Sometimes I need to be a "nerd".    This is one of those times.

When I came to AIA, my programming knowledge was very small, so it was only natural for me to set aside what I already knew and pick up and learn C# which my boss was using.    I got the basics down, and have been able to pick up new items fairly quickly along the way.     I've sort of made the challenge to myself that as I grow in my skills, I would try to bite off one or two new pieces of what .NET has to offer at a time, and not too much.    It's worked out pretty well for me.

However, my latest find has been one of the most exciting.   

Subsonic is an open-source tool that builds objects and classes off of your database, to give you the ability to do true object-oriented programming in code.   (I realize that this last sentence makes no since to most of my readers!)    In layman's terms, with Subsonic I am able to talk to my database in the same manner I talk to other pieces of code.    Maybe this visual will help:

Here's my original code -

Here's my code with Subsonic -

Look at the difference... it's like 7 lines shorter.     Subsonic makes my job as a developer so much quicker and more efficient!   It's unreal what options I now have available to myself.   And in the end, I become a better programmer through seeing how it does it's stuff as well.

And best of all, this is just one small piece of what this tool offers.   There's a whole bunch of utilities I have not even touched yet.  

So what does it all mean.   It means I can begin to get more done,  in less amount of time, and hopefully accomplish a handful of my goals in 2009 as a result.  I am sure in the coming months, you'll here me reference this tool more.

It seems like a few times a month someone walks into my office, glances at my screen, and asks "What Language is that?"  Whether it is C#, HTML, SQL or something different, if you don't have knowledge of what code looks like, it very well looks like some foreign language to someone else.  

However my knowledge of code, and ability to use it, is no different than the talents that other people have that I may not.   I look at those who can play guitar and I am amazed.   I wish I had the strength to rock-climb like the guys I see in outdoor magazines, or produce creative videos that would interest people in watching.

The reality however is that anything is able to be accomplished with the proper practice, tools, and patience.

All that to share this.  For those who might be interested in learning to program, I read this great article yesterday on 10 Tips for Learning a New Programming Language via the NetTUTS blog.   It's a great resource on how to get started.

I came across this article from John Zens' (he spoke at Apex in the fall) posted on Frank Viola's Blog, which I thought I needed to do my duty to pass along.   Zens does a great job addressing one of the biggest issues within the church today, and discussing the negative effects that it has on people.   Here's a quote, but go read the article:

Have you ever noticed that speech that tears others down travels like a brush fire, but news of repentance and restoration seems to move along at a snail’s pace? Why is it that we often immediately believe and embrace negative assessments of people, but reports of repentance, change, or the dispelling of a false rumor are met with skepticism? As believers, the exact opposite should be our practice: we should be hesitant to entertain and skeptical of adverse words about others, and quick to rejoice in and embrace news of the dispelling of a rumor or another’s repentance!

During our trip with AIA Basketball this summer, I was given the opportunity to learn from our tour director, Coach Mo, in his environment.   Coach has been walking with God, and pouring his life into others much longer than I have been alive.   He's full of so many amazing nuggets that allowed him to share such godly truth into the lives of the men we brought on tour with us.

One of the key things I learned from Coach Mo was a model of discipleship that I feel is so well balanced for people seeking to walk with God.   Balance in today's fast-paced society can be so crazy at times, and if we are not careful, it's easy to pour ourselves out to the point where we become tired and empty - leaving us at times, vulnerable.

The model is simple:

• We have a disciple that we are pouring into
• We have a mentor/discipler that is pouring into us
• And a sojourner/friend that is walking day to day beside us.

I think if we have all three of the people in place, we will see a more biblical discipleship process take place.   Think about it.   The original disciples were being discipled by Jesus, walked beside one another, and were sent to make disciples themselves.  They were never alone in the mission they had before them.  

This model looks different for everyone, but it still works today. Marriage as a discipleship provides a "built-in" sojourner by our side at all times.   And within the house church environment, we have many chances to have relationships with disciplers/disciples.

Learning to live this model is a goal of mine, as I am not sure I think some of my circles are being occupied at all times.   That is a goal for 2009 for myself to really define what & who is in this model for me, knowing that some circles will be filled by more than a single individual.

My apology to my faithful blog readers who checked my blog last week to find no new posts to my blog.    We haven't had the Internet installed at home yet, but are scheduled to get it this week, so that makes it hard to post regularly.  However, that's not the real reason for not being able for finding the time to post.   I've just been busy.

Last Sunday we had an Open House for friends and family to come and see our place.  60+ peeps were able to make it, which was sweet.   We are blessed by our relationships and the support we have from all our friends, so it was great to be able to open our home to those people.    One of the coolest things we learned during our time staying with friends was that our home can be a gift from God for our use, as much as it is for anyone else's, so that was fun to open it up for others.   We hope to be able to do that more.

Then after a few hours of sleep, the week took off quick as I headed to Orlando to Campus Crusade HQ for two days of meeting with various people in the IT department down there.   It was a great vision trip for me, as I had yet to meet any of the folks I sometimes work with on various corporate wide issues.   But it did wear me out as well.   We spent basically two days in non-stop meetings, which were beneficial, but  I never do well sitting on my rear and talking that long.

We returned home late Tuesday, but it wasn't till Saturday that I finally felt rested.  I honestly thought multiple-times this week how I don't know how business people travel so regularly.   I was so lethargic all week as a result from the travel, that I came home a slept multiple nights after work.  

Last week also included our AIA Christmas Party, as well as a trip to Kent State for Chelsey's cousin's graduation.  It was neat to spend some extended time with her full family, engage with them, and get to know them better.   I really enjoyed the trip, and the time spent with them.

But as I come to a close about last week, I realize that sharing what I did is less important than sharing what I learned, so I hope to find sometime this week to do just that.

And I also ask for your prayers this week, as I begin a special project this week for work.   I'm sure I will be blogging about it later this week.

Feliz Navidad ~ Andy

At the risk of breaking one the few and only rules of blogging, don't upset your readers, I feel the need to discuss my love-hate relationship with Mac computers.

Please hear me out here, I like Macs.    There are a lot of things that I will admit that Apple does better than Microsoft.   Out of the box they are cleaner, typically more stable, and have pretty-intuitive features that come with them.   I do like their look.    When I see someone sitting in a coffee shop with a MacBook Pro open, I assume that he's a pretty cool guy.   And yes, I too have been persuaded by their marketing campaign to some degree.   

But I must admit, one of the biggest turn-offs from buying a Mac for me, right now at least, is not something that has been on my usual list of valid reasons, but actually a new one - their users.    This is not a blanket statement by any means, but in this last month, I have met three Mac users, that have just really been ill-informed Mac elitists (or want-to-be's), and their comments have just been the biggest bunch of junk ever.     Anyone that knows me, knows I love a decent technology debate, but that's not what I seem to get when talking with these "I thought that Mac commercials were cool, so I bought a Mac" converts.    Believe me, I would be more than open to switching to a new system if someone can honestly tell me how I could do my job better on Mac, but pulling an uneducated reason out of the sky, is not helping your attempt to convert me over.

Now let me be honest here, if I seem angry, I'm not.   Actually quiet the opposite.   I tend to turn and chuckle from these interactions.   Just yesterday, I was in a conversation with a guy at work, who basically said that he had to switch "'cause I do web stuff."   Now why wouldn't I laugh at that, because I know what he really means is that he creates some simple graphics and videos and plugs them into a content management system built on Windows Machine, hosted on Windows Server, running on ASP.NET - a Microsoft programming language.   I won't argue that his job might be easier with a Mac, but walking into a room with two web designers that have built every-tool you have used to do your "web stuff" (on Windows), with an uneducated comment like that, is no way to make a convert out of me.

The reality is there is still a large segment of technology needs out in world, that I feel Apple has not gone after yet, and until they do, there's a large number of users for better-or-worse that are still better off with a Windows PC.    And I believe we all need to come to a point where we can admit that, no matter what side of the fence we are on.   If a Mac vs. Windows conversation can't start there, then we will never be able to be honest about the pros and cons of one switching.

And above all, I wish that at the end of the day, whatever the topic is, that we attempt be educated.  I don't know it all either...

So, you know those calls you receive that you hope never end.    The ones that are so refreshing, encouraging, and thought-provoking.  Yeah, that is how I would describe my call from Bethany six-weeks ago.   I am still thinking about what I learned from that call seeming everyday.

Now Bethany is not who you think.  Bethany is not an old girl-friend, or an old crush.  Bethany is a little town, two miles from Jerusalem, and about six weeks ago I was give a small book on her, and the significance she had in the life & ministry of Jesus Christ.   Bethany in a short summary is great model for what house church looks like, which is how Apex chooses to do ministry.

The book was written by Frank Viola, and is available here as a free download from his website.   I have also enjoyed reading his blog as some follow-up!

There are four clear verses in which Bethany's importance is displayed. 

The one which was most familiar is from the Book of Luke, 10:38-42.   The passage is Mary & Martha, where Mary chooses to sit at the feet of Jesus, and Martha spends her time hosting the King of Kings.  At the end of the passage Martha complains that Mary didn't help, but Jesus supports Mary's decision to sit at His feet.

But there's some other passages within the Gospel that I felt were significant to the story of Bethany too:

• John 11:1-44 : Lazarus' Death & Resurrection took place in Bethany
• John 12:1-8 : Jesus' would teach in the temple all day, and then go to Bethany each night for rest, encouragement, and fellowship during his last 6 days before being crucified.
• Luke 24:50-53 : Jesus went out to Bethany before ascending into heaven.

There's a lot packed into these four verses, which I would love to share, but I summarized some key points from the article, as well as some challenging thoughts for me and house churches!

1. Jesus is the center & supreme - when he came to Bethany they treated him like a king deserved to be treated.
2. We are to FEAST on His Word, and then RISE and SERVE.
3. Jesus came to Bethany because He loves us, and is our friend --- and we believe that!
4. In Bethany, Jesus gives us the command to set others free from those things binding them.

Challenges to Me:

• We must learn how to see God at work in our lives, and how to share it.
• Content-Time in house church is centered on real-life situations, led by our centeredness on Jesus.
• If we all study for content, it will allow Christ a better chance to lead.
• We must sit at Jesus' feet.  When things aren't go our way, it usually a sign Jesus is speaking to us about our issues, not someone else's.

My hope is that I will continue to learn, practice, and live in a way that mimics Bethany, both at house church, and at home.   The people in Bethany were so important to Jesus, that He spent His last six days on earth with them, my prayer is that we all are people Jesus' would spend the last six days with.

For my handful of faithful blog readers, the news is in ---

We're having a baby BOY!!! Wohoo.

Here's a card we received from Chelsey's sister yesterday:

This one has been out there a while, but decided it was worth sharing with those who might have not seen, or those like me who need inspired from time-to-time.   Technically, this is amazing, but creativly it's even more than that....

A SHORT LOVE STORY IN STOP MOTION from Carlos Lascano on Vimeo.