djByron [Dan Byron]husband, father, christian, musician & technophile ( but not a dj )

Come on Google… Give us this option!!

Parenting is something you can never mentally prepare for, never physically prepare for (phew) and never truly appreciate until you’re in deep. It starts off a little hard (rough nights, never-ending diaper changes and manuals), gets a little easier with toddlerhood and when they finally become little people it gets interesting.  They converse, they comprehend, they play, they pretend, they test boundaries, they whine and they love . Ah yes, the love. While it’s hard some days and there will always be questions, I can say without a doubt I’m so glad to be ‘dadding’ two boys.

‘JCB’ Song by Mizlopi.
HT Vince

We had our pics taken professionally this past summer by Tracey Buyce in Saratoga.  The amazing quality of her work is more than evident!  If you’re a local and looking for an incredible photographer, hunt her down!  She’s amazing!

http://www.traceybuyce.blogspot.com/
http://www.traceybuyce.com/

The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium located in Okinawa, Japan holds 1,981,290 gallons of water. From what I understand the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta has a bigger one but still… This is absolutely amazing!  The song by Barcelona (Please Don’t Go) just makes it.

Before watching this video, let it load entirely (to prevent lag) and then watch full-screen. It’s definitely worth the wait!

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Kuroshio Sea - 2nd largest aquarium tank in the world - shot on 5dmk2 from Jon Rawlinson on Vimeo.

Via the Facebook viral pipes my wife stumbled upon this great song by Derek Webb entitled ‘New Law’. (by ‘great‘ I mean more so lyrically than musically)

I’ve been a part of churches that have embraced both of the following ideals.

• A legalistic approach where you were told both what you can and can not do.
• The non-legalistic approach (compromising as some would say) that is spoken of in the song here.

Let me just say this… It’s MUCH easier to live legalistically! Man by nature wants to be told what to do to achieve a desired end result. When you take away those rules it’s much more difficult to cultivate a relationship with God knowing that we ourselves are responsible for our own salvation (Phil 2:12). But let me add that while it’s harder, it’s also much more fulfilling! When a road-map is not laid out at your feet by man, one has to decide: “why do I do what I do?”  As you pursue this question honestly and with an open mind, you’ll find yourself cultivating a real one-on-one relationship with the creator, a relationship without a pastoral proxy.  You’ll also find yourself you growing as a Christian much more that when one simply obeys a set of guidelines to achieve an eternal destination. This isn’t to say that we are human islands, a pastor will always have a role in shepherding those who he oversees. I think many churches (and more importantly pastors) don’t know where the line should be drawn between shepherding and legislating.

I’m glad to be a part of a church that is striving to achieve that balance. What do you think?

Derek Webb ‘New Law’ Lyrics
Don’t teach me about politics and government
Just tell me who to vote for
Don’t teach me about truth and beauty
Just label my music

Don’t teach me how to live like a free man
Just give me a new law

I don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy
So just bring it down from the mountain to me

I want a new law
I want a new law
Gimme that new law

Don’t teach me about moderation and liberty
I prefer a shot of grape juice

Don’t teach me about loving my enemies

Don’t teach me how to listen to the Spirit
Just give me a new law

What’s the use in trading a law you can never keep
For one you can that cannot get you anything
Do not be afraid

If you’re a tech aficionado and/or a Google product kool aid drinker you’ve probably heard about the Google Wave buzz. You won’t really appreciate the weight of this announcement until you set aside an hour and watch this keynote video. This really could revolutionize email/communication as we know it! The demos in this video are amazing!

I saw this video on a blog earlier and was amazed at how this type of ‘time freeze’ concept is done.  Once you finish watching the final product, check out the one below on how they made it.  I would NEVER have guessed!!

[Visit the blog post if you can't see the two videos below]

Thanks to Vince for this one!

[Visit blog post if you don't see the video below]

This church youth leader satire is hilarious! It was produced as an encouragement for the unheralded heroes on the front lines of ministry, our youth pastors…

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Obviously the delivery method is a little ‘clunky’ but the concept of real-time product data is fascinating.  The first 5 min sets the stage, but after that you’ll be amazed at the potential of a device like this… Amazing.

[Video embedded on post]

Watch this video on TED.