A friend sent this to me yesterday....all I can say is wow!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Beauty and Destruction....
I just got back from a road trip to St. Louis. Having heard about the ice storm in Kentucky, I took my camera along. It was amazingly beautiful yet very destructive. I met scores of electrical trucks from other states that had come to help restore power.
Some of the pictures are fuzzy because they were taken while traveling at 70 mph. They really don't capture the beauty or the destruction that I saw there. I did want to share them though.
KY Ice Tour
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Good ride cowboy....good ride.....
John Dillard Connor
March 29, 1929 - January 25, 2009
Mr. Connor was my sister-in-law's father. I've known him since I was probably 4 or 5 years old. Although I wasn't very close to him myself, I was close to his daughters and grandchildren. You can tell a lot about a man by the way his children and grandchildren feel about him.
Today, he was buried....as I was at the funeral and at the burial there were a couple of poems that kept running through my head.
To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest citizens and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one’s self; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived—this is to have succeeded.
The second one I had heard before, but read again on some artwork in the funeral home...
The Dash
copyright 1996 Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning...to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth...
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own;
the cars....the house...the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard...
are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
to consider what's true and real,
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile...
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read
with your life's actions to rehash...
would you be proud of the things they
say about how you spend your dash?
Rest well my friend....
March 29, 1929 - January 25, 2009
Mr. Connor was my sister-in-law's father. I've known him since I was probably 4 or 5 years old. Although I wasn't very close to him myself, I was close to his daughters and grandchildren. You can tell a lot about a man by the way his children and grandchildren feel about him.
Today, he was buried....as I was at the funeral and at the burial there were a couple of poems that kept running through my head.
To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest citizens and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one’s self; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived—this is to have succeeded.
The second one I had heard before, but read again on some artwork in the funeral home...
The Dash
copyright 1996 Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning...to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth...
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own;
the cars....the house...the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard...
are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
to consider what's true and real,
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile...
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read
with your life's actions to rehash...
would you be proud of the things they
say about how you spend your dash?
Rest well my friend....
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Happy Birthday Eddie....
I heard on the news that yesterday was Eddie Van Halen's birthday. He just turned 54. That's hard to believe. Yeah, I know he's a mess with a lot of addiction problems and all that mess, but I can remember the exact time and place where I heard Van Halen's first album for the first time.
I was involved in a musical ensemble in high school and one of the other keyboard players (Cary Gant for those of you that know him) took me out to his car to listen to something. He had a cassette of that album. I listened to Eddie's guitar solo 'Eruption' about a dozen times. It was one of those 'Jukebox Hero' moments where you hear something that changes your life forever.
I've listened to Van Halen ever since. To be honest, the latest album that I listened to was 5150 where Sammy Hagar joined them as lead singer. I still listen to some of their older stuff, there is a lot of suggestive lyrics and things, but they are still one of the groups that I listen to when I just want to turn my brain off and jam.
Eddie and I had a little bit of a falling out when he married my childhood sweetheart Valerie Bertinelli. I can remember going to see them in concert here in Nashville long ago. The Municipal Auditorium was packed, the pre-concert noise was pretty loud. All of a sudden, the noise died down and you could see that the focus of the crowd was following someone walking through one of the aisles. After a few moments, the point of focus walked up on the stand in the back of the auditorium where the sound board was located. It was Valerie Bertinelli taking her place to watch the show. It was a memorable moment for a teenager like me.
Their music doesn't quite have the same effect on me now that it did then, but I remember the line from Bad Company's "Shooting Star"
Johnny was a schoolboy when he heard his first Beatles song
'Love Me Do' I think it was and from there it didn't take him long
Music didn't turn out to be my life's calling, but I know exactly what that moment feels like...
I was involved in a musical ensemble in high school and one of the other keyboard players (Cary Gant for those of you that know him) took me out to his car to listen to something. He had a cassette of that album. I listened to Eddie's guitar solo 'Eruption' about a dozen times. It was one of those 'Jukebox Hero' moments where you hear something that changes your life forever.
I've listened to Van Halen ever since. To be honest, the latest album that I listened to was 5150 where Sammy Hagar joined them as lead singer. I still listen to some of their older stuff, there is a lot of suggestive lyrics and things, but they are still one of the groups that I listen to when I just want to turn my brain off and jam.
Eddie and I had a little bit of a falling out when he married my childhood sweetheart Valerie Bertinelli. I can remember going to see them in concert here in Nashville long ago. The Municipal Auditorium was packed, the pre-concert noise was pretty loud. All of a sudden, the noise died down and you could see that the focus of the crowd was following someone walking through one of the aisles. After a few moments, the point of focus walked up on the stand in the back of the auditorium where the sound board was located. It was Valerie Bertinelli taking her place to watch the show. It was a memorable moment for a teenager like me.
Their music doesn't quite have the same effect on me now that it did then, but I remember the line from Bad Company's "Shooting Star"
Johnny was a schoolboy when he heard his first Beatles song
'Love Me Do' I think it was and from there it didn't take him long
Music didn't turn out to be my life's calling, but I know exactly what that moment feels like...
Monday, January 19, 2009
They didn't die just because they aren't on the radio...
I've been listening to a couple of guys lately that I thought I'd share with you. Both were very popular at one time, haven't had a radio hit in a long time, but are still making some great music.
Marc Cohn is a name you may not recognize, but I bet you remember his hit "Walking in Memphis". What a song...what an album...I still listen to it regularly. Music subscriptions give me a chance to download and listen to a lot of music with out costing me a lot of money. Marc Cohn makes a lot of great music. I've downloaded all of his albums that I can, they are all good. Here's on of my favorites...
Bruce Hornsby is a name you probably remember. One evening I was watching a jazz festival and he played. Unbeknowst to me, he was trained as a jazz musician. I became intrigued and downloaded some of his later music. It has too much of a jazz feel to it to be 'popular', but it is very good in my opinion. He is very improvisational and is a musical genius....here is a great example...
Marc Cohn is a name you may not recognize, but I bet you remember his hit "Walking in Memphis". What a song...what an album...I still listen to it regularly. Music subscriptions give me a chance to download and listen to a lot of music with out costing me a lot of money. Marc Cohn makes a lot of great music. I've downloaded all of his albums that I can, they are all good. Here's on of my favorites...
Bruce Hornsby is a name you probably remember. One evening I was watching a jazz festival and he played. Unbeknowst to me, he was trained as a jazz musician. I became intrigued and downloaded some of his later music. It has too much of a jazz feel to it to be 'popular', but it is very good in my opinion. He is very improvisational and is a musical genius....here is a great example...
Sunday, January 18, 2009
This one's a keeper....
More recipes from the Don-guy this one is easy and very very good....
Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
modified from food.com
Ingredients
3 lb pork tenderloin
Olive oil
Cajun Grill Rub
Shredded pepper jack cheese
Some vegetable, original recipe said fresh spinach, I used red bell pepper.
preheat oven to 325
baste the tenderloin in olive oil and apply the cajun grill rub
bake for 35 minutes
split the tenderloin length-wise, put in the vegetable(s) and cover with pepper jack cheese
Sandwich the stuffing between the two pieces of the tenderloin
bake for another 35 minutes (mine took another 50 minutes)
Serve immediately.....wow, it was great...fed myself and three teenagers with a little left over.
Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
modified from food.com
Ingredients
3 lb pork tenderloin
Olive oil
Cajun Grill Rub
Shredded pepper jack cheese
Some vegetable, original recipe said fresh spinach, I used red bell pepper.
preheat oven to 325
baste the tenderloin in olive oil and apply the cajun grill rub
bake for 35 minutes
split the tenderloin length-wise, put in the vegetable(s) and cover with pepper jack cheese
Sandwich the stuffing between the two pieces of the tenderloin
bake for another 35 minutes (mine took another 50 minutes)
Serve immediately.....wow, it was great...fed myself and three teenagers with a little left over.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Stone Cold....
Today is an interesting day in Nashville. When I woke up this morning it was a balmy 9 degrees. All of the school systems in the area are closed because the buses won't start in the cold. This is Nashville's response to cold, don't get me started if there was actually snow or ice on the ground.
A lot of times, I hear folks from other parts of the country laugh about Nashville or other cities in the mid-south and how we react to winter weather. It's usually not pretty, the forecast of snow means hours of long lines at the grocery store. We panic, that's for sure.
In mid-South's defense, we really don't get enough winter weather to invest in the equipment to handle it. We don't get enough for people here to get used to driving in it. When it hits, things go nuts.
Years ago, I used to spend a week every year in Chicago. I was amazed at the size of the city, but I was also amazed at how it was prepared for cold weather. Every building downtown had revolving doors to keep the cold out. Every restaurant has a coat check closet, some of the hotels even had heat lamps installed under the entrance canopies. They had street sign designating 'snow routes'. That's a city built for cold weather.
On the flip side, I remember one summer, it was blazingly hot here and I was scheduled to spend a week in Detroit. I was looking forward to it, thinking it would be a lot cooler up there. As it turns out, the heat wave was nationwide. I was more miserable up there than I was in Nashville. Please understand, here we deal with more hot weather than cold. Our air conditioners are high-powered, the cooling systems in cars are more effective. Nashville is built for hot weather. In Detroit, the air conditioners couldn't cool, cars were overheating and breaking down on the interstates.
So....go ahead and laugh at us in the winter...it's cool. But when a heat wave comes and your cars breakdown....just remember....we are laughing at you too...
A lot of times, I hear folks from other parts of the country laugh about Nashville or other cities in the mid-south and how we react to winter weather. It's usually not pretty, the forecast of snow means hours of long lines at the grocery store. We panic, that's for sure.
In mid-South's defense, we really don't get enough winter weather to invest in the equipment to handle it. We don't get enough for people here to get used to driving in it. When it hits, things go nuts.
Years ago, I used to spend a week every year in Chicago. I was amazed at the size of the city, but I was also amazed at how it was prepared for cold weather. Every building downtown had revolving doors to keep the cold out. Every restaurant has a coat check closet, some of the hotels even had heat lamps installed under the entrance canopies. They had street sign designating 'snow routes'. That's a city built for cold weather.
On the flip side, I remember one summer, it was blazingly hot here and I was scheduled to spend a week in Detroit. I was looking forward to it, thinking it would be a lot cooler up there. As it turns out, the heat wave was nationwide. I was more miserable up there than I was in Nashville. Please understand, here we deal with more hot weather than cold. Our air conditioners are high-powered, the cooling systems in cars are more effective. Nashville is built for hot weather. In Detroit, the air conditioners couldn't cool, cars were overheating and breaking down on the interstates.
So....go ahead and laugh at us in the winter...it's cool. But when a heat wave comes and your cars breakdown....just remember....we are laughing at you too...
Thursday, January 15, 2009
God's sense of humor...
A few years ago, we realized that the only way to survive financially with teenagers was to have unlimited text messaging on the phones. It doesn't take many $600 phone bills to realize that. Anyway, when we got that set up, I signed up for a free service on Yahoo! to send me a Bible verse everyday. I've had it for several years now and have been continually amazed at how appropriate the verse was for what I was going through that day. I call it my "Text Message From God".
On another note, 16 years ago, I moved to Lebanon Tennessee from Nashville. I had gotten a job at the corporate offices of Cracker Barrel, we were expecting my son Chris, and the house we had in Hermitage was on a pretty dangerous road, so we moved. Lebanon is an interesting town, there are a lot of great things about Lebanon, but there are some bad as well. On the good side, it is a great place to raise children, everybody there watches out for each other's kids and you know that if your kids get in to something that they shouldn't, you will hear about it eventually. On the bad side, Lebanon is one of those towns that if you aren't "from" there, you will never be "from" there regardless of how long you live there. I don't think I'm speaking out of turn, because I've had several people who are "from" there tell me the same thing.
Well, I lived it for about 15 years or so. It's true. I have some good friends there, my children live there (and I'm glad that they do, they are now "from" there) but given all that happened, I can't say that my experience there was completely positive.
Over the last year I've been cutting the ties with Lebanon slowly but surely. Today was a big day because I renewed my automobile tags in Nashville where I am "from" and I also took care of some final details that finalized my ties with that town. It was a big day.
Now back to my text message from God.....today's message was Judges 9:15 (this is absolutely true)
Let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon
That may be a little harsh, but I'm glad to be back where I am "from".
On another note, 16 years ago, I moved to Lebanon Tennessee from Nashville. I had gotten a job at the corporate offices of Cracker Barrel, we were expecting my son Chris, and the house we had in Hermitage was on a pretty dangerous road, so we moved. Lebanon is an interesting town, there are a lot of great things about Lebanon, but there are some bad as well. On the good side, it is a great place to raise children, everybody there watches out for each other's kids and you know that if your kids get in to something that they shouldn't, you will hear about it eventually. On the bad side, Lebanon is one of those towns that if you aren't "from" there, you will never be "from" there regardless of how long you live there. I don't think I'm speaking out of turn, because I've had several people who are "from" there tell me the same thing.
Well, I lived it for about 15 years or so. It's true. I have some good friends there, my children live there (and I'm glad that they do, they are now "from" there) but given all that happened, I can't say that my experience there was completely positive.
Over the last year I've been cutting the ties with Lebanon slowly but surely. Today was a big day because I renewed my automobile tags in Nashville where I am "from" and I also took care of some final details that finalized my ties with that town. It was a big day.
Now back to my text message from God.....today's message was Judges 9:15 (this is absolutely true)
Let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon
That may be a little harsh, but I'm glad to be back where I am "from".
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
A chuckle from a friend....
My good friend Don McMunn sent me a link to this video...
Isn't gravity wonderful....
Isn't gravity wonderful....
Finding someone you can trust.....
On top of everything else...I got the paperwork to renew the tags on my car this month....
Over the past few weeks, I had noticed the check-engine light had been coming on intermittently so I decided to get a mechanic look at it. Based on the experience with my truck (chronicalled here about a year ago) I knew that the emissions testing people don't mess around when it comes to the check-engine light.
I took the car to Superior Auto Repair in Lebanon. They have done a good job for me in the past, so I took it back. After a diagnostic test, they told me that it was the catalytic converter (ouch!) and when you replace it, you have to replace an AFR sensor at the same time (I don't know what an AFR sensor does, but it sounds expensive and it is) The total estimate was $873.
I told them that I really couldn't afford to spend that much right now and that I needed to do the minimum to pass the emissions test, they said the AFR sensor could wait for a little while, so it knocked the total down to a more manageable number.
They ordered the part and I took it back to have the repair done this morning. They worked on it longer than I had anticipated (which is always a bad sign) and came in to tell me that the check-engine light was still coming on and that I may need to replace that AFR sensor after all.
I was emotionally preparing myself to pay the additional $300 plus dollars when the mechanic came in and said "Nope, your good!" I was relieved. I'll need to get it replaced anyway, but now is not the time.
My point is this, I hear ladies talk all the time about being at the mercy of auto repairmen and feel like they are just opening up their wallets when they go inside. To be quite honest, on any car newer than around 1976 or so, I'm about as clueless as they come. I don't know an AFR sensor from anything. If they told me I needed to replace it, I would replace it, no questions asked.
At some point, there has to be a level of trust between you and anyone you deal with. I found these guys to be honest and friendly and straightforward in their business dealings. That's worth a lot in my book....
Over the past few weeks, I had noticed the check-engine light had been coming on intermittently so I decided to get a mechanic look at it. Based on the experience with my truck (chronicalled here about a year ago) I knew that the emissions testing people don't mess around when it comes to the check-engine light.
I took the car to Superior Auto Repair in Lebanon. They have done a good job for me in the past, so I took it back. After a diagnostic test, they told me that it was the catalytic converter (ouch!) and when you replace it, you have to replace an AFR sensor at the same time (I don't know what an AFR sensor does, but it sounds expensive and it is) The total estimate was $873.
I told them that I really couldn't afford to spend that much right now and that I needed to do the minimum to pass the emissions test, they said the AFR sensor could wait for a little while, so it knocked the total down to a more manageable number.
They ordered the part and I took it back to have the repair done this morning. They worked on it longer than I had anticipated (which is always a bad sign) and came in to tell me that the check-engine light was still coming on and that I may need to replace that AFR sensor after all.
I was emotionally preparing myself to pay the additional $300 plus dollars when the mechanic came in and said "Nope, your good!" I was relieved. I'll need to get it replaced anyway, but now is not the time.
My point is this, I hear ladies talk all the time about being at the mercy of auto repairmen and feel like they are just opening up their wallets when they go inside. To be quite honest, on any car newer than around 1976 or so, I'm about as clueless as they come. I don't know an AFR sensor from anything. If they told me I needed to replace it, I would replace it, no questions asked.
At some point, there has to be a level of trust between you and anyone you deal with. I found these guys to be honest and friendly and straightforward in their business dealings. That's worth a lot in my book....
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Go to India....but avoid Facebook?
I did my best to keep my thoughts to myself on this....I promise I don't mean to be mean spirited or vengeful. After writing this my fear it sounds a bit cynical...I apologize if that is the case....
This morning I ventured to Church for the first time in 6 months or so. As I've mentioned before, my relationship with God is as good as it has ever been.....my relationship with organized religion is somewhat on the rocks.
I'm finally to the point where I feel like venturing to Church again. It's going to take a special place though...on Sunday mornings I many times watch televised Church services and have watched the telecast from The Cornerstone Church here in Nashville. I was somewhat hesitant to go there because of its palatial size. I have a basic problem with congregations building large facilities...but that's another post.....
The people were friendly enough, the music was fantastic....they obviously have an orchestra full of professional musicians. The songs were custom written (as far as I could tell) and were very moving. During one song that I particularly connected with, I was in tears.
After the music, their minister, Maury Davis hit the stage. There were the usual announcements about upcoming events and stuff. While working toward the lesson he began promoting a project that someone within the Church had started called HisSpace.com. This was going to be a social networking site similar to MySpace or facebook for Christians. He was excited because a member was starting it because he would tithe based on the profits. Typical preacher stuff...
He mentioned that MySpace and facebook had been taken over by adult content so Christians should avoid them and use HisSpace.com. The comment was made that someone did some poking around and found that within three contacts of a friend they were 'somewhere they shouldn't be'. During this section of this service he made an off-hand comment about not understanding bloggers....putting their opinions on the internet for people who don't care about their opinions. After this promotion, he launched into promotion of a evangelistic effort to India talking about the millions of people that could be reached there. After this they launched into some music and I left....
This experience has been on my mind ever since and I'm hoping that by getting it off my chest here, I can forget about it and move on...
Here are my thoughts...
1. I'll probably set up an account on hisspace.com, but I do not feel that Christians should segregate themselves from places like MySpace or facebook (I particularly like facebook) the fact that there is adult content out there doesn't bother me (to be honest, I've never seen ANY adult content on facebook, maybe because I don't go looking for it) I have, however, debated atheists on the existence of God and become good friends with them. Personal evangelism is by far the most effective tool. If I remember, Jesus was most often criticized for associating with sinners. Aren't they the folks we are supposed to be reaching? How do you reach them if you avoid them. The boat has to be in the water to do its job, its when the water gets in the boat that you have a problem.
2. Blogging is something that a lot of people don't understand. I've had many people ask me why I do it. For many years I've had thoughts that I wish that could share. Thoughts about God, life, anything. I've tried public speaking...I'm not good at it, I am better at writing. I doubt anyone would buy a book with my name on it, but many stop by and read. I have had many experiences and they are not different from many others. Everybody loses jobs, has divorces, raises kids. I just try to give my views on all of these issues. And just for the record, over 1200 unique people stopped by at one time or another last year. The average time spent on my blog was close to two minutes, so, blogging is an effective tool. The fact that Mr. Davis doesn't understand it is his deal. I thought it was a bit arrogant for him to discount others opinions while freely posting his own.
3. According to a theory, everyone is just Six steps away from anyone else on the planet. The fact that someone is three steps away from a pedophile, sex addict, drug addict or some other convicted felon shouldn't surprise anyone. I found this attitude a bit condescending coming from a convicted felon. Given Mr. Davis' past, I had high hopes for him as a minister of the Gospel. I must say that I was a bit dissappointed. It is this sort of attitude that gets me with 'Church people'....they minimize their own sins and magnify the sins of others. We are all in the same boat....lost without Jesus. I'm looking for a Church that really really understands that.
Ok, I got that off my chest...
This morning I ventured to Church for the first time in 6 months or so. As I've mentioned before, my relationship with God is as good as it has ever been.....my relationship with organized religion is somewhat on the rocks.
I'm finally to the point where I feel like venturing to Church again. It's going to take a special place though...on Sunday mornings I many times watch televised Church services and have watched the telecast from The Cornerstone Church here in Nashville. I was somewhat hesitant to go there because of its palatial size. I have a basic problem with congregations building large facilities...but that's another post.....
The people were friendly enough, the music was fantastic....they obviously have an orchestra full of professional musicians. The songs were custom written (as far as I could tell) and were very moving. During one song that I particularly connected with, I was in tears.
After the music, their minister, Maury Davis hit the stage. There were the usual announcements about upcoming events and stuff. While working toward the lesson he began promoting a project that someone within the Church had started called HisSpace.com. This was going to be a social networking site similar to MySpace or facebook for Christians. He was excited because a member was starting it because he would tithe based on the profits. Typical preacher stuff...
He mentioned that MySpace and facebook had been taken over by adult content so Christians should avoid them and use HisSpace.com. The comment was made that someone did some poking around and found that within three contacts of a friend they were 'somewhere they shouldn't be'. During this section of this service he made an off-hand comment about not understanding bloggers....putting their opinions on the internet for people who don't care about their opinions. After this promotion, he launched into promotion of a evangelistic effort to India talking about the millions of people that could be reached there. After this they launched into some music and I left....
This experience has been on my mind ever since and I'm hoping that by getting it off my chest here, I can forget about it and move on...
Here are my thoughts...
1. I'll probably set up an account on hisspace.com, but I do not feel that Christians should segregate themselves from places like MySpace or facebook (I particularly like facebook) the fact that there is adult content out there doesn't bother me (to be honest, I've never seen ANY adult content on facebook, maybe because I don't go looking for it) I have, however, debated atheists on the existence of God and become good friends with them. Personal evangelism is by far the most effective tool. If I remember, Jesus was most often criticized for associating with sinners. Aren't they the folks we are supposed to be reaching? How do you reach them if you avoid them. The boat has to be in the water to do its job, its when the water gets in the boat that you have a problem.
2. Blogging is something that a lot of people don't understand. I've had many people ask me why I do it. For many years I've had thoughts that I wish that could share. Thoughts about God, life, anything. I've tried public speaking...I'm not good at it, I am better at writing. I doubt anyone would buy a book with my name on it, but many stop by and read. I have had many experiences and they are not different from many others. Everybody loses jobs, has divorces, raises kids. I just try to give my views on all of these issues. And just for the record, over 1200 unique people stopped by at one time or another last year. The average time spent on my blog was close to two minutes, so, blogging is an effective tool. The fact that Mr. Davis doesn't understand it is his deal. I thought it was a bit arrogant for him to discount others opinions while freely posting his own.
3. According to a theory, everyone is just Six steps away from anyone else on the planet. The fact that someone is three steps away from a pedophile, sex addict, drug addict or some other convicted felon shouldn't surprise anyone. I found this attitude a bit condescending coming from a convicted felon. Given Mr. Davis' past, I had high hopes for him as a minister of the Gospel. I must say that I was a bit dissappointed. It is this sort of attitude that gets me with 'Church people'....they minimize their own sins and magnify the sins of others. We are all in the same boat....lost without Jesus. I'm looking for a Church that really really understands that.
Ok, I got that off my chest...
Saturday, January 10, 2009
No respect.....No respect at all....
Today is a big day for Tennessee Titans fans....the hated Ravens have come to town.
Listening to the news this morning, the Titans are the underdog even though they have a 13-3 record this year. The reasoning they said was "That's really not as impressive as it sounds because so many of those games were so close"
Well Well Well....a W beats an L every day of the week....
No matter what success you have...you will have your detractors. For some reason this reminds of a scene in the Jim Carrey movie Liar Liar. Because of his son's birthday wish, Jim's character is unable to tell a lie. He meets with his son at school to try to convince him unmake the wish because he is a lawyer and needs to be able to lie. As they are talking his son says "My teacher says that true beauty is on the inside" to which Carrey's character responds "That's just something that ugly people say" :D
True strength is strength where you succeed in spite of your detractors....
Go Titans!
Listening to the news this morning, the Titans are the underdog even though they have a 13-3 record this year. The reasoning they said was "That's really not as impressive as it sounds because so many of those games were so close"
Well Well Well....a W beats an L every day of the week....
No matter what success you have...you will have your detractors. For some reason this reminds of a scene in the Jim Carrey movie Liar Liar. Because of his son's birthday wish, Jim's character is unable to tell a lie. He meets with his son at school to try to convince him unmake the wish because he is a lawyer and needs to be able to lie. As they are talking his son says "My teacher says that true beauty is on the inside" to which Carrey's character responds "That's just something that ugly people say" :D
True strength is strength where you succeed in spite of your detractors....
Go Titans!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Ok....I'm a little angry...
This is a huge story here in Tennessee....it was big enough to attract the attention of Erin Brockovich (love that movie).
Now, take into consideration this story where Tennesseans are struggling to pay their electric bills due to the economic downturn. The most important part of the story is the last paragraph....
TVA said the cost to clean up the Dec. 22 ash spill in East Tennessee is expected to cost tens of millions of dollars and will be passed on to customers. TVA officials testified in Washington about the spill.
I watched a little bit of the news story where the head of TVA testified before Congress. From what he said, they knew that there was a problem....they chose not to fix it, the clean up is going to cost 100 more than the repair would have...
And let me get this straight.....their customers have to pay for it?
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
That's good....no, that's bad.....
Things are tough all over....our President elect said that things are bad and getting worse...this morning I found these lyrics to a song I've never heard before....
OH THAT'S GOOD, NO THAT'S BAD
Sam The Sham And The Pharaohs
SPOKEN:
(The Shamettes) Ohhhhh, That's Bad.
(Sam) No, That's Good.
(Verse 1)
Not long ago I was walking down the street
When a woman in a car knocked me off my feet.
(The Shamettes) Ohhhhh, That's Bad.
(Sam) No, That's Good.
(Verse 2)
My insurance paid me a lot of dough,
More money than I'd seen in a year's payroll
(The Shamettes) Ohhhhh, That's Good.
(Sam) No, That's Bad.
(Verse 3)
My doctor's bills is where my money went
And all I had left was a very bad limp
(The Shamettes) Ohhhhh, That's Bad.
(Sam) No, That's Good.
(Bridge)
Cause the way I walked, got me a role
as the marshall's partner on a TV show
Pretty young actresses started hanging round
and every night we'd do the town
(The Shamettes) Ohhhhh, That's Good.
(Sam) No, That's Bad.
(Verse 4)
I ended up back in a hospital bed
Cause my horse fell on my bad leg
(The Shamettes) Ohhhhh, That's Bad.
(Sam) No, That's Good.
(Verse 5)
Cause just when I was feeling my worst
I fell in love with a beautiful nurse
(The Shamettes) Ohhhhh, That's Good.
(Sam) No, That's Bad.
(Bridge)
Cause I found out she was the doctor's wife
Now I'll be in a wheelchair the rest of my life
Cause no matter how I pleaded and begged
He operated on my good leg.
(The Shamettes) Ohhhhh, That's Bad.
(Sam) No, That's AWFUL.
I learned a long time ago that we tend to have our own definition of success and happiness, the problem is, that definition may be different from God's. We tend to think that when everyone is healthy, the bills are paid and money is in the bank, then things are good. Otherwise, things are bad.
It is interesting though, that in several places the Bible discusses the benefits of trials.
2 Corinthians 8
1And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.
2 Thessalonians 1
4Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.
James 1
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
I Peter 1
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
It's difficult, but I'm trying to see this time as a trial, refining my faith by fire...
OH THAT'S GOOD, NO THAT'S BAD
Sam The Sham And The Pharaohs
SPOKEN:
(The Shamettes) Ohhhhh, That's Bad.
(Sam) No, That's Good.
(Verse 1)
Not long ago I was walking down the street
When a woman in a car knocked me off my feet.
(The Shamettes) Ohhhhh, That's Bad.
(Sam) No, That's Good.
(Verse 2)
My insurance paid me a lot of dough,
More money than I'd seen in a year's payroll
(The Shamettes) Ohhhhh, That's Good.
(Sam) No, That's Bad.
(Verse 3)
My doctor's bills is where my money went
And all I had left was a very bad limp
(The Shamettes) Ohhhhh, That's Bad.
(Sam) No, That's Good.
(Bridge)
Cause the way I walked, got me a role
as the marshall's partner on a TV show
Pretty young actresses started hanging round
and every night we'd do the town
(The Shamettes) Ohhhhh, That's Good.
(Sam) No, That's Bad.
(Verse 4)
I ended up back in a hospital bed
Cause my horse fell on my bad leg
(The Shamettes) Ohhhhh, That's Bad.
(Sam) No, That's Good.
(Verse 5)
Cause just when I was feeling my worst
I fell in love with a beautiful nurse
(The Shamettes) Ohhhhh, That's Good.
(Sam) No, That's Bad.
(Bridge)
Cause I found out she was the doctor's wife
Now I'll be in a wheelchair the rest of my life
Cause no matter how I pleaded and begged
He operated on my good leg.
(The Shamettes) Ohhhhh, That's Bad.
(Sam) No, That's AWFUL.
I learned a long time ago that we tend to have our own definition of success and happiness, the problem is, that definition may be different from God's. We tend to think that when everyone is healthy, the bills are paid and money is in the bank, then things are good. Otherwise, things are bad.
It is interesting though, that in several places the Bible discusses the benefits of trials.
2 Corinthians 8
1And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.
2 Thessalonians 1
4Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.
James 1
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
I Peter 1
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
It's difficult, but I'm trying to see this time as a trial, refining my faith by fire...
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