Tomorrow begins 2008. Two-Thousand Eight!! We’re well into the 21st century people! I’ve always enjoyed those far-out forecasts of what life will be like in the future. (I’m still waiting for my flying car, dang it.) However, as technology advances all around me, I find myself more and more often blurting out, “That is so Star Trek!!”

Once again, I have bent the rules on English. Before I turned Google into a verb. Now I’ve turned Star Trek into an adjective.

This phrase first entered my lexicon when I walked in on a coworker reading Lord of the Rings as an eBook on his PDA. Because, seriously, Captain Picard always read books and reports on a little, hand-held computer screen. (Someone PLEASE send me a picture of this.) Now, right here in my own life time, I can do the same thing. That’s unbelievable. That’s Star Trek!!

I think it’s healthy for us to look back once in a while and see just how far we’ve come. That gives us the ability to make much better predictions about where we’re going. I found this great forward thinking movie from 1956 on YouTube. (In a 1956 frame of mind, YouTube is incredibly Star Trek!) The best thing about this old flick is how many things they got right. Here are my favorite (follow along as you watch the video):

• Automatic lighting on highways. (00:29)
• Heated bridges reduce black ice. (00:40)
• Cadillac’s “Night Vision” (2000) was improved upon last year by Mercedes and BMW. (00:53)
• In dash navigation systems now incorporate traffic reports. (01:06)
• Rear view cameras.
• “Care Flight” helicopter ambulance service. (01:31)
• Suburbia and long distance commuting (02:42)
• Interstate highways. (03:00)
• “Synchronized scanning map” again answered by in dash nav system. (03:33)
• Increased leisure time and RV’s with “all the comforts of home”. (04:55)
• Amphibious RV. (05:35)
• Shipping containers transition from ship, to train, to truck. (But not yet rockets. *wink*) (05:44)
• And don’t forget the smog! Subtly added at the end around 08:21.

Here’s another great “future” video. “The Future Is Now” - 1950. From personal video cameras to guided missiles, microwave ovens to solar panels. These guy’s nailed it.

So here we are marking the arbitrary point in Earth’s orbit once again. Time to contemplate life looking behind and ahead.

While 2006 only ranked as “ok”, I’d have to say 2007 was a good year for me. I’ve made advances in almost every aspect of my life. Here are some of the highlights and lowlights of my year.

• Took on more of a leading role at church…
  • Got certified to drive the short bus. Seriously.
  • Was a team leader during the New Orleans mission trip.
  • Took a leading role with the youth while we searched for new staff.
• Survived a flooded apartment. (New carpet and furniture arrive in January 2008.)
• Took a great vacation to Colorado and climbed Pikes Peak… almost.
• Lost a great co-working in Dave, but took over as team lead and moved to the corner office.
• Started WeightWatchers and lost about 15 pounds so far (which surpasses my goal set last January).
• Coordinated a couple of really great volunteer/relief efforts, including Adam Page’s chocolate drive.
• I would say (and I hope she would agree) that Tammy and I have strengthened our marriage this year.

Now it’s time for me to set some goals for 2008. I met two of the seven goals I set in December of 2006. That’s good for me. I tend to set my goals pretty high. That way, even if I don’t achieve them, I’ve pushed myself in the effort. Here’s a few of my 2008 goals:

• Pass at least three Microsoft certification tests.
• Memorize 52 new Bible verses.
• Ride the entire North Shore mountain bike trail in a single day.
• Read four non-fiction and two fiction books.
• 200 pounds.

So here’s to 2008. May it be a good year for us all.

2007 sure was great,
But now it’s time for 2008.
I’m sure ‘08 will be just fine,
But not as good as 2009!

I just want to say this before the phenomenon sweeps the nation for a second time.

I witnessed American Gladiators when it premiered back in 1989. It was all about guts, sweat, glory and tight tank tops with short shorts… on guys.

This is what 21st century game shows were supposed to look like! Back then, the future was looking bright and I was confident that by 2001 we’d be watching Monday Night Rollerball. Sadly that never happened. Instead we ended up with Fear Factor and Survivor. Oh, poor baby has to eat a bug… Bogus!!

Here’s hoping this new generation will follow through.

It’s very unlikely that I’ll be posting anything during Christmas. I’ll be back around next Wednesday. Until then, my God richly bless you and have a wonderfully merry Christmas.

Peace out!

An interview with myself concerning the “Holidays”:

Q: Would it make me happy if the whole world came to follow Jesus Christ and celebrated Christmas?

A: Sure.

Q: Am I crazy enough to believe that that will ever happen?

A: Of course not. I teach a series on Revelation every year and I am confident that this world (as a whole) will never accept Christ, even according to His own book!

Q: Should we all quit trying to evangelize the world?

A: No! As a Christian, my number one priority should be evangelism.

Q: So if I meet someone who isn’t interested in accepting Jesus, should I shun them, hate them, kill them, or fart in their general direction?

A: No!! Jesus taught us to love our enemies. That is to say, just because we don’t agree doesn’t mean we have to fight about it. I’ll just continue to live the way God directs me to live let the testimony of my daily life give authenticity and verisimilitude to my evangelism. Besides, we are blessed to live in a country where all of us are free to worship as we please.

Q: If my friend invites me to a pagan blood letting ceremony should I go?

A: Only if you’ve done your homework and you know what all is involved in the ceremony. I probably wouldn’t go to a pagan blood letting ceremony because 1) it might be rude or awkward if I have to refuse to participate in some part of the ceremony because it conflicts with my own beliefs and 2) I hate giving blood.

Q: So should I tell my friend that his religion is “all lies” and that he’s going to Hell?

A: I don’t think that would achieve the desired effect. Better to maintain your friendship and just be honest about your own faith without insulting his.

Q: What does verisimilitude mean?

A: Look it up!

Merry Pancha Ganapati and Happy New Year!