Random entries for blogging

I've been dealing with growing pains and my new MP3 player (right). I am amazed at just how much it can hold even though it is 'only' a 2GB model. I love the sound quality, the ease of the controls, and how quickly this old fogy was able to pick up the basics of loading and use. I'm sure there are others out there who would better utilize it than I could, but I am happy with my purchase. I've even ordered a pair of "Skullcandy" ear buds for my tiny ears. I need the softer, more flexible, inserts to hold them in while I workout (more later). I've also ordered a 'skin' to protect it from my greasy/sweaty hands, and an armband, again to work out with. Last night I passed on my old stick MP3 player to DS1. He was happy to get it even if it wasn't an iPod, or a player as cool as this one. We fiddled around loading up his own music, and me showing him how to use it. Speaking of working out... Although I haven't done it yet, I will be signing up for a gym membership in the next week or so. I really want to get into shape. I am not going to go out and run a marathon, or weight lifting competition, but I do need to drop 20-30 pounds, and I want to live for a nice long time to collect on any retirement I might get. ;) Besides, I used to love to run, and even if my running days are behind me, I want to feel healthy again. The decision is down to either Gold's Gym, or a local "Wellness Center". There are a lot pro's a con's to both. I am actually leaning towards the local gym even though it's a little more a month. I like the 'coziness' and the proximity to my house - but I am leary because I have heard they "ask" you to get off of the machines after 35 minutes or so. I have plans of using said machines for up to 45-50 minutes once I am in shape again. I dunno, and it might sound silly, but I am praying about which one to join. A lot of people have been asking me how it feels to be out of the National Guard. To be honest, it still feels the same. I haven't even missed a single drill yet, but there is a sense of excitement that I do not have to go to drill this month. :) I am sure that feeling will wain in the coming months. Maybe not till next year, maybe never, but for now I am enjoying it. I have arranged to meet with two other 'old soldiers' who retired with me (within 30 days of me) for breakfast in September. Mostly to make sure we keep in touch. I also found out that they did not receive anything other than their orders to be transfered to the retired reserve. That was disappointing, especially since I received the unit's Guidon from our two week annual training this year nicely mounted. Since then I have arranged to right that wrong for them - even if it comes out of my own pocket (which I don't think it will, and ssh... it's a secret). I still haven't seen "The Dark Knight"! I know it's not the be-all, and end-all, of movies, but I am into the Superhero genre of movies, and I really liked "Batman Begins". Something as 'big' as this movie and you'd have thought that I'd have been there already - but no... My story has sort of lagged behind lately, but that's ok. I have been away on vacation, we had VBS, and my beloved's birthday is coming up pretty soon - so I have been a little busy. One of my WWW (blogging) friends recently asked about this, and was encouragingly nudging me to not let it fall by the way side. I still have all of my notes in 'hard copy', but I really want to get them into my 'Liquid Story' program. (For any of you writers out there I highly recommend this program.)The graphics are mostly to sell the product, but it is possible to insert them to help the writer visualize what they are working on. The program is also highly flexible in how the writer chooses to use it. I love it because I can 'flesh' out my notes on the characters and line up my outline (as much as I have so far) in a way that is helpful to me. Last, but not least by any stretch of the imagination, is that God has been working on me. Helping me learn how to set better priorities. I am a slow learner, but... oh look, something shiny.... Verse for today: Proverbs 1 : 1-7, ESV The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:

To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Music Monday - 20080728

I need to apologize up front today. I do not have a particular song to add today, but I do want to gush a little about my new MP3 player (a retirement present to myself). Now I am by no means a cutting-edge-technology kind of guy when it comes to these kinds of things, so I bought a 2GB Samsung K3.I am a basic black kind of guys so that is the color I got. After shopping around I found a sale at a Best Buy - who beat out even Walmart! So far I love this little player. It was easy to set up, but because I had some "brain cramps" I spent a couple of hours loading, deleting, reloading both software and songs. This thing is supposed to hold about 500 songs, but after dumping all of my Praise and Worship music, plus the dozen or so sermons that I haven't listened to yet, I've only used about 28% of the storage capacity! LOL I still have other CD's I want to load into it, but I am beginning to think that I will not fill it up. Not anytime soon anyway. :-) I wanted to get a portable MP3 player because, 1) I wanted to move into the 21st century, 2) I am actually looking into going to a gym (I really want to lose between 20-30 pounds), 3) I like the idea of having something so small carry so much music! I know that's kind of lame for a Music Monday, but I hope you all find time to lift up your voices in praise to our Lord and Savior some time today - because He is worth it! Verse for today: Psalm 71 : 22-23, ESV I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed.

What a crazy day

My boss is away on vacation - which is good, because everyone needs a vacation from time to time - so I have been extremely busy. As a result I don't have a single theme to run with today.

The first item I want to mention is a cross shaped MP3 player. Personally I think this is pretty cool. It comes with the New Testament already loaded (KJV), and has 1GB of storage space so that you can upload more Bible versions, or the OT, or even praise and worship songs. According to the website (click on the image for more info - and no, I am not getting anything out of it) it sells for $59, which is a little steep for me right now, but not unreasonable considering the storage space, and the preloaded audio Bible.

The next thing is that I joined two more groups on Facebook (I know, I know... it's out of hand), both are fan pages. One is for TJ "Stonewall" Jackson, and the other is for Robert E. Lee. I know that both of these men are controversial in the light of the American Civil War, and all that goes along with that. But as I have studied these two men (in particular) I have come to know them both as God fearing individuals.

I know that General Lee was anti-slavery (read about him from the at the Arlington House website - or even better, visit the site in person) and freed those slaves that he gained when he married (not right away unfortunately). Lee was a man who struggled with what was the right thing to do, and in the end he performed his duty to the best of his ability.

I have admired General Jackson for a long time. Ever since I learned about his courage at the First Battle of Bull Run. A quote I found at the Facebook group page pretty much sums up why I respect this man;

"My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me"

This is how we should all live our lives when it comes to what God has called us to. But I know we (and I include myself in this statement) we too often do not. We weigh the costs a little too much. What both of these men 'suffer' from is that they both considered their responsibility to their homeland more important than their responsibility to man. I can say such things because I can look back over time and use that as my guide. But if I were to stand in their shoes I cannot honestly say I would have done anything different. The same could be said about those who stood in the crowd before Pilate calling for him to release Barabbas (Matthew 27) instead of the One I now call my Lord and Savior. To believe anything else is to misjudge my own sinfulness and tendencies (barring the influence and affect of the Holy Spirit who now dwells within me).
Verse for today:
Matthew 27 : 15-23, ESV
Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” And he said, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”