iPads and iScream

Apple recently announced the release of the new iPad. I didn’t realize I needed a new one until they reminded me of what I didn’t have in my old one. This happens often. I had no idea I needed a “crisper” screen, longer battery life, and a not exactly pocket-size camera. Somewhere, someone keeps telling us about things we can’t do without, and that list is always changing.

My son Justin and I were shopping (We really have no idea what we’re doing) recently in Walmart and noticed the “slow churned” ice cream. It dawned on me that I’d been eating the fast churned stuff all these years, because I just didn’t know any better. I wonder how many other people are out there who’ve only had the “regular churned” ice cream experience.

We moved on to the shaving aisle. They now tell me I need 5 blades per whisker to shave. I used to think that I could remove the hair from my face with a single blade. What was I thinking? Years after people had been shaving with a single razor blade, Gillette decided in 1971 that two blades were needed for a real shave, and introduced Trac II. No longer did you have to burn all that energy going over the same place twice. Shortly afterwards someone decided that the “pivoting head,” was necessary. But why stop there? Whereas the second blade had promised to get what the first blade didn’t, in 2004 they decided third blade was needed to double back and take out any stragglers. They call this “The Mach 3 Turbo Champion, and The Mach 3 Power Nitro.” But three’s an odd number. That’s where the all new, totally redesigned Gillette Mach 4 comes in. Not sure what the fourth blade is there for, but it’s there if you need it. Finally, in 2010, Gillette introduced the battery powered, five blade Fusion Power ProGlide, which emits, “micropulses,” as it lubricates, pivots, rubs your feet, and checks your e-mail. (And you guessed it. Gillette’s website just announced that their new 6 blade razor will be in stores soon)

There’s a new bigger, better, faster everything. Nothing’s enough anymore. Get the new one, Supersize it…and hurry. For coffee drinkers, Starbucks’ new 31 ounce,”Trenta Cup,” is more than the average capacity of the human stomach, with enough caffeine to stand in for a defibrillator. It should come in a carton with cups for the whole office, but no… it’s in one cup…for one person…for I assume one day. And by the way, would somebody please stuff some more cheese into the crust of my pizza! More, more, more!

In the economy of God, contrary to the world, more is less, the weak become strong and the poor become rich. The first become last, and the last move to the head of the table. Instead of asking for more, we need to be thanking Him for what we already have. And here’s an idea. How about thanking Him for all you Don’t have.

You know, maybe we do need someone telling us of the things we just can’t do without. But that person would need to have complete knowledge of us…and everything that was, is, and is to come. Only God fits that bill. “He has supplied ALL your needs according to His riches in glory.” Phil. 4:19 “He has given us everything pertaining to life and godliness.” 2 Pet. 1:3

Instead of razors, gadgets and ice cream, maybe our new upgraded list of “must haves” should include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self-control. Gal. 5:22 We’ll never have too much of these things. May the song of our heart change from I need more to, “I Need You More.” (click the song to listen)

Oh, short update on last week’s blog about the mustard seed. Someone brought 227 mustard seed to me on Sunday morning. Scroll down to see what 227 mustard seeds looks like. Then, yesterday…this.