Saturday, February 28, 2009
HOME
We just got back from Florida and the temp. reads 23 degrees. Two days ago I was able to sit at the pool in shorts and bask in the sun. Oh well.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER
If you get to this part of Florida and have time, I would recommend taking this in. I've always had a fascination with flight, so this is right up my alley...and I think Will really enjoyed it as well. There is a shuttle at it's launch pad right now and was scheduled to blast off this Friday, but now has been pushed back to March 5. I would have loved to have seen it. Maybe another time. I'll have more photos of this day later, but this is a small taste.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
FINALLY IN FLORIDA
We finally made it to the state line and stopped at the first rest stop in Florida. As a courtesy, they serve you your choice of orange juice or grape fruit juice. That's a first. It was a bit breezy too. Dawn doesn't normally wear her hair that way.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
FLORIDA
We leave today for Florida and hope to be there by Sunday evening. Will post more as trip unfolds.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
PINEAPPLE
I wish I had more to report. I don't even have any new pictures of the family. So here is a picture of some pineapple. It was the only original picture on my SD card.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
HAGGARD
James 3:8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. 10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!
While in my hotel room last night, I caught a 'documentary' on HBO about Ted Haggard. If your like me, I don't get this channel at home, but if you do, or are able to watch it somehow, it's worth watching. All I can say was I saw a very broken man. I thought the documentary was well done, and I am willing to give Haggard the benefit of the doubt as to what he said in the hour long show. I don't know how many people would want their sins (and yes, his were very ugly, but no worse than mine), broadcast to a nation of people waiting to pounce on Christians, but his were, and now he's paying for it. Here was a man who spoke to and for the Christian community, and is now at rock bottom. One revealing thing to me was how the church at large responded to him-not good. Thus my reference of James 3.
While in my hotel room last night, I caught a 'documentary' on HBO about Ted Haggard. If your like me, I don't get this channel at home, but if you do, or are able to watch it somehow, it's worth watching. All I can say was I saw a very broken man. I thought the documentary was well done, and I am willing to give Haggard the benefit of the doubt as to what he said in the hour long show. I don't know how many people would want their sins (and yes, his were very ugly, but no worse than mine), broadcast to a nation of people waiting to pounce on Christians, but his were, and now he's paying for it. Here was a man who spoke to and for the Christian community, and is now at rock bottom. One revealing thing to me was how the church at large responded to him-not good. Thus my reference of James 3.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
TYPO
Under my post titled 'Perplexed' I said: "There are few things I like about Obama."
I actually meant to say "There are a few things I like about Obama.
Not fond of many of his policies, but he does like basketball, so he has that going for him.
I actually meant to say "There are a few things I like about Obama.
Not fond of many of his policies, but he does like basketball, so he has that going for him.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR (YEAR OF THE OX)
Chinese New Year is the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar. The Chinese year 4707 begins on Jan. 26, 2009.
Chinese months are reckoned by the lunar calendar, with each month beginning on the darkest day. New Year festivities traditionally start on the first day of the month and continue until the fifteenth, when the moon is brightest. In China, people may take weeks of holiday from work to prepare for and celebrate the New Year.
An Obstinate Year
Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal's year would have some of that animal's personality. Those born in ox years tend to be painters, engineers, and architects. They are stable, fearless, obstinate, hard-working and friendly. Jack Nicholson, Jane Fonda, Walt Disney, and Anthony Hopkins were all born in the year of the ox.
Fireworks and Family Feasts
At Chinese New Year celebrations people wear red clothes, decorate with poems on red paper, and give children "lucky money" in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire, which according to legend can drive away bad luck. The fireworks that shower the festivities are rooted in a similar ancient custom. Long ago, people in China lit bamboo stalks, believing that the crackling flames would frighten evil spirits.
The Lantern Festival
In China, the New Year is a time of family reunion. Family members gather at each other's homes for visits and shared meals, most significantly a feast on New Year's Eve. In the United States, however, many early Chinese immigrants arrived without their families, and found a sense of community through neighborhood associations instead. Today, many Chinese-American neighborhood associations host banquets and other New Year events.
The lantern festival is held on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Some of the lanterns may be works of art, painted with birds, animals, flowers, zodiac signs, and scenes from legend and history. People hang glowing lanterns in temples, and carry lanterns to an evening parade under the light of the full moon.
In many areas the highlight of the lantern festival is the dragon dance. The dragon—which might stretch a hundred feet long—is typically made of silk, paper, and bamboo. Traditionally the dragon is held aloft by young men who dance as they guide the colorful beast through the streets. In the United States, where the New Year is celebrated with a shortened schedule, the dragon dance always takes place on a weekend. In addition, many Chinese-American communities have added American parade elements such as marching bands and floats.
Chinese months are reckoned by the lunar calendar, with each month beginning on the darkest day. New Year festivities traditionally start on the first day of the month and continue until the fifteenth, when the moon is brightest. In China, people may take weeks of holiday from work to prepare for and celebrate the New Year.
An Obstinate Year
Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal's year would have some of that animal's personality. Those born in ox years tend to be painters, engineers, and architects. They are stable, fearless, obstinate, hard-working and friendly. Jack Nicholson, Jane Fonda, Walt Disney, and Anthony Hopkins were all born in the year of the ox.
Fireworks and Family Feasts
At Chinese New Year celebrations people wear red clothes, decorate with poems on red paper, and give children "lucky money" in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire, which according to legend can drive away bad luck. The fireworks that shower the festivities are rooted in a similar ancient custom. Long ago, people in China lit bamboo stalks, believing that the crackling flames would frighten evil spirits.
The Lantern Festival
In China, the New Year is a time of family reunion. Family members gather at each other's homes for visits and shared meals, most significantly a feast on New Year's Eve. In the United States, however, many early Chinese immigrants arrived without their families, and found a sense of community through neighborhood associations instead. Today, many Chinese-American neighborhood associations host banquets and other New Year events.
The lantern festival is held on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Some of the lanterns may be works of art, painted with birds, animals, flowers, zodiac signs, and scenes from legend and history. People hang glowing lanterns in temples, and carry lanterns to an evening parade under the light of the full moon.
In many areas the highlight of the lantern festival is the dragon dance. The dragon—which might stretch a hundred feet long—is typically made of silk, paper, and bamboo. Traditionally the dragon is held aloft by young men who dance as they guide the colorful beast through the streets. In the United States, where the New Year is celebrated with a shortened schedule, the dragon dance always takes place on a weekend. In addition, many Chinese-American communities have added American parade elements such as marching bands and floats.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
BOOK OF THE YEAR
In a previous post I mentioned I was reading a book I thought would be my book of the year. I realize it's February, but I did finish this book several weeks ago, but I wanted to digest what I read before I wrote anything. This will not be a book report per se, but an explanation as to why I think it was the best book I read last year. Plus, it's one of those books, as I look back over it now, is underlined on every other page, and that begins to complicate things as far as explaining the book in a simple and short way.
A few years ago on one of my mission trips, a friend made a statement (also the friend who said something so simple, yet profound enough for me to come back and begin the process to adopt Sean), that went like this: "I have been asking the Lord to give me new eyes to read the bible." In context, we were talking about reading the bible as if we had never been taught the bible or had anyone give us their opinions and beliefs about it. If you've been a Christian long enough, and had the opportunity to go to bible school and seminary, you develop quite a system of beliefs and interpretations on things. Not that that is wrong, but I got to the point in my Christian journey that I knew I needed 'new eyes'. Things were getting a bit muddled for me, and once again, I had plenty of thoughts bouncing around in my head that I was having difficulty explaining in words.
So, with out further ado, I am recommending The Blue Parakeet, by Scot McKnight. It's bi-line reads, Rethinking How You Read the Bible. It's learning to read the bible with tradition, not through tradition. The idea of the blue parakeet comes from a story early on in which McKnight sees a parakeet out in the wild, not caged, thus it stands out from the other birds, gets his attention and makes him look a second and third time to see what is going on. He uses this metaphor for talking about certain bible passages that stand out, that get our attention and make us look a second and third time to figure them out. This is what McKnight says: "Blue Parakeet passages are oddities in the Bible that we prefer to cage and silence rather than to permit into our sacred mental gardens. If we are honest, blue parakeet passages often threaten us, call into question our traditional way of reading the Bible, and summon us back to the Bible to rethink how we read the Bible." Over the years, I have changed my opinion on some things, and this book has helped explain why I have thought the way I thought. On the back cover it asks this question: "What if I'm too Conservative to be Liberal, and too Liberal to be Conservative?"That was one question I was asking myself. What Christian circles do I even fit in anymore? I didn't fit in with out-of-touch fundamentalists or unrealistic liberals. This book also helped explain why.
So, if you're looking for something to read, give this book a try.
A few years ago on one of my mission trips, a friend made a statement (also the friend who said something so simple, yet profound enough for me to come back and begin the process to adopt Sean), that went like this: "I have been asking the Lord to give me new eyes to read the bible." In context, we were talking about reading the bible as if we had never been taught the bible or had anyone give us their opinions and beliefs about it. If you've been a Christian long enough, and had the opportunity to go to bible school and seminary, you develop quite a system of beliefs and interpretations on things. Not that that is wrong, but I got to the point in my Christian journey that I knew I needed 'new eyes'. Things were getting a bit muddled for me, and once again, I had plenty of thoughts bouncing around in my head that I was having difficulty explaining in words.
So, with out further ado, I am recommending The Blue Parakeet, by Scot McKnight. It's bi-line reads, Rethinking How You Read the Bible. It's learning to read the bible with tradition, not through tradition. The idea of the blue parakeet comes from a story early on in which McKnight sees a parakeet out in the wild, not caged, thus it stands out from the other birds, gets his attention and makes him look a second and third time to see what is going on. He uses this metaphor for talking about certain bible passages that stand out, that get our attention and make us look a second and third time to figure them out. This is what McKnight says: "Blue Parakeet passages are oddities in the Bible that we prefer to cage and silence rather than to permit into our sacred mental gardens. If we are honest, blue parakeet passages often threaten us, call into question our traditional way of reading the Bible, and summon us back to the Bible to rethink how we read the Bible." Over the years, I have changed my opinion on some things, and this book has helped explain why I have thought the way I thought. On the back cover it asks this question: "What if I'm too Conservative to be Liberal, and too Liberal to be Conservative?"That was one question I was asking myself. What Christian circles do I even fit in anymore? I didn't fit in with out-of-touch fundamentalists or unrealistic liberals. This book also helped explain why.
So, if you're looking for something to read, give this book a try.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
JUST PERPLEXED
Psalm 94:20 Can unjust leaders claim that God is on their side—leaders whose decrees permit injustice?
21 They gang up against the righteous
and condemn the innocent to death.
Psalm 58:2 No! You plot injustice in your hearts.
You spread violence throughout the land.
I believe this is Sanctity of Human Life week, and I have some thoughts in relation to this. Something has been bothering me since the election, and I was reminded of my bothersome thoughts yesterday. But first,
1. McCain was a terrible choice to run against Obama, for many reasons.
2. I'm not much of a Limbaugh, Glenn Beck fan. Used to be, but I've noticed my attitude and outlook are more positive when I don't listen to them. It may not be so much them as it is a few people I used to know in a former church always quoted them, bought their ties and books, and bought into all the hysteria and criticisms generated by these programs. These same people allowed the same type of attitudes to come out about other believers and churches and programs, and that just got tiring. I made the association whether it's fair or not.
3. I'm tired of all the gushing going on tv, and people saying some of the most insane things. Please people, turn your brain on...you just sound ignorant.
4. There are a few things I like about President Obama.
5. I plan on praying for him as I have been directed by scripture.
6.But mainly, I've been perplexed and saddened by the thought that Christian people could vote for someone who holds true power to either stop the killing of the unborn or allow it to continue and expand. For the first time in my life, I have seen clearly that monetary policies are more important to the Christian than issues of life and morality. And I believe they are fooling themselves with excuses that just don't 'jive.' I am no authority on who and how God chooses to bless people, but if I'm to take God at his word, it seems a bit difficult for God's full measure of blessing to come if the decrees and policies these leaders hold to allow the most innocent of life to be taken.
Maybe someone else can figure it out better than I can.
21 They gang up against the righteous
and condemn the innocent to death.
Psalm 58:2 No! You plot injustice in your hearts.
You spread violence throughout the land.
I believe this is Sanctity of Human Life week, and I have some thoughts in relation to this. Something has been bothering me since the election, and I was reminded of my bothersome thoughts yesterday. But first,
1. McCain was a terrible choice to run against Obama, for many reasons.
2. I'm not much of a Limbaugh, Glenn Beck fan. Used to be, but I've noticed my attitude and outlook are more positive when I don't listen to them. It may not be so much them as it is a few people I used to know in a former church always quoted them, bought their ties and books, and bought into all the hysteria and criticisms generated by these programs. These same people allowed the same type of attitudes to come out about other believers and churches and programs, and that just got tiring. I made the association whether it's fair or not.
3. I'm tired of all the gushing going on tv, and people saying some of the most insane things. Please people, turn your brain on...you just sound ignorant.
4. There are a few things I like about President Obama.
5. I plan on praying for him as I have been directed by scripture.
6.But mainly, I've been perplexed and saddened by the thought that Christian people could vote for someone who holds true power to either stop the killing of the unborn or allow it to continue and expand. For the first time in my life, I have seen clearly that monetary policies are more important to the Christian than issues of life and morality. And I believe they are fooling themselves with excuses that just don't 'jive.' I am no authority on who and how God chooses to bless people, but if I'm to take God at his word, it seems a bit difficult for God's full measure of blessing to come if the decrees and policies these leaders hold to allow the most innocent of life to be taken.
Maybe someone else can figure it out better than I can.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
A KING JAMES VERSION I LIKE
No, not the translation...but the player! Through the basketball program Will participated in, he had the opportunity to go down to the court at halftime and high five the players as they came out...including LeBron James. Will's not one to have highs or lows, so when I asked how it was, he just shrugs his shoulders and says in a low-key way, "yea, it was pretty cool. Hey dad, I also say Jeff VanGundy and Marc Jackson (the ESPN broadcasters)." That seems to big as big a deal as high-fiving LeBron. Either way, I'm, jealous. Oh, and for a few moments during the introductions, I drifted off into fantasy land, hearing the announcer shout, "At seven foot two,from whatever school would have him,'playing power forward, Willllllllll Kelchhhhhh." Gives me goose bumps.
Lebron stands at 6"8", Zydrunas at 7'3", Moe at 6'1", and Will at 5'7".
Lebron stands at 6"8", Zydrunas at 7'3", Moe at 6'1", and Will at 5'7".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)