The Ballestero Blog

Are You A Mac Or A PC?

We all think differently. We see and hear the same things, yet not always do we arrive at the same conclusion. Why is that?

Bro. Kenneth Bow told me that some people were like Mac computers and others were like a PC. He said we process the information differently. I agree.

I like computers. I bought my first one, a Commodore 64 way back in the dark ages. For most programs, insert the floppy disk and type: load”*”,8,1 (always make sure to press the RETURN key after typing in a command). Sometimes it took several minutes just to load up the program. I often drank a cup of coffee before it finished loading.

That was my introduction to the computer world. Over the years, I owned various PC’s. starting with the 286, 386 and 486. I have used DOS 5.0, Windows 3.0, 3.1, 95, 98, ME, XP, Vista, and recently worked on a Windows 7.

I even taught a computer class for a couple years at HR Block. For the last 10 years or so, it has not been uncommon for me to receive 6-10 calls a week solving computer software or hardware issues. I am not a programmer, I don’t have a business. I am only a user.

In February, 2007, I was given a wonderful gift by my friend Pastor Kenneth Bow. A new MacBook. I was humbled by his extreme generosity. I have been literally thrilled with my experience. The Mac world was a paradigm shift for me, a PC guy. I was amazed that in just a couple of hours I was able to feel comfortable with my new Mac. I love it. I now have no desire to leave the Mac world and go back. I was also pleased that I could still enjoy Microsoft Word and Power Point as well on my new computer.

I have noticed however, a quirk in the Power Points made on my Mac and then played on a PC. If no animations are involved, everything is perfect. Occasionally, I will give the soundman my flash drive with my Power Point on it and the animations don’t work on his computer like it worked on mine. That’s frustrating. Confusing even at times.

It’s because, although it’s theoretically the same program, (I have Mac Office with Word and Power Point) the results are different. We have different ‘Operating Systems.’ We also have different ‘Processors.’ The same program is processed differently for each of us. The ‘Display’ is different! The ‘Display’ becomes then the issue.

We all have different ways of processing information.  Sometimes even coming up with different results and conclusions.

The difference in our ‘Processors’ And ‘Operating Systems’ is clearly evident in the discussions of Climate, Economy, Education, Civil Rights, and National Defense. Among others, there are Independents, Democrats, Green Party, and Republicans. We read the same data, and often arrive at different conclusions.

The same is true in our churches and among us as Pentecostals. For example, I read about modesty in the Bible. My ‘Operating System’ is different from some. I ‘Process’ the Word the way I do because I have a ‘Processor’ that interprets the “Modesty Language” for me.

My “Processor” lets me feel comfortable wearing long sleeves for example. A friend in warm climate may have a “Processor” that lets him wear sleeves to the elbow.

My ‘Processor’ has problems with some styles of dress, and entertainment. It also doesn’t at all ‘Process’ the Emergent Church and their lack of Holiness requirements. (There’s that pesky ‘Display’ issue again.)

We have the same program. We process the same information. We are different in that our “Operating Systems” are not the same. We process scriptures differently.

One of the last times my dying father spoke to my wife. He asked in confidential tones, “Is Marty still preaching the truth?”

“Yes Dad,” Marcia assured him.

He said, “Down here there are a lot of themes. Up there, there’s only one theme.” Those were Dad’s last words to her.

It’s easy for us all to justify how we ‘Process’ and understand Scripture. When it’s all said and done. It’s all going to boil down to how does God ‘Process’ His Word.

I want to be operating on the same ‘Operating System’ as He is! I want to ‘Process’ His Word like He meant for me too.

Down here, there’s a lot of ‘Processors’ and ‘Operating Systems.’ Up there, there’s only one.