Archives For October 2007

cm.jpgYou Converted Me is a modern-translation of St. Augustine’s Confessions by Robert Edmonson, though this version includes an introduction and some in-line notes by Tony Jones.

I tried to read Augustine’s Confessions back in college, but gave up after a chapter-or-two. I WANTED to give up this time, but something about post-college adulthood (and maybe a little bit of pride) wouldn’t let me give up!

It turns out that the story-line of Augustine’s Confessions is quite interesting (taboo, even!) with a rogue lover, a praying mother, a secret boat-ride, and other craziness that should be made into a movie (maybe animated?)

I like the gig that Tony Jones got in getting his name on this book. He wrote an intro and some “explanations” throughout the chapters – maybe one day I’ll do the same for a Dr. Seuss book!

when_necessary_book.jpgFinished “When Necessary Use Words” a few weeks ago now. It was a quick-read; reading most of it while flying to and from Indianapolis.

The book is written by Mike Pilavachi, who started the Soul Survivor movement. The book borrows its title from Saint Francis of Assisi’s famous line.

I don’t think anything was “revolutionary” in the book for me, but it was a good opportunity to re-remember that Worship of our Creator is much more than an hour or two in any given week and that if we are who we say we are then our very lifestyle needs to be worship-full.

One thing that caught my attention was finding out how “clean” my local bank’s investments are – it’s something I haven’t done yet, but I am curious to know if my local bank invests my money in things that I would have a problem with myself.

I’m loving the new online service, “Zamzar” for converting internet videos (say, YouTube) to videos I can actually “use”. I can convert any YouTube video directly to an mpeg (FOR FREE, I might add) and then use it in a program like MediaShout or import it into my video editing software and edit it from there!

If you’ve ever “needed” a YouTube video to show elsewhere, you’ll understand the importance of knowing about a site like this! I’ve used other sites in the past (vixy.net, vconvert.net), but what I love about Zamzar is that I can actually convert to a usable format! Another interesting feature (that may help Zamzar stick around for a while) is that they actually e-mail you the link to the downloadable video file instead of just converting it while you wait. I like that. No more, sitting, waiting, wishing for the conversion process to finish – I just get the e-mail when the job is finished!

Check out Zamzar.

Lake Geneva, WI

10.8.2007 — 4 Comments

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On Saturday, the Sheets family took a day-trip to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

Wow.

Thanks to Pastor Gerry and Wenda who told us that there was a walking path around the lake where we could enjoy the sights and sounds of the lake without spending any money on a boat ride, etc.!

We will DEFINITELY be going back to the lake – OFTEN! (it’s only 20-miles away)

The mansions that we got to see were absolutely incredible. I found some history about some of them here.

Full photoset here.

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The MGM Lion just roared (to start Rocky V, I might add) and Ella INSTANTLY cried. It was one of those moments.

Now, however, she is nodding her head to the beat of the theme song, “Eye of the Tiger”. That’s moment #293,190.