Fatherhood

I could barely make out those rapidly moving lines on the screen. It looked like I was watching static on the television screen. But suddenly out of those seemingly impenetrable waves flickered a little life. It was moving and wiggling around in my wife’s womb. It was seemingly restless and hyperactive. This child surely has my DNA! I saw a little hand move to suck on its thumb. After zooming in the doctor declared that we had a baby girl on our hands. I felt overwhelmed with joy.

I really can’t believe I’ll be a father soon. Feeling the little kicks of my baby girl makes this seem more a reality. More than anything else I feel grateful. This little life is such an amazing gift. It’s like out of the desert of my heart, God decided to flood me with an ocean of water. This little life brings me so much unexplainable joy. And to think we haven’t even brought her home yet! When I think of all of those biblical narratives that deal with barrenness and the joy of a child I always felt detached. But now I’m slowly coming to understand this joy of new life.

I really can’t wait to be a father. I can’t wait to raise my daughter. I’ll read to her, sip imaginary tea with her and teach her to be careful of boys. But I’m also looking forward to the lessons it will teach me about God’s fatherly heart for me. If I have so much joy for this little unborn child, how much more does he loves his childdren whom He has died to save? What an amazing process. What an amazing God.

Filed under: personal

The Age of Google

I love Google something wonderful. It’s the supreme reference tool for a pastor preparing for a sermon. I can track down any quote and reference a world of knowledge. Google can find me the nearest restaurant and get me to any address. But is there a potential downside to the Age of Google?

One of the effects of the internet age is that we have a tendency to displace reading with web surfing. I used to be a voracious reader but now I find myself easily distracted. I promise I have developed a mild form of ADD. I can’t read for extended periods without needing a break. I also have a tendency to check my e-mail every fifteen minutes. Even when I’m on the web I can’t read long blogs or news entries that extend beyond a few paragraphs without skimming. You’re probably doing this now as you read this entry.

The irony of the internet is that it gives us a world of knowledge but it doesn’t make us more knowledgeable. We have a tendency to over rely on the information at our fingertips so that when we are without it we are ignorant. Because of Google we know bits of information but we don’t have a depth of knowledge. We know headlines in the news but we don’t know the underlying issues. We have facts without knowledge; smarts without wisdom. This contributes to the shallowness of our society.

What are the cures? As with most things moderation. How about an internet fast for a day or two in our week? We can maybe start with an hour or two a day. Many companies have programs that lock you out of your e-mail for one or two hours. It has helped productivity soar. But it starts with understanding and discussing the usefulness and limitations of our new Google age.

Filed under: Technology

Apple, iPhone and Techno-lust

I’ll admit that I’m part of the growing Apple cult. Eve took a bite out of the Apple and the whole world fell. Steve Jobs is the new age guru that will bring salvation through portable electronics. The new 3G iPhone will not only have GPS it will also have ESP. All of this is of course sarcasm. But there seems to be a growing infatuation with glitzy digital devices. I’ll admit that I’m seduced.

I’m all for technology. I think that Christians need to be on the cutting edge of new technologies to reach new generations of people. But one of the questions we have to ask is, “Technology for what end?”
From one perspective technology makes our lives easier. So we can be more easily in touch with the people around us. The internet gives us a world of information at our fingertips.

But technology can also complicate our lives. So we get the iphone but are we actually communicating better with people? Is it really saving us any time on our Blackberry or are we needlessly checking our e-mail more often? Are these new technologies saving our time or consuming more of our time? A lot of technologies become ends in themselves instead of means to an end (productivity, connectivity, communication). It becomes one more thing that distracts us from more ultimate things.

Technology far from connecting us can also distance us from people. So we have iPod zombies walking around in their own worlds. Conversations are interrupted as people check their Blackberries. There is an awkward silence as people type seemingly random characters into a magic box. And they seek to find their way back into the conversation saying, “Now where were we?”

Now I’m not saying let’s all get back to our rotary phones. I’m saying let’s think thoughtfully about the integration of technology into our lives. In the meantime I’m waiting for the new iPhone to come out…

Filed under: Uncategorized