baha sessions plug

Mike Hon recently posted a request for iTunes suggestions on his site. After much pain and agony (how can I choose just one song to recommend?), I offered a few tracks off Chris Isaak's Baha Sessions CD.

This is mostly a result of timing, as I've recently re-discovered the CD and have been listening non-stop (so, all the other fabulous songs I'd be tempted to recommend have been trumped by the recent Chris Isaak listening-spree).

However, since I had such a hard time recommending just one track, I thought I'd throw a plug out there for any and all to consider the entire CD.

Yes, it's available through iTunes.

No, you can't borrow my copy (I'm still enjoying my listening-spree).

that's a job opening

I sometimes think that I over-use this phrase, but maybe I don't. Recent example:

I happen to sit next to the CFO at my company (don't let yourself think that makes me anything close to that well-paid). She's fun and personable, and very attentive to details (and not just with numbers). She knows all about the 'grammar patrol', and considers herself a card-carrying member.

A few days ago, she left a letter she received from a solicitor on my desk with a note asking me if I'd like to give them any of our business.

--- And I quote: ---
Would you like to be updated quarterly on your contingent labor spend?

Do you need better contingent workforce management?

Would it be helpful for your organization, if you had migration and transition from non-core suppliers with consequent margin reduction?

If you answered yes to any of the following questions above, call me.
--- end quote ---

I'm not even going to touch the sentence structure of the 3rd question, or its effectiveness from a marketing stand-point.

What made me say "That's a job opening" is the phrase following questions above.

If you can't work out that following and above don't go together, do you REALLY expect me to trust you with updating my 'quarterly contingent labor spend'?

That error was enough for her (and for me) to consider this file 13 material. They'll never get our business. Think of all the money this lady spent on printing and postage!

You may think that's an extreme response, but I don't think so at all. If you can't take the time to make ABSOLUTELY SURE that your solicitation is ALL GOOD before sending it to countless numbers of potential clients...I'm NOT going to trust you to take care of my business needs. I'm not even going to grant you a meeting where you try and explain all your capabilities to me.

And while I'm on the subject...I'm also the girl who would throw out your resume because of a typo or spelling error. If you want me to EMPLOY you...check it, double-check it, have someone else check it, and then ask Mark Palmer to check it, and then CHECK IT AGAIN.

Somewhat of a soapbox topic for me...does this make me a mean person?

flag attack

Reading Todd's slap happy post reminded me of a driving program I'd like to implement.

Basically, the program would solicit the involvement of any and all drivers interested...but they would have to submit to a training course outlining (and possibly demonstrating) the desired driving techniques and driving etiquette in order to receive the necessary licensing and equipment.

Upon completion of training, each certified participant would receive a cross-bow-like device with miniature plungers as "ammunition". The plungers come with flags attached that are labeled "Stupid Driver". These tools would be used to "tag" those drivers who fail to demonstrate the desired driving techniques or etiquette.

If, in the course of a day, any given driver is tagged with 3 flags, that driver would lose all driving privileges for the duration of one week.

This may seem like a harsh punishment for only three flags...but consider a likely scenario. Realistically, not everyone who aims at a given driver is actually going to accomplish the tagging of that vehicle, for various reasons (including poor aim and radical driving on the offending driver's part). So if, given a reasonable amount of failed tagging attempts, a driver STILL manages to get tagged with 3 flags in one day...it's got to be a big sign. I think a week of the Houston METRO service would go a long way to correct poor driving habits.

not so deep thoughts

Yesterday, as I was walking through the lobby of my office building, I found myself stepping in such a way as to avoid stepping on the 'lines' created by the grout between the floor tiles. Most that know me would probably testify that I'm a little bit 'weird' about stuff like that - for example, I'm the girl who straightens all the magazines and gum cartons while in line at the grocery check-out.

However, I often find myself doing the 'step on a crack, break your momma's back' thing when I'm in a chipper mood and am just being silly.

But yesterday, the thought occurred to me: "Wouldn't it be horrible to be OCD about this for real? And wouldn't it REALLY be horrible if you were a basketball player and be OCD about this?" I mean, the tiles I was skipping around on were the standard 12"x12" tiles - and basketball players would have to jump around on their tip-toes to play my little game.

And then I laughed out loud at that mental picture. I hope nobody hear that!

i object!

Confession. Every time I hear someone I don't know speak about the Bible, my first and immediate position is to be wary. Call me a snob, call me an elitist, or call me closed-minded, but hear me out.

Variance abounds among lay-persons, theologians, philosophers, etc. on what is absolutely true (if that's even acknowledged), what is wise, what is right and what is wrong. If we are to make an attempt at making sense of it all, we have to learn to judge the words and actions of others. If we're ever expected to judge the words and actions of those who profess to be teachers and authority figures, we've got to have a litmus test. I firmly believe that litmus test should be Scripture, above all else.

Every now and again, I find myself wondering "How did those people end up drinking the kool-aid with Jim Jones?", and similar ponderings. The examples, specifically within the 'Christian' realm, are endless! Some people are going to groan at this, but I believe it's a lack of attention to detail. Groaners, bear with me...

Today, a good friend sent me a link to a website of a 'minister' who very much reminds me of another Jim Jones. The specific example, although worth a separate discussion, is not my point here. What concerns me is that there are bits and pieces that contain kernels of truth throughout this minister's website, but the bulk of the message throughout is full of extra-biblical and/or contra-biblical teaching. However, if all you know about Christianity is that Jesus is involved...anyone can throw down a reference or two, and if you're not watching, they'll throw down a lot of other stuff (that isn't Biblical) too, and you run the risk of putting your faith in a lie.

Whether Jim Jones (or anyone else like him) had good intentions in the beginning, it all falls apart when Scripture is not Supreme. It's bad hermeneutics in the extreme - coming to the Bible with pre-conceived notions about who God is, who man is, and how the two interact, etc. A good student of the Word does everything he can to come to the Bible with nothing, and lets the Bible inform him of who God is, who man is, how the two interact, etc. The Bible should be the basis of my theology, not the other way around. I think the biggest error we fall into is getting too far down the road with our theology and/or doctrine, and not far enough down the road with Scripture. Or we forget to take Scripture with us as we walk down the road with our theology and doctrine.

But back to the main point. How do we know what to accept from a speaker (using this term to encompass teacher, preacher, writer, etc)? And how do we know what to throw out? AND, how do we know when we should reject a speaker entirely?

Because I have found that I have (historically) been too easy on speakers that I like, despite the fact that they have some pretty poor theology, I try to ask myself some basic questions about each new speaker I hear. One often has to be a very active listener to get answers to some of these questions.

1. Is this person's message grounded in Scripture?
2 Peter 1:19-21
And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

2. Does this person readily submit to the authority of Scripture?
2 Timothy 3:14-17
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom[a] you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

3. Is this person boasting in himself or in Christ?
2 Timothy 4:2-5
Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

1 Corinthians 1:30-31
He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Therefore, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."

Whatever the questions are, if they aren't asked...anyone could end up drinking the kool-aid. And I certainly don't want to end up being THAT girl!