Some Federal Judge somewhere has successfully blocked the satellite companies from providing network programming. Somehow we’ve survived without CBS, NBC, ABC and even PBS.

But that’s another story.

As I stepped out of the shower (now there’s a word picture) the reporter caught my attention. It was MSNBC’s Internet Correspondent, Lisa Napoli, – enthusiastic about yet another magical breakthrough in internet technology. The live video cam.

Now, from the comfort of your very own living room, you can check out the surf at Huntington Beach. You can monitor the traffic clogging up the most complex freeway intersections in the nation. You can see the action at the main lobby of the railway station – or the airport terminal. Someone in New Jersey has a camera pointed at the floor of his own living room – the whole world knows a) when nobody’s there and/or b) who’s watching TV.

The most amazing thing about this report however, was not the technology. Or the quick access to these live monitors – anywhere and everywhere. The best part for me was this: Ms. Napoli’s computer didn’t work. For ten full minutes, ON THE AIR, she tried to connect – but never did. Click. Click. Double-click. Nothing.

So on national TV, for one sixth of an hour, Napoli and some second string anchorperson bantered about the marvels of the internet – none of which appeared to be operational.

So tell me this – is virtual reality reality?

Our pastor told us a great story. Last weekend he took his three young boys to the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center at Balboa Park. There they watched "Island of the Sharks"at the IMAX Theater, with its Giant Space Theatre Dome screen. Cocos is a rainforest island, 300 miles off the coast of Costa Rica. A convergence of warm and cool waters make it one of the most abundant sea life habitats in all the world. Sharks are plentiful, hungry, lightening fast and terrifying.

Between the huge Imax images and the big stereophonic surround sound, for Bill and his boys… it was just like being there. The feeding sequence, Bill said, was incredibly realistic. I mean, you could hear the "whoosh" of the passing shark on the hunt, mouth agape, razor sharp teeth gleaming; you could even hear the crunching sound of the hapless barracuda caught in the vice grip of the shark’s jaws. You could almost feel the bubbles rushing upward past your cheeks.

Bill looked over at his three year old. "Ya OK David?"

David was paralized. His eyes big as saucers were locked on the screen. "Yeah," he said.  It wasn't convincing.

"Are you scared?"

"No." He paused, then in a little, quiet voice added, "I wanna go up."

Bill scratched his head not certain what little David meant. Then it hit him. In David’s three year old mind, it wasn’t like being there. He was there. He was submerged beneath the surface just off Cocos Island. He was in the middle of that school of fish. Those big threatening sharks were lookin’ him over with hunger in their eyes. And "Dad… would you please take me back up to the surface where it’s safe? Like right now!?" is exactly what he was saying.

So let me ask you again – is virtual reality reality?

When you are three years old, the dividing line between the two his not easily determined.

But you know what? In this age dominated by a plethora of virtual images, the line can still get blurred. Even for us adults.

Here’s a reality check. What things are real today? You’ll be looking at a host of images that are made up of nothing more than a collection of colorful pixels that only a computer could arrange. Some of those images will be dazzling. Others startling. Some compelling. Many will be dull and meaningless and an utter waste of energy.   You'll get lots of input from many sources.

But for you today – which are real? Which ones really matter?

Try this one out – go home tonight and take a moment to look deeply into the eyes of your spouse – see what’s there. Look long enough to know. That’s reality. Your reality.

Look at that calendar today, and check off the stuff that’s right there on the level with staring into a stranger’s living room via-video cam. Cross ‘em out. Tell ‘em you can’t make it – you’re too busy. Because you are. That’s reality.

Make sure you start the day connected to your spiritual roots. Pray. Confess. Fellowship. Communicate. That’s reality. Your reality.

Check off the things on your list that will serve your people, enhance your business position, put money in the bank. Put "Priority One" next to those items, and get started on the first. That’s your reality.