Your Own Jesus contains a timely message for Christians today. In the book Mark Hall addresses our tendency to replace "serving Him" or "worshiping Him" for truly knowing Him. No more relying on the faith of others, it's time for us to have our own relationship with Christ - Your Own Jesus. The book, while written in a very non-confrontational style, is a challenge to get real and grow up in our faith. At times Read more »

When I think of the perfect daughter,
I think of one who smiles a lot.
I think of one who makes me smile.
I think of you.

When I think of the perfect daughter,
I think of one who loves me.
I think of one who teaches me to love.
I think of you.

When I think of Read more »

Something Different

Matthew 3:1-12

Are you odd, eccentric or weird? Do you know someone who is? Is different good or bad?

As I read Matthew 3 I was struck by the phrase in verse five "Then people from Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the vicinity were flocking to him..."

Perhaps that stood out to me because our popular culture loves popularity and fame. Maybe it stood out because I like for people to like me. I'm not sure exactly why it stood out, but it is amazing that John was able to garner such a following. And I have to wonder if part of the reason these people flocked to John was because they were a lot like people today: They wanted to see someone different.

People today, as apparently then, want to see someone who is different. Read more »

For today's post I'm getting my geek on. When I first started blogging I actually expected that technology-related posts would be the largest category for me. I am pleased to see that has not been the case as more important topics have taken over (e.g. family.) But it is true that I am a geek and spend way too much time playing around with computers.

I also have a bad habit of reinstalling the OS on our computers every few years. For me it is just the best way to keep computers running smooth and allows me to get rid of the junk that I tried but never actually use. Occasionally those re-installs are forced, as was the case recently when the hard drive went out on our home desktop computer. I now have my laptop and the home desktop both running clean copies of Windows 7 RC.

Every time I start with a fresh install it allows me to decide which applications I really need and which applications were simply wasting space. This post shows my top "Must Have" Apps for any computer I set up. Read more »

My name is Chuck Allen and I long to be Super Dad. I want to love my children, have fun with them and enjoy every brief moment I have with them. Last week my oldest son, unknowingly, gave me my report card on being Super Dad.

I had taken a day off from work and Read more »