The World of Virtual Reality

I thought I had seen just about everything until I played in a virtual reality world. Virtual reality is a simulation of a three‐dimensional image or environment that you (Hannah and me, in this case) can interact within this seemingly real way using special electronic equipment, like helmet/goggles with a screen inside or gloves fitted with sensors. That's Bear in the middle of this collage laughing hysterically at his girl and me!

A friend left his virtual reality system at my children’s home. It was the opportune time for my grandson, his girl friend and me to play with it! First, Bear, with the system, virtually outlined the field of play that kept us from running into furniture or walls. Hannah was up first. She put on the goggles, held the hand grips and whoa-la, she was moving about the room that Bear had outlined. It was funny watching her make her way getting through whatever I could only imagine.

Then it was my turn. First, I held the hand grips and saw that I was in a Star Wars setting. That's me oohing and awwing at the sci-fi room I was in. I could see that my hand grips were electronic gloves and before I knew it, I was exclaiming “Oh, I’ve got a lightsaber! Oh, did you see that?” (Of course, they didn’t. I was the only one in this world.) I heard them laughing at me like I was laughing at Hannah. THEN, Bear changed the scene, and in this world, I was on the floor but in virtual reality, I had boarded a kayak and used paddles to make my way through glaciers in Antarctica. I saw penguins everywhere, a whale and other fish jumping beside me. At one point, I even felt the cold of being there, but that part was my imagination – I think!

What a great experience to see what virtual reality is and what it promises to be in the future. We’ve come a long way, Baby! Just look at the real “reality” of online church, teleconferencing, and so many other computer-generated opportunities for us to carry on life during this pandemic. Technology is quickly changing the world that we live in and the way that we do most things. I hear that Virtual Reality technology just might be the new way of attending church and doing business in the future.

It’s “Twilight Zone” reality to me, but so was internet technology forty years ago. I understand that businesses and churches might not need physical space and will even opt into virtual office and worship experiences. Businesses and churches will literally be without walls. You won’t need to drive anywhere. Just plug the family in, download your Sunday outfit, and materialize in worship. I’m wondering if I’ll still be alive to see it. Sure makes me wonder what is in the mind of God because He surely isn’t surprised by any of this.

Here’s what will never, ever change. Regardless of technology and split-second visuals of each other, our goal should and will forever be all about loving God and loving each other. We will still be called to care for the poor, and the sick and help those in need. We will still be charged with living intentional lives that give praise and glory to God in what we do, say and how we live. Particularly, with all of our new technology and creative abilities, we’ll, more than likely, need to practice humility and love and service even more – because THAT reality is what it means to faithfully follow Jesus.

So, maybe we should be practicing Jesus’ example of servitude in the reality of caring more about others than we do ourselves. Seriously, I believe we are in training for what God is coming up with on His Holy radar. I suspect He’s preparing us to see and appreciate the awe, beauty and splendor of how He is ever right here with us, never changing, in our vastly changing world.

I Love My High-Tech Life

See that alarm clock! I remember every night's routine of winding it up to keep it going – especially so that the alarm would go off the next morning. Fast forward to today and my “Alexa” plays a comfortable sound that wakes me up!

A few days ago, I blogged about high discernment being better than high-tech. Don’t get me wrong! I’m not knocking our world of technology. Even when one of my high-tech devices goes on the fritz, doing life the good-old-days way, is a hassle. You know – the microwave, the dishwasher, etc. We are so high tech that we get whatever we need for whatever we are doing at the time -- from driving to all kinds of gadgets in every place -- the kitchen, the car, garage, music, fitness, watches. I'm so grateful to be able to move through my life with less to be concerned about – like when I drive so many miles to Tulsa or down to Austin. The technology in my car -- a GPS sytem and indicators let me know when a tire is too low or it’s time for an oil change.

I can’t imagine how long it would take me to write my daily blogs without my computer and access to the internet. The Internet has forever changed the way we relate to one another. Getting messages out to a large list of people in an instant, at one time, unlike the days of phoning all those people or snail mail. The good old days, were good, but, hallelujah, for these good NEW days when we get so much accomplished so much faster.

My little world of technology makes so much difference to me, but it's truly a miracle for those who can see now because of specialized glasses, for those who can hear because of implants, and those without limbs or even a voice have access to technology that gives them the ability to speak.

What a privilege it is to be alive today and see how many people are benefited because of man’s creation. Our Great Creator creates through His children. Every creative act is a partnership with The Creator! I am so privileged. You are so privileged. How often we take our blessings for granted. I’m impressed to consider the gifts in my life that are not available to others -- the ability to see, read, write, or have access to running water, electricity, the internet, transportation, a safe space to call home. If you are reading this blog -- you are so blessed!

God started all this “technology” business. He is the Creator of heaven and earth. He created life itself. That is who we are: Children of the Creator. This blog today is pretty basic in its message but quite advanced in us recognizing that technology is a gift from Him, our Creator, and He operates through His skilled image-bearers. It is His Genius that inspires innovators with innovations, artists with art, creators with creations AND you and me who should open up our hearts and lives to Him -- and just perhaps, we might come up with the next technology that creates something that will be used to know Him better, love each other more and glorify Him above all! Let's live with expectant, anticipatory waiting -- not listening like we are chilling in a rocking chair, but listening like we are on the edge of our seat … like we are anticipating a God-idea!

Our Mission Field is Wherever We Are

All my life, literally, all my life, I have been encouraged to love God and share His good news. It started, early on, when I saw the flannel board images of Bible characters while my teacher shared the Gospel story. I was also taught little songs that emphasized the love God has for me. “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so." I was raised in an evangelical home and church. Evangelical, in the sense, that my family was zealous in their faith and love for God and His children. Early on I became a devoted follower of Jesus.

But, I assure you, I wasn’t that girl that was very outspoken about my faith like others who went door-to-door giving out Gospel tracts or standing on a street corner shouting “You must be born again!” I was even quiet when it came to letting others know I was a Christian, in part, because I was shy and I lacked self-confidence. Yes, I took friends with me to church and I did my best to be an example to them of what a good Christian looks and acts like. But, I was not outspoken about it.

Later on, I became a Bible teacher, but even in that sense, my teaching was confined to “within-the-four-walls-of-the-church”. A safe place. People expected that “talk and walk” there.

Before the internet, many of us who were Jesus followers were pretty reclusive. Our faith was within our homes. Jesus “talk” was easy there. Prayers were welcomed there. We’d pray for a good grade on an upcoming test or for healing from an illness. You know the usual requests and petitions. It was faith that was between us four and no more – so to speak.
Who would have thought, way back then, that we would one day have the internet and social media that would open the doors for us to live out our faith online before countless numbers of people? We became evangelists and we were unleashed to spread the good news from behind a computer or a cell phone. I see you. You know who you are. You are the ones who post a scripture photo or you share a quote by Mother Teresa or Billy Graham. You are the ones who share an answer to prayer and also are the ones who ask for prayer.

So when Jesus said in John 14:12, “And greater works than these (the works that He performed) will you do….”, He was foretelling about what we could accomplish in our times. It is time for us to raise our voices even louder. We never know whose life we might impact because of something we posted or said on social media. There is so much power in our words. When we change our words from complaining, blaming or criticizing to faith-filled, loving and caring words, we change our world. Change your words. Change your world.

There will always be a reason to keep us from genuinely loving. But we can decide to be different. We can respond in love when someone hurts us or when it’s difficult to love them. This is what can make those who follow Christ look different from the rest of the world. Love that knows no bounds. Love wrapped in grace. Love that can get over our own insecurities, doubts, and fears. Love that doesn’t have conditions or rights. Love that doesn’t demand its own way. It’s the 1 Corinthians 13 way. May we not walk, talk or scroll right past the opportunities that God has placed in our paths to let His love flow through us. Let’s be billboards that make God famous. We are missionaries because we are on a mission. We have been sent. We were sent the second the first spark of life flickered in our mother’s womb to this earth and now to wherever we are today and to whoever crosses our paths – via the street or the internet!

Thankful for the Good New Days

Day 183 of Photo Inspirations – Thankful for the Good New Days
The good ole' days had its charm, but I’m so thankful for these good new days.  I know I’m dating myself, but I was there when we used manual typewriters and carbon paper for copies. We put the paper between the paper table and platen.  Then rolled the platen knobs clockwise until the paper was in.  Then we lifted the paper bail and put it down on the top of the paper. Next was moving the carriage over manually to the right until it wouldn't go any further.  (The margins stopped the carriage). Then WHOA LA, we could begin typing our first sentence.  When we heard the 'ding' at the end of the line, we'd return the carriage with the carriage return.  WHEW!  All of that to produce a page of typewritten words.

AND now we have computers and tablets that within a matter of a few seconds or minutes, a page of words is completed and a simple Control P, prints the page out.  Bada bing, bada boom.

Back then our sources for information…in my case, was The World Book Encyclopedia -- that's where our research for school reports and essays came from.  Thumbing through pages after pages to find the information and then manually typing up what I had read.  WHEW!  Hours of research and a long time to type the report.

Now we have the internet that with a simple Google word search, blogs, information, photos, and youtube videos appear that give us everything we need for a thorough report, complete with images.

The internet is so awesome that I can repair a clogged toilet with just a little information I obtained from an online search. (Yes, I did -- last week.)  I found a miracle cure for a yucky wart – apple cider vinegar and duct tape. (I still use that remedy for those crazy little bumps that randomly appear.)  I find the definition to words in seconds.  I find stores and services – their hours, their products and the prices without having to use a thick Yellow Pages Book.  I find images that I can use in my Facebook posts.  I can find scriptures, then copy and paste them into my messages.

For this post today, I’m simply expressing gratitude for yet another blessing.  Technology has brought so much spice to me in this season of life that I sure don’t have time for bingo.  Okay, marking B-8 on a bingo card can bring enjoyment to folks, but there’s nothing to compare with the connection to the world via my computer and the Internet.  The Internet brings the world to us – I don’t want to stop learning EVER and I can continue to learn in this technology age.  Hanging out in cyberspace is my gig.  I've connected with friends and relatives from my childhood.  We talk about the good ole’ days and celebrate these good new days.  I love to Skype or Google Hangout or Facetime with my grandchildren.

Perhaps you have some lonely friends or family members that don't get out much anymore.  Perhaps, the gift given to me in this Information Age is a gift you can give to them.  They may tell you they don’t want to “mess with it” at first, but believe you me – they’ll be thanking you when they find so much  in the cyberspace world of wonder -- not to mention, they'll find lots of things that will remind them of their past as well.  After all, that's what this typewriter and encyclopedias did for me today!

Lord, Please Give Me Patience....NOW!

Our generation seems to have little patience for waiting. Road rage is seen when there's someone moving way too slow in traffic. And there's those times when we're put on hold on a telephone call, or when we're placed in yet another queue trying to get to the right customer representative. We talk about slow Internet connections -- waiting for a page to load often feels like an eternity. And, I don't think I've ever encountered the long time wait there is at the traffic lights here in Washington. It seems the demand for instant results has seeped into every corner of our lives. We sacrifice eating healthy food by eating at "FAST" food restaurants -- all too often.

And, the fact is -- we do need MORE patience....and we need it NOW! No question about it, patience isn't easy. It takes practice. And, really takes a lot of inner strength to trust that this delay or situation is a needed hold-up so that I will keep us on pace with God's perfect timing on all that concerns me.

If we allow impatience to cause stress and anger and anxiety, then we're not hearing the "music" or the "symphony" -- the beauty of life going on around us. The music that is in our lives can only be fully recognized, experienced, and played out when we breathe, enjoy, let go and stop rushing around -- then patience and enjoyment of the moment will pervade our lives.

"But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:4 -- Oh Lord, I desire that patience has its perfect work in me. I want to enjoy YOUR symphony that is all around me!