Putting IT into Words

2008-06-13

Have I or I Haven't (26-50)

Stealing this idea from Julie…

It's a list of 200 Have or Have Nots.
The things in RED are the things I have done.
The others I have not...yet.

26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
(maybe not my current job, but previous ones)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
(oh no... no chance here)
42. Visited Ireland
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
(back in high school...sure did...probably pass out right afterward though)
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day

Has Anyone Read This?

If so is it worth the read?

Some are asking if it's the next Harry Potter / JK Rowling.

I'm curious.

The Bridge

Check out

This is in Joplin, MO (the town where I went to Bible college).

An incredible youth facility that incorporates faith and community.

2008-06-12

Cloth Car

Would you drive a cloth car?

This is BMW's new concept car. Awesome!

The GINA light visionary model, as BMW calls it, is made up of seamless fabric stretched over a metal frame. The driver can change the shape of the car at will. The car's interior has tillting instruments, shown here.

The car's fabric is made out of polyurethane-coated Lycra and according to BMW, is durable and water-resistant.

Book Review (Guest Blogger)

So I'm somehow linked up with a publishing company that occasionally will send me books under the condition that I post a review here on this blog.

However not ever book tickles my fancy nor am I a quick enough reader to finish the books in time. But in order to keep these powers that be happy and to keep them sending me free books I asked my mother to step up to the challenge.

So ladies and gentlemen please enjoy this book review by my mom, Cheryl.

-t-

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“Fatal Deduction” by Gayle Roper
Reviewed by Cheryl Harrison

Having just finished Gayle Roper’s book “Fatal Deduction” all I can say is bring her on…I look forward to reading anything written by Ms. Roper.
The book touches on everything a devoted fiction reader wants and looks for in a good read; a love interest, a common bond, suspense, humor and a promise that things will improve.
I found the story line capturing from the first page, with Libby’s struggles to be a good mom, a devout believer in following the will of God and still trying to honor her family, as dysfunctional as it is.
I love reading Christian novels, they leave me with warm fuzzies, but sometimes I am left feeling so totally inadequate at times. I am not able to spout off scripture or recall verses at a moments notice, in ways it is depicted in some books. That is the most appreciative thing I noticed in the book “Fatal Deduction.” Libby simply repeated over and over “Trust in the Lord with all your heart,” and she knew her fears were not warranted and God would protect her, and yet she still had niggles of doubt, like the rest of us do on occasion. She wasn’t pretentious about her faith, she just knew in her heart that God’s way was the right way, and that she needed to rely on Him to propel her forward. She didn’t nor could she throw scripture into the faces of her family and enemies, she simply tried to accept them, even though she judged them and recognized that in herself, trying to be better about that flaw in her character. How many of us, including me do the same thing? Almost all of us I’m sure.
I loved the role of Madge in Libby’s life, good neighbor, mentor and Godly Christian woman, wife and mother. She was placed in Libby’s young life at a crucial point, when she needed encouraging without meddling, acceptance with guilt, and good Christian loving without judgment. How we all wish we had a Madge in our lives, yet it is encouraging to know we could be a Madge to others simply by “walking the walk” knowing someone could be watching and wanting to know more of how they too could walk the same path. It is simply a way of offering hope to someone in need.
It was refreshing to read of Libby’s role as a mother to her daughter Chloe. She loved Chloe from the beginning, not looking at her as a mistake, nor comparing her to the man who fathered her. And she worked hard to bring her daughter up in a loving environment and succeeded without giving in, nor giving up. She led by example, without trying to be Chloe’s best friend, but by being her mother only to be her daughter’s friend, anyway, by Chloe’s choice. They were sweet, normal, and argumentative at times, yet devoted to one another.
And finally Drew, just as it was quoted in the first pages of the book…”For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,” Jeremiah 29:11. Drew, was placed in Libby’s path, not looking for a friend, or future mate, but by simply being one when Libby needed him the most. Such a sweet ending to a tumultuous time.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good, clean suspense, love story, both non-believers and those who know the way. Perhaps non believers will learn to call upon the Lord and believe He has the best plan, and knows the right path to follow. And those who do know the truth will not feel inadequate, because they use flare prayers, like Libby, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart,” that will guide their steps even though they cannot always quote a scripture for every situation.
Way to go Gayle Roper, keep ‘em coming.

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FYI - I have another free copy to give away if you would like it.

First to call dibs...it's yours.

-t-

Have I or I Haven't (1-25)

Stealing this idea from Julie…

It's a list of 200 Have or Have Nots.
The things in RED are the things I have done.
The others I have not...yet.

1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
(does NHL on the Playstation count?)
4. Changed a baby's diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
(almost every time I’ve given to charity)
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain
(a small mountain)
9. Held a tarantula
(ugh…hate spiders)
10. Said "I love you" and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
(Twice – two great stories!)
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
(does Guam count?...it’s almost smaller than a boat)
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sporting event
17. Climbed the stairs to the crown of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
(the old man and I grew are ingredients for salsa)
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
(I’m going to say “no” because “giggling makes it sound girly)
21. Had a pillow fight
(okay…apparently I do lots of girly stuff)
22. Bet on a winning horse
(I don’t gamble…the moment I put up stakes…I lose)
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
(but I was sick of the place)
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb

2008-06-10

Dishing Out Thank Yous

FYI - this is my 600th post...
And in honor of such a glorious event I'd like to dish out some thank yous (before I pass out in my bed - it's late I tired)
T'anks to Rachel, Kristi and Taylor.
I was trying to think how I could repay for their help tonight and is there a better way than giving them my 600th post!
What? No? That's not good enough? Okay how about just a public thank you?
They know what for.
Now I'm going to sleep.

Turning the Upside Down Right Side Up

This past Sunday our campus pastor preached on the Beatitudes and the Kingdom that Jesus came to establish. The message was okay, it took three listens for me to really understand a couple of his ideas, but that may have been my lack of focus over his lack of clarity...who knows.
And I think he took too much time trying to blow our minds with a radical approach to reading the text than just serving up the actual meat of the Jesus' words (although I can't really say it was that radical and some of the Greek word insights may have been just too much of a stretch - and maybe the cause for my lack of focus...again who knows).
His big idea of the message, I think, was that Jesus establised a kingdom that compared to the world was upside down. But rather than an upside down kingdom Jesus established a kingdom that turned upside down things of this world right side up.
And I believe that and I can deal with my other issues, that stuff doesn't bother me. Where I do think this message failed, and where I think my church struggles to embrass Christ's Kingdom mindset, is in application.
If Jesus called us to His kingdom of turning the upside down right side up how do we live that out?
I dare say it's not by doing nothing.
We won't build into lives of students, turning their upside down lives and relationships right side up by doing nothing for them.
We won't turn the upside down world of the elderly woman, who cannot go to the grocery store on her own, right side up by doing nothing.
We won't care for the young family, turning their upside world of childhood diseases and absences of local family, right side up by doing nothing.
We won't turn the upside down world of the single father, who doesn't have the life skills to adequately care for his children, right side up by doing nothing.
I might be on a personal soap box here but this is something I've had real difficulty with lately.
My church axes a lot of ministry ideas and opportunities under the banner that we are simplifying ministry. But I have heard and experienced on several occasions now stories of people being overlooked (some after direct pleas for help).
There is a fine line between simplicity and laziness, and I'm wondering if we taken a flying leap over it.

That's enough...I'll get off my soap box now and try to get up off my duff and do something.

Maranatha,
Come Lord Jesus.

Talk About a Series Promo

I'm sure that there are some out there that will just criticize LifeChurch for having the gall to produce something like this, but I'm rather impressed. I think the use of the Christianize catch phrases is brillant too.
Enjoy.

Worthy of the Time

J.K. Rowling gave the commencement speech this year at Harvard.
Despite having endured numerous graduations other than my own, I still felt the need to press play [as demonstrated by the almost 2 full minutes of applause afterwards].
It's worth the listen. Sorry I first found it in three parts.
Part 1