Musical Monday... not yet... but hopefully soon

I've seen "Wordless Wendnesday", "Thursday Thirteen", "Friday Feast" on other blogs. They are generally a helpful 'tool' to help a blogger generate a post for at least one or more days a week. Although I've not looked very hard, I've not seen one called "Music(al) Monday" - not decided what I want to call it yet - and I was thinking about doing this from time to time. Basically a way to post a song, or about a song, that has been going around the void between my ears of late. Unfortunately, this is not the Monday to start that as I've not really had one bouncing around this morning. I mean, last week Jukebox Hero was doing a number on me... But this week I am not fully prepared to begin this. Over the weekend I was pondering what God has done in my life. Specifically my professional career. I was able to spend some time with a good friend from High School (we've known each other since 1983). By God's grace we got through High School, post High School, life, marriage, kids, and moving to remain within ten miles of each other (not necessarily all in that order). He is a manager of an auto parts store, and for the most part he is doing very well. Although they are struggling with his work schedule. Being the manager he tends to work a whole lot more hours, including most holidays, and for less money/vacation/etc. I know it bothers him that he is not able to spend as much time with his family as he would like to, especially on weekends. I guess it's one of those questions we may never fully know the answer too. I know I don't feel deserving of all that I do have, let alone why others are not as "blessed". Especially of those who I feel do deserve such things. Verse for today: Proverbs 19:1, ESV Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.

I got nothin'

Well, at least not much. :) Not today anyway. The past three of four nights I've not been able to sleep very well. When I am really desperate I grab a spare blanket and crash on the floor next to our bed. I have no idea why, or how, that works, but I am usually out within five minutes - tops. Last night even that didn't work. I was too hot! On the coldest night we've had so far! So, around 1 AM, I climbed back into bed, folded back the blankets and slept with just a sheet. That did the trick... out like a light until it was time to get up this morning. I've started "The Cross of Christ" by John Stott (again). I think I am daunted by the size and depth of it. I constantly have to remind myself that I had no problem picking up "Lord of the Rings" and pretty much reading until I was done. Why is it that we have no trouble diving into projects, no matter how mundane, when it's something not of a theological bent - but when it comes to just picking up scripture, or a book like "The Cross of Christ", we waver?!? I also took home the book "Living the Cross Centered Life", by CJ Mahaney, last night (it's been sitting on my desk at work since I received it a few months back). CJ's writing has always been easy to read. When I've read his work in the past it was like drawing a sip from a cool refreshing glass on a hot day - easy to read, easy to absorb, and it feels like it penetrates through me. I also like the fact that the chapters are brief enough that I can delve into a chapter and finish it within 15 - 30 minutes. I'm thinking about doing a weekly commentary on this book... I dunno... I hope and pray that you all have a wonderful weekend. Verse for today: Matthew 6:5-8, ESV And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Family time at the movies

For some time now my beloved and I have been seeing posters, and trailers for "The Golden Compass". We both like that general type of film, and the advertisers are doing a fairly decent job of promoting it. However, I have been reading things on the internet of late bringing forth somethings that concern me greatly. The movie is based off of a trilogy written by author Phillip Pullman. It is written that Mr. Pullman is an athiest who really does not like C.S. Lewis, or his books, or pretty much to do anything with religion in general. It is my understanding (from what I have read on-line) that the book that this movie is based off of has some serious anti-God threads, and in the end the children "kill God". (Read a snoops article here) Apparently the movie has really supressed these themes in order to make it more friendly for us "church goers". (On a side note: it's intresting to hear that the 'other side of the coin' faces such supression.) Originally we were planning on going to see it as a date night movie, but I doubt I will even do that now - not even NetFlix it.


We should not be surprised buy such things. The 'world' hates Christ (John 7:7), and as a result it is only natural for it to hate those of us who follows Christ (John 15:9). The enemy of our souls is a master at his craft (Genesis, Job, 2 Corinthians), and as a result he has managed to turn some to hate, and I do mean hate, those who seek after Christ. And sometimes the best way to attack something, is by deception and disguise.


Now, I have watched The Lord of the Rings and Narnia with my two sons, and there are definetly things that I need to talk over some things with them in those movies as well. But, isn't that the role of a parent? We can never completely protect them from the world (when I use this term it is in reference to the part of the world in opposition to God). Our actual role is to teach and to train (Proverbs 22). I guess what I am trying to say is this, whatever you do with your children, wherever you go, whatever you see, talk to them about it - and ultimately pray for them. God can, and does, use all things to teach and to train them. Our ultimate peace and joy will be at our destination, and not during the journey. But that doesn't mean that we can't stop and appreciate the view from time to time. Look for those little nuggets. :)






Verse for today:
Deuteronomy 11:18-21, ESV
“You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth.

Rest interrupted

Well, my 'mini vacation' was interrupted by the telephone at 06:50 this morning. It was the midnight shift guys letting me know that the 'bossman' was very ill, and I would be needed to come in and attend all of the daily/weekly meetings for him. Such is life, but I've since talked with 'bossman' and he's agreed to let me take a replacement day saometime in the "near future". Who knows... I might be able to start my Thanksgiving break a little early? :)

Today has been a whirlwind, but here are some random thoughts...

For some reason the song "Juke Box Hero" (by Foreigner) has been playing in mind over, and over, and over again... I really have no idea why. So, I've played it a few times from a You Tube video. I don't get it... but it's like being unable to scratch an itch or something!



For the past week or so, I have really been turning over the subject of knowing, and being known by, God. The verses "“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’" (Matthew 7:21-23, ESV), has been something I dwell on from time to time. Not just for my own edification, but so that I can (hopefully) explain it others if asked. One particular sub-theme of this as been (for me) the act of repentence. Over at Steve Camp's blog (yes the contemporary Christian musician) there is an excellent post regarding this very subject. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to ponder such things.

I enjoy writing the occasional short story, but I have been 'dry' for about 3 months now. I have ideas and concepts... continuations of several story lines I've started, but it's just not coming out. At least not in a cohesive form. I'm itching to write... I've just not had the time to sit and plug (i.e. bang) away at it until I clear that hurdle. I've been trying to carry a notebook around to jot notes in... but I've not been disciplined enough to follow through on that. gotta get off my duff!

Speaking of discipline... I need to get out and start running again. I know this is not the normal time a year to start such things, but my back has sidelined me from doing any serious exercise since late April. I've already missed two APFT test times, and I don't want to go out (retire) on a profile - unable to complete my expected check marks. My back still has some aches, and I am still seeing a chyropractor once aq month, but he feels it should be ok to start light running, and even some sit-ups (the later filling me with dread even thinking about it).

Coming back to music before I close things out for today, if you are one who enjoys praise and worship music I can cannot recommend the blog Worship Matters enough. It is written by a man who leads worship in church every Sunday. For me it has been very insightful.

Well, that's all I have for today... God bless...



Verse for today:
Phillipians 4:8-9, ESV
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

day 15 and all is... well... mush! :)

Have you ever been so tired your eyes hurt and your body is reacting at least 1/2 second slower than your brain because there some kind of disconnect between the two? Well, I'm almost there. :) This isn't the most tired I've ever been. I once hallucinated that there was an entire Infantry platoon marching not 30 meters from where I was pulling security (it was during a war games exercise - not the real thing). I mean I saw them, I heard them, and I almost 'shot them' (with blanks). It's not so much the fact that I've worked fifteen straight days now as much as it is the past three days I've had to come into work at 03:00 (AM). Ugh! But the good news is that yesterday and today I was able to work with my telco counterpart to get tomorrow's work done early! I will now be able to take the next two days off! Hurray! :) (and there was much rejoicing, lol) The weekend was pretty much routine type stuff... Saturday is a blur in my memory right now. If I remember something that was worth writing about I'll come back and update. :) Yesterday was a busy one. Due to working the wee hours I slept through morning service at church (in bed, not in the pew ;-) ), then got up and got dressed to head out to perform a salute for veterans. One great thing about being in an Artillery unit is being able to perform salutes for things like Veteran's day. Yesterday was at a small town's VFW post, and there were only about 20 people, but it was great - and they treated us like very nicely. They invited us in for some fried chicken and fixin's (for you Yankees, that's things like macoroni salad, baked beans... that sort of thing ;-) ), and all the drinks we could drink. The 'boys' were disappointed that I told them no beer. LOL Note: I would encourage every one to do more than say, "I support our troops". Get out and talk with them - get out and talk with Veterans. Don't talk politics, or weither the war is right or wrong. Just get out and talk to them. Take one a meal if they are older, or struggling. Make up a care package to send overseas. If you want to support the troops, please do not undermine what they are trying to do - and that includes giving aid to the enemy in the form of propaganda. If you don't support the war, that's fine, it is your right to disagree. But please be careful in how you voice your opposition - because a lot of time, careless thoughts, words, and actions, really do not make the soldiers feel supported - it makes them feel rejected. Rejoice in their triumphs, and seek to point out the good things that have been done. We live in America where we are encourage to voice our opinion - and it is our right and priviledge to elect officials to provide direction. But there are times, in our zeal (both left and right here), we fail to consider the consequences of our actions. Afterwards I drove home just in time to change, wash my face, and head over to Awana's to help out. In an odd way, I was glad to find out that there was a special Veteran's day service that alll of the Awana's would be at, and since my beloved was having trouble with DS2 (my 'Aspie'), I was unable to stay - which was fine by me. I really do NOT like the spotlight or attention my uniform brings. I like serving and doing that sort of thing - it's just that I don't like the recognition. I know what most (if not all of you) are going to say, that I deserve the recognition, etc. - but I really don't feel like I do. Not in light of what so many others have done. Right now I am just a RE soldier, and the one time I was deployed it was here in the states. I've done things like flood duty, etc. - but if you add it all up we're talking a few days over a very, very long time. The men and women who do that sort of thing, day in and day out - they deserve all the recognition. It just feels like I am robbing them of what they rightly deserve - so please do not try and argue with me on this... it only makes me feel worse. So, I get DS2 home and we sit and watch a little football (I had already known by this time that my Panthers lost to the Atlanta Falcons). It was nice. We munched on animal crackers and drank milk, and watched the Baltimore Ravens score a meaningless touchdown. I mean, they lost to a team that could not get in the endzone - but kicked 7 fieldgoals! Wish I had Shayne Graham on one of my fantasy football teams! I was sort of glad to see the Rams get their first win of the season against the New Orleans Saints - but a part of me still roots for the Saints. Their season's not done - not by a long shot in the horrible NFC South. I mean even the Falcons are only 2 games back at 3-6! I am not upset about the Panthers loss yesterday. I mean, they have two QB's on IR (Basanez & Delhomme), they have a hobbling soon to be 44 year old (Testaverde), another QB who has had 2 concusions and had come from a team that had basically allowed him to get pummeled (Carr), a QB who was an undrafted rookie free agent (Moore), and yet another who was signed on Friday (Olson)because it looked like they only had one healthy QB to send into the game on Sunday! For those of you keeping score at home - that six Quarterbacks! Earlier this season an offensive lineman for the Panthers was quoted as saying, "we take it personally when our QB gets hurt"! Well, by God, you had better be feeling about knee high to a grass-hoper right about now! Last week - seven sacks! This week, well I am not sure of the total, but it was at least two more that came on the final two possesion! And both times it basically prevented the Panthers of getting back into the game. If those offensive lineman had been samurai in feudal Japan, they'd have committed sepuko long before now. There are still seven more games for this club to play (at least), and most of them are going to be against tough opponents (@ Green Bay, @ Jacksonville, Dallas, @ Tampa Bay). I love Coach Fox, but I've heard his job might be in jeapordy... but how can you rate a Coach when you've had so much discontinuity at such a key leadership position as QB? There is plenty of blame to go around - and it all stops with the head coach to be sure - but I feel that Mr. Richardson should see this year as a scrub, let the coach know where he stands at the end, and give him one more season. Before I sign off... last night, I couldn't sleep (ever been so tired you hurt all over, and as a result you struggle to get your body to relax enough to go unconsious?) so I'm watching the Colts/Chargers game. Indy had come back from a sixteen point deficit, six interceptions, to be driving with less than two minutes to go. I'm seeing the Colts get to the less-than-one-yard line - finally my eyes are drooping and I decide to go ahead and turn off the TV. I mean why stay up when Payton Manning is driving to the doorstep with less than two minutes to go and they are only trailing my two points. I mean, even if the Chargers line holds, the Colts still have Adam Vinatieri - who is practically automatic. *click* Then, I get my tired old bones up and out of bed at 02:15 so I can get in to work. What is the first thing I see... he missed!?!?! Now, this long winded point is not to poke any kind of fun at Linda and her Colts - how can a man who roots for the Panthers point a finger and laugh? I really am stunned that they did not pull that one out. I didn't say anything about the loss to the Patriots last week - they are a really good team. Still, the Colts are not out of anything yet. I can still see a rematch between the Colts and Patriots - and the next time the outcome can easily be different. Ok, I'm going to wrap this entry up for the day... Verse for today: Mark 14:32-42, ESV And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” [4] And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

Day 12 of...

...a possible 16 now. :( Being on-call can be a real downer. I will be coming in to work at 3AM on the next four mornings. I am going to work hard on cutting that down to three if possible. To make up for it though I've asked for two days off next week. The good part of this is being able to draw a little bit of shift differential - just in time for Christmas. In other news my little Toyota Echo has been having problems with the 'check engine' light. It keeps coming on... cyclinder mis-fires. I've already put some money into it so I am now searching user forums for DIY tips. Perhaps more to follow on that. My beat up Panthers will take on the struggling Atlanta Falcons this Sunday. Even if they win it will be an uphill battle to win the NFC South. Both the Bucs and Saints have the inside track on that. Coach Fox has done some really good things - but if he gets them into the playoffs this year his contract needs to be extended! I'm pretty beat tired so this is it for today... Verse for today: Matthew 7:21-23, ESV Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Day 11 of 12

I am dragging this morning. Each morning seems to come just a little bit earlier. This daylight savings thing is really wearing on me. The "fall back" thing... isn't it supposed to give us an extra hour of sleep or something!?! - lol Since my body's internal clock is still working off of the old time system it still wants to wake up at it's normal time - but I am in effect going to bed one hour later. And the kids 'internal clocks' are also still set - so they are in effect getting up earlier than they need to... thus dealing with tired cranky kids while trying to get them to do their homework is wearing on the old nerves as well. But it's all good. We are coming into the 'Holiday stretch' where there is practically an extra day off every day of the week until sometime in February (I'm just kidding, but there are a lot of them between now and mid-February) - that, along with the vacation I have to "use or lose" should make up for the rest. :) But back to me being tired. I've been so tired this week that I've taken to drinking one 12oz Mt. Dew in the afternoon. This is really counter productive because, 1) it upsets my stomach a little, 2) the residual affect of the super-caffine they use keeps me up a little later at night, thus making me more tired the next day. It's reminded me of the months after DS2 was born. I was commuting over 100 miles to/from work, plus helping my beloved with DS1 and DS2. I was drinking 2 20oz Mt. Dew's a day! Soda in general is not really good for you, but I think Mt Dew is on a whole other plane. I love the taste (not as much as Dr Pepper, but that's a different story), and I do enjoy the extra energy that I get from it - but I can feel the after affects from it too. Last night I finally caught up on this weeks episode of Heroes. I think I am 'addicted' to this series. I am really getting into this show. I had suspected some of what was going to happen to Hiro, not the 'betrayal' of Kensei - but how the 'travel back' would end up. Also, this 'Adam' - I was all over that. Still, there are so many twists and turns it has really kept my intrest. Claire's dad... man that is a hate-love-dunno-hate kind of deal going on there. And the graphic novels on-line! Very gripping... some really good additional info there. Some of the charecters have "switched sides" (i.e. 'good' or 'evil'), but heroes like Hiro have pretty much remained 'true'. Over all it feels like the charecters are pretty human. There are times when it feels like the writers are hurrying things along - like Kensei's turn from drunkard to "hero" (but then it makes more sense after this last episode), or the relationship between Peter and Caitlin feels rushed. But then, these episodes are not like '24' - they do not 'flow' from hour to hour, but they can jump from day to day, or even weeks. My beloved does not like this series so I don't think it will be on any wish list, but I am really enjoying it so far. I mean, who did not dream of being able to fly, or run really fast, or do some other kind of super-human feat? Verse for today: Luke 13:22-30, ESV He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”