There is still no cure for the common birthday. ~John Glenn

Birthdays remind us of:

1. Our insertion into this world (Point Insertion, for you Half Life players).  Our birthday is a reminder and celebration of the day we were born.  We were inserted into this world.  Let's expand that idea of a computer game.  The first thing we try to figure out in a game is who we are, why we are here, and what we are supposed to do.  We never assume that we have no purpose or that there is no point.  So it is in life.  We are here for a purpose.  God has placed us here for a reason, and He has a plan.  It is in Him that we can know who we are, why we are here, and what we are supposed to do.  Our birthday reminds us of our insertion -- We have a purpose.

2.  The faithfulness of God.  Whatever the big number is, we can count that many years of God's faithfulness to us.  We have survived all these years.  If we stop and think, we could remember innumerable blessings.  I think of a few times that death barely missed me.  I think of all God has done to keep me on track following Him.  Our birthday reminds us that God is with us.

3.  The passing of time.  We often think of this one first.  "AHH!!  Too much time has passed."  But this is our call to action.  God has something He wants us to do.  We must do it now.  We have no promise of the future.  Time is passing, and we are called to make the most of every opportunity.  What is it that God wants us to do?  We need to do it now.  Our birthday reminds us to act.

We have a purpose, God is with us, and it's time to act.  It doesn't get much better than that.
Thank God for birthdays.

A birthday is just the first day of another 365-day journey around the sun.  Enjoy the trip.  ~Author Unknown

Technorati Tags: Birthday

To Own the Air -- An Odd Look at Personal Property

Capitalism, Socialism, and Green Shampoo

Suppose I live in a land where every man has a large collection of blue frock coats, in all sizes.  Moreover, each has access to more of these self-same coats at no expense whatsoever.  Does it behoove me then, upon leaving the meeting-house, to search among the coat racks until I find my own, or rather to simply take the first I find of my size?

Or suppose that everyone has access to a limitless supply of a green shampoo.  Each has many bottles stored on their own, and the stocked warehouse is free access to all.  Am I then required to always take my own to the showers?  Or can I simply use the bottle left here by someone else?

So we observe that Capitalism is necessarily based in identity and individuality.  It is individualism that declares my right to place my name upon my bottle of green shampoo, though no different from the other 3 score bottles on the shelf.  But it is Capitalism that puts the green shampoo in a purple bottle, which then displays my name.  It is the creed of Capitalism that says I have right to have a red frock coat, even when all other coats in the meeting-house are blue.  It is mine, and all men know it, because it is different.

Socialism then, requires a loss of identity and individuality.  Uniforms are prescribed, all the same color and style, so none is better than the other.  None is different from the other.  In the fabulous endless supply of all things, all men share all things as common, for all have access to all.  IF there IS is limitless supply of like things, does personal property still exist?

Is Socialism the ideal?  For there is no such thing as "stealing" from a warehouse, if everyone has free access to it.  What is more, one will not steal "another's property," if all men have limitless supplies of the same.  It must be admitted that Socialism has some very distinct advantages.

Or is it possible that the ideal of Socialism is a mare's nest, or perhaps even a Trojan horse? -- That is to say, perhaps its boasting is empty, or perhaps the good-looking gift is full of that which, in the end, will destroy us.
When supply is endless and blank in form, what happens to the soul of man?  Is it possible that the result of socialism is the destruction of the essence of mankind?  Is the effect of socialism to destroy what it means to be a person?
Perhaps Socialism necessarily makes one less than a person, because he is not different.

Technorati Tags: Capitalism, Socialism, Property, Economics

The Problem with Fireproof

I saw Fireproof for the first time tonight.  It is absolutely amazing.  I love how it addresses things honestly, realistically, and completely.  It covers a lot of issues very important to us as people.  I highly recommend it.

Here's the problem with Fireproof:
It's a movie.    (Don't get me wrong -- I know it's also a book now. ;)   )

With books, we have more of a tendency to stop and think about what we have read.  We assimilate the information, lessons, morals, and content.  It connects with our mind, and then our emotions.  With movies, we have a tendency to watch the images and participate in the emotion.  But we often fail to think about the message and plug in the morals.  It connects with our emotions, but can often miss our mind.

This can sometimes be accomplished in movies.  But Fireproof was too short for that.  It had a lot of ground to cover, and was forced to cover it quickly.  The Lord of the Rings, on the other hand, actually accomplishes this connection with the mind quite well.  It just took 12 hours to do it. :)   In 12 hours, you have more reprieve and reverie time to think and connect mind and emotion.

SO -- How can this problem be addressed?
Watch Fireproof several times, of course!  Take some alone time after the movie to think and replay.  Might even be better to watch it alone, so you have a chance to ask questions.  How would I react in that situation?  Could I do that?  Am I willing to take the dare?  What is love, anyway?
The movie can keep you thinking for awhile.  I am.  Have you?

Who Do I Think I Am?

Check out this book, "Who Do I Think I Am?" by Thomas Lorimer.

It's a devotional series based in the life of Daniel.
This is the Daniel of Biblical fame: Daniel-in-the-lions-den; Daniel-interpreter-of-dreams!
The focus of the book is on humility.  Though Daniel did amazing things, he was a very humble person.  There's a lot of spiritual lessons we can learn from his example -- and they result in the Lord's blessing!

It's written by my father, Tom Lorimer.  His style is interesting, forceful, and compelling.
I suppose I might be a bit prejudiced, so you'll just have to check it out for yourself.

You can preview the book and order directly from the author (autographed if you would like!) at this site:
http://www.godlyhumility.com