Spiritually Starving

Getting a Kindle

2011-06-29T11:10:00.002-05:00

I was recently asked by my father about buying a Kindle. Here is my quick outline I gave to him maybe some more insight will be added by other's in the comments.

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#1 I wouldn't buy 3G, stick with WiFi

Here is my thought, 90% of the places you are at have Wifi (home and motels) etc. and most of the time you are NOT the general consumer flipping through a magazine etc or jumping from book to book. You are a planner and have a reading list well in advance, if you want to change it, find a WiFi hotspot.

#2 I wouldn't buy the larger size.
Again experience, the 6" has the same font size as the larger one, good battery life, and if you ARE like me (or I AM like you) I fall asleep reading at least a few nights a week. the 6" one hits me in the nose with enough force to wake me up :) I can read mine without glasses w/o a problem as long as there is some light.

#3 I would buy the AD FREE version

It is tempting to save $20 but hey it is only $15 more and you don't have to get frustrated having an ad on the screen saver and the home page taking up space (they don't warn you about that) I agree it is nice to get special offers but that is what I use my amazon.com email. Don't be a cheapskate and know you can hack your screen savers anyhow.

#4 I would signup under one of your family accounts.

The best point is that you can share multiple devices under one account, I realize I can loan you a book for 14 days on your Kindle but in reality it is good thing to consolidate your accounts. Share ;)

#5 Get the extended warranty and buy local

Buy from Target (or radioshack?), you can take it back there, and you can buy THEIR extended warranty and they honor them in the store (good to confirm)

#6 Get a leather case

You don't HAVE to have it, but it is nice. $9 on ebay gets a made in china leather case. don't spend $30+ in the store on a case you will scratch and probably replace down the road. I shopped and got one for $4 with free shipping and I LOVE it, I would consider getting it a little bigger to put a book light in the same case next time, but I toss that in my laptop bag anyhow (see #7)

#7 Buy a book light

Dollar Store. Don't waste lots of $ on it because your kids will steal them when they visit this summer. Get one with a replaceable battery, one of those little 2 LED lights are enough light in most situation to read the book. in bed use a reading light like normal. DON'T buy one built in, you will have a broken one soon enough.

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Here are some links to Kindle with WiFi for $139.00

Radio Shack

Target

Amazon.com

My Life Song

2011-06-25T11:16:00.001-05:00

"I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me. "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation." http://bible.us/Isa12.1.ESV

I keep getting drawn back to this verse. God is my Salvation because there is NOTHING I can do that will allow me to stand face to face with Christ. My trust, faith, hope and boldness HAS to come from my Salvation, Christ Alone. As a result this becomes my life song (thank you Casting Crowns) and the melody of my life.

What has you singing today? Is your life filled with the melody of Christ? Are you singing songs to yourself or of ourself and NOT of God? Time to check our tunes with the Word of God and make sure that we are clear in the message of our life. Salvation is of the Lord.

The Gospel must be preached.

-- Jeremiah

Systemax SYX-4025 VLS Intel Server

2011-05-09T16:25:00.003-05:00

I am putting this out there because it took me almost a week to get to the solution.

Issue:

CentOS 5.6 wouldn't install to my brand new Systemax SYX-4025

Solution:

Download proper Bios (last updated April 2011), flash and install.

++++++++++++++++

Description:

Using the DVD Boot CD for CentOS 5.6 the DVD would load and then hang when trying to mount the hard drive. After a long period of time the install would continue very slowly and was unable to complete installation.

A quick Google search and I turned off the RAID controller in the BIOS and tried running the install again with "linux acpi=off" and it continued to plague me.

I installed Ubuntu 10.LTS and have NO ISSUES with the hardware at all, worked very well (almost to the point of converting me from CentOS to Ubuntu but the software and goal of this install was to transition to better hardware for the company not to replace the OS.

Detailed Solution:

After hours of searching the internet and I gave in and called tech support. They had no solution. They did however offer me the details on the SYX-4025 mainboard and RAID controller. This RAID is recognized in Windows but is not in Linux variants. Even Ubuntu used the drives in AHCI or IDE mode rather than inline with the RAID controller.

The motherboard is an INTEL DQ57TM with a Q57 Express Chipset and PCH. A Google search revealed a great INTEL website dedicated to the motherboard.

The bios was updated 04/20/2011 and is the solution that you are looking for.

To flash the Bios, I used a USB drive created a WIN98 boot disk with the HP Flash Drive Utility. Added a Directory called SYXMAX and placed the upgraded bios files in there. *Note change the BIOS settings to allow boot to USB. (Use this site http://www.biosflash.com/bios-boot-usb-stick.htm to create a Bootable USB drive. I used Google Translate in Chrome)

Red White and Pink Slip Blues

2009-08-05T08:02:00.001-05:00

Great Commission

2009-05-04T08:40:00.001-05:00

"The gospel must also guide and saturate our local churches and denominational ministries. Too many of our pulpits have jettisoned the pure proclamation of the gospel, which has resulted in many of our people losing the full meaning and wonder of the gospel. Too often our denominational programs and agendas have been crafted without a close tethering to the gospel. If we assume the gospel, we will lose the gospel. We must get the gospel right and proclaim it with clarity and boldness if we are to experience a Great Commission Resurgence"

Read it.

Dove Awards

2009-04-23T21:24:00.003-05:00

Yeah so Comcast signed a deal and we don't get the Gospel Music Channel so I am left to surf Google News press releases to find the winners... still waiting for Pillar to win but it is fun to sear too... at least I have the Discovery Channel still :)

http://www.gospelmusicchannel.com/doves/2009_winners

I love Taco Bell

2009-04-16T10:59:00.001-05:00

Alan Keyes

2009-03-23T10:03:00.001-05:00

Wow ... now I remember why I like Dr. Keyes!

Top Ten Flubs Obama and Biden

2009-03-21T09:34:00.002-05:00

I love it when the foreign media is more honest with us ... and they thought of Obama as the "Saviour" just a few months ago ...

The corruption trial that will bring down this president will be massive...

Video Games ARE Evil

2009-03-13T17:15:00.000-05:00

Are Violent Video Games Adequately Preparing Children For The Apocalypse?

ahhh History is fun to rewrite!

2009-03-11T12:41:00.001-05:00

H A N S - Solo. Whatever.

2009-01-16T08:52:00.001-06:00

Microbes on Mars

2009-01-16T08:23:00.002-06:00

"ALIEN bugs are responsible for strong plumes of methane gas detected on Mars, it was claimed tonight.

Nasa scientists say the gas emissions could have either a geological or biological source - as The Sun exclusively revealed today. " click here for full story

Maybe we need to put a "Z-pack" on the next probe ...

Now if I can find my camera ...

2009-01-08T09:22:00.001-06:00

$1 Image Stabilizer For Any Camera - Lose The Tripod - video powered by Metacafe

more about obama

2009-01-02T19:25:00.001-06:00

They can only protect him so long...

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Obama And That Other Ponzi Scheme
President-elect's name may emerge in Norman Hsu fraud trial

DECEMBER 31--As if being linked to one high-profile criminal case weren't enough, President-elect Barack Obama's name may soon pop up in another federal prosecution, this one involving a massive Ponzi scheme (no, the other massive Ponzi scheme). In addition to the Rod Blagojevich pay-for-play probe, Obama could figure in the upcoming fraud trial of Norman Hsu, the disgraced Democratic fundraiser who was charged last year with operating a $60 million pyramid scheme. According to investigators, Hsu, a major Hillary Clinton fundraiser, pressured investors to donate money to political candidates with whom he was aligned. In a letter last week to U.S. District Court Judge Victor Marrero, Hsu's lawyer, Martin Cohen, requested a 60-day delay in the start of Hsu's trial, scheduled to open January 12.....

READ THE REST

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/1231082hsu1.html

technology & terrorist

2008-12-27T09:33:00.001-06:00

Terrorists go digital, using iPhones, Google to coordinate attacks

By Yossi Melman

Tags: terror, google earth

In Egypt, the GPS utility on the iPhone has been banned from the general public and is restricted to military use.

The restrictions stem from fears Cairo has that terrorists can utilize the mapping tool to coordinate attacks, and Apple, which developed the popular gadget, has acquiesced and removed GPS devices from iPhones sold in Egypt.

Their fears are not unfounded. Last month terrorists attacking Mumbai used Google Earth to plan the blitz, according to findings from India's security services.

READ MORE

integrity, humility and generosity

2008-12-21T08:09:00.001-06:00

What a great man with a great testimony.

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LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) - Under fire for opposing gay marriage, influential evangelical pastor Rick Warren said Saturday that he loves Muslims, people of other religions, Republicans and Democrats, and he also loves "gays and straights."
The 54-year-old pastor and founder of Saddleback Church in Southern California told the crowd of 500 that it's unrealistic to expect everyone to agree on everything all the time.

"You don't have to see eye to eye to walk hand in hand," said Warren.

Warren also defended President-elect Barack Obama's invitation that he give the invocation at the Jan. 20 inauguration in the keynote speech he delivered at the Muslim Public Affairs Council's annual convention in Long Beach.

Obama's choice of Warren earlier this week sparked outcry from gay rights and other liberal groups, who said choosing such an outspoken opponent of gay marriage was tantamount to endorsing bigotry.

"Three years ago I took enormous heat for inviting Barack Obama to my church because some of his views don't agree (with mine)," he said. "Now he's invited me."

Warren said he prays for the same things for Obama that he prays for himself: integrity, humility and generosity.

FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE

more crumbs

2008-12-10T07:50:00.002-06:00

What possessed Illinois Governor to NOT think he was STILL under investigation!? I mean really years of corruption charges that his friends kept getting him off w/o prosecution, who was he to think that his friends on their way to Washington would not bail him out again, after all THIS is Chicago politics.

Obama did his best ... problem is He is still Chicago in its purest form, he HAS to act this way because this is the only way he knows!

"He [Obama] pointedly distanced himself from the case Tuesday, saying, "I had no contact with the governor or his office, and so I was not aware of what was happening" concerning any possible dealing about Blagojevich's appointment of a successor." MYWay News

Yeah his quote should read "I had no idea the governor or his office would get caught, and so I was not aware of what was happening"

Slave to Satan

2008-12-09T09:14:00.004-06:00

Nope not Obama... but it is open for discussion.

This was a link I got after following a parody video on YouTube. This is a sermon from a failed individual to a group of fathers, dads and men. A call for dads to be fathers and stand up for what they believe and take care of their family. Her name is Shelly. I think she is preaching to Promise Keepers. Still it is a great LONG video to watch, 5 videos and you probably don't want to watch this around your kids unless you want a very interesting discussion. ;)

As of late pornography of the world seems to be invading our family's lives more and more as well. It used to be called Soft Porn, now it is the half time show at a hockey game. At first I thought is was cute how my 9 year old was intimmidated by the gals at the door, then as he looked away shepishly as they danced. 50% of Christian men are struggling with pornography. What a stat. I don't want my son to fall into this trap. If you are on the internet and use a search engine or email you are faced with porn at some level.

Anyhow take the time to watch this video, get over the mistakes in theology and look at the deeper issues. If it isn't for you pass it on to someone who can use it.

Links

www.no-porn.com

Every Man's Battle

Promise Keepers : Help with Sexual Purity

The cookie crumbles

2008-12-09T09:10:00.002-06:00

Remember all the anti Obama stuff I warned you about? Yeah you the five readers of this blog (other than my mom).!??!?!

Well Obama is from Illinois, he is a part of "the system" and now as he is poised to take office the politics in Illniois continues to crumble.

Obama voters blame yourselves! You voted for a crook and a thief and it WILL come out! You failed your children by not listening for the truth. Still it is in God's hands.

The Governor of Illinois is in chains this morning .... how long before Obama will be?

Yes Mom!

2008-12-09T09:08:00.002-06:00

Yes Mom I am am alive, we have a new switch so I am knee deep in technology, I don't have time to breath :) Still I have some great things to post and the joy of Christmas to share .... bah-humbug! :)

interesting punch :)

2008-12-04T08:16:00.002-06:00

Anatomy Of A One Punch Knockout - Watch more Sports Videos

Good music

2008-11-20T21:44:00.001-06:00

PT Boat 658

2008-11-03T09:23:00.001-06:00

Perhaps my son will follow scouting all the way through to sea scouts and have a continued part of history for our family in generations to come...

I need a Jelly Bean

2008-10-30T22:38:00.000-05:00

There is no argument between peace and war.

THE NIGHT BEFORE ELECTIONS

2008-10-29T12:02:00.001-05:00

'Twas the night before elections
And all through the town
Tempers were flaring
Emotions all up and down!

I, in my bathrobe
With a cat in my lap
Had cut off the TV
Tired of political crap.

When all of a sudden
There arose such a noise
I peered out of my window
Saw Obama and his boys

They had come for my wallet
They wanted my pay
To give to the others
Who had not worked a day!

He snatched up my money
And quick as a wink
Jumped back on his bandwagon
As I gagged from the stink

He then rallied his henchmen
Who were pulling his cart
I could tell they were out
To tear my country apart!

" On Fannie, on Freddie,
On Biden and Ayers!
On Acorn, On Pelosi"
He screamed at the pairs!

They took off for his cause
And as he flew out of sight
I heard him laugh at the nation
Who wouldn't stand up and fight!

So, I leave you to think
On this one final note-
IF YOU DONT WANT SOCIALISM,
GET YOUR SELVES OUT AND VOTE!!!!

reality bites

2008-10-25T22:17:00.000-05:00

Video of McCain POW

2008-10-22T19:54:00.002-05:00

The "new" video that the Drudge Report had was old ... neat bit of history, I got to go through the War with my son in a mini history lesson.

interesting...

2008-10-21T08:01:00.001-05:00

Alsammarae, a dual Iraqi-U.S. citizen, arrived in U.S. in 1976 and currently lives in Chicago and travels frequently to Amman, Jordan, where he maintains a residence despite still being wanted in Iraq.Alsammarae has described himself as a close friend to Rezko, a former top confidante and fundraiser for Obama. Alsammarae and Rezko had been friends for nearly 30 years, since the two were classmates at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Alsammarae posted more than one-third of Rezko's jail bond earlier this year, putting up as surety his $1.9 million Chicago home and two other properties.Alsammarae contributed the maximum allowable donation of $2,300 to Obama's campaign, sending money six times in January, February and March. Obama donated the funds to charity in April, only after Alsammarae posted bond for Rezko.As electricity minister, Alsammarae not only granted a Rezko firm the $50 million security training contract but also approved a contract with another Rezko company, Rezmar, to construct a 250-megawatt plant in the Kurdistani city of Chamchamal. That contract was granted to both Rezmar and the London-based General Mediterranean Holdings, which is headed by British billionaire Nadhmi Auchi, who was also involved in a large real estate deal in Chicago with Rezko and others around Obama. Auchi, a former Baathist who left Iraq in 1979, was convicted in 2003 in a French court of corruption in an oil deal that stretched back to the Saddam Hussein regime ...

Expelled ... Watch it.

2008-10-21T07:57:00.000-05:00

interesting film.

Sing again...

2008-10-16T07:23:00.000-05:00

This is a great song ... not sure how to pull it off with our congregation but I like it.

There Is Nothing - Laura Story

interesting

2008-10-15T21:48:00.001-05:00

Laugh Out Loud

2008-10-15T21:24:00.003-05:00

Maybe I was the only one that missed this one :)

Can't be creative anymore

2008-10-15T21:13:00.003-05:00

This article tells us that great creative minds were filtered when expressing themselves. All I can say is BUY A Tshirt :)

Call it what it is...

2008-10-03T12:31:00.003-05:00

Calling sin, 'sin' is something that we are quick to point out on others, doing it to ourselves is a little harder. Still it is a good practice to be guarded about our sin and constantly on guard against it.

Still in a time when the US government is stopping pastors from talking about politics and taking sides, it is refreshing to see the Catholic Church taking a swing at the Democratic party calling them "a party of death."

So how can a Christian vote for a democrat? The party of death? So now will the tolerance of Palin/McCain for Gay rights mean they will be the party of sin as well?

I can't think of why I could vote for either party w/o injecting myself into it. Again my worldview is skewed because it is mine and as much as I try, not Gods.

Food for thought.

Closer: Obama's downfall (continued)

2008-10-03T06:18:00.001-05:00

Obama's Friend FBI raid

The FBI on Wednesday raided the county offices of a former Illinois state senator who is a poker-playing buddy of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama.

According to Chicago authorities, the FBI visited the offices in Joliet, Ill., of Will County executive Larry Walsh, a longtime friend of Mr. Obama's, and his chief of staff Matt Ryan

More...

Getting Closer: Prediction

2008-09-30T06:35:00.001-05:00

The feds now have enough information to go after Blagojevich in a corruption scandal... never guess who is next in the investigation! Can you say Obama?!?!?!

The question is will it get swept under the rug or will someone in Chicago get off their duff and go after the man? My thought is that Hilary will get wind of the investigation or perhaps already is watching it, she (or someone else) will encourage the stepping down of Senator Obama and take his place.

This will end with Hillary taking on McCain and wining the Election. Now can Hilary act fast to get the poop on Obama out to the public?!?

Just a joke?

2008-09-28T17:45:00.003-05:00

I don't know what you think but I am not sure I am OK with this "Joke"

http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=75852

Strange Music

2008-09-24T10:44:00.003-05:00

Heard the song, never seen the video before.

Ahhh Signs

2008-09-22T22:26:00.002-05:00

"Jesus Christ Is My Savior" Yard Sign
Buy this product at CafePress
Designed by TITILLATING TEES

Jesus Was A Community Organizer Yard Sign
Buy this product at CafePress
Designed by TeeStyle's House of Tee

American Pride Yard Sign
Buy this product at CafePress
Designed by Teepossible.com

On our Must have list...

2008-09-22T21:44:00.000-05:00

And back to Theology

2008-09-16T09:39:00.002-05:00

Founders.org has a great little article

Did you hear about Ray Boltz? All I can say is ... well I don't know what to say :)

And now for something completely different

2008-09-13T06:56:00.003-05:00

Yeah I am getting tired of all the politics as usual from all the expected sources.

The other day I saw a video of a person that folded one thousand cranes in origami and it inspired me to try and fold a few for my own pleasure.

I learned two and after I was done my son said "yeah that is neat, but can you make a paper airplane?"

So now I am making paper airplanes, I really like some of these that I found online, the origami swallow flies very well. ;)

Give them a show, I am sure it will impress the kids what you can do with the church bulletin when you are through with the service!

Hanger 01 and Hanger 02

Who am I?

2008-09-13T06:51:00.006-05:00

I got this from my father last night, great to have the information :)
- - - -

Who am I?

I am a Republican.

I am under 45 years old.

I love the outdoors.

I am an avid hunter.

I am a member of the National Rifle Association.

I have a reputation as a reformer.

I am known for taking on the Republican establishment.

I have a lot of children.

I served less than two years as governor before being named to the national ticket as the Republican vice presidential candidate.

Have you heard of me before now?

Highlight below for the answer:
[ I am Theodore Roosevelt. ]

Sign up for the The Grif.net on his site.

Palin Dolls

2008-09-09T14:44:00.000-05:00

http://www.herobuilders.com/

MCCain in a box!

2008-09-04T11:58:00.003-05:00

Personally my girls are waiting for the Sarah Palin version! :)

McCain in a Box

Barack in a Box

Quote: Palin

2008-09-01T09:08:00.003-05:00

Palin has a “naughty librarian vibe.”

- - Craig Ferguson
I just had to repeat it :)

Sarah Palin: conservatives find the girl of their dreams

While not a gammer, I am sure her kids play video games and she is used to the culture that will be the next generation of America.

143 Days

2008-08-25T11:30:00.002-05:00

Obama is barely had served 143 days in the U.S. Senate before announcing he was ready to be president.

Okay, I know it is broke but can a person with such little experience do this?

Not that McCain is my choice either but how many days has he "served" in the political field and can he still be "The Maverick" that we need him to be to change politics as we know it?

More on Hallmark

2008-08-22T20:32:00.002-05:00

Write an email, tell your friends, spread the news.

Is Hallmark anti-family with this move?

http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=1451

I wonder how Barac could spin this into a neutral position for God?

Romans 1:24 - God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them.

Love of Cards

2008-08-21T08:47:00.007-05:00

No I am not talking about my son's new found fascination with baseball cards and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, I am talking about greeting cards. If you know me you know how much time I love to spend on the card aisle reading the sappy and crappy cards that are put out for us to spend $5 on. Yes. Most of the time, I settle for a $0.99 card from the 10 card selection from WalMart.

Today on Yahoo News ran this article, "Now on the Hallmark aisle: Gay marriage cards" the opening paragraph gave me all the reason to never buy a card in the store again.

The nation's largest greeting card company is rolling out same-sex wedding cards -- featuring two tuxedos, overlapping hearts or intertwined flowers, with best wishes inside. "Two hearts. One promise," one says

Unfortunately I can't just ban them all but at least I can cut out half the time I search for them ... or maybe I can use this to ban the card store to tell them not to support the Gay Agenda. "Hallmark's largest competitor, American Greetings Corp., has no plans to enter the market, saying its current offerings are general enough to speak to a lot of different relationships"

Now my love will get a card of a 8.5 x 11 paper folded in half with just my thoughts scrawl led out in crayon. Going to be more personal anyway, right?

"(Hallmark) hesitated adding more wedding cards to his mix until after the November election, when California voters will decide a constitutional amendment that would again limit marriage to a man and a woman in the state" Lets hope the people in CA will stand up against the marriage idea and tell them to get a civil union or whatever.

"Hallmark)has found many vendors willing to work with her company, some have asked to be removed from the Web site because of hate mail or some other backlash.

Hallmark says all of its stores can choose whether they want to add the latest offerings"

Call your local Hallmark store and tell them not to carry the Homosexual line of cards. Call or walk in to your local stores and ask them to not carry Hallmark cards! A lot of businesses are looking for an excuse to do what is right.

Take action, it is easy. The Hallmark Store Locator.

Entire Yahoo Article

'Celeb', Mc Cain ad tells it like it is

2008-08-15T21:40:00.001-05:00

Just had to share this video, if you haven't seen it it is very funny.

gotta love a good response

2008-08-06T14:59:00.001-05:00

Paris Hilton Responds to McCain Adfunny videosFunnyOrDie.com

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Theodore Rosevelt

2008-08-03T07:58:00.001-05:00

"We in America can attain our great destiny only by service; not by rhetoric, and above all not by insincere rhetoric, and that dreadful mental double-dealing and verbal juggling which makes promises and repudiates them, and says one thing at one time, and the directly opposite thing at another time. Our service must be the service of deeds."

Celebs & Wal-Mart

2008-08-01T08:29:00.003-05:00

HAD to share it ... if you haven't seen it it is a good point of a powerful name with nothing behind it.

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Also there was this Article today in the Drudge Report about Wal-Mart It is interesting becasue with all the issues our local Wal-Mart causes I agree with them on this point. :)

...Wal-Mart human-resources managers who run the meetings don't specifically tell attendees how to vote in November's election, but make it clear that voting for Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama would be tantamount to inviting unions in, according to Wal-Mart employees who attended gatherings in Maryland, Missouri and other states.

Read the full article

Lots of kids

2008-07-28T21:44:00.001-05:00

Large family articles and stories are pretty fun :) And people think 4 kids is to many!

18 Kids !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sudden Realization

2008-07-25T08:30:00.001-05:00

I Will Never Vote For a Democrat Again. They’re for communism. They don’t want to see companies – this is gangsterism. I said, This is crazy

-- Howard Stern

Gotta love the part about even if God came back and was a democrat :)

http://www.breitbart.tv/?p=138263

Hard but not Hopeless

2008-07-21T13:23:00.001-05:00

McCain editorial in its submitted form: (taken from Drudge Report http://www.drudgereport.com/flashnym.htm)

In January 2007, when General David Petraeus took command in Iraq, he called the situation “hard” but not “hopeless.” Today, 18 months later, violence has fallen by up to 80% to the lowest levels in four years, and Sunni and Shiite terrorists are reeling from a string of defeats. The situation now is full of hope, but considerable hard work remains to consolidate our fragile gains.

Progress has been due primarily to an increase in the number of troops and a change in their strategy. I was an early advocate of the surge at a time when it had few supporters in Washington. Senator Barack Obama was an equally vocal opponent. "I am not persuaded that 20,000 additional troops in Iraq is going to solve the sectarian violence there,” he said on January 10, 2007. “In fact, I think it will do the reverse."

Now Senator Obama has been forced to acknowledge that “our troops have performed brilliantly in lowering the level of violence.” But he still denies that any political progress has resulted.

Perhaps he is unaware that the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad has recently certified that, as one news article put it, “Iraq has met all but three of 18 original benchmarks set by Congress last year to measure security, political and economic progress.” Even more heartening has been progress that’s not measured by the benchmarks. More than 90,000 Iraqis, many of them Sunnis who once fought against the government, have signed up as Sons of Iraq to fight against the terrorists. Nor do they measure Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki’s new-found willingness to crack down on Shiite extremists in Basra and Sadr City—actions that have done much to dispel suspicions of sectarianism.

The success of the surge has not changed Senator Obama’s determination to pull out all of our combat troops. All that has changed is his rationale. In a New York Times op-ed and a speech this week, he offered his “plan for Iraq” in advance of his first “fact finding” trip to that country in more than three years. It consisted of the same old proposal to pull all of our troops out within 16 months. In 2007 he wanted to withdraw because he thought the war was lost. If we had taken his advice, it would have been. Now he wants to withdraw because he thinks Iraqis no longer need our assistance.

To make this point, he mangles the evidence. He makes it sound as if Prime Minister Maliki has endorsed the Obama timetable, when all he has said is that he would like a plan for the eventual withdrawal of U.S. troops at some unspecified point in the future.

Senator Obama is also misleading on the Iraqi military's readiness. The Iraqi Army will be equipped and trained by the middle of next year, but this does not, as Senator Obama suggests, mean that they will then be ready to secure their country without a good deal of help. The Iraqi Air Force, for one, still lags behind, and no modern army can operate without air cover. The Iraqis are also still learning how to conduct planning, logistics, command and control, communications, and other complicated functions needed to support frontline troops.

No one favors a permanent U.S. presence, as Senator Obama charges. A partial withdrawal has already occurred with the departure of five “surge” brigades, and more withdrawals can take place as the security situation improves. As we draw down in Iraq, we can beef up our presence on other battlefields, such as Afghanistan, without fear of leaving a failed state behind. I have said that I expect to welcome home most of our troops from Iraq by the end of my first term in office, in 2013.

But I have also said that any draw-downs must be based on a realistic assessment of conditions on the ground, not on an artificial timetable crafted for domestic political reasons. This is the crux of my disagreement with Senator Obama.

Senator Obama has said that he would consult our commanders on the ground and Iraqi leaders, but he did no such thing before releasing his “plan for Iraq.” Perhaps that’s because he doesn’t want to hear what they have to say. During the course of eight visits to Iraq, I have heard many times from our troops what Major General Jeffrey Hammond, commander of coalition forces in Baghdad, recently said: that leaving based on a timetable would be “very dangerous.”

The danger is that extremists supported by Al Qaeda and Iran could stage a comeback, as they have in the past when we’ve had too few troops in Iraq. Senator Obama seems to have learned nothing from recent history. I find it ironic that he is emulating the worst mistake of the Bush administration by waving the “Mission Accomplished” banner prematurely.

I am also dismayed that he never talks about winning the war—only of ending it. But if we don’t win the war, our enemies will. A triumph for the terrorists would be a disaster for us. That is something I will not allow to happen as president. Instead I will continue implementing a proven counterinsurgency strategy not only in Iraq but also in Afghanistan with the goal of creating stable, secure, self-sustaining democratic allies.

Worship: Its Personal

2008-07-18T11:08:00.006-05:00

I was thinking about Worship today and it struck me that Worship is something that we do corporately but is a very personal experience. Lately I have heard lots of conversations on worship, style, freedom, spontaneity, etc. The one thing that it comes down to is that "Worship is personal."

2Samuel 6:14-15 And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the horn.

Worship involves personal communion with God even in the corporate setting. If David had been in a different mood, or if his attention had been distracted to a problem in his kingdom etc, the worship would have been compromised. The People of Israel joined in Worship as they restored the Ark of the Lord to its rightful place, each of the children of Israel worshiped on their own leading to a corporate worship experience.

We have sat in a "worship" service and possibly "felt" the difference between a good worship leader and a great worship leader. Every Sunday we plan a worship service to assist our church in its worship with and to God, but still many times the efforts fall short and the "Feeling of worship" just is not as strong as we think it should be.

Then there is the one Sunday when hearts and spirits are raise in worship and communion with God. Worship just seems to "happen." It is a great feeling to be a part of what God can do with just a few or a multitude. Feeling good about a worship service is not what it is about... still trying to lead a worship service where people can communicate effectively with God is a desire in ministry.

I feel today that worship is much more personal than the modern church seems to see and use it. It takes more than just "the right setting" to happen. For true worship to happen in our churches people need to get away of the distractions of their own lives and draw their focus on their worship of God.

Just thinking out loud.

Change History

2008-07-12T13:30:00.002-05:00

How can we learn from our past when we do our best to hide it?

Call City Commissioner, District 5 Daisy W. Lynum (407) 246 - 2005 after you read and watch this story and ask her to withdraw her request that this little bit of history be removed.

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Full Article

Construction

2008-07-09T15:27:00.000-05:00

My cell phone camer does it no justice ...

Change

2008-07-08T07:19:00.001-05:00

This was a forward from a friend (hi friend) and it needed some more airtime :)

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A few weeks ago I read a joke ... it said all the politicians running for president are promising change to the American people. We send them billions and billions of tax dollars and they send us the change.

Funny? Not really; there is too much truth in it to be funny.
That got me to thinking ... they all promise change. How about if they run on a promise of restoration rather than change. A restoration that would take us back in time to a place where things ran better, smoother and life was more enjoyable. Change? That, in truth, is what they have been giving us all along.

We used to have a strong dollar ... politicians changed that.

Life used to be sacred ... politicians changed that.

Marriage used to be sacred ... politicians are changing that.

We used to be respected around the world .. politicians changed that.

We used to have a strong manufacturing economy ... politicians changed that.

We used to have lower tax structures ... politicians changed that.

We used to enjoy more freedoms ... politicians changed that.

We used to be a large exporter of American made goods ... politicians changed that.

We used to be an openly Christian nation .... politicians changed that.

We used to teach patriotism in schools ... politicians changed that.

We used to educate children in schools . politicians changed that.

We used to enjoy freedom of speech . politicians changed that.

WE used to have affordable food and gas prices...politicians changed that, too.

...and one could go on and on with this list. What hasn't been changed, politicians are promising to change that as well if you will elect them. When, oh when, is America going to sit back with open eyes and look at what we once were and where we have come and say, enough is enough? The trouble is, America's youthful voters today don't know of the great America that existed forty and fifty years ago. They see the world as if it has always existed, as it is now. When will we wake up? Tomorrow may be too late. When will America realize ... Politicians are what is wrong with America

Using a mobile phone while pregnant can seriously damage your baby

2008-05-19T11:19:00.001-05:00

A giant study, which surveyed more than 13,000 children, found that using the handsets just two or three times a day was enough to raise the risk of their babies developing hyperactivity and difficulties with conduct, emotions and relationships by the time they reached school age. And it adds that the likelihood is even greater if the children themselves used the phones before the age of seven.

The results of the study, the first of its kind, have taken the top scientists who conducted it by surprise. But they follow warnings against both pregnant women and children using mobiles by the official Russian radiation watchdog body, which believes that the peril they pose "is not much lower than the risk to children's health from tobacco or alcohol".

The research – at the universities of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Aarhus, Denmark – is to be published in the July issue of the journal Epidemiology and will carry particular weight because one of its authors has been sceptical that mobile phones pose a risk to health.

COMPLETE ARTICLE - Click Here

Dancing with the Stars

2008-05-19T10:27:00.002-05:00

Well, after seeing this video of myself made with a camera phone we have a new video ban at ALL YOUTH activities in the future!

And as for me getting beat???? well the next morning in shame I took the game on and I switched to his controller to realize that his buttons were working, in effect I was playing with only one hand :)

That's my story and I am sticking to it! Anyone up for a game of Wii Fit?

Simple

2008-05-18T07:41:00.003-05:00

This weekend we are putting in an in ground dog fence ... I am sure I will have a host of sermon illustrations as a result but in the process my Grand-Father-In-Law was walking with me telling me about the simpleness of God in scripture.

This morning as we were getting ready for church something SIMPLE hit me.

John 4:19 "We love him, because he first loved us."

What a simple form of election... The Bible is so SIMPLE to those who understand it and to those who are not chosen it is a hard thing.

We have to remember to keep the Gospel Message a SIMPLE message.

Wait ... another Rock Band?

2008-05-16T11:03:00.004-05:00

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery right?

and then there is Guitar Hero IV trying to catch up even though they outsold Rock Band by a massive ammount.

http://www.xboxic.com/news/4683

God is Love, in a chat room?

2008-05-09T08:24:00.004-05:00

I was evaluating a chat product for a client the other night and ended up in a "Christian" chat room. The first things I noticed was a couple of Mormon gals were running the room dedicated to Doctrine! I couldn't help myself as I dove into their world.

I questioned their "Christianity" although they bristled at the challenge they quickly decided that I was just a "troll" looking for trouble and to love me anyway. Two hours later I was alone in the room save for a few other souls that were probably trying to hack my IP Address.

Then the lectures began ... Judge not, God is love, and all the common we just need to get along garbage that people "believe."

What happened to true doctrine? What happened to people who would defend their faith and stand up against the foes? I can't stand next to those who waffle on the truth! For the next hour, I answered questions with scripture verses and tried to at least give a glimpse of the truth of God's word.

After all was said and done there was one other person and my self in this chat room. He said "Sir, most of the people who come in here are not elect in any way. They have labeled themselves to be "christian" and have no idea of what they speak."

How many people are on their way happily to hell, thinking they have fire insurance?

Romans 10:14

How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

Overheard

2008-04-29T14:19:00.007-05:00

At a recent regional training event for Southern Baptist Church leaders:

"Be very careful of the emerging trend of Calvinism in the Southern Baptist Convention!"

- - -

What makes me sick is that this was from leadership in our state office. Even if it was just passed down by an individual, it is just one more example of a person's theology, tainted towards a non-scriptural point of view.

Even as I bristled at the remark my wife laid a hand on my shoulder, the "teacher" realized what he had just stepped into and I said, "Before you go much further with this discussion I need to let you know that I am a Calvinist and I can lay out all scripture to support this so called trend that you are warning us about."

I was given the spoon fed well I am talking about extreme Calvinism. I was careful to point out that 5 points is not extreme but chose to not go much further in the setting because it wasn't the time or place for a discussion and shouldn't have been brought up at all.

After the event I spoke with the leader and explained that if you look historically the Calvinists are the ones pushing evangelism and missions (a primary focus of the lecture and the conference in general).

With a historical view of "the church" we are forced to realize that this "emerging trend" is because of the modern church's drive away from the Gospel for the compelling work of Christ and to their own ends, this trend is the Church returning to the Gospel of Christ.

The modern Church, so focused on seeker sensitive experiences and evangelism through our churches rather than the personal evangelism of the past, is quickly going down a path to their own end. The result of this path is so many people given a false sense of "hope" in God in a "religion" that bases it's belief that man is somehow able to turn from his own wickedness and become holy.

It saddens me to see people running at the mention of Calvinism at this level. It saddens me to see it at the local church level. It saddens me to see it in the local congregation, the teachers, the musicians....

On the other hand ... it is a delight to hear and see the warnings from those that fear the Truth straight from the Word of God! It is evidence for work of the Holy Spirit towards revival in the Church.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, in Christ; for He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will, to the praise of His glorious grace that He favored us with in the Beloved.
Ephesians 1:3-6

Politics - More Hilary

2008-04-28T14:10:00.003-05:00

Yes I do love politics, this season is great with all the youtube ideas out there and people are sure creative.

This is a great example. :)

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I listened to the start of this one ... not it all but so far it has potential:

Pandora's Radio

2008-04-22T08:57:00.000-05:00

Looking at new technology is a pretty interesting thing and sometimes you stumble on to an idea that someone else has already got going, and has it going pretty well.

www.pandora.com

On January 6, 2000 a group of musicians and music-loving technologists came together with the idea of creating the most comprehensive analysis of music ever.

Together we set out to capture the essence of music at the most fundamental level. We ended up assembling literally hundreds of musical attributes or "genes" into a very large Music Genome. Taken together these genes capture the unique and magical musical identity of a song - everything from melody, harmony and rhythm, to instrumentation, orchestration, arrangement, lyrics, and of course the rich world of singing and vocal harmony. It's not about what a band looks like, or what genre they supposedly belong to, or about who buys their records - it's about what each individual song sounds like.

Since we started back in 2000, we've carefully listened to the songs of tens of thousands of different artists - ranging from popular to obscure - and analyzed the musical qualities of each song one attribute at a time. This work continues each and every day as we endeavor to include all the great new stuff coming out of studios, clubs and garages around the world.

I am not sure where they got the name from other than the site's addictive nature. Perhaps it is a reference to Pandora's Box. That or some geek thought hey this is a great domain name :)

Anyhow be sure to give it a shot, it is free and it has a good mix of music, Stations I have are Casting Crowns, John Denver, Soggy Bottom Boys, Peter Paul and Mary, and Jimmy Buffet.

Pandora Radio : http://pandora.com/

The End Times

2008-04-21T08:42:00.001-05:00

I have been thinking a lot about the name of our Church "Maranatha" ... this video was a very interesting idea, I love animation so this was more just for thinking.

Flyfeaf & RockBand

2008-04-16T21:22:00.002-05:00

I love music, all kinds and forms of music have some value even if I can't see it personally. I was raised on Hymns and John Denver, exposed to Country Music, Classical Music, Rock Music and learned to appreciate them all.

In College I took a Music Appreication Class from one of the best music professors ever (Hiya Aunt Carol) and we delt with Classical music in the short class and I learned a lot. I say all that to say this; I love music. :)

We bought Rockband to have a party game for the 360 that was not violent to play, in the process we noted there are no "Chistian Rock" bands in the video game. While doing some research on "why not?" I discovered that one of the bands although not a "Christian Rock Band" were all indeed Christians and their music permeated with Christian overtones (and pleanty of Grunge Rock) were on the game.

We played the game right over this song.... the chourus is my personal favorite and although you won't find a lot of Flyleaf on my MP3 player, it is great to see Christians impacting their world for the glory of Christ. Unashamed of their belief they sing on into a culture that many would rather write off.

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"I'm So Sick"

I will break into your thoughts
With what's written on my heart
I will break, break

I'm so sick,
Infected with where I live
Let me live without this
Empty bliss,
Selfishness
I'm so sick
I'm so sick

If you want more of this
We can push out, sell out, die out
So you'll shut up
And stay sleeping
With my screaming in your itching ears

I'm so sick,
Infected with where I live
Let me live without this
Empty bliss,
Selfishness
I'm so sick
I'm so sick

Hear it, I'm screaming it
You're heeding to it now

Hear it! I'm screaming it!
You tremble at this sound

You sink into my clothes
And this invasion
Makes me feel
Worthless, hopeless, sick

I'm so sick,
Infected with where I live
Let me live without this
Empty bliss,
Selfishness
I'm so sick
I'm so sick

Struggle

2008-04-15T08:49:00.000-05:00

I had a chance to go to a Skillet concert recently and watch another generation stand up and Praise the Lord. Again I sat watching the teens and adults around me with their arms raised high jumping, dancing, shouting and singing slightly more modern songs than you would hear in our church, I wondered about the ever changing face of the church and how we as Christians are so quick to judge and what damage that does to the church?

Some of these kids I would have approached, handed a Bible to and witnessed to on the street. In my past, sheltered under the arms of my church, I was "protected" from kids like these and now I am reaching out to them and with them in my own youth group. My thoughts drift back 6 years, we had some "renegade kids" in our youth group listening to POD, pushed to the outside by their peers and the church where did they end up? Did I do my part in showing God's love to them or did I push them aside....

Here I sit with my view of the church again challenged and I want to find someone worse than me to cast light on... but really I can't. I find myself in the position of wanting to judge like a person based on their music, look or presentation something clearly against scripture. Clearly the "old man" is still presenting himself in my thoughts and in my life.

The struggle continues.

open mouth insert foot

2008-04-12T21:32:00.003-05:00

"It's not surprising, then, they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."

All Fools Day

2008-04-02T13:20:00.004-05:00

So far my favorite explanation of April Fools Day is from the following:

Another explanation of the origins of April Fools' Day was provided by Joseph Boskin, a professor of history at Boston University. He explained that the practice began during the reign of Constantine, when a group of court jesters and fools told the Roman emperor that they could do a better job of running the empire. Constantine, amused, allowed a jester named Kugel to be king for one day. Kugel passed an edict calling for absurdity on that day, and the custom became an annual event.

"In a way," explained Prof. Boskin, "it was a very serious day. In those times fools were really wise men. It was the role of jesters to put things in perspective with humor."

This explanation was brought to the public's attention in an Associated Press article printed by many newspapers in 1983. There was only one catch: Boskin made the whole thing up. It took a couple of weeks for the AP to realize that they'd been victims of an April Fools' joke themselves.

April Fools' Day - Origin and History

Life Changes so fast

2008-04-01T09:42:00.003-05:00

UPDATE: Thank you for all those who called my wife last night to congratulate her. :)

ANOTHER UPDATE: yes this was a joke. Didn't recognize the sarcasm of the other update eh?

Web 2.0

2008-03-13T15:36:00.000-05:00

Learning a lot about people .... about stuff.

Seedsof Youth

2008-03-08T13:33:00.002-06:00

Well after the youth activity I have been saving to get the latest Guitar Hero for my Xbox 360. In the process I have been talking to addicted people that just have to "play" the guitar every day. I have also run into a few that don't like the songs that are included with the game. I admit I don't know them all but I do have a few that were a blast to play with the demo and with the downloadable tracks online I am looking forward to playing it. Nowif I could get some Skillet or Casting Crowns tracks to sync up :)

I saw this comic in the paper and cut it out on the fridge. Had to laugh! Wanted to share

Ray Guns

2008-02-29T10:47:00.001-06:00

Dare we make this portable?

idol

2008-02-27T11:52:00.002-06:00

ok So I don't watch Idol, but then I was flipping channels las night and sumbled there to listen to the final contestant.

This is a video of the song that he did last night but when he was younger. It is pretty crzy to think of a kid with this skill that no one has snatched up yet.

The End is Near!

2008-02-21T22:50:00.001-06:00

Police in Miami, Florida want to find out whether a small unmanned air vehicle able to hover and stare can help law enforcement in urban areas.

To that end, Miami-Dade Police Department plans a four- to six-month evaluation of Honeywell's ducted-fan Micro Air Vehicle (MAV).

The gasoline-powered gMAV has just received an experimental airworthiness certificate from the US Federal Aviation Administration, clearing the way for the ground-breaking experiment. Approval was granted following a demonstration flight for the FAA at a remote site in Laguna, New Mexico.

The Rest of the article is here

Quotes 2-19-08

2008-02-19T09:20:00.001-06:00

Did you know Bill and Hillary Clinton were born under the same sign? Know what sign? 'For Sale.'

-- Jay Leno

Baptist preaches on KJV

2008-02-14T16:21:00.001-06:00

YOU HAVE to listen to this moron. Happilly adding to the word of God. The only inspired KJV Only Word of God.

Rules of the Bus

2008-02-07T00:53:00.000-06:00

Tonight I had an interesting conversation with a couple of friends about church bus "ministry."

After a great discussion I was sitting down and I wondered, if the two major churches in our fair city are so busy converting the lost on their bus routes, and they have a significant number of people saved every week.... we should be in a lot better place by now!

Instead our city and county have a higher crime rate than CHICAGO!

You would think with all the effort that the last generation of folks on the bus ministry we would have reached a critical mass for open public revival at least.

Anyhow, just thinking out loud.

Doctrine Quote

2008-02-05T20:10:00.000-06:00

Kelly found the most successful churches were unapologetic about doctrine. Rainer found that formerly unchurched actually indicated greater interest in doctrine than those who had been in the church a long time. And he found that churches that stressed "doctrinal certitude" hold onto these converts and are more successful in teaching the new people how to evangelize.

Why Conservative Churches are Growing

Dean Kelly - (NY: Harper & Row, 1972).

A Top 10 - Starwars

2008-02-05T19:59:00.001-06:00

I couldn't resist, this one just had to be posted.

Music Praise & Worship

2008-02-05T00:01:00.000-06:00

Well I love music. As a matter of fact I love ALL kinds of music. As a youth and much to my mother's dismay I was growing more and more into the "music of the world." I only knew church/christian music as Hymnal, Steve Green and Sandi Patty. The other artist in my life consisted of John Denver, Paul Simon, Art Garfunkle and MAYBE a little Peter, Paul and Mary.

Then I found Glad. Glad Accapella project to be exact, It was church music but still it had a great style and a good sound. What changed was when I started to get into their old stuff. I learned that Christian music was anything that was made to worship God and it didin't matter about the style of music.

I tell you that to give you the background on this little tale... We are starting a "youthgroup" in our church and for the most part I knew all the musical groups they listened to. Being in youth work in Wyoming we had some kids that listened to everything from typical CCM and Christian rock to full out Christian heavy metal but for the most part it was ALWAYS country. Honestly I enjoy it all so I just listened and said that it was great to have someone praise the Lord for the gifts in their lives.

One of the girls (hi) in our youth at church and I have many of the same artist on our MP3 players. There is one group her parents were waiting to see if she would tell me about. She did. A music band called Demon Hunters. I love music, I even like some of the heavier side of things while I am, programming or working late at night. I visited their website http://www.myspace.com/demonhunter and although it is very different to the music I listen to normally, it is great to see people praising the Lord in their music.

Give them a listen :) Who knows maybe it will grow on you!

Superbowl

2008-02-03T22:02:00.000-06:00

Yeah.... I know. I don't care about football THIS much. BUT the commercial was the winner for my little knight in training.

This one was my personal favorite.

I knew a mad mup once ...

2008-01-31T23:25:00.000-06:00

Something different.

2008-01-31T09:43:00.000-06:00

And now for somethign completely different. An actual post!

Life is changing and we are going through some of the struggles that we seem to go through from time to time. Winter is always tight with money because of the heating bills. This year we are using a kerosene heater and it has cut our electric bill down but still the $40 to fill up the 10 gallons to heat for an extra week is pretty stiff, better than a $500 electric bill. Add to the stress another issue in our life that is trying to settle ... ahhh stress :)

Oh and lesson learned. Watch your mortgage and insurance company! Our mortgage company started to charge us like crazy again, raised our monthly payment by over $150! Found out that they paid our old insurance for an entire year and we had switched to a new insurance. Now they are short on the estimate for our taxes and insurance and it is their fault! So I got done getting proof of insurance AGAIN for our old insurance company AND the mortgage co. Watch the buggers!

2008-01-08T21:12:00.001-06:00

Ah the mobile blogger:-) tonight we got to let grandma and grandpa take the kids to Sesame Street Live and we got to

Technology

2008-01-06T18:39:00.001-06:00

well I tried something new and it didn't work, thanks for the email form friends that told me I was posting a big mess! Guess I need to repost all those pictures and comments.

Sheesh.

not to be out done

2007-12-23T08:31:00.000-06:00

My little Angel Princess came up to me this morning with her big eyes looking oh so sad and slumped her shoulders. She looked up at me and said.

"Daddy, I have the chickencoops and [Dramatic Pause] THE HICCCCCUPS!"

I had to record it somewhere!

====

I did something for a friend this week, something that makes another friend very upset. It is strange, I asked for advice and didin't take it from one friend. It wasn't really even a real question I just wanted to know what he thought. Now that I didin't take his advice .... well :)

What most of you are getting out of this ramble, "What? He has friends?"

Yeah, Merry Christmas to you too! :)

Quotes

2007-12-22T23:38:00.000-06:00

"If you're not a liberal at 20, you have no heart and if you're not a conservative at 30, you have no brain."

Winston Churchill

The W in Christmas

2007-12-11T10:29:00.000-06:00

A great Christmas story to share with your friends...

The "W" in Christmas

Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending..

Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.

My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six year old.

For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's Winter Pageant.

I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production, unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his Teacher, she assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation.

All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.

So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats.

As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.

Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer.

So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.

Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads.

Those in the front row- center stage - held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song.

As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love."

The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down - totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W".

The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W".

Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together.

A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen.

In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities.

For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:

"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"

And, I believe, He still is.

Amazed in His presence....humbled by His love.

Again, HAVE A BLESSED HOLIDAY SEASON

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Name and New Templates

2007-12-04T07:10:00.000-06:00

Tancy asked me what the verse I had about the elect crying to God... I told her to read the verse in context, then I decided to just change the verse and explain my title.

Spiritually Starving is a play on the "Feed my sheep" instructions from Christ to Peter.

John 21

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

Peter is given three distinct instructions.

Feed My Lambs

Tend My Sheep

Feed My Sheep

Sheep are pretty dumb animals and Christians willingly take them on as an identity ... well most of us wouldn't do it if we knew just how needy they really are.

With out going into a long drawn out monologue about where the starving part came from it is easier to note that not many shepherds follow the basic outline that Christ gave Peter. Many of the ministries that I see from day to day have one or two elements but seem to be missing the whole part.

In my own ministry as strange as that still sounds to me, I find the feeding part comes pretty easily, the tending, that is a whole different matter. Maybe a sermon outline in the making.

More at another time...

Note: I am still working on the new template. I am hooked on the old Blogger.com CSS/XHTML templates because that is what I understand.

Purge ....

2007-11-23T18:02:00.000-06:00

"How far we are from the true spirit of sacred music. How can we stand it that such a wave of inconsistent, arrogant and ridiculous profanities have so easily gained a stamp of approval in our celebrations?"

"Due to general ignorance, especially in sectors of the clergy, there exists music which is devoid of sanctity, true art and universality."

-- Pope Benedict XVI

I have a long post for this quote but not tonight... basically all the crap music that is coming out in the name of Christ serves to dilute the message of Christ ... or does our praise honor God in every way.

Add to this to the swing of the SBC churches from Praise and Worship back to more traditional hymns. Still there are some more modern hymns that have come from the current movement and fit well doctrinally in the church.

Where do I stand? Hummm... doctrine over style

Books

2007-11-02T13:49:00.000-05:00

Well with our library card running out and not enough extra funds in the bank to go renew the card (they are like $150 here) I read a lot more than usual this last month and finished the following:

1. Ann Coulter: If Democrats had any brains they'd be republicans
2. Eric Haney: Inside Delta Force: The Story of America's Elite Counter terrorist Unit
3. Peter Schweizer: Do as I Say (Not as I Do): Profiles in Liberal Hypocrisy
4. Ann Coulter: Treason: Liberal Treachery from the Cold War to the War on Terrorism

For November I have a few I need to finish up so I can get them out to others.

1. Peterson & Williams: Why I am not an Arminian
2. Coleman: The Pharisees' Guide to Total Holiness
3. MacAurther: 12 Ordinary Men

This with a quick trip to Wyoming and back should make this month all that more fun!

Halloween

2007-11-02T13:46:00.000-05:00

So what were you for Halloween?

Good stuff!

http://www.2kgames.com/bioshock/enter.html

Big Tears

2007-10-29T08:54:00.000-05:00

Well I have had enough .... but I am sure I have more to come. My little girls have daddy normally wrapped around their little fingers. Want this, want that, within reason it isn't a problem.

No it isn't an endless candy fest w/o mom around but they do get more treats and life is much easier. This last week with mom sick and daddy running the show we have introduced a new tactic... large tears.

Ahhh... how well they work! Had they been used in moderation I would never have noticed and daddy would have saved the day! Today at 9:00 am this is the list so far that Cami has broken out the tears for.

1. Cartoon Channel isn't on Tom & Jerry.
2. Had to share blanket with little sister.
3. Cereal bowl is empty.
4. Cartoon over.
5. Had to clean room.
6. Had to do the rest of chores.
7. Mom was on her run.
8. Found Scissors while cleaning can't find matching book?

Well there is hour one. Let the tears flow on.

Are you a Glutton?

2007-10-22T16:39:00.000-05:00

I love this little quiz .... Are You a Glutton?

I was trying to figure out if I am just fat or if I am a glutton... you will never guess :)