new music

I seem to follow a pattern of feast and famine with music. I won't listen to much outside of worship team for a month or so and then I'll flood my senses with new music. I am fortunate that my renewed musical thirst has coincided with the release of new music by Chris Tomlin and Hillsong.

I really like both of these cd's [yes, i still buy cd's. i download some music, but i prefer having a physical copy with the artwork and lyrics]. Hello Love is a bit more accessible, but the production of This is Our God is sooo good.

What else should I be listening to right now?

why i like kroger

kroger gas $3.52 - $.30 kroger card discount = $3.22 per gallon!

it's the economy stupid

It seems that Michigan's economy has spread across the nation. I know that the frozen financial market/spreading foreclosure/credit crisis is a huge problem to solve with no short term solution, but the government needs to keep working. I'm not necessarily a huge fan of the recently-rejected bail out proposal, but it's clear that the market needs to have some confidence restored.

We also need to do our part by not panicking and being personally responsible with our finances. The banks lent all that money to people. We can't just blame the banks for wanting to make more money. We're the ones who asked for it.

amazing race 13

the newest season of Amazing Race began tonight.

It was a pretty good episode. Good tension and good tasks. The first few episodes are always hard because you don't really know the teams and they have to share a lot of screen times. Becky and I enjoy debating strategy about how we would handle each obstacle along the way (somehow we manage to come in first every time:).

What's your vote on which team is most annoying...

The Frat Boys- Andrew and Dan

I'm not sure which is which, but they seem to get overexcited about everything and the one with glasses thinks he's an expert in everything.

... or...

Team Newly Dating- Terence and Sarah

All i can say is they are both crazy. not "fun" crazy, but emotional and psychological problems crazy. Reality TV gold.

endless

Becky and I were wondering today...

... how can our tiny house hold limitless items to be cleaned? Everyday we:

• wash dishes in the dishwasher
• wash dishes by hand
• wash clothes
• dry clothes
• fold clothes

and it never ends. it seems like there are time we get ahead, when at the end of the day there aren't as many things to wash and hope that there won't be anything tomorrow. However, there apprears to be some sort of dirty-ness tooth fairy, but instead of leaving shiny change under your pillow (or bills considering inflation) the magical sprite takes your clean clothes and dishes and leaves dirty ones in their place.

I know I'm an adult and responsibilities like this come with the territory, there are plenty of chores that we both do regularly that we complete even though we don't want to do them. But the dishes and clothes are relentless... demanding... exhausting.

Is it just us? or do these tasks own your home too?

Heroes Season 3

I just finished watching the premiere episode of the new season of Heroes. Before I share my thoughts, I should preface my review with the fact that i didn't get to watch every moment. I missed several scenes due to kids being put to bed, dirty dishes that required cleaning, and a crying son.

I didn't really like this episode. I think that my overall problem with this episode is my same gripe with the series as a whole: the creators and writers of the show seem to be willing to do anything in an effort to connect with and please the fans of the show. They don't have a vision and over-arching concept to which they are trying to stay true. Pacing is uneven, stories are overly complicated, and characters act in ways that are inconsistent.

Take Suresh for example, the first season he just wanted to complete his fathers research. He was vulnerable and confused, yet driven to solve the puzzle and mystery. Then the second season he was obsessed with Sylar, and acted incompetent one moment and aggressive the next. Now he doesn't care about any of the heroes that he has come across and is only concerned with becoming powerful. He changes from one episode to the next.

And I'm supposed to believe that Peter Petrelli travelled back from the future to stop his brother that he looks up to, loves, and has brought back to life and the method he chooses to stop him is to kill him by shooting him in the chest?

I'll probably watch the next couple episodes to see if things start to make sense, but i may be done with Heroes sometime soon.

RIP- Microsoft add campain

Have you seen the Microsoft ads with Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld? They are the software giants response to Apple's incredibly popular "i'm a mac, and i'm pc" ads. If you haven't seen the Gates/Seinfeld commercials yet you won't be seeing them at all [on tv, at least]. Officially, Microsoft is moving into "phase 2" of their newest advertising campaign which no longer involves Mr. Jerome Seinfeld. Un-Officially, the ads have backfired and most people (or at least most active bloggers) think that the ads only confirm how out of touch Microsoft and Bill Gates are. (source)

Personally, i liked the first one...



i though it was off-beat, dry, and showed them both to be a bit more of "regular guys".

Then they dropped this bomb...



i think this video stinks. it seems to support the idea that these super rich guys don't understand the real world around them.

the newest ads have bombarded tv lately (presumably to erase the memory of the previous campaign).



Better than the last one, but the Apple ads are still the best.

What's your take? Is Microsoft over-reacting or did they totally waste $300 million dollars ($10 million alone for Mr. Seinfeld)?

maintainance

About 2 weeks ago I found myself tackling the endless task of managing our overgrown lawn. Our yard isn't huge, but it needed more than just a once over with the mower. Mow, Trim, Edge, Weed; all the steps to keep your grass healthy, wealthy, and wise.

I was reaching the point of clean-up when Evan and Aaron came outside and with no instruction began to sweep and clean up the sidewalk. I didn't ask them to do it and I could see that they enjoyed working together and helping me.

It was so cool to experience as a Dad. I got to see a bit of their potential as men, to see a bit of the fruit of all our lessons and teaching moments, time-outs and discipline. Don't get me wrong, we have great kids, it's not like they are uncontrollable hellions. However, you don't always see such clear evidence of your hard work.





I'm hanging on to that memory for a long time.

Dancing Christians

another classic

my new fav worship song!

i concur

My good friend Martha Wood recently posted a link or her facebook profile to a blog by Cameron Conant. I have no idea who Cam (if I may be so bold) is or how Martha is connected to him, but I really liked what he had to say about being pro-life.

read his thoughts here.

Being pro-life is not a isolated political checkmark, it's a worldview and perspective that values people... all people.

plenty to blog about... now

Just a two days after I blurbed about a desire for blog-spiration I found it in several places. First was the plea bargain in Kwame Kilpatrick's trial. Then John McCain gave his acceptance speech. Then Evan and Aaron spontaneous helped me accomplish some long over yard work. All great stories, but we've got to start somewhere... so let's catch-up on Kwame, shall we?

He plead guilty. finally. in open court. in front of the television cameras and the city of Detroit Kwame Kilpatrick plead guilty to two obstruction of justice felony charges. He also plead no contest to assault charges in a separate case.

The conditions of his plea are as follows:

• Resign within 14 days
• Serve 120 days in jail
• Serve 5 years probation
• Pay $1,000,000 in restitution
• Surrender his pension
• Give up his law license
• Not seek office for 5 years

Immediately following the hearing I admit that I felt a sense of relief. I even felt a bit sorry for the man for all that he and his family had gone through.
Then he gave a televised statement later that evening and it all sympathy disappeared. He did accept responsibility for his actions... about 8 months after he got caught... at the last minute... when his only choices were 120 days in jail or 20 months in jail [there is no way he could have won that trial]. I understand that he would want to leave Detroiters with hope for the future of the city, that he would want to remind everyone that plenty of good things happened during his tenure; however, I felt that he was just so full of himself. I don't think he sees why the mistakes he made should keep him out of the mayor's office (the lies or the affair or the cover up and millions he cost the city).

I'm glad it's done. But unfortunately i don't think this is the last we'll be hearing the Kwame. I'm betting he's going to come up with a law suit of his own or spill some information (truthful or not) about someone else in office.

mccain

I'm about to watch John McCain's speech at the RNC.

Is it just me or did his intro video totally suck!? "mama's boy"?? the music was horrible and it seemed totally free of emotion. i thought those types of things were supposed to get you pumped up, not depressed.

inspiration

I've been looking at my blog dashboard trying to think of something to write. and nothing is happening.

Which brings me to my question for you bloggers out there... What inspires your writing? I'm not asking where you get your inspiration to take on the challenges that each day brings [it's probably a better question, but let's start with something simple]; I'm interested in the reason you create whatever you create.

There may be multiple reasons... share them all.

If you don't write a blog, which entries to you connect with (not necessarily exclusively on my blog)? Are you looking for humor? political opinion? reference to pop culture? sports rants?

This past Saturday I took part in my first LIVE fantasty football draft. I ended up with the first pick overall (which is alot of pressure btw) and chose LT. Here's my current team:

QBs:
Derek Anderson
Eli Manning
Jason Campbell

WRs:
Santonio Holmes
Calvin Johnson
Brandon Marshall
Marvin Harrison
Kevin Curtis
Bernard Berrian

RBs:
LaDanian Tomlinson
Steven Jackson
Ryan Grant

TE:
Donald Lee

K:
Phil Dawson

DEF:
Minnesota
New England

Not unbeatable, but I feel pretty good about my current roster. How's your team look?

flyin jazz

An Air Canada regional carrier has dumped their life vests in favour of fuel savings. [read about it]. Apparently 'Jazz' has decided that the 25 pounds of life preservers are not work their weight in gas.

They still have the flotation seat cushions and the only significant bodies of water they fly over are the great lakes. but is that enough to keep you feeling safe?

to me, it's not a big deal. I'm not afraid of flying and with the way they track flights these days i'm sure a rescue team would be deployed even before you hit the water.

What do you think? would this give you second thoughts before flying 'Jazz'?

mile high speech

i'm currently watching Obama's acceptance speech at the democratic national convention.

*he just mentioned michigan's autoworkers!!*

i'm not sure who i'm going to vote for, but i find the conventions fascinating. It's like an outrageous combination of: high school pep rally + promise keepers + all the political crazies you can find.

*he just said the "dignity of work"... what a great phrase*


the sight of the packed stadium is pretty cool though.

Dedication

What a great weekend! Becky, the kids, and I went to her parents place for the past few days. We watched the last of the Olympic games, played a ton of cards (which dad and I dominated), and best of all dedicated Ashlyn to God.

With parents for Pastors we have been blessed to be able to make dedicating our children a family affair. Becky's dad dedicated Evan, my dad dedicated Aaron, and Becky's dad had the great honor of dedicating Ashlyn. We did miss having my parents and Angela and Jared with us, but it was still a great time to commit her future and our parenthood to leading her to a daily walk with Christ.

olympic highlights

My dad recently shared his "high" and "low" olympic moments (so far) on his blog. It's a pretty good list, but he left out Usain Bolt from the "Highs".

His total domination of the the 100 meter finals was incredible. Not only did he destroy his competition, but he totally humiliated anyone who has run 100 meters and tried hard. Then he follows it up by winning the 200 meter sprint in world record time also (if you weren't impressed, just read Michael Johnson's reaction to Bolt's race). [his live reaction is great too, but i can't find the video].

Yeah, he's a bit of a showboat and appears to be a bit full of himself prancing around the track; but you gotta hand it to him... he backed it up (unlike U.S. sprinter Wallace Spearmon who was dq'd for stepping out of his lane).

Phelps' feat is still amazing, but Usain gets my vote for top olympic moment. What's your fav. moment?

btw: i'm totally going on the "Bolt diet" of chicken nuggets and plenty of naps before a big event, it seems to work.

Nehemiah

This past week in Sunday school our lesson was on Nehemiah.

I love the book of Nehemiah. It's one of my favourite books of the Bible (not that the others are bad... you know what i mean). It's such a cool story of God's design planted within the heart of a man. Nehemiah faces constant adversity and opposition, but continues to seek God and follow His .

I particularly like the opening prayer found in verses 5-11:

Then I said:
"O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

"Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.'

"They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.

Such a cool prayer.

What about you, what is your favourite book of the Bible?