O Holy Night - TuesdayTunes
If you have never seen or heard this rendition of the classic "O Holy Night", then you need to repent and give it a listen. David Phelps absolutely nails this song. I especially love the moment at 5:07 when Mark Lowery (red shirt and tie behind Phelps) expresses what everyone else in the building must have been feeling at that moment. This is a tremendous live performance of a song everyone knows. Few people could sing this song in this manner and do so sounding anything near as amazing as Phelps does in this video.
Labor of Love - TuesdayTunes
This song has been playing in my head and on my iPod for weeks now.
The following lyrics have really caused me to dwell on the incredible reality of the Incarnation:
Lyrics for "Labor of Love" from "Behold the Lamb of God" by Andrew Peterson:
It was not a silent night
There was blood on the ground
You could hear a woman cry
In the alleyways that night
On the streets of David's town
And the stable was not clean
And the cobblestones were cold
And little Mary full of grace
With the tears upon her face
Had no mother's hand to hold
It was a labor of pain
It was a cold sky above
But for the girl on the ground in the dark
With every beat of her beautiful heart
It was a labor of love
Noble Joseph at her side
Callused hands and weary eyes
There were no midwives to be found
In the streets of David's town
In the middle of the night
So he held her and he prayed
Shafts of moonlight on his face
But the baby in her womb
He was the maker of the moon
He was the Author of the faith
That could make the mountains move
It was a labor of pain
It was a cold sky above
But for the girl on the ground in the dark
With every beat of her beautiful heart
It was a labor of love
For little Mary full of grace
With the tears upon her face
It was a labor of love
The following lyrics have really caused me to dwell on the incredible reality of the Incarnation:
"But the baby in her womb, He was the maker of the moon
He was the Author of the faith that could make the mountains move"
Lyrics for "Labor of Love" from "Behold the Lamb of God" by Andrew Peterson:
It was not a silent night
There was blood on the ground
You could hear a woman cry
In the alleyways that night
On the streets of David's town
And the stable was not clean
And the cobblestones were cold
And little Mary full of grace
With the tears upon her face
Had no mother's hand to hold
It was a labor of pain
It was a cold sky above
But for the girl on the ground in the dark
With every beat of her beautiful heart
It was a labor of love
Noble Joseph at her side
Callused hands and weary eyes
There were no midwives to be found
In the streets of David's town
In the middle of the night
So he held her and he prayed
Shafts of moonlight on his face
But the baby in her womb
He was the maker of the moon
He was the Author of the faith
That could make the mountains move
It was a labor of pain
It was a cold sky above
But for the girl on the ground in the dark
With every beat of her beautiful heart
It was a labor of love
For little Mary full of grace
With the tears upon her face
It was a labor of love
Conception to Birth Visualized
This new research out of Yale University is absolutely incredible.
The complexity of the human body is absolutely breathtaking.
The developmental/growth process of it is unfathomable.
"...so perfectly organized a structure, it was hard not to attribute Divinity to it..."
(HT: Justin Taylor)
The complexity of the human body is absolutely breathtaking.
The developmental/growth process of it is unfathomable.
"...so perfectly organized a structure, it was hard not to attribute Divinity to it..."
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27)
(HT: Justin Taylor)
God's Praise is Unstoppable
"Sometime praise is impossible to contain. It is a violently full river for which there is no dam high enough or wide enough to contain it. He will be on the tip of our tongue. He will spill out."
- David Crowder (Praise Habit, p53)
Ridiculously Awesome Frisbee Catch
I used to play Ultimate Frisbee a lot.
I played with guys at every skill level.
Some guys were better at throwing from numerous holds.
- I could only throw 3 different ways.
Some guys were great at making amazing catches.
- I had a few (My most memorable was after a field length run I laid out for the disc and caught it inches above the ground while sliding through the mud).
And that sort of knowledge is what makes me appreciate this video so much.
First off, the throw is absolutely massive.There's no way to discount what the thrower did.
But the thing that struck me the first time I saw this video was incredible skill of the guy who caught it.
He timed his leap perfectly, his angle perfectly, his reach perfectly - and he did it off a moving speedboat.
The fact that these guys do these things to raise awareness for Compassion and children in poverty is an extra added bonus.
How Ridiculous, indeed!
I played with guys at every skill level.
Some guys were better at throwing from numerous holds.
- I could only throw 3 different ways.
Some guys were great at making amazing catches.
- I had a few (My most memorable was after a field length run I laid out for the disc and caught it inches above the ground while sliding through the mud).
And that sort of knowledge is what makes me appreciate this video so much.
First off, the throw is absolutely massive.There's no way to discount what the thrower did.
But the thing that struck me the first time I saw this video was incredible skill of the guy who caught it.
He timed his leap perfectly, his angle perfectly, his reach perfectly - and he did it off a moving speedboat.
The fact that these guys do these things to raise awareness for Compassion and children in poverty is an extra added bonus.
How Ridiculous, indeed!
My Christmas List for 2011
I have been asked to provide a list of things I want for Christmas.
Below is a little list to help those of you who are determined to buy me something.
With the exception of the running gear, everything listed here is simply a reference point to start you in the right direction. For the exercise gear, I have selected specific items for particular reasons and would prefer the item listed versus a similar one.
Man I sound picky... sorry.
You can also view it in a different format here.
Below is a little list to help those of you who are determined to buy me something.
With the exception of the running gear, everything listed here is simply a reference point to start you in the right direction. For the exercise gear, I have selected specific items for particular reasons and would prefer the item listed versus a similar one.
Man I sound picky... sorry.
You can also view it in a different format here.
Our Current Position Visualized
This was the front page on CNN this morning and I couldn't resist capturing it and posting it here.
To me, this is a perfect example of what is wrong with our economy and country right now.
Warning: Generalized statements are about to be made which may not be true for all parties involved.
Standing for Nothing
There is a group of people who feel entitled to something without doing anything, or whatever it is they want. (see Occupy Something)
Speaking for Nothing
There is a group of wealthy people who feel that government should place even more of the burden on the rich. The fact that this call is now also coming from a couple dozen wealthier people does not change the fact that it is just another call to redistribute wealth. The fact that Warren Buffet is being used to champion this idea is simply ludicrous. (Buffet has sheltered his wealth from Federal Taxes and has admitted that he thinks the government would not handle the money as effectively and efficiently as a private organization.)
If the wealthy are so concerned with how much they have, they should stop making so much profit (money) or start giving a lot more of it away. This is their personal problem and not the government's problem. If they truly were struggling to sleep at night because they honestly believed that they had too much money and that it could be used to aid other people who desperately need it, they would have already set into motion the actions required to reconcile that conviction on their own. There is no role for the government required here. Thus, it is a cheap political stunt.
Neither of these groups represent a majority opinion. Far from it.
How did we end up here?
Our government has adopted the strategy of the one offered by the company to the right of the page. Spend what you do not have now, pay off less than the interest later and at some point down the line you will realize you are in way over your head and you will desperately need to change your behavior. However, like most Americans, our government refuses to change its spending behaviors, even after after the cost of continuing down the same road become patently clear and the outcome unavoidable.
How do I think we get out of this mess?
- We stop catering to the minority of the population who screams the loudest. We stop handling them with soft gloves. If you want to protest anything, you need to do it within the bounds of the law. If you go beyond the law, then you should have the entirety of that law brought to bear against you and the organization you claim to represent.
- We need to stop listening to people who claim to offer solutions that appear selfless, when the reality is that their "solution" will not solve the problem. In fact, their path only leads to people other than themselves having more money taken away from them, thus increasing the gap between the ultra-rich and the wealthy.
- We stop spending money we do not have. We force our government to work for us, as it was intended. I do not work in order to pay for a government program. I work in order to have the ability to provide for my family's current and future needs. I am planning for my own future, as best as I can. It would be a lot easier for me if the government that is charged with protecting me woudl stop attacking me financially.
- We stop putting people in positions of power that cannot balance a budget. If you cannot run a household or business without going into debt, we do not need you attempting to guide the country. If you cannot run an election campaign without bungling your finances, we don't need you "helping" solve the crisis we have placed ourselves in as a nation.
- We stop electing people because they seem nice or energetic or young or whatever. We need to elect good, strong people to lead this country in a new direction. We need politicians who see it as being allowed to offer their services to their country and fellow citizens for a season, instead of having politicians who see it as the ultimate SWAG party and ridiculous retirement plan.
- We need to stop electing non-representatives. You work for me as well as the guy who disagrees with me. I am a fellow citizen of yours, just like he is - we are not just your constituents. You answer to me, even when you don't want to. If you make a choice that I find different from my desire, I have the right to express that opinion, regardless of how it might make you feel. If you do not want to hear the opinions of those that you claim to represent, then you have no right to claim to be their representative.
- We need to throw political correctness and sensitivity in the trash can. At the moment, there is very little room in political discourse for us to skirt around certain issues on our tippy toes because you or one of your lobbyist friends might take offense. Please be offended. Be offended that it took so long for you to feel or recognize how poorly you have done your job. Be offended at the fact that many of your actions have led us to this place. If you are too sensitive to deal with these very real, very large issues without getting your feathers ruffled through a lively, boisterous and heated debate, then there is no place for you in politics. Go home and cry in your bed for a while - the country will be better off with you there. This isn't to say that we should be hateful or disrespectful, but we should get fired up about what you are and are not doing with and to our country. That is patriotic. If you cannot handle grown up conversation in a real world that isn't filled with fairies and color-blindness, then you should go write children's stories and not attempt to tell us what stories we can and should read to our children.
- See Why I Think America is in Deep Trouble
Sorry about the length of this post. I got a bit carried away here. It started out as a quick picture and ended with me getting all riled up. I do not apologize for my convictions nor my vocalization of those beliefs, merely for the length of the content.
I hate politics as they are and dream of how I think they could be.
There are so many people on both sides of the aisle that do not deserve to be called representatives or leaders of our country. I am hoping that real world Americans begin to be better represented in the Washington DC.
That starts with you in the voting booth.
Get informed.
Get fired up.
Get represented.
Get America back on track.
To me, this is a perfect example of what is wrong with our economy and country right now.
Warning: Generalized statements are about to be made which may not be true for all parties involved.
Standing for Nothing
There is a group of people who feel entitled to something without doing anything, or whatever it is they want. (see Occupy Something)
Speaking for Nothing
There is a group of wealthy people who feel that government should place even more of the burden on the rich. The fact that this call is now also coming from a couple dozen wealthier people does not change the fact that it is just another call to redistribute wealth. The fact that Warren Buffet is being used to champion this idea is simply ludicrous. (Buffet has sheltered his wealth from Federal Taxes and has admitted that he thinks the government would not handle the money as effectively and efficiently as a private organization.)
If the wealthy are so concerned with how much they have, they should stop making so much profit (money) or start giving a lot more of it away. This is their personal problem and not the government's problem. If they truly were struggling to sleep at night because they honestly believed that they had too much money and that it could be used to aid other people who desperately need it, they would have already set into motion the actions required to reconcile that conviction on their own. There is no role for the government required here. Thus, it is a cheap political stunt.
Neither of these groups represent a majority opinion. Far from it.
How did we end up here?
Our government has adopted the strategy of the one offered by the company to the right of the page. Spend what you do not have now, pay off less than the interest later and at some point down the line you will realize you are in way over your head and you will desperately need to change your behavior. However, like most Americans, our government refuses to change its spending behaviors, even after after the cost of continuing down the same road become patently clear and the outcome unavoidable.
How do I think we get out of this mess?
- We stop catering to the minority of the population who screams the loudest. We stop handling them with soft gloves. If you want to protest anything, you need to do it within the bounds of the law. If you go beyond the law, then you should have the entirety of that law brought to bear against you and the organization you claim to represent.
- We need to stop listening to people who claim to offer solutions that appear selfless, when the reality is that their "solution" will not solve the problem. In fact, their path only leads to people other than themselves having more money taken away from them, thus increasing the gap between the ultra-rich and the wealthy.
- We stop spending money we do not have. We force our government to work for us, as it was intended. I do not work in order to pay for a government program. I work in order to have the ability to provide for my family's current and future needs. I am planning for my own future, as best as I can. It would be a lot easier for me if the government that is charged with protecting me woudl stop attacking me financially.
- We stop putting people in positions of power that cannot balance a budget. If you cannot run a household or business without going into debt, we do not need you attempting to guide the country. If you cannot run an election campaign without bungling your finances, we don't need you "helping" solve the crisis we have placed ourselves in as a nation.
- We stop electing people because they seem nice or energetic or young or whatever. We need to elect good, strong people to lead this country in a new direction. We need politicians who see it as being allowed to offer their services to their country and fellow citizens for a season, instead of having politicians who see it as the ultimate SWAG party and ridiculous retirement plan.
- We need to stop electing non-representatives. You work for me as well as the guy who disagrees with me. I am a fellow citizen of yours, just like he is - we are not just your constituents. You answer to me, even when you don't want to. If you make a choice that I find different from my desire, I have the right to express that opinion, regardless of how it might make you feel. If you do not want to hear the opinions of those that you claim to represent, then you have no right to claim to be their representative.
- We need to throw political correctness and sensitivity in the trash can. At the moment, there is very little room in political discourse for us to skirt around certain issues on our tippy toes because you or one of your lobbyist friends might take offense. Please be offended. Be offended that it took so long for you to feel or recognize how poorly you have done your job. Be offended at the fact that many of your actions have led us to this place. If you are too sensitive to deal with these very real, very large issues without getting your feathers ruffled through a lively, boisterous and heated debate, then there is no place for you in politics. Go home and cry in your bed for a while - the country will be better off with you there. This isn't to say that we should be hateful or disrespectful, but we should get fired up about what you are and are not doing with and to our country. That is patriotic. If you cannot handle grown up conversation in a real world that isn't filled with fairies and color-blindness, then you should go write children's stories and not attempt to tell us what stories we can and should read to our children.
- See Why I Think America is in Deep Trouble
Sorry about the length of this post. I got a bit carried away here. It started out as a quick picture and ended with me getting all riled up. I do not apologize for my convictions nor my vocalization of those beliefs, merely for the length of the content.
I hate politics as they are and dream of how I think they could be.
There are so many people on both sides of the aisle that do not deserve to be called representatives or leaders of our country. I am hoping that real world Americans begin to be better represented in the Washington DC.
That starts with you in the voting booth.
Get informed.
Get fired up.
Get represented.
Get America back on track.
Virtue is Not Hereditary
Today's quote comes from the section entitled "OF THE PRESENT ABILITY OF AMERICA, WITH SOME MISCELLANEOUS REFLEXIONS":
We ought to reflect, that there are three different ways, by which an independancy may hereafter be effected; and that ONE of those THREE, will one day or other, be the fate of America, viz. By the legal voice of the people in Congress; by a military power; or by a mob: It may not always happen that our soldiers are citizens, and the multitude a body of reasonable men; virtue, as I have already remarked, is not hereditary, neither is it perpetual.- Above quote is Thomas Paine's "Common Sense"
This is the fifth and final post in a series of my favorite portions of Thomas Paine's book "Common Sense
". It is a worthwhile read and is available free from Amazon for download to Kindle or other device. An Apostate From Manhood
Today's quote comes from the section entitled "OF THE PRESENT ABILITY OF AMERICA, WITH SOME MISCELLANEOUS REFLEXIONS":
The Speech if it may be called one, is nothing better than a wilful audacious libel against the truth, the common good, and the existence of mankind; and is a formal and pompous method of offering up human sacrifices to the pride of tyrants.- Above quote is Thomas Paine's "Common Sense"
...
And he who can so calmly hear, and digest such doctrine, hath forfeited his claim to rationality—an apostate from the order of manhood; and ought to be considered—as one, who hath, not only given up the proper dignity of a man, but sunk himself beneath the rank of animals, and contemptibly crawls through the world like a worm.
This is the fourth post in a series of my favorite portions of Thomas Paine's book "Common Sense
". It is a worthwhile read and is available free from Amazon for download to Kindle or other device. Debt Without Advantage
Today's quote comes from the section entitled "OF THE PRESENT ABILITY OF AMERICA, WITH SOME MISCELLANEOUS REFLEXIONS":
But to expend millions for the sake of getting a few vile acts repealed, and routing the present ministry only, is unworthy the charge, and is using posterity with the utmost cruelty; because it is leaving them the great work to do, and a debt upon their backs, from which, they derive no advantage. Such a thought is unworthy a man of honor, and is the true characteristic of a narrow heart and a pedling politician.- Above quote is Thomas Paine's "Common Sense"
This is the third post in a series of my favorite portions of Thomas Paine's book "Common Sense
". It is a worthwhile read and is available free from Amazon for download to Kindle or other device. The Present State of American Affairs
Today's quotes come from the section entitled "THOUGHTS ON THE PRESENT STATE OF AMERICAN AFFAIRS":
The sun never shined on a cause of greater worth. 'Tis not the affair of a city, a country, a province, or a kingdom, but of a continent—of at least one eighth part of the habitable globe. 'Tis not the concern of a day, a year, or an age; posterity are virtually involved in the contest, and will be more or less affected, even to the end of time, by the proceedings now.And:
Besides, what have we to do with setting the world at defiance? Our plan is commerce, and that, well attended to, will secure us the peace and friendship of all Europe; because, it is the interest of all Europe to have America a FREE PORT.And finally:
As parents, we can have no joy, knowing that THIS GOVERNMENT is not sufficiently lasting to ensure any thing which we may bequeath to posterity: And by a plain method of argument, as we are running the next generation into debt, we ought to do the work of it, otherwise we use them meanly and pitifully.- All quotes are from Thomas Paine's "Common Sense"
This is the second post in a series of my favorite portions of Thomas Paine's book "Common Sense
". It is a worthwhile read and is available free from Amazon for download to Kindle or other device. An Honest Man Versus the Crown
This week, I feel like sharing some of my favorite portions of Thomas Paine's book "Common Sense". It is a worthwhile read and is available free from Amazon for download to Kindle or other device.Today's quotes come from the section entitled "OF MONARCHY AND HEREDITARY SUCCESSION":
Male and female are distinctions of nature, good and bad the distinctions of heaven; but how a race of men came into the world so exalted above the rest, and distinguished like some new species, is worth enquiring into, and whether they are the means of happiness or of misery to mankind.And:
Men who look upon themselves born to reign, and others to obey, soon grow insolent; selected from the rest of mankind their minds are early poisoned by importance; and the world they act in differs so materially from the world at large, that they have but little opportunity of knowing its true interests, and when they succeed to the government are frequently the most ignorant and unfit of any throughout the dominions.Finally, his conclusion on this topic:
Of more worth is one honest man to society and in the sight of God, than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived.- All quotes are from Thomas Paine's "Common Sense"
Prayer for Belief in All Aspects of God's Work
"Give me the grace to believe that you really do know what is best for me and that I do not.
May I cling to Your character and rejoice in Your pursuit of me." - Kenneth Boa
A Year of Running
I just realized that it has been a little over a year since I began consistently running.
To celebrate that accomplishment, I want to recap where I started and where I currently am.
Warning - Since I am recapping an entire year, this is a long post.
On October 22, 2010, I climbed onto our newly acquired treadmill and started on what has been quite the journey. Over the course of 23 heart-pounding minutes, I ran a total of 2 miles (11:30 minutes per mile pace). My goal at that point was to actually train to run a 5k that I had run several years in a row with only a couple of weeks of "training". I wanted finish the 5k in under 30 minutes. I obviously had some work to do to get to that point.
On October 30, I ran the Eye Run For Haiti 5k in 10:28 - a pace of 10:28 minutes per mile. This was encouraging to say the least. At this point I was dedicated to running 3 times a week on the treadmill and was pushing myself pretty hard.
On November 21, 2010, I ran the Jingle Bell Run 5k in 29:00 minutes (9:29 minutes per mile). At the end of this race, I decided that I would continue running 3 times a week, but I didn't really have a new goal in mind.
To celebrate that accomplishment, I want to recap where I started and where I currently am.
Warning - Since I am recapping an entire year, this is a long post.
On October 22, 2010, I climbed onto our newly acquired treadmill and started on what has been quite the journey. Over the course of 23 heart-pounding minutes, I ran a total of 2 miles (11:30 minutes per mile pace). My goal at that point was to actually train to run a 5k that I had run several years in a row with only a couple of weeks of "training". I wanted finish the 5k in under 30 minutes. I obviously had some work to do to get to that point.
On October 30, I ran the Eye Run For Haiti 5k in 10:28 - a pace of 10:28 minutes per mile. This was encouraging to say the least. At this point I was dedicated to running 3 times a week on the treadmill and was pushing myself pretty hard.
On November 21, 2010, I ran the Jingle Bell Run 5k in 29:00 minutes (9:29 minutes per mile). At the end of this race, I decided that I would continue running 3 times a week, but I didn't really have a new goal in mind.
Release the Beast
Over a month ago, Lisa started talking to Lydia about Halloween.
When asked what she wanted to dress up as, Lydia responded with "Belle" (Beauty and the Beast)
Then she followed that up quickly with "And daddy's going to be the Beast!"
And that is how we ended up being the Disney themed family this Halloween. Lisa reused a Snow White outfit she made and wore in high school and Lainey was dressed as a dwarf (wearing a gnome outfit that we purchased on clearance last year).
After walking the 2 nearest blocks, we headed back to our neighbors house where we sat around their fire-pit, handed out candy and talked. We all had a great time and Lydia made a candy killing.
"Tale as old as time..."
When asked what she wanted to dress up as, Lydia responded with "Belle" (Beauty and the Beast)
Then she followed that up quickly with "And daddy's going to be the Beast!"
And that is how we ended up being the Disney themed family this Halloween. Lisa reused a Snow White outfit she made and wore in high school and Lainey was dressed as a dwarf (wearing a gnome outfit that we purchased on clearance last year).
After walking the 2 nearest blocks, we headed back to our neighbors house where we sat around their fire-pit, handed out candy and talked. We all had a great time and Lydia made a candy killing.
"Tale as old as time..."
Occupying Something
I've resisted posting anything about the Occupy Wall Street protests to this point, but I wanted to say something about it today.
Here in St. Louis, we have our version of it currently operating on downtown St. Louis. Even the local newspaper can't figure out what the fuss is about. With that being said, it seems that one of the common themes of these activities is to make the wealthy pay their "fair share", which apparently translates into simply meaning they need to "pay more". If the some of the people doing the protesting are, in fact, currently unemployed, then they are essentially working against themselves.
Let's say that the politicians adopt the strategy of taxing the wealthier even higher rates. Inevitably, this will lead to the wealthy moving their financial assets from the American economy to another economy with less exorbitant taxes. In doing so, the American government will take a massive hit on tax income. The result of that income loss will lead to program cuts. Undoubtedly, some of those program reductions/eliminations could be in the welfare programs that currently support the unemployed, although knowing that politicians recognize this program as a way to maintain/buy voter support for re-election, I doubt many drastic measures would be taken. In the above scenario, if cuts do happen in these programs, the unemployed will be the ones paying the price, not the wealthy. And if they didn't happen, the politicians would be scrambling to find other areas to reduce their expenditures. Given Washington's track record of late, I think it is more likely that they would borrow against the future even more and drive the country towards a place where unemployed protestors in a park are the least of our worries as a nation.
In the meantime, the lack of a clear agenda and recognized leader of the movement provide little reason to listen to them at all.
Get organized (beyond union lines), figure out what your issue is that you want changed, offer several viable solutions and work towards influencing people in a positive direction. At the moment, it would seem that this is a bunch of unhappy people ready to protest anything. And that is fine, because they have that right. And they have that right, because other people are working hard and paying their taxes. But that doesn't mean they should be given the power to dramatically impact the lives of others or the future of our nation.
We'll see how the protest hold up when the weather turns much colder.
- Oh, and with the St. Louis Cardinals going to the World Series, I'd like to see the fans of the game reclaim the public property that has been used as a rally area for years and, prior to Wednesday's game 1, take back Kiener Plaza from the "99%" that are currently monopolizing it.
Here in St. Louis, we have our version of it currently operating on downtown St. Louis. Even the local newspaper can't figure out what the fuss is about. With that being said, it seems that one of the common themes of these activities is to make the wealthy pay their "fair share", which apparently translates into simply meaning they need to "pay more". If the some of the people doing the protesting are, in fact, currently unemployed, then they are essentially working against themselves.
Let's say that the politicians adopt the strategy of taxing the wealthier even higher rates. Inevitably, this will lead to the wealthy moving their financial assets from the American economy to another economy with less exorbitant taxes. In doing so, the American government will take a massive hit on tax income. The result of that income loss will lead to program cuts. Undoubtedly, some of those program reductions/eliminations could be in the welfare programs that currently support the unemployed, although knowing that politicians recognize this program as a way to maintain/buy voter support for re-election, I doubt many drastic measures would be taken. In the above scenario, if cuts do happen in these programs, the unemployed will be the ones paying the price, not the wealthy. And if they didn't happen, the politicians would be scrambling to find other areas to reduce their expenditures. Given Washington's track record of late, I think it is more likely that they would borrow against the future even more and drive the country towards a place where unemployed protestors in a park are the least of our worries as a nation.
In the meantime, the lack of a clear agenda and recognized leader of the movement provide little reason to listen to them at all.
Get organized (beyond union lines), figure out what your issue is that you want changed, offer several viable solutions and work towards influencing people in a positive direction. At the moment, it would seem that this is a bunch of unhappy people ready to protest anything. And that is fine, because they have that right. And they have that right, because other people are working hard and paying their taxes. But that doesn't mean they should be given the power to dramatically impact the lives of others or the future of our nation.
We'll see how the protest hold up when the weather turns much colder.
- Oh, and with the St. Louis Cardinals going to the World Series, I'd like to see the fans of the game reclaim the public property that has been used as a rally area for years and, prior to Wednesday's game 1, take back Kiener Plaza from the "99%" that are currently monopolizing it.
Bathroom Conversation
This happened this morning in our main bathroom.
[ Lydia seated on the toilet]
Me: "Lydia, you are such a big girl. You have done a great job going bathroom on the potty. And you are doing a good job taking care of Bell. And you are a good friend to Lainey."
[Lydia looks at me and pauses a couple of moments.]
Lydia: "And I am a good girl for Jesus."
Me: "Yes you are."
And I walked away from that bathroom with a huge smile and a full heart.
I pray that God captures her heart early.
What Teams Can Accomplish
Here's a perfect example of good engineering, great training and excellent teamwork functioning in perfect harmony:
(HT: Big Mike)
(HT: Big Mike)
Midnight Medical Madness
I've heard many stories from many parents about some serious moments they have experienced with their children. Last week, Lisa and I had our first such experience. We had arrived at my Aunt's house in Indiana around 3pm on Thursday and had enjoyed the evening catching up with my family. I put Lainey to bed in the pack-n-play without any real issue and headed upstairs after I knew she was settled in.
About a half hour later, I checked back on her to find her screaming. It's hard to know if she had been crying for a long time or for only a minute, but I am guessing she had been crying for a few minutes, as she had tears streaming down her face and was sobbing pretty hard. I picked her up, gave her the paci and rocked her and sang to her. She settled down after a couple of minutes and eventually fell asleep. As I was leaving I noticed that she sounded a little raspy in her breathing, but I chalked that up to her screaming episode.
About a half hour later, I checked back on her to find her screaming. It's hard to know if she had been crying for a long time or for only a minute, but I am guessing she had been crying for a few minutes, as she had tears streaming down her face and was sobbing pretty hard. I picked her up, gave her the paci and rocked her and sang to her. She settled down after a couple of minutes and eventually fell asleep. As I was leaving I noticed that she sounded a little raspy in her breathing, but I chalked that up to her screaming episode.
Blessings at Bedtime
Yesterday, Lydia took a nap that extended well past the 3 hour mark. When we finally awakened her, she wasn't really that hungry for dinner. By the time she finished dinner and played in the living room for 20 minutes or so, Lainey was getting tired. Lisa told Lydia that Lainey was tired and was going to go to bed and just casually asked Lydia if she was ready to go to bed. We were both shocked when Lydia grabbed her blanket and said "Yes". Lydia went down very easily and was very quiet in her room for quite some time. Then, we began to periodically hear her talking. She stayed in her bed, in her room in the dark until after 9:15, when Lisa was getting ready to go to bed.
I went in to Lydia's room and asked her if she wanted to fall in sleep in bed with mommy. (We have never let her do this, except for one time when she was quite ill.) She quickly agreed and made her way into our bed. Lydia lay on my side of the bed, snuggled up under the blankets, while Lisa cozied up next to her. I kissed them both goodnight and shut the door behind me as I left.
As I walked through our kitchen, God firmly impressed it upon me exactly how blessed I am. I have a house over my head, food in my belly, a beautiful bride and 2 wonderful children.
I'd like to say that I will never forget how I felt the first time I got to carry my eldest daughter from our bed to her bed for the first time, but I know that I just might forget that moment. So this is for me: In that moment, I felt like God must feel every time he makes the sun rise: His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). I got to help my daughter fall asleep in one place and awake in another. She was happy. My wife was happy. I was happy. And in the morning, we were all ready to live another day.
I hope to carry her many more times under the same circumstances.
I went in to Lydia's room and asked her if she wanted to fall in sleep in bed with mommy. (We have never let her do this, except for one time when she was quite ill.) She quickly agreed and made her way into our bed. Lydia lay on my side of the bed, snuggled up under the blankets, while Lisa cozied up next to her. I kissed them both goodnight and shut the door behind me as I left.
As I walked through our kitchen, God firmly impressed it upon me exactly how blessed I am. I have a house over my head, food in my belly, a beautiful bride and 2 wonderful children.
I'd like to say that I will never forget how I felt the first time I got to carry my eldest daughter from our bed to her bed for the first time, but I know that I just might forget that moment. So this is for me: In that moment, I felt like God must feel every time he makes the sun rise: His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). I got to help my daughter fall asleep in one place and awake in another. She was happy. My wife was happy. I was happy. And in the morning, we were all ready to live another day.
I hope to carry her many more times under the same circumstances.
Why I Think America Is In Deep Trouble
Last week I was thinking about all of the hype surrounding the debt-ceiling when it occurred to me that I haven't check the status of the Federal Reserve's Monetary Base lately. What follows is a lengthy post where I try to recapture all of my thoughts on this and various topics that I have written about over the course of the past few years.
I started tracking the Monetary Base prior to attending the April 15, 2009 Tea Party in downtown St. Louis, after which I posted my reasons for attending the tea party event. Included in that post was a graph showing the National Debt Per Capita and the Adjusted Monetary Base.
I started tracking the Monetary Base prior to attending the April 15, 2009 Tea Party in downtown St. Louis, after which I posted my reasons for attending the tea party event. Included in that post was a graph showing the National Debt Per Capita and the Adjusted Monetary Base.
On the Other Side of Through - TuesdayTunes
This song reminds me of my days serving along side the other members of the Isle of Dreams. I believe that I first heard it at one of our Sunday morning services at the St. Louis Avenue nursing home. There's so much encouragement in this song that I can't help but get fired up when I hear it.
Unfortunately, embedding is disabled, so you will have to click here to hear it. You'll be glad you did.
Lyrics for "On the Other Side of Through
" by James Bignon
Floating on a sea of trouble
Sorrow falling like rain from the sky
Trodding through life's murky waters
Trials form the tears in your eyes
Don't stop
I'm telling you
There's a blessing on the other side of through
We may not see the other side
The light from darkness may seem to hide
But don't give up
What ever you do
The presence of God is there with you
Don't stop
This word is for you
There's a blessing on the other side of through
On the other side of through
There's a blessing waiting for you
Hold fast
Hold fast
Your troubles will not last
There's a blessing
There's a blessing
On the other side of through
What God has prepared for you
Is better than what you're going through
So run this race with determination
God has prepared your destination
Don't give up
I'm telling you
There's a blessing on the other side of through
On the other side of through
There's a blessing waiting for you
Hold fast
Hold fast
There's a blessing
There's a blessing
On the other side of through
Weeping may endure for a night
But joy comes in the morning light
Hold your head up
Stick your chest ouyt
Hang on in there
Hold fast in the good times
Hold in the bad
Hold on when your happy
And hold on when you're sad
Hold and rememeber that in Jesus' name
Your faithfulness will not be in vain
Unfortunately, embedding is disabled, so you will have to click here to hear it. You'll be glad you did.
Lyrics for "On the Other Side of Through
" by James BignonFloating on a sea of trouble
Sorrow falling like rain from the sky
Trodding through life's murky waters
Trials form the tears in your eyes
Don't stop
I'm telling you
There's a blessing on the other side of through
We may not see the other side
The light from darkness may seem to hide
But don't give up
What ever you do
The presence of God is there with you
Don't stop
This word is for you
There's a blessing on the other side of through
On the other side of through
There's a blessing waiting for you
Hold fast
Hold fast
Your troubles will not last
There's a blessing
There's a blessing
On the other side of through
What God has prepared for you
Is better than what you're going through
So run this race with determination
God has prepared your destination
Don't give up
I'm telling you
There's a blessing on the other side of through
On the other side of through
There's a blessing waiting for you
Hold fast
Hold fast
There's a blessing
There's a blessing
On the other side of through
Weeping may endure for a night
But joy comes in the morning light
Hold your head up
Stick your chest ouyt
Hang on in there
Hold fast in the good times
Hold in the bad
Hold on when your happy
And hold on when you're sad
Hold and rememeber that in Jesus' name
Your faithfulness will not be in vain
A Brief Recap of the Past 3 Months
It's been a while, but I won't apologize for two reasons.
1 - I've been busy with work, a certification and life
2 - It's my blog and hardly anyone reads it anyways :)
Here's a quick recap of the past several months -
I obtained my Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification in June, which is a pretty big deal in this career path I am currently on. I studied as much as I could stand in the weeks leading up to it and am thrilled to have passed the exam. So now, it has been proven that I am certifiable. :)
My job had been crazy busy. When you go from a huge company with all sorts of corporate support and outsources services to a small site responsible for all of its own business, it means there is a ton of work to be done. I worked really hard at getting our new payroll/HRIS system implemented and launched with only a few minor mishaps along the way. The benefits side of things took forever and has proven to be quite the nightmare. It has been a time of transition, with me reporting to a new boss. She's been really great and has expressed total confidence in my ability to perform the tasks that are now required of me. Overall, I feel really good about what I have accomplished in helping start this new company. It's been a stressful couple of months, but the experience I have gained, and will continue to gain, is invaluable.
Family life is awesome.
Lisa continues to work for St. John's in labor and delivery. It's amazing what modern medicine allows doctors to do during a pregnancy and it is amazing how many babies are saved these days that just a few years ago would have never had a prayer. Lisa has expressed interest in going back to school in the future, so we are going to have to start looking at that in some more detail very soon.
Lydia is completely in love with "Beauty and the Beast" and will watch or listen to the music as often as we will let her. She will also spontaneously break out into one of the songs at any moment. (I'm not sure where she gets her flair for the dramatic.) Her vocabulary is exploding and she loves playing outside in the backyard when the temperatures are not hovering in the 90s.
Adelaine continues to grow up too quickly. She is pulling up to a standing position and cruises anywhere she wants to go. She has taken a step on her own several time in the past few days and we expect her to start walking at any time. She babbles often and smiles almost constantly. She has also discovered that she enjoys 'real people food' and now has two teeth to help her in that pursuit.
I could write more, but I don't have the time right now.
I'll post some thoughts on several things in the next few days or so.
(Unless, of course, something better consumes my time.)
1 - I've been busy with work, a certification and life
2 - It's my blog and hardly anyone reads it anyways :)
Here's a quick recap of the past several months -
I obtained my Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification in June, which is a pretty big deal in this career path I am currently on. I studied as much as I could stand in the weeks leading up to it and am thrilled to have passed the exam. So now, it has been proven that I am certifiable. :)
Family life is awesome.
Lisa continues to work for St. John's in labor and delivery. It's amazing what modern medicine allows doctors to do during a pregnancy and it is amazing how many babies are saved these days that just a few years ago would have never had a prayer. Lisa has expressed interest in going back to school in the future, so we are going to have to start looking at that in some more detail very soon.
Adelaine continues to grow up too quickly. She is pulling up to a standing position and cruises anywhere she wants to go. She has taken a step on her own several time in the past few days and we expect her to start walking at any time. She babbles often and smiles almost constantly. She has also discovered that she enjoys 'real people food' and now has two teeth to help her in that pursuit.
I could write more, but I don't have the time right now.
I'll post some thoughts on several things in the next few days or so.
(Unless, of course, something better consumes my time.)
Federal Government Intervention
Here's another snippet from another great article from Thomas Sowell:
It seems that doing nothing to "help" is the greatest aid in the recovery process.
The idea that the federal government has to step in whenever there is a downturn in the economy is an economic dogma that ignores much of the history of the United States.I wish the federal government would just step away from this area.
During the first hundred years of the United States, there was no Federal Reserve. During the first one hundred and fifty years, the federal government did not engage in massive intervention when the economy turned down.
No economic downturn in all those years ever lasted as long as the Great Depression of the 1930s, when both the Federal Reserve and the administrations of Hoover and of FDR intervened.
The myth that has come down to us says that the government had to intervene when there was mass unemployment in the 1930s. But the hard data show that there was no mass unemployment until after the federal government intervened. Yet, once having intervened, it was politically impossible to stop and let the economy recover on its own. That was the fundamental problem then-- and now.
It seems that doing nothing to "help" is the greatest aid in the recovery process.
Sunday's Comin'
Sunday's Comin' by S.M. Lockridge
It’s Friday
Jesus is praying
Peter’s a sleeping
Judas is betraying
But Sunday’s comin’
It’s Friday
Pilate’s struggling
The council is conspiring
The crowd is vilifying
They don’t even know
That Sunday’s comin’
It’s Friday
The disciples are running
Like sheep without a shepherd
Mary’s crying
Peter is denying
But they don’t know
That Sunday’s a comin’
It’s Friday
The Romans beat my Jesus
They robe him in scarlet
They crown him with thorns
But they don’t know
That Sunday’s comin’
It’s Friday
See Jesus walking to Calvary
His blood dripping
His body stumbling
And his spirit’s burdened
But you see, it’s only Friday
Sunday’s comin’
It’s Friday
The world’s winning
People are sinning
And evil’s grinning
It’s Friday
The soldiers nail my Savior’s hands
To the cross
They nail my Savior’s feet
To the cross
And then they raise him up
Next to criminals
It’s Friday
But let me tell you something
Sunday’s comin’
It’s Friday
The disciples are questioning
What has happened to their King
And the Pharisees are celebrating
That their scheming
Has been achieved
But they don’t know
It’s only Friday
Sunday’s comin’
It’s Friday
He’s hanging on the cross
Feeling forsaken by his Father
Left alone and dying
Can nobody save him?
Ooooh
It’s Friday
But Sunday’s comin’
It’s Friday
The earth trembles
The sky grows dark
My King yields his spirit
It’s Friday
Hope is lost
Death has won
Sin has conquered
and Satan’s just a laughin’
It’s Friday
Jesus is buried
A soldier stands guard
And a rock is rolled into place
But it’s Friday
It is only Friday
Sunday is a comin’!
(HT: Justin Taylor)
The G.O.S.P.E.L.
There is so much about this video that I love.
I have spent the past 2 weeks watching and listening to it numerous times.
BelowI have captured just a few of the lines that struck me I have decided to include the entire text.
(HT: Zach Nielsen)
Here is my transcript from the video "G.O.S.P.E.L.":
It’s the full story of life crushed into four minutes.
The entirety of humanity in the palm of your hand.
And crushed into one sentence.
Listen, it’s intense, right?
God. Our. Sins. Paying. Everyone. Life.
The greatest story ever told that’s hardly ever told.
God. Yes. God.
The Maker and Giver of life – and by life, I mean any and all manner and substance.
Seen and Unseen.
What can and can’t be touched:
Thoughts. Image. Emotion. Love. Atoms and Oceans.
God.
All of it His handiwork.
One of which His masterpiece.
Made so uniquely that angels looked curiously.
The one thing in creation that was made with His imagery.
The concept so cold, it’s the reason I stay bold.
How God breathed into man and he became a living soul.
Formed with the intent of being infinitely, intimately fond
Creator and creation held in eternal bond.
And it was placed in perfect paradise until something went wrong.
The species got deceived and started lusting for His job.
An odd list of complaints, as if the system ain’t working
And used that same breath He graciously gave us to curse Him.
And that sin seed spread through our soul’s genome
And by nature, your nature, your species, you participated in the mutiny of
Our, yes, our sins.
It’s nature inherited. Black in the human heart.
It was over before it started
Deceived from day one and led away by our own lusts
There’s not a religion in the world that doesn’t agree that something’s wrong with us.
The question is “What is it?” and “How do we fix it?”
Are we eternally separated from a God that may or may not have existed?
But that’s another subject
Let’s keep grinding
Besides, trying to prove God is like defending a lion, homey – He don’t need your help.
Just unlock the cage.
Let’s move on how our debt can be paid.
Short and sweet: The problem is Sin. Yes. Sin.
It’s a cancer. An asthma.
Choking out our life force.
Forcing separation from a perfect and Holy God
And the only way to get back is to get back to perfection.
But silly us, trying to pass the course of life without referring to a syllabus.
This is us: “Keep up your good deeds”. Chant. Pray. Meditate.
But all of that, of course, is spraying cologne on a corpse.
Oh you can choose to ignore it, as if something don’t stink
It’s like stepping in dog poop and refusing to wipe your shoe
But all of that ends with how good is good enough?
Take your silly list of good deeds and line them up against perfection:
Good luck!
That’s life past your pay grade.
The cost of your soul. You ain’t got a big enough piggy bank.
But you can give it a shot.
But I suggest you throw away the list.
‘Cause even your good acts are an extension of your selfishness.
But here’s where it gets interesting:
I hope you’re closely listening, please don’t get it twisted, it’s what makes our faith unique.
Here’s what God says is Part A of the Gospel.
You can’t fix yourself, quit trying. It’s impossible.
Sin brings death.
Give God His breath back – you owe Him!
Eternally separated. And the only way to fix it is someone die in your place.
And that Someone got to be perfect or the payment ain’t permanent.
So if, and when, you find a perfect person, get him or her to willingly trade their perfection for your sin and debt
Clearly since the only one that can meet God’s criteria is God
God sent Himself as Jesus to pay the cost for us.
His righteousness, His death functions as Payment. Yes. Payment.
Wrote a check with His life but at the Resurrection we all cheered because that means the check cleared.
Pierce feet. Pierced hands. Blood stained Son of Man.
Fullness. Forgiveness. Free passage into the Promised Land.
That same breath that God breathed into us, God gave up to redeem us.
And anyone and everyone, and by everyone I mean everyone, who puts their faith and trust in Him
And Him alone can stand in full confidence of God’s forgiveness.
And here’s what the promise is:
That you are guaranteed full access to return to perfect unity by simply believing in Christ and Christ alone you are receiving life. Yes. Life.
This is the GOSPEL:
God. Our.Sins.Paying.Everyone.Life.
I have spent the past 2 weeks watching and listening to it numerous times.
Below
(HT: Zach Nielsen)
Here is my transcript from the video "G.O.S.P.E.L.":
It’s the full story of life crushed into four minutes.
The entirety of humanity in the palm of your hand.
And crushed into one sentence.
Listen, it’s intense, right?
God. Our. Sins. Paying. Everyone. Life.
The greatest story ever told that’s hardly ever told.
God. Yes. God.
The Maker and Giver of life – and by life, I mean any and all manner and substance.
Seen and Unseen.
What can and can’t be touched:
Thoughts. Image. Emotion. Love. Atoms and Oceans.
God.
All of it His handiwork.
One of which His masterpiece.
Made so uniquely that angels looked curiously.
The one thing in creation that was made with His imagery.
The concept so cold, it’s the reason I stay bold.
How God breathed into man and he became a living soul.
Formed with the intent of being infinitely, intimately fond
Creator and creation held in eternal bond.
And it was placed in perfect paradise until something went wrong.
The species got deceived and started lusting for His job.
An odd list of complaints, as if the system ain’t working
And used that same breath He graciously gave us to curse Him.
And that sin seed spread through our soul’s genome
And by nature, your nature, your species, you participated in the mutiny of
Our, yes, our sins.
It’s nature inherited. Black in the human heart.
It was over before it started
Deceived from day one and led away by our own lusts
There’s not a religion in the world that doesn’t agree that something’s wrong with us.
The question is “What is it?” and “How do we fix it?”
Are we eternally separated from a God that may or may not have existed?
But that’s another subject
Let’s keep grinding
Besides, trying to prove God is like defending a lion, homey – He don’t need your help.
Just unlock the cage.
Let’s move on how our debt can be paid.
Short and sweet: The problem is Sin. Yes. Sin.
It’s a cancer. An asthma.
Choking out our life force.
Forcing separation from a perfect and Holy God
And the only way to get back is to get back to perfection.
But silly us, trying to pass the course of life without referring to a syllabus.
This is us: “Keep up your good deeds”. Chant. Pray. Meditate.
But all of that, of course, is spraying cologne on a corpse.
Oh you can choose to ignore it, as if something don’t stink
It’s like stepping in dog poop and refusing to wipe your shoe
But all of that ends with how good is good enough?
Take your silly list of good deeds and line them up against perfection:
Good luck!
That’s life past your pay grade.
The cost of your soul. You ain’t got a big enough piggy bank.
But you can give it a shot.
But I suggest you throw away the list.
‘Cause even your good acts are an extension of your selfishness.
But here’s where it gets interesting:
I hope you’re closely listening, please don’t get it twisted, it’s what makes our faith unique.
Here’s what God says is Part A of the Gospel.
You can’t fix yourself, quit trying. It’s impossible.
Sin brings death.
Give God His breath back – you owe Him!
Eternally separated. And the only way to fix it is someone die in your place.
And that Someone got to be perfect or the payment ain’t permanent.
So if, and when, you find a perfect person, get him or her to willingly trade their perfection for your sin and debt
Clearly since the only one that can meet God’s criteria is God
God sent Himself as Jesus to pay the cost for us.
His righteousness, His death functions as Payment. Yes. Payment.
Wrote a check with His life but at the Resurrection we all cheered because that means the check cleared.
Pierce feet. Pierced hands. Blood stained Son of Man.
Fullness. Forgiveness. Free passage into the Promised Land.
That same breath that God breathed into us, God gave up to redeem us.
And anyone and everyone, and by everyone I mean everyone, who puts their faith and trust in Him
And Him alone can stand in full confidence of God’s forgiveness.
And here’s what the promise is:
That you are guaranteed full access to return to perfect unity by simply believing in Christ and Christ alone you are receiving life. Yes. Life.
This is the GOSPEL:
God. Our.Sins.Paying.Everyone.Life.
How the Saved and Unsaved React to Their Sin
"An unsaved man leaps into sin and he loves it.
A saved man lapses into sin and he loathes it."
- Dr. Adrian Rogers in his sermon "God's Plan for Prosperity"
A saved man lapses into sin and he loathes it."
- Dr. Adrian Rogers in his sermon "God's Plan for Prosperity"
Can't We All Just Get Along?
I often see bumper stickers similar to this:
I imagine that a lot of people believe that peaceful coexistence of all worldwide religions is possible.
I disagree. Not because I don't want to get along with everyone, but because I don't think it is possible.
There are a variety of reasons why I believe this to be the case, but today I would like to point out one hindrance to this ideal. There is one simple unifier of all of the above faiths, with the exception of one.
Islam denies Jesus Christ as the Son of God.
Buddhism basically doesn't regard Jesus Christ at all.
Science - Christian Science denies the deity of Jesus Christ, but I don't think this is what is implied. Many scientists today deny the deity of Christ, deny the miracles of Christ, deny the Resurrection of Christ and deny the Ascension of Christ
Judaism rejects Jesus Christ as the Messiah.
Paganism rejects the idea of a single, all-powerful God, of which Jesus Christ is a member.
Wicca denounces Jesus Christ as Son of God, Savior and Redeemer.
Christianity declares that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, condescended from heaven to earth through a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed a vast variety of miracles that were witnessed by thousands, died on a cross as the propitiation of sin, was buried in a tomb, rose three days later, appeared to hundreds of people for forty days, ascended into the clouds and will return as the triumphant King of Kings, Lord of Lords and establish His Kingdom for all eternity.
There will come a time when everyone on earth joins together in harmony.
First it will be in fear and awe:
“Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen." - Revelation 1:7
Then it will be in bowing before the God of the universe:
"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - Phillipians 2:9-11
We will coexist eventually.
It just won't be how most of the people who placed these bumper stickers on their vehicles are hoping.
I disagree. Not because I don't want to get along with everyone, but because I don't think it is possible.
There are a variety of reasons why I believe this to be the case, but today I would like to point out one hindrance to this ideal. There is one simple unifier of all of the above faiths, with the exception of one.
Islam denies Jesus Christ as the Son of God.
Buddhism basically doesn't regard Jesus Christ at all.
Science - Christian Science denies the deity of Jesus Christ, but I don't think this is what is implied. Many scientists today deny the deity of Christ, deny the miracles of Christ, deny the Resurrection of Christ and deny the Ascension of Christ
Judaism rejects Jesus Christ as the Messiah.
Paganism rejects the idea of a single, all-powerful God, of which Jesus Christ is a member.
Wicca denounces Jesus Christ as Son of God, Savior and Redeemer.
Christianity declares that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, condescended from heaven to earth through a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed a vast variety of miracles that were witnessed by thousands, died on a cross as the propitiation of sin, was buried in a tomb, rose three days later, appeared to hundreds of people for forty days, ascended into the clouds and will return as the triumphant King of Kings, Lord of Lords and establish His Kingdom for all eternity.
There will come a time when everyone on earth joins together in harmony.
First it will be in fear and awe:
“Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen." - Revelation 1:7
Then it will be in bowing before the God of the universe:
"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - Phillipians 2:9-11
We will coexist eventually.
It just won't be how most of the people who placed these bumper stickers on their vehicles are hoping.
God Is Still God and He Is Still Good
This messed me up during my lunchtime today.
May I live a life that is not wasted.
(HT: Challies)
May I live a life that is not wasted.
"This is Mandy, Zachary James Smith, went to be with Jesus at 3:05 p.m. on Sunday May 16th. He is no longer in pain. The cancer has lost and Jesus has the victory in all of this. The battle has been won. I know you all loved Zac, and his presence is missed in our home. Please pray for peace and comfort for my family, as we now figure out how to continue his story to the best of our ability. Watch out because those kids of ours, well let’s just say they have a lot of wisdom from Zac in those little heads. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for them.
Death cannot take away what is already His. To God be the glory. Always."(via)
(HT: Challies)
Two Growth Milestones in a Single Day
In the course of one single day this week, some big things happened in our family. On Monday, our eldest daughter, Lydia, decided on her own that she was going to start going to the bathroom on the toilet. With just a couple of minor mishaps since then, and a couple of nap-time/night-time diaper events, she has successfully made it to the toilet every time she has needed to go. Not to be outdone by her big sister, Lainey decided to show off her talents by rolling over for the first time on the same day. She repeated the event shortly thereafter, but has yet to repeat it that I am aware of.
Within a handful of hours, we went from having two girls totally utilizing diapers, to having one baby in diapers and a toddler who wears them for sleep times. In that same time frame, we went from having one very mobile toddler and one stationary infant, to having one toddler running around and an infant beginning to move across the floor.
These are definitely exciting times in the Walker house.
Within a handful of hours, we went from having two girls totally utilizing diapers, to having one baby in diapers and a toddler who wears them for sleep times. In that same time frame, we went from having one very mobile toddler and one stationary infant, to having one toddler running around and an infant beginning to move across the floor.
These are definitely exciting times in the Walker house.
"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward." - Psalm 127:3
Lift Me Up - TuesdayTunes
A lot has been said about Christina Aguilera botching the lyrics to the Star Spangled Banner at the beginning of this year's Super Bowl. Having sung the national anthem in a baseball stadium and a hockey arena in front of thousands, I can tell you that it is no easy task to remember the flow of words in that moment and hit all the notes correctly.
Christina Aguilera is incredibly talented.
She messed up on a very public stage.
Perhaps we could extend mercy and grace to her there as well.
I pray she comes to know Jesus.
Lyrics for "Lift Me Up" by Christina Aguilera:
So the pain begins
As the music fades
And I'm left here with
With more than I can take
If you lift me up
Just get me through this night
I know ill rest tomorrow
And ill be strong enough to try
When the static clears
And all is said and done
I will realize
That we all need someone
If you lift me up
Just get me through this night
I know ill rest tomorrow
And ill be strong enough to try
So when you see me crashing
And there's nowhere left to fall
Will you lift me even higher
To rise above this all
If you lift me up
Said if you lift me up
Said if you lift me up
Will it be higher
When you see me crashing
And theres nowhere left to fall
Will you lift me even higher
To rise above this all
If you lift me up
Said if you lift me up
If you lift me up
Just get me through this night
Christina Aguilera is incredibly talented.
She messed up on a very public stage.
Perhaps we could extend mercy and grace to her there as well.
I pray she comes to know Jesus.
Lyrics for "Lift Me Up" by Christina Aguilera:
So the pain begins
As the music fades
And I'm left here with
With more than I can take
If you lift me up
Just get me through this night
I know ill rest tomorrow
And ill be strong enough to try
When the static clears
And all is said and done
I will realize
That we all need someone
If you lift me up
Just get me through this night
I know ill rest tomorrow
And ill be strong enough to try
So when you see me crashing
And there's nowhere left to fall
Will you lift me even higher
To rise above this all
If you lift me up
Said if you lift me up
Said if you lift me up
Will it be higher
When you see me crashing
And theres nowhere left to fall
Will you lift me even higher
To rise above this all
If you lift me up
Said if you lift me up
If you lift me up
Just get me through this night
The Healthcare End-Run Option
Thomas Sowell once again speaks the truth:
ObamaCare is another piece of Congressional legislation for which there is no federal authority in the Constitution. But when someone asked Nancy Pelosi where in the Constitution there was any authority for passing such a law, her reply was "Are you kidding?"
Two federal courts have now said that they are not kidding.
The ultimate question is whether the Supreme Court of the United States will back them up. That may depend on how soon the case reaches the Supreme court.
If the issue wends its way slowly up through the Circuit Courts of Appeal, by the time it reaches the Supreme Court, Obama may have put more of his appointees there-- and, if so, they will probably rubberstamp anything he does. He would therefore have done a complete end-run around the Constitution and be well on his way to becoming the Hugo Chavez of North America.
Leave Me - A Short Film
I saw this wonderful short film today and wanted to share.
It was made in 36 hours over the course of a weekend.
This is a perfect example of Christians making beautiful art.
Leave Me from Ryan Dunlap on Vimeo.
It was made in 36 hours over the course of a weekend.
This is a perfect example of Christians making beautiful art.
Leave Me from Ryan Dunlap on Vimeo.
The State of the Union 2011
As is my annual ritual, I read through the President's State of the Union Address this morning. I haven't read or listened to any political commentary at this point, so my perspective is untainted and solely my own.
There are several portions of the speech that I could draw attention to, but I will choose only two.
Here's the first:
The idea of sacrificing for the good if the nation is noble and all, but when the government doesn't choose to adopt the same strategy, one has to question the motivation behind this course of action. America's success isn't going to be determined by whether or not the wealthiest Americans are taxed higher. Her success will be determined by how well the Federal government allows the American people to innovate, create and prosper - including financially. When you tax the wealthiest people at an ever-increasing rate, what do you suppose the final outcome of that will be? Inevitably, the wealthy people find the loopholes, reinvest their finances in other places, or they simply move to a place that will not tax them so heavily.
I'm all for simplifying the tax code. What currently exists is so convoluted and complex that even the government institution chartered to enforce those regulations (the IRS) is having trouble keeping up.Contrary to what the President and members of the government believe, this is a fairly simple goal to accomplish. It's called a flat tax. The amount of paperwork and hassle that such a system would remove from businesses is huge. The reduction in size of the Federal government, by way of drastically reducing the size of the IRS, would be sizable. While I am open to the idea of reducing and removing large portions of the existing to tax code as a preliminary step, I cannot see how this type of effort would prove worthwhile over the course of time. Every year there are additions to the tax code. I am of the opinion that a flat tax would work and would allow the citizens and companies of this great land to prosper. The only way this would work is if the government is held accountable and sticks to a non-deficit increasing budget. (That's sounds a lot like common sense, doesn't it. Some might even say it's Constitutional.)
[Feel free to insert a rant about the Federal Reserve's ability to print an unlimited amount of currency here.]
Here's the second portion that I want to draw attention to:
Overall, the speech read like most of the State of the Union speeches. Obviously, I cannot speak to the effectiveness of the President's delivery of these words, nor to the receptiveness of the blended-party crowd. I am sure there is plenty being said about all that extraneous stuff anyway. If I find anything worth linking to or pointing out as I read more and hear more today, I will add it to the bottom of this post.
There are several portions of the speech that I could draw attention to, but I will choose only two.
Here's the first:
And if we truly care about our deficit, we simply can’t afford a permanent extension of the tax cuts for the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans. (Applause.) Before we take money away from our schools or scholarships away from our students, we should ask millionaires to give up their tax break. It’s not a matter of punishing their success. It’s about promoting America’s success. (Applause.)Okay, where to start. If you truly care about the deficit, you will stop spending more than you have. Period. This isn't rocket science. Don't spend what you don't have. That means that you can't create new government institutions, agencies, positions and programs until you have funded existing programs. Since the existing programs were running a deficit when the President took office, he should have reigned in spending and reduced the size of the Federal government. But he didn't. He increased its size and scope and buried the nation under a crushing amount of debt that will cripple us in the coming years if the tough decisions aren't made.
In fact, the best thing we could do on taxes for all Americans is to simplify the individual tax code. (Applause.) This will be a tough job, but members of both parties have expressed an interest in doing this, and I am prepared to join them. (Applause.)
The idea of sacrificing for the good if the nation is noble and all, but when the government doesn't choose to adopt the same strategy, one has to question the motivation behind this course of action. America's success isn't going to be determined by whether or not the wealthiest Americans are taxed higher. Her success will be determined by how well the Federal government allows the American people to innovate, create and prosper - including financially. When you tax the wealthiest people at an ever-increasing rate, what do you suppose the final outcome of that will be? Inevitably, the wealthy people find the loopholes, reinvest their finances in other places, or they simply move to a place that will not tax them so heavily.
I'm all for simplifying the tax code. What currently exists is so convoluted and complex that even the government institution chartered to enforce those regulations (the IRS) is having trouble keeping up.Contrary to what the President and members of the government believe, this is a fairly simple goal to accomplish. It's called a flat tax. The amount of paperwork and hassle that such a system would remove from businesses is huge. The reduction in size of the Federal government, by way of drastically reducing the size of the IRS, would be sizable. While I am open to the idea of reducing and removing large portions of the existing to tax code as a preliminary step, I cannot see how this type of effort would prove worthwhile over the course of time. Every year there are additions to the tax code. I am of the opinion that a flat tax would work and would allow the citizens and companies of this great land to prosper. The only way this would work is if the government is held accountable and sticks to a non-deficit increasing budget. (That's sounds a lot like common sense, doesn't it. Some might even say it's Constitutional.)
[Feel free to insert a rant about the Federal Reserve's ability to print an unlimited amount of currency here.]
Here's the second portion that I want to draw attention to:
Let's see how long it takes to break this promise. I cannot imagine the President being able to stick to this. Now perhaps the senators and Congressman will find another way to tack on their pet projects, or call them by a different name, but I just don't see this being a line in the sand that the President is unwilling to withdraw from.And because the American people deserve to know that special interests aren’t larding up legislation with pet projects, both parties in Congress should know this: If a bill comes to my desk with earmarks inside, I will veto it. I will veto it. (Applause.)
Overall, the speech read like most of the State of the Union speeches. Obviously, I cannot speak to the effectiveness of the President's delivery of these words, nor to the receptiveness of the blended-party crowd. I am sure there is plenty being said about all that extraneous stuff anyway. If I find anything worth linking to or pointing out as I read more and hear more today, I will add it to the bottom of this post.
Redeeming the Culture For Christ
One our pastors and a friend of mine, Freddie Williams, posted the following on Twitter a few days ago:
Today, I saw the following video and I felt like sharing it as a challenge to be on the lookout for ways to redeem our culture and world for Christ. I know this is an ad for a conference, but I liked the content of it and thought it worth sharing.
(HT: Joshua Harris)
"Reminded we are invited to redeem ALL parts of life/culture for His glory. Praying God raises up a generation who will embrace this invitation."This is something that I whole-heartedly agree with.
Today, I saw the following video and I felt like sharing it as a challenge to be on the lookout for ways to redeem our culture and world for Christ. I know this is an ad for a conference, but I liked the content of it and thought it worth sharing.
(HT: Joshua Harris)
Grace For Gospel Distorters Like Me
Love this quote from Michael Kelley in today's post entitled "Today's Gospel is Tomorrow's Law":
"For the gospel is the only answer for those, like me, who distort the gospel. There is grace for us, too. When we preach the gospel to ourselves daily, we will find that God will tear down the rungs of our carefully constructed ladders. And when those ladders are broken into shards and splinters, what will be left towering over the piles of rubble is the wooden beams of the cross."
Forever Reign - TuesdayTunes
Lyrics for "Forever Reign
" by Hillsong:You are good, You are good
When there's nothing good in me
You are love, You are love
On display for all to see
You are light, You are light
When the darkness closes in
You are hope, You are hope
You have covered all my sin
You are peace, You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true, You are true
Even in my wandering
You are joy, You are joy
You're the reason that I sing
You are life, You are life,
In You death has lost its sting
Oh, I’m running to Your arms,
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign
You are more, You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord, You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here, You are here
In Your presence I'm made whole
You are God, You are God
Of all else I'm letting go
Oh, I’m running to Your arms
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign
My heart will sing
No other Name
Jesus, Jesus
Oh, I’m running to Your arms
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign
An Interview with Glen Phillips About Music, Motivation and Creativity
I found this interview with Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket fame and wanted to share it.
It's interesting to me to hear the perspective of someone who has been in the music industry for so long.
Glen not only talks about some of his projects and bands, but he shares how his perspective and approach to writing has changed, as well as his motivation for creating.
As an aside - I saw Toad the Wet Sprocket live for the first time last year on the 4th of July and they sounded great. I was thrilled to hear for myself exactly how good they sound live and how much they sound like their recording, which is way more than most bands can have said of them. I'd love to see them again in a full concert setting, and I'd love for that show to not be limited to 70 minutes of scheduled time. Oh, and rumors online have a new studio album for TTWS coming soon...
It's interesting to me to hear the perspective of someone who has been in the music industry for so long.
Glen not only talks about some of his projects and bands, but he shares how his perspective and approach to writing has changed, as well as his motivation for creating.
As an aside - I saw Toad the Wet Sprocket live for the first time last year on the 4th of July and they sounded great. I was thrilled to hear for myself exactly how good they sound live and how much they sound like their recording, which is way more than most bands can have said of them. I'd love to see them again in a full concert setting, and I'd love for that show to not be limited to 70 minutes of scheduled time. Oh, and rumors online have a new studio album for TTWS coming soon...
I Don't Want to Hear You
This morning I thought of the following quote from the wonderful film Cinema Paradiso
:
If you have never seen Cinema Paradiso, I would recommend you change that.
:Yes, there is a particular reason why this quote came to my mind, but I don't feel like sharing it.Alfredo: Get out of here! Go back to Rome. You're young and the world is yours. I'm old. I don't want to hear you talk anymore. I want to hear others talking about you. Don't come back.
Salvatore: Thank you. For everything you've done for me.
Alfredo: Whatever you end up doing, love it. The way you loved the projection booth when you were a little squirt.
If you have never seen Cinema Paradiso, I would recommend you change that.
God's Extraordinary Provision
"So we must beware of thinking that God is only in the earthquake, wind, and fire; of thinking that manna but not grain is God’s food. Most of God’s gifts to his people are not dazzling and gaudy but wrapped in simple brown paper. Quiet provisions of safety on the highway, health of children, picking up a paycheck, supper with the family—all in an ordinary day’s work for our God.”(HT: Justin Taylor)
—Dale Ralph Davis, Joshua: No Fallen Words (reprint: Christian Focus, 2000), pp. 48-49
Return to College Night
Last night I was at the REALM for college night for the first time since Adelaine was born. The number of students attending over the past few months has greatly increased. I saw quite a few familiar faces and a lot more than I did not know. The musical worship time was very well done, with songs that were very appropriate for the evening's talk, which focused on Love and was wonderfully given by Freddie Williams.
After the talk I had the chance to catch up a little with some of the students that I have some history with. I didn't have the opportunity to go into to much depth with many of them, but it was good to see them and get a chance to begin reinserting myself into that community.
I had a very good discussion with one of the students I know regarding the Christian life and how we are to live in the world, but not of it. Our conversation touched on a variety of ideas and issues, but we kept circling back around several important questions:
- How are Christians to live for the Kingdom?
- Are we to forsake all possessions and live lives of poverty for Christ?
- Is it wrong to have "stuff"?
- How can a Christian be wealthy and not give to the poor?
All of the questions that we talked about were solid questions that Christians have been wrestling with since Christ walked the earth. We did not come to any consensus or conclusions in our time-limited discussion last night, but I believe that our conversation was edifying, challenging and encouraging for everyone involved.
I'm thankful for students who are trying to figure out how to live for God.
After the talk I had the chance to catch up a little with some of the students that I have some history with. I didn't have the opportunity to go into to much depth with many of them, but it was good to see them and get a chance to begin reinserting myself into that community.
I had a very good discussion with one of the students I know regarding the Christian life and how we are to live in the world, but not of it. Our conversation touched on a variety of ideas and issues, but we kept circling back around several important questions:
- How are Christians to live for the Kingdom?
- Are we to forsake all possessions and live lives of poverty for Christ?
- Is it wrong to have "stuff"?
- How can a Christian be wealthy and not give to the poor?
All of the questions that we talked about were solid questions that Christians have been wrestling with since Christ walked the earth. We did not come to any consensus or conclusions in our time-limited discussion last night, but I believe that our conversation was edifying, challenging and encouraging for everyone involved.
I'm thankful for students who are trying to figure out how to live for God.
US States Compared to Foreign Countries
The Economist released the following map showing the size of each state's GDP as it relates to another country. For example, Missouri's GPD is roughly the same size as Finland's with a population that is equivalent to Paraguay's.
(HT: 22 Words)
(HT: 22 Words)
How to Change Your Marriage
Love these points from counselor Winston Smith:
"Marriage is the sum of both people's actions. It's not just about what one person is doing. So really, anytime one person changes, the marriage itself is going to change."
"If your going to hang in there in marriage and you are going to see growth, you have to understand, you have to be convinced that 'my actions make a difference' that 'my marriage can be better if I am willing to put the effort into it and I am willing to look at myself to see how I need to change and how I need to grow'".
If I Stand - TuesdayTunes
Performed by Jars of Clay
:
Lyrics for "If I Stand
" by Rich Mullins:
There's more that rises in the morning
Than the sun
And more that shines in the night
Than just the moon
It's more than just this fire here
That keeps me warm
In a shelter that is larger
Than this room
And there's a loyalty that's deeper
Than mere sentiments
And a music higher than the songs
That I can sing
The stuff of Earth competes
For the allegiance
I owe only to the giver
Of all good things
So if I stand let me stand on the promise
That you will pull me through
And if I can't, let me fall on the grace
That first brought me to You
And if I sing let me sing for the joy
That has born in me these songs
And if I weep let it be as a man
Who is longing for his home
There's more that dances on the prairies
Than the wind
More that pulses in the ocean
Than the tide
There's a love that is fiercer
Than the love between friends
More gentle than a mother's
When her baby's at her side
And there's a loyalty that's deeper
Than mere sentiments
And a music higher than the songs
That I can sing
The stuff of Earth competes
For the allegiance
I owe only to the Giver
Of all good things
So if I stand let me stand on the promise
That you will pull me through
And if I can't, let me fall on the grace
That first brought me to You
And if I sing let me sing for the joy
That has born in me these songs
And if I weep let it be as a man
Who is longing for his home
And if I weep let it be as a man
Who is longing for his home
:Lyrics for "If I Stand
" by Rich Mullins:There's more that rises in the morning
Than the sun
And more that shines in the night
Than just the moon
It's more than just this fire here
That keeps me warm
In a shelter that is larger
Than this room
And there's a loyalty that's deeper
Than mere sentiments
And a music higher than the songs
That I can sing
The stuff of Earth competes
For the allegiance
I owe only to the giver
Of all good things
So if I stand let me stand on the promise
That you will pull me through
And if I can't, let me fall on the grace
That first brought me to You
And if I sing let me sing for the joy
That has born in me these songs
And if I weep let it be as a man
Who is longing for his home
There's more that dances on the prairies
Than the wind
More that pulses in the ocean
Than the tide
There's a love that is fiercer
Than the love between friends
More gentle than a mother's
When her baby's at her side
And there's a loyalty that's deeper
Than mere sentiments
And a music higher than the songs
That I can sing
The stuff of Earth competes
For the allegiance
I owe only to the Giver
Of all good things
So if I stand let me stand on the promise
That you will pull me through
And if I can't, let me fall on the grace
That first brought me to You
And if I sing let me sing for the joy
That has born in me these songs
And if I weep let it be as a man
Who is longing for his home
And if I weep let it be as a man
Who is longing for his home
Ten Kay!
Saturday I ran my first 10k - the St. Louis Frozen Buns Run.
The weather was overcast with a mild wind, with a race time temp of 32, so the race title was pretty fitting.
Lisa was able to attend thanks to my family watching the two girls. While I was running the course, Lisa was able to do some window shopping in the Loop. They were setting up for their annual ice carnival, of which the run is the kickoff for the Saturday events.
I decided that I was going to follow my friend Charles' advice and get as close to the starting line as possible. This way, I could set my own pace, pick my own line and not have to hassle with working my way around and through the crowd of people. If people wanted to pass me, they could exert the extra effort to go around me. So, with 5 minutes before the race started, I positioned myself on the opposite side of the street from the masses. As soon as the police closed the street on my side, I took my place on the line, to the right of center. This is definitely a strategy that I will utilize again, as I did not have to work near as hard as I normally do in the first mile or so. There was plenty of room for people to go around me, and after the first 4 blocks or so, pretty much everyone had passed by that needed to.
The first mile was a pretty steep uphill and as I reached the top my legs were feeling quite heavy. I worried briefly about that until I checked my time and saw that I had run the first mile uphill in 8:45. Since this was much faster than man desired pace, I was happy to be able to scale it back a touch and catch my breath on the slight downhill. From that point on, I stayed in the same pack of 3 fellow racers for the duration of the course. We kept a solid pace of around 9:30for the majority of the run, with all of us increasing that pace the last 2 miles.
I felt good throughout the run, without ever doubting my ability to finish. After running the first 3 miles in 28 minutes, I knew I could beat an hour of total running time and set my goal to finish before the 58 minute mark. It's nice to find a group of people who are determined to run a very similar time. Without saying a word, you challenge each other to conquer the next hill without slowing. You find yourself determined to not lose any ground to those around you. As the race winds down, everyone picks up the pace and the challenge become even more intense. As we rounded the final turn to run the last .2 miles, I was determined to pass 1 of the guys I had been shadowing. I picked up my pace just as he increased his again. Knowing that end was near, I was able to move passed him and finish quite a bit ahead of him.
It was at this point in the race where I saw Lisa on the side of the road waiting for me. I passed my nearly empty water bottle off to her and she challenged me to "pass that guy", speaking of a different man who had just passed me before the final turn. I huffed back to Lisa "I can't, I've been trying" and kept plugging toward the finish line. I was thrilled to see the clock tick to 57:32 as I crossed the line. I had not only finished the race confidently, but I had beaten my initial goal of running a 10 minute pace, as well as my mid race goal of under 58 minutes.
I'm glad I got to run this race, as it was very well organized and had great volunteers helping with it. We had 2 water stations on the 10k course and they had a great relief tent set up at the finish line with all sorts of great treats. I had decided to run this 10k because it was the only one in the area over the next few months and I needed a 10k finish time in order to sign up for a time based starting position in the upcoming Go! St. Louis Half Marathon.
I have almost 3 months to prep for the extra miles in that race. I am hopeful that I will enjoy that race as much as I did the one this past weekend...
The weather was overcast with a mild wind, with a race time temp of 32, so the race title was pretty fitting.
Lisa was able to attend thanks to my family watching the two girls. While I was running the course, Lisa was able to do some window shopping in the Loop. They were setting up for their annual ice carnival, of which the run is the kickoff for the Saturday events.
I decided that I was going to follow my friend Charles' advice and get as close to the starting line as possible. This way, I could set my own pace, pick my own line and not have to hassle with working my way around and through the crowd of people. If people wanted to pass me, they could exert the extra effort to go around me. So, with 5 minutes before the race started, I positioned myself on the opposite side of the street from the masses. As soon as the police closed the street on my side, I took my place on the line, to the right of center. This is definitely a strategy that I will utilize again, as I did not have to work near as hard as I normally do in the first mile or so. There was plenty of room for people to go around me, and after the first 4 blocks or so, pretty much everyone had passed by that needed to.
The first mile was a pretty steep uphill and as I reached the top my legs were feeling quite heavy. I worried briefly about that until I checked my time and saw that I had run the first mile uphill in 8:45. Since this was much faster than man desired pace, I was happy to be able to scale it back a touch and catch my breath on the slight downhill. From that point on, I stayed in the same pack of 3 fellow racers for the duration of the course. We kept a solid pace of around 9:30for the majority of the run, with all of us increasing that pace the last 2 miles.
I felt good throughout the run, without ever doubting my ability to finish. After running the first 3 miles in 28 minutes, I knew I could beat an hour of total running time and set my goal to finish before the 58 minute mark. It's nice to find a group of people who are determined to run a very similar time. Without saying a word, you challenge each other to conquer the next hill without slowing. You find yourself determined to not lose any ground to those around you. As the race winds down, everyone picks up the pace and the challenge become even more intense. As we rounded the final turn to run the last .2 miles, I was determined to pass 1 of the guys I had been shadowing. I picked up my pace just as he increased his again. Knowing that end was near, I was able to move passed him and finish quite a bit ahead of him.
 |
| Yours truly right before the finish line. |
It was at this point in the race where I saw Lisa on the side of the road waiting for me. I passed my nearly empty water bottle off to her and she challenged me to "pass that guy", speaking of a different man who had just passed me before the final turn. I huffed back to Lisa "I can't, I've been trying" and kept plugging toward the finish line. I was thrilled to see the clock tick to 57:32 as I crossed the line. I had not only finished the race confidently, but I had beaten my initial goal of running a 10 minute pace, as well as my mid race goal of under 58 minutes.
I'm glad I got to run this race, as it was very well organized and had great volunteers helping with it. We had 2 water stations on the 10k course and they had a great relief tent set up at the finish line with all sorts of great treats. I had decided to run this 10k because it was the only one in the area over the next few months and I needed a 10k finish time in order to sign up for a time based starting position in the upcoming Go! St. Louis Half Marathon.
I have almost 3 months to prep for the extra miles in that race. I am hopeful that I will enjoy that race as much as I did the one this past weekend...
College Students Impact the World
When I heard Louie Giglio read the stats of what was accomplished in 4 days by college students at the final session of Passion2011 in Atlanta, I was surprised by the shear amount of it all. In the days since, the tally has grown even more. Here's the final recap:
I love the work that Passion is doing and the desire that they have to impart upon this generation the supremacy of Christ and a passion for the Scriptures. I pray that God would continue to bless their efforts to change the world for God through college students.Here’s what happened:Cause//Goal//Given
Homeless//Towels and Socks for Atlanta area shelters. Given: 18,400 towels and 88,000 pairs of socks!Clean water//$75,000 for 15 wells in villages in India. Given: 24 wells!Micro-finance//200 small business loans for Afghan entrepreneurs totaling $40,000.
Given: 387 loans!Bibles//20,000 New Testaments to unreached in Colombia at $20,000. Given: 31,554 New Testaments!Feeding Children//Feed 1,000 at risk children in South Africa for one year at $50,000. Given: Feeding 2,225 children!Homes//Build 15 homes in Haiti at $54,000. Given: 39 homes!Sponsor Children//Sponsor 150 children and provide family essentials at a cost of $100,00. Given: 442 children sponsored!Human trafficking//Restoration and a future for 10 girls trapped in sex slavery in Bolivia at a cost of $36,000. Given: 22 girls rescued/restored!Surgeries for Children//$50,000 to fund 50 Hydrocephalus surgeries in Uganda. Given: 141 surgeries!Rescue women//$45,000 to fund 10 rescue operations to free sex slaves in the Philippines (each operation frees 15 women on average). Given: 29 rescue operations!Plus, College fund for Haitian earthquake survivor, Therissa Leo. Given: $23,106!
(This was not planned beforehand or factored into the $470,000 goal.)Total Given at Passion 2011 Atlanta: $1,167,249.24
Our Calling Extends Beyond the Church
From the article "Our Calling, Our Spheres" by Tullian Tchividian:
So, while Christians are to separate from the self-glorifying motives and God-ignoring goals of the world (our spiritual separation), we're not to separate from the peoples, places, and things in the world (a spatial separation). We're to be morally and spiritually distinct without being culturally segregated. In the famous words of Abraham Kuyper, "There is not one square inch in the entire domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, 'Mine!'"
For church leaders, this means that we make a huge mistake when we define a person's "call" in terms of participation inside the church—nursery work, Sunday school teacher, youth worker, music leader, and so on. We need to help our people see that their calling is much bigger than how much time they put into church matters. By reducing the notion of calling to the exercise of spiritual gifts inside the church, we fail to help our people see that calling involves everything we are and everything we do—both inside and, more importantly, outside the church.
New Running Milestones
This Saturday, I will be doing something I have never in my life attempted or completed.
I will run a 10k race.
Over the past few years, I have run numerous 5ks.
I do typically 2 a year, usually in October and November.
Instead of stopping after those races, I decided to keep running and set some new goals.
The next milestone for me to tackle is the 10k (which is 6.2 miles).
The farthest I have ever run was 2 weeks ago on my long run. I was running for a little over 5 miles and decided to run for a solid hour (another milestone in my life). I later learned that I had run just under 6 miles. So, I have no doubt that I can finish the upcoming race, as I could have continued running beyond when I stopped two weeks ago.
The biggest question in my mind is how fast will I go?
I'm hoping to run the race in an hour, which means that my pace will need to be at least 9:39/mile. If I finish with a pace of anything under 10 minute miles, I will be satisfied with my race. The course appears to be uphill for most of the first half, with the back half being mostly downhill. The longer runs I have done have been mostly uphill for the first 2 miles, so I am hopeful that I should not have too much trouble with the large uphill portion.
Currently, the weather is supposed to be clear with a light wind and a race time temperature of 30 degrees. Hopefully, this is the case, as I don't enjoy running into a strong wind, especially with cold temperatures added to it. Either way, it should be a good time and I am looking forward to it.
I will run a 10k race.
Over the past few years, I have run numerous 5ks.
I do typically 2 a year, usually in October and November.
Instead of stopping after those races, I decided to keep running and set some new goals.
The next milestone for me to tackle is the 10k (which is 6.2 miles).
The farthest I have ever run was 2 weeks ago on my long run. I was running for a little over 5 miles and decided to run for a solid hour (another milestone in my life). I later learned that I had run just under 6 miles. So, I have no doubt that I can finish the upcoming race, as I could have continued running beyond when I stopped two weeks ago.
The biggest question in my mind is how fast will I go?
I'm hoping to run the race in an hour, which means that my pace will need to be at least 9:39/mile. If I finish with a pace of anything under 10 minute miles, I will be satisfied with my race. The course appears to be uphill for most of the first half, with the back half being mostly downhill. The longer runs I have done have been mostly uphill for the first 2 miles, so I am hopeful that I should not have too much trouble with the large uphill portion.
Currently, the weather is supposed to be clear with a light wind and a race time temperature of 30 degrees. Hopefully, this is the case, as I don't enjoy running into a strong wind, especially with cold temperatures added to it. Either way, it should be a good time and I am looking forward to it.
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