Competition

While everyone is thrilled for the budding relationship of Jim and Pam, I say that they had better watch out because there are some possibilities out there that may become more topical around the water cooler. For instances

Leonard and Penny from The Big Bang Theory

Chuck and Sarah

Ned and Chuck
and

Ted and the Girl with the Yellow Umbrella

Eight Dollar Hot Dog

Be careful, this video may cause conviction.

Engagement

My beautiful and talented sister is engaged. I think she's told everyone but me. I think I'm hurt, but I also understand why she wouldn't have told me yet. She knows what I would say.

While I would want to support her, the circumstances of her engagement don't allow me to. Before I come across as a mean, insensitive, jealous (of whatever adjective I'm sure to hear) let me explain.

1. First as of the moment before I heard she was engaged, I didn't even know she was dating someone.

2. I've never met the person she is engaged to.

3. The person she is engaged to, she has adamantly told her family that they were just friends.

4. The person she is engaged to is re-enlisting and is moving east, so she would leave school early with only one semester to go.

5. She is insisting the wedding be this December.

6. If he re-ups he would surely go back overseas, which I wish on nobody during the first year of marriage. I've never been married and I can understand why that would be difficult.

7. She still has not told me.

I love my sister and I don't mind playing the role of big bad brother in her life. I want to see her have the best opportunity for a happy, successful, God-honoring marriage and I don't feel like this is how you prepare for that.

Sure her fiance may be a great guy and maybe the right man for her, but how would I know and why the rush and immediacy?

I don't know, maybe I'm wrong.

NFL Picks...Week 7

I just arrived home from church and before I turn on the TV I remembered I hadn't posted my picks. Here they are:

• Baltimore at Buffalo: I'm going to pick Buffalo at home
• Atlanta at New Orleans: New Orleans should get their first victory
• Arizona at Washington: Washington has continued to impress me
• San Fransico at New York Giants: I have to pick the Giants at home
• New England at Miami: New England, who can stop them?
• Tennessee at Houston: Houston, because I don't know if Young will play
• Tampa Bay at Detroit: Detroit has to win at home in order to win 10 games
• Kansas City at Oakland: Kansas City gets their running game going
• New York Jets at Cincinnati: Cincinnati should get a restart with this game
• Chicago at Philadelphia: Hard not to pick Philly at home, so I won't
• St. Louis at Seattle: For some reason I want to go with St. Louis, but I'll say Seattle at home
• Minnesota at Dallas: Dallas rebounds from last week
• Pittsburgh at Denver: I like Pittsburgh
• Indianapolis at Jacksonville: Indianapolis, Manning trives in the spotlight

I swear I'm not a Trekkie...

...but I can confess to watching and enjoying all the movies. And if I had the time I probably would sit down and watch all the old shows (someday!).

Seriously though, who can't get excited about the new J.J. Abrams film, coming sometime toward the end of next year, with a cast like this:

Chris Pine as Capt. James T. Kirk
You may know him from: Just My Luck with Lindsay Lohan (I wouldn't but you may) or Smokin' Aces

Karl Urban as Dr. Leonard McCoy
You may know him from: The Lord of the Rings, The Bourne Supremacy or Pathfinder

Zachary Quinto as Vulcan Scientist Spock
You may know him from: Heroes

Simon Pegg as engineer Scotty
You may know him from: Shawn of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Mission: Impossible III

John Cho as helmsman Sulu
You may know him from: Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle, The American Pie movies

Zoe Saldana as communications officer Uhura
You may know her from: The Terminal, Drumline, Pirates of the Caribbean, Guess Who

Anton Yelchin as navigator Chekov
You may know him from: Alpha Dog,
&

Leonard Nimoy, will apparently play an older version of Spock in the movie.
Of course you know that he was the original Spock

Eric Bana will play a villain in the movie
You may know him from: Black Hawk Down, The Hulk, Troy, Munich

Why?

If anyone can tell me why all my posts are dated 2007-10-06 and how I can fix it I'll make you my hero for the day.

Attacked! 2007-10-18

I had an asthma attack at my community group this week. I knew I was in trouble the moment I got out of my car and noticed that I had left my inhaler at home. I'm highly allergic to cats (which makes me wonder what message my parents are sending me by owning a cat) which can trigger an attack. And of course the saint who host our group has a cat (I have to remind myself that yes God loves cat people too).

I struggled through our Bible study but as we shared and laughed during our prayer time it became more and more of a chore to breathe. After prayer Chris turned to me and noted how he could hear me wheezing throughout the prayer.

Lately it's been a real burden. I usually fall asleep at night on with my inhaler in hand and wake up in the middle of the night searching for it. I find that it was the pain in my neck, literally, I fell asleep on the inhaler.

The most frustrating thing though is when someone says something like, "I know how hard it is, I had asthma once." or "I used to have asthma so I remember how difficult it is". Um...I hate when people say that. I guess the only thing I might be able to compare the difference to would be if I said to someone who had AIDS, "I feel for you, I had AIDS when I was a kid, so I know what you're feeling." It's not that I don't appreciate you trying to empathize, but you don't know burden of living with the disease like I have to. Plus it's like telling a man who's starving to death that you understand hunger while you eat a steak.

OK, that's enough of my complaining.

Breath deep my friends

The Cross of Christ

Next Wednesday evening I'm teaching on the cross. I've read the texts, read (and reading) the commentaries, listening to the sermons, sang the songs, reading the books and I still haven't found the "angle of the diamond" that I want to focus on and illuminate.
In some ways I feel "intake overload" and I haven't found my creative gear.

Any ideas?

Did anyone know this?

I am so eager to see if this is true.
That and to see if anyone knew this.
Having trouble remembering which side your gas tank is on, and you don't want to ruin your perfect mirror set up...well...

Owings?

How does Arizona go with Owings when your down 0-3 in the NLCS? Your season is on the line. I say you have to start Brandon Webb.

2007-10-14 9:17pm

I'm struggling with what God's telling me, but I'm also strangely at peace with it too.

Why I Don't Gamble

If you've been following my NFL picks for the last few weeks you already know why. I actually started out the season fairly well having two positive weeks, but these past three (four) weeks have been horrible.

In 1990 (I believe) I bet a neighbor $5 that the Oakland Athletics would sweep the Cincinnati Reds in the World Series. Big bucks for this middle schooler. And what a decent bet. Oakland was the defending champion and had been to the World Series the past two years. They had Ricky and Dave Henderson, Mark McGwire, Jose Canseco, Walt Weise, Dave Stewart, the "Eck" and so many more. But the Reds sweep the A's. I had to pay up $10 and that was my last money bet ever.

This year my dad wanted to bet me that Dallas would be 10-0, and the he said 16-0. Yeah I know...he's silly. But after the win over Chicago I had to actually get out their schedule. When I say the match up for week 6...pure relief.

I hate the Cowboys. Thanks New England.

And I'm so proud of my '9ers this week. Of course they were off, but still...

NFL Picks...Week 6

Minnesota (1-3) at Chicago (2-3) = Chicago
Miami (0-5) at Cleveland (2-3) = Miami
Washington (3-1) at Green Bay (4-1) = Washington
Cincinnati (1-3) at Kansas City (2-3) = Cincinnati
Philadelphia (1-3) at New York Jets (1-4) = New York
Tennessee (3-2) at Tampa Bay (3-2) = Tampa Bay
Houston (3-2) at Jacksonville (3-1) = Houston
St. Louis (0-5) at Baltimore (3-2) = Baltimore
Carolina (3-2) at Arizona (3-2) = Arizona
New England (5-0) at Dallas (5-0) = New England
Oakland (2-2) at San Diego (2-3) = San Diego
New Orleans (0-4) at Seattle (3-2) = New Orleans
New York Giants (3-2) at Atlanta (1-4) = New York

David Crowder Band

I attended a David Crowder Band concert this evening. I forgot my camera in the truck and just used my phone's camera. Not the best quality. Besides who has time to take phots during such awersome music?
The message of this new album is extremely convicting. Our theologies and doctrines are not good enough by themselves. They must be expressed in deeds and actions. Proxy, proxy, proxy. Reading some scripture today reminds me how many people left Jesus crying and confused, because they don't know "what to do with a love like that".
How will I respond to the love of God tomorrow. I know my success and failures today, but what will I do with a love like that?
My prayer is for faith and faithfulness.

NFL Picks...Week 5

I'm sorry that my midweek posting is down. Of course I don't think anyone reads this so I'm apologizing to no one.

Anyways here are my week 5 picks and then I need to go manage my fantasy teams.

Cleveland at New England = New England, they'll go 16-0

New York at New York = New York, Jets that is

Jacksonville at Kansas City = Kansas City, because you have to pick one

Atlanta at Tennessee = Tennessee, cause Harington is hard to bet on

Seattle at Pittsburgh = Pittsburgh, I don't know why

Carolina at New Orleans = New Orleans has to win sometime

Arizona at St. Louis = Arizona, the 2 QB systems works

Detroit at Washington = Washington, they look good

Miami at Houston = Houston, Schaub's winning me over

Tampa Bay at Indianapolis = Indy because they are at home

Baltimore at San Fransico = San Fran, cause their my team and their at home

San Diego at Denver = Denver because their at home

Chicago at Green Bay = Chicago, Lambeau's not cold yet

Dallas at Buffalo = really I think Dallas will win, but because I hate them so much I'm picking Buffalo

It's Always Sunny

I love the TV show “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” The characters are 100% unlikable, which I like…
If you haven’t seen it before, it is the best show Danny Devito has ever been on… yep I said it…EVER! Better than Taxi, better than Cheers, better than any show.

So anyways it was on last night and here are a couple of thoughts I had from the viewing:

1. I think Diaper Time is great! Better than Peanut Butter Jelly Time with a Baseball Bat.
2. “Toyko drifting leads to bickering which leads to karate” is some of the wisest logic I’ve heard in a while.

The previews for next week had me cracking up. Apparently Dee is dating a guy whom the rest of the gang thinks is mental challenged.

Dee: What if he’s an idiot savant?

Charlie: What if he’s just an idiot?

NFL Picks...Week 4

St. Louis @ Dallas = Dallas
Green Bay @ Minnesota = Minnesota
Baltimore @ Cleveland = Baltimore
Chicago @ Detroit = Chicago
Oakland @ Miami = Oakland
New York Jets @ Buffalo = New York Jets
Houston @ Atlanta = Houston
Seattle @ San Fransico = San Fransico
Tampa Bay @ Carolina = Carolina
Denver @ Indianapolis = Indianapolis
Kansas City @ San Diego = San Diego
Pittsburgh @ Arizona = Pittsburgh
Philadelphia @ New York Giants = Philadelphia

New England @ Cincinnati = New England

Bobblehead Worship

I sat in the back of the worship center this past Sunday with a few students who made fun of me for my bobblehead worship.
Somewhere in my life I began to dance less and bobblehead more. While I often bounce on the balls of my feet or rock or sway usually it's never exaggerated. But when the music and and the words and my heart all in a place of authenticity and truth the bobblehead breaks forth.
Again it's not exaggerated but enough to get students to laugh at me.
I didn't always do it, but I can't remember which came first me or David Gray.

Let go of your heart
Let go of your head
And feel it now

The Joy of The Simpsons

It's 10:30 at on this Sunday night. I'm organizing things for the coming work week, and I just started my DVR recording of The Simpsons and being that it was so awesome I thought I'll probably post something about that. Which then I decide to set everything down and go do it (this).
Anyways the opneing sequence was all in reference to the movie this summer. Bart begins by writing on the chalkboard, "I will not wait 20 years to make another movie." Then he skateboards around the town which is still cleaning up from the glass dome. The Simpson's garage is being rebuilt and as the run towards the couch Spidey-Pig is there. Homer put the pig on his lap and says, "Aww, my summer love."
Well I thought it was hilarious.

When I find it online I'll come back and post it.

NFL Picks...Week 3

SUNDAY

Detroit at Philadelphia
Donavan looks horrible, and that’s not a racial statement. Blame it on mechanics or whatever you want, but he’s throwing pass that are no where near the intended receivers. While Detroit lacks a strong running game, Philadelphia lacks healthy players. My Pick: Detroit

Miami at New York Jets
Seriously flip a coin. However since Miami has lost both of the games to teams from the weaker NFC…My Pick: New York Jets

Minnesota at Kansas City
I’m tempted to pick Kansas City because surely at some point they have to win a game, but I believe in Minnesota’s defense and their strong running game. My Pick: Minnesota

San Francisco at Pittsburgh

I regret not picking San Fran to win last season, because it breaks my heart to not pick them for a second straight week. However their much improved defense (now lacking Manny Lawson due to injury) can’t bail out the struggling offense for too long. And Pittsburgh doing it on both sides of the ball. My Pick: Pittsburgh

Indianapolis at Houston
I’m still not sold on Schaub, but I am sure about one thing: Schaub ain’t no Manning. My Pick: Indianapolis.

Arizona at Baltimore
Both teams are lacking in offense, however despite the impressive showing I saw of Arizona’s defense against SF, Baltimore’s D is legendary. My Pick: Baltimore

St. Louis at Tampa
I have to believe that St. Louis will get things on track. And can Tampa Bay possibly have anymore injuries? My Pick: St. Louis

Buffalo at New England
Can anyone/anything stop New England? My Pick: New England

San Diego at Green Bay
San Diego looked terrible last week, and while I never have had faith in Norv Turner as a head coah, surely he can motivate the team to stop Green Bay this week. Green Bay has been trying to pull off a Cinderella season, but should fall short this week. My Pick: San Diego

Cleveland at Oakland
Cleveland was an offensive machine last week, and while they shouldn't put up that many points against the Oakland defence they might out score them. My Pick: Cleveland

Cincinnati at Seattle
Cincinnati needs a big win. They will never be force they are trying so hard to be with losses to Cleveland. And I’m thinking this is a transitional year for Seattle. Look for Cincy to jump off to a quickly lead. My Pick: Cincinnati

Jacksonville at Denver
Jacksonville has too many questions to answer and Denver just needs to prove itself. My Pick: Denver

Carolina at Atlanta
Seriously with Pennington at the helm they could go 0-16. My Pick: Carolina

New York at Washington
Washington looked impressive last week and are showing some true signs of progression. While the talent filled Giants continue to be blah. My Pick: Washington and the firing of Coughlin

Dallas at Chicago
Dallas has yet to play a true playoff contending team and there is no way that Romo will continue to throw the football like he did against the two previous teams. And Grossman is due to have a good week on his roller coaster of a career. My Pick: Chicago

MONDAY

Tennessee at New Orleans
Tennessee has continued to surprise me and New Orleans has continued to disappoint so you would think I would learn and pick the Titans but noooo….. My Pick: New Orleans

Last week: 8-8

Season: 18-13

What Will You Final Words Be?

Maybe you've seen or heard about this video, but just in case you haven't seen it. I tried finding a format of it that I could post, but instead I just found a link to the entire lecture.

Background: Randy Pausch, professor at Carnegie Mellon, is dying from pancreatic cancer and at the time of the lecture had 9 months remain in his life.

Anyways watch, enjoy and be inspired

Click HERE.

I watched and then went and read Acts 20:13-38, Paul's farewell address to the Ephesian Elders.

My Early Muir Owl

Lately I've had several "marriage" post, which I serious don't dwell on. It's just that things keep popping up.
This video is seriously too cool to pass up.
I've seen several proposals before and this one is by far one of the best and most creative.
If the opportunity ever arises I hope to be this creative.
Check it out.

Authenticity

Carlos over at Ragamuffin Soul posted this picture recently and entitled it "Authenticity". I've can't stop thinking about how true it is. You can read the full post HERE.

Fear has a way of producing authenticity. It drives us back into that childlike state and we lose all pretenses.

And since I like honest people and want to to be a man who is completely real and honest... I marvel at the love of God, and tremble at holiness.

Aylssa

Even though she's a die hard Dodgers fan (I'll forgiver her) I really enjoy Alyssa Milano's MLB blog. She was asked by MLB to serve as a postseason correspondent for MLB.com. On their TBS Hot Corner today she had her first segment and gives us a tour of the Dodgers' ballpark. Pretty awe inspiring!

FYI, If I ever get married, I want her to be someone that enthusiastically wears Touch apparel. Preferably Rangers or Astros at the least.

Penelope... I'm coming to find you!

My sister picked up this EP, While Underneath Lights by the david ramirez band, several months back and I love the song "Penelope".

I don't usually obsess or worry or get distracted with still being single. I don't want to be the guy you patrols singles groups and clubs and other places constantly on the lookout for "the one". The dating "game" is incredibly annoying to me. I don't want to settle and I don't want to compromise.

Not that I imagined being single at 29 either. But if I'm honest I would say that I would prefer being married, having someone to love and be loved by.

What I love about "Penelope", the song, is the line that speaks about naming the one you dream about. While I'm not as diligent in prayer for "her" as I'd like to be, naming her has given my prayers a little more conviction.

I'm curious for anyone single out there who happens to read this, what name are you giving the one you're praying for? [Remember hope presses on!]

While you think about that check out David's myspace and give "Penelope" a listen, and here are the lyrics:...

I was on another train

I caught a different plane

I landed a hour too late to see you

I was born a day late

My mother called my name

and I turned away and missed you face

Where did you go?

Where did you go now?

'Cause I'm coming to find you

Yeah I'm coming to find you

I just turned 22

And I'm getting older by the day

Could you give me a small clue?

The first letter of your name?

And you're so hard to see

Ideas are hard to hold

I love you Penelope

As pure as the snow

Can you feel my breath behind you?

Can you hear my steps coming near ya?

You stay put I'm coming to ya

There's nothing in this place that I fear

Only you without me

Only me without you

Oh Penelope

My Penelope

Do you dream about me?

Like I dream of you?

Do you ever sing about me?

What name did you choose?

This is getting hard

Everyone is finding love

Faith is getting tired

But hope is pressing on

Can you feel my breath behind you?

Can you hear my steps coming?

I'm coming dear

I will scale mountains to find you

No valley low enough to fear

Yeah...

Oh...

Where am I going?

When do I stop?

Are you there waiting?

Have you given up?

Give me a picture

Something to see

Cause I'm dying to learn you

Dying to breath

So where did you go?

Where did you go now?
Where did you go?

NFL Picks...Week 2

I tried posting these yesterday but something happened when I went to publish. Anyways here are my picks for this week. Last week I was 11 for 15, which is not bad. This week was a little harder to pick because some teams did not play to their potential and other played above. Which were for real and which were flukes. By the way I'm picking St. Louis over my 49ers, only because I think St. Louis is going to come out and try to prove something after their lost last week. And while the '9ers defense looked great last week their offense was lacking some.

The picks:

IND @ TEN = Indianapolis,
GB @ NYG = Green Bay
CIN @ CLE = Cincinnati
HOU @ CAR = Houston
NO @ TB = New Orleans
BUF @ PIT = Pittsburgh
ATL @ JAC = Jacksonville
SF @ STL = St. Louis
MIN @ DET = Minnesota
SEA @ ARI = Seattle
DAL @ MIA = Dallas
KC @ CHI = Chicago
NYJ @ BAL = New York Jets
OAK @ DEN = Denver
SD @ NE = San Deigo

WAS @ PHI = Philadelphia

Yummy

From Shawn Groves blog (www.shawngroves.com/shlog). Riding around Illinois with Shawn as he discusses; Farmer Heath, flirting, melons, loofas, and nipping it in the bud.

Quiet Time

Sometimes I have to be careful of this...

NFL...Everyone's Going To The Superbowl

I meant to do this early, but with only a few games started today I'll go ahead and give my picks for the week. I'm usually pretty bad and this and after a devasating gambling loss ($10) in 1990 I refuse to put money on anything.

My Picks:

Denver over Buffalo

Pittsburgh over Cleveland

Philadelphia over Green Bay

Kansas City over Houston

Jacksonville over Tennessee

Minnesota over Atlanta

New England over New York Jets

St. Louis over Carolina

Miami over Washington

Detroit over Oakland

San Diego over Chicago

Seattle over Tampa Bay

Dallas over New York Giants

Cincinnati over Baltimore

San Fransico over Arizona

White Out

I was at a stop light (facing north) on the way home from work today when I notice something rather odd.

There was about 15 cars lined up on my right (heading west). Of those 15 cars 12, I counted, were white. Vans, cars and trucks were all white. It was weird seeing so much white. Then I looked to my left and there was 3 or 4, I didn't count, more white vehicles. Then there was a couple behind me. There was about 80% white surrounding me.

Never have I felt so guilty for driving in red.

The Value of Community?

Lately I've been having a difficult time with community. I'm trying to organize some thoughts and hope to post on them soon, but here's some preview thoughts:
I am "a big fan" of community, or rather I understand and value, goal and purpose of community. However I'm concerned that we've boxed community up into a too comfortable package. Has community been worked into a theory or organized into a formula? Have we allowed community to become nothing more than an item on our religious, purpose-driven checklist? (Sorry about the purpose-driven jab, I've been reading Mark Buchanan and agree with him on the dangers of being 'anything'-driven...yet another post)
And what I'm most concerned about is that Jesus never spoke about "community". In fact the word "community" is only used once in the NT (at least the NIV) and in reference to the entire Jewish people. So why have we promoted community through small groups, backyard barbeque's and 11:00 services.
As best as I can recall Jesus never spoke of community, but he passionately prayed for unity [John 17:22]. What is the difference between the two?
Was community not spoken much about because if was already a cultural understanding? Community was expected in families, and in within your town/city, and by just being a Jew suggested a community.
And I suppose I also have some thoughts on how community should then be experienced. I'm not saying small groups are bad or wrong, in fact I'm in three. But what other means can the church use to help promote and participate in unity.

Cool Photos with Quotes

"It would make a good Halloween set, wouldn't it?" - FREDDIE GOWIN
a ranger at Lake Tawakoni State Park, Texas, where a 200-yard (183-m) stretch of nature trail has been blanketed in a web spun by millions of spiders

"This is an individual who has had a very significant role in the history of our nation and the world." - Navy Secretary DONALD WINTER
on Solomon Islander Aaron Kumana, who rescued John F. Kennedy, then a young U.S. naval officer, from Japanese capture during WII and was finally recognized by the U.S. Navy last week for his heroism 60 years ago

"I believe I have an unfair edge over most of my colleagues right now. My mind works faster than my mouth does." - Sen. TIM JOHNSON
who returned to South Dakota Tuesday for the first time since suffering a brain hemorrhage last December that impaired his speech

--------------------------------------------------------
I have a few thoughts about each:
1. What a cool set for a Harry Potter movie.
2. How long can I wait to recieve "recognition"?
3. Patience is hard to come by. If it was forced on me would I want it?

Blog Recommedation

Is anyone else reading Creed Thoughts. You know creed from The Office. This is absolutely hysterical. My favorite line so far is...

There’re only six things you need if you want to snag a good woman: A guitar, chicken, wine, a car, running water, and some permanent markers. If you don’t have a guitar, a lute will do. You get those six things and you’re Don Juan, trust me.

I have to believe that that's sound advice. Do you think the "chicken" means a "live chicken", cause if not I could be real close to getting my good woman.