The Kings of Old

So I just checked out one of the new cameras from our multimedia lab here at work for the weekend – a Canon PowerShot A650 IS. The thing has the most ridiculous macro lens on it – the focal distance is practically 0! Anyway, I checked it out so I can play with it this weekend, which means I'll probably be posting some pics up here...

I thought I'd start by taking a picture of one of the bookends on my desk at work. "Long have I desired to see the kings of old... on my desk!"

TGIF!

Misconceptions of Jesus

A friend and I were discussing common misconceptions about Jesus today, specifically people who get bogged down in legalities – and I was reminded of this parody video that Vintage21, a church group in North Carolina, produced a few years ago.

I ought to offer a disclaimer: this video, in no way, represents my views of Jesus, nor do I believe it reflects the views of the film's producers. Bear in mind this video was shown in church, then followed up with a sermon about common misconceptions and stereotypes of Jesus. This one specifically deals with what some people perceive Jesus to be like with rule-breaking, sinning and other "infractions."

It's quite humorous. There's three other videos just like this (it was a four-part sermon series) on Youtube that you can find through watching the video below.

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders Fields
Lt. Col John McRae, MD (1872-1918)

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
in Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
in Flanders fields.

***

This poem, penned by Canadian military doctor John McRae about the 1915 battle at the Ypres salient, is one of the most memorable war poems ever penned. It's a fitting poem to read and think about today, as we honor our veterans – living and dead – and remember the horrible cost of war.