reactions from the real world

iPhone 3.0

2009-03-25T16:44:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Noel for pointing out how I can get iPhone 3.0 Beta on my phone. (via 50 More iPhone 3.0 Beta Giveaway | Single Grain).

Can't wait to try out the new features.

Has Spring Training Started Yet?

2008-02-15T21:54:00.002-05:00

Some see this time of year as boring, lackluster waste of time. The Super Bowl has ended. College football is long gone. College basketball is about rev up with March Madness, but not quite yet. There seems to be nothing else that occupy our time during the last couple of weeks of February.

Except the start of spring training.

Yes, Major League Baseball's spring training has finally begun, and it should be an exciting one for anyone that calls the city of Atlanta home. Tommy Glavine and John Smotlz are teammates again!

ESPN wrote a great article about the reunion the two had today down in Florida. Read it, and prepare yourself for a return to glory this year.

Under the Weather

2008-02-06T19:21:00.000-05:00

Damn fool, I'm sick. Not feeling good. Not feeling "eh."

Feeling like poop.

Looking like poop.

Half the people in my office are sick. Most of them didn't come in or went home early.

For some reason, I did not. I was afraid to use one of my allotted sick days. Yes, I was struck with a fear of leaving work early and doing something that not only is allowed by company policy, but also encouraged. Because I wanted to impress the bosses.

The bosses were among the wounded that left early. I did not follow.

Stupid.

The World of Cool

2008-01-27T21:58:00.001-05:00

I've officially arrived in the world of cool today. After more than 23 years of struggling to make it, I can now say with all confidence that I've made it. Behold my new possession:

I have been waiting for more than two years to finally get my hands on my first Apple notebook computer, and I must say that the first day of ownership did not disappoint. I've spent the first few hours getting acquainted with Leopard, the new operating system. I plan to take on the arduous task of moving all my junk from my old Dell laptop, which has definitely served its purpose with excellence over the last four years and will find a new home in the arms of my fiance.

What a fantastic day! Hooray MacBook!

Barack Obama Hates White Christians!

2008-01-10T20:08:00.000-05:00

I found the following e-mail in my inbox the other day and I thought it was worth sharing here. The grammar has remained exactly as I found it.

OBAMA's CHURCH-------(A MUST READ FOR ALL VOTERS)

Obama mentioned his church during his appearance with Oprah. It's the Trinity Church of Christ. I found this interesting.

Obama's church:
Please read and go to this church's website and read what is written there. It is very alarming. Barack Obama is a member of this church and is running for President of the U.S. If you look at the first page of their website, you will learn that this congregation has a non-negotiable commitment to Africa. No where is AMERICA even mentioned. Notice too, what color you will need to be if you should want to join Obama's church... B-L-A-C-K!!! Doesn't look like his choice of religion has improved much over his (former?) Muslim upbringing.

Are you aware that Obama's middle name is Mohammed? Strip away his nice looks, the big smile and smooth talk and what do you get? Certainly a racist, as plainly defined by the stated position of his church! And possibly a covert worshiper of the Muslim faith, even today. This guy desires to rule over America while his loyalty is totally vested in a Black Africa! I cannot believe this has not been all over the TV and newspapers. This is why it is so important to pass this message along to all of our family & friends. To think that Obama has even the slightest chance in the run for the presidency, is really scary.

The post also gives a link to the church's website: http://www.tucc.org/home.htm

I waited awhile before I replied, but I still find crap like this aggravating. This story is definitely an unfair stretch of the truth. While it is true that the United Church of Christ is predominately black, to call them racist is downright foolish, naive, and stupid.

This congregation is defintely proud of their heritage, sometimes perhaps a little too much, but it doesn't come close to what this e-mail states. Christians from this background believe strongly that their own path resembles that of the ancient Israelites fleeing from slavery in Egypt and journeying to the Promised Land. There is nothing wrong nor racist with this type of comparison, it is merely a different form of worship.

What's wrong with being concerned about Africa in the first place? The continent is at the forefront of the worst genocidal, economic, and health issues in the world. It is our call as followers of Christ to love and care for the ugly, the downtrodden, and the poor. To me, criticism should be hailed upon the churches that fail to pray and care for those in Africa instead of churches that might not sing "God Bless America" every Sunday. We are citizens of the United States, sure, but first and foremost we are citizens of the Kingdom of God, and that is where our loyalty should reside.

Ignorant people are annoying to begin with, but when you couple that with a "Christian" background as well, you get one hell of a close-minded, naive, and often bigoted person. What a disservice to every other man or woman that truly does follow the words and actions of Jesus Christ.

New Addition to the Souther Household

2008-01-04T21:09:00.000-05:00

I was fortunate enough to receive a Nintendo Wii for Christmas this year, and I have to say it is quite fun. Apparently the Wii was the gift of the season, with people fighting in lines over these things during the past holiday shopping period. This event seems to fit well with the extended diatribe I put up here earlier in December berating the fall of Christmas into a season of greed and materialism.

But I have to say, the fun we've experienced with our family and friends with this thing has been great. Torrie and I took it to North Carolina this past weekend on our vacation with her family, and it was quite the hit with everyone. When else is one afforded the opportunity to challenge his future mother-in-law to a few rounds of boxing ? Needless to say, she dominated me in each round.

The idea that many families out there can experience the same fun and excitement that we did is encouraging. Perhaps I'll have to go back and amend my thoughts just a little on the consumeristic Christmas season.

stinkin' amazing

2008-01-04T20:43:00.001-05:00

So it's been quite a while since I last found the time to post here. So to break in to the new year, I present to you one of the most amazing YouTube videos I've ever seen.

The War On Christmas - Part Four

2007-12-14T17:27:00.000-05:00

What would Christmas look like if we took the teachings of Christ seriously and celebrated the birth of a Savior that freed us from the bondages of our society? I suppose that depends largely on what we view the bondages of our society as. For this season, as I' m sure you can tell if you've read the previous entries, I see them manifest as materialism and consumerism.

We can only begin to imagine what Christmas (or the world, for that matter) would look like without these subtle carriers of greed, selfishness, and poverty. Families could grow closer together by rejoicing in the time spent with one another, reliving old memories and creating new ones, instead of focusing on who gets what from whom. Men and women of all ages could find more fulfillment from serving the poor and truly loving them than they ever could from opening a gift hiding the newest brand-name toy. When we celebrate this life of love, service, and sacrifice, we can truly discover why His birth was so important to the world and one worthy of praise and thanksgiving.

Think about the most cherished memories you have from previous Christmas seasons. I would be willing to bet that they involve good times spent with family and friends or helping others find the type of love and value that we all search for in our lives. Presents are great, but there will always be something bigger, something deeper and something far more worthwhile in the holiday season. Don't be mistaken; there are real, legitimate threats to the true face of the Christmas season that seek to dampen and dismiss this great story of love and redemption that is at its heart. Let us reclaim Christmas for what it was and what it is and what it means.

The War On Christmas - Part Three

2007-12-12T19:38:00.000-05:00

The appropriate verbiage with which to wish someone cheer and happiness during the month of December has become quite the heated debate over the last several years. Signage in my home town has shifted from a poorly lit display of "Merry Christmas" to a poorly lit display of "Season's Greetings." Companies seeking to earn your holiday bonus have been faced with heavy pressure to abandon the focus of this time of year on Christmas, striving instead to tailor to a seemingly endless number of seasonal traditions. These events have led some, mostly conservative Chrisitians, to decry these efforts as political correctness taken too far.

My feelings towards the issue have changed dramatically over the last several years. I use to be passionately involved in the defense of Christmas, refusing to wish a "Happy Holidays" to anyone, due more to arrogance than an actual concern for Christ' birth. Now, I ask the question, who cares if your favorite department store wishes you a “Happy Holidays” as opposed to a “Merry Christmas?” A department store that takes a story of servitude and self-sacrifice and transforms it into a season filled with materialism and greed has no business using the name of Christ to begin with.

I'm lead to believe now that the biggest threats against Christmas these days are not the secular left or political correctness. We as Christians should not waste our time fighting against secular society. Instead, we should concentrate our efforts on bringing the love of Christ and the kingdom of God to the world, and worrying about a salesperson at Macy's wishing you a "Merry Christmas" isn't going to produce that. In my opinion, the biggest threats against Christmas are consumerism, materialism, and greed, and they have been corrupting the essence of Christ for many years.

The War On Christmas - Part Two

2007-12-11T23:31:00.000-05:00

Jesus Christ, the Man whose birth we celebrate every December, first entered the world with very little fanfare, surrounded not by extravagance and riches but rather by barn animals and poverty (the gifts of the Wise Men notwithstanding). He continued to live this life of poverty and humility for the next 30 years, never missing the chance to warn His followers of greed and selfishness, teaching that, “wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” He held disdain for those that put themselves before others and commanded His followers to love and serve the poor, widowed, and marginalized in society. Is this the type of life we associate with every holiday season?

I recently read an article that detailed the beginnings of the man we now know as Santa Claus. Long before Rudolph came and saved the day, Saint Nicholas was a Christian bishop living in the 4th century in a place called Myra, a location somewhere in modern-day Turkey. Several legends surround his life, but I believe the one that stands out the most is of his generosity to three daughters living in a poor household. Because they were poor, the three girls had no money to bring into a marriage, which I assume in their culture was needed and necessary. As a result, no young men came calling when they neared the age to wed.

On the night before the oldest sister "came of age," Saint Nick, who is said to have inherited quite a sum of wealth from his parents, tossed a bag of gold through the window of their house. He did so to spare the girls the embarrassment of single life, which in those days typically led to a life of prostitution. St. Nicholas did the same thing the night before the middle daughter "came of age," and saved her from poverty as well.

The father was determined to find out who was responsible for this unmerited generosity. The night before his youngest daughter was ready to marry, he stayed up by the window. Nicholas, ever the more cunning, learned of the father's plan and instead dropped the bag of gold down the chimney, keeping his identity safe and creating a tale that is, in some form or fashion, still alive to this day.

The question is, what the heck has changed during the last 1700 years? Certain aspects of this early Christmas story still remain, but something has gone awry. The giving of gifts is certainly no longer anonymous in most cases, and I'd venture a guess that most gifts are given with the presumptuous knowledge that something is coming your way as well (perhaps I underestimate the world; perhaps it is just myself that holds such a selfish belief). I like to give gifts to those that I love, but something would certainly feel out of place if those that I loved gave me nothing in return. And what about those that I do not love?

Where did this disconnect between Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus come from? How did it grow to consume our understanding of gift giving in Western civilization? How can one slow down and try to revert back to the beginnings of the story?

The War On Christmas - Part One

2007-12-09T21:36:00.000-05:00

I find it very amusing (if not downright aggravating) to observe the arguments and debates regarding the so-called “War on Christmas.” Both sides of the issue, from liberal secularists to conservative Christians, can be quite passionate in their respective beliefs. Those on the left scream for a protection of the sacred American principle of separation of church and state, while those on the right cry about the persecution they must endure and that since “Jesus is the reason for the season,” why would we dare gloss over His importance to the holiday for the sake of tolerance and political correctness?

When you approach the issue from a different perspective, however, I think you see something completely different. When you look at what Christmas has become in our society and compare it to what it was originally meant to embody, you will find that more than anything else we have taken Christ out of the very holiday that bears His name. We have replaced His message of redemption and reconciliation with one of consumption and shallow fulfillment.

Before I continue, I think it's important to give the oft-used disclaimer. It's very easy for me to write these thoughts from the comfort of my roommate's nice leather couch while enjoying the Sunday night football game in high definition on my new plasma television. By decrying the actions of our society so harshly, I remind myself that I'm not above the masses when it comes to consumerism, that I have more to offer the problem than I do the solution. I only seek with these words to understand the disease that sometimes inhibits our minds and actions and work from there to remedy it.

I'm going to continue to blog my thoughts on this subject in the coming days and weeks. Feel free to join in the conversation.

5 Losses + Bowling in Boise = Another Mediocre Season

2007-12-02T22:43:00.000-05:00

Well, Georgia Tech is going to the Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho later this year, which is the school's 11th straight bowl game. That streak might seem impressive, but when you consider the bowls they've visited, the taste begins to sour just a bit.

In those 11 years, 7 of them have been of the Humanitarian, Emerald, Champs Sports, Silicon Valley Classic, Seattle, or Carquest varieties. Not exactly the most illustrious of bowl games pouring with history and tradition.

I honestly don't know why I'm consistently surprised year after year of my alma mater's mediocrity. The previous coaching staff had a penchant for two things during its tenure: Losing at least 5 games every year, one of those always being to the University of Georgia. Yet every year I invest all my hopes and dreams into this football program, only to be feel the sting of defeat and disappoint every time. Some would call my behavior the very definition of insanity, but I refuse to lose all hope.

Here's hoping the yet-to-be-named coach can take this program to the next level. If not, at least I'll know the world is as it should be.

Picture of the Day

2007-12-02T18:31:00.000-05:00

Touchdown Jesus is weeping....
September 2007

Alright, I'm Trying to Come Back

2007-12-01T21:00:00.000-05:00

So a buddy of mine recently called me out for not keeping my blog updated in over a year. So, in an effort to redeem myself from his words of wrath, I'm attempting a comeback with the whole blogging thing.

To catch everyone up: I graduated from Georgia Tech last May, took the summer off by interning with Buckhead Church, and started with a construction management firm called Bovis Lend Lease in August. I also got engaged with my longtime lady back in May.

More to come later (hopefully).

Hooray Service!

2006-08-29T23:07:00.000-05:00

Here's an article that says a lot of great things about the call to service in our lives and how important it is in our relationship with Jesus. It's something that I've been trying really hard at over the last couple of years, and I hope that more of my peers have a similar change of heart.

The Beginning of the End

2006-08-23T11:41:00.000-05:00

So I've started school this week, and it is still weirding me out that I've got only one more year in school before I graduate into the real world.

It wouldn't be so bad if I knew what I was going to be doing after graduation, but as this point, I still have no clear direction. I've basically trimmed it down to two options, and I'm leaving more and more towards one than the other, so hopefully I'll have it figured out before too much longer.

Anyway, I am freakin' excited about the upcoming Tech football game against Notre Dame. I think we've got a great chance to pull the monumental upset, and the fact that this is the biggest game in at least 10 years for Tech adds to the excitement. I can only hope and pray that Reggie Ball is able to not LOSE the game for us, as has been the case many times in the past.

Picture of the Day

2006-08-07T16:32:00.000-05:00

A cool cove looking out into the Caribbean Sea
June 2006

No More Work

2006-08-07T16:10:00.000-05:00

So my internship with North Point has officially come to a close (although I will be working with them throughout the fall semester developing a new short-term mission trip training program), and I have to say it's been quite the experience. I'm sure I will continue to reflect on what I've learned this summer as time passes, but here are some thoughts that are going through my head right now.

The more and more I think about it, the more and more I begin to figure out what exactly I will get out of my internship with North Point. I've felt for a while that I'm slowly growing farther away from NP in terms of doctrine, mission, and the like as I continue my walk with Christ. Most of my differences center around small stuff like semantics, but it nevertheless creates a small tension. This absolutely does not mean that I hate or disagree with NP or think they're doing bad things. I just feel as though my faith is taking me down a different path on the same Walk.

In terms of my internship, I think the main thing I'll learn this summer is how to love and accept churches and ministries that don't operate on the same page that I do. I love NP with all of my heart. I love the staff with all of my heart. I think that NP is doing incredible things in Atlanta for the glory of God. I think that the world missions team could be the best team environment I ever work in.

With all that said, I don't think NP is for me in the long run. I'm probably going to continue attending Buckhead Church (a satellite campus of NP) until I graduate, but I think it might be time to look for the next step in my faith and jump to it with everything I've got.

Thank you, North Point, for being exactly what I needed when I needed it.

Living in the End Times?

2006-08-02T09:33:00.000-05:00

Here's an interview with Tim LaHaye, author of the famous Left Behind series, about whether we are living in the end times of biblical prophecy.

It's interesting how he seems so sure of his interpretation of end times prophecy. Kind of reminds me of the people in Jesus' day who had their expectations of the Messiah turned on their heads when He arrived on the scene. But hey, if it keeps this guy busy with his life, why not let him enjoy it?

Picture of the Day

2006-07-29T14:38:00.000-05:00

A view of old-town Tallin in Estonia
July 2006

The Changing Face of Evangelicals

2006-07-09T11:14:00.000-05:00

Here's a great article by the Boston Globe about the rise of a "new evangelical." It really hits on the diversion of evangelicalism from the religious right, a movement that (hopefully) won't slow down anytime soon.

Picture of the Day

2006-07-07T10:35:00.000-05:00

Father and daughter at Grandfather Mountain
July 2006

New Pics

2006-07-05T20:33:00.000-05:00

I just returned from a family vacation in Linville, North Carolina, and it was quite a blessing to have the entire family down for the week. One quick thing:

I finally got my Picasa Web Albums invitation, and I've uploaded a couple of albums of recent note. Check it out, and if you like it, feel free to download and paste my face on your desktop. Enjoy.

Picture of the Day

2006-06-15T21:21:00.000-05:00

At Formal in Savannah, Georgia

January 2006

Thoughts on Work

2006-06-15T21:01:00.000-05:00

So I've been interning at North Point Community Church in their World Missions department, and I have to say that it's been a great experience thus far this summer.

First of all, the intern program itself is fantastic in terms of organization and programming. The staff is feeding us far beyond what I ever could have imagined. We are learning so much about ministry in general, and it's great to actually learn about the many facets of the church and how they got to where they are now while always looking ahead to the future. There are several things that twist me the wrong way about North Point, but I will definitely say that they do what they do with excellence and I definitely cannot fault them for that.

Secondly, the missions staff is unbelievable in terms of its cohesiveness and productivity. Everybody is in love with the mission of the team and fits together wonderfully. Also, each one of them has taken a genuine interest in my growth over the summer and has done whatever they can to make me feel welcome and wanted. The projects I'm working on are worthwhile and exciting, which is much more than one can typically say about an internship.

I suppose I'd rate the experience thus far as top-notch. I really feel as though I'm working for something greater, and it causes me to strive with everything I've got like nothing before. I'm anxious to see where the summer will lead me, and I'm sure my upcoming trips to the Dominican Republic and Estonia will do very little to harm my experience.

BloodThirst I: Jesus v. the Heathens

2006-06-09T17:08:00.000-05:00

I just found out about this ridiculous video game.

I don't have an issue with the violence in the game (there are plenty of violent video games out there). What I do have a problem with is killing infidels in the name of Jesus, trying to "save souls" along the way, and flat out destroying a major American city.

Here's a harsh review of the game, and it's got some other links within its text. Check it out.

Animated Leader?

2006-06-04T21:20:00.000-05:00

It seems that it's been awhile since I've posted here. Oops.

I took a personality test tonight, and these are my results (mouse over the different colors to see what they stand for):

Animated Leader

For my complete results, click here.

First Day at Work

2006-05-22T22:19:00.000-05:00

I started my internship with North Point Ministries today, and it was a good first day. I'll share more about it later.

Here's a good article that I hope will be sufficient for your curiosity. Enjoy.

Picture of the Day

2006-05-19T15:00:00.000-05:00

This is my name in Chinese that I was given by my Chinese teacher. The first part is equivalent to my surname, Souther, and the other two syllables mean "steady brilliance," and I'm sure that's exactly what you've been thinking about me for a long time.

Pat "Money for a Miracle" Robertson

2006-05-19T13:40:00.000-05:00

I'm watching the "700 Club" right now and listening to Pat Robertson just ramble on with his entrancing southern accent. He's talking about how if you donate money or promise a monthly pledge to his organization God will reward you by working miracles in your life and ridding you of any financial debt that might taint your life.

Now I'm not putting anything past the powers of God, and I believe that Christ lives strongly through our charitable giving, but I do have a problem with a man that promises someone that God will perform miracles for them and take away all the problems that the person might be struggling with. I do believe that we are ambassadors of Christ, but I do not believe we can through around the name of God as if it is a good luck charm that can be passed around.

This goes without even mentioning the actual telecast of the infomercial. Just imagine a program with the following: a little phony Pat Robertson excitement, some majestic orchestral sounds when a person donates, and a ticking clock that conveniately adds time to fill the hour time slot when a "pledge challenge" is issued by Robertson and his cohorts. It adds up to the most ridiculously cheeseball clown show I believe I have ever seen.

Hello World

2006-05-18T13:52:00.000-05:00

I found this little diddy on another blog and found it appropriate to be my first official post here. There's a little language, so those with sensitive ears be warned.

Let me know what you think.