rough. here's the kicker: Jesus died for all our sins. His blood makes up for my sins and your sins. so your probably thinking "so i can just keep sinning and Jesus covers me..?" well, thats not exactly the idea.
think of it this way: you've done something nice for a cop and he gives you a "get out of a ticket for free" card. (I don't think they actually do this, but run w/ me here). So, your sitting on this card, just waiting to use it. you can use it if your ever stopped for speeding and the officer is giving you a ticket, or something of that nature. now, do you just go flying down the road and wait for the cop to pull you over, at which time you'll give them the card? or, do you wait until you really need it and didn't have the intention of doing something wrong and then pull the card out? I'd probably wait until you really need it. Hebrews 10:26 states that there is no atonement for those who have knowingly sinned and just waiting for the blood to cover you.
in other words: don't abuse the cross and the blood of Jesus and use it for stupid purposes. I mean, if you mess up then of course, the blood covers you. but don't knowingly sin and just exscuse yourself by saying that Jesus has paid the price for you. it doesn't work like that. Use the blood for worth while purposes. Leading a true sinner to the Cross is good. That's what Jesus died for. His blood covers the heart of a truly repentant person. when you truly repent, you begin a new life. You begin a new friendship with Jesus. and friends don't like it when you do something that hurts them. So don't be stupid and misuse the blood of Jesus.
Don't just come to Christ for what you can get out of the deal. thats wrong. when you truly come to Christ, you turn from your wickedness and don't wanna do things anymore that Jesus wouldn't want you to do. Be smart.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
American Gospel Enterprise
I'm not sure what brought this topic up in my mind, but today i was thinking about our American Gospel Enterprise. Now, considering the fact the the President of the Bible school that i graduated from, Dr. Michael Brown, had written a book sometime ago entitled "The End of the American Gospel Enterprise," which was basically smashing the whole idea of marketing the gospel of Jesus. Let me start off by saying that my collection of books is rapidly growing. I'm a book junkie. Since coming down to FIRE, my collection has grown by leaps and bounds. Of course, a portion of that might have to do that while I was in school, our 'textbooks' were books that people had written.
I can remember the a popular Christian music artist, Stephen Curtis Chapman, has a song about it even. About the fact that we as American Christians have conferences on just about every topic known to man. We have prophetic conferences and financial conferences and tons of other things as well. And they're all well and good and all, for the most part. Now, my concern is is whats the difference that's being made? There had better be some sort of difference that's happening in our lives. I used to be a 'conference junkie'. meaning that i was going from conference to conference to experience something. and thats fine and i'm not coming down on those who go to christian conferences for whatever reason. but again, what is the difference being made.
You look at other parts of the world and they don't have conferences and seminars for all sorts of things. But the gospel is spreading the Christendom is growing at a rapid pace.
I personally don't watch much Christian programming on tv or on the radio at all. I just personally can't stand it much. People point fingers at them and accuse these people of all sorts of wrong doing. I don't necessarily have anything against the stuff, but what change is made.
I also get different music cds every month (meaning like 3-4 a month or so).
I just personally ask people what is the point of it all? some of it may be well and good... but i know for myself, i don't really want to need to go to a conference to experience God and to have a relationship with Jesus. if you so desire to go to a conference or seminar on whatever topic, go for it. I won't stop you. It's your money and your time. but i can't wait to see the fruits from it all.
I can remember the a popular Christian music artist, Stephen Curtis Chapman, has a song about it even. About the fact that we as American Christians have conferences on just about every topic known to man. We have prophetic conferences and financial conferences and tons of other things as well. And they're all well and good and all, for the most part. Now, my concern is is whats the difference that's being made? There had better be some sort of difference that's happening in our lives. I used to be a 'conference junkie'. meaning that i was going from conference to conference to experience something. and thats fine and i'm not coming down on those who go to christian conferences for whatever reason. but again, what is the difference being made.
You look at other parts of the world and they don't have conferences and seminars for all sorts of things. But the gospel is spreading the Christendom is growing at a rapid pace.
I personally don't watch much Christian programming on tv or on the radio at all. I just personally can't stand it much. People point fingers at them and accuse these people of all sorts of wrong doing. I don't necessarily have anything against the stuff, but what change is made.
I also get different music cds every month (meaning like 3-4 a month or so).
I just personally ask people what is the point of it all? some of it may be well and good... but i know for myself, i don't really want to need to go to a conference to experience God and to have a relationship with Jesus. if you so desire to go to a conference or seminar on whatever topic, go for it. I won't stop you. It's your money and your time. but i can't wait to see the fruits from it all.
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