Josiah Sprague's Blog

Tired of Seeing the Homeless on the Streets?

josiahsprague — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:33:49 +0000

I was reading through the headlines of the latest Zipmail, and I saw one that said “Tired of Seeing the Homeless on the Streets?”. The headline grabbed my attention, which I’m sure was the intended effect. But my first impression was more along the lines of “Tired of Seeing the Homeless?” and it made me kind of mad- just because someone is homeless doesn’t make them any less valuable. I see people devalue the homeless all the time and that attitude really gets under my skin. But I read the article, and I found that this wasn’t the attitude at all. The key word of the headline is “streets”. Are you tired of seeing that people are forced to live on the streets? Then do something about it.

Then come and help prepare the Haven of Rest Shelter to give them a place to stay. ZPN will be hosting a Community Outreach event at the Haven of Rest on Saturday, November 14th from 9:00am – 12:00pm. Only you can help keep them off of the streets and provide for them a warm, clean place to stay while making yourself feel better about your community.

Contact Information: Adam Myser zpncommunity@uakron.edu 330-972-7014

Sponsored by: Zips Programming Network

Thanks ZPN!

Lecture Interaction with Hotseat

josiahsprague — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:39:35 +0000

I came across an article on Mashable today about a new way that students at Purdue University are interacting in their classroom. Instructors are using a new tool for Facebook and Twitter called Hotseat. Basically, instructors give students an opportunity to ask questions or give short responses using their Facebook or Twitter accounts, and other students can vote for responses that they would like to see addressed in the class. Watch the video to get a better idea of what Hotseat is.

I don’t know about you, but I would like to see this used at The University of Akron. Most of us are on Facebook during class anyway. I say professors should take advantage of that. What do you think?

Locked Out

josiahsprague — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:58:17 +0000

A friend of mine locked her keys in her car today. We spent awhile trying to get her door unlocked using a coat hanger. We finally got it, but it got me thinking of different ways to get into your car should you lock your keys inside. I looked up some different methods, and was surprised at how many ways people suggest. There are even rumors floating around the internet that you can open a locked car with a cell phone or a tennis ball. Obviously some of these methods work better than others, and the best method is to keep a spare key in your wallet, behind your license plate, or at home, but here are some of the more reliable ways to open your car if you find yourself locked out;

Call a dealership and request a replacement key. Most dealers can provide a replacement key for around five dollars. Just make sure you’re not paying the “programming fee” for newer cars, you just need the key to open the door, not start your car.
Call roadside assistance such as AAA or OnStar. These companies can send out a reputable locksmith to help you and if you are a member, the service may be included in your membership.
Call the police and ask if they can help. Many police will not open locked car doors because they do not want to be held responsible for possible damage to your car, but some police may still help so it’s worth a call. If a child or a pet is trapped in the car, police will help, call 911 if it is an emergency.
Call a local locksmith if you can find a phone book, or if you live near Akron you can use Akron Locksmith’s 24/7 Emergency Service, just call (330) 375-5260.
Use a coat hanger to unlock the door yourself. This is a time-tested method of opening a locked door. You risk damaging your door if you don’t know what you are doing, but if you are far away from any help, this may be your best option.
Use a Slim Jim for older cars. If you happen to have access to a Slim Jim, this is one of the easiest ways to open a locked car door, however, it takes a little know-how, and some cars are Slim Jim proof.
Use a rock, brick, or sledgehammer as a last resort if the matter is urgent. The glass can always be repaired, but please, at least count to three before you break anything.

What Can I Give?

josiahsprague — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:01:58 +0000

I was walking home from campus yesterday, and as I was passing McDonalds a man sitting at the bus stop asked me if I could give him a cigarette. I told him I didn’t have a cigarette, and that all I had was a ZipCard with a meal plan. He asked if I could get him a sandwich, so I did.

As I was waiting in line for the sandwich, I was thinking that I’m really not giving this guy much. I was thinking about what he really needs (probably); support, a job, friends, family… none of which I have the resources to give him. But as an adopted child of God through Jesus, I have access to God as a father and can ask Him for anything I need and He will provide. So I decided that I could give this man the blessing of prayer; coming before God with Him to ask God to provide for his real needs.

As I gave him his sandwich, he asked me again if I could give him a cigarette. I told him that I didn’t have one, but asked if I could give him what I do have; prayer. I had expected that he would say yes, sort of as an obligation for me buying him food, but instead his face lit up and he said, “I need that!”, another man sitting on the bench said, “Hey! Can I get some of that too?” So I prayed for both of them, for all three of us- because I believe that God is faithful as a father to provide for the needs of His children.

As I left, both men were encouraged and saying, “Man, I need more of that in my life!” Isn’t that a need that we all have in common; the provision of our heavenly father who provides for all of our needs? All we have to do is ask Him.

Luke 11.13, Luke 18.1-9, Matthew 7.11

Townhouse Terror Week

josiahsprague — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:11:22 +0000

Townhouse Terror Week is going on this week on the south side of campus. If you haven’t heard of it yet, you’re missing out. Tonight was the Haunted Townhouse of Horror, a haunted maze so scary I heard someone say, “I have to go change my shorts.” as he left the maze. If you couldn’t make it tonight, don’t worry, there is plenty more going on this week. So come out to the Townhouses every night at 8:13pm and check out the following events;

Tuesday – Ghost Stories: Akron Tales of Terror told around an eerie campfire setting.

Wednesday – Haunted School House and Lab: $11 per person. Contact Shoop to reserve a spot. Limited space available.

Thursday – Costume Bash: Prizes for the best costumes followed by Boo at the Roo at 9:09pm

DUI Simulation

josiahsprague — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:32:01 +0000

The University of Akron partnered with Fatal Vision today to provide students with a simulated experience of drunk driving. I had the opportunity to sit inside a mechanical vehicle simulator that tilted as I watched a video monitor and tried to avoid common driving obstables first without beer goggles, and then with beer goggles to compare the experience. I have never gotten to try “beer goggles” before. I have to say that the whole experience was unrealistic. The driving simulator was awful, I’ve played more realistic driving video games at home in front of my TV. And the beer goggles, well, they might as well have been foggy goggles… no double vision, just obstructed vision.

Just out of curiosity, has anyone else had an experience with DUI simulators? Did it seem realistic at all? Was it fun?

Campus Deals on New MacBooks

josiahsprague — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:32:29 +0000

I just wanted to let everyone know, if you’re looking for a new MacBook, Computer Solutions on campus is definitely the place to go. I got a new MacBook from Best Buy today, open box, no extra software, no accessories and it cost me $100 more than a new MacBook at Computer Solutions that comes with iLife 09 and a free printer. Needless to say, I’m returning my MacBook to Best Buy and getting one at Computer Solutions.

On second thought… I wonder if Best Buy will do a retroactive price match (plus 10%) and also throw in iLife and a printer? Probably not.

B.Y.O._ Round Three: Pumpkins

josiahsprague — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:53:10 +0000

Thanks to everyone who came out for our third B.Y.O._ Cookout and Pumpkin Carving Contest. We had 70 people show up, and some really creative pumpkin designs. Check out the pictures.

Mulligan

josiahsprague — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:38:13 +0000

A couple of weeks ago at Campus Focus, Brian Kunkler said, “Seriously guys, how big do our biceps need to be to reach into the refridgerator and open a jar of pickles?” Implying that it was wrong for guys to work for bigger biceps. This week, he asked for a Mulligan because he believes that Christians should do whatever they do for the glory of God, even if that “whatever” is working for bigger biceps.

Brian talked about Colossians 3. He sees a grid of three things that Christians should run their activities through;

“Put to death” things that go against the revealed moral will of God. The things listed in Colossians 3.5-8 that go against the moral will of God include; sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed (which is idolatry), anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language.
Whose glory are we seeking? God has given us value as human beings and it is not anything we have to work for or earn. Colossians 3.11 says that Christ takes away any human measures of value- everyone is equally valuable (student, non-student, homeless, healthy, black, white, gay, straight…). Whatever Christians do should not be to earn respect from people, but to give glory to God.
“Clothe yourselves with” virtues of God’s character. The virtues listed in Colossians 3.12 include; compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness (as Christ forgave you), and love, which binds all of these virtues together in unity.

To sum up these three parts of the grid, Brian points to Colossians 3.17; “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

The second part of the grid hit me really hard. Everything that I have been doing this semester has been motivated by a desire to earn people’s respect (my professors, my residents, my boss, my girlfriend, my small group, my roommates, etc). Something that Brian noticed, that I completely agree with, is that doing something to try to earn someone’s respect has a tendency to destroy the pleasure of that activity.

I’ve come to the realization that there are some things that God hasn’t blessed me with (such as big biceps). If I am seeking to bless myself with these things I am probably not seeking God’s glory (so that people will worship God when they see how wonderfully He has made me) but I am seeking my own glory (so that people will respect me when they see the man that I have made myself to be).

(Check out the weekly podcast of Campus Focus to hear Brian’s message from this week as well as previous weeks.)

Roo Express Routes

josiahsprague — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:09:03 +0000

I mentioned eating lunch at the Diamond Deli yesterday, but I forgot to metion that you can easily get to the Diamond Deli via the Roo Express. I’m not very skilled at deciphering the Roo Express routes or schedules, but I do know that I was able to pick up the Roo Express to get back to campus after lunch. So take a ride on the Roo Express, and check out the Diamond Deli and other great places to eat downtown!