tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112037682012-01-23T09:08:49.358-06:00One Guy's Musings on a Myriad of Cultural Issues & Life Questions, both Big & SmallIIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.comBlogger6421100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-22883986907459882242012-01-23T09:08:00.000-06:002012-01-23T09:08:49.371-06:00

It didn't take too long in 2012 for Christians in social media to find a topic that stirs them into a frenzy. And, no, this time it isn't Rob Bell. A young man named Jefferson Bethke wrote & performed a poem. It was artfully produced, uploaded to YouTube, and went viral: I can't count the number of reactions I've seen or responses I've read. I asked my good friend, Matt Dabbs, to address

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-4848746677128496532012-01-16T08:16:00.000-06:002012-01-16T08:16:30.743-06:00

I'm going to remember January 9th, 2012 as a great day. I'll remember it as the day that I enjoyed watching my team win the National Championship in New Orleans with my sister & other friends. The nervous anticipation all day of not knowing what Alabama and LSU would deliver that night. The maelstrom of complete joy that hit the French Quarter as running back Trent Richardson broke a run

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-10599043001440617022011-07-12T05:55:00.005-05:002011-07-12T07:21:26.022-05:00

The internet is a strange place. That's a statement we can all unite around, isn't it? Whether we hate it or we love it, we can recognize that the virtual connections we forge on the internet produce different experiences than real-life connections. Sometimes they are plain unusual. And yet, where else can you connect ideas so freely? We tolerate the oddity of web-connected gnostic

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-43872424658577514572011-02-28T16:56:00.000-06:002011-02-28T16:56:27.980-06:00

You know that feeling you get when a story just gets flipped upside down on you? Maybe a key member of the supporting cast becomes the villain? And it throws you for a loop? That was my feeling after going on the internet to read more about the film The Social Network. Apologies in advance if you haven't seen the film. Perhaps you could bookmark this entry & just come back to it after you've

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-50918960651129208632011-01-31T16:12:00.000-06:002011-01-31T16:12:50.550-06:00

I certainly chuckled when I saw the Urban Word (Phrase. Whatever.) of the Day this morning: Hype Aversion Rejection of an insanely popular idea, game, show, place etc. simply because it is so insanely popular. "I'm enjoying season three of 'Lost'." "Season three came out four or five years ago." "I know, I suffer from hype aversion." I'm pretty sure I did this about MySpace, Facebook, &

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-74877058967423741002010-11-30T14:18:00.002-06:002010-11-30T14:20:35.113-06:00

I've been thinking about hurt feelings lately. Mainly because it was my feelings that were hurt. So here's what I've been wondering about. There's this statement about ministers that they need to have the hide of a rhinoceros and the heart of a child. I don't know how true that is. It sounds pithy. And there's a good point behind it: you need to have a big heart and a thick skin. Which,

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-89972602184604317872010-09-30T21:25:00.000-05:002010-09-30T21:25:18.529-05:00

This will be short & sweet, but here's a thought -- how selfish are pet peeves? You know: those social behaviors that there aren't written down rules for that make you flip out. I'm trying to cut down on mine. Why? Because it's hard enough for people to keep up with Scripture and the laws of the land. We also expect people to hold to some arbitrary code of morality of our own making that

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-6373662449462097542010-08-30T23:49:00.001-05:002010-08-30T23:57:01.185-05:00

I heard a story on NPR the other day that Farmville is expected to rake in over a billion dollars this year. We're talking about a social network game that's engineered in such a way as to have it's primary purpose getting people addicted to the game. We're talking addicted to the point where people fork over hard-earned money for a free game. I hear stuff like this, and I struggle with

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-40010551732751969002010-07-29T14:28:00.000-05:002010-07-29T14:28:15.262-05:00

For those of you who enjoy my sporadic rantings and ravings, I feel guilty for depriving you. It may sound like a pathetic excuse, but sometimes I begin to feel like there is too much girth of opinion and writing on the web. And, when you can probably find half a dozen like it if you look hard enough, what does my opinion really mean? With so much noise, what is one more yell into the

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-12068907589621474162010-07-13T23:57:00.000-05:002010-07-13T23:57:40.896-05:00

I had to chuckle at the sight of today's UrbanDictionary.com Word of the Day: Social FruitflyLike a social butterfly, without any charm or beauty. An unwanted pest. It brought to mind an old Randy Harris lesson. One of his points is that every church has a social fruitfly. He even cracked wise and said, "Now some of you think I'm lying, thinking, 'That's not true!... Some church is missing

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-18201345169976763932010-06-25T13:22:00.002-05:002010-06-25T13:23:35.292-05:00

Don't call it a comeback. Call it a Revival. Wrote a few words about the passing of a good athlete & great person over at a blog I do with a buddy that we call "Saints, Sinners, and Sports." You should check it out. "Of Sinners & Saints"

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-72810761674559854072010-06-03T07:00:00.005-05:002010-06-03T09:59:24.079-05:00

No, I will not be exegeting the hit song by Billy Ray Cyrus' daughter. They say that sports is a microcosm of life. That being the case, Armando Galarraga taught the world how life is supposed to be lived: with a smile on your face, and with no malice in your heart. In case you're not a baseball fan, I should help you catch up. On Wednesday night, the young Galarraga was on the verge of

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-25569403447074004672010-05-13T12:09:00.005-05:002010-05-13T12:28:21.670-05:00

WARNING: spoilers lie ahead. If you aren't caught up on all the latest episodes of LOST, save this to read later A great little piece of pop-culture is set to expire in just over a week. The ABC television series "LOST" comes to a close on May 23rd when it airs it's 2-and-a-half-hour finale. Part of the show's great appeal has been how difficult it is to figure out what exactly is going on.

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-44605442259413770852010-05-07T15:46:00.012-05:002010-05-07T16:15:09.592-05:00

I imagine what it must have been like. The Church at Corinth meets together at their regular time on Sunday morning. There's a buzz before worship starts on this day, though. News is being passed around that can only be described as startling. It's being bandied about that one of the young adult guys actually is sleeping with his step-mother! Can you believe this? It is UNbelievable... "

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-4894794038662171162010-04-30T14:20:00.009-05:002010-05-19T14:26:08.491-05:00

News broke three weeks ago, in an interview, that celebrated Christian music artist Jennifer Knapp had come out. She announced that she'd been in a long-term same-sex relationship. The most conflicting element of this admission was that she still considers herself a follower of Jesus and a person of faith. There have been all sorts of reactions. Mean-spirited comments have been broadcast

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-976339078605665302010-03-31T22:59:00.000-05:002010-03-31T22:59:41.766-05:00

One of the more awkward subjects (for me, at least) to bring up in Church is the Old Testament subject of idolatry. It's just weird. You melt all your collective jewelry together in the shape of an animal, and then you bow & pray to it? It makes the people of the days of yore sound like morons. And so the first two of the Ten Commandments are designed to offset this apparently considerable

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-47659473445190767452010-02-23T14:58:00.005-06:002010-02-23T15:04:27.754-06:00

The shame of a really great story or sermon illustration is that you only really get to use them once. This is maybe the best story I've ever run across. I can't take credit for it. I heard it presented by a preacher named Ronnie White from Midland, TX. It made an impression on me, as well as others when I've shared it in the past. --- G.W. Ravensbury was an itinerant preacher back many

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-87910595370425427902010-01-23T19:38:00.002-06:002010-01-23T19:41:32.762-06:00

I've got a buddy who, when he has a rich experience (e.g. quality time with one of his sons, a perfect surprise for his wife, wonderful worship with the saints, etc.), he calls it "delicious." I love teasing him about that. But mainly I love him because of that -- how he savors rich moments in life. When I read the following, I thought it was delicious. Not because it describes something

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-68623095950538433382010-01-14T06:00:00.003-06:002010-01-14T08:41:02.370-06:00

It occurs to me that, in an age of sensationalized news, we have no way of expressing the true level of grief that was experienced yesterday for a group of underprivileged people. No -- I'm not talking about Tennessee fans. And while the "earth-shattering" news was breaking about their head coach leaving to be someone else's head coach, some other authentically earth-shaking news was breaking

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-86716447877887662662010-01-08T12:02:00.000-06:002010-01-08T12:02:41.448-06:00

"What?? No more Power 12's?" That's right. This is the final one. The last one you'll ever see. Never again will you see a poll on this blog that ranks the 12 best teams. The Power 12 is OVER. Because starting next season, this will become THE POWER 13. As I said in the original edition of the power 12, the number 12 came from the number of Alabama National Championships. That number is

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-73021577584125978952010-01-06T09:19:00.002-06:002010-01-06T09:25:43.077-06:00

It is a big game for "us" tomorrow. Only I'm not part of the team. It's a strange phenomenon in our culture that we can as fans identify so closely with the teams we favor that we speak of them and us together in the first person. It's not, "Alabama had a great season," but "We had a great season." What is it? Is a measure of one's devotion and love to the great efforts of his favorite group

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-32725548603882691172009-12-18T23:49:00.000-06:002009-12-18T23:49:46.275-06:00

It's never dull having conversations with folks who are interested in, or skeptical about, becoming part of your church family. The questions asked are usually pointed, and being the answer man means I'm under the microscope. I had a fun one last week. This particular gentleman sounded like a regular viewer of FOX News. From the tone of his voice, it was easy to tell that he didn't harbor a

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-58325859182673677422009-12-06T06:00:00.018-06:002009-12-06T07:42:12.820-06:00

I was 14 years old. Alabama was in the middle of its best run since "Bear" Bryant had retired. I became a fan since attending the 1990 Sugar Bowl in person: a loss to Miami. Three years later, Alabama turned the tables by stunning the #1-ranked Hurricanes (and Heisman winner Geno Torretta) 34-13 in the 1993 Sugar Bowl. Alabama finished 13-0, and they became the 1992 National Champions. It

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-14218309051775801682009-11-29T06:31:00.000-06:002009-11-29T06:31:16.297-06:00

1.) Alabama : poor ol' Alabama... just slogs through another victory... have to go up against the mighty Gators and the Author & Perfecter of the Gators' perfect season, Tim Tebow... I don't even know why they'll bother to show up next week (g) 2.) Florida 3.) Texas 4.) Texas Christian : The Nebraska bandwagon has a bunch of folks in purple on it 5.) Boise State 6.) Cincinnati -- 7.) Oregon 8.)

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-54118398086059243942009-11-25T13:29:00.000-06:002009-11-25T13:29:45.489-06:00

We have a funny, ironic way of putting days together on our calendar. Take Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. One day a day of gorging ourselves & fulfilling our most lustful desires; the other day a day ushering in a season of sacrifice. They don't make sense being together on calendar do they? Though even lesser known & celebrated here in America, there's also Halloween and All Saints' Day.

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-43108812585305788822009-11-22T07:00:00.001-06:002009-11-22T22:16:53.227-06:00

They say throw out the record books for these games. Instead, can we throw out the cliche's? The best teams usually win these games, right? I can name only three times in the last 20 years where the best team going into the Iron Bowl didn't win. It's probably about the same for Florida & Florida State. Both are dangerous games this year. Both underdogs have just enough offense on their good

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-53000483515861543652009-11-15T06:00:00.002-06:002009-11-15T06:00:01.277-06:00

Survive & advance. It's a 12- or 13-game playoff, and you just gotta keep showing up and winning every one of them. Blah blah blah. The top teams keep on grinding out victories: some of them tough & hard-earned, some of them comfortable. And of that top echelon, the NCAA appears very top-heavy this season. It's been a somewhat boring season this year (aside from the September upheval)

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-80878955229613561092009-11-09T06:00:00.007-06:002009-11-09T06:00:01.935-06:00

I'm going to meander for a little bit here to begin with. But stick with me. High School Reunions are kinda strange. Mine was a little extra strange. The weekend of my high school reunion, my old campus ministry group ALSO decided to have a reunion. So it was reunion weekend for me back in September. I ended up doing both, even though I missed out on a lot of the fun both groups had. One

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-46254563003613796042009-11-08T06:00:00.003-06:002009-11-08T06:00:04.821-06:00

I almost called it the flip-flop edition, because we've got a shake-up at the top. 1.) Alabama Here's the best way I can describe this team: they're the most complete football team that still has yet to play a complete football game. And yet, they keep winning. Woe unto the team that has to face Alabama when they put it all together. And the reason I decided to bump them up to #1 here is

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-63403998982328025862009-11-01T06:00:00.009-06:002009-11-01T06:00:06.412-06:00

... because technically Halloween is over. Not as much separation between those top 2 teams and the rest of the field now. I could see any of the top 10 teams playing for a National Championship. Those top 2 teams have been playing like they're feeling the pressure of an undefeated record. And the November slate looks tough for both of them. 1a.) Florida 1b.) Alabama : folks talk about how

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-22645102751876797972009-10-27T03:15:00.004-05:002009-10-27T03:20:44.451-05:00

It's always kinda awkward whenever someone in a conversation begins talking about "the Will of God." For one thing, these people often seem to be speaking with far too much boldness in relation to their ability to actually discern the mind of God. Seems like such conversations need to be peppered with lots of humility. Instead, the phrase "the Will of God" is often used as a sort of "trump

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-13813723340718021392009-10-26T06:00:00.003-05:002009-10-26T12:58:34.662-05:00

One of my professors at college was real entertaining in class on certain days. On those certain days, he would get us laughing pretty hard. And then every once in a while he would slip in a joke that was kind of awkward. And after we didn't laugh, he'd say, "Some things I do just for me." Well, this blog entry is just for me. What follows are various pictures and videos of what is destined

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-21876975022768658422009-10-25T13:00:00.010-05:002009-10-25T13:00:01.818-05:00

Written Saturday night: I still don't know how to process the 'Bama/Tennessee game. I feel like I just missed getting T-boned by a semi in an intersection. And I can't figure out how or why I'm still alive. I don't know. I don't know what you do after that. Written Sunday morning: I guess you go live your life to the fullest, right? You go win a championship. Alabama is still alive.

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-6899843356441758322009-10-18T13:00:00.009-05:002009-10-18T13:00:00.309-05:00

You can't win pretty every week. Reality dictates this immutable truth every season in college football. What separates the good teams from the championship teams is the ability to grind out victories even when you don't have your "A" Game. The top 3 did just that this week: 1a.) Florida : they gave Arkansas plenty of chances to win that game. But when they got their one chance to go win it,

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-37064029289753185942009-10-15T11:37:00.006-05:002009-10-15T11:53:21.566-05:00

Isn't it great when you read a passage of Scripture from a new perspective? Especially when you discover the way the passage was supposed to be read all along? My buddy Mark did this for me last year for Jesus' teaching on money & rendering unto Caesar. "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and render unto God what is God's." Well, Caesar's coin had Caesar's image on it. So what is God's

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-51641790939302893542009-10-12T06:00:00.007-05:002009-10-12T06:00:06.128-05:00

Just a fair warning to all: this is a long one. Relentlessly long. You may wanna try to print it out & read it somewhere more comfortable than a swivel chair. Then again, it might empty your ink cartridge. Ehhh, do whatever you want.Allow me to go ahead & get the griping out of the way early: the weather STINKS here in Florida right now. It's positively disheartening. I know I shouldn't

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-25389814984855387072009-10-11T14:53:00.005-05:002009-10-11T15:12:51.095-05:00

Coming into this season, there were generally four top 10 teams from the SEC: Florida, Alabama, Ole Miss, and LSU. Yesterday, 'Bama & Florida went on the road to take on the other two teams. And the cream rose to the top.Florida or Alabama? Alabama or Florida? They are at the same time a mirror image & a contrast in styles.Both have defenses that are veteran, unforgiving, supremely talented,

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-19385497900941050112009-10-07T16:15:00.001-05:002009-10-07T16:18:47.787-05:00

I really loved MLB's Marketing Campaign this year. Even if television marketing is manipulative & Pavlovian in nature.What do I mean? So many commercials follow this script: pleasant music, a warm soothing voice, and mesmerizing pictures or colors that all work together to make you feel good inside. And then, at the very end, they flash their brand logo on the screen. What are they doing?

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-9159717027651062592009-10-04T20:28:00.000-05:002009-10-04T20:28:09.570-05:00

I love this month. It's my favorite month of the year. I wish this month were 3 months long. I can't ever get enough. The great border war rivalries are coming up this month, too: Florida/Georgia, Alabama/Tennessee, Oklahoma/Texas. And this coming week, it's Judgment Day in the SEC: Florida/LSU, Alabama/Mississippi, Auburn/Arkansas. Who would've realized Georgia/Tennessee would mean so

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-17752065432296393802009-09-29T14:35:00.003-05:002009-09-29T15:48:54.542-05:00

Something very touching happened very late last night. While most of America had already crawled into bed, the Los Angeles Angels clinched the pennant. After six grueling months of a seemingly eternal-long regular season -- a length of time that just grinds players down & almost empties their souls -- those Angels laid claim to the best record in the AL West Division & the ticket to the

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-404452726452188922009-09-27T14:40:00.005-05:002009-09-27T14:50:27.039-05:00

I know this is gonna sound insensitive at first, but I hope Tebow is never the same. I really do. Urban Meyer has been getting away with keeping his starters in too long for years now. He hasn't paid for it with a major injury before. But he looked like he was gonna break down in tears yesterday. And I'll say it because no one else is: it's not classy. It's not classy, Urban Meyer, when

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-86177699797207830962009-09-20T16:49:00.002-05:002009-09-21T10:22:49.801-05:00

Even though they won, it was a bitter-sweet Saturday for the top two. I left UF at #1 even though they lost to Tennessee 13-23. ;) I feel bad for my Gator-loving friends that they weren't able to truly fulfill their blood-lust for Lane Kiffin. Same deal for Texas against the Red Raiders: seems like they're mildly disappointed that Tech kept it tight.Here's my 121.) Florida2.) Texas3.) Alabama

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-17519692321727767422009-09-15T15:40:00.000-05:002009-09-15T15:40:25.016-05:00

Come on! Can't you at least give a guy credit for recognizing a cultural trend?! Here's the headline on FoxNews.com at the moment:A link to the blog would have been nice!I'm totally kidding. Any journalist worth their salt could recognize that trend. It's the rule of three, after all. Still, I felt like Napoleon Dynamite when I saw the headline... "GOSH! Idiots!"

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-21505451576385143272009-09-14T15:29:00.007-05:002009-09-14T23:06:09.147-05:00

It sure seems lately as if manners is out of season, doesn't it?First, there was Congressman Joe Wilson. Last week, he loudly spoke out of turn IN the chamber for the House of Representatives TO the President of the United States. He did say he was sorry. (YOU LIE!... just kidding) But I'd wager that he's not all that sorry now -- not after raking in 1 million dollars in campaign funds.What is

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-58011802431339603872009-09-13T13:18:00.000-05:002009-09-13T13:18:00.243-05:00

It's not often you get to see two totally different sets of people that you haven't seen in a decade. Friday night, it was the first event of a weekend-long High School Reunion. Everyone bowled. I "bowled." (Note the appropriate use of quotation marks... unlike all of the examples of the inappropriate use of quotation marks posted at this site) I think we all had a merry time together that

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-16615148427188966392009-09-07T16:52:00.000-05:002009-09-07T16:53:07.692-05:00

It was an unprecedented vacation. I played 90 holes of golf in 4 days. And I finished that little run in style, with the final 18 coming at the #1 ranked public course in Alabama. And if that wasn't enough, I got to witness my Tide beat up the Hokies in person. And I did that in style, too: my Uncle got me into an executive suite luxury box in the Georgia Dome. It was entirely as cool as it

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-6538086215646705762009-09-02T10:39:00.002-05:002009-09-02T10:44:15.296-05:00

I love the creativity of that marketing campaign. Not everyone is gonna like it, as evidenced by that news report. But not everyone is gonna like everything anyway, right? Here's a link to their campaign web site, BTW.I wish I could track down the link, but can't -- but that story reminded me of a story I read in the Christian Chronicle about the Cincinnati Campus Ministry that used chewing

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-24125854539528381692009-08-31T14:33:00.000-05:002009-08-31T14:33:20.231-05:00

1.) Florida2.) Texas3.) Oklahoma4.) USCThat's the elite. Big drop-off from those teams to the next tier. At least until we see one of the following teams take it to the next level on the field...5.) Boise State6.) Georgia (wayyy under-rated by the experts. I expect a post-hype bumper year for the Bulldogs)7.) Alabama8.) Virginia Tech9.) Ohio State10.) LSU11.) Oklahoma State12.) Georgia Tech

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-13004716745550352472009-08-29T22:49:00.004-05:002009-08-29T22:51:02.233-05:00

I love good quotes. I've just encountered quite a few quotes this weekend that have struck me as profound. There's so many of them that I felt moved to write them all down in one place so I don't forget any of them. So, think on these things with me..."My son has seen enough death to understand the value of life."From the movie "Traitor," which I just got the chance to re-watch for the first

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-19949339658681240962009-08-27T13:19:00.001-05:002009-08-27T13:20:39.648-05:00

So it strikes me that, as fans, our relationships with athletes are fleeting. They don't last. It is impossible for them to last. Athletes grow old & they retire. Unless, that is... well, I'll spare you the token Brett Favre joke.These relationships with athletes are going to occur over a set period of time. And some of these relationships may be incredibly thrilling! But they will end.For

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-77566378389288945402009-08-25T08:15:00.001-05:002009-08-25T08:18:23.355-05:00

The church that takes seriously the fact that Jesus is Lord of all time will not just celebrate quietly every time we write the date on a letter or a document, will not just set aside Sunday as far as humanly and socially possible as a celebration of God's new creation (and will point out the human folly of a seven-day working week), will not just seek to order its own life in an appropriate

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-19974792916429727102009-08-23T21:28:00.000-05:002009-08-23T21:28:35.194-05:00

Apparently this was a pretty legendary commercial about 30-35 years ago:I have just a few reflections. For one, I love how Alabama's coaches have had low, booming voices. In fact, if Nick Saban lacks in anything, that may be the only thing. But Gene Stallings & Coach Bryant just had great voices. I think Coach Bryant came by his by smoking his unfiltered cigarettes.But also that personal

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-69533186487740604192009-08-17T11:39:00.007-05:002009-08-17T11:56:33.719-05:00

I was just reading an excellent little essay from my brother in ministry Jonathan, and it got me to thinking about evangelism & how we do it.At least, it reminded me of something I've already been thinking about. You see we're having Revival at the Lynn Haven Church of Christ this week. And I'd say it's not even limited to this week, because there's been a 3-week build-up of prayer &

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-2138782372919001482009-08-11T17:03:00.000-05:002009-08-11T17:03:14.113-05:00

Rising sophomore receiver Julio Jones gave Tide fans a lot of thrills last season. He really had his first "Hello World" moments when the Tide put up 35 points in the first half against the then #1-ranked Georgia Bulldogs in Athens last season. Then he made the catch that essentially beat LSU in Coach Saban's return to Red Stick (that's the French translation of "Baton Rouge").But perhaps none

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-8595902442304718202009-08-09T23:40:00.001-05:002009-08-09T23:40:46.400-05:00

Vince Vaughn captures my sentiments, and probably those of just about every Red Sox fan, right now following the 4-game molestation at the hands of the Yanks...... minus the vulgar mouth, of course. (g) Except for the rest of Red Sox nation: they're mouths are probably much more colorful & coarse.So baseball season is over me now. I'm gonna throw myself into 'Bama practice reports. I've only

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-31693648679777543152009-08-06T13:25:00.002-05:002009-08-06T13:30:11.898-05:00

I think I love just about everything about this news story here: you've got ministry, BASEBALL, the little scrappy guy who's the underdog trying to run with the big dogs, the guy who takes his fortune & does something honorable with it. This is GREAT!...Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the EconomyI wish there were more efforts like this. I just love this. I know

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-64290696933222244762009-08-03T14:49:00.002-05:002009-08-03T14:55:08.209-05:00

Just saw this on CNN. It came from an embedded reporter in Afghanistan. A soldier on the front lines decided he wanted to give his life to God.I guess he'll be the guy at the home Bible study with the cooler baptism story than EVERYBODY else... (g)

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-17864056213956763192009-07-27T16:36:00.007-05:002009-07-27T20:39:12.857-05:00

First, I urge you to watch this clip. There's a small movement afoot in America to try to convince President Obama to release his birth certificate. And apparently, for reasons I'm not quite up to speed on, a "Certificate of Live Birth" doesn't qualify or isn't the same thing as a "Birth Certificate." Anyhow, I'd like you to listen to just about 5 minutes of the discussion where Chris Matthews

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-7702469978747679462009-07-08T18:21:00.002-05:002009-07-08T18:33:12.725-05:00

I guess I'm sort of a fan of Robert McNamara. "Thirteen Days" is one of my favorite movies, partly because I've always found the Cuban Missile Crisis interesting. And then I got a hold of a documentary that was essentially an extended interview with McNamara called "The Fog of War." It's broken up into different parts, with eleven lessons from his life.He's a really interesting man. Very

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-50281998668537802302009-06-25T09:34:00.003-05:002009-06-25T12:59:49.192-05:00

I couldn't help myself. When a South Carolina newspaper said that they had copies of the E-mails from Mark Sanford's correspondence with a woman he's currently having an affair with, I broke down and had to read them. It was pretty standard fare for love letters: "I want you, I need you, you're so wonderful," and thankfully low on the eroticism. And the excitement of their tryst is amplified,

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-18973144381972410042009-06-19T10:36:00.020-05:002009-06-19T15:37:44.191-05:00

It seems that it's easier for athletes to perform with people rooting for them rather than against them. This assumption is based at least in part on the phrase that has become accepted jargon: "home field advantage." At home, you receive encouragement to excel & your opponent has to suffer through the jeers and sneers of being the rogue.There are noted exceptions. Reggie Miller appeared to

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-87496647766655390502009-06-08T12:38:00.000-05:002009-06-08T12:38:06.823-05:00

Hey there, faithful blog reader. I've made the decision to start a private blog. There's just some things that I like to write about -- getting them out of my mind & into words -- that aren't meant for public consumption. Part of what I enjoy about blogging is being able to think out loud, and get feedback, and further reflect, and be challenged to think even deeper. And with the advent of an

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-33547838961051838212009-06-06T11:25:00.003-05:002009-06-06T13:23:11.504-05:00

You can just sense Peggy Noonan's articulate pen seeping through this whole speech. What gives it life, though, is Reagan's soft-spoken voice. Delivered 25 years ago on the 40th Anniversary of D-Day, it's plain & evident what America loved about The Gipper.It's also apparent what Conservatives have lost over the last quarter century: the modest, conservative tone that used to bespeak the

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-22765748614134920592009-06-01T15:05:00.003-05:002009-06-01T15:28:17.478-05:00

I was just thinking about how devious free trial offers are. You know -- those offers your receive that give you a 15- or 30-day free trial to this, that, or the other. Or 12 CD's for a dollar, or 10 books for a dime, or whatever. If you don't cancel by a certain date, then they'll charge you $79.95. And then they'll continue to send you more of their product & continue to charge you.You know

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-63149171452599065062009-05-18T19:53:00.001-05:002009-05-18T19:55:10.682-05:00

... under the word, "OBSESSED"Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-32679660104286486002009-05-14T06:00:00.002-05:002009-05-14T06:00:01.871-05:00

Enlightening words from Jim Sollisch this past Sunday...[Being a son...] was my defining role for 49 years, until my mother died last April.I mention this because I have learned in this year of grieving that most people calibrate their sympathy to your age. People seem to assume that the further you get from looking like a son, the less painful it must be for you to lose a parent. I suppose

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-17268644480853988012009-05-12T06:00:00.000-05:002009-05-12T06:00:02.471-05:00

Jesus said that "the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy." I believe that. And I believe we should respond with detectable righteous anger when we observe such cheating, lying thieves. So buckle your seat belts, because here it comes...Jesus himself responded this way, BTW. When he witnessed the Temple being made a mockery, Jesus burst forth with anger. He would not continue to

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-17129657384876110362009-05-04T11:27:00.000-05:002009-05-04T11:27:41.752-05:00

Being a preacher, sometimes you wonder how your messages are heard. Does it go in one ear & out the other? Are they nodding in agreement on the outside & shaking their head in disagreement on the inside? Will this actually make a difference in their life? Some of the most encouraging moments for me in ministry happen when someone tells how a message I spoke a month or more before impacted

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-2581549732049128032009-04-27T22:36:00.003-05:002009-04-27T22:41:26.298-05:00

North Boulevard Church of Christ minister David Young has the most amazing conversation piece to share for the rest of his life. More than that, though, he considers it his testimony.Check it out here --> Angels Performing Ballet. Long & verbose, but it's one of the most exhilarating reads I've had in a while.

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-41120606616855332072009-04-21T15:59:00.001-05:002009-04-21T16:08:48.295-05:00

Fascinating article I read just now on RCP: The More Given, the Less Earned. It fuses sociolinguistics, politics, and theology -- three outstanding topics in their own right, and are even more awesome when they are combined. Anyway, Dennis Prager makes the case that there is an eclipse in our culture of the idea of earning anything, which erodes a high ethic for work and, he posits, will

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-85251124307434649812009-04-17T10:19:00.003-05:002009-04-17T10:39:06.874-05:00

I've been admonished for not blogging. I assume that the one who rebuked me would like to see me repent. So in the interest of not disappointing him, here I am.Truth is, after blogging for nearly every single day in 2008, a few weeks in to '09 I'd begun to feel like I'd said enough for awhile. That it would be good to be quiet for awhile. Plus, I've started some new resolutions that took time

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-22451188004375811672009-03-17T18:46:00.004-05:002009-03-17T20:39:48.090-05:00

I've been thinking a lot the last couple of days about a question I heard posed on a recording of The Dan Patrick Show over the weekend. It has to do with Bernard Madoff. If you could run an illegal scheme for nearly 50 years until you were 70 years old (knowing you would get away with it for a long time -- knowing you would eventually get caught when you were 60 or 70 years old -- but living

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-83438723646283187982009-03-04T12:45:00.001-06:002009-03-04T12:47:21.005-06:00

Thanks to Jared, who turned me onto this video that explains Lent in a deep yet concise way. This is The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, reflecting on Lent. I'm still not doing Lent, but since I opined about it a few weeks ago I figured I'd post this here.Also, this guy has got some amazing eyebrows! I'd recommend clicking on the video, going to the YouTube page itself, and

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-65742415494661053932009-02-24T12:10:00.000-06:002009-02-24T12:10:27.027-06:00

This is my favorite "stew" to make during winter -- even more than chili. It has all the flavor of a taco in soup form. Enjoy!Ingredients• 1-lb. of Ground Beef• 1 onion• 2 cans "Ranch Style" BeansThat's an actual brand of beans. Look for it at the grocery store. I'm not sure what type of bean it is, but it's thicker and rounder than a kidney bean.• 2 cans Diced Tomatoes• 1 can Ro-Tel• 1 small

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-62706432587559379052009-02-19T12:02:00.000-06:002009-02-19T12:03:24.847-06:00

The glory of election season is over. And now the long, long winter of governing will persist. And I'm already tired. I'm weary. I don't know how these politicians do it. It's gotta be the paycheck. Because I'm worn out already.Why? Partisan wrangling. It's got me down.I feel about as adrift amidst the partisans -- supremely confident in their assertions & predictions -- as Michael

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-45198996412707051592009-02-16T09:39:00.001-06:002009-02-16T09:39:44.211-06:00

This really has nothing to do with anything. Nothing really witty or profound here. Just an expression of how much I love playing a good game of spades. It is one of my natural highs.I came to know the game my first year of college. I was a freshman at the University of Florida, my girlfriend had just broken up with me, and I was a lonely soldier. I had made some good friends in the campus

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-7405297867946680302009-02-12T06:00:00.002-06:002009-02-12T06:00:01.667-06:00

I think it's because it is narrative in nature. And the fact that the story itself is extraordinary.For some reason it resonates with me.

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-49902532742143572952009-02-11T09:59:00.001-06:002009-02-11T10:00:12.589-06:00

I just don't get it. For forty days, believers attempt to do without something (that probably shouldn't be a part of their lives anyway) as a demonstration of their devotion to Christ in the season leading up to Easter Sunday.Here's one explanation I found:Several years ago I followed a fast through the forty days of Lent and found that it changed my view of Easter, and that it changed me.

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-10852773217963576092009-02-10T14:15:00.001-06:002009-02-10T14:15:27.288-06:00

An old HS buddy of mine has some good reflections on being in ministry & constantly being "busy." Ultimately, this line is a defense mechanism that has consequences we may not want if we think it through.Take a moment and invest some time in these brief reflections:The Myth of Busyness (Part 1)The Myth of Busyness (Part 2)

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-91464399201384761482009-02-09T23:07:00.001-06:002009-02-09T23:08:43.308-06:00

I imagine those might be the words that Peter Lorie might utter today.I've been selling all of my Mom's old books on Half.com, and tonight I stumbled across a book called "Nostradamus, The Millennium & Beyond: Prophecies to 2016" by Peter Lorie. It was published in 1993.So, how'd they do? Here's some predictions that were woefully wrong...• 1999: A new religion emerges• 2004: A woman President

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-7939460574539903402009-02-07T15:09:00.001-06:002009-02-09T06:55:38.606-06:00

Back in June I wrote an entry about The Three Levels of MLB Druggies. Today's news bumps A-Rod all the way to level one from level three.BTW, chalk up another one on the board for the sleezeball known as Jose Canseco. When he points the finger, it seems he gets it right. Though, it could be a case that it doesn't matter who he points the finger at. Like playing Russian Roulette with a

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-46833758179837882552009-02-06T12:15:00.004-06:002009-02-06T12:22:53.900-06:00

What is it with the seduction of the unowned?I know I'm not the only person to recognize this. Maybe it's the skill of marketers plying their trade. Maybe it's an innate craving always for "just a little bit more." Or maybe it's that the item on the shelf actually IS better than the item already in possession at home. Whatever the case, there is a strong attraction to have more even when

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-33197006973517521462009-02-05T19:49:00.000-06:002009-02-05T19:49:27.724-06:00

...sometimes funny things are said.My Mom used to say about certain people that it was like they had "no filter for their internal monologue" (I credit her for challenging me to have a more extensive vocabulary): "that their stream of consciousness came right out of their mouth."That's what I thought of when I watched this hilarious clip:

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-45981069671854785132009-02-05T10:26:00.001-06:002009-02-05T19:54:27.434-06:00

I listened to a refreshing sermon this morning from one of my old mentors. Shon Smith is the preaching minister at the University Church of Christ in Tuscaloosa, AL. For my conservative friends I imagine that some of his words might be challenging. For others elsewhere on the political spectrum, it might be heartening to hear an Alabama preacher speak graciously about our President without

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-17026764831218082422009-02-03T06:00:00.000-06:002009-02-03T06:00:00.679-06:00

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-79891883314253597282009-02-02T14:38:00.002-06:002009-02-02T14:45:33.670-06:00

Love the story-telling in this clip, especially when they whip out the Zapruder Film-like production. Classic.

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-18369811706835240422009-01-30T11:07:00.005-06:002010-03-11T15:58:26.713-06:00

I'm convinced that vulgarity can have a noble role in language from time to time. Not all the time. Not even a lot of the time. Only at well-placed moments when other forms of decent language will not suffice to communicate the proper levels of passion & disdain over a sad state of affairs. I consider it a socially acceptable form of hyperbole. There are some movies that execute this dynamic

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-40743739691195931232009-01-29T08:59:00.000-06:002009-01-29T08:59:51.999-06:00

A couple of months ago, I mentioned that I was planning to go to Lipscomb's Summer Celebration this summer. Now it's a little more up in the air.I'm beginning to think about going to the Tulsa Soul-Winning Workshop at the end of March. I guess I'll let my friends know whenever I make up my mind.Anyone going to either?

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-18949245867557967582009-01-28T09:40:00.000-06:002009-01-28T09:40:11.484-06:00

From N.T. Wright's "Surprised by Hope" (pg. 40)The crucifixion of Jesus was the end of all their hopes. Nobody dreamed of saying, "Oh, that's all right-- he'll be back again in a few days." Nor did anybody say, "Well, at least he's now in Heaven with God." They were not looking for that sort of kingdom. After all, Jesus himself had taught them to pray that God's kingdom would come "on earth

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-19128855655327027892009-01-27T14:02:00.003-06:002009-01-27T14:07:45.395-06:00

Here's a little tip for those of you who aren't regular public speakers. And for those of you who are, a reminder. To speak in appropriate ways, you have to be mindful of your audience & your occasion.For example, I'm disappointed with how Rick Warren used the Invocation last Tuesday:I love Rick Warren. I've got one major/minor quibble with him, but all-in-all I think he is a good minister &

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-27220425947027358572009-01-27T08:58:00.000-06:002009-01-27T08:58:15.945-06:00

This one's a classic. Jerry Stiller is so animated...

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-44744817276157989672009-01-26T11:17:00.002-06:002009-01-26T11:17:58.616-06:00

Just Watched:TraitorMy Rating:5 StarsEvery once in a while, there's a really good movie that receives almost no hype but deserves all the hype being given to a film like "Revolutionary Road" (seriously! "Thank you for getting naked again, Kate Winslet! Please take all of these awards..."). "Traitor" is that film.This is one of those flicks that makes you think while also providing a high

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-41594325286999591002009-01-25T00:04:00.000-06:002009-01-25T00:04:18.103-06:00

Every time I grow a big head & begin to fancy myself as something of a good writer, I read Peggy Noonan's Saturday column in the Wall Street Journal and realize that there is talent far beyond me. If I'm "charmed" by Obama's tech savviness, as I said Saturday, then I'm dazzled by Noonan.I suspect that there is even a nugget or two here that my conservative friends might appreciate.What I Saw at

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-41893269105851715682009-01-24T10:20:00.001-06:002009-01-24T10:20:12.657-06:00

Okay, I'll admit it: I'm charmed. I'm charmed by how technologically savvy the new White House is. I like it that the White House has a blog, so that I get updated on the latest Executive Orders via their RSS feed. I like it that I can watch the President's weekly address via YouTube, and in High Definition no less!He's at least better at propaganda than Bush, BTW. (And I use that word in

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-50850017310611498532009-01-23T09:26:00.000-06:002009-01-23T09:26:49.465-06:00

A National Geographic Documentary was fortunate to capture President Obama's first ride aboard Air Force One, just before his Inauguration. Good stuff...Embedded video from CNN Video

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-33684508672746516872009-01-22T16:50:00.001-06:002009-01-22T16:51:16.254-06:00

Here are some interesting links for my COC brethren that were E-mailed to me today. They are each from the Christian Chronicle:• The 2009 edition of Churches of Christ in the United States has been released, and we are shrinking. I don't know how much of that conclusion has to do with the following story...• The Richland Hills Church of Christ of Fort Worth and other churches were excluded from

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-21327274539389809622009-01-21T13:30:00.000-06:002009-01-21T13:30:01.028-06:00

My favorite character, Desmond, and all the rest return on the season premiere of "LOST" tonight! Man, why'd they have to do this on a Wednesday -- knuckleheads!!These were my two favorite scenes from last season...

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-31795379110279473752009-01-21T09:22:00.000-06:002009-01-21T09:22:27.052-06:00

Caught a little bit of the National Prayer Service this morning. There's just something odd about public prayer. And listening to one of the prayers, I was reminded of this:When he pulls out the word "smorgasbord," that's where I start losing it...

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-61977242168708605782009-01-20T12:32:00.001-06:002009-01-20T12:35:17.986-06:00

This appears to be a meaningful day for everyone for different reasons. I've heard media members already parse words & draw implications about everything from race to terrorism & Guantanamo Bay.As I watched the Inauguration ceremonies, and listened to President Obama's speech, I had some impressions of my own. Here were the highlights to me:On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11203768.post-77929113169289521332009-01-18T06:14:00.002-06:002009-01-18T06:24:13.717-06:00

There's not really a dignified way to explain dreams, is there? Well, at least I try here. And if not, I hope you find the experience amusing.(If you *really* want to laugh, hit the tag at the bottom of this entry & go read about the dream I had with Nick Saban a year ago. That's some funny stuff.)So, in my dream, I was spending some one-on-one time with Rick Warren out at his church's

IIIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.com2