Judges

I just finished reading Judges. This is a tough book of the Bible. Rape, pilage, plunder, worshiping other gods, Samson and his hair, Israel fighting amoung itself, then stealing woman for the Remaining Benjaminites.... One thing (of many stange things) that stands out is sometimes when the people of God made a vow they really didn't want to break it. Even when it makes no sense at all to keep the vow. See Judges 11. Jephthah makes a vow before God: "If you give me a clear victory over the Ammonites, then I'll give to God whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in one piece... I'll offer it up in a sacrificial burnt offering." First what in the world was he thinking when he made that vow. Then just a couple of paragraphs later after his great victory. His only child, his only daughter comes out to greet him. He let's her go morn for a couple of months, and then "He fulfilled the vow with her that he had made."
I don't think I will understand this one. Was God pleased with his vow, with this sacrifice? What am I supposed to learn from this chapter. This story has turned my stomach.

Now as far as the rest of the book of Judges goes I think I can relate to some extent to the people of Israel. They keep having these seasons of good, focused on God times, and then these not so good, turn their back on God times. I really like this quote from Ch. 13 "And then the People of Israel were back at it again, doing what was evil in God's sight." It is that whole ... here we go again feeling. But I feel like I go through those seasons too. I have those times where I am focused of Christ, then I have those other times.

Judges is just a tough book.

Pool time

Ethan is taking swim lessons along with one of his classmates, Reese from Montessori. I can't say he is having the time of his life. But he is doing it. Here are some pictures of Ethan, Caleb, Reese and his mom and sister, and Trevor showing off in the water.

Enjoy.

Zephyr Films again

Well, as soon as I hand out Revenge of The Ninjas DVDs to the kids in the neighborhood, they are ready to film again. I was out mowing the lawn, so the kids went inside and started making up a story. This one is going to be the 3rd episode of Backyard Guards. This one is going to be a classic: Bad guy escapes, and because he has been in jail he has had time to devise a new and better plan to take over the world...

we will be editing soon. stay tuned. Check out http://zephyrfilms.blogspot.com/

Of all the Zephyr Films the most webwatched one is by far Greatest Spies Ever Episode 1, and now Episode 2 has made its very late web debut. So be sure to check out Greatest Spies Ever Episode 2!!!

Zephyr Films

We are wrapping up production of Zephyr films latest movie. This one is about Ninjas!!! The kids in the neighborhood even brought in some acting and writting help from the outside. We invited Caleb Hurst to take part in this latest feature.



Since the neighborhood collection of short films is growing we decided to dedicate a new weblog just to Zephyr films. So here is your link to the new site.



http://zephyrfilms.blogspot.com/

Gosh I feel so small.

This has been a reoccuring thought I have had many time in the last number of years. Especially when it comes to my facination with looking up at the stars. This is something that has made its way around in email forwards, but I saw it first on Brad Granderson's website.

Here is the link to this specific post on his site.

But here are the pictures:
















Gosh, I feel small. Especially when you can't even count the number of stars of those varying sizes filling the universe. I wonder if there are stars out there that are so far away the light from them hasn't even gotten to us yet. I feel small.

Then again I think about the creator of the Universe deciding to become a man and walk around on this speck of dust in the universe we call home. I don't feel so small when the the creator of all would even know that I exist in the midst of His vast creation.

Forward Thinking

I was just introduced to some very fascinating new technology that I thought I would share.
Here is the video that is the precursor to Microsoft's Surface.

It is going to be wonderful to see technology in the future, and how we interact with it not being limited and causing carple tunnel in so many people. I just start imagining doing photoshop on one of these things.
Also check out www.ted.com

But also check out the video that shows how statistics and data doesn't have to be boring. This is a great presentation on data visualization...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVimVzgtD6w&mode=related&search=

Vacation Pictures

Well, the vacation was incredible. It was simply a great deal of fun. It does feel wonderful to be back at home and sleeping in my own bed. It is amazing how taking a vacation makes you appreciate your own routines and your own space. But I tell you, we were greeted with such wonderful hospitality from both GranBobbie and Bart and Amy it was amazing! Thank you!!! You were a big part of making our vacation so relaxing and fun.

This post will be mainly dedicated to the pictures. I will post stories of our amazing trip later.

If you are used to using shutterfly and order some pictures here is the link.
Murphy Family Vacation 2007


Disney World Slide show:

From Vacation 4

From Vacation 4

From Vacation 4

From Vacation 4

From Vacation 1

Here are the collections of all 270 pictures broken up into seven groups you can go look at.

Vacation 1 We arrived in Gulf Shores and went to the beach (45 pics)

Vacation 2 Sunburn park and putt putt (81 pics)

Vacation 3 Play time at Amy and Bart's House (21 pics)

Vacation 4 Disney World - The Magic Kingdom (52 pics)

Vacation 5 Pools and Pajamas (7 pics)

Vacation 6 Sea World (37 pics)

Bart and Steve - oh so cool! Thanks for being such a great friend!

Vacation 7 wrapping it up! last day on the beach and family shots (13 pics)