So it has been quite awhile, but I am really at a point in my life in which I just need to write this down for myself. But anyway…

What is a person to do in life when they struggle with deep, dark “sin” in which they fell that they cannot confide with Pastors, Church Members, friends or family? It is with these struggles, that I have become overwhelm with a burning sense of confusion and chaos. I do no know who to turn to other than God with this struggle because I fear for the sake of the amazing friendships I am a part of.

I understand that God’s word is the way, the truth, and the light, but at times it is difficult to know whether or not is is God’s Word or an interpretation of the philosophy of a church. I am at a loss of ideas, but yet my love and fire for our God is strong that I still continue to make every effort to justify my actions.

However, I am beginning to lose my faith in myself and fell the strong pull of society’s views, which, at times, make more sense. I know that sin and guilt is painful and that it is a destructive power to one’s spirit and mind. But who gives anyone the authority to judge the worth of a sin?

I like to use the analogy of a $5 bill and a $1 bill. If you were to ask someone to tell the difference of the bills, they would respond that the $5 bill is worth more. I believe that humans try to comprehend  the unexplained by creating values and standards. However, if that $5 bill and $1 bill were to be sin, God would view them as the same. Money is all it is. Not worth more or less, but just money.

Why is it that this is not the case for our Christian views in which we still classify sin and rate it? We find it easier to point out the sin of others and tell them this is wrong, yet we cannot stop living a sinful life ourselves. I hope someday I can trust someone to help me understand why on Earth I cannot fight this sin, so that I can strive to be more like the only perfect person on this Earth: Jesus Christ.

Okay, so a few months ago I signed up to volunteer at a local event. I was so eager to volunteer at this event that I signed up the first day there was an option to volunteer. As the months have passed, I quickly became discouraged with fact that my help was not needed. Since I had made my attempt to volunteer and had received no response, I began to make other plans as not to spend another boring day playing my XBOX. Just out of the blue yesterday, I received a call asking me if I wanted to volunteer at this event. Given the fact the the event is quickly approaching, I am left with two views on the situation. One, I am either one of the last picks for volunteers since this organization is getting desperate for volunteers. Or the other viewpoint is that my chance to serve and volunteer was simply misplaced and just recently found. I am leaning more towards the latter view, but I guess my biggest opinion is that most volunteers need a little bit more of a heads up in order for them to help out at an event.

I have attached a poll just to see what y’alls views are.

Simply put, I should not cook. Earlier this week I purchase the delectable Costco Chicken Alfredo “take-n-bake” meal. The directions clearly stated that the internal temperature must be 160 degrees. Using my handy dandy instant read thermometer, I decided to check the temperature of the meal often. At one point, I was distracted by a phone call. At this time, my meal was still not up to fully cooked temperature so I left it in the oven to cook some more. Upon recheck, I was unable to locate my trusty thermometer until I opened the oven door. I soon discovered that this thing was baking along with my meal. I quickly removed the thermometer and placed it in a plastic cup while I attended to my meal. In seconds, a sound that resembled gunfire broke out as the battery of this thermometer exploded in the kitchen. Below is what happens with a not-so-oven-safe device is cooked at 450 degrees.

During my Christmas festivities, I went with a few friends to the Apple Store. This being my first time inside one of these stores, I was confused with the entire checkout process. See… Apple likes to be different, hence the slogan: Think Different. Instead of having a normal checkout counter, every associate on the floor is equipped with a mobile handheld that has a mag-stripe reader for credit or debit cards. Since we are a nation attached to plastic, it makes total sense to do business this way.

The checkout process in quite simple:

• Pick out the items you want and find an available associate
• Associate scans items with handheld and you hand them your credit card
• Associate verifies email address and off you go with some crazy, overpriced piece of metal or plastic

I was intrigued by this process, but most of my attention was drawn to the handheld device. After discussing this with a close friend who has ties to an Apple Store, my biggest question was finally answered. The Apple Store handhelds are running Windows Mobile.In fact, I was even told that the device’s identification labels are specifically placed over the Windows Mobile logo at the top of each device. Apple is always taking hits at Microsoft, but I find it quite amazing that Apple cannot even develop software for a mobile device for their retail chains.

I have always respected Microsoft’s decision to not take hits on Apple. Many of Microsoft’s ads about “I’m a PC” are only meant as self-defense in which Apple was the instigator. As I sit here typing, I am constantly checking the Microsoft website for updates on the Windows 7 Public Beta. These are exciting times for Microsoft in which their upcoming operating system finally focuses on the public’s input.

My main point of this article it to point out the fact that Apple has created an attituide in which their products are not only superior but make their users superior also. So far, I do not think Apple is superior and in the fact that they still rely on competiors for simple retail transactions. With this, I leave a simple message to all anti-Microsoft, die-hard Mac users:

“Every time you purchase an item from Apple, or become excited when a new Apple Store opens, remember that you are supporting Microsoft. With Apple’s dependence on Windows Mobile for Apple Store transactions, you are not only supporting Apple, but its biggest competitor. Without Microsoft and the Windows Mobile Operating System, those quick, speedy iPhone and iPod purchases (especially on release day) would become slow and unbearable. Just remember that Apple is NOT independent and never will be, so get a life and let people decide on what is best for them. You can now go back to your Finder and finish your new YouTube video in iMovie because that is all a Mac is good for.”

I will be posting soon…