Things I learned on my "vacation" week…

  • Our son is pretty much the cutest thing ever invented. Ever.
  • When the Doctor is too behind to see you today, reschedule — don’t settle for the Physicians Assistant!
  • I’m actually pretty darn good at my job, and when I take some pride in it, and a little bit of ownership of my work life, it’s actually still kinda fun.
  • The Vertical Production Team rocks! Course I knew that already, but I was still pretty impressed that they had it under control this week.
  • Northway has a LOT of volunteers. And it was a lot of fun hanging out with them.
  • As cool as it is running things in the media booth, it’s pretty great being able sing with the rest of the congregation every once in awhile too!
  • I do too much. Not a lot too much, but I need to shave about 5 hours off my work week. Which means something’s gotta go… I’m just not sure what!
  • God is bigger than me. Way bigger. I gotta let Him do his work, and stop assuming He needs me to run to the show.

Cutting The Co-Ax

In 2004 Nic and I became “cord cutters” — a term that was briefly popular in the tech world, describing people who canceled their home phone service, and went cell-only. When VoIP was a nascent consumer technology we used that, eventually back-peddling a little when we moved to the States to use a VoIP home phone service to emulate a classic land-line so that we could get cheap long distance in our calls home to Canada. These days “cord cutting” is so common as to not need a buzz-word any more — we know lots of people who only use cell phones.
But I wonder if consumers are on the verge of cutting another kind of cord: cable.
TV sucks these days. While there has been something of a resurgence of decent content lately, absurdly biased network news, and raucous, loud and intrusive commercials that seem to grow longer and longer in duration, are beginning to make the old idiot box look rather weak — even in comparison to the home grown content you can find online. A recent study showed that the average teenager spends more time online than in front of the TV.
Right now, Nic and I are trying to weigh the pros and cons of canceling our cable TV service and replacing it with an IPTV solution of some kind. Really the only thing we’d miss is our DVR, but on-demand content could eliminate the need for a device like that. The question is, would something like the AppleTV or an XBox360 provide sufficient content that we wouldn’t miss having our digital TV connection?
apple-tv.jpgI don’t know that I could do justice to an article comparing the two devices — having used neither. They probably each have their own strengths and weaknesses. AppleTV links to the iTunes Music Store through your already existing media library in iTunes and provides an elegant and intuitive interface. The 360 has its own nascent media library, including HD content, and if you want to buy a special version of Microsoft’s Operating System for your PC, you can consume your own content. Plus it plays games. Either way I’d have to convert all my digital video into a different format (QuickTime for AppleTV, WMV for the 360). The prices are close enough that its really a decision about whether or not I want to play games.
What I’d rather do is try to wrap my head around the costs and benefits of cable TV and understand if there’s anything compelling keeping me attached to this ancient medium.
There’s the obvious cost/convenience issue. We pay for a TV/Digital Phone/Internet package, roughly $150 monthly. Going VoIP (Skype) and IPTV and still keeping basic cable, our monthly costs would be down to about $50. That means we can spend up to $100 a month on media and telephony without spending more than we currently put out now. At our usual rate of calling home, and assuming throughput is good enough, we could easily make the switch to Skype for well under $10 monthly. So can we get our entertainment for the month for less than $90?
A TV show costs $2 on iTunes. Assuming there’s 6 shows we watch weekly (which is probably the max) — not including syndicated content, which honestly, I’d probably get from the torrents — and assuming there’s a new show every week, that means we’re spending $12 a week, or $48 a month. We’re still $40 ahead of where we were chained to the cable box.
We do lose our DVR, which provides a wonderful channel guide, as well as time shifting — which is awesome. The value of this device is difficult to quantify. We can make up some of that functionality with purchased shows, which are essentially On-Demand (minus a short download delay), cover some of it with our DVD Recorder — costing, say $10 a month on recordable media. Now we’re $30 ahead of where we were before… only loosing HD content from the cable company.
But then there’s the investment cost of switching platforms. My modded XBox died recently, so we’d have to get something to replace the cable box — the XBox never would have played purchased content anyway, so while I’m sad to see it go, it’s a casualty of progress. This leaves me with 3 options to connect our “old world” TV set to the new world of digital media:
– AppleTV
– XBox 360
– Home grown PC
Each of these options would cost around $300 to purchase and implement. At a monthly savings of $30 it would take us 10 months to get a return on our hardware investment — and we still wouldn’t have the full flexibility of a cable box… But we would be trying a new kind of cord cutting, and eventually reducing our monthly expenses (going off the grid, and creating our own hydro is the next big challenge ;o)…
So has anyone else tried this? I know there are hybrid solutions (I had one with my XBox) but we’re talking about a hard switch over here. Any feedback/thoughts/advice would be appreciated…

Benjamin's Music Video

I’ve been told that I need to post more pictures of Benjamin, cause he’s the main draw of the site. And here I thought it was my insightful writing and witty banter. Oh well, here he dancing is in his first music video. You can tell he’s trying to crawl, but he can’t quite figure it out. He’s seems determined that his mouth is involved somehow…
http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-3425530858466394126&hl=en

The song is Earthquake by Family Force 5. There’s more pictures coming in the Flickr photostream on the right — whenever it decides it wants to update itself…

TV Sucks These Days…

Actual quotes from last night’s episode of The Unit…
“Hello. I have come to inquire as to whether or not I can borrow your vehicle, as mine is in the repair shop.”
“Of course you may.”
“What is it you are doing?”
“My daughter has indicated to me that she is in interested in a new hobby.”
“I understand. Our friends have indicated to me that you may be in some fiscal distress. Please advise me as to how I can assist you.”
“No assistance is necessary, but thank you.”
“OK. You know where I am if you need any help.”
“Yes I do. You live right across the street.”
“That’s right. Good bye now.”
I really love the show, and the story lines are generally very interesting. But they need to shoot who ever writes their dialog. They sound like a 6th grader who recently discovered a dictionary and likes to randomly insert big words into lines that should only have to be recited by robots… I want the Office to be back on!

Isaiah 46:3-4

Listen to me, O house of Jacob,
all you who remain of the house of Israel,
you whom I have upheld since you were conceived,
and have carried since your birth.

Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

For the past month or so, I’ve been wrestling with a young man that I know, without any doubt, would make a great leader some day. I helped him find God last year, rejoiced with him as he discovered his faith… and then watched in sorrow as he re-made some of the mistakes of his past. I tried everything I could think of to get his attention, to correct him — to rescue him. And I was so mad at God that, if I was here doing His work, why wouldn’t He use me to save this kid?
Y’know what finally got him to his knees? I had an accident, put my arm through a window, and got rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. Then he stopped to think.
But aside from what he had to learn about finding what’s right and sticking to it, even when it’s hard, I had something to learn too: It’s not my job to save anyone. And no amount of hard work, or effort on my part, can change anything. My job is to love God, serve Him humbly, and be willing to be used where ever he puts me.
It’s almost funny to me how God worked in this kid’s life. God knew I wasn’t surrendered to Him — He knew I was trying to do things under my own power. And He said “I will work on that young man, because I am the author of his faith.”
Then He said, “I’ll use you, cause you’re around — but just so you know it’s me and not you, I’m gonna use you by putting your butt in the hospital.”
I did nothing intelligent, nothing right, and nothing worthwhile. All I did was run through a glass window. There’s no pride to be had in that, there’s no credit to take. God used me, despite me, because He is the one who rescues us…and because He has plans for you, Little Jon and the rest of the VPT who are reading this, that are bigger and more amazing than you or I could ever imagine.
Don’t follow me because I look like I know what I’m doing — I’m just older than you, not more Godly.
Follow the One I follow, not because I told you to, but because He is the one who will sustain you.

I wanna be like Paul

I remember when we, as a family, were on deputation for our trip to Germany. We’d all pile into the 1979 Buick LeSabre, pray that it would hold together for yet another trip, and drive across Ontario and the States, telling churches about our mission, and asking for their support. I remember the slide shows, and the car sickness. I remember the smell of my mom’s morning Tim Horton’s coffee, mixed with her perfume — and how the combination would give me a killer headache! I remember falling asleep in the car, then getting up with Dave and Liz and singing “As the Deer” in front of countless congregations in places I couldn’t find on a map if I tried. And I remember my dad’s message, that he gave at equally countless churches.
I remember him talking about Paul the Apostle, one of the first and most influential missionaries of the new Testament, and how he wanted to be like Paul. I also remember wondering why my dad would want to pattern himself after Paul — the guy who used to be called “Saul” and who spent years persecuting Christian’s for their beliefs.
It’s been years since I thought about that, but for the past couple months, I’ve been writing Bible studies for my little team of students. And each month, one guy’s writing comes up in my searches, with more frequency than any other author in the Bible. It seems that Paul’s life and the wisdom of his writing, even 2000 years later, is so relevant and so useful, that I can’t help but be intrigued by the man.
Two things about Paul strike a chord with me, and offer me instruction that seems to consistently be right what I need to understand.
First is that Paul was the original tentmaker missionary — in fact, it’s after his profession that the idea was named! There is a general notion among missionaries, and the churches that support them, that in order to take up the “Great Commission” you have to accept abject poverty. That making money and being a missionary do not mix. And that in order to be sure that your motives are pure, you should be entirely dependent on the church.
Now we have a number of friends who are missionaries and totally dependent on the churches who support them, and when we can, we even support them. I understand and appreciate that missions is a noble and high calling, that in some places and in many cases, offers no way to provide for a family, other than through churches who send people out. If you move to Africa to reach tribal people, your whole life will go into those people, and you may never see the fruit of your labor in your lifetime — much less a dime for your efforts.
But, when it’s possible — when God has gifted us with the ability to make money, and when the fields He sends us to allow — or even require — us to produce our own income, either to supplement, or to eliminate the need for, church support, I think it’s the right thing to do. Paul traveled all around his known world, and he was able to do so by making and selling tents to provide for himself and finance his ministry. I’m sure the churches he started and visited helped him, and supported him. But I’m equally sure he avoided being an unnecessary burden on the church, by exercising his God-given gifts to make money — and that doing so kept him free from red tape and bureaucracy, so he could go and do what God wanted him to do.
The second thing I love about Paul is that he kept moving! Throughout the New Testament, Paul is continuously asked to stay, and he continuously refuses. It’s not that he doesn’t love the places he’s worked at, or the people he’s ministered with and too. It’s that there was a restlessness in him, that told him when his work was done — when it was time to follow God somewhere else. I know that restlessness! I was raised with it! I doubt that I have Paul’s passion or his motivation, but I know that feeling that says you’re done here, don’t sit still!
I love how Jeremiah describes that burning: ‘But if I say, “I will not remember Him Or speak anymore in His name,” Then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire shut up in my bones; And I am weary of holding it in, And I cannot endure it.’ I want that kind of passion.
The great thing about Paul was, even though he was constantly packing up and leaving as soon as the Holy Spirit kicked him in the butt, he regularly spent the time he had in a place raising up young leaders to continue on God’s work. His letters to Timothy, Titus, and I’m sure many others that have been lost to history, are examples of how Paul worked. He went to a place, he encouraged the believers there, reached the unsaved, and, knowing He’d be leaving sooner rather than later, he discipled young people to lead in his place.
Aside from being here, and doing a job or two (or sometimes three) I’ve been wrestling to understand what it is I’m supposed to be doing. I suppose some people are content with just living life and rolling with whatever happens, but I am not one of them. Until recently I’ve had something to accomplish and work toward. I’ve had mentors to pattern myself after, and very specific goals to achieve to get to where I wanted to be. But then I got there, and realized this can’t be it. There has to be some purpose to being a Christian in this world — some reason God doesn’t just snap us up to heaven as soon as we get saved. And I think Paul had it down:

  • Follow God where ever He leads, share His message, and serve humbly where ever He puts you.
  • As much as is possible, pay your own way so that others, who don’t have as much as you, can be enabled to do what God wants from them.
  • When God makes you restless, find out where He wants you next, and go — even when people ask you to stay.
  • And as you move through life, leave behind what you’ve learned with the next generation of God’s leaders.

So I’m 26. I’ve checked off the boxes for college, wife, kids and career, and I’ve finally figured out that this is my new mission in life. And I guess that means you had it right, Mom and Dad! Have an awesome time doing what you do in Malaysia!

Healing

So the doctor looked at my arm today — for the first time since last Wednesday. Actually, a doctor was unavailable, so a “physicians assistant” took a look. I’m not sure what a physicians assistant or “PA” means, but if my experience is any indicator, a PA must be someone who is too clumsy, brusque or untalented to make it as a doctor.
First he took a pair of tweezers and yanked at any loose skin, scab or foam he could find in my larger wounds, then he took a tongue depressor, covered it in antibacterial gel and slapped it onto the wounds and rubbed it around while I tried not to scream. Then for his grand finale he took the stitches in the top of my arm out — the best part was when he went to grab my arm for leverage, and jammed his fingers right into my wounds. “Oops, sorry,” he said as he grabbed, no less gently, a little higher up the arm. It was a couple hours after my appointment before I was able to stop shivering in pain.
He did have an actual doctor come in to review his work, and that doctor has referred me to a plastic surgeon to find out if I should have some skin grafted on over the holes in my arm. So that’ll be fun…
I’m also taking some time this week to heal in other ways. After a 94 hour work week, hot on the heels of a winter retreat/hospital visit, I am realising that I can’t successfully do everything. So this week I’m going to work just one job, and put in some significant effort to try and earn this raise my boss just gave me. And at then end of the day I’m going to go home, and spend some time with my wife, and with my son, and with my God. Cause I haven’t had a lot of time to talk to any of them in the past little while.
I know there are mixed feelings on me taking this vacation (what does it mean when I think a “vacation” is only working one job?) and some people aren’t 100% behind me taking some time to recover. Those people can talk to my “out of office” message!
To everyone else who is with us in prayer and in encouragement, this has been an incredibly challenging and re-shaping year for us already — we’ve had some huge changes in our lives, and we’ve done our best not to break stride or let anyone down while we figured out how to make all these things work — but now we need some time to regroup, and we could really use your love and support while we do that…

How to use two or more WRT54Gs to extend a WiFi network

wrt54g.jpgWDS is clumsy and hard to configure.
WiFi repeaters cost more than a router.
If you have sufficient wired network, but want to extend the range of an existing wireless router over a large area, the simplest, cheapest way to do it is with your garden variety Linksys WRT54G routers — you don’t even need to flash them to the Linux firmware.
I found these instructions after searching all over the Internets, and I don’t remember the source, so I’ve got to re-post them for my own reference — and that of anyone else who wants to do this.

  • Connect a computer to the new, second router. Enter the router admin page using your browser.
  • Disable the DHCP server
  • Change the local IP address to be in the same subnet as the primary router, but below the range assigned by it’s DHCP server.
    • For example, your primary router probably has a local address of 192.168.1.1 and assigns IPs in the range 192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.150. In this case, a safe IP for you to use in your second router would be 192.168.1.2 — this also makes it easy to find later!
  • Apply the changes. (some reboots may be necessary)
  • Plug your wired network into one of the standard LAN ports on the new router — do not use the Internet/WAN port.
  • Reconnect to the admin page using the new IP address you just gave it.
  • Find the Advanced Routing page and change the router’s operating mode from Gateway to Router.
  • Configure the wireless settings of the new router to exactly match the wireless settings of your primary router (including SSID and security) but use a different wireless channel. Most sites recommend spacing out your channels by 3 or 4 to avoid interference and bleed.
    • For example, if your primary router is providing wireless on Channel 6, your secondary router could safely use Channel 2 or Channel 10.

Once these steps are done, laptops will be able to roam freely between access points, and will switch, without interruption, to the strongest available signal. I’ve used this successfully with 2-3 routers at both our campuses, and have had a strong, stable wireless network since.