The Rabenstranger

Happy Independence Day!

Rabenstrange — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 20:10:46 +0000

When I read the words with which the Founding Fathers brought forth our nation I am always deeply moved. The ardor for freedom and passion for justice that are evident in these beautiful words continually stirs my heart.

This Independence Day I would encourage you to read the Declaration of Independence in its entirety:

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

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The Five Solas

Rabenstrange — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:03:40 +0000

In the last couple of weeks, I’ve been pondering the Five Solas of the Reformation. I’ve been trying to internalize these truths and incorporate them into my worldview. I believe that if I can replicate my assent to these truths from my head to my heart I will be able to live a life that will better glorify my Savior.

The Five Solas:

Sola Scriptura! - Scripture Alone is the Standard

Soli Deo Gloria! - For the Glory of God Alone

Solo Christo! - By Christ’s Work Alone are We Saved

Sola Gratia! - Salvation by Grace Alone

Sola Fide! - Justification by Faith Alone

We are justified by faith alone as we are saved by grace alone, through the work of Christ alone, for the glory of God alone as revealed by the ultimate truth of Scripture alone.

New Work Schedule

Rabenstrange — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:56:45 +0000

I have a new schedule at work, a schedule that just might force me to become a morning person.

By nature I am a night owl. I like to stay up late. If I have to see a sunrise I prefer to do so before bed rather than just as I wake up. I love being the only one awake, free from interruption and constant demands to switch projects. Unfortunately, this can lead to problems. I am usually rather prickly in the mornings which doesn’t put me in a repentant mood when I am rebuked for staying up so late the night before. Perhaps worse, my first round of procrastination before my feet hit the floor, setting a pattern that is often continued through the rest of the day.

All of that looks like it is going to have to change. My new work schedule has me rolling out of bed before the June dawn. It will be simply unsustainable to maintain my habit of watching the clock change from one day to the next. When the alarm went of at 5:20 this morning I finally realized that I really need to get to bed earlier. I’m going to have to force myself to be a morning person.

Rabenstrange — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 06:35:30 +0000

I really appreciate the fact that God chose to place me in the 21st century in a country with a high rate of broadband proliferation. Tonight, I had the pleasure of chatting with friends across town (Issaquah, Fairwood), across the country (Colorado) and across the world (Japan).

Epic Lego Combat

Rabenstrange — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 23:38:42 +0000

This being Saturday, I was free to enjoy the day with my family rather than slave away at work. Everyone went down to Kent Station and we watched the cheap, morning showing of Kung Fu Panda. As I expected the movie was entertaining but not enthralling. After the movie, the Emily and Arita went to a birthday party while the rest of us returned home for lunch.

After lunch, Zach, Maddie and I drug out the bins of Lego.

Despite my age, I love Lego. There are few better ways to spend a Saturday afternoon than to stage a Lego melee with your six year old brother.

Olive Garden

Rabenstrange — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 06:23:51 +0000

Today, I took my sisters out to the Olive Garden. I had promised them a long time ago that I would but, as is too often the case with me, it took me awhile to get around to it.

Like most lunch patrons we ordered the all-you-can-eat Soup, Salad and Breadsticks. It’s amazing how much three young people can put away when they are swimming daily miles. It took a couple rounds of soup, three baskets of breadsticks and two large bowls of salad to fill us up. We had the waitress running laps for more food (She was a really cool lady). Finally, when we had eaten enough, I got the idea to play a little joke on her. I decided to ask her to bring back the menus, “We’re ready for our entrées now.” Unfortunately, I told my idea to the girls and they laughed so hard and couldn’t keep a straight face so it was impossible to pull off. Oh well, next time I suppose.

Having sisters is a joy.

I Need Help

Rabenstrange — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 03:20:38 +0000

Yesterday, I tried to dissect my last week and figure out why I was able to get so little accomplished. It didn’t take much reflection to recognize that my problem is that I spend way too much time on the internet.

My solution was to turn off my computer and not turn it back on again until after dinner today, with the self imposed injunction that it would be turned off again at 21:00. So far, after only one day’s implementation this has worked well. Unfortunately, I don’t trust my self to be disciplined enough to both remember and maintain this time limit.

Fortunately I thought of a clever solution. I’ll just get an outlet timer. So I popped onto Amazon, did a little Googling and started shopping to find one. It was then that it struck me: I was shopping online for a device to help me stop spending so much time online. Something is wrong with me.

Free Rice Challenge

Rabenstrange — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:25:27 +0000

I mentioned this site awhile back but thought it’d be fun to turn it into a challenge. I know my readers are pretty smart, lets see who can log the top score.

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough!

Rabenstrange — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:01:03 +0000

Mount Si After Action Report:

The ascent up the mountain was very slow, but a good time was had by all. We had a large turnout. Justin, Josh, Nat, Aaron, Melissa, Emily, Arita and I met up at the trail head around 2:00, ate a quick lunch and started up about 2:30. The last person struggled over the peak a few minutes until 6.

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Rabenstrange — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 07:14:57 +0000

If you would attain to what you are not yet, you must always be displeased by what you are. For where you are pleased with yourself there you have remained. Keep adding, keep walking, keep advancing.

- Augustine