The quiet thread...no, not that one

[SBG]

I know there is other threads called the quiet thread about things people cannot answer, but I like the name and choose to use it for something else.

I wonder if we can just talk, like Christians, with each other instead of AT each other. I wonder if we can show here, what we cannot show else where. So, in context here, quiet means no strife, no anger, no debating, no hatred, period. Instead, a conversation of Christians who choose to uplift one another instead of putting one another down.

If you are a TE, you are most welcome here. I for one would enjoy talking with you, instead of trying to point out how each of us is wrong.

So, just to start, maybe some simple questions that you all can evolve (hehe) into other questions.

1. Why did you choose the name (handle) you are using to post here?

2. How did you find out about this place?

3. What do you do for a day job or hobby if you don't want to say your job?

Those should be simple enough and I'll be the first to answer.

1. I chose SBG because it stands for 'Saved By Grace'. There is no other way, but by the Grace of God.

2. I cannot even remember how I found out about this place. Most likely Google.

3. I work as a freelance web developer. I work with Churches and Ministries mostly to educate them about how to use the internet effectively and why web standards matter.

Hobbies: studying the Bible and theology, learning new languages, reading, writing music on the guitar, cooking, and I am sure there are many others that aren't coming to mind. I am also preparing (as if one can, hehe) to be a first time father.

 

[vossler]

So, just to start, maybe some simple questions that you all can evolve (hehe) into other questions.

1. Why did you choose the name (handle) you are using to post here?

2. How did you find out about this place?

3. What do you do for a day job or hobby if you don't want to say your job?

Those should be simple enough and I'll be the first to answer.

1. I chose SBG because it stands for 'Saved By Grace'. There is no other way, but by the Grace of God.

2. I cannot even remember how I found out about this place. Most likely Google.

3. I work as a freelance web developer. I work with Churches and Ministries mostly to educate them about how to use the internet effectively and why web standards matter.

Hobbies: studying the Bible and theology, learning new languages, reading, writing music on the guitar, cooking, and I am sure there are many others that aren't coming to mind. I am also preparing (as if one can, hehe) to be a first time father.

Great idea SBG, this should cut through some of the tension here and show everyone we're all human beings with lives just like everyone else.

1. I'm not a very imaginative person so there's nothing profound with my name because it's just that, my name.

2. I think Google or some other 'accidental' means was how I too got here.

3. I teach MS-Office at a local business school.

Hobbies: Studying the Bible, some reading, playing racquetball and trying to keep up with two teenagers keep me from getting too bored.

 

[SBG]

I suspect having two teenagers will keep you from ever getting bored.

How do you like teaching MS Office? Have you ever taught Open Office or looked into it?

You ever read Max Lucado? He is a fantastic author!

 

[vossler]

I suspect having two teenagers will keep you from ever getting bored.

How do you like teaching MS Office? Have you ever taught Open Office or looked into it?

You ever read Max Lucado? He is a fantastic author!

I like teaching and I like learning even more. No I've never taught or looked into Open Office, isn't that the product produced by Sun?

It's funny that you mention Max Lucado, I was talking about him last night with a friend. I've had many opportunities to read him and have never followed through.

I like John MacArthur, John Eldredge, Charles Stanley and I'm currently reading an incredibly interesting book called Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell. Have you heard of him?

What other languages do you know or are presently learning?

 

[SBG]

I like teaching and I like learning even more. No I've never taught or looked into Open Office, isn't that the product produced by Sun?

It's funny that you mention Max Lucado, I was talking about him last night with a friend. I've had many opportunities to read him and have never followed through.

I like John MacArthur, John Eldredge, Charles Stanley and I'm currently reading an incredibly interesting book called Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell. Have you heard of him?

What other languages do you know or are presently learning?

Yup, Sun created Open Office. It is basically just like MS Office, but free. Same programs as Office, word, excel, access, powerpoint, etc. They are addition software programs in the bundle, like a math and calc programs.

Max Lucado is a fantastic author! He has such a gift at writing.

I used to be pretty good with Spanish, but haven't been in a situation to use it for a few years now, so I am really rusty at it. I know a bit of Hebrew and I have been studying to be fluent in Greek. I can read the NT in Greek and know pretty much what it is saying, but Koine Greek and Modern Greek are slightly different.

I really want to sit down and learn cuneiform sometime. That would be after I get better with Hebrew. I guess I tend to like the older languages.

I was going to start another thread in here about Scripture interpreting Scripture. I wonder sometimes if people know exactly what that means. I sometimes see or hear negative comments about it. So, I thought posting about it might help. Basically, I was going to say that we can look to Scripture to understand how certain authors understood other parts of the Bible which can greatly help us understand how certain aspects of Scripture are to be understood. Just something I was thinking about today.

Has the weather gotten cold where you live? It is hot here in California! I'm wondering where the winter has been. We got some rain and snow, but the last few days have been hot.

 

[vossler]

I really want to sit down and learn cuneiform sometime. That would be after I get better with Hebrew. I guess I tend to like the older languages.

You weren't kidding when you said that you like to learn languages. Whew! That's an incredible undertaking, I'm glad you have the time for that now, believe me once you have kids everything changes.

I was going to start another thread in here about Scripture interpreting Scripture. I wonder sometimes if people know exactly what that means. I sometimes see or hear negative comments about it. So, I thought posting about it might help. Basically, I was going to say that we can look to Scripture to understand how certain authors understood other parts of the Bible which can greatly help us understand how certain aspects of Scripture are to be understood. Just something I was thinking about today.

I think if you have an aversion to Scripture you'll have an aversion to Scripture interpreting itself.

Has the weather gotten cold where you live? It is hot here in California! I'm wondering where the winter has been. We got some rain and snow, but the last few days have been hot.

Winter, we had some back in November, but since then it's bee unseasonably warm, one could even say hot! Boy we sure could use some rain too.

 

[chaoschristian]

1. Why did you choose the name (handle) you are using to post here?

2. How did you find out about this place?

3. What do you do for a day job or hobby if you don't want to say your job?

1. See my blog.
2. Google
3. I'm a stay-at-home/home-school dad. My hobbies include reading (organizational theory, history and philosophy of science, sci-fi, and biographies) building models (resin, plastic, paper), monster board games (the kind with thousands of pieces, hundreds of pages rule books, immense maps) I also make any of my kids hobbies my hobbies, so right now I really like Legos and Barbies!

Good thread, BTW. Thanks.

 

[shernren]

So that's what SBG actually means! gee, I don't know, shernren is my actual name so that's easy for me

I actually found out about christianforums.com because my friend introduced me to christianforums.net. XD one day I entered the wrong suffix, couldn't enter my account name 4 times ... finally figured out that I was on a different site! LOL! And so I decided that I might as well "set up shop" here too ... and the rest is here for all to see.

I'm a student. College is fun! Yep chaoschristian, I like sci-fi too. Which do you read? So far I have a (waning) interest in Stephen Baxter, as well as a growing interest in Alastair Reynolds, have some of William Gibson too.

 

[chaoschristian]

Yep chaoschristian, I like sci-fi too. Which do you read? So far I have a (waning) interest in Stephen Baxter, as well as a growing interest in Alastair Reynolds, have some of William Gibson too.

I'm mostly old school with my sci-fi reading, but I do enjoy Weber. I also enjoy finding really old pulp mags and books in old bookstores and what not and reading what are now mostly lost and anonymous authors.

 

[shernren]

Who's Weber? I do sort of enjoy old-school too - I'm assuming you're referring to the likes of Asimov, and Arthur C. Clarke's older works. I just obtained this delightful book of "50 Sci-Fi Short Stories" edited by them two - have you seen it? Bunch of delightful works from the 60's. Man, they are really good. Sci-fi shorts - never knew they could work 'till I read that.

 

[SBG]

You weren't kidding when you said that you like to learn languages. Whew! That's an incredible undertaking, I'm glad you have the time for that now, believe me once you have kids everything changes.
I think if you have an aversion to Scripture you'll have an aversion to Scripture interpreting itself.
Winter, we had some back in November, but since then it's bee unseasonably warm, one could even say hot! Boy we sure could use some rain too.

Yeah, I figured once our baby comes, my time becomes baby's time. I am looking forward to it!

 

[SBG]

1. See my blog.
2. Google
3. I'm a stay-at-home/home-school dad. My hobbies include reading (organizational theory, history and philosophy of science, sci-fi, and biographies) building models (resin, plastic, paper), monster board games (the kind with thousands of pieces, hundreds of pages rule books, immense maps) I also make any of my kids hobbies my hobbies, so right now I really like Legos and Barbies!

Good thread, BTW. Thanks.

How do you like home schooling? My sister does it for her child and they both love it. He has actually passed up his own grade as far as the curriculum is concerned.

That is cool that you take an active approach in your childrens lives. Some parents don't do that and I find that quite sad.

 

[SBG]

So that's what SBG actually means! gee, I don't know, shernren is my actual name so that's easy for me

I actually found out about christianforums.com because my friend introduced me to christianforums.net. XD one day I entered the wrong suffix, couldn't enter my account name 4 times ... finally figured out that I was on a different site! LOL! And so I decided that I might as well "set up shop" here too ... and the rest is here for all to see.

I'm a student. College is fun! Yep chaoschristian, I like sci-fi too. Which do you read? So far I have a (waning) interest in Stephen Baxter, as well as a growing interest in Alastair Reynolds, have some of William Gibson too.

What else do you read for fun, Shernren?

 

[shernren]

I like C.S. Lewis and A.W. Tozer as fantastic Christian authors. Also I've read one book by Alister McGrath - The Enigma of the Cross - which I found very helpful in deepening my faith intellectually (and a little in other ways too). Haven't read any Chesterton but would get around to him when I have the finances to! On the fiction side I haven't found much besides Lewis ... I like Frank Peretti for bringing a very Christian, Biblical feel to his particular style of fantasy. Used to like the Left Behind series but don't any more.

In terms of fantasy, I used to read David Eddings but again my interest there is waning. I read Terry Brooks once or twice and going by those he's awful, frankly, so he hasn't gotten another chance. Also read LOTR, The Hobbit and The Silmarillion but nothing else in the Middle-Earth Universe. Again once I have the finances I will start collecting Terry Pratchett (Brit humour!).

In terms of sci-fi the first book that really blew my understanding and started me on both science fiction and quantum physics was Time by Stephen Baxter. But over the years I've realized that often he has physics without people, which has some appeal to me a nerd but not really to others. I've also started collecting Alastair Reynolds and have some William Gibson - own the Neuromancer trilogy, have read Idoru, and am looking forward to reading The Differential Engine.

As for classics I loved Thomas Hardy's Far from the Madding Crowd, beautiful prose if a bit tangly to navigate. Also read Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, some Potok (My Name is Asher Lev, The Book of Lights - loved that one - another one I can't remember the title of, about a couple in Korea during WWII), Voltaire's Candide, some Dickens (but not enough for my liking!), James Joyce's Dubliners.

So, SBG, what do you read for fun?

 

[SBG]

I have also read the Left Behind Series 1-12, but haven't read the pre-books that have come out. They were good, but I don't subscribe to a pretrib rapture.

I also like C.S. Lewis a lot. I have read most of his writings and am reading the Problem with Pain now. I am a huge fan of Max Lucado for his ability to really send home his message. It is simple and yet deep.

I have read Hank Hanegraaff's Last Disciple and Last Sacrifice; both are very good. Joel Rosenberg is also a really great author. He has a 3 book series out right now that intertwines current events that have taken place in the last 4-5 years as well as Biblical prophecy.

I have enjoyed the Book of Martyrs by Foxe, the Church Fathers Volumes, Martin Luther's works, and JRR Tolkien.

I also read a lot of programming books such as Java, C++, PHP, JavaScript, DOM, DHTML, CSS, Flash, Ruby, Ruby on Rails, and many different online materials.

I also enjoyed Warren Buffet, Herb Cohen, Nido Qubein, all having do with business and finance.

I also read various books on learning different languages such as Greek, Hebrew, Spanish, Italian, and want to start in with Cuniform.

Occassionally, I author articles talking about web design, web standards, web technology, etc and how the Church can use them to advance the Gospel Message. I volunteer with a group of people that are working to educate the Church about the internet and standards.

I am just getting hooked to a new internet application called Newsvine. It is a fantastic news source. I think that sums up some of what I have read and am interested in.

 

[chaoschristian]

Who's Weber? I do sort of enjoy old-school too - I'm assuming you're referring to the likes of Asimov, and Arthur C. Clarke's older works. I just obtained this delightful book of "50 Sci-Fi Short Stories" edited by them two - have you seen it? Bunch of delightful works from the 60's. Man, they are really good. Sci-fi shorts - never knew they could work 'till I read that.

David Weber and his whole Honor-verse. Stories based on a female ship captain. Good stuff with some interesting takes on the physics of FTL, space flight and warfare.

And yes, I love the old stuff - Asimov, Clark, Heinlein, and Bradbury (although he's mostly not sci-fi) plus countless others, most of whom are now lost to time.

 

[chaoschristian]

How do you like home schooling? My sister does it for her child and they both love it. He has actually passed up his own grade as far as the curriculum is concerned.

That is cool that you take an active approach in your childrens lives. Some parents don't do that and I find that quite sad.

We love schooling at home. My son is enrolled in a virtual charter school, so technically he is still a public school student, but he's at home with me as his teacher. This suits him very well.

My daughter, who is younger, is a different story. When given the choice she was adamant that she go to kindergarten. So we enrolled her in a Catholic school that is right across the street from the house (literally if I lean back in my chair, I can see it). She loves what she is doing, its a good school, and its suits her well.

Even if we didn't home school (and we take this on a year by year basis) I would still structure my time to stay as active and as involved as I am now. There are plenty of opportunities for a parent to be involved in their child's school, if they are capable and willing.

 

[vossler]

We love schooling at home. My son is enrolled in a virtual charter school, so technically he is still a public school student, but he's at home with me as his teacher. This suits him very well.

My daughter, who is younger, is a different story. When given the choice she was adamant that she go to kindergarten. So we enrolled her in a Catholic school that is right across the street from the house (literally if I lean back in my chair, I can see it). She loves what she is doing, its a good school, and its suits her well.

Even if we didn't home school (and we take this on a year by year basis) I would still structure my time to stay as active and as involved as I am now. There are plenty of opportunities for a parent to be involved in their child's school, if they are capable and willing.

That's awesome!

I like how you're not rigid and allow your decisions to be based upon the bent of the child. The world could sure use more parents like you!

 

[SBG]

We love schooling at home. My son is enrolled in a virtual charter school, so technically he is still a public school student, but he's at home with me as his teacher. This suits him very well.

My daughter, who is younger, is a different story. When given the choice she was adamant that she go to kindergarten. So we enrolled her in a Catholic school that is right across the street from the house (literally if I lean back in my chair, I can see it). She loves what she is doing, its a good school, and its suits her well.

Even if we didn't home school (and we take this on a year by year basis) I would still structure my time to stay as active and as involved as I am now. There are plenty of opportunities for a parent to be involved in their child's school, if they are capable and willing.

That is awesome! I have the utmost respect for you for being so active in your children's lives. Many parents are not, which is sad.

If I may, what type of work do you that allows this flexibility? Real Estate, freelance, contractor, etc?

 

[chaoschristian]

That is awesome! I have the utmost respect for you for being so active in your children's lives. Many parents are not, which is sad.

If I may, what type of work do you that allows this flexibility? Real Estate, freelance, contractor, etc?

I, like all truly wise men, let my wife do the work.

Seriously, we sat down one day several years ago and ran the numbers. We realized that the cost of supporting both of us to work full time careers was the salary of either one of us. In otherwords, one of was working to pay for childcare expenses just so that one could go to work in order to earn the money to pay for the childcare expenses that allowed that person to work.

We realized that that was insane. We are called through our faith to live in simplicity. That will mean different things to different people. To us it meant that life would be simpler if just one of us worked and we lived within that budget.

At first I worked and my wife went from full time to part time (she worked nights on weekends). But I've always have been involved with non-profits. It paid welll enough but the benefits are horrible. So we switched. I left my career and she went back to her job full time. She has great pay and super-duper benefits. She works four nights a week, so unlike most families we get to spend three days out of a seven day week together.

Most people think its an odd arrangement until they pause to really think it through and then they realize just how great we have it. We are truly blessed to be able to live this way.