By Liaf
I'm going to talk about something a little more mundane--- and you tech types will like this as well. I built a new computer and got it up and running. Some pictures of it are posted below.
For you "spiritual types" out there, you may be wondering the whole point of showing off a computer I built. Well, I have my reasons, as I will state shortly. But I did some research regarding computer components and theory a few weeks ago. Two weeks ago as of the time of this message I ordered the components, and about a week ago they arrived. For the last week I was building the thing and finally completed it this weekend and fired it up. It went much smoother than I expected.
This will be a short message, but a message with a point. These are the reasons I built the thing. First of all, this cured my computer anxieties. I figured if I could build one and program the thing from the get-go, then I would feel that I knew the "in's and out's" of the thing. After all, if it misfires in some way, I knew what was involved in getting it together and the programming I put into it.
The second reason is along the line of the first reason, but with some additional benefits. As a Christian I teach how we all should be in character, but ironically I got a little selfish and said to the kids, "This is my computer!" Therefore, only the software goes on that I want--- and I tend to keep things as simple as possible. You heard me gripe before about these bleepity bleep computers. Half the problems are clashing software and inadequacies (maybe stupidity would be a better word). I would therefore install only stuff I knew was reputable. In addition, I get something tailored to my needs and likes since kids have an uncanny ability to take over the family computer in any family life. When that happened to us, guess whose programs would never work? Theirs or Liaf's? Therefore, by building my own computer I not only dispelled my fear of them, but I also feel I have more control over the thing since I know what I put into it. If it crashes, I would not feel as helpless.
The third reason was to get some newer electronic experience and refreshment. Ol' Liaf here will be competing on the job market again in the future. "Do you have computer skills?" I'll probably be asked. Yeah--- I built the thing and posted my resume using it!! That shows I keep my 20-year-old electronic degree up-to-date. As many of you know, or should know, I love astronomy and mathematics as well. But as we get older and more complacent we sometimes need these little shake-ups to keep us on our toes. Building this thing was such a challenge with impressive benefits.
Lastly, although this technology is interesting, I see the computer as a tool to make web pages and posting them as you see here. Years ago before computers were commonplace, I took "interest" in stationary items. That's because they were means for me to write and communicate---- things of the Bible of course. Thus, I'd keep notebooks, typed pages and whatever to distribute for my classes or any audience I once vaguely anticipated I would one day reach. Who would have thought communication for the common guy would come to this? Therefore, I took an "interest" in computers. Not as a primary and mundane goal, mind you. But I see them as the tools I use to get the Word of God out to all of you. And it is along this line that our so-called "worldly" work can have immense spiritual significance and impact. Don't ever let anyone say that just because you do (whatever) as a job that you are not doing God's work. Who says? You see, technicians as myself are needed to help produce, process, and repair things such as computers which can be used for the glory of God. As long as God is the focus, mundane tasks can have a very real purpose for the Kingdom. Otherwise, if this technology were not here, you would have never even heard of "Liaf" here!! One other thing--- there was a very real spiritual dimension to this project. I asked the Lord to help me get this thing going. It would mean so much to me. I know that we should not build up our egos just for the sake of boasting, but sometimes we do need a little encouragement and reassurance that we each have a purpose and some usefulness here on this Earth.
With all this being said, enjoy the picture below with my explanations of each:
