Brackets

No, this isn't a post about math and algebra and why it is vital to know basic algebra. Granted, unless you go into a field like construction or engineering, you probably won't be using trigonometry and having to figure out the sine and cosine of different triangles. But algebra is still vitally important. (But enough with the math now, and on to the real post. =P ) 


As  you go through life, you go through many different stages where you are positioned socially. I think that most people would agree that high school, college, and married life are all vastly different stages of life, with different opportunities, responsibilities, and duties. In each stage of life there are a variety of things to look forward to, and other things which are less looked forward to. But because of the wonderful God who has created us, every stage of life is completely and wonderfully blessed by His hand.

Now you might be wondering what the title has to do with this post so far, since, aside from the title I have yet to mention the word "brackets" a single time. Brackets are a devise used mainly in writing, or mathematics which separates whatever is inside the brackets from the outside material. In English writing, the normal form of brackets used are the round brackets, also known as "parentheses". When parentheses are used, they generally add a side thought or additional comment which is not essential to the sentence or paragraph (like this comment right here). Sometimes square brackets are used in English, but it is fairly uncommon. In mathematics, when brackets are used, they designate that whatever is contained in it should be completed first, before completing the rest of the equation. Such as: 2 x (2 + 1) + 4 = 10
With the set of brackets the answer is 10, if the equation were lacking the brackets, then the answer would be 9. If we add another set of brackets it changes the answer of the equation again: 2 x [(2 + 1) + 4] = 14
When solving equations with brackets within brackets you solve the innermost set of brackets first, and then move out to the larger set of brackets. Typically the round brackets "( )" are the innermost set, and then the square brackets "[ ]" are the second set.
Basically, the point is: Brackets connect the items contained in them and separate them from outside content.

I'd like to examine some of the different brackets which are generally present in American culture.


The "Baby - Jr. High" Bracket

I realize that there ore other brackets contained in this bracket, but for the most part the individuals in this bracket are always looking forward to growth. Always wanting to grow taller and stronger. As they grow they are respected more by others in their bracket. They are considered more and more to be "big kids," able to do more and more with out mommy's or daddy's help. Able to take care of themselves. As they approach the end of their bracket they are highly respected by the others in their bracket. 

The High School Bracket

The high school bracket is considered to be a very strong bracket. Most of those in this bracket communicate and socialize mainly only with others inside of their bracket. This is partially due to the fact that they spend a great deal of time with the others in their bracket. They are around each other in classes  and after-school events such as athletic events or Bible quizzing. Those in this bracket are commonly considered to be immature, particularly by older individuals. They get this reputation for a variety of reasons, namely because often they do a lot of "stupid" things for which are frowned upon. Those in the high school bracket are developing a great deal, both physically and mentally. Part of that new development involves: a member's becoming very aware and concerned with others' opinions about him, as well as a new interest in the opposite gender. Members of this bracket are also considered to be very emotionally unstable. They become so engrossed with their bracket, that they fail to see the big picture. When anything happens which might ruin their social standing in their bracket, they become emotionally down-trodden, and require support from another member in their bracket (the more mature members will accept support from other members in their bracket, as well as others such as parents or siblings). Those just entering this bracket are generally looked down upon by members in their bracket for their lack of understanding of the social "norms" and inexperience with the way things work in their bracket. Once the new members adjust to the expectations of the bracket they begin building their social status and network of friends. As time passes they rise higher and higher in their bracket and are looked up to more and more by other members in their bracket. Every year they obtain a new step and social status: Sophomore, Junior, Senior. Each step brings with it more responsibly and a higher standing with other members in the bracket. By the time a member reaches "Senior" status, younger members in his bracket most often consider him to be royalty. After graduation from being a senior in the high school bracket the member frequently moves into the college bracket.

The College Bracket

The college bracket actually contains a great many ties with the high school bracket. Both are quite strong brackets, however those in the college bracket tend to reach out more to the "real world" bracket than the members of the high school bracket. For the most part the members of the college bracket are more mature than those in high school bracket (though not always). There is a stronger emphasis on academics in the college bracket than in the high school bracket. The most significant different between the college bracket and the high school bracket is that in the college bracket you are not living with your parents, but instead you are living in the dorms, with and amongst other members in your bracket, which often leads to some very strong ties. Not all members of the college bracket live in the dorms though. There are some who still live at home while attending school and are members of the college bracket. Those members however are unable to fully experience the breadth of the college bracket. New members of the college bracket are fairly easily discernible from the experienced members. The experienced members  have established a routine and are familiar with the basic "rules" of what is considered acceptable  by other members, and what is considered unacceptable. Members in the college bracket often develop strong ties with other members because  they can relate to each other so well.

As with the high school bracket, ranks are assigned based on how long a member has been in the bracket. The ranks start with Freshman, then advance to Sophomore, Junior, and Senior. (Graduate Student is a rank which is reached by about half of those in the college bracket. It is only received if the member decides that he wants to remain in the college bracket for some time, even after completing the requirements for the college bracket.) As a member advances through the ranks he receives more responsibilities, and as with the high school bracket, he is looked up to more and more by others in his bracket. There is a great deal of mental development in the college bracket. Both from the mentally stimulating classes, but also from conversations in the dorms and time spent encouraging and discipling one another. When the member of the college bracket completes his requirements and  chooses to leave the college bracket he enters the "real world" bracket.

The "Real World" Bracket

The "real world" bracket has been named as such by many people, but it is actually a very poor name for the bracket. The name "real world," assumes that all brackets prior to it were in fact, not the real world. This however, is a false statement. The "real world" being defined as: an individual being required to live outside of the home, supply for his own needs through a consistent job, being able to organize and manage his own schedule, and being able to maturely handle unexpected crisis's, based primarily on his own judgment. That description can be, and often is, fully filled by members in the college bracket, therefore concluding that many members of the college bracket have also experience the "real world." Concluding that the "real world" bracket is a poor name for this bracket, but it is the established name so it will be the name used for the bracket throughout this post. 

 

There are many differences in the "real world" bracket from the college or high school brackets. First, the members of the "real world" bracket are not primarily focused on education anymore. Instead, they are focused on finding a job and working at that job faithfully to be able to earn money so that they can purchase needed and/or unneeded (but enjoyable) supplies. If the member is married then another focus would be building and keeping a good relationship with the member's spouse and family. The member will be trying establish himself with a home and a local church to attend. Depending on the member's direction taken throughout the college bracket he will either stay in the area of his college, go back to where his parents are and work there, or travel somewhere else where he feels strong desire to start his career. For someone just entering the "real world" bracket it can be especially difficult to find a good job which fits the member's needs, but once he finds one, he will be able to rejoice and thank God for His provision. As will all the brackets, the longer you are in it, the higher status you obtain. There are many sub-brackets which are represented under the title of the "real world" bracket, such as: the young couple bracket, the  mom-and-dad-and-three-kids bracket, the parents-of-teenagers bracket, the grandparents bracket, and so on.

Brackets will never end. We will always have things which draw us closer to some people than others. Even though it seems that most members of a bracket desire to move on to the next bracket, thinking that it will be better, but none of the brackets which I have mentioned ever solve all your problems. There is only one bracket that will solve all your problems, and that is the heaven bracket. I am certainly looking forward to someday advancing to that bracket.


Looking at these brackets we can see some things which remain the same. First, when entering into a bracket the member must first prove himself before he is respected by the others in the bracket. Second, the work never finishes; though a member may be at the peak of one bracket, soon he will have to move to the next bracket and start from the beginning again. And third, The flow of brackets never ends. A member of any bracket is always growing in one bracket, and heading for the next bracket for as long as he lives.

Those similarities between the brackets can also be applied to our spiritual walks. First, whenever we are around new people or in a new setting we must be living out a consistent Christian life before we can make a good Christian testimony for ourselves. This is especially important when around unbelievers because if they see that we are actually living out what we say we believe, they will be much more willing to hear what we have to say about the gospel. Second, the work never finishes. It's true, the work is never done. That's true in the sense that there will always be trials and struggles which will come up. We will never escape the fall. We will never be able to avoid our own sin nature or the state of the world around us, but we can continue to trust in Christ, and handle every problem that comes our way through his strength. And third, there is always more room to grow. There is always something else that we can strive for. We may be growing closer to God day by day, but even after 30 years of consistent growth, there will still be room to grow, another "bracket" to get to. It's a wonderful thought. Our God is so great, so mighty, so vast, that we could not possibly ever come to understand Him and His ways completely, because God is so far beyond anything that we could possibly comprehend. We serve an God who is worthy of awe and worthy to be praised.


Praising my creator,

Tim

To Kindlize, or Not to Kindlize

That is the question.

Quite a few people I know already own Kindles, a good number of friends, my cousin, even my sister has one. Of the people I know who have one, I don't know a single person who has expressed regret in buying his or her Kindle. Evidently they are a handy tool. so I've been thinking about the possibility of buying one (since many of my friends have been prompting me, and telling me that I should), and seeing whether it would be worth the $160 or so that it would cost, assuming I got a case for it.

So, in order to make an accurate call I had to look at some of the advantages that are often mention of an eReader to see if it was worth it.

1. You can have hundreds of books with you and not have to lug them around.

I've never found that to be a problem. I've never needed hundreds of books with me when I am traveling. One, maybe two would suit me just fine, and take up no more space than a Kindle would.

2. You can buy and read a book in 60 seconds.

Again, never had a need to buy a book and then read it within that amount of time. Maybe for some that is an advantage, but I only see it as a cool, though non-vital feature.

3. You can change the text size for easier reading if your eyes are getting tired.

It will probably be 40 years before I really struggle with that. When my eyes do get tired, it's not because the text is too small, it's because my head is too heavy. =)

4. You can have the Kindle read to you with the "text-to-speech" option, if you get tired of reading.

I've listened to some of the "text-to-speech" and I can never get anything out of it because I am always too distracted by the way the words are being read. If I listen to an audio book, then it has to be a person reading it, and the reader has to be at least some what involved in the text, not just reading in a monotone voice, otherwise I don't get anything.

5. You can browse the web with some eReaders.

From what I have read it is very frustrating to navigate around the web with an eReader, and slower too. Besides, I have a laptop for that.

6. You can get most best sellers for $9.99, and other ebooks cheaper than paper books.

Cheaper is good, but according to my research this wasn't true. Not that you can't get ebooks cheaper than paperbacks, but that the books I needed were at most $1 cheaper for the ebook over the paperback, and sometimes up to $3 more expensive for the ebook vs. the paperback (and that is including the shipping).

It's not looking so good for the Kindle unfortunately. None of it's advertized advantages seem to be much of an advantage for my needs, and we haven't even covered the disadvantages yet. So, lets look as some of the things that I don't care for about eReaders.

1. Though Amazon has about 950,000 books for the Kindle, it doesn't necessarily have the ones I need. When the Kindle first came out I always thought of it as a toy for avid book fans who enjoy sitting by the fire, reading their fiction books. So, I thought that it wouldn't have any of the books I need, but my sister did show me that they actually have more of my books that I realized. So, I searched, all the books that I could think of that I had bought and read recently, or will be reading in the near future, to see how many they had, and how much money I would have saved if I had bought an ebook instead of the "real" thing. This is what I found.

Our Passionate Journey: Frazier	x
The Journey Continues: Frazier	x
What is a Healthy Church?: Dever	√ (three dollars more)
The Five Love Languages: Chapman	√ (one dollar cheaper)
Holding Hands, Holder Hearts: Phillips	√ (30¢ cheaper)
The Deliberate Church: Alexander	√  (two dollars more)
More than Spectators: Downey	x
Why Johnny Can't Preach: Gordon	√  (two dollars more)
Tell the Truth: Metzger	x
The Feasts of Israel: Scott	x
The Christian & Social Responsibility: Ryrie	x
Upright Down Time: Hand	x
Why Johnny Can't Read: Flesch	x
Boy Meets Girl: Harris	√  (one dollar cheaper)
The Trellis and the Vine: Marshall, Payne	x
Promise Unfulfilled: McCune	x
The Measure of a Man: Getz	√ (50¢ cheaper)

Of the 17 books I could think of, over half were not available, and I actually saved $4.20 by buying the "real" books as opposed to the ebooks.

2. I want to have a physical library of books. I want to be able to pull out a commentary of Job and lay it open on my desk. read some, then slide it to the side. Write some on my laptop, then look at my Bible, then open another commentary on that same passage. Compare the two commentaries. Open up my Hebrew Old Testament and examine a particular word. Sit back and muse for a while, then turn to my laptop again and type some more. Managing that with ebooks would be challenging, if not impossible.
3. I like holding a "real" book. I've handled my roommate's Kindle, I've messed around some with my sister's Kindle and I much prefer holding a real book in my hands. I like turning pages. I like holding the book open and looking at it from the top and seeing how far along I am. It's just not the same with an eReader.

Kindles and other eReaders do have their benefits for some people, indeed a good number of people, but after doing the research, it does not appear as though I am one of those people. Maybe someday if my needs change, but as for now, I'm going to stick to killing trees. ;-)

                                                                                                                           Still old fashion,

                                                                                                                                           Tim

Man of Many Homes

Do you know that feeling when you are driving back home from a long trip, or time away? When you start to recognize some of the road names, major intersections, land marks? You are returning to a place that is familiar to you, a place you call… home.

I know that feeling. I felt it last Saturday when I was driving back to Dade City to see my sister and aunt and uncle for the day. I was driving to their place and started recognizing some of the street names: 301, Fort King Road, Clinton Avenue. Recognizing some of the buildings and landmarks. Returning to a place that is familiar. A place I can call "home". Strange though, I've called my aunt and uncle's house "home" before, even though I've never actually "lived" there, only stayed there for breaks from school, Thanksgiving, Christmas, at the beginnings and ends of summer. I've stayed there many times for periods of a couple weeks, 4 weeks at the longest. But I have many memories from that place. Many hours out in the sheds, pulling papers. Times out in the front lawn playing catch, eating Thanksgiving dinner with my grand parents over and friends and family all having a great time, setting up Christmas decorations, jogging coupons, packing my bags to head off to Alaska. Without a doubt a place where I have made many memorable memories. A place where I know what I can do, what I can't do, what I should do, what I shouldn't do. A place that I am familiar with. A place I often refer to as my "home away from home", but easily a place worthy of being called home.

I haven't been able to visit my "real" home, the place where I grew up and my parents and younger siblings currently live, for a little over 3 years now. Yet, I still call it home. Being a missionary kid, with your parents in a different cotenant, it can be difficult to go back and visit on the weekends. =) One day I was looking on Google maps, and I zoomed in on my "home" there in Poland, and I saw the street names and started reminiscing about the days long ago, when I would ride my bike to school, when I first get onto Reymonta and the road is only dirt. Swerving back and forth to dodge all the big dips and holes in the road. I zoomed on the school that I went to, saw the athletic fields in the back, remembering those days at school, on that field when we would play soccer. Looking at the school gym, remembering how my brother and I used to ride our bikes there in the evenings when we were taking karate classes. Then I zoomed back on my house. Looked at the trees, remembered that one birch tree that I used to climb, but needed my rope to get me a boost up to the first branch. Looked over at the spot where we had the old tree house years ago. Looked at the yard, all green and grassy, remembering how my brother and I used to have to mow that whole thing with our one little push mower. Remembering how the whole yard used to be completely covered in nothing but sand before my parents planted grass. Looked at the hill, remembering the days when it would snow, and we kids would break out the sleds and slide down it. Looked at the trampoline and remember how my friend, Daniel (Polish kid), used to do front flips on that thing and tried to get me to do them too (though I never was successful). Looked at the roof of my house, and pictured the inside, the 2nd floor, the ground floor, and the basement. Picturing them in my mind as if I had a blueprint laid out in front of me. Very familiar with that house, that yard, that area. Definitely home to me.

Yet there are other places I call home. BJU is one of them. Yes, I have actually referred to my college as "home" before. Some people observe that as an oddity, but really, in the past 3 years that is where I have lived and spent most of my life, slept there, ate there, washed my clothes there, everything. Basically all of my friends are there at BJU as well (or used to be there, but have graduated already). I have many memories there such as getting lost in downtown Greenville on my bike, at night. Running in the turkey bowl every year, attending various Artist Series events, spending hours locked up in the library studying for my classes, shooting pictures for class, going on bible club extension every Friday evening since arriving on campus as a young, wide-eyed, energetic freshman, having crazy/hilarious conversations with roommates. So many things. So many memories, mostly favorable, though some not as much. Sometimes I wish I could go back and undo problems I caused, or others' emotions I damaged because of not realizing the extent of my actions. But other times I think back on an event and a smile emerges on my face, because of the many wonderful times with friends. BJ is also a place I am quite familiar with, a place I know, a place where I am comfortable being. A place I feel I can call home.

The fact of the matter is that a "home" is not just a building you live in. It's not just a physical structure that protects your body from the elements. It seems that a home is more than that. It is a place where you reside, yes, but also a place where you feel comfortable, a place you know well, a place you are familiar with, because you have spent the time required there to become familiar with it. Because of my situation, with going to college a great distance from my mother and father, yet still having family here in the US where I often stay, I have several different places where I can call home. I know I am not a unique case, and that there are others who have several places where they call home as well. Here I have mentioned 3 separate places that I call home, but there is a 4th that I haven't mentioned yet. That one is actually the most important of the group, because I won't live there for 2 years, or 5 years, or even 13 years. I will live there for an eternity, in a mansion none the less. Yes, that home is heaven.

The question is though, when I arrive at that home, will I be familiar with it? Of course I can't go currently and visit or anything like that, but will I have spent the time becoming familiar with it? Have I spent time getting to know the master of the house, his character? I should, because in reality that is my true home. We often get caught up with things happening in these homes, and neglect to spend time learning about our future home. However, we must remember that these homes here are just temporary, but that future home is our true home. For, this world is not my home, I'm just a passin' through. Never neglect your true home, because you are caught up too much with your current home. =)

Far from homeless,
Tim

Internship Activities

Josh patching the tar paper

Greetings everyone!

As probably most of you know already I am at Calvary Baptist in Winter Garden, Florida this summer working on my church internship. Many people ask what I do on my internship, and I respond that it's a little bit of everything. =) We don't really have one specific task. Instead we have many various tasks that we do here and there. For example, some of the things that I've done since arriving here at the church have included roofing a building, cleaning showers, vacuuming floors, preaching messages, teaching Sunday school, planning youth activities such as a mini-golf trip, organizing and teaching a Awana night, door-to-door visitation, and setting up and tearing down tables and chairs for church activities. Like I said, a little bit of everything. =)

The roofing nails to hold the tar paper on

Overall I've been having a great time. I have an office there at the church where I can stay and work on Sunday school lessons, or make phone calls to miniature golf places to find the best prices and most convenient locations, or anything else I needed to work on. I come in to the church in the morning and am there until about 4 pm. In that time I do a variety of different things, and also I'm there so that when people want to talk to me they know where to find me.

my sheet music

Even though I am doing a good amount of stuff at the church and working on getting things ready for the numerous youth and kid's times I still have a healthy chunk of time that I can spend on tasks which I put on my list of things to accomplish this summer. One of those tasks is practicing the guitar, which I have been able to come a good ways in. I'm managing to get some of the easier chords down such as D, G, A, Em, and such. I can play a song or two, such as "Are you Washed in the Blood," and sing slowly along with it, so that has been a great encouragement to my journey of learning the art of playing the guitar.

Playing tennis with a wall

I have some other things which I would like to work on over the summer such as practicing the piano, practicing tennis, working on Greek so that I can hit the floor running in the fall for my final semester of undergrad Greek. And then finally, lifting weights. Piano hasn't been going very far, partly because the people that I'm staying at have a piano, but it is severely out of tune. I think that I will bring my books here to the church and find a time a place to practice on one of their pianos here. Tennis is going fairly decently, I have been able to go to find a court and practice my serves there, and then here at the church's gym practice hitting the balls off the wall. As for Greek, it has been very hard to get myself siked up to for school work, but it is coming however slowly.

The Church's weight equipment

Lifting weights is something that I just started actually because I found out that the church has a spot in the gym where they have the equipment to be able to do it. Sometimes when I pray I like to talk out loud and walk around, especially if I have a large burden on my mind, it helps me keep my mind from wandering and getting distracted. So anyway, I was walking around the gym, and wandered up into the balcony area and in the discovered that in the far corner they have some lifting equipment.  Currently the equipment is pretty much unused, but pastor Klapperich said that I could use it if I wanted to, just to be careful, obviously. I just started last Friday, so we'll see if I keep it up. =)

So, those are some of the things that I have been doing. I trust that you are having a blessed summer as well. In the daily devotional that I read for today it had Proverbs 3:5-6 for its passage. "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Always remember to acknowledge God, never forget that He is there, watching over you, and caring for you in every trial.

Never forget who your mostest, bestest friend truly is. =)

 - Captive of Christ

Tim

Summer Time

It's June!  That means summer is in the air. And everybody loves summer because it is so wonderful! It's hot, and… and that means that I'll sweat, and that means that my glasses will slide down my nose…. No! I can wear my contacts, so that way by glasses won't slide down my nose! =D Instead… the sweat can… drip into my eyes and make my eyes sting. =§ Hmm…. Why is that people like summer so much then? Oh, Yeah! That's right because of summer vacation, they don't have to go to school. They can find jobs and work instead. =D What? Work isn't fun? Yeah it is. It's fun because you get those 6.14 inch long pieces of paper with peoples' faces and numbers on them. So, why do people want those pieces of paper again? It's not like you can do a whole lot with them. I mean, they work pretty well for making paper roses, but they'd be better if they were red or something. Oh wait! That's right! People want those pieces of paper because they are useful in trade, I remember now. You can trade them for food and other useful things. So, that's why summer is fun.

Oh! It's also fun because you can spend time with your friends on the beach and stuff. =D Well actually, the beach probably isn't a very good place to go considering the world as it is today. =/ Hmm…. Aha! Instead, you can go to Disney World and Epcot, or other Amusement Parks! =D Perfect! … But then again, actually, maybe not, because then you'd have to trade in those greenish pieces of paper that you were collecting. =( And that's no fun, because you wanted those. Hmm… I know! You can sit around for half the day and watch movies and playing games on the computer. And then you can just sleep for the other half of the day. Go to bed at midnight and then don't get up until noon, it's perfect! =D There you go, all your problems solved. Well… actually… the majority of my friends aren't here for the summer. I only see them during the school year, so I guess it's not so perfect. =C Hmm…. So, why is it that people like summer so much anyway? =S

Oh boy, some people's kids…. =P

Well anyway, summer is in the air, and even though summer does have it's own disadvantages (such as the heat), it also has a vast array of wonderful advantages. First is that you have more free time which you would never had at school unless you skipped all your classes and didn’t study for anything. And that free time can most definitely be enjoyed by watching movies or other recreational activities, but it can also be used for growth. Growth and developing the man or lady that God has created you to be. You have more time to read, and develop your mind that God has given you. More time to exercise to be a good steward of the body that has been entrusted to you. More time to practice musical instruments that you might be trying to learn or other hobbies that you might have, again, developing the gifts and abilities that God has blessed you with. Then most importantly you have more time to interact with your closest friend. Time to spend a little bit longer reading the letter that He has written to you, and time to spend a little extra time talking to Him and sharing your burdens and problems with Him. Free time seems to be greatest thing about summer. It must be used effectively though, used for God's glory. =)

Don't waste the time that you have.
- Tim