Have You Pre-Ordered

I am really anticipating this album. You can currently purchase 2 for $15 HERE. Buy one and share one.
Curious why it's called Volume II when there hasn't been a Volume I, well read this hysterical interview of Andrew Peterson (the musician), conducted by Andrew Peterson (the interviewer), interrupted by Andrew Peterson (the author) and a brief appearance by Andrew Peterson (the clown-like children's song writer).

Why You Don't Showboat

Does anyone know if this is real?
I found it labeled at Why You Don't Showboat.
I really hope it's real.

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Boom Goes the...Veronica

So recently I purchased the three seasons of Veronica Mars and quickly went through them. Then I went about sharing it's crack cocaine addictiveness with my community of friends. Currently the dvds are making their rounds.
Here is a small clip from season 3 (don't worry no spoilers here)

I show this to you, because at the end of the clip Veronica uses the phrase "Boom goes the dynomite". Maybe you've never heard this phrase before, in which case watch this dreadfully pain-filled youtube classic.

I love so many things about this clip, but just a couple to point out would be these: First: "boom goes the dynomite"...awesome! Second: he refers to Reggie Miller as "the man". And third: The non-reaction by the other news anchors, and his reaction to them.
I was listening to Dan Patrick's radio show yesterday morning on my way to work, when he interviewed this guy, who current does investigating reporting in Waco, TX.
So glad I'm not him, but I do love his catch phrase.

I Object...

...I don't care about what pace they maintain, or that they do it in the rain...Walking should not be an Olympic event.

And just because some collapse and fall to the ground, doesn't mean I'll ever change my mind.

photos from cnnsi.com

Birthday Gift

Yesterday The Gang, my community group, gave me an awesome gift for my birthday.
This is a great gift as I stop in there about once a week. Sometimes I roam the thousands of CD’s searching for that rarity album that I must have.

Side Note: Once I found Can You Hear Us Now by David Crowder Band at this CD Exchange. This was back in 2000, I think. I didn’t even know it was out yet. So I quickly purchased the album and began playing all the time. About a month later I’m at a youth leaders convention that DCB was leading worship at, and I caught the boys during a break and asked them to sign my album. The guys began to freak out. What I failed to realize was that the album wasn’t even due for release for at least another month. They asked me where I got it and I told them, “at a CD Exchange in San Antonio”. A couple of the guys shoulders just sank. They had passed the CD out to local Christian bookstores in hopes of getting them to prominently displaying them upon their release. We concluded that some moron at the Family Christian bookstore took the CD and just sold it. David and the boys signed the album, “first copy ever!”. Please don’t ask me what
happened to that album…it makes me cry.

Anyways. This is a large gift from such a cool group, so I thought I should make a public declaration to use this for good and not for evil. I will also try to use it for the better-ment of the group. I’ll most likely get some TV series with it which we can pass amongst each other, and a CD or two depending on what’s left over.

Here are the albums I promise not to purchase: Click HERE.
And here are the TV shows I promise not to purchase: Click HERE.

If you have suggests on what to purchase and what to avoid, PLEASE leave your comments.

Birthday Cake

This is my birthday cake. My mom made the cake and dropped it off at Rachel's house, knowing that I would be attending my community group. Then my princesses decorated it...I'm amazed that there was "tink" cake decorations available somewhere. I've had that little nugget in my mind for a few years. When I wink at someone it always felt as if a small sound was needed. It had to be something delicate, yet not un-manly, reflecting the wink.
I came up with "tink"... I've thought it for a long time, but only recently shared it...suddenly it's a hit. Weird birthday treat.

Great Commercial

This is great. I love the way EA Sports is interacting with fan video and playing along with the obvious flaws of their previous game.
Great discussion tool as well.

Songs of My Day:

Three songs have dominated the disco in my head today and I thought I'd share them with you. I italicized the lyrics for you that were really hitting me difficultly. I have to apologize, because when I have mind dumps...the crap tends to hit the floor. Watch your step.

First: The Silence of God by Andrew Peterson

There are some YouTube video out there, but they were attached to some slide show so I didn't want to post on here, but if you want to hear the song, you can find it here.

It's enough to drive a man crazy; it'll break a man's faith

It's enough to make him wonder if he's ever been sane

When he's bleating for comfort from Thy staff and Thy rod

And the heaven's only answer is the silence of God

It'll shake a man's timbers when he loses his heart

When he has to remember what broke him apart

This yoke may be easy, but this burden is not

When the crying fields are frozen by the silence of God

And if a man has got to listen to the voices of the mob

Who are reeling in the throes of all the happiness they've got

When they tell you all their troubles have been nailed up to that cross

Then what about the times when even followers get lost?

'Cause we all get lost sometimes...

There's a statue of Jesus on a monastery knoll

In the hills of Kentucky, all quiet and cold

And He's kneeling in the garden, as silent as a Stone

All His friends are sleeping and He's weeping all alone

And the man of all sorrows, he never forgot

What sorrow is carried by the hearts that he bought

So when the questions dissolve into the silence of God

The aching may remain, but the breaking does not

The aching may remain, but the breaking does not

In the holy, lonesome echo of the silence of God

I've been making some big decisions lately. And then reneging on those decisions and starting all over. I think I missed my quarter-life crisis and opted for a third-life one instead.

Numerous people have encouraged me to listen to God, but I can't decide if He's not speaking to me or that there is just too much raging around me. And when you're counsel can not come to a consensus you can often feel like a dizzy child who's spun around a bat.

I love that this song reminds me that "the aching may remain, but the breaking does not". If you know this album of AP's then you might know that the following song decides that after the last tear falls it is God's love that remains.

Second: Welcome Home by Shaun Groves

Take, me, make me
All You want me to be
That's all I'm asking, all I'm asking

Welcome to this heart of mine
I've buried under prideful vines
Grown to hide the mess I've made
Inside of me
Come decorate, Lord
Open up the creaking door
And walk upon the dusty floor
Scrape away the guilty stains
Until no sin or shame remain
Spread Your love upon the walls
And occupy the empty halls
Until the man I am has faded
No more doors are barricaded

Chorus:
Come inside this heart of mine
It's not my own
Make it home
Come and take this heart and make it
All Your own
Welcome home

Take a seat, pull up a chair
Forgive me for the disrepair
And the souvenirs from floor to ceiling
Gathered on my search for meaning
Every closet's filled with clutter
Messes yet to be discovered
I'm overwhelmed, I understand
I can't make this place all that You can

repeat chorus

I took the space that You placed in me
Redecorated in shades of greed
And I made sure every door stayed locked
Every window blocked, and still You knocked

repeat chorus

Take me, make me
All You want me to be

That's all I'm asking, all I'm asking

Have I cluttered my life with so much of my own wants, and must haves, and sentimental burdens, and all the crap that prevents me from loving like Jesus loved? Does this stuff rule my space and time? I haven't removed Jesus, I've just pushed him into a corner.

I've been wrestling with the need to find change in my life. Maybe it's part of turning 30 this month, and maybe not. Maybe it's just that life didn't turn out like I had it mapped.

Or maybe it's just that I need to have a little "come to Jesus" conversation...well...with Jesus.

There was a time in my life when I had confidence in the Spirit and took bold risks. And lately I feel like a spiritual dwarf.

Which makes me consider that maybe I'm not the one who's too small, but rather maybe I've secured for myself a God who's too safe and small.

and Third: Fall For You by Secondhand Serenade

The best thing about tonight's that we're not fighting

Could it be that we have been this way before

I know you don't think that I am trying

I know you're wearing thin down to the core

But hold your breath

Because tonight will be the night that I will fall for you

Over again

Don't make me change my mind

Or I won't live to see another day

I swear it's true

Because a girl like you is impossible to find

You're impossible to find

This is not what I intended

I always swore to you I'd never fall apart

You always thought that I was stronger

I may have failed

But I have loved you from the start

Ohhhh

But hold your breath

Because tonight will be the night that I will fall for you

Over again

Don't make me change my mind

Or I won't live to see another day

I swear it's true

Because a girl like you is impossible to find

It's impossible

So breathe in so deep

Breathe me in I'm yours to keep

And hold onto your words

'Cause talk is cheap

And remember me tonight

When you're asleep

Because tonight will be the night that I will fall for you

Over again

Don't make me change my mind

Or I won't live to see another day

I swear it's true

Because a girl like you is impossible to find

Tonight will be the night that I will fall for you

Over again

Don't make me change my mind

Or I won't live to see another day

I swear it's true

Because a girl like you is impossible to find

You're impossible to find

Yeah, a little sentimental, background music for a WB show...or EW....or whatever they're calling themselves. But I like it. I bought the cd based on the band name and the album cover only to say, "oh I know this song."

Not Cool

Crap. I hate reacting to cheap scare tactics in movies and on tv. That would also include stupide videos that get e-mailed to you which include screaming witches at the end of a slide show.
But I cannot deny the fact that this video got me. Thanks...

Man Up

I swear I learned more from this than the church's last 5 Men's Breakfasts...

...(No not really)

Couldn't remember if I had posted this before, but it's worth it again.

Religulous

Wow...I need to see this one, but am afraid how I'll feel after I've seen it. Not because a loss of faith but rather embarrassment or shame.

Question Answered

Finally!

The answer to one of life's greatest questions has been solved.

The Question: Why do divers shower off after a dive?

The Answer: http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/blog/fourth_place_medal/post/The-mystery-of-the-showering-divers?urn=oly,100472

Divers shower in between each dive to keep their muscles warm after getting out of the pool. The temperature of the pool water and the air are usually different (the pool is usually around 80 degrees, with the air temperature between 68 and 72 degrees). This difference can cause muscle tightness. To combat this, divers warm up in either the showers or a hot tub.

Improving Thyself

On a recent road trip a couple of ladies decided to create a list of things I could do to improve myself. How generous of them huh? And while I often, almost to a neurotic nature, worry that there are elements of me to be improved I welcomed their list. What I was unaware of was that this was in actuality a list by the girls to improve me for their own benefit. In fact these ladies just now refer to this list as My Princess List (meaning how I can serve and support the princesses in my life).

I’ll let you decide on what you agree with and what suggestions of theirs am I doing well with and should just ignore.

And please feel free to add any additional suggestions…

THINGS TO IMPROVE ABOUT MYSELF

aka My Princess List

[Thoughts in the parenthesis are my thoughts]

- Try not to make Jamie or any woman feel insecure about her feet. (Even though she often wears flip flops and sometimes walks around with bare feet resulting in dirty, dirty feet)

- Be more mindful of the needs of princesses (Remember, princesses will blame you for anything, including when others lock their keys in their cars)

- Be more interesting (“What…what….what…what..be more constructive with your criticisms”)

- Pay lots of compliments

- Audibly demonstrate compliments given (A smile or head nod is not enough, the words “Thank You” must be spoken, even when the compliment is given back-handedly)

- Find more male friends (as an outlet)

- Bear the princess’ load when needed (via piggy back rides, carrying their ridiculously large purses, etc.)

- Don’t be around Taylor, she’s engaged which is practically married (I don’t remember the context of this suggestion, other than Taylor having just gotten engaged)

- Believe everything Rachel and Jaime say (Now that just seems excessive, right? But they said it so it must be true)

- Learn to…(this suggestion was rather crude so I’ll PG it up by saying)…appreciate toes. (you see I tend to think feet are usually dirty and gross, but they did offer their own toes for me to practice on)

I really like this commerical

Boba Fett's Flashdance

Hopefully you've seen this:

Mandalorian Dance @ Yahoo! Video

Quote

Here is a couple of quotes that I read today, from this book I'm currently reading entitled The Journey of Crazy Horse by Joseph M. Marshall III.

After Crazy Horse has his heart broken by Black Buffalo Woman.
"...the fickleness of yong women was always difficult to understand... so too were the ambitions of grown men."
Which is somewhat comforting that even years ago, despite time and culture woman are still a mystery.

Also...

As Crazy Horse's legend began to grow among his own people, some were content to wait and see...
"The reckless die young," the old men advised, "and their only legacy is their brief moment of glory, but over time it is forgotten. It is the steady and steadfast that prevail."
The old ones said, "so while it serves the heart and the imagination to hear the exploits of a new young warrior, one's who's quiet ways in camp contraditcted the stories of daring on the battle field. The old men puffed on their pipes as they sat around the evening fires and nodded knowingly. "Over time young Crazy Horse would give up his reckless ways," they said, "everyone does."
I can't help consider this quote in the context of the numerous up and coming baseball players that have been highlighted over the past couple seasons. And in the context of ministry, and the numerous young pastors who are rising lately.

Anyways. I am enjoying this book.

Understanding Men

Just because some of us grow old and out of shape doesn't mean we don't still have the drive for competitive sports. It's just that sometimes our sore backs and weak knees dictate this:

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Caption Needed

Question

What qualifies as having "read a book"?

• a quick skim?
• 1/2 the book?
• 3/4 the book?
• several paragraphs from each chapter?
• each word?
• each word understood?
• listening to the audio version?
• reading a book review?

How do you define "I read a book".

Looking for answers here, so make sure you leave a quick reply.

Thanks!

Quote

"The biblical fact is that there are no successful churches. There are, instead, communities of sinners, gathered before God week after week in towns and villages all over the world. The Holy Spirit gathers them and does his work in them. In these communities one of the sinners is called pastor and is given a designated responsibility in community. The pastor's responsibility is to keep the community attentive to God."

- Eugene Peterson

Thanks

I Want This...

and what man wouldn't?



Letterman's right. Jon deserves a national salute.
However mine will be full of Dr. Pepper (come the New Year of course).

John Mayer Trip

Saturday began around 9:15. I rolled out of bed, showered, dressed and packed for my overnight trip to Houston. The objective was the John Mayer concert.
Taylor should up with a special surprise. Frankie was with her and they spent their morning getting engaged.

So I travel I-10 with Rachel and Jaime.

These chicks are nuts. Seriously there was a boat load of laughter on this jaunt, thank to these two ladies. I posted a couple times some updates on the travel conversations (HERE and HERE). There was additional discussions, but I like to keep this blog with a sensible rating.

Taylor and Frankie led the two vehicle caravan, newly engaged.

Brett Dennen opened the show, and I think we all agreed that he was just okay. He didn't even play the one song that some of us knew.

Colbie Caillat took the stage next...she's purrr-ty.

I think Taylor was most excited about seeing her.

Johnny Boy held the stage for about two hours. Here's the set list:

Waiting on the World to Change
Why Georgia
Crossroads
I Don't Trust Myself (With Loving You)
Wheel
Bigger Than My Body
Mercy
Free Falling
Good Love is On the Way
Find Another You
Stitched Up
Belief
Gravity

ENCORE

Vultures
Say

I think this was the first Mayer concert for all of us and I can safely say that none of us were disappointed. There was some surprises about what was not included in the set, but by no means did anyone feel like something was missing either. It was a little awkward (at least for most men at the show) that John played the entire two hours without his shirt, and that the cameras continued to pan back and forth between his guitar and his face. However, the ladies loved it.

While hanging out after the show waiting for some of the crowd to dissipate we were taking photos of each other. In one I pretended to be passed out (drunk like many of the other attendees), and apparently I do a great drunk guy. Because these two drunk chicks walked by, one saying "look at this one he can't even wake up". Then she practically straddled me and attempted to wake me up.

Yep just a typical Saturday for me. I was glad others were finally able to experience it with me.

We wrapped up the evening with a visit to some all night pie place. Jaime had to walk in with only one sandal, having lost it somewhere between the pavilion and the restuarant.

I had some biscuits and gravey with hash browns. It wasn't great, but having skipped dinner I was hungry.

So there you go...I need to go to bed now...

Congratulations

Taylor and Frankie are engaged!

I don't know about you, but this one came straight out of left field for me.

Did anyone see this coming?

John Mayer trip

I really want to spend some more time posting some photos (maybe a sweet 5 minute solo by the man himself) and retell some stories but bed time is a callin', so I want to promise that tomorrow I'll definitely do that.

However throughout the trip Rachel and Jaime felt it was their calling to help me give and receive compliments. I was unaware that either of these were a problem, but as any guy will tell you, spend any time with a gaggle of girls and your perceived flaws will soon be pointed out.

Nevertheless, to these amazing (and extremely open) women:

You are an incredible joy!

Thank you for the hours of laughter and your pure child-like enthusiasm for life.

Two Girls and a Guy (pt.2)

Here is some more updates from the road fiasco to H-Town ("dark-town" - Jaime), this trip is blowing my mind:
- our Buc-ee's wraps for lunch
- Jaime's $14 fudge (wink wink...I don't even know what that means)
- just in case list (um...no explaining)
- Jaime's dance party/seizures (does anyone have singles?)
- "that what she said" (sorry the Deuce)
- Jaime and I dated for 5 minutes (my barely legal babe...we decided to waited 10 more days)
- I'm worried about Jaime's high turn over rate
- at the Journey/Heart/Cheap Trick concert their was some expensive ladies escorting some elderly gentlemen
- JT just rocks socks
- my reading in the car just makes me seem old
- apparently I am now referred to as Big Papa or Big Papa C
- Taylor Swift reminds us of Tim McGraw who reminds me Faith Hill
- halter tops are awkward (trying to ignore "conversations")
- "i'm kinda big deal" & "my apartment smells of rich mahogany" & "you have a breath taking hiney" & more Anchorman quotes

more to come...isn't that scary?...

Two Girls and a Guy

I'm on my way to Houston for the John Mayer concert, hopefully Jennifer Aniston will show, fingers crossed...
So I'm riding in Rachel's 4 Runner with her and Jaime. So far the topics of discussion:
- Taylor and Frankie's engagement (yea!!)
- Buc-ee's rest stop
- Katy Perry & Adele
- "burnt vagina" (girls talk about strange stuff)
- Chinesee animal symbols (we three are all horses)
- joining nudist colonies (I just want to carry around my membership card and Jaime just wants an even tan)
- giving and receiving compliments

more to come...

A Great New Look

This is really humorous. Enjoy.

Quote

I really like this quote. I found it HERE. What do you think?

"Too many Christians today are trying to improve on the gospel. The gospel is what it is: the Cross of Christ. Christians on both the political right and the left are downplaying the effects of the Fall, and instead buying into a secular myth of progress through market economics or socialism."

-Mark Dever is pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. Taken from "Does Your Preaching Touch Politics?" in the Summer 2008 issue of Leadership journal. To see the quote IN context, you'll need to see the print version of Leadership. To subscribe, click on the cover of Leadership on this page.

God's Hand

When people pray for God's hand to be involved in their lifes I can't help but think of the guy who preforms the shell game.
I don't know why, or if it's supposed to have some significance, but there you go...

Hollywood Bound

In pure Manny being Manny form...

I wasn't expecting this. I assumed he'd end up at Florida, Cleveland or maybe the White Sox (who grabbed Junior). The Dodgers was something out of the blue.

Best Blob Launch Ever

I've witnessed a lot of flying lumbs before as the result of the giant blob. But this may be the best ever.

http://view.break.com/545919 - Watch more free videos

Half Blood Prince

This November Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince will hit the theater screens, but thankfully today you can check out the latest trailer. (Click HERE to see it in HD). Also below the trailer there is numerous photos as well.

2AM Prayer

This song below was on a couple of blog postings today, and I've been listening to it for about an hour straight now. It's 2:35 on my phone's clock, but "just one more time." This song has become my personal prayer this early morning.

What are you desperate stripes in need of healing today?

I have to believe that Jesus is our Healor, because as it's constantly proven over and over again, He's all that I to trust in, and at the end of my days He's all I need.

I have to believe that He's all you need today too.

So today...all day...I want to approach the throne of grace with confidence...with you.

So leave your reply, I'll get constant e-mailed updates to my phone, and I want to do what little I can for you today...that being prayer.

What can I pray for you today?

You're my Healer

You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease

I trust in You
I trust in You

I believe You're my Healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my Portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus You're all I need

My Healer, You're my Healer

Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
You hold my world in Your hands

Faith and Politics

I really appreciate Rick Warren opening up a forum for the two main presidential candidates. It will certainly be a huge insight into each man and hopefully help in the decision making process for me. Here's some video of Warren being interviewed about the upcoming forum.

The Network is for real

Behind

I really haven't sat at the computer very much this week, outside of work that is.

It's no more evident that in my blog reading...

As you can see I use the Google Reader, and have about 100 subscriptions, of which I read about 25 religously word for word. The others, mainly just as the peak my interest.
I try to keep my unread items at around 50. Some of those I'll have read, but wanted to reread, or they sparked a blog post idea, or it's really long and I need to really carve out time to read and intake.
Today I just looked at it and it reads 313! I may need to spend some quality blogging time tomorrow.

The Reveal

So last Sunday after the evening service Tommy, April, Erin, the Deuce and I enjoyed some time hanging out over Chipotle yumminess. Somehow as we were sharing the idea of having Tommy, the local artist (amazing painter whose work I should post sometime), paint something with the Deuce and I.

We laughed for quite sometime before April, Tommy's wife, suggested cherubs. It was like a ray of light from heaven. The Deuce and I agreed that this would be perfect, as long as we were painted wearing hats because you will generally find us wearing ball caps.

Tommy was all in, and planned to paint Tuesday and Wednesday, in total he spent about 10 hours on the project.

Back to Sunday - the Deuce and I returned home, stood in Chris' doorway and giggled and planned what else we could do for this prank. Then we did the same Monday night.

On Tuesday night we stood in awe of the half finished work and both made a pack never to do something this amazing to the other.

On Wednesday we marveled at the finished work and again repeated our vow that we would not ever recreate this awesomeness on each other.

On Thursday, Rachel, Tupas (Amanda), the Duece and I purchased Chris a new bed set and sheets. The sheets were 100% polyester, black and in gold the word Playboy with the Playboy bunny.

On Saturday, Rachel and I hung the stuff around the ceiling, which I know what it's called but have no clue as how to spell it. Rachel also wrapped Chris' lap shade with a boa, to spice it up.

Then we waited in holy anticipation for Chris' return.

Chris returned Sunday, at around 2:15 in the morning. I think he was too tired to give the proper response. I was really hoping for some swearing that punches thrown, instead he just remained speechless for a short period of time before saying, "uh...".

Hopefully I'll post the video of the Reveal tomorrow or later this week, but for now here is a photo. Visit my facebook page for additional photos.

(fyi - that me on the left and the Deuce on the right)

Albert Monroe

This is strange.

http://view.break.com/542695 - Watch more free videos

Oh That's How You Do It

This is the method I would use...you know...if I was two again.

I like the kid cleaning the windows.

Big Stuff A-Comin'

Can't say quite yet...but big stuff will be here soon...be sure to keep reading...

Man Cred?

Does watching and enjoying the TBS show My Boys hurt my man cred?

And I'll be a little more honest with you. I don't just enjoy it, I really enjoy it. It cracks me up. Sure the show has these chick-moments where the main character dishes about relationships and life as a woman (I wish I could give more specifics, but I tend to tune those parts of the show out. Just joking, even those moments are well written and humorous), but definitely not enough to hurt my man cred...is it?

I'm going to just have to be secure enough in the fact that I have more than enough man creditials that this show doesn't put my man cred in jeoperdy.

Plus the show being about a cute gal who's a sports reporter (covering the Cubbies) doesn't hurt it at all.

Seriously....mega-cute.

Dr. Horribly Awesome!

Have you seen this.
NPH is awesome!
These are brilliant!

For those of you out there who would care, this is a Joss Whedon film.

"No-o-o-o-o-!"

So apparently this weekend Batman topped Spider-Man.
The Dark Knight is reporting $155.34 million for it's opening. This tops Spider-Man 3's record of $151.1 million
You win this time Bats..., but the Spider will return (minus Raimi and his cheesy Spidey 3 script) and will climb to the peak one more time.

Down with DC!

Under Construction

I am currently working on reconfiguring the template of the blog...
As you can see (unless you're reading from some kinda blog reader) I've add a second page element column.
I now need to figure out how to widen all the columns. I have a friend working on the solution for me, since I'm html illiterate.
Maybe sometime this week all the kinks will be worked out.

Thanks for your patience.

250 Weezers ?

For their live set on Yahoo, Weezer invited the audience of 250 to join them in singing and playing their preferred instrument (Mine would have to be something simple like that egg shaker thing).
If you didn't see it GO HERE, plus I'm posting the rendition of Pork and Beans below just for you. Yep that's right you reading this...I'ma talkin' to ya.

Piper gone Gangster

I find this hilarious. Josh Harris posted this photo on his blog.

Apparently at the New Attitude conference this young lady taught John Piper the "westside" gang sign. He was under the impression it stood for Word of God.

Awesome!

Moto-Texting

Apparently in India, car lanes are optional. And texting while reclining out your motorcycle is a great idea. A Youtube moment for sure.

Book Review: Love as a Way of Life

Got another book in the mail with the stipulation that I review for all you readers on this here blog. To which I say gladly. I love free books.

Upon receiving it I quickly gave the free second copy to Laura Sanders, a friend of the Deuce's who was in town for a conference. She's cool and quickly read several pages while sitting on our couch, so I asked her to guest blog her review of the book. (Also because I'm a slow reader and wasn't sure I'd finish on time...I did). She agreed. Here is her review:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Love as a Way of Life by Gary Chapman

It's amazing how the simplest concepts can revolutionize the way you look at life. As an avid fan of Gary Chapman's The Five Love Languages I couldn't help but chomp at the bit to read his new book. The principles he unfolds have the potential be life-changing in understanding oneself. I am a firm believer in the idea that the better we know and truly understand ourselves, the more we are able to care for, care about, work with, be in relationship with, and love others. Just when I think I reached a new plateau in relating to others, I'm reintroduce to Chapman's eloquent, yet elementary, ideas that remind me of my narcissism in life choices.

Because he's a great story-teller who weaves the concepts he is trying to convey through stories, it's very easy to find myself going from chapter to chapter without stopping. Once I got into the meat of the book, I found that I could have spent a week in each chapter looking for ways to unpack that trait and still had more work to do. There was so much there to digest! These "simple" concepts of kindness, patience, forgiveness, courtesy, humility, generosity, and honesty hit home for me in evaluating my own life and putting me in check on judging others. As much as I can easily point out the failings of these traits in others, I realize how truly lacking they are in their turest form in the heart of my own life.

Yet again, Gary Chapman has given new insights to understand and accept and therefore love one another to the core of who we are—relational people. One of the greatest challenges in loving people is to understand them and accept them as who you understand them to be and to love them more the better you understand them. Chapman introduces the reality of tools that should be basic principles in our character arsenal. To love well is a life-long endeavor that goes hand in hand with being loved. This will become a new favorite gift book from me to folks who desire to love and be loved.

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I'm going to agree with Laura. This is a great book. Well structured. Easy to read. Memorable stories and quotes. One of the best parts of the book is the way he fleshes out the ideas into actually go-and-do practical application throughout each chapter. It's definitely a book you interact with, not just give a simple read through. In fact I'm throwing it back up on my To Read shelf, in an effort to carve out more time with it.

Honestly, this is well worth the read. Go buy a copy. I'd give you a free one, but I already distributed it.