Easter Blessings

It's been quite some time since I've written anything (as usual). I've been doing lots of other things lately, so I haven't taken the time to post. Here's what I've been up to, if anyone cares to know.

Wasting Time

I picked up a new game, Knights of the Old Republic II, not too long ago,  so I've spent quite a few hours playing. It's an excellent game, very much like the original Knights of the Old Republic. In fact, if I have any complaint about KoTOR II, it's that it is perhaps too much like the original. A lot of the settings in the two games are the same. I would have liked to see some more new planets and situations in the sequel. This isn't a major knock - KoTOR II is a lot of fun, with great visuals. There are some interesting puzzles, and plenty of action. I found most of the battles fairly easy, though. If you enjoy computer gaming, I very much recommend both Knights of the Old Republic and the sequel, KoTOR II.

Making Music

I've also spent a bunch of time lately noodling around with Sony ACID Music Studio 5, doing some music arrangements. For those of you not familiar with it, ACID is a software package that allows you to create and arrange music. It's a fantastic piece of software, and I'm having a blast playing with it.

You arrange music with ACID  (I won't say "compose" because you don't really compose with it) by dragging small clips of music and sound onto a timeline. You can arrange as many tracks and clips as you'd like on the timeline, change the pitch and timing, control the volume and panning of the clips, and so on. You can also import MIDI tracks into it, and a bunch of other stuff. If you would like to add sound tracks to video, you can do that, as well. It's really an amazing and fun piece of software. If you like music, and have done your own compositions, or even if you've just thought about making your own music, you might want to check out ACID 5. I don't know all that much about music, but I've been able to create some songs that sound pretty good (at least to me).

Here's one of the songs I did with ACID 5. I don't really have a title for it - just "Funk Techno #1". It's a 2845 KB, 128 Kbps MP3 file, so if you have a slow Internet connection, it will take a while to download.

If "Funk Techno" isn't a style of music you like, you might enjoy another one I arranged. It's a simple bluesy/bluegrass-style guitar arrangement. I've just called it "Bluegrass Guitar #1." I don't think it's really true bluegrass, though. I just called it that because I don't know what I'm talking about when it comes to musical styles. This one is 2478 KB, 128 Kbps MP3.

If you download and listen to the music, let me know what you think.

Lamentations for Terri

I haven't commented on this topic, because I've been doing other stuff, but I have been reading and following the Terri Schiavo story.

There are people that I respect immensely on both sides of this issue, so it isn't one that is clear-cut for me. In general, I come down on the side of life, and Michael Schiavo's motives, looking at it only as a relatively uninformed outsider, seem rather, um, suspect. I've seen the videos of Terri, and it looks to me as if she is not in a vegetative state. So, were it up to me, I would want her to continue to be cared for, and to get the best possible medical and therapeutic treatment.

On the other hand, I am not a physician nor a lawyer, so my opinion on her medical condition and on the relevant law is not informed. I've also read some of the actual court proceedings and decisions, and I have to say that to me, it looks as if the courts have explored all of the issues in great detail and extreme thoroughness. The courts have seen the videos as well, and heard testimony from experts on both sides, and all of the courts have consistently ruled the law was properly applied, that Terri is in a vegetative state, and that her husband is telling the truth when he says that Terri would not want to live in the state she is in.

So, what do I conclude? Nothing. I cannot come to a satisfying answer. I don't know enough. I only have essentially uninformed opinions, and I am not willing to condemn anyone on that basis.

So, all I can do is offer up my prayers for the whole situation, and especially for Terri and her family, and lament that such a tragedy has come to pass. It saddens me that this awful, personal, heart-wrenching tragedy has become a media and political circus. I pray for our country, that God will be able to teach us all some wisdom and humility through these terrible circumstances.

When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

And may I offer a bit of advice? Those who are condemning others based on their opinion about this case should re-consider. This is a complex, difficult, and emotionally-charged situation, and for anyone being utterly honest with themselves and considering all of the facts, there is simply not an easy, clear-cut answer. There is plenty of room for honest and rational disagreement, even amongst Christians. So, perhaps we should all take to heart Colossians 3:12-13:

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

I've been reading over the past few days about bloggers for whom I have a huge amount of respect (like Donald Sensing) getting email and comments from supposed Christians full of nasty and vile invective because they believe that the courts have done a thorough and proper job in coming to the many, many decisions that Terri Schiavo should be allowed to die. To my fellow Christians, I have to say that sending any such email or making such comments is simply wrong. Disagreement is fine, but questioning someone's faith, name-calling, and condemnation are not. Sincere apologies should be forthcoming from those that have stepped over the line.

Easter Blessings

In closing, let me pass along blessings to all for Easter. I pray that everyone has a wonderful and love-filled day. May all of us be mindful of what Easter truly means - the almost unfathomable blessing that God has granted us through the resurrection of His Son.

But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?" 1 Corinthians 15:54-55

Because Jesus has conquered death and has paid the price for my sins, I no longer need to fear death. Today is a day to celebrate and to proclaim:

Hallelujah! He is risen! He is risen indeed!

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