I mentioned a couple of posts ago that I was longing for forbidden cold cereal. It is forbidden because we have a few members of our household that have allergies that keep cereal at bay. I now know that soon there will be restaurants that specialize in cereal here in Dallas. When I was in Chicago on business they had a cereal restaurant called Cereality. It was close to my hotel, but I just couldn't fit it into my schedule that trip. A good cereal space might challenge my allegiance to Starbucks.
Didn't make it to church this morning due to a blistering migraine. I missed it. But I didn't feel like it would be appropriate to ask them to lower the lights and turn down the music and speak softly during the church service. And if people saw me laying on my back mumbling incoherantly about the pounding in my skull, it might frighten away visitors. Stupid migraines. Just another proof that I lack sovereignty over my own circumstances.
Bring on Monday. I am ready.
(I think.)
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
Insights into stuff and Genesis 3
A couple of random thoughts on spiritual things:
- In the apologetics course that our church is offering to the public, we looked at Genesis 3. This is the chapter were Adam and Eve choose fruit over God. I know that the core of their disobedience was a heart that wondered if there was something better, but has there ever been a worse trade. I will trade perfect joy for a bite of a pear. Huh. Not equal value, really.
-When they made the choice to rebel against God, 100% of the human population on the planet at that moment fell. There was not a sinless person left.
-I am still puzzled by the origin of evil in the first place. What was the origin of that first rebellious inkling in the mind of Satan?
-Leave apples alone. It wasn't an apple. Probably a tomato. Tomatoes are fruit, you know.
-Will heaven be better than Eden was? I think so.
-I wonder if later in their lives, Adam and Eve could remember the details of the Fall. We tend to forget things as we grow older. I have to think that as their minds aged that the wonder of an unfallen world became harder and harder to recall. Dulled by sin and pain, I bet they began to view death as a gift, a relief from crushing regret.
-Just a speculation, but I bet that Eve was unusually viscious with any snakes she encountered.
-The first Adam blew it. The second Adam, though thoroughly tempted, did not.
- In the apologetics course that our church is offering to the public, we looked at Genesis 3. This is the chapter were Adam and Eve choose fruit over God. I know that the core of their disobedience was a heart that wondered if there was something better, but has there ever been a worse trade. I will trade perfect joy for a bite of a pear. Huh. Not equal value, really.
-When they made the choice to rebel against God, 100% of the human population on the planet at that moment fell. There was not a sinless person left.
-I am still puzzled by the origin of evil in the first place. What was the origin of that first rebellious inkling in the mind of Satan?
-Leave apples alone. It wasn't an apple. Probably a tomato. Tomatoes are fruit, you know.
-Will heaven be better than Eden was? I think so.
-I wonder if later in their lives, Adam and Eve could remember the details of the Fall. We tend to forget things as we grow older. I have to think that as their minds aged that the wonder of an unfallen world became harder and harder to recall. Dulled by sin and pain, I bet they began to view death as a gift, a relief from crushing regret.
-Just a speculation, but I bet that Eve was unusually viscious with any snakes she encountered.
-The first Adam blew it. The second Adam, though thoroughly tempted, did not.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Generic post
Three things:
1. We have had some pretty severe diet changes in an attempt to fight some allergies in the Pups. You know what I miss more than an other food? Cold cereal. Not even the sweet kind, really. Maybe just some Wheaties.
2. Every time I post something on this blog, the Comment Moderation button stares at me with an irascable, mocking glare. It knows that I have no comments to moder. But if you are reading this, just know that if you comment, I will moder your words with velvet gloves.
2b. I have known some blogs where they just peck comments to death. Like a gang of chickens on a paralyzed ladybug. It's really ugly.
3. I held an iPhone in my hands today. I lusted, I'm afraid. As I grow older, I am coming to understand that stuff like iPhones will never live up to the anticipation of having one. Because toddlers will drop them on to concrete shortly after you get one.
1. We have had some pretty severe diet changes in an attempt to fight some allergies in the Pups. You know what I miss more than an other food? Cold cereal. Not even the sweet kind, really. Maybe just some Wheaties.
2. Every time I post something on this blog, the Comment Moderation button stares at me with an irascable, mocking glare. It knows that I have no comments to moder. But if you are reading this, just know that if you comment, I will moder your words with velvet gloves.
2b. I have known some blogs where they just peck comments to death. Like a gang of chickens on a paralyzed ladybug. It's really ugly.
3. I held an iPhone in my hands today. I lusted, I'm afraid. As I grow older, I am coming to understand that stuff like iPhones will never live up to the anticipation of having one. Because toddlers will drop them on to concrete shortly after you get one.
Art that makes me happy
Now and then, I am emotionally moved by someone's art. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, I want to share it. So, if you want to be impressed, you should check out this website: http://www.portlandstudios.com/. Enjoy the bull video and then click on "WORK".
One of the artist's at Portland Studios, just finished some work based on Grimm's fairy tales. I thought these two pieces by Cary Godbey were particularly good:
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Another reason to dislike cats
"Jennifer and Jim kept getting huge water bills. They knew beyond a doubt that the bills weren't representative of their actual usage, and no matter how they tried to conserve, the high bills continued.
Although they could see nothing wrong, they had everything checked for leaks or problems: first the water meter, then outdoor pipes, indoor pipes, underground pipes, faucets, toilets, washer, ice maker, etc. -- all to no avail.
One day Jim was sick and stayed home in bed, but kept hearing water running downstairs. He finally tore himself from his sick bed to investigate, and stumbled onto the cause of such high water bills. Apparently this was happening all day long when they were not at home. Knowing that few would believe him, he taped a segment of the 'problem' for posterity -- see attached video."
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
One Creature Great and Small
I took Micah to the vet this morning fully knowing that she would not be coming home. She was really sick and everyone knew the time had come to let her go.Micah was a vital part of our family for over twelve years. Companion, confidante, and champion eater, she was everything that a family could hope for in a dog. When you have six kids in ten years, you require pets that are patient, longsuffering, and gentle. Micah was such a quiet presence that sometimes she didn't get the attention that she probably deserved. But with a simple pat on the head or tummy rub, she would stare into our eyes with unending adoration. She was almost always the first to approach those with heavy spirits and offer total acceptance and a lick of encouragement. Like many dogs, she was special. God created her uniquely for us.
With that introduction, ten lingering reflections of the Underdog's underdog:
1. Micah heard just about as many of my quiet time prayers as God did. She was always underfoot during my Bible study. I don't know if she was praying with me or just eavesdropping.
2. Micah confirmed my belief in God's sovereignty over little things. She was the perfect dog for a family of our size and complexity.
3. Unconditional love, never skipping a day in twelve years.
4. I take showers. So when I would turn on a bathtub faucet anywhere in the house, Micah would disappear. She hated baths.
5. She was funny looking, but never cared.
6. Micah last contribution to our family was an opportunity to teach my kids tonight that the wages of sin is death. Death is a terrible thing. But grace is greater than all our sin. And death has lost its sting.
7. My youngest two kids will never know Micah, but their older siblings will be able to tell stories about her.
8. Micah never got angry. Never. No one could recall a time when she as much as snapped at anyone. Micah set a good example for me.
9. That dog was a dumb as a rock. But her emotional intelligence was off the charts. She could just sense the person in the family that needed a little puppy love at any given moment.
10. Micah was a gift. As we remembered and told stories about Micah this evening, we ended by praising her Creator. Our family would have been very different if she had not been a member. In the twelve years Mrs. Underdog and I have been married, we have moved four times, introduced six children, and worked for six different employers. Micah was a consistent source of affection and loyalty through it all.
Micah never learned to read. But I am going to type this anyway, fully knowing she will never see it:
Thanks, Micah.
Well done.
Rest in peace.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Independence crucified
Taken from Tim Keller's recent Gospel Coalition message:
When we are raising children, if we push them away and keep them at arm’s length in order to preserve our freedom and independence, they will grow up emotionally dependent and damaged. The only way our children can grow up with freedom and independence is if we sacrifice our freedom and independence, for years on end. Once again, it’s them or you.
Painfully true, I think.
When we are raising children, if we push them away and keep them at arm’s length in order to preserve our freedom and independence, they will grow up emotionally dependent and damaged. The only way our children can grow up with freedom and independence is if we sacrifice our freedom and independence, for years on end. Once again, it’s them or you.
Painfully true, I think.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
True?
“Anyone can revolt. It is more difficult silently to obey our own inner promptings, and to spend our lives finding sincere and fitting means of expression for our temperament and our gifts.”
---Georges Rouault, a French Expressionist painter from the nineteenth century
---Georges Rouault, a French Expressionist painter from the nineteenth century
What we love
I am reading a book that is a summary of Jonathan Edwards' Religious Affections. For those of you that are unfamiliar with Religious Affections, it is often mentioned as one of the most influencial books in church history. Many of the men that I respect most cite this book as one that changed their lives. It has been a disturbing read to say the least. From time to time I run into a book that does not allow be to remain unchanged and RA is forming up to be one of those books.
Edwards writes that our affections (the actions that result from the orientation of our souls or the fervent exercises of the heart) define whether we know God or not. In other words, we are spiritually defined by what we love consistently. He would also say that what we love will also influence what we hate (love God = hate sin).
This little idea has rocked my world. There are times when I desparately love God, but often I only hide the household gods instead of destroying them. My affections are divided and I break the most important commandment over and over again. I love the Lord my God with some of my heart and some of my soul and some of my strength. I need God to save me from myself.
And He has...in Jesus. In Christ, my affections can be changed. Will be changed. And as I am sanctified by Him, a clearer view of Him will make everything else seem worthless in comparison.
So. What do you love?
Edwards writes that our affections (the actions that result from the orientation of our souls or the fervent exercises of the heart) define whether we know God or not. In other words, we are spiritually defined by what we love consistently. He would also say that what we love will also influence what we hate (love God = hate sin).
This little idea has rocked my world. There are times when I desparately love God, but often I only hide the household gods instead of destroying them. My affections are divided and I break the most important commandment over and over again. I love the Lord my God with some of my heart and some of my soul and some of my strength. I need God to save me from myself.
And He has...in Jesus. In Christ, my affections can be changed. Will be changed. And as I am sanctified by Him, a clearer view of Him will make everything else seem worthless in comparison.
So. What do you love?
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Maybe I can borrow a cat...
Instructions for cleaning the toilet:
1. Lift the lid on the toilet and fill it with 1/8 cup of animal shampoo.
2. Take the cat in your arms and stroke it gently while slowly moving in the direction of the toilet.
3. At a suitable moment, throw the cat into the toilet bowl and close the lid quickly and either stand or sit on the lid.
4. The cat will now start the cleaning process and will produce generate plenty of foam.
Do not be concerned about the loud noises coming from the toilet; your cat is enjoying himself.
5. After several minutes flush the toilet to start the “Power-wash” pre-wash and then flush again for the main wash cycle.
6. Ask someone to open the front door and ensure that no-one is between the toilet and the front door.
7. Get off the toilet seat and from a safe distance open the toilet lid quickly.
The cat will dry off naturally due to the high speed he will be moving from the toilet to the front door.
8. The toilet and the cat are now both clean
With best wishes,
The Dog
1. Lift the lid on the toilet and fill it with 1/8 cup of animal shampoo.
2. Take the cat in your arms and stroke it gently while slowly moving in the direction of the toilet.
3. At a suitable moment, throw the cat into the toilet bowl and close the lid quickly and either stand or sit on the lid.
4. The cat will now start the cleaning process and will produce generate plenty of foam.
Do not be concerned about the loud noises coming from the toilet; your cat is enjoying himself.
5. After several minutes flush the toilet to start the “Power-wash” pre-wash and then flush again for the main wash cycle.
6. Ask someone to open the front door and ensure that no-one is between the toilet and the front door.
7. Get off the toilet seat and from a safe distance open the toilet lid quickly.
The cat will dry off naturally due to the high speed he will be moving from the toilet to the front door.
8. The toilet and the cat are now both clean
With best wishes,
The Dog
Back in the game
I haven't written anything on this blog for quite some time. There have been times when I thought about posting something, but other things arose that took priority. As the six Pups grow, I am finding that the demands of discipleship are also multiplying. Life has become steadily more exciting with opportunities left and right to start businesses, lead my family, and help restore lost Sheep.
With all that said, there is always a tug back towards writing stuff. In part, because it is an outlet for me. Life is far too interesting not to share it with others, even if those others are often nameless and faceless. I tried Facebook and although it is very cool for posting thoughts, it is more about punchlines. Everyone puts their punchlines out there for public consumption. I don't get Twitter. It seems to me to be pretty self-important to think that everyone cares when you are brushing your teeth or watching a movie or grooming your gerbil. Guess I am only immature enough for Facebook.
For my two readers (thanks for checking in every few days Aaron), I will begin posting regularly again. I can't guarantee quality, but it will always be interesting....
With all that said, there is always a tug back towards writing stuff. In part, because it is an outlet for me. Life is far too interesting not to share it with others, even if those others are often nameless and faceless. I tried Facebook and although it is very cool for posting thoughts, it is more about punchlines. Everyone puts their punchlines out there for public consumption. I don't get Twitter. It seems to me to be pretty self-important to think that everyone cares when you are brushing your teeth or watching a movie or grooming your gerbil. Guess I am only immature enough for Facebook.
For my two readers (thanks for checking in every few days Aaron), I will begin posting regularly again. I can't guarantee quality, but it will always be interesting....
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Too good to pass up
I haven't posted in a while, but this was too good not to share.....
The phone call Rich Evans got Monday morning wasn’t good news.
It was an employee at Brigham Young University’s The Daily Universe , where Evans is the editorial manager. There was a typo on the front page.
“It was the worst possible mistake,” Evans recalled.
The error? A caption on a photo from this weekend’s LDS General Conference stated that “Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostates and other general authorities raise their hands in a sustaining vote Saturday morning. …”
The newspaper staff retrieved as many of the 18,500 copies of the paper as possible and reprinted them with the correction. And it issued an apology to the apostles. The staff also explained how it happened: an error in spell-checking.
It started when a student misspelled the word “apostle” when writing the photo caption. When the caption was put through the editing software’s spell checker, it was flagged, and the editor accidentally clicked the first word that came up on the correct list: “apostate.” The mistake made it past two proofreaders before being sent off to the printing press.
Source
The phone call Rich Evans got Monday morning wasn’t good news.
It was an employee at Brigham Young University’s The Daily Universe , where Evans is the editorial manager. There was a typo on the front page.
“It was the worst possible mistake,” Evans recalled.
The error? A caption on a photo from this weekend’s LDS General Conference stated that “Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostates and other general authorities raise their hands in a sustaining vote Saturday morning. …”
The newspaper staff retrieved as many of the 18,500 copies of the paper as possible and reprinted them with the correction. And it issued an apology to the apostles. The staff also explained how it happened: an error in spell-checking.
It started when a student misspelled the word “apostle” when writing the photo caption. When the caption was put through the editing software’s spell checker, it was flagged, and the editor accidentally clicked the first word that came up on the correct list: “apostate.” The mistake made it past two proofreaders before being sent off to the printing press.
Source
Friday, March 20, 2009
I'm sorry
He had been working as a bag boy for five years,
so when the supermarket gets some brand new orange juice machines,
he is excited to be trying out a different job ...
but the manager says no.
"But I have been working here for five years.
Why can't I run the juice machines?"
"I am sorry, but baggers can't be juicers."
so when the supermarket gets some brand new orange juice machines,
he is excited to be trying out a different job ...
but the manager says no.
"But I have been working here for five years.
Why can't I run the juice machines?"
"I am sorry, but baggers can't be juicers."
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
March Madness
Hey Dad,
Just for the record, I have Louisville, Duke, Memphis and North Carolina in my Final Four, with UNC over Memphis in the final game.
For integrity's sake,
Your Son
Just for the record, I have Louisville, Duke, Memphis and North Carolina in my Final Four, with UNC over Memphis in the final game.
For integrity's sake,
Your Son
A day late, but still funny....
------------------------------------------------------
An aging man lived alone in Ireland. His only son was in Long Kesh Prison, and he didn't know anyone who would spade up his potato garden. The old man wrote to his son about it.
The son soon mailed his reply, "For HEAVENS SAKE, Pa, don't dig up that garden, that's where I buried the guns!"
At 4 A.M. the next morning, a dozen British soldiers showed up and dug up the entire garden, but didn't find any guns. Confused, the man wrote to his son telling him what happened and asking him what to do next.
His son's reply was: "Just plant your potatoes, Dad, it was the best I could do from here."
-------------------------
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Quote
The prophet Isaiah says all of us are like wandering sheep. We've all gone astray. Every one of us has followed our own sinful path and the Lord gathered all the iniquity of all of us and laid it on Him. This is the amazing reality that Jesus Christ, God's Son, is the sinless substitute for our sins. He offered Himself, the sinless One, for the sinful one. Every person has sinned, and for everyone who puts trust in Jesus Christ, that sin is paid for. This is at the heart of the Christian gospel, Jesus the sinless one, dying as a substitute for sinners... God, the judge, determining what the punishment must be, and executing it on his own Son. Then when we put our trust in Him, with His death applied to us, our sins are forever covered, and the righteousness of Christ is given to us. It is in this great truth of the Christian faith, in which, we rejoice supremely. This rescues us from eternal judgment and gives us eternal peace with God.
---John MacArthur
---John MacArthur
Monday, March 16, 2009
A list of church bulletin typos
Ah, church bulletins are ripe for all sort of mistakes. A samplings of actual church bulletin miscues:
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you.
--------------------------
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
--------------------------
Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
--------------------------
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is
Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice.
------------------------
Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
--------------------------
Scouts are saving aluminium cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
--------------------------
Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
--------------------------
The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
--------------------------
This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
--------------------------
Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done.
--------------------------
Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
--------------------------
The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
--------------------------
The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday: 'I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours.'
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you.
--------------------------
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
--------------------------
Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
--------------------------
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is
Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice.
------------------------
Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
--------------------------
Scouts are saving aluminium cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
--------------------------
Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
--------------------------
The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
--------------------------
This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
--------------------------
Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done.
--------------------------
Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
--------------------------
The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
--------------------------
The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday: 'I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours.'
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)