I’m looking forward to Sherwood Pictures 2011 release of Corageous.  This movie bravely goes into the challenging territory of fatherhood, which for many Dads is frustrating and confusing in the midst of our mixed up culture.  The story is centered on law enforcement officers, Adam Mitchell and Nathan Hayes, who give their best at work, but only give the little bit that’s left to their family at home.  This is a problem that nearly every father can relate to.  I’m hopeful that this film will challenge and encourage fathers towards Godly fatherhood in the same way that Fireproof challenged and encouraged so many married couples towards a more Godly marriage.  You can follow the film’s production progress at www.courageousthemovie.com.

Awhile back my wife brought home several boxes of Commodore 64 “stuff” that her brother was getting rid of.  All of it sat in our basement for the longest time until I came home last week and there sat the whole family playing games on the Commodore 64.  As it turns out there were 3 actual Commodore 64 computers amongst the stuff, each of them in various stages of disrepair.  The nostalgic side of me remembers back to my own Commodore 64 & 128 computers, so I really wanted to keep at least one of them.  I sat down this morning between the three of them and was able to put together a working unit with all of the keys on the keyboard.  While I’m an A+ certified computer technician, this is the first time I’ve ever cracked open a Commodore.  I may have to put this experience on my resume just for fun.  I’m planning to teach my oldest boy how to do some basic programming on the Commodore 64, so he can learn just like dear old Dad did.  You can see a picture of my newly refurbished Commodore 64 in all of its nostalgic geeky goodness below.

Author: Colin Creel
Paperback: 192 Pages
Publisher: Crossway Books
Publication Year: 2008
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1581349521
ISBN-13: 978-1581349528
List Price: $12.99

I wanted to extend a word of thanks to the kind folks at Crossway Books for sending me a review copy of Colin Creel’s Crossroads: Navigating Your Calling and Career.

Colin Creel is dean of junior boys at Wesleyan School in Norcross, Georgia. In addition to his role as dean, he also teaches Bible and coaches swimming. Besides this work under review, he has also written Perspectives: A Spiritual Life Guide For Twentysomethings (Orlando, FL: Relevant Books, 2005). You may visit Colin’s web site at www.colincreel.com.

Each of us wonders at one time or another, what we will be when we grow up. It seems that when we finally grow up, many of us continue to question the choices we have made in relation to our calling and our career. This book will be a worthwhile resource for both the novice and the seasoned professional, who might be wrestling with these sorts of questions.

The book is divided into two sections. Part one considers topics related to calling and part two considers topics related to career. At the start of every chapter there is a short story to illustrate the topic at hand. These topics are further expounded upon with “seasoned advice” from respected Christian leaders like Steve Arterburn, Max Lucado, and others. Each chapter closes with “points to ponder”, which includes relevant Bible references and discussion questions.

This is the sort of book one may consider reading once a year and still come away with fresh insights in relation to their current life circumstances. I found it to be enlightening for my personal study, but am considering using it for a study with a small group. The “points to ponder” at the close of each chapter make it especially applicable for use in small groups. Whether for personal study or for use in a small group, this book is sure to cause you to consider important questions about your career and calling. I am confident you will be inspired to seek God’s leading as you strive to move well beyond your current circumstances. I commend Colin Creel for writing this timely work. I pray that it will be used of God to transform our current and future workforce, so they might be moved away from the doldrums of listlessness and confusion towards a Godly calling and career.

This review was originally published April 13, 2008 @ ShaunTabatt.com.

I’ve been trying to spend a bit more time around the house this week and have been torturing blessing my children with my favorite DC Talk tracks. Go ahead and pull up a chair and sing along with some of my all time favorites.

Have you gone digital yet? No, I’m not talking about the converter box for your old analog television. (Although I think I heard something about a $40 coupon.) Have you gone digital with your devotions? I’m presently split at about 50 / 50. Initially it can be a struggle to make the transition from printed books to digital editions. I love books, so I sometimes feel like I’m betraying all of my printed editions when I read digital. Hopefully I’ll be able to work though that. Here are a few of the advantages I’ve discovered by striving to go digital with my devotions:

1. Efficiency – I save a lot of time using the computer over using multiple printed books. It’s reasonably easy to consult dictionaries, commentaries, maps,etc. with a few mouse clicks.
2. Portability – I tend to have a laptop with me when I’m at work, home, or traveling. In that case I have access to my study resources wherever I go.
3. Expertise – As I continue to use my electronic Bible study tools (BibleWorks 8, LOGOS), I’m becoming more adept at using all of the features. This continues to improve the quality of the reading and research I do with these valuable tools.

If you have access to electronic Bible study tools, I’d encourage to spend a week going digital with your devotions. Good luck!

It was 31 years ago today that I was born in Minneapolis, MN. Much to my Mom’s surprise, I decided to be born 7 weeks early and weighed only 4 pounds, 1 ounce. I praise God that I survived. I am blessed that I don’t have any lingering health issues from my premature birth. As I reflect back on my 31 years of life, I am very thankful. Here are the top 5 things I am thankful for in no particular order:
1. Thank you God for the salvation that is available through your son Jesus Christ.
2. Thank you Mom & Dad for giving me life.
3. Thank you to my dear wife who has been putting up with me for over 11 years.
4. Thank God for my present children and those yet to come.
5. Thank God for the roasted, ground, and brewed coffee beans that will allow me to stay awake today through 8 hours of meetings.

Many thanks to the kind folks at Bethany House Publishers for sending an advanced reading copy of Don Hoesel’s debut novel, Elisha’s Bones.  As a web designer and an author, Don is a geek after my own heart.  The street date for this upcoming release is March 2009.  You can learn more about Elisha’s Bones at the Bethany House Publishers web site:  LINK.  You can learn more about Don Hoesel at www.donhoesel.com.

I just realized it’s been a week since my last entry.  My Hebrew class at The Bethlehem institute started up again last Thursday.  Over the weekend I installed a laminate floor at my mother-in-law’s house.  Other than that, it’s a regular week back at work.  You can see the progress of my weekend handiwork below:

Thanks to the folks at Zondervan’s Koinonia blog, especially Andrew Rogers, for mentioning my recent review of A Reader’s Greek New Testament, 2nd Edition.  If you don’t already follow Koinonia, you should start today.  You can see the “mention” in context below.  Click on the screen shot to pay Koinonia a visit.

It’s not quite midnight here in MN, but I think I’ll be heading to bed anyways.  Happy New Year!  I’ll start working on that list of resolutions tomorrow.