The Voice of Psalms

I recently read the book of Psalms in The Voice Translation.  I really enjoyed the wording of this translation and look forward to obtaining the entire Bible in The Voice.  It communicates very well and is easy to read.  I saw many verses in a new way via this translation.

The reading programs at the beginning of the book has a plan for everyone.  If found this very helpful although I dove in a read the book without following a reading plan.  I think there are great opportunities to utilize this book in bible studies or small groups.  The content is written so that anyone can understand and should facilitate great conversation.  There are also reflections written about many of the Psalms that added major value to the book, in my opinion.

I would recommend this book to anyone.  Thanks to Thomas Nelson for this project.  Please let us know when the entire Bible in The Voice Translations will be available.

Where does time go?

It has been over three months since my last post.  Referring to myself as a blogger is probably not accurate.  I appreciate the medium and the conversation it can generate but there is an element of committment that I have not been able to achieve.  Time marches on and posts and ideas for posts come and go.  Now, keep in mind that in the last three months since I last posted a blog my organization has undergone a physical move to a new building.  I was involved at several levels in this move and I could blame my lackluster blogging performance on that but to be honest I simply didn’t make the time to post.  Is time our enemy or our comrade?  Without it we accomplish nothing…with it we figure out new ways to waste or lose it.  Time is constant it neither goes nor stays.  How I interface with it is my responsibility and my challenge.

Tiger Woods

Tiger did it.  Eldrick won another major.  Going into the U.S. Open I didn’t see how he could possibly compete with his knee bothering him.  I felt so strongly that he would not do well that I did not choose him for my PGA golf fantasy team.  Looks like I will not have the luxury of choosing him anytime soon.  Tiger announced on his website today that he will be having ACL reconstructive surgery that will keep him out of golf for the remainder of the 2008 season.  I personally had this surgery in 1995.  It hurts and the rehab is intense.  I wish him a speedy recovery and some great quality time with Elin and Sam.  Note to Tiger, “Whenever you do make it back to the tour I will have you in my fantasy starting line-up…and I will be expecting a win.”

It’s Just “Stuff”…

Recently my in-law’s house was struck by lightening. The result was a fairly devastating fire that left our entire family in some form of shock. I think we have all tried to process our feelings as we reflect on this incident. I think each of us would say we are NOT materialistic people and the fact no one was hurt in the fire is the important part. After all, its all just “stuff”…even the house. If that is truly the case, why does this hurt so much. This has been much more painful for my in-laws since it was their “stuff” but there is a certain amount of pain for all involved. You could see it on our friends faces as they helped us clean up. It was evident in our discussions as we tried to joke about where we would eat lunch on Sundays after church for the next year or so. Most all of our family friends are involved in ministry and many of them are involved in missions. We have seen what it is like for people to have nothing. We know there are people starving around the world. We also know that most of our personal households have at least one TV per person if not more. There is a discrepancy here that we all know exists but somehow find a way to ignore it. Should we all have a garage sale and sell all of our “stuff” and send the money to missions? Wish I had the answer to that. I don’t think it is as simple as we would like to make it out. We all have what we have. Our goal should be obedience when God prompts us to do something whether that be to give, go, or pray. He’ll sort it out if we are open and obedient to his voice.

Well, not too profound of a post. No marching orders. No clear answers. Just a call to what most of us want to do anyway…be obedient to God. Maybe incidents like this fire are opportunities for us to ponder our lot, and prepare ourselves for the next time God prompts us to action. Its just “stuff” but it is His “stuff”. For some reason he entrusted us to be responsible for His “stuff”. And YES, He does know what he is doing. (Just in case that was your next question.)

Firefox 3.0 World Record

Mozilla is attempting to “Break the World Record for downloads in a single day”. Well, considering there is no such record on the books I think they stand a good chance to break/set this record. Sometime in mid June Firefox 3.0 web browser will be available and Mozilla is pushing to have as many people as possible download this application and then submit the number of downloads to Guinness. Since Firefox is my browser of choice I will probably participate. Who knows, this may be my last chance to set a world record…or at least be a part of setting one.

Grieving for the Chapmans

The news of Steven Curtis Chapman’s adopted daughter losing her life in a tragic accident was surprising and saddening. I can’t imagine what the family is going through and especially what their son is going through (I understand he was driving the vehicle that hit her in the driveway). I have thought of this family often in the last week. Just this morning I got an email requesting further prayer for them and thanking the many who have been praying for them. A link in the email sent me to a video blog to get to know little Maria. It is apparent that Steven is a great Daddy and made the time Maria was with them very special. I was inspired by this clip to make sure I am having fun and playing with my girls. I am glad Steven made the time to impact his daughter. Not that Steven will ever read this but, I hope he realizes that it is apparent that he was a gift from God to Maria. Check out this video:

“Pizzba” is pronounced, peets-bah

I know I do not have a large readership following on this blog but for the few folks who take a look every now and then I owe you an explanation regarding the renaming of this blog. Pizzba. What in the world is that? Well, just ask my 2 year old daughter. She came up with the word. She calls pizza, pizzba. I’m not sure why but it is definitely cute. She also calls a computer a “pootee”. Go figure. I wanted to have something more personal for a title on my blog. I also wanted something unique. A friend of mine titled his blog after a word his son pronounces incorrectly so I got the idea there. I think Pizzba is going to serve this blog well. I love pizza too so at the very least the banner will make me hungry each time I post.

God Gives Generously Without Finding Fault.

Earlier this week I was in a monthly meeting with my colleagues. Our Director opened the meeting with a profound devotional centering around James Chapter 1. I have read this passage several times throughout my life but the points that were brought out in this devotional were very timely and pertinent for me.

Verse 5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

I, like many of you have a sense that I lack a lot of wisdom when it comes to my occupation and ministry. Not that I am inept but there is so much yet to learn and know. I have recently found myself desiring to ask God for more wisdom but I am ashamed to admit that many times those prayers stopped short as I started thinking about my worthiness to be asking for His wisdom and wondering if I have been faithful enough in my ministry efforts. But this passage says that He gives with out finding fault. It is imperative that I remember when I am tempted to believe I am unworthy that it is not coming from God but from satan. God delights in my well-being and wants only the best for me. My desire to have more wisdom to minister better is His desire.

Always remember that God is not one to find fault and does not carry around big stick to knock us down in our weakness. He delights in giving us the desires of our heart!

Opening Day at the “K”

Yesterday I was privileged to attend the opening day game for the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. It was a bit cold and wet but overall a great experience. The Royals won (beating the Yankees 5-2) and I was able to experience some of the new additions at the stadium.

The biggest change is the new scoreboard. WOW! It looks awesome. 8,900 square feet of high-definition video. The production team has done a great job with the graphics and video roll-ins as well. There were only a few little glitches and I would not be surprised if those are fixed by game time tonight. The scoreboard offers a plethora of statistics…one of which stumped quite a few people at the game. Many could be heard asking the person next to them…”What is OPS?” I played baseball in college and am a fairly avid sports fan and I did not know. As it turns out this stands for On-base plus slugging. Some claim this will become a major statistic to show a player’s value. Very cool!

I have the opportunity to go to the game tomorrow evening as well. I am very excited to see the Royals this year. They are a very exciting team that will manufacture runs on their opponents. Trey Hillman is going to be good for Kansas City Baseball.

Baseball Season 2008

Well, the 2008 baseball season got off to a good start. March 31st was a great day to be a Kansas City Royals fan. Heading into the season against the Detroit Tigers with arguably the best offense in baseball this year most Royals fans did not hold out much hope for the Royals. Come on…be truthful with yourself Royals fans no one gave them a chance. However, they played well and hung around long enough to snatch an 11th inning win. Way to go guys!

Now Tuesday, April 1st rolls around. I am on a high after seeing my team get off to a good start. They have the day off but there are still several MLB games being played. Why was it that I could not find a single game being broadcast in the Kansas City area. I have Dish Network and 250 channels. NOTHING! Not a single game. I would have loved to see the Rockies and Cardinals play but it was black out in my area…like I would really drive to St. Louis to see the game in person. Get real team owners. Blacking out games in surrounding areas is not getting more butts in your stadium seats. What a let down to not be able to watch a single game last night. Maybe today will offer several options.

GO ROYALS!!!!!