andrew dodson

Linus teaches us what Christmas is all about.  Enjoy the season, everyone.

This month, Christian Audio has selected John Piper’s Desiring God as their free audio book of the month.  It is one of my favorite books, so I’ve already downloaded my copy.  I would highly recommend you do the same!

As a side note, you can also read the book for free through Desiring God’s website.

I’m thinking about doing something crazy.

Canceling my cable and internet service at home.

Yes, I told you it was crazy.  Maybe it’s not so crazy to cancel cable.  But, how could a web designer cancel his internet service at home?  How could someone, like me, that loves the internet get rid of it at home?

Two reasons:  idolatry and money.

Over the last couple of months, I’ve started toying with this idea.  Far too often, the television and internet get in the way of doing so many other things in my life.  Most often, they get in the way of my time with God.  Too many days and evenings have been wasted away by watching show after show, or a ball game, or spending far too much time on Facebook, Twitter, or reading all of my favorite blogs.  All the while, I’ve “not had time” to read the Bible that day.  Cable and internet have become idols in my life.

In a lesser sense, too much cable and internet has not allowed me to do other important things:  exercise, read books, practice drums, get things done around my apartment, get outside on a nice day, or spend time with family and friends.

On top of all of this, canceling cable and internet would save money.  Specifically, around $75 per month.  Who doesn’t want an extra $75 per month?

It’s not like I’d never get to use the internet again.  There are two or three free wi-fi hot spots within walking distance of my apartment.  There’s Panera and other places that offer free wi-fi.  If I really needed to use the internet, I’d have plenty of options.  I can also do simple things from my phone.  The bottom line is, I think I’ll be alright.

What will I do in place of cable?  I’ll watch local stations if I need to, or pop in a DVD.  I don’t watch any shows regularly, so I don’t anticipate missing cable.  Until UK basketball season begins, at least.

This week, I’ll begin the experiment.  I won’t use cable or internet at my apartment unless I absolutely need them.  If I can go two or three weeks without them, I plan on canceling both services.  I’m looking forward to the challenge!

Two nights ago, I completed my reading of The Shack.  I’d hesitated to read the book, mostly from hearing what folks like Mark Driscoll and Tim Challies had to say.  After some conversations with people about the book, including Julie, I was encouraged to read the book and form my own opinion.

First, the good.  It’s a good story.  It’s fiction and I think it’s important that we keep the book in that perspective.  Mack deals with tragedy in his life and as a result, he struggles with his faith.  There are a lot of people in the world that have the same story as Mack.  That’s one reason why I think this book is so appealing.  It’s relevant to a lot of people’s lives.

Perhaps the best section in the entire book, and one part I whole-heartedly agree with, happens when Jesus is talking to Mack.  In the context of Mack seeing “church” as an institution, Jesus says:

“Mack, that’s because you’re only seeing the institution, a man-made system.  That’s not what I came to build.  What I see are people and their lives, a living breathing community of all those who love me, not buildings and programs.”

Later, Jesus adds:

“It’s simple, Mack.  It’s all about relationships and simply sharing life.  What we are doing right now – just doing this – and being open and available to others around us.  My church is all about people and life is all about relationships.  You can’t build it.  It’s my job and I’m actually pretty good at it,” Jesus said with a chuckle.

The church is not a building.  It is the body of Christ lifting up His name and being in relationship with one another.  That part, I can agree with.

The book’s downfall is when people read it as if it were theological truth about the trinity.  It’s dangerous because while the book is fiction, Young (the book’s author) interjects his own views throughout the book.  Many non-Christians and immature Christians are reading this book and thinking its presentation of the trinity and some of the statements made in the book are truth.

To be clear, my complaint with the book is that it could lead people astray.  I would only recommend the book to mature Christians, or those that can keep its fictional perspective in view while reading.

I am currently listening to Mark Driscoll’s Doctrine series.  I really, really enjoyed his sermon on creation.  You can watch the video below, or visit the sermon page where it is available to download in a variety of formats.

My new employer, 524Concepts recently launched two church websites.  You can see screenshots of the sites below that are linked to their sites.  I had a small hand in the Williamstown site, but a bigger role in the Crestwood site.  We are currently developing two sites in support of the Crossings camp ministry.  They should both launch within the next month.  Also in the pipeline are sites for at least three other churches, and a non-profit or two.  All of this, along with the possibility of a few bigger organizations in the near future.  Exciting times at 524!

A month or two ago, I posted about a new Bible reading plan that I had started.  I really, really loved the plan.  But, ultimately, I started to miss a day here and there.  Then, a couple of days.  Next thing you know, I’d only read through the plan two or three times in a week.  The plan took around 30-45 minutes each day to read, and unfortunately, I wasn’t dedicating that much time to Bible reading in my day.

I had started my new job in Louisville, so I was leaving earlier and getting home later at night.  On top of this, I was juggling several other things and – once again – I wasn’t dedicating the time in my day to read.  Excuses, excuses, I know.

I started thinking about alternatives.  I have raved about the accessibility of the ESV in the past – it’s available online, through email, iTunes, RSS feeds, or you can print the reading plans and read in your own Bible.  Their reading plans are listed on this page.  I chose the “Every Day in the Word” plan – an Old Testament reading, New Testament reading, a Psalm, and a couple of verses of Proverbs.

Now, I have no excuse to not get some sort of Bible reading in throughout the day.  I have subscribed to the podcast, so each day, I transfer that day’s audio to my iPod and listen on the way home from work (sometimes I listen to it twice).  I also have the plan emailed to me, and finally, I have a printed copy in my Bible.  These plans take less than fifteen minutes each day, and I’m finiding it much easier to keep up.

My Bible reading plan has me going through the book of Judges right now.  When I started reading it, I admit that I wasn’t terribly excited.  Something like, “Great.  Another boring Old Testament book that seemingly has no application whatsoever to my life.”  Today, I’ll read the final chapters and move on to Ruth.  I have to say, I’ve enjoyed reading through Judges – much more than I thought.  I mean, you can’t go wrong with the story of Eglon and Ehud.  I’ll spare the details, but what a great, somewhat funny story.  And, in chapter 19, I sort of get a kick out of the father-in-law that won’t let his Levite son-in law go home.  And, of course, the story of Samson.  There is deeper application to the book than I will get into here, but it’s just another very clear example that all of Scripture is profitable to our lives.

Several days ago, while reading my ESV Study Bible, I accidentally bumped a glass of V8 Fusion (Acai Mixed Berry) sitting next to my Bible.  The drink didn’t spill, but the bump caused some of the drink to splash out onto the page of my Bible.  2 Peter 3 to be exact.

I quickly went to the kitchen to get a paper towel.  I placed the towel on the page, and it soaked up the liquid pretty quickly.  Bounty really is the “quicker picker-upper.”

I dreaded the possibility that the drink could’ve soaked through several pages.  I made sure to soak up both sides of the page with the paper towel and just left the Bible open to those pages for the next several minutes.  To my surprise, once it all dried, there was only a barely noticeable spot on the page, and no other pages were affected.

So, thanks Crossway and Bounty.  Crossway has used quality paper in the ESV Study Bible and Bounty lived up to its advertised slogan.

The book of Psalms is probably my second favorite book in the Bible (behind Romans).  As a musician, how could I not like the book that’s meant to be words put to music?  There is one Psalm in particular that has always been my favorite.  Some of you may know it from Third Day’s “My Hope Is You.”  Enjoy…

Psalm 25

25:1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in you I trust;
let me not be put to shame;
let not my enemies exult over me.
3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;
they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long.

6 Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!

8 Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

11 For your name’s sake, O Lord,
pardon my guilt, for it is great.
12 Who is the man who fears the Lord?
Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.
13 His soul shall abide in well-being,
and his offspring shall inherit the land.
14 The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him,
and he makes known to them his covenant.
15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
for he will pluck my feet out of the net.

16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
bring me out of my distresses.
18 Consider my affliction and my trouble,
and forgive all my sins.

19 Consider how many are my foes,
and with what violent hatred they hate me.
20 Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!
Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
for I wait for you.

22 Redeem Israel, O God,
out of all his troubles.