I See That Paw!

OK, let's see...

Approximately 2 billion Christians in the world.

A fairly safe bet that at least 100 million of them have pets and internet access.

Even if 1% percent believe that it's worth shelling out 12 bucks so Fluffy or Rover can become a "Christian", this site suddenly becomes a nice little business venture.

Beware the ENTP!

You've probably been wondering where I've been (then again, maybe you haven't). A fast start, three daily posts, then nuffin. Kinda reminds me of my athletic prowess in high school: decent sprinting ability but pathetic at cross-country. Carol and Jenny Brinsden-Chin are witnesses. Having finished ahead of me on those forgettable days, they would have seen me stumble across the finish line as they sipped their after-race drinks.

My colleagues and I were subjected to a test a couple of weeks ago in preparation for self/team development sessions. Before you get the wrong idea about various prodding and probing taking place, I should clarify that it's a personality test called the Myer Briggs Type Indicator.

By answering a bunch of questions, the test helps you figure out whether you:
* are Extroverted (E) or Introverted (I)
* rely on your Senses (S) or Intuition (N)
* Think (T) or Feel (F)
* Judge (J) or Perceive (P)

You end up with one of 16 four-letter combinations. Turns out I am an ENTP, although as is the case with any system that tries to categorise people, there are grey areas (a good reminder that God has made us all unique).

I don't usually take this type of test too seriously. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The profile of the typical ENTP was a pretty spot-on description of me. Even better, it listed not only the positive characteristics of an ENTP but also the dangers/pitfalls of being one, including:
- going from enthusiasm to enthusiasm with little actually accomplished
- not taking care of the details and routine required to make positive changes
- not giving enough weight to the impact of my ideas and plans on others
- being excessively and inappropriately critical, challenging and stimulating

It was an eye-opener, and a beneficial guidepost at this stage of my life. I thank God for being sovereign enough to use a "worldly" psychological test to teach me about myself!

Check out www.personalitypathways.com/type_inventory.html for a cut-down version of the test, then visit www.mbtitoday.org/typechars.html to find out more about your particular combination of letters. Let me know what you come up with so I can start treating you nicely and/or behaving myself around you!

Thinking of Van

I can't imagine what Van Nguyen must have been going through in the days and hours leading up to his execution. It's quite surreal to know that while I was on my way to work, a young man only two years younger than me lost his life... and not by accident.

Thankfully, I heard that he had come to faith in Christ sometime during his incarceration and was at peace with God. I read on smh.com.au this morning that he wrote in a letter, "I have begun to learn the true meaning of life... In a place ravaged by fear and haunts I have found hope. I have discovered purpose."

Wow. A guy who knew he would be dead in a matter of days speaking of purpose. It doesn't seem to make sense: isn't purpose all about achievement and accomplishments? But look through the lens of Christian faith and it starts to make some sense. Rick Warren, in his book The Purpose-Driven Life, states that we are here to fulfill five purposes: to offer real worship, to enjoy real fellowship, to learn real discipleship, to practice real ministry, and to live out real evangelism. I get the feeling that Van fulfilled all those purposes behind bars to some degree, and the last one especially.

Van Nguyen has reminded many Australians of the brevity and sanctity of life, and pointed them to the One who gave him the courage to face death. "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" (1 Corinthians 15:55)

God, in all His grace, has used tragic circumstances for good, and has just welcomed a son home.

I thank you, Jesus, that because of you and your embrace of the cross, death has no hold on us. Thank you that real life begins beyond the grave, with you.

The first non-introductory post...

I've been listening to a band called the Robbie Seay Band for a couple of months. They used to be independent, but were recently signed to a Christian record company. When they were still indy, their website (www.robbieseayband.com) had a continuous loop of four songs playing, and I'd visit it several times a week for some background music at work. I finally ordered a value pack of all their albums (no, I didn't use a coupon), and I haven't yet taken their latest album "Better Days" out of my CD stacker.

However, for your listening pleasure, I have discovered that the website of the church they belong to has those four songs plus one more available for download. Go to www.ecclesiahouston.org, enter the site and click on MP3s -> Music. After clicking Download on the song you want, you may find that it comes up with a page that says "Action Canceled". Just refresh the page and it should begin to download.

Enjoy and let me know what you think of their music!