More on efficient home building

From Treehugger:

Graeme North, the pre-eminent practitioner of eco-architecture in New Zealand, been building with rammed earth, mud brick, cob and hay bales for over 30 years in New Zealand.

And the pictures of the homes look pretty cool.
Although the idea of mud homes reminds me of Thursdays episode of My Name Is Earl where the guys go and live in an environmentalist commune for a week, where the homes were made out of cow dung and stray.
Not too appealing. Especially when they said they had to rebuild the walls every time it rained. Ha.

UMHB advances in the playoffs

UMHB played Hardin Simmons in the first round of the Div III playoffs yesterday
Hardin Simmons? Really?
Couldn’t the NCAA do a better job at matching up the playoff brackets?
This what my bro Chris Allman, who’s also a columnist with D3football.com, wrote before the game...

For those who are not up to speed, it shakes down like this. The NCAA used mapping software that had Millsaps College about 490 miles from the University Mary Hardin-Baylor. But their mileage chart had it over 500 miles from Jackson, Miss., to Belton, Texas. The number 500 is significant because it’s is the cut off point between being able to take a bus or take a plane. If they take a bus, it costs the NCAA less. If they take a plane, it costs the NCAA more. You can now see why Hardin-Simmons is driving the 199.3 miles to Belton instead of hosting a game.
UMHB head coach Pete Fredenburg doesn’t like the fact that they have to play Hardin-Simmons -- the biggest rival in their brief history -- again. But he didn’t whine about it.
“I do think it’s a bad scenario for both programs, and it’s unfortunate that they’ve done this,” Fredenburg told the Temple Daily Telegram. “But we’re in the national playoffs, and I don’t care who it is or where we play. We just have to prepare, rise to the occasion and win the game.
Jimmie Keeling, the head man at Hardin-Simmons, also handled the situation with class.
''They're a good football team, but so are we,'' Keeling said. ''They got the best of us the first time, but we'll see what happens. We're thrilled to have a chance.''
Those are professional words from very professional men. Luckily, I am held to no such standard.
So, to the NCAA, I say thank you for depriving us of a phenomenal later-round matchup. Thank you for guaranteeing that half of the ASC playoff teams will be eliminated after week one. Thank you for buying mapping software from Costco. Thank you for cheating the athletes that help fund your crackpot association just because they are Division III. There are a million insults I can toss at you in an unprofessional manner but, instead, I will simply say this.
You got this one wrong…
I don’t mean to be hard on the NCAA though. After all, they are making sure to rid the world of evils such as famine, disease and Native American mascots. They deserve our applause.

As of halftime, UMHB was up 17 to 7. With less than 7 min left UMHB lead 33 to 21.
Well dumb decision by the NCAA or not – UMHB wins… 33 to 21.
UMHB will now play Washington and Jefferson in the D3 quarterfinals next week.
The NCAA will now get to fly the Presidents of Washington and Jefferson to Belton because they can’t figure out how to do a playoff bracket.
The Stagg Bowl is only three rounds away.

encounter podcast

The encounter podcast for this week is on it's way up the pipe. It's a good one. Take some time to listen and share it with a friend. Here's a description from the podcast:

Life is filled with storms. They come mysteriously and without warning. Storm Chasers put themselves in harm's way in order to learn more about them. Pain and storms in our life can be a powerful force. It causes our attention to be drawn completly inward - how we feel, how we hurt, how we face need. Storms have the power to turn our focus completely toward ourselves. God longs to do so much more in us and through us with the storms we face. Imagine the power of your pain not being wasted but being used for someone else's good. Listen as a family shares their story of how they faced a devestating sotrm only to discover that the greater joy would come out of how God would use it for another's good.

If you'd like to listen to the message or download the file, click here.
If you'd like to find out more information about the podcast or how you can subscribe with your favorite RSS reader, click here.
If you'd like to subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, click here.

Modern day temples

Thomas is in Philly this week (hence no updated show on Orange Noise this week) but he’s been posting on his trip and made some interesting observations while visiting a Philly mall.

The mall is bigger than you could imagine... its a cathedral to consumerism... in fact it kind of suggested what it would have been like in the Rome of St Paul's time... with all these temples to the various gods of the time... except our gods are Apple, LV, Abercrombie & Fitch, Armani, Bose, Sonystyle etc. Got me thinking.

What gods do you think Paul would talk to you about if he came to your neighborhood today instead of Mars Hill in Acts 17?
Here’s my version of Paul’s sermon if he came to downtown Waxahachie or Dallas today…
The longer Paul waited in Waxahachie for Silas and Timothy, the angrier he got—all those idols! The city was a junkyard of idols.
He discussed it with the Christians and other like-minded people at their meeting place. And every day he went out on the streets and talked with anyone who happened along. He got to know some of the intellectuals pretty well through these conversations. Some of them dismissed him with sarcasm: "What an airhead!" But others, listening to him go on about Jesus and the resurrection, were intrigued: "That's a new slant on the gods. Tell us more."
These people got together and asked him to make a public presentation over at the Civic Center, where things were a little quieter. They said, "This is a new one on us. We've never heard anything quite like it. Where did you come up with this anyway? Explain it so we can understand." Downtown Waxahachie was a great place for gossip. There were always people hanging around, natives and tourists alike, waiting for the latest tidbit on most anything.
So Paul took his stand in the open space at the Civic Center and laid it out for them. "It is plain to see that you Texans in the Bible Belt, take your religion seriously. When I arrived here the other day, I was fascinated with all the shrines I came across. The shrines to consumerism. The shrines to football. The shrines to automobiles. The shrines to electronics, Internet, iPods and even church and religion itself. And then I found one inscribed, to the god nobody knows. I'm here to introduce you to this God so you can worship intelligently, know who you're dealing with.
"The God who made the world and everything in it, this Master of sky and land, doesn't live in custom-made shrines or need the human race to run errands for him, as if he couldn't take care of himself. He makes the creatures; the creatures don't make him. Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near. We live and move in him, can't get away from him! One of your poets said it well: 'We're the God-created.' Well, if we are the God-created, it doesn't make a lot of sense to think we could hire a sculptor to chisel a god out of stone for us, does it?
"God overlooks it as long as you don't know any better—but that time is past. The unknown is now known, and he's calling for a radical life-change. He has set a day when the entire human race will be judged and everything set right. And he has already appointed the judge, confirming him before everyone by raising him from the dead."
At the phrase "raising him from the dead," the listeners split: Some laughed at him and walked off making jokes; others said, "Let's do this again. We want to hear more." But that was it for the day, and Paul left. There were still others, it turned out, who were convinced then and there, and stuck with Paul—among them Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris.

Can I get an amen?

This is loosly quoted from my pastor this morning:

It's time for us as Christians to start showing the world what we are for, rather than what we are against.

In otherwards, why don't we get out and help those around us and show them that Christ loves them rather than protesting sinners who are doing exactly what's expected of them - sinning.

If You want me to

Church was amazing again this morning. And the funny thing was - I thought - was that I set through the band practicing their songs this morning none of them affected me during practice. Sure I enjoyed them, but the words didn't grab a hold of me - I'd heard them all before.
Then during the service God really spoke through the message and several songs including this one by Ginny Owens, a singer-songwriter who lost her eyesight at the age of two.
I'm still not sure of all God wanted to tell me this morning, He's still telling me more, but I know the last two years have had some ups and a lot of downs. Right now I'm on a huge undeserved up - but God remindeding me that He can still teach me and use me on the ups and on the downs. And of course the valleys may not be the way I want it to happen, it may not be the easy way, but God's still there by my side either way.

If You want me to
Ginny Owens

The pathway is broken
And The signs are unclear
And I don't know the reason why You brought me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I'm gonna walk through the valley
If You want me to

Cause I'm not who I was
When I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet
so if all of these trials bring me closer to you
Then I will go through the fire
If You want me to

It may not be the way I would have chosen
When you lead me through a world that's not my home
But You never said it would be easy
You only said I'd never go alone

So When the whole world turns against me
And I'm all by myself
And I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the suffering Your love put You through
And I will go through the valley
If You want me to

When I cross over Jordan,
I'm gonna sing, gonna shout
I'm gonna look into Your eyes and see
You never let me down
So take me on the pathway that will lead me home to You
And I will walk through the valley
If You want me to

Yes, I will walk through the valley
If You want me to

Austin Street update

Well, after all the prayers and planning, the encounter Thanksgiving Coat Drive was a huge success in my opinion.
We had well over 20 boxes full of coats, shirts, pants and blankets.
Thank you so much encounter and Waxahachie and everyone else who donated.
I believe we had nearly 4 full truck loads of clothes and such to take to the men and women at the Austin Street Shelter in downtown Dallas.
And while that was utterly amazing, I think we easily had 30-40 volunteers come down with us today from encounter, along with probably just as many from Brittney’s church in Canton.
Everyone was so thankful and gracious.
We easily gave out all our blankets and men’s clothing.
We did our best to find uses for all the kid’s and women’s clothing with those living on the streets around Austin Street and for the women’s and children’s clothes that didn’t find a home on Austin Street, they were all taken to a battered women’s shelter in Kaufman.
Everyone I talked with had a great time and many first-timers said they can’t wait to go back.
I think Matt easily cleaned out any and all personal things in his truck just so he could fill a need for another individual.
One of the more interesting conversations I heard about today was when Phil was making his way up and down the line of people gathered outside Austin Street to be sure everyone got a coat.
He saw a man sitting there with a few belongings and an apparently new pair of socks.
He asked him if he got a coat or needed one.
The man replied, “I got me a new pair of socks. That’s all I need.”
Phil pointed out that he’s never had anyone ask for money. No one’s ever caused any real problem when we’ve come down there. They’re just often men, women and families that have fallen upon hard times.
There are still other needs at Austin Street and we’re still going to continue going.
It’s interesting to think that while Jesus tells His followers to care for the hurting, hungry and poor, He also reminds us that the poor will always be with us.
No social program, no church program, no amount of money is going to take it away. There will always be the poor among us – which means there will always be a way to serve.
If you’re still interested in being a part of this ministry or making a donation, here are some things they guys mentioned they are still needing:

Bibles

socks

long underwear

pants, shirts and underwear for larger men (XL, XXL)

reading materials

reading glasses/ magnifying glasses
If you would like to donate any or all of these things, please zip me an e-mail or call me. I’d be glad to let you know how you can get involved.
We’ll also still accept coats and blankets for men, women and children.
There were a number of men who walked up well after all the warm clothes that might have fit them were gone and we’d love to be able to help them as well.
Thanks again for all your prayers and support. I have a feeling people were touched today with God’s love thanks to your willingness to help and serve.

Sunday night

Well I left Laurie's tonight around 9:45 saying I was coming home and going straight to bed. Well it's 10:45 and I'm home and on my computer. Geeze ;-).
I fixed me up some grilled mushrooms and started ripping the encounter podcast while I waited for them to cook. (SIDENOTE: Grilled mushrooms on a Forman Grill may be one of the easiest and greatest snacks of all time - I will seriously put it on the menu if I ever open a restaurant.)
So now, while eating my 'shrooms and waiting for the message from this morning to finish ripping I figured I'd post some updates to the blog.
So enjoy....

Orange Noise Top 10

Here's the latest 10 ten requests on Orange Noise Radio. Request your favorites at: media.orangenoiseradio.com

1. U2 (3)
City of Blinding Lights
2. Audio Adrenaline (2)
Mighty Good Leader
3. Todd Agnew (2)
My Jesus
4. Between Thieves (2)
Two Pennies
5. Audio Adrenaline (2)
Big House
6. Audio Adrenaline (1)
Hands and Feet
7. Tait (1)
One
8. The Killers (1)
All These Things That I've Done
9. Jars of Clay (1)
Flood
10. Jennifer Knapp (1)
Martyrs and Thieves

David Crowder Band - Here Is Our King (Live)

David Crowder Band - Here Is Our King (Live)

Love this song. The video insets are a little annoying - but the song is worth it.

Internet hits the road

Using a new service called TracNet, users can now take their Internet on the road, or anywhere else - even without a cellphone tower nearby.
The service uses satellite to give you Internet coverage wherever you might be and also turns your vehicle into a Wi-Fi hotspot so everyone with a laptop can surf along with you.
Get ready to take Orange Noise Radio wherever you go.

Skip TiVo and build your own DVR

I had a friend in college who built his own DVR with an old desktop computer. The quality was somewhat poor and I thought he was a little crazy at the time -- I said what's wrong with your VCR. I'm sure folks that built the original Mp3Cars were looked at as pretty crazy as well - Apple didn't seem to think so.
But as technology gets better and better neither idea seems too crazy.
So for those of you not wanting to fork over $200 on a TiVo or pay for the monthly subscription, Lifehacker has instructions on building your own DVR with a desktop (or laptop for that matter) PC.
If you can install a PCI card and some software, you too can build your own DVR. Give it a go and let us know how it works out.

Google sets aside $200 million for YouTube

According to CNET:

Google could be preparing to fight copyright lawsuits related to its acquisition of YouTube by setting aside over $200 million in escrow for a year. In a statement Monday announcing the completion of its purchase of YouTube, Google said "12.5 percent of the equity issued and issuable in the transaction will be subject to escrow for one year to secure certain indemnification obligations."

I wonder if they've been listening to Mav's owner Mark Cuban who's been pretty outspoken against YouTube and it's legal issues.

Go back in time with Google Earth

If you're a big fan of old school maps, check out latest feature in Google Earth. According to Lifehacker:

The Rumsey collection includes 16 maps. Among them you'll find a 1790 world globe, a 1680 map of Tokyo, and an 1814 map spanning the Pacific Ocean to the Mississippi--courtesy of Lewis and Clark.
To view these new old maps, you'll need the latest version of Google Earth (use the program's check-for-updates feature if you're not sure you have it). In the layers section, select All Layers, then look for Featured Content > Rumsey Historical Maps.

TNA Wrestling ready for prime time

TNA Wrestling goes primetime tonight on SPIKE! Too bad I don't have cable anymore, I hear Kurt Angle is debuting in the ring tonight for TNA. Angle takes on Samoa Joe Sunday night on the company's PPV. Should be a great match.
Jeff Jarrett held a media press conference earlier this week to discuss the PPV and the future of the company.
And Slam sports has a story on Jarrett and his behind the scene work for TNA.
In regards to former WCW and WWE wrestler Chris Jericho:

"I've known Chris for over 10 years, and I've always respected his ability. He still has a lot of great years in him. If Chris decides to come back, I have no doubt in my mind that it will be because he truly wants to, and because he loves the business. I believe it is something we can work because of the advantages of our schedule."