Have you been considering upgrading that old TV set in the living room, basement, or bedroom? If so, I highly recommend this article.

TV’s are becoming like computers…there’s a hundred different specs that you can analyze when trying to get the right one. Typically, only about 5 of the specs really matter for the average person, and this article outlines the most important ones.

For those who are curious, it will also tell you if you even needed to buy a 1080 set for your living room, based on how far away you are from the TV and how big the set really is. 19″ TV with 1080 resolution…errr, maybe you should have thought that through a little more…

Click here for Gizmodo on HDTV Purchases (Popup Window)

The reasons to dislike Apple keep piling up…and I must vent them out again!

Reason #1 – Everything is Apple’s way or no way!

Today I moved a few videos onto my iPhone. Which ones you ask? Well, I don’t get a choice. It’s all videos, or the latest 5 videos. What if I want my wedding from 6 years ago, and a video from last week? No can do. Can’t you guys just put a darn check box on the videos page? Why does this have to be so hard?!

Need a backup battery for your MacBook or iPhone or iPod? Sorry…there no longer removable. You have to attach some bulky ugly accessory.

Reason #2 – Everything is expensive!

Today I tried to connect a video cable to my iPhone to play back video on the television…yes, the cable was made for the iPhone, but guess what, it didn’t work. Turns out Apple’s latest software update for the iPhone disables any cables not made/licensed by Apple. Can’t buy a $3 cable off of ebay…gotta pay $50 for an official Apple accessory.

Hate hate hate hate hate.

Does anyone else feel the way I do?

Those who know me, have probably heard some of my sentiments on Mac computers. To make it short and sweet–I’m not a fan. This picture shares some of the feelings I have on the subject:

My advice to anyone purchasing one is the following: A basic MacBook costs $900-1000. Go spend $900-1000 on a Windows laptop, and you will be just as thrilled. Just don’t spend $300 at Walmart on some off brand machine and then complain that Macs are better. No, their not better. They just don’t allow people to sell Mac’s OS on cheap machines.

It is no secret that Christians often choose to live in their own world. We have made it easy for Christians to isolate themselves from the world. We have Christian books, Christian movies, Christian music, Christian restaurants, Christian workplaces, and Christian dating services.

These things are both good and bad. There are times where we need isolation, and times when we need to avoid isolation for the sake of reaching others. We should not expect to maintain a holy lifestyle if we are constantly bombarded by secular culture’s praise of sin…but we should also not expect unbelievers to come outside of their culture to hear the gospel.

It is no surprise that our culture becomes full of insider clichés and outdated extremes…however, it may be offensive or surprising when someone points them out. I remember my reaction as a teenager to restrictions on dancing, smoking, and R-rated movies, along with requirements for skirts, ties, and short hair.

Finally someone has found a way to discuss these things in a hilarious way! If you haven’t read his blog or seen his book in stores, then please, enjoy Jonathan Acuff’s Stuff Christians Like. I’ve been laughing at him …or rather, he’s been making me laugh at myself, for over a year!

Blog: http://stuffchristianslike.net/

Book: http://www.amazon.com/Stuff-Christians-Like-Jonathan-Acuff/dp/0310319943/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1270431521&sr=8-1

The older I get, the more complex life gets. Being healthy is no longer exclusively related to how much exercise I get. It involves food, medicine (or lack thereof), genetics, lasik surgery, gym membership, etc. Money no longer involves only work and what I want to purchase…it includes repairs, rent, utilities, insurance, retirement, and budgeting. Church involves more than Sunday morning…it involves responsibilities, phone calls, committee meetings, parking teams and video production. Time that I used to spend carelessly is now appreciated for every free moment it provides.

In a world of increasing complexity, I am grateful for architects of simplicity. Men, women, companies, and applications that make the things I do faster and easier. I love having experts helping me navigate the areas of investment, real estate, bible interpretation, and living overseas. I try to be an expert to others, crafting simple, reliable systems for my coworkers at Dallas Nursing Institute and communicating the complexities of my theological education in a way that is inspirational to the everyday person.

In the technology world: I am grateful for Windows 7. I appreciate the iphone. I praise the business or church with a simple website. And I rejoice for remarkably good free Bible software.

What do you appreciate for adding simplicity to your life?

What should I add to my life to make my time more worthwhile?

And in what areas in your life should you choose to avoid simplicity, and strive to become an expert?