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I didn’t write this, just passing it along. But I thought a cool view of Heaven. Reminded me of Bruce Almighty a little bit, especially with the files.

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Here is Brian’s essay, entitled “The Room.”

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings.

As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read “Girls I have liked.” I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn’t match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.

A file named “Friends” was next to one marked “Friends I have betrayed.” The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. “Books I Have Read,” “Lies I Have Told,” “Comfort I have Given,” “Jokes I Have Laughed at.”

Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: “Things I’ve yelled at my brothers.” Others I couldn’t laugh at: “Things I Have Done in My Anger”, “Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents.” I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived.

Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked “TV Shows I have watched,” I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn’t found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked “Lustful Thoughts,” I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me.

One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!” In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn’t matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards.

But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it. Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.

And then I saw it. The title bore “People I Have Shared the Gospel With.” The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.

No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn’t bear to watch His response And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes.

Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn’t anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn’t say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. “No!” I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was “No, no,” as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn’t be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, and so alive.

The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don’t think I’ll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, “It is finished.”

I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

So what a week it has been. A week of a happy celebration to a week of sorrow and grief. Throw a little anger, tiredness, and a few drops of laughter and you have one great stew.

So here is what went down.

Saturday I was on my way to a wedding. I live in Birmingham, the wedding was in Prattville. Prattville is about hour & fifteen minutes away. I was in my suit (looking good I must say) and ready to go. Meeting a friend in Pelham to caravan to Prattville.

I must also say how hot it has been all last week and this week. Hottest two weeks of the year.

So as soon as I left my driveway my A/C on my car went out. Just stopped. No slowing down, no coughing, just stopped. Wasn’t pretty at all. What could I do? So I did the AC 270-280. That’s two windows down going 70-80 miles per hour. Even going 80 mph, 100 degree wind is still not cool.

And to top it all off the wedding was outside. Outside in August. Enough said on that.

Monday - I got my car fixed. Finally had a little A/C after a weekend of hell. Literally. I think I know what hell feels like. What makes it worse that if I wanted to use my cell phone I had to roll up my windows. I decided not to make too many calls that weekend.

So the week is going. Tuesday & Wednesday are going great. No problems. So I think.

Thursday morning my girlfriend tells me her grandmother passed away. So I felt bad for her. Trying to do my best to console her. I doubt I am doing a good job.

Then I am off to work. Well I get in my car and it wouldn’t crank. I was thinking great, grand, wonderful. Well I will have to get a neighbor to jump me off. First let me say that I have a car garage. So no way that my jumper cables would reach. This is only a problem because my car wouldn’t come out of park. I couldn’t put it in neutral to save my life. So I am frustrated and late for work. Good times, good times.

So I had to get someone to take me to get a car charger jump kit. (probably a fancier name, but that is what I call it). Well it took over 3-4 hours for it to finally get charged itself so I could jump off my car. Finally got it into neutral, backed it out of my garage and jump started the car.

Drove to get a new battery because mine was dead.

So over the course of a week I have spent way way too much money on my car.

Well today is Friday, thank the Good Lord. Of course I am off traveling the states this weekend. So its good that I have a new battery and Air that works. Well cross your fingers and hold your breath for me. I will need it.

I sure hope next week goes better.

But say a prayer for my girl’s family and their loss. I only have one grandma left and definitely under the grief. But she lived a good life. 95 years old.

Everyone have a great weekend, Erb out.

The Long and Windy Road
Writer, lead vocal: Paul McCartney

The long and winding road that leads to your door,
Will never disappear,
I’ve seen that road before It always leads me here,
Leads me to your door.

The wild and windy night the rain washed away,
Has left a pool of tears crying for the day.
Why leave me standing here, let me know the way
Many times I’ve been alone and many times I’ve cried
Anyway you’ll never know the many ways I’ve tried, but
Still they lead me back to the long and winding road
You left me standing here a long, long time ago
Don’t leave me waiting here, lead me to you door
Da, da, da, da

iPhone or iPhony?

June 29, 2007. A good day for techno folks, perhaps, but for everyone?

That’s the day that Apple introduced the iPhone to the world . Has this new “smart” phone revolutionized the way media/communications is accessed across the world? Has Apple changed the world by presenting to us a new, sleek and stylish phone with cool features?

For those who love the idea of a music player on their phone, look no more. The new phone includes a built in iPod. No more clunky pockets full of gadgets. No more walking around like Batman wearing a utility belt. Your iPod and your phone are all inclusive. But note that the iPhone is not the first to combine phone and music player. Companies like Microsoft and Samsung merged the phone and mp3 player almost two years ago. I have a phone by Verizon and LG that has an mp3 player on it. Do those phones have an iPod or iPod capabilities? No, but they have lead the way for Apple.

Is the iPhone everything we wanted? Apple has placed most of the desired features in this new gadget. Everything from web surfing to visual voice mail is included, plus the convenience of having only one device for phone and music/ video player.

But are you getting your money’s worth? While this phone has many cool features, it also has some really big drawbacks, such as the network. I have many techno friends that have either returned their iPhone or are waiting to get one until network service is better in this area.

Are there new updates in the future? Apple has teamed with other companies to provide updates and new features that may make this product better. Rumors are circulating that a new iPhone will be available in November that will be supported by a faster network from AT&T and maybe even 3G. That will be a quick turn around for a second generation of the phone. Until that release, review this quick hot-list about the phone:

Pros

·  Great web browser

·  Virtual Voice Mail gives you the ability to see your VM listing and skip around to listen to the messages in the order you want them

·  iPod (4 GB or 8 GB)

·  Syncs well with PC and Mac

·  Photo Gallery

·  YouTube

·  E-mail

Cons

·  SMS, not iChat – can’t instant message to or from a computer

·  Wi-Fi from home network only works with HEX key (Birmingham is the sixth hottest spot for Wi-Fi in America)

·  AT&T Carrier service (Formerly Cingular). Carrier service is on the low end.

• Birmingham has some of the worst AT&T coverage because of the Birmingham Bowl. This is caused by the low mountains around Birmingham that block signals and causes services to be bad for cities in the Birmingham area, including Trussville. One local techno returned his and his wife’s phones after a week because of the bad service. He loved the features, but hated the service.

·  EDGE – AT&T wireless data network. Data updates/downloads at a slow pace. Dial-up can be faster. Doesn’t include the new 3G feature that provides faster data connectivity.

·  Cost. iPhones range from $499 (4GB) to $599 (8GB). So start saving your money today.

I am holding off until they get everything fixed with the network. I really love the phone and all its features, but I am waiting.

Waiting for the next generation of iPhones as well? Check out the new iPod to get warmed up. More to come…

I’d like to give special thanks to my Editors TB and FM.