Christian Zombie Killers?

The Christian Zombie Killers Handbook: Slaying the Living Dead Within

This isn't something I would normally pick to read, but I thought a change of pace would be nice. And it never hurts to prepare the inevitable onslaught of zombie invaders. Be on the look out for this review.

On a side note, have you seen the new Kindles? The Fire looks like it could be a winner. I'm just hoping to one day scrape up enough money to pick up the basic kindle, which is now down to $79 for the cheapest model. Getting closer!

 So what are you reading?

CyanogenMod 7 for the Samsung Captivate

My journey through Captivate Rom's has lead me to CyanogenMod 7. This is one that I have been wanting to try, but have been a little nervous about the mixed reviews.

Well, I'm pleased to say that I have been running CM7 for a week now and am very impressed.

Installing CM7

You can find official installation instructions in the OP of the XDA thread [NIGHTLY][ROM][GRJ90] CyanogenMod 7 for Samsung Captivate (captivatemtd) and at the Samsung Captivate: Full Update Guide.

I was already on gingerbread boot loaders and I9000 ROM's so I went about it a little differently. I installed from Apex 10 and I9000 gingerbread boot loaders. 

The CM7 FAQ for SGS Users states that:

Note: As of Nightly 78 (Captivate), Nightly 77 (I9000), or Nightly 75 (Vibrant); the gingerbread bootloaders are now compatible with CyanogenMod 7 and external SD card is accessible. They are not required for the ROM to work properly and you do not need to flash them as the froyo bootloaders work just as well.

The first thing I did was switch to the I897 captivate gingerbread boot loaders found here. Worked quick and easy. (I9000 boot loaders may have worked, but I wanted to get on "captivate" loaders. Not sure if it made a difference or not.)

As far as flashing to stock I used [MOD] {One Click Odin} Stock I897UCKH3 with boog_kh3_kernel3, NO Bootloaders. I tried to flash CM7 without this step but the flash failed. This will get you to a basically stock ROM with the correct Captivate identification and partitions, while still keeping the gingerbread boot loaders if you decide to move on to another ROM later. The kernal has CWM, so from here you can flash CM7.

Of course I did a factory/data reset before flashing. 

There is an RC 7.1.0 that is considered to be stable enough for everyday use, but the latest nightly's work just as well if not better.

Should you try it?

CyanogenMod 7 is basically Vanilla Android. Nothing flashy, but I happen to like it. Performance is awesome especially when combined with the Glitch kernel, featuring Voodoo color and sound, and overclocking and undervolting.

One thing that I found pleasantly surprising, was that my GPS is working better with this ROM than any I have tried before. 

On the downside, I would have to say that battery life is CM7's biggest pitfall. It's not terrible, but you can expect to see between 4 and 5 percent battery drain per hour. I'm currently trying JuiceDefender to extend my battery life. Here is a little from the market description.

JuiceDefender - Battery Saver is a powerful yet easy to use power manager app specifically designed to extend the battery life of your Android device. Packed with smart functions, it automatically and transparently manages the most battery draining components, like 3G/4G connectivity and WiFi.

One thing that CyanogenMod 7  does have going for it, is a team of great developers who are continually improving upon an already great ROM. If your looking for performance and function, I recommend giving this one a try.

It is OK to kill a child in the womb, when...

If you haven't already seen the 180 movie , you need to. It is the best pro-life documentary to date. Powerful and convicting, it will cause you to think about abortion in new ways.


I won't attempt to go into details. In 33 minutes it says more than I ever could, so I've included the video below. Please watch and consider your stance on abortion and the value of human life.

After watching, head over and "like" the 180 movie Facebook page and be sure to share it with all your friends.

Autism and "Loving Lampposts"

Autism is a subject that hits home for many. My family is no exception. My oldest son has been diagnosed with  Asperger's and my middle son is currently considered Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD). With all of the attention that autism and disorders related to its spectrum have been receiving in recent years, it still seems as though most of the general public is confused, or simply uninformed concerning these conditions. One reason for this, could be the fact that doctors and families dealing with autism often  appear to be just as confused as everyone else.

I recently watched a documentary over autism, Loving Lampposts, that sought to explore and shed some light on this mysterious condition. Filmmaker, Todd Drezner, does a good job of showing the many sides and reactions to autism. After watching the film and reading his Directors statement, I can really relate to his point of view. His attitude towards his son and how best to love and help him, is right in line with my views. They aren't "sick" or horribly disabled, they are just different. But, aren't we all? 

If you would like to learn more about autism, I highly recommend Loving Lampposts. I've included a clip below.

Here is the synopsis from their site.

Synopsis

As autism has exploded into the public consciousness over the last 20 years, two opposing questions have been asked about the condition: is it a devastating sickness to be cured? Or is it a variation of the human brain — just a different way to be human?

After his son's diagnosis, filmmaker Todd Drezner visits the front lines of the autism wars. We meet the "recovery movement," which views autism as a tragic epidemic brought on by environmental toxins. Operating outside the boundaries of mainstream medicine, these parents, doctors, and therapists search for unconventional treatments that can "reverse" autism and restore their children to normal lives.

We meet the 'neurodiversity' movement, which argues that autism should be accepted and autistic people supported. This group argues that the focus on treatments and cures causes the wider society to view autistic people as damaged and sick. Acceptance is the better way, but how do you practice acceptance of autism in a world where the very word can terrify parents?

And we meet a too often ignored group: autistic adults. It's these adults who show just how tricky it is to judge an autistic person's life. Is an autistic woman who directs academic research about autism recovered? What if the same woman has trouble speaking and uses text-to-speech software to communicate? Is an autistic man who lives in his own apartment recovered? What if his mother must hire people to do his laundry and take him out in the evenings?

This wide angle view of autism makes clear what's at stake in the autism wars. Will we live in a world dominated by autism conferences where vendors hawk vitamins and hyperbaric chambers to parents desperate for a cure? Or will we provide the support that autistic adults need to lead the best lives they can? And can these two worlds possibly co-exist?

Scrollable Widget for the Android Google Reader App

I love Google Reader. I subscribe to a ridiculous number of blogs. If I happen upon something that looks interesting, rather than simply bookmarking the site I just go ahead and subscribe to its feed. I never miss anything and I can access it from any computer or device.

My only beef with the official Google Reader Android app is its lack of a good widget. The two that come with it leave alot to be desired. So I started searching for a widget or news app compatible with Google Reader accounts. There are many scrollable widgets in the market that can receive and display the post headlines, but when clicked most open the item in the widget's own app or in a web browser. I wanted the items to open in the Google Reader app.

I had all but given up till I found APW Google Reader. I does exactly what I want. It shows my feed on a scrolling widget and opens items in the Google Reader app. If your an avid Google Reader user hit the link and download from the market, and best of all it's free!

Great ROMS and Themes for the Samsung Captivate

One of the best things about the Android platform is the never ending options. Everything can be customized and tweaked to your liking. Which means that once your bit by the customizing bug, no one launcher, ROM, wallpaper, lock screen, widget, our icon, will remain unchanged for long.

So far I've flashed four different ROMs to my Captivate. The first was Serendipity 6.4, froyo. Great ROM, but soon after I found it Serendipity VII was released -  Gingerbread : ) S7 is extremely stable with great performance. I recommend it to anyone who wants a great ROM that simply works. It also comes with some great themes.

Next up is DlevROM 4.2. This ROM is very snappy and features some cool animations. The screens would flip, turn, and twist with every change. The theme was nice for this one as well. I experienced some lock ups with this ROM, but nothing too severe. Probably something I did, so don't blame the ROM. Version 5.0 has been released, but have yet to have tried it. Development seems to have stopped on this one, as Dlev's cappy has recently suffered an unfortunate accident. He has since moved on to the SGS2.

As of now I've settled with Mosaic VI. This is another extremely stable ROM with great speed. It comes with a great orange colored theme and many more can be found here and here. There is even an OTA app and website, which is quite nice.

I'm using the Firefly theme. 

So that is the run down of the ROMs that I have used so far, but I'm sure it won't be long before I change again. I'll pass it along when I do.



If your looking for wallpapers and icons to make your android even more unique, head on over to Mortem Taum's site and check out his latest creations. He does some awesome work.

Here is my latest. I'm using GOLauncher and ClockQ.

So what's on your phone? 

Extravagant Worship? Perfume, Money, and Mites

Whenever I read these verses, I stop and wonder how I would have reacted had I been there. Clearly Mary's actions were approved of by our Lord, but I can't help but think I may have complained right along side of Judas.

Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 

Jesus said, "Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me." John 12:3-8 ESV

That was a lot of money. There were many needs. Many that could have been met with these funds. Shouldn't we be good stewards?

Now I realize that Judas' intentions weren't that pure.  He only wanted the cash so that he could steal it. But still his reasoning has a familiar ring to it. How many times have you heard that same criticism levied against a church, individual, or organization?

They didn't need that big new building. Think if that money would have been used for foreign missions or to feed the hungry, how much good could have been done?


Sound familiar?

Things aren't always so simple. When is the extravagant gift, right or wrong? Will everyone realize the truth? Or will it only truly be known by the giver?

I guess it comes down to the thoughts and intents of the heart. Mary gave from her love, devotion, and grateful heart. Jesus had just returned her brother from the dead, how could any response be considered too much?

I'm reminded of the account of Annanias and Sapphira in Acts chapter 5. Barnabas gave the proceeds of the sale of his land to the Apostles for the good of the Church. He gave willingly and thankfully.

Now Annanias and Sapphira saw the recognition Barnabas recieved for his gift of love and decided they wanted their names mentioned along side of his. They in turned sold their land, kept a little for all their troubles, and then proudly brought the rest to the Apostles.

The Lord killed them both.

Not all gifts are the same. God isn't a stockbroker. He doesn't keep a tally of the bottom line, comparing dollar to dollar. The widows mite is more than all the gold of the rich.(Mark 12:42 KJV) It's not your standard math.

So I guess we shouldn't be so quick to judge. We foolishly believe we have all the facts, yet at the same time affirm that only God sees the heart.

If your heart is overwhelmed with praise and thanksgiving, worship God and worship extravagently. Some say give till it hurts, but I don't believe Mary, or Barnabas, or even our poor widow, felt any pain. They were too focused on the one whom they worship to even consider themselves.

The Trials of Theology

 

Wouldn't it be nice, if when starting out on a new journey in life, you could have someone come along side who has been there and done that, who could point out the potential pitfalls, the slippery slopes, and give directions at those ever confusing forks in the road?

Well for the seminary student, or those who are just seeking to know their God and his word more deeply, there is The Trials of Theology: Becoming a "Proven Worker" in a Dangerous Business.  Proverbs states:

    Without counsel plans fail,
        but with many advisers they succeed.
(Proverbs 15:22 ESV)

This book and these authors serve as your faithful advisers. These are men who have gone before, facing the trials such study entails, who now share the lessons they have learned on their journey. Wise counsel is given from generations past, by the likes of Augustine, Luther, Spurgeon, Warfield, Bonhoeffer, and Lewis. Though time has moved past these greats, their wisdom, encouragement, and warnings, are needed and useful at all times, and always now. The trials and temptations they faced in their pursuit of God, are those which are faced by all who would follow in their steps. For scripture warns us that our "adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."(1 Peter 5:8 ESV)  And who would be a more tempting meal than he who is seeking our God?


In seeking godly advisers, one doesn't always have to travel back in time to find the counsel they seek. There are many today who have navigated this road and are willing to mark the sure path. The second half of this book is filled with their words and wisdom. John Woodhouse, D. A. Carson, Carl Trueman, Gerald Bray, and Dennis Hollinger, lend their voices of experience to this work, each one tackling a different area of study and the dangers posed. Many of the concerns mentioned, are those that may not have been even considered by those who are starting out. I think of Jesus' concern for his disciples in John 14:29.

And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe.(John 14:29 ESV)

Yes, much of this book is a warning of what to look out for, so that danger doesn't take you by surprise.

The Trials of Theology, is an enlightening and necessary read for all who are pursuing God, full of warnings to be heeded, and encouragement to be absorbed, you will not be left disappointed.

I'd like to thank Christian Focus Publications for sending me this free copy for review.