49: Burning in without burning out
2009-03-15
Download MP3 For Geekons Episode 49
Pop-Up: BlueLetterBible.org
- Core Study Tools:
- K = Treasury of Knowledge (links verses with other related verses based on key phrases)
- C = Strong's Concordance (Displays hebrew or greek version of the verse with links to definitions of words and key phrases)
- L = Commentaries (Displays a drop-down menu of audio/video and text commentaries from various authors and bible scholars.)
- I = Image/Maps/Hymns (Displays a drop-down menu of illustrations, maps, and hymns related to the verse.)
- V = Alternate Versions (Displays the current verse in various versions of the bible)
- D = Dictionary (Displays a drop-down menu of multiple dictionaries and links to their defintions for various words and key phrases in the verse.)
- Some downsides:
- Must be online to use (webpages are like that...)
- I always have to refresh the page after clicking the study tool icons to display drop-down menues, otherwise it just says "Loading..." but doesn't really load.
- Relies too much on Javascript for simple things like page navigation and CSS loading.
- Points of Interest:
- They do not request donations.
- They do not display advertisements.
- They do not charge for any of their services.
- 5 out of 5 stars, While the site makes odd use of Javascript and image-based navigation, the content is solid and plentiful. Quite possibly the best website in any Christ-following Geek's arsenal.
Geek-Tweak: How to perform a burn-in test on your computer
- A "Burn-In" test is designed to put as much stress on computer hardware as possible, usually for the purpose of ensuring the components will survive everyday use with the occassional heavy load.
- I use these types of tests each time I buy or build a new computer, primarily because I can detect hardware flaws before the manufacturer's warranty expires, and before I begin to rely on the hardware.
- There are two options for performing your own burn-in test:
- Use software that is designed to burn-in test hardware
- Use software that simply takes up as many resources as it can when you run it.
- If you are a professional systems builder, or are building computers for your ministry, I recommend grabbing some burn-in test hardware, either from SiSoft, Passmark, or Jam Software's free "Heavy Load", primarily because most of those packages will reveal specific areas that are experiencing difficulty.
- If you are simply a home-builder and want to test your current cooling, I prefer to simply throw something difficult at my computer.
- My favorite program for testing is Blender 3d, which we reviewed in episode 17. Simply create a scene with multiple transparent and reflective surfaces, and have your computer render about 50 frames at 1024x768 with full anti-aliasing and some motion-blur.
- You can also boot your computer with a Memtest86 CD from Memtest86.com (while you can purchase a CD, you can also download a free ISO and burn one yourself).
- Memtest86 will allow you to perform comprehensive stress-tests on your computer's Memory to detect any RAM-related hardware flaws.
- However you decide to perform your burn-in test, be sure to monitor your temperatures occassionally so you catch cooling problems before ruining your hardware.
View-Source: Spiritual Burn-In Tests
- We just learned that a burn-in test can verify the quality of electronic hardware through applying a heavy load and generating an abnormal level of heat.
- These tests help us to find components that need repair or replacement, and help to avoid problems that might pop up in the future when an unexpected heavy load demands reliable resources.
- God also has a battery of tests to help us find the areas in our lives and hearts that need to be removed, replaced, or revived.
- I've noticed three types of Burn-in tests that can help us in our relationship with Christ, and our usability by God:
- A self-initiated burn-in test
- As followers of Christ, we are called to represent and reflect Christ.
- We can do this through mission trips, discipleship, and witnessing to those around us.
- When we choose to represent Christ in a fallen world, people don't always respond properly.
- Luke6:22-23 tells us to rejoice when men hate us, exclude us, and revile/dishonor us because of Christ's sake.
- That tells me two things:
- 1. I should be living in a way that people's response is not to me but to God's word.
- 2. People will hate me, exclude me, and revile me when I live the way I should.
- This test of pursuing God, living upright, and enduring hardships is what I consider a self-initiated burn-in test. We have been warned!
- An unexpected burn-in test
- Throughout our lives, we will face hardships brought on by this world, our decisions, and even God.
- God doesn't tempt us, but He does allow us to be tested.
- James 1:2-4 reminds us that we should count it all joy when we experience trials, because these burn-in tests produce patience and if we allow patience to have its perfect work, we may be made perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
- Just because unexpected events in life seem like the end of the world doesn't mean we can't learn and be perfected through them.
- The artist "Othello" considers himself "Alive at the Assembly line" because we are still under construction, and these trials and unexpected burn-in tests can be a source of joy if we allow God to use them for His purposes.
- God's scheduled burn-in test
- The final type of burn-in test has less to do with difficult times in our lives, and more with how we've spent our lives.
- 1 Corinthians 3:9-15 describes what many call the Bema Seat Judgement, the ultimate burn-in test of the quality of our life's works.
- When we choose to follow Christ, we are (whether we know it or not) given a hard-hat and some construction supplies.
- Our job is to build on the foundation of Jesus Christ.
- We build on the foundation by simply obeying and serving God.
- What we build is either inflammable (Gold, Silver, Precious Stones) or flammable (wood, hay, or stubble).
- Devoting time and energy on the latest video game or TV show can quickly lead to a life filled with wood, hay, and stubble. (I should know!)
- Devoting time and energy to studying and DOING God's word can lead to a building of Gold, Silver, and Precious Stones.
- Vs 13 and 14 show us that a fire will be put to our building, and we will be judged according to what is left.
- V 15 throws in an encredibly important truth: the judgement for God's children determines Heavenly reward, NOT salvation!
- This burn-in test is for those of us who have accepted Christ's sacrifice.
- We have been marked in Him with a seal, the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13).
- Our works on Earth will, however, play a role in our Heavenly inheritance.
- In all of these burn-in tests, the overarching theme is an obedient and loving devotion to our Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ is always cause for great joy.
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