Burning Tithe

What if we were told to throw 10% of what we earned up into the wind? Or if we were asked to take part of our take-home pay, change it into $100 dollar bills and burn it in front of the church? I doubt we would have many takers. But it seems to me that would be more of an act of faith then bringing our tithe to the church.

For the most part I believe that our church does a good job with the money my family has given over the years. I have no regrets and give cheerfully to the church. Even if I do not think some of the things the church spends money on are necessary, I know and can see that it is intended to bring people closer to God.

More than that even. I think if I didn’t believe in God, I still wouldn’t have much trouble giving to my church. I would continue to like the people employed there. I would still know that some of the money is being used to give help to people in genuine need. That it fulfills a place in our community and gives comfort to all kinds of people. I don’t think I would have to believe in God to tithe.

In reading some of the Old Testament it struck me that much of the best of a people who by a modern definition would be extremely poor, was destroyed, and used by no one. Some was given to priests to be sure, but much was simply destroyed. Some of it just to create an “aroma” pleasing to God. I’m not sure what an anthropologist would say, but that seems to me an offering given in faith.

I wonder what the Lord is trying to tell me? What sacrifice is he looking for, and will I believe enough when the time comes?

Meadow's Faith

Meadow had a hard night. Two teeth came in and they stormed the gates with a battering ram and siege towers. Both Jill and I were up with her at various points during the night. By 6:40am she had endured all she could alone and needed support. I comforted her as best I could at that time of day, but then I had to get ready for work. By the time I had showered and dressed she felt very heatbroken and alone. Where did my daughter turn in this her time of need? To Jesus. Baby Jesus. Well a westernized, blonde haired, represenatation thereof.

We set up a precious moments like nativity set on the mantel with a tiny Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes that sits in a tiny manger. Meadow has loved this baby since we first unboxed it in early November. And she will carry it around, and talk lovingly about it (and sometimes will put it in her mouth which makes me wary of singing Rich Mullins songs around her). So this morning at her most forlorn moment it was to Baby Jesus she turned. She pleaded with me to get "baby" down for her, then put him on the couch, crawled up and held him. Alas, Jesus wasn't enough this morning and she soon pointed to the TV and said "Duck!" Which means she wants to watch Sesame Street.

One Site To Rule Them All

I have been predicting the downfall of Google for a couple of years now. I thought at some point an independent auditor would prove that no one actually buys anything as a result of clicking on a Google Ad. Then the bubble would burst, investors would pull out. A new company would come up with a new model and all the free google aps would fade away.

Last week in St. Louis changed my mind. I had a work conference with our software vendor. They have teamed up with Google (.org) for a couple of product upgrades. A google engineer spoke during one of the morning meetings, and among other interesting facts revealed that Google works with the CDC because they can correctly predict disease outbreaks 6 days ahead of the medical community based on searches from the different areas.

Now I'm pretty sure that puts Google in the "too big to fail" category. And at least for the next 5 years, regardless of any actual revenue stream, people are going to be willing to dump money into the company. Even if it comes down to the Federal Government. Bailing out Google might be considered a necessary step for the public good.

Facebook

Over the last few months I've given in to Facebook. I can't really say that this is the reason I haven't blogged since December. I don't actually do a lot of writing or updating on Facebook. For me it is a mostly voyeuristic enterprise. I get to see what everyone else I've ever met is up to.

Month after month I find something that surprises me or makes me think in a new way. I'm especially fascinated with the relationship status of my younger "friends." I think a Facebook app that allowed you to place bets on when a certain friends new "in a relationship" status would change to "it's complicated" or "single" would be one of the 5 most popular. Facebook gives me just enough information to let my mind write my own soap opera.

Pictures are another area in which Facebook shines. It's true that a picture is worth a thousand words, which coincidentally is about how many are in an arrest warrant. What makes an underage person post pictures of themselves and there friends drinking? Pretty soon I do not think we will have any more not-guilty verdicts because all the evidence a jury needs to see will be neatly tagged by "friends" of the defendant.

Most of the early reviews I read about Facebook focused a lot of attention on the applications. It is clear that this is a truly special part of the social networking that is missing from sharing e-mails or bulletin boards. The applications let you become a movie reviewer, or a music aficionado. You can be a trivia expert or find out if your friends know where you want to get your next tattoo (or more oddly what they think is the best part of your body). Or you can spend too many hours becoming a fake crime boss. I've had to give up a few applications already as they have been great time waisters, and Mafia Wars is next on the list.

So please send in your friend request I will be happy to know what your five favorite 80's toys are. And don't worry if you don't get all the details of your life in there. I prefer to let my imagination fill in the blanks.