September 1, 2008

White Rock Half Marathon Training

I’ve just picked my next race, and now it’s time to start up the training again. Here’s a shot of my training schedule just in case any of you want to join me in Dallas. RunTheRock.com

Dallas White Rock Half Marathon

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thur

Fri

Sat

Total

Aug 31 - Sep 6

3

3

3

4

13

Sep 7 - Sep 13

3

4

3

5

15

Sep 14 - Sep 20

3

4

3

6

16

Sep 21 - Sep 27

3

5

3

8

19

Sep 28 - Oct 4

3

5

3

8

19

Oct 5 - Oct 11

3

5

3

9

20

Oct 12 - Oct 18

3

5

3

9

20

Oct 19 - Oct 25

3

5

4

10

22

Oct 26 - Nov 1

3

5

4

10

22

Nov 2 - Nov 8

3

5

4

11

23

Nov 9 - Nov 15

4

5

4

11

24

Nov 16 - Nov 22

4

6

4

12

26

Nov 23 - Nov 29

4

5

4

9

22

Nov 30 - Dec 6

3

4

3

8

18

Dec 7 - Dec 13

4

3

2

9

Dec 14 - Dec 20

13.1

13.1

September 1, 2008 – 1:06 pm
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April 26, 2008

Country Music Half Marathon 2008

Country Music Half Marathon 2008 Medal

I did it! I survived and finished the Country Music Half Marathon. It was an exhilarating experience that was definitely worth the effort. I’ve been training for this 13.1 mile race every since I set the goal back in January.

Here are a few of the details of what it took to cross the finish line.

  • 116 days of training
  • 234.11 miles of running
  • 35 Hours, 7 Minutes, and 58 Seconds of actual running time
  • $237 of shoes, shorts, shirts, socks, gloves, and a gym bag
  • $58 of Clif Bars and Accelerade sports drink
  • $266 for a gym membership, Nike+, and the race fee
  • Great friends to train and run with

That’s about it. For those of you I couldn’t talk into running the race with me, that’s what you missed out on—plus the experience.

My official race time was 1 hour, 53 minutes, and 39 seconds.

April 26, 2008 – 1:54 pm
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April 11, 2008

Edwin Villanueva

Edwin Villanueva

Well it looks like someone actually likes the simplicity of my site’s design enough to try it out for themselves. Although I don’t plan to release this design as a theme, I don’t mind sharing what I’ve done. Edwin was even nice enough to contribute to a new book I bought today, Boundaries. Thanks Edwin, and enjoy the new look!

April 11, 2008 – 3:56 pm
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Baby Steps

My wife officially launched her blog today!

Baby Steps

She jumped ahead of at least three other people waiting on me to help them set up their blogs and managed to talk me into designing her site with a scrapbooking look. She did most of the work and created all the scrapbook images.

Be sure to visit Baby Steps, and let her know what you think of the site. You can also subscribe once you’re there to keep up with the latest Baby Steps she’s taking.

April 11, 2008 – 3:55 pm
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April 1, 2008

Sushi and a Sea Urchin

Once again, our sushi chef held nothing back in preparing a wonderful assortment of sushi for the evening.

He even surprised us with a sea urchin (the raw quail egg and sea urchin held in a cucumber on the left side of the plate). This is supposed to increase your manhood, but I wasn’t able to keep it down—great treat nonetheless.

Sushi

Maybe next time…

Uni Sea Urchin

April 1, 2008 – 7:06 pm
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February 15, 2008

FotoFlexer.com

FotoFlexer

I’ve been looking for a tool like this for a long time. Now I can make pretty intense changes to my photos with FotoFlexer even if I’m away from Photoshop. The feature I love the most is the “Smart Resizing” tool. Check out how you can resize your images.

These are a few shots of me testing out the tool.  The man on the beach needs to go! Just select what you want to remove (you can even select what you want to keep), and begin resizing.

February 15, 2008 – 8:40 pm
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February 12, 2008

Country Music Half Marathon Registration

I just registered for the Country Music Half Marathon. Prompted by the fear and rumor that the 22,500 participant limit was already full, I went ahead and signed up today! I officially have to run the half now.

Training Update

I started training January 7, and I’ve already run just over 75 total miles. My farthest run was this last Saturday totaling 6.5 miles. That’s half of the total distance I’ll have to run on race day.

February 12, 2008 – 7:41 pm
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February 6, 2008

A Clean Inbox

Bacn

I like to keep things clean and tidy—even my email. You may not care what your inbox fills up with or how many unread emails are sitting in there, but in case you’re curious, here is what I’ve done to limit my time with email to a minimum.

Filter the Bacn

While Spam is unsolicited email that most filters do a pretty good job of keeping out of your inbox, Bacn is all the mail you signed up for—but don’t really want to read—that lingers in the inbox taking up your precious time. Even if you don’t read these emails, you have to delete them each time or skim through them every time you’re reading your emails.

Save yourself the trouble, and filter these messages out of your inbox. Marking them as Spam will remove them from your sight, but by filtering these emails, you’ll still be able to find them when you’ve reset your password or the like to even the rarely visited sites you’re signed up with.

I’ve been heavily filtering these emails for a couple months now, and I’ve seen a huge improvement with the time I spend in the inbox. I have over 6 email addresses pointing to the same inbox, yet I don’t feel like I always have to check my email because it no longer appears as though I’m getting new mail. Everything from 1-800 Flowers to Blue Star Jets is out of sight and mind until I need it (which has been never since I’ve set up the filter). Read More »

February 6, 2008 – 9:03 pm
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January 31, 2008

Goals for 2008

2008 Goals

After a month into 2008, I have actually made progress on most of my goals for the year. Here’s a quick update on some of the more interesting goals I have.

Run a half marathon

I’m right on schedule in my training for the 13.1 mile run ahead of me. The race isn’t until the end of April, but this month I’ve already run a total of 51 miles in training. I’ll really start adding on the miles in the next 3 weeks or so.

Stop drinking Dr. Pepper

Dr. Pepper – I love you, but you’re bad for me, especially since I’m running. I’ve had no Dr. Pepper since the first of the year. Running has been my major motivation for this.

Read all the books I get throughout the year

I’m well into three books right now. Even though I’ve not completely read a single book yet, I would say that the progress in this area is moving forward. We’ll see how far a make it through the already growing stack of books.

Start learning Spanish

Rosetta Stone arrived in the mail about two weeks ago. This is really the only avenue I have to start learning Spanish right now. To quantify this goal in some way, I think I’ll try to make it through at least the first CD within the year (Rosetta’s recommended time is about 6 months). The lessons so far have been a lot of fun. I’m really excited about this one.

Memorize Romans

The time frame for this goal is a year, but the pace I’ve been at will have me finished within 10 months. Those extra two months will definitely come in handy when I have to review huge quantities of the book at once. I have currently memorized through the first chapter.

Although I do have more goals including, financial, family, and social goals, these are just a few of the more easily measurable ambitions that I’m excited about.

What are some of your goals for the year, and how is your progress coming along?

January 31, 2008 – 8:41 pm
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January 30, 2008

Toronto’s Smallest House

Toronto’s Smallest House

Apparently Toronto’s Smallest House is up for sale again. And yes, this is one of those “small expensive” things that I like. I love the fact that there isn’t any room for junk in this house.

I’ll take three.

January 30, 2008 – 9:30 pm
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December 8, 2007

The Golden Compass Points to God

golden-compass-poster.jpg

Two Responses

I personally don’t care much about movies, but all the recent talk about the Golden Compass (released yesterday) has sparked my interest. I still don’t care about this movie, but I am interested in the thought processes behind different peoples’ approaches to the film.

Most people are treating it like any other film while the two sides of the religious community—those to whom the film is actually controversial—respond with either, “Go see it so you know how to relate to your friends.” or, “Boycott the film because of its anti-God theme.” Both of these responses I’ve seen ultimately miss bigger elements at work in the film.

Pointing to God

While I personally haven’t read the books or seen the movie (I probably never will), I do see a possible problem arising within the theme of the Golden Compass. This is the very same problem any anti-God idea or atheist will have to deal with. Here’s the problem: Read More »

December 8, 2007 – 12:51 pm
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November 16, 2007

Process Thought to Reformed Tradition

Bruce Ware

Bruce Ware gives a history and explanation behind some of the major ideas within Christianity - from Process Thought all the way to Reformed Tradition - in three audio segments which are well worth listening to.

Find out more about Process Thought, Open Theism, Classic Arminianism, and Reformed Tradition no matter where you’re at on that spectrum.

  1. Uncertain Hands of God and Men: Providence in Process Thought and Open Theism
  2. Independent Hands of God and Men: Providence in Classic Arminianism
  3. Coordinated Hands of God and Men: Providence in the Reformed Tradition

Read More »

November 16, 2007 – 11:13 pm
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November 12, 2007

Healing in His Wings

Bird Wings

Malachi says that the Sun of righteousness will arise with healing in his wings.

This Sun - Jesus - did arise, and he physically healed many people as seen throughout the gospels. But, did healing come from his wings? Read More »

November 12, 2007 – 12:47 am
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November 9, 2007

Out with the Old

Not more than one day shy of a month and I’ve already redesigned my site.

With a limited imagination, a couple hundred lines of code, and a few free minutes, Live Tardy has taken on a whole new look.

Here is a before and after of the site.

october-site-screenshot.png november-site-screenshot.jpg

Let me know what you think in the comments.

November 9, 2007 – 6:17 am
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October 31, 2007

Multiple Choice Tests

test-score.jpg

I’m glad to know I can still pass multiple choice tests with little effort or knowledge of the subject.

Thanks to Daily Writing Tips I passed a basic vocabulary test with 90% accuracy. What does this mean? Nothing really, and here’s why:

  • I actually only know 8 of the 20 words
  • That’s only 40% actual knowledge accuracy

The test was fun to take, and I learned a few new words from taking it. In the end however, the test did a better job at evaluating my reasoning and deduction skills than my actual knowledge of the words.

Of all the test I’ve taken in my life - academic and professional - I’m guessing more than 90% (including math tests) were multiple choice tests. I learned how to pass this kind of test at such a young age, it’s scary to think about how much I actually don’t know.

I’m still convinced that multiple choice tests are one of the least effective ways of measuring someone’s understanding and comprehension of a subject. While they are efficient - apposed to an essay form - they fail at accurately assessing knowledge savvy of a given subject matter.

Maybe one day tests will look more like this.

October 31, 2007 – 9:19 pm
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October 17, 2007

Jorge, Virginia and Matilde Lina

jorge-virginia-and-matilde-lina.jpg

Andrea and I spent yesterday evening enjoying the company of a sweet couple headed for Columbia as missionaries. They’ll be leaving the US in January, ‘08 with a four year commitment of investing into the Prado Veraniego community.

Jorge is originally from Columbia, and Virginia grew up there as her father planted churches throughout the area. With the constant goal of going back to Columbia, they will finally be back after 3 years of living in the US - they’re on their farewell tour right now. Read More »

October 17, 2007 – 7:58 pm
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October 14, 2007

First Mile

Here is a shot of my First Mile—tracked by Nike+

October 14, 2007 – 1:41 pm
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October 10, 2007

Updated Site

It’s official.

I’ve moved the site and changed the theme.

Explore the world outside your inbox and rss reader - check out the site’s new look.

Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Just roll your mouse over a post, and then click the comment count number or # link that appears to the side.

I’ll transfer over your RSS and Email subscriptions so you can stay up to date without worrying about a thing.

October 10, 2007 – 4:02 pm
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October 7, 2007

Where Have I Been

Laptop Screen

More than Month

My last post here was well over a month—I know you’ve missed me.

I’ve been working on creating a WordPress theme called T1. WordPress is what runs this site, and T1 is a sort of Tumblelog theme I’ve put together for all the WordPress users out there. Despite my ferocious coding skills, I’ve pulled off putting together the theme which you can check out with a live demo at the T1 Site.

A New Blog

Since long articles aren’t my style most of the time—I’m a man of few words—I’ve decided to convert this blog into more of a tumblelog focusing on anything I throw out there instead of thoroughly thought through content.

Don’t get me wrong, it will still be interesting and worth your time if you want to keep up with my life and thoughts.

I’ll let you know when I switch this site over to T1 so you can come out of your RSS readers and email inboxes to check out the site’s new look.

October 7, 2007 – 7:06 pm
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September 26, 2007

Memory of Mamarie

Today my great grandmother passed away. Born in 1908, having lived nearly a century, she has seen and been through plenty.

I have some very fond memories of her and the stories she told—working in the fields, half-court-dirt-floor basketball, and more. I remember visiting her house for Thanksgivings when she would cook a feast in her small kitchen as we played football across the street. She left a few jewels with me that I’d like to remember throughout my life. Read More »

September 26, 2007 – 4:01 pm
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September 23, 2007

Working on a Theme

These past few weeks I’ve been working on releasing a theme for WordPress. I’m using the new theme on this site. Visit the T1 site to find out more about it.

September 23, 2007 – 12:09 pm
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September 1, 2007

Missing Building

Building Construction

Building Blocks

My last post talked about the building blocks mentioned in 1 Corinthians 3 and what those are based on the immediate context.

From a broader context and even some things mentioned in the comment by NJ, you might beg the question:

“But wait, isn’t Paul talking about building into the church, not individuals?”

Yes and no.

Two Paradigms

I’ve been looking at 1 Corinthians 3 through two different views.

The first idea expands from what I mentioned before about wood, hay, stubble, gold, silver, and precious stones, and uses this premise to determine the rest of the context.

The second idea is based on actual people being our work, not what we put into those people. In other passages people are our work, but is this what Paul is saying in 1 Corinthians 3?

Looking at context will help you see where these views are coming from—and where they end up. Read More »

September 1, 2007 – 4:06 pm
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August 16, 2007

Wood Hay and Stubble Doesn’t Burn

Stubble

Unburnable

What! How can they not burn?

Of course wood, hay and stubble are easily consumed by fire, but what are wood, hay and stubble in the first place?

Wood Hay and Stubble

Paul writes to the church at Corinth about many different issues, but in 1 Corinthians 3, he mentions an interesting concept.

Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
(1 Corinthians 3:12-15)

A common understanding of this passage is that every person’s works can either be gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay or stubble.

Once these works are tried, the bad ones—wood, hay and stubble—will be burned up, and the good ones—gold, silver and precious stones—will remain. Even though a person does bad works, they will still be saved.

This popular view doesn’t specifically answer what Paul means by this section of his letter.

Paul and Apollos

Paul reveals through the context of his letter what he truly means by gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay and stubble. Read More »

August 16, 2007 – 6:35 am
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August 10, 2007

Visit with the Mormons

Book of Mormon

After more than a month of persistence from the Mormon missionaries, my wife and I finally set aside time to meet with them.

Last night two Mormon elders came to our house to share with us their message of the “complete” gospel. I have to be completely honest—I know almost nothing about Mormons. To show my ignorance on the topic, I learned for the first time last night that Joseph Smith—the founder of the movement—was only 14 when he received his “first vision.”

That’s young.

First Encounter

As we welcomed them into our house, my wife and I quickly noticed the missionaries’ observations about us—that we have a Strong’s Concordance, Scripture artwork, etc.—even though we tried not to let them know too much up front.

This was our first experience together with Mormons, and we wanted to hear from them as if we were just another couple. Needless to say, we were just another couple to them, and they did make their assumptions about us before sharing anything. Read More »

August 10, 2007 – 10:46 pm
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August 1, 2007

Myth of Evangelism

Jesus Loves You - Repent

Law vs. Beliefs

Gregory Boyd, author of Myth of a Christian Nation, reveals a very different approach to evangelism than that of Ray Comfort.

While Ray’s primary method of evangelism is centered on the law—more specifically the Ten Commandments—Gregory emphasizes building a case for Christ from what the receiving audience already believes.

This approach is illustrated by Paul when addressing a non–Jewish audience.

Rather than making his case on what he, as a Jew, believed, he made his case on the basis of what his Gentile audience believed.

Truth from their Beliefs

The clearest example of this approach is found in Acts 17. Paul is discussing Christ with a group of non–Jewish philosophers (Acts 17:19), and instead of pointing to their sin, he immediately commends them for being so religious (Acts 17:22). Read More »

August 1, 2007 – 6:24 am
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