Sometimes life doesn't give you a chance to step back and take a look at what is going on. It is kind of like a whirlwind, or a tornado. Makes it hard to take a breath.
OK..I don't think that someone could pay me enough to get that close on purpose.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Good Times.
Thursday night we went over to P. Erik/Bethany's house to watch Lost in HD and to hang out with most of the Crew leaders. That was such a blast! Lost was epic. During the commercials, I don't think that I have laughed that hard in a while.
It is tough to find good friends. It is even harder to keep them through rough times.
I think that I will remember Thurday night for a very long time.
It is tough to find good friends. It is even harder to keep them through rough times.
I think that I will remember Thurday night for a very long time.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Bad Karma?
OK. I am tired of the media reporting on the bad stuff that people say..BUT in this case I do not know what Sharon Stone was thinking. She said that maybe the quake in China was possibly the result of "bad Karma" that stemmed from the Chinese government's treatment of Tibet. See the article here
I get the idea that she is trying to make a statment about the treament of Tibet. I understand that she is trying to make it relevant to current happenings. Seriously Sharon: Don't do that. I bet you that if you pushed the issue of Tibetian injustice out into the media, you would find that the issue would stand upon it's own merit.
The PROBLEM with stunts like this (and the interference with the torch run for the Olympics) is that it jades the public to the issue. Yes, it does call attention to it. But I think of the wrong kind. It would be far better to get information to the masses so that they can make their own decisions.
Anyways....sorry for the rant.
I just wish that the news would have some good things that are happening....does anybody have any good links?
I get the idea that she is trying to make a statment about the treament of Tibet. I understand that she is trying to make it relevant to current happenings. Seriously Sharon: Don't do that. I bet you that if you pushed the issue of Tibetian injustice out into the media, you would find that the issue would stand upon it's own merit.
The PROBLEM with stunts like this (and the interference with the torch run for the Olympics) is that it jades the public to the issue. Yes, it does call attention to it. But I think of the wrong kind. It would be far better to get information to the masses so that they can make their own decisions.
Anyways....sorry for the rant.
I just wish that the news would have some good things that are happening....does anybody have any good links?
For Today
I saw this, read this and now I think that I like it so much I am posting this:
O God:
Give me strength to get through this day;
Let me not turn coward before its difficulties or prove recreant to its duties;
Let me not lose faith in other people;
Keep me sweet and sound of heart, in spite of ingratitude, treachery, or meanness;
Preserve me from minding little stings or giving them;
Help me to keep my heart clean, and to live so honestly and fearlessly that no outward failure can dishearten me or take away the joy of conscious integrity;
Open wide the eyes of my soul that I may see good in all things;
Grant me this day some new vision of thy truth;
Inspire me with the spirit of joy and gladness;
and make me the cup of strength to suffering souls;
in the name of the strong Deliverer, our only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
O God:
Give me strength to get through this day;
Let me not turn coward before its difficulties or prove recreant to its duties;
Let me not lose faith in other people;
Keep me sweet and sound of heart, in spite of ingratitude, treachery, or meanness;
Preserve me from minding little stings or giving them;
Help me to keep my heart clean, and to live so honestly and fearlessly that no outward failure can dishearten me or take away the joy of conscious integrity;
Open wide the eyes of my soul that I may see good in all things;
Grant me this day some new vision of thy truth;
Inspire me with the spirit of joy and gladness;
and make me the cup of strength to suffering souls;
in the name of the strong Deliverer, our only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Japanese culture
I find other cultures very interesting. I think there is a lot, as Americans that we can learn from others. This post on Japanese Culture peaked my interest(plz take 10 second to click the link and skim the article).
Okay. Now that you read it...you did read it right? Okay, now that you read it, think about how their customs differ from ours here in America. The whole bathing kinda made me cringe...but out of that whole article, the one thing that really stuck with me was the Japanese people's insistence on using English.
Using what they have learned. Applying their knowledge to the world around them.
Do I do that enough? Do you? I think that it is very important that we apply what we learn to our everyday life. Otherwise, it is just a bunch of facts in our heads, right?
Use it or lose it, just don't abuse it. (I forget where that is from)
What piece of information are you going to pass along today?
It may be insignificant to you, but that little bit of info could change someone Else's life.
Okay. Now that you read it...you did read it right? Okay, now that you read it, think about how their customs differ from ours here in America. The whole bathing kinda made me cringe...but out of that whole article, the one thing that really stuck with me was the Japanese people's insistence on using English.
Using what they have learned. Applying their knowledge to the world around them.
Do I do that enough? Do you? I think that it is very important that we apply what we learn to our everyday life. Otherwise, it is just a bunch of facts in our heads, right?
Use it or lose it, just don't abuse it. (I forget where that is from)
What piece of information are you going to pass along today?
It may be insignificant to you, but that little bit of info could change someone Else's life.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Sometimes I just don't get it.
Ok. So I had a crazy, physically challenging weekend. Saturday Katie and I hauled some furniture up to WI (to my parent's house). Then we ended up hauling a bunch of stuff to Elgin (my sister's house). THEN my brother-in law Tommy gave us some sod to bring home, so we hauled that back to Palos.
We pulled up some stumps, laid down edger bricks (still working on that). All the while taking a bike ride every morning (at least 10 miles) and finding time to see the new Indiana Jones movie which was pretty okay.
I am usually the bull/ox in my family...meaning I get to do all the physical stuff like moving furniture and fridges. I don't mind, in fact I usually love it.
But this morning, I am tired. my body pretty much yells at me whenever I move.
I am giving myself the morning off of physical work (I wonder what the boss will say?)
Then I am back at it again tonight!
We pulled up some stumps, laid down edger bricks (still working on that). All the while taking a bike ride every morning (at least 10 miles) and finding time to see the new Indiana Jones movie which was pretty okay.
I am usually the bull/ox in my family...meaning I get to do all the physical stuff like moving furniture and fridges. I don't mind, in fact I usually love it.
But this morning, I am tired. my body pretty much yells at me whenever I move.
I am giving myself the morning off of physical work (I wonder what the boss will say?)
Then I am back at it again tonight!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Memorial Day 2008
As we head out (or stay home because of gas prices) to spend time with family, friends and loved ones, take a moment to remember the reason for Memorial Day 2008. Whether you agree with current politics or not, there is price that is paid for living the lives that we do.
We live in a nation that is blessed to have a lot. Even the poorest of families in the United States would be considered a king in most others. This is not by chance.
The lives that we lead have been built upon the blood, sweat and tears of those that come before us.
Without the willing sacrifice of the comparative few, we many would not have what we have or be able to do the things that we do.
Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for all of us.
As Christians, we will never forget that.
The men and women in the United States Armed Forces continually put their lives on the line, willing to pay the price that we put on freedom around the world. They do this, not for an administration but for the ideals of a nation. To keep us safe.
Do not forget this.
As we celebrate in memoriam this weekend, let us not only remember the lives of our fallen but let us do our best to live to the standards and ideals that are being fought for.
What a truly horrible price it would be if everything that has been fought for is lost because we choose to let it slip away through negligence and apathy.
As Christians, we fight to uphold the ideals and teachings of Jesus Christ.
As Americans, we should fight to uphold the ideals and principles that America was founded on.
Sometimes, the fight is not only abroad, but within our own borders as well.
Help us to remember what makes us Christians.
Help us to remember what makes us Americans.
Let us remember to keep true. To keep trying. To keep fighting.
God bless our troops and please keep them safe.
Lord, help us to remember all who have gone before us.
God bless America.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Trailer
I can not wait to see Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull to come out. It premiered last night. I hope that I get to see it this weekend!
Here is the official trailer from LucasFilm
Here is the official trailer from LucasFilm
Ignoring stuff
I have noticed, even in my own life how we tend to ignore the bad stuff until we HAVE to address it.
I think that is a bad practice. We need to take the good and the bad equally.
I noticed even in our faith, we "overlook" or don't make time for the parts of it that we don't care for. Maybe it is worship that we don't like, or listening to a message, or tending to others.
While we all have our unique gifts to bring to the table, I think it is important to be well rounded in our faith.
Take it as a challenge to improve your weak spots.
An entity is only as strong as it's weakest point.
What that means to me is that we should always look to improve, not only the things that we are good at (those are easy) but also the things that we are not so good at.
Anyways, kind of a half-baked thought for today.
I think that is a bad practice. We need to take the good and the bad equally.
I noticed even in our faith, we "overlook" or don't make time for the parts of it that we don't care for. Maybe it is worship that we don't like, or listening to a message, or tending to others.
While we all have our unique gifts to bring to the table, I think it is important to be well rounded in our faith.
Take it as a challenge to improve your weak spots.
An entity is only as strong as it's weakest point.
What that means to me is that we should always look to improve, not only the things that we are good at (those are easy) but also the things that we are not so good at.
Anyways, kind of a half-baked thought for today.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Numbers don't lie
"At this writing, the Chicago Cubs are a half-game behind the Arizona Diamondbacks for the best record in all of baseball. They hold a two-game lead in the NL Central, and they're on pace for 101 wins this season, which would be the franchise's highest win total since 1910."
-As quoted off of Fox Sports
-As quoted off of Fox Sports
What can you do today?
What can you do today that will not only improve YOUR life, but someone else's as well? What can you do to change your world, the world around you or someone else's?
Before you reply, think about it for a minute. Furthering our world and God's kingdom doesn't always mean that you have to move mountains. Sometimes just simply smiling at the right time can start a shockwave through hundreds of lives.
So, now that you know that you don't have to perform some huge task...I ask again:
What can you do to change your world today? Not tomorrow. Today. More pointedly, what are you willing to do? Or really, maybe I should ask: What WILL you do?
"The right word at the right time is the difference between lightning and a harmless lightning bug."
-Mark Twain (paraphrased by James Buffet)
Bring it.
Before you reply, think about it for a minute. Furthering our world and God's kingdom doesn't always mean that you have to move mountains. Sometimes just simply smiling at the right time can start a shockwave through hundreds of lives.
So, now that you know that you don't have to perform some huge task...I ask again:
What can you do to change your world today? Not tomorrow. Today. More pointedly, what are you willing to do? Or really, maybe I should ask: What WILL you do?
"The right word at the right time is the difference between lightning and a harmless lightning bug."
-Mark Twain (paraphrased by James Buffet)
Bring it.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Was going to blog
About the candidates and who should be president, but I do not have the time to devote to it. So I won't. Right now....but in a few days I will open up the site to make your case for your candidate.
Here is the deal. There will be rules and I expect everyone to follow them. If you get cranky or obnoxious, you will be booted. So, gear up. Get your sales pitch ready.
Here is the deal. There will be rules and I expect everyone to follow them. If you get cranky or obnoxious, you will be booted. So, gear up. Get your sales pitch ready.
Interesting pic
Look Closely at the pic below. Notice the detail and all the hidden images...pretty cool.
They call us lazy.
And we wonder why the world has a goofy view of us...
Wait, it must be hard work to balance that Segway and push the baby.
Wait, it must be hard work to balance that Segway and push the baby.
What to blog about
Hmmm...What to blog about today? I just don't know. Oh WAIT! I KNOW!
How about the fact that it is incredibly really not NICE outside! It will be June before it gets warm out! I am not one to complain about the cold, but this is ridiculous! I mean seriously!
How about the fact that it is incredibly really not NICE outside! It will be June before it gets warm out! I am not one to complain about the cold, but this is ridiculous! I mean seriously!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Jet-Man
OK. I admit, if I could have one super-power, I would want to fly. Douglas Adams (Ever read HitchHiker's Guide to the Galaxy?) says that flying is simple.
The first part is easy. All it requires is simply the ability to throw yourself forward with all your weight, and the willingness not to mind that it's going to hurt.
That is, it's going to hurt if you fail to miss the ground. Most people fail to miss the ground, and if they are really trying properly, the likelihood is that they will fail to miss it fairly hard.
Clearly, it is the second part, the missing, which presents the difficulties.
One problem is that you have to miss the ground accidentally. It's no good deliberately intending to miss the ground because you won't. You have to have your attention suddenly distracted by something else when you're halfway there, so that you are no longer thinking about falling, or about the ground, or about how much it's going to hurt if you fail to miss it.
Since I have found that I am rather bad at trying to fly....I might just get one of these jet-packs.
(Side note to Katie---I REALLY NEED ONE OF THESE!)
Still don't believe that this is real? Check out the video below:
The first part is easy. All it requires is simply the ability to throw yourself forward with all your weight, and the willingness not to mind that it's going to hurt.
That is, it's going to hurt if you fail to miss the ground. Most people fail to miss the ground, and if they are really trying properly, the likelihood is that they will fail to miss it fairly hard.
Clearly, it is the second part, the missing, which presents the difficulties.
One problem is that you have to miss the ground accidentally. It's no good deliberately intending to miss the ground because you won't. You have to have your attention suddenly distracted by something else when you're halfway there, so that you are no longer thinking about falling, or about the ground, or about how much it's going to hurt if you fail to miss it.
Since I have found that I am rather bad at trying to fly....I might just get one of these jet-packs.
(Side note to Katie---I REALLY NEED ONE OF THESE!)
Still don't believe that this is real? Check out the video below:
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Stress
Just in case you thought that stress had no physical implications.
I think that it is always good to remember that keeping things in perspective of the big picture WILL make a difference in our lives.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Great Blog
I promised myself that I would not blog before work anymore. BUT...BUT...I had to post a link to this. P. Flattery has an awesome post about community. If you don't read anything else online today,
Read this. It is a straight forward story that is well worth a minute of your time.
Read this. It is a straight forward story that is well worth a minute of your time.
Pretty Amazing
I thought that this was a neat story:
Bonnie Richardson from Rochelle,TX led her track team of um, 1 to the State Championship...And took home the team title. Wow.
Teen athlete of the week? Yah. She gets my vote.
Bonnie Richardson from Rochelle,TX led her track team of um, 1 to the State Championship...And took home the team title. Wow.
Teen athlete of the week? Yah. She gets my vote.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Earthquakes
Has anybody else noticed the rise in environmental phenomenom in the last few years? From earthquakes to tsunamis to tornadoes?
Things like these always make me evaluate my life and what I am doing. If I find myself offtrack, it gives me a renewed sense of purpose to do good in the world.
Things like these always make me evaluate my life and what I am doing. If I find myself offtrack, it gives me a renewed sense of purpose to do good in the world.
MJ vs. MJ vs. MJ
He is still one of the most amazing athletes in the world.
Have you ever tried to "up the ante" on yourself? The only way to improve yourself is to challenge your previous best. What have you done lately to push yourself? In school, in your personal or professional life? Would the "you" of yesterday win out over the "you" of today? Yesterday's experiences help to define and make up who we are today. The experience gained from your triumphs and defeats will always help to make you a better person as long as you take the lessons that they taught with you.
Have you ever tried to "up the ante" on yourself? The only way to improve yourself is to challenge your previous best. What have you done lately to push yourself? In school, in your personal or professional life? Would the "you" of yesterday win out over the "you" of today? Yesterday's experiences help to define and make up who we are today. The experience gained from your triumphs and defeats will always help to make you a better person as long as you take the lessons that they taught with you.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Go on Digg me.
I integrate a digg this on my site. If anyone is interested, please leave a comment and I would be more than happy to send instructions on how to do it!
Crazy busy day
I have WAY too much stuff to do today. Tonight I am going up to WI for Mom's Day and to put the boats/piers in the water. Will be good to see everyone!
BTW I posted the definitions of homeostasis, inertia and entropy below.
BTW I posted the definitions of homeostasis, inertia and entropy below.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
The definitions
Homeostasis (Defined): A relatively stable state of equilibrium or a tendency toward such a state between the different but interdependent elements or groups of elements of an organism, population, or group
Inertia (Defined): A property of matter by which it remains at rest or in uniform motion in the same straight line unless acted upon by some external force
Entropy (Defined): A measure of disorder of a system, ie the higher the disorder, the higher the entropy value.
Why do I blog about things that we learned in 7th grade science? Because in my humble opinion, they can be used to describe Christians.
Homeostasis can be used to describe a group of people that are content in staying the same. If we as Christians are just content to stay the same, nothing will ever change. If we are to grow as people, as Christians, as a church, we must be willing to push forward and become relevant to outsiders. If we don't and we accept the status quo we will keep doing things the same way forever. If we do the same things over and over and expect different results.....(insert word that this describes here)
Inertia applies to both bodies in motion and those at rest. It states that until an outside force acts upon a body at rest (in this case Christians), it will stay at rest. Outside force, to me is a relative term...because we speak about a group of people, I would think that if enough force were gathered from the inside motion could begin as well. But, to move a body as big as the Chrisian collective, it will takee a lot of bodies moving in the same direction to start the motion. Every person that takes even a step in the direction of change will help the momentum.
Entropic values can be assigned to anything. For example, if a person who normally keeps their bedroom neat and tidy lets it go for a month, the entropic value would be higher at the end of the month than at the beginning. Entropy grows in any system or group that has multiple parts. A group with low entropic values is more efficient and effective. Point being, getting and keeping everyone on the same is imperative to having the Christian community functioning smoothly. This allows us to be more active in our community and therefore make a bigger difference in our world.
Take this little spin how you will...but please think about it, apply it to your life and step out. Step up. Make a difference.
"We need to be the change we wish to see in the world."
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Bring it.
Inertia (Defined): A property of matter by which it remains at rest or in uniform motion in the same straight line unless acted upon by some external force
Entropy (Defined): A measure of disorder of a system, ie the higher the disorder, the higher the entropy value.
Why do I blog about things that we learned in 7th grade science? Because in my humble opinion, they can be used to describe Christians.
Homeostasis can be used to describe a group of people that are content in staying the same. If we as Christians are just content to stay the same, nothing will ever change. If we are to grow as people, as Christians, as a church, we must be willing to push forward and become relevant to outsiders. If we don't and we accept the status quo we will keep doing things the same way forever. If we do the same things over and over and expect different results.....(insert word that this describes here)
Inertia applies to both bodies in motion and those at rest. It states that until an outside force acts upon a body at rest (in this case Christians), it will stay at rest. Outside force, to me is a relative term...because we speak about a group of people, I would think that if enough force were gathered from the inside motion could begin as well. But, to move a body as big as the Chrisian collective, it will takee a lot of bodies moving in the same direction to start the motion. Every person that takes even a step in the direction of change will help the momentum.
Entropic values can be assigned to anything. For example, if a person who normally keeps their bedroom neat and tidy lets it go for a month, the entropic value would be higher at the end of the month than at the beginning. Entropy grows in any system or group that has multiple parts. A group with low entropic values is more efficient and effective. Point being, getting and keeping everyone on the same is imperative to having the Christian community functioning smoothly. This allows us to be more active in our community and therefore make a bigger difference in our world.
Take this little spin how you will...but please think about it, apply it to your life and step out. Step up. Make a difference.
"We need to be the change we wish to see in the world."
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Bring it.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
What Does It Take?
What does it take to change the essence of a person? Can it be changed?
What needs to happen in order for us to change things about ourselves? Do we really want to change those things? Would it make us a different person...or would we still be ourselves?
One of the coolest things about this life is that it takes all kinds of people to make the world go around. Never forget that.
Everyone that you meet has a purpose. Sometimes I think we focus on "what my purpose is" that we miss the fact that we are fulfilling our purpose right now.
Sometimes...thoughts like that make my brain hurt.
But lately, as goofy as my situation in life is...I feel like I am seeing pretty clearly. Lord, I thank you for that. (And everythings else BTW)
What needs to happen in order for us to change things about ourselves? Do we really want to change those things? Would it make us a different person...or would we still be ourselves?
One of the coolest things about this life is that it takes all kinds of people to make the world go around. Never forget that.
Everyone that you meet has a purpose. Sometimes I think we focus on "what my purpose is" that we miss the fact that we are fulfilling our purpose right now.
Sometimes...thoughts like that make my brain hurt.
But lately, as goofy as my situation in life is...I feel like I am seeing pretty clearly. Lord, I thank you for that. (And everythings else BTW)
Monday, May 5, 2008
Homeostasis, Inertia and Entropy
Don't go run to google. Okay..you can use it, but ONLY if you HAVE to.
In your own words, tell me what comes to mind for the following words. Tell me what they mean to you.
Homeostasis:
Inertia:
Entropy:
In your own words, tell me what comes to mind for the following words. Tell me what they mean to you.
Homeostasis:
Inertia:
Entropy:
Between a Tree and the Ocean
You ever look up at a tree and say to yourself "Woah!" The tend to make you feel small, don't they? I mean think about it. Some trees can span centuries.
I love trees (plz no hugger references ty). Something about them I just can't get enough of. They are majestic, beautiful, awe-inspiring. Hehe. I could go on for a LONG time. Think about the sounds that they make when a breeze runs through them. Peaceful isn't it?
The Ocean. Wow. 70% of our earth is water. Humans are crammed into a small percentage of the leftover 30%. When you gaze out at the horizon over the ocean (that line where the sky touches the water) it seems immense, doesn't it? Fact is that when a person that is 6 feet tall looks at that line...they are only seeing about three miles out...not even 1/4 of 1% of the total ocean. But, although it can be intimidating, it is soothing to me. The sound of the surf. The way that the waves lap at my feet. They way that it magnifies a sunset.
Amazing. Immense. Sort of hard for me to wrap my brain around it. Really both of them...trees and oceans.
I can never think about either one without thinking about God. God is HUGE. Certainly bigger than a tree. Totally bigger than an ocean.
Yet a lot of times, as big as He is, I get the same sense of serenity when I feel close to him. The same peace. To me, His love is like being surrounded by trees and oceans.
But the best thing about it is that His love is almost a tangible thing to me. When I am going through those times where the path is not that steady or clear, or I just feel like I fell down the side of the mountain....I can always remember that feeling, that grace, that light that is there to guide me back. Yes it is MY climb to make, but I know that feeling. I can feel it draw me up and bring me back.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
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