MMM - Your Favorite Music, Movies, and Videos

Alright so I know its not Monday but yesterday was a holiday and I decided to take the day off from pretty much everything. I was also quite tired from a retreat I was at this past weekend (I learned to ski but that's a different story.)

So today's MMM post is a little different then most. In fact this may be the only post like this in this series but I have no actual video or song or book picked out. In fact, there isn't even a particular form of media I have in mind. See recently there have been several videos about what a true Christian is, numerous discussions about what is right, and countless thoughts about media choices and it has gotten me thinking about the Christian walk. Do we really walk as Jesus would with our media choices or do we watch what we feel like? I've heard the excuses (used them myself even):

"I need to be able to understand what a non christian is talking about" 

"As long as it doesn't influence my behavior then its ok" 

"I mix in Christian media so no worries" 

"Its just a song...I like the music and don't really listen to the lyrics"

 "I close my eyes during the bad parts..."

"Christian media choices just aren't as good (or are really cheesy)"

Do any of us really believe that it makes it right? We are called to be different than this world but when it comes to media choices how different are you? Have you ever spoken out against a particular movie or song  because of the content? Did you stand your ground? I've been there and know I haven't before... After you see the movie, hear the music, or read the story do you feel ok or is there that twinge of guilt? Do you do something about it or just sweep it aside with and excuse? 

Now you're probably thinking..."Ok Jeremy so should we only listen to Christian music and watch movies about Jesus?" That isn't what I want or think. I just think that we should be more careful about what media we take in. So where is the line? I really don't know. I wish I could give a firm answer but there isn't one and honestly I think its somewhat different for every person. Here are some ideas to use as guidelines for your choices.

1. Determine if there is anything out right sinful about your media choices - Most of us do fairly well with this one but none the less it is important to think about. 

2. Figure out what message or messages the media is trying to get across - Media often has hidden messages in it. For example a song such as Katy Perry's Last Friday Night would seem to be all about partying but one line lets you know it has a message of not caring about consequences. She says "pictures of last night ended up online oh well" Watch for those hidden messages.

3. Am I sure that I won't be influenced or am being influenced by my media choices - Often we think that we can't be swayed and that we stand our ground quite well but usually it isn't near that simple. Over the course of time we can easily be swayed and not even realize it. So check yourself occasionally.

4. Set boundaries the fit with what you know about yourself and what the Bible says - Each of us has certain temptations. So are drawn to drugs, others to giving into peer pressure, others to sex...the list could go on. Set boundaries that keep you away from the things that cause you problems and STICK TO THEM. Don't give in to the need to find excuses.

5. Don't use excuses to make things right - Eliminate excuses from your thoughts when it comes to media and you should have no problem determining if the media is ok or you just want it to be ok. We find so much hard to determine but often its cause we are trying to convince ourselves of its rightness or that it will be ok.

God Bless and may your week be filled with Godly media choices

SYM - Buy What Fits You Best

Its a new year and most of have probably said or at least thought that we would be more fiscally responsible this year. So here is another SYM post to help you out.


Check out a site called sortable. The site is designed to help you get exactly what you want at the best price possible. It allows you to pick a price for an electrnoic and then search for the right one by selecting the features that you want that item to have. I tried it out and it seemed to work great. So if you have a large electronic purchase in mind be sure to check this site out.

If you are looking for something a little less feature based or something outside the electronics field check out a site called Find The Best. Similar to sortable this site allows you to search based off of many different criteria and in many different categories. The site claims to be "unbiased" and that actually seems to be true.

I hope you find that you can use these sites to help you get the most for your money.

Battery Life...The On Going Battle Of Power

So my computer is almost six years old and has the original six cell battery in it. You know what is kinda awesome though...that battery still holds a 10 or so minute charge. Yep you read it right my six year old laptop battery still holds a small charge. Its inevitable though eventually it won't hold a charge at all.

Every night we plug our phones in and in the morning take them off the charger hoping they'll make it through the day. We haul that laptop to meetings and classes hoping that we won't be stuck without it (either because it is our only source of release from boredom or because we actually use it for work). Kids hope that their mp3 players' batteries don't die, otherwise they will have to actually listen to the teachers. We spend every day worrying about the battery life of our electronics, especially those we recharge. We try all sorts of things to make that life last longer and everyone waits for the next great battery that we won't have to recharge for a week or even a month. Well until that time, check out some tips from lifehacker on getting the most out of your rechargeable battery.

With great electronics, comes great battery worry!

Odds and Ends - TVs, Traffic, Nicotine, and Breaking Out

Some odds and ends articles to occupy your time and thoughts....

The first article is all about us. Its all about how many TVs we have in our homes. I think when you see the actual numbers you will be shocked or maybe not...but is it any wonder that kids now a days have more screen time then ever before.

Ever wanted to just do something nice for someone. Even if it means you many not get thanked or even noticed. Well, article number two will offer you some helpful tips on how you can drive in a way that makes driving easier on other people. I've long said that 90% of traffic jams are because everyone drives horribly. This article kinda proves my point. (There are some tips that help you out as well.)

The third article is just kind of a read and think thing. Studies are showing "Nicotine patches significantly improved attention and memory in older people suffering from mild cognitive impairment." Really? well I'll be....

The last article is kind of a fun one and might be some pratical (and illegal) use. Lifehacker has put together the top ten ways to break out of or into anything. They include safes, your garage, the trunk of a car, even a car underwater. So if you ever think you might be kidnapped (they also include a lesson on how to get unbound) or maybe you think you might want to start a life of crime (I don't recommend that) or you just wanna annoy that friend of yours who always has things set a certain way. Check this article out.

Body Myths Busted

Check these out...looks like we might have all been lied to as kids.

More Than A Religion

Alright so you may have already seen this as it has been quite popular on facebook but there was no way I would risk the chance that you hadn't. This guy wrote the poem in the video. Its an amazing work of art. Watch the video before you continue reading.

He spoke more truth than many of us would like to admit. Often we lock ourselves into a specific way of living and call it a Christian lifestyle but really all it is only a religion that holds on to us with rules and stipulations. Things have to be done a certain way (he uses the example voting republic). Its because the family has always been (blank). I have always done (blank) with (blank) because of (blank) and it makes me a Christian. Sorry folks there is only one thing that makes you a Christian and that is following the example of Christ. That's where the name came from. Acts tells us that the followers of Jesus were first called Christians in Antioch. Catch that they were called the followers of Jesus.

No matter what we call ourselves my prayer is that you'll stop and think about your decisions. Are you doing this because you feel you need to or because its what Jesus would do?

God Bless and may you find something more than a religion

MMM - Life Is Good by Stellar Kart

For today's MMM we are gonna go back a few years to a song released by Stellar Kart in 2005. With a catchy tune and repetitive lyrics the song was an instant hit and also appeared on the best of Stellar Kart album in 2009. Even today more than 6 years after its release you can still find it being played on Christian radio.

Have you ever found your self thinking that you have it good here? That life has treated you well and things just seem to be going you way? For some of you I know the answer is yes but for others I know that the answer would be a loud and resounding NO. Either way this song speaks a truth that we often forget. No matter how good our life in this world may be or how bad it might get, eternal life is better and it is out there. Check out these lyrics from the song...

"All around me your creation

Brings me to my knees in adoration

Beauty here cannot compare to

What I see when I first see you"

Did you catch that last line? They are basically saying that nothing compares to God. So doesn't it make sense that eternal life with a God like that is going to be better than anything here. The best part is that we don't have to earn eternal life. John 3:36 tells us "And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.” Its that simple believe and we can get something better than this life. 

My prayer for you this week is that we remember that no matter how good (or how bad) life might be...eternal life is better and that you will chose to live your life in such a way that shows that off. 

God Bless