February 1 – “I smell something”

The projector at church has been growing dimmer and dimmer over the last few months, so we decided to replace the bulb in an effort to nurse it along for maybe one more year.  So first off, that meant ordering the part, of course.  Our music guy found a website that had the one we needed, so the order was made.  And that all happened back in mid-December.  The part finally arrived Friday of last week.  Perhaps we should have seen the delay as an omen.

After worship yesterday (which went great, by the way.  I met a couple who just moved to Jamaica Beach.  He is starting an air conditioning business and she is a Christian counselor.  I for one am glad to have one in town.  I’m looking forward to getting to know them better.  Our “adopted” daughter Katie surprised us with a visit as well.  Come to find out her boyfriend lives in Jamaica Beach.  I also met a couple who was heading to Africa soon to be missionaries.  He is retiring as a pastor so they can move over and be close to their grandchildren whose parents are already missionaries there.  Oh, and a California-based Seasider, Lisa, was also back in town for a visit with her daughter and granddaughter.  She’s doing well out West), Wes and Jim were chomping at the bit to get the new bulb in place and see how bright it made the projections.  It took them a while to figure out how to get the projector open, but once they handled that obstacle, there was no stopping them.  Old bulb removed.  Dust cleaned out best they could (and there was a bucketful).  New bulb inserted. 

Excitedly, they returned the projector to its position on the ceiling.  Jim stood by underneath it as Wes turned on the computer.  And nothing.  One of our glitches with the computer.  They had to reboot the computer and turn both machines on at essentially the same time.  Gotta love technology.  Finally the picture began to appear.  And it was beautiful.  Sharp colors, clear graphics, and really bright.  Better than it has been in some time – maybe ever.  We were all basking in its radiance.  Chris noticed one thing I had missed.  She commented, “I smell something.”  The guys assured her it was probably the bulb burning off excess dust and film from shipping.  Wes decided to play a video to check out that capacity.  So he went over to YouTube on the computer and clicked on Cinderella.  By this time I noticed the smell as well.  Jim and Chris propped open the doors to circulate the air and combat the smell.  And as good ol’ Cinderella began to play, the image on the screen began to disappear, ever so slowly.  It started from the very middle of the screen, almost as if a cloud was forming or a shadow creature was walking in front of the light stream.  The smell worsened.  Jim checked to see if the fan was operating, and it seemed to be doing fine.  I decided to stare into the belly of the beast.  I got off to the side of the light stream and tried to see into the lens itself.  And finally I could.  And what I saw was not what I expected.  There was a steady, albeit still tiny, stream of smoke surging within the projector.  The source of the offensive smell.  Jim and Wes quickly removed the machine from its ceiling perch, took out the new bulb, and replaced the old one.  They returned everything to the ceiling bracket and crossed their fingers as it warmed up. 

Sadly, the lurking shadow remained.  Something within had been forever scarred by the advancement in bulb technology.  Guess where Wes and I are headed this evening?  New projector time.

1 John 2:15 says, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

Father, again I thank you for the amazing things technology can do.  It is a great reflection of your unfathomable creativity.  Amen.